Smorgasburg LA, the Brooklyn-born West Coast food market outpost, became a weekend destination for Angelenos almost instantly after it opened in June 2016. It’s easy to see why: at home at the 5-acre ROW DTLA space just southwest of In the Arts District, the fair offers all the variety of a large pop-up food festival, without all the crowds. In addition to up to 50 food stalls, you’ll find a beer garden, craft vendors, and some shady picnic areas to enjoy lunch. The market is family-friendly and offers food and drink for almost all palates and diets.
Get there
Admission to Smorgasburg LA is free, and the market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An imposing parking lot next to ROW DTLA, accessible via Alameda and Central, offers nearly 5,000 spaces, free for two hours without validation . Cyclists can bike to Smorgasburg, which is home to a free bike valet service and a convenient Metro Bike Share pop-up station. Although there is no walkable train station to ROW DTLA, some bus routes, including 7th Street, stop within a few blocks of Smorgasburg and run every few minutes on Sundays.
Food
- Bumblecrumpets : Finish off your Sunday lunch with a sweet Bumblecrumpets Macaroon – Choose from clever flavors of the week like Yellow Cake, Lucky Charms, and Blueberry Pop-Tart.
- Donut Friend : Indulge in vegan versions of your favorite donuts, including a version of strawberry shortcake good enough for omnivores, complete with non-dairy whipped topping.
- Goa Taco : This stall is home to the paratha taco, where fillings like pork belly and shiitake mushroom are stuffed into a fluffy tortilla and shell croissant hybrid.
- Mama Musubi : Hand-held rice balls with ingredients like spam and spicy tuna are the perfect street food.
- Plant Burger : Vegetarians can find refuge from all the Plant Burger-centric meat stalls, which make high-tech veggie burgers that remarkably resemble reality. Pair it with crispy fries.
- Rooster Republic : Nashville hot fried chicken combos and southern-style sides (coleslaw, mac n cheese) make this stand a home-cooked favorite.
- Shrimp Daddy: Not only is the Garlic Butter Pineapple Shrimp Boat insanely installable, but it’s also insanely tasty. This booth gathers a line of hungry customers before noon, so come early to avoid a wait.
- The Jolly Oyster : In addition to fresh-cut, super-fresh Kamamoto and Jolly oysters, this Smorg seafood booth serves a scallop ceviche and sea urchin plate.
- Ugly Drum – It’s hard to walk through the scented Ugly Drum smoking hole without stopping to sample the unbeatable smoked pastrami with all the fixin ‘. Make this an early starter on your Sunday meal – they only open until the smoked meat runs out.
Drinks
- Beer Garden: A rotating selection of some beers on tap, and red and white wine are offered in this cozy beer garden. In an effort to keep Smorgasburg family-friendly, alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into the main market area, but hungry adults can bring food to the beer garden to enjoy with a drink.
- Lade Slush Co : Natural slushies, in flavors like pink lemonade and pineapple, draw thirsty crowds in Smorgasburg, especially on hot days.
- PopdUp : This all-natural sweetener company sells cute jars of homemade peeled, homemade and bottled iced tea and juice.
- Stand Coffee : With its simple menu, the Stand Coffee booth continues to be one of the most popular first stops in Smorgasburg LA for visitors looking for their morning shake.
- Young Bud : Enjoy a colorful boba matcha green tea with flowers as you shop or browse your food from the popular tea and matcha vendor at the market.
Shopping and lifestyle
- Hannah Frost Jewelry : Presenting delicate handcrafted pieces that are modern enough to appeal to both fashionistas and classics alike, the Frost booth stands out among Smorgasburg jewelers.
- HeadBand Clothing – The HeadBand Store features original hand-printed designs applied to neutral colored T-shirts and tanks for both men and women. All caps sell for around $ 20.
- Planting games: Stock up on some of the smaller succulents have seen, each hand – painted pots with kitsch phrases like “so fresh and so green” or “Can not Touch This”; plants will cost you $ 12-20.
- Promised Land – This mobile eyewear store, specializing in new and vintage sunglasses, sells its wares from a restored retro bus.
- Rx Candles : Enjoy some aromatherapy at the Rx Candles booth, which sells 100% soy candles in a variety of sizes and scents.
Professional tips
The market is busiest between noon and 1pm each week, so plan an early trip or wait for the lunchtime crowd to clear to avoid the lines. Carry cash to better enjoy Smorgasburg LA; many of the vendors prefer it and some do not have credit card capabilities. Pets are not welcome at the Smorg, so be sure to leave Fido at home for his sampling and shopping day.
