Los Angeles’ Italian heritage has roots going back to the 19th century, and was once so flourishing that there was a Little Italy neighborhood set along Olvera Street in downtown. Today, there are only traces of that history left, but you’ll still find plenty of Italian influences in the city’s food scene.
While there’s no central locale for all things Italian, one of the things the City Of Angels does well is bring vendors together in vast food halls around the city. So, if you’re looking for that sizzling slice, mouthwatering mortadella, or just the silkiest strings of spaghetti, L.A.’s many food halls have you covered.
6 of the Best Italian Food Hall in L.A.
Grand Central Market
This downtown food hall has been in continuous operation since 1917, and received a massive makeover in 2013. Today, the hall has more than 30 artisanal food vendors that range from Mexican and Japanese to deli food and burgers. For Italian-food lovers, there’s Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria for tasty personal pies, and Knead & Co. Pasta Bar + Market for sustainably sourced spaghetti and meatballs from master pastificio Bruce Kalman. grandcentralmarket.com
Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria
Eataly
The grand dame of Italian food halls in America finally arrived in L.A. in 2017, and has since become the one-stop-food-shop for dining, shopping, sipping, and learning about all things Italian cuisine. Inside this bastion of Italian indulgence are three sit-down restaurants, seven counter eateries, two caffés, and a winding marketplace selling everything from fresh pasta and olive oil to salumi, formaggi, and crackling breads. For budding chefs, there are a wide range of cooking classes where you can learn pasta making, wine tasting, bread baking, and more. eataly.com
The Original Farmers Market
Since 1934, The Original Farmers Market in the middle of L.A. has provided farmers and grocers with an outlet to hock their wares to the hungry denizens of the city. 85 years later, the bustling market has become a major foodie attraction packed with restaurants, grocers, and specialty shops. There are plenty of Italian-influenced options, but to feel the real history of the place, stop by Marconda’s Meats, run by the DeRosa family since 1941, and Patsy D’Amore’s Pizza, which started slinging slices in 1949. farmersmarketla.com
Marconda's
The Fields
One of the newer food halls to open in town, The Fields is a 43,000-square-foot space that boasts eight different food vendors, including Pizza Dei Campi, which serves a simple selection of pies like a Margherita, Pepperoni, and White Pizza, as well as classic Italian sandwiches. Beyond the food, the second floor provides guests with one of the better sports bars in the city, with loads of retro arcade games and a rowdy scene of fans on the weekends. thefieldsla.com
The Fields
The Proud Bird
Once an iconic and historic restaurant, The Proud Bird has been reimagined as a food bazaar with six different kitchens—and a P-40 Flying Tiger aircraft suspended above your head. While you’re gawking at the replica bird, head over to their Italian joint, which offers five different pizzas; try the mushroom truffle with arugula and fried egg, or build your own option. Inside the hall are also interactive exhibits, docent-led tours, and an outdoor space where you can watch the daily deluge of planes coming and going out of LAX. theproudbird.com
Proud Bird
The Row
It’s a little difficult to put The Row in a box: This massive complex features 1.3 million square feet of office space, has 65 different retail and restaurant locations, and stretches across six buildings. But Italian food lovers can narrow things down to two main spots. The first is The Manufactory, which houses Tartine Bianco (a café with specialties like Bianco DiNapoli tomato flatbread, Panzanella, and heirloom tomato tartines), Alameda Supper Club (try the buckwheat cannoli and spaghetti), a coffee roaster, a marketplace and a bakery. The second is Smorgasburg (la.smorgasburg.com), an outdoor foodopolis that pops up every Sunday. Among the more than 60 food vendors are include Italian standouts like URBN Pizza, known for their coal-fired pies, and Porchetta Republic, a must for savory pork roast sandwiches that melt in your mouth. rowdtla.com
Porchetta Republic at The Row