Smorgasburg LA is a large-scale open-air food market with a high status. It is located in ROW DTLA (777 S.Alameda St) in downtown Los Angeles. The market is a spin-off of the original Smorgasburg in Brooklyn, New York, which opened in 2011. Smorgasburg LA get more famous on its own debut in June 2016 and receives thousands of visitors every week. The market is organised as a living socialisation venue, which works throughout the year and is established on a five-acre plot in the Alameda Produce market. It is also a nursery to small food businesses, and has approximately 90 local food and shopping vendors that serve different food and crafts. The market is famous for different activities like enjoying different foods, design and vintage shopping, having a beer garden with local craft beer, hearing the DJs, and special cultural events and pop-ups. It is a family-friendly place, but no pets are allowed.
What Can You See and Do at Smorgasburg LA?
Here are the five best things to see and do at Smorgasburg LA:
- Taste Diverse Cuisines: Smorgasburg is a food lover’s paradise, and it’s called the Woodstock of Eating. The market has a wide choice of products from more than 90 various food suppliers, which could be local pop-ups or well-known food celebrities. Dining choices vary between the world cuisines, such as real Japanese karaage and Mexican-Texan BBQ, to vegan mac and cheese, lobster roll, Afro-Caribbean meals, and other desserts and beverages, such as Indian bubble tea and fancy ice cream. The party also includes a beer garden that serves local craft beers and micheladas.
- Shop Local Vendors: Market has a curated market with dozens of local shopping vendors. It offers exclusive products of different designs, crafts, styles, vintage, and well-being. The products consist of locally crafted and home-made jewellery, clothes, home items such as framed vintage advertisements, candles, and plants.
- Enjoy Live Music & Entertainment: It is a vibrant place where the year-round entertainment is free. The market has a soundtrack by live DJs and is hosted by Dublab Radio. Several cultural events and special themed days are also held in the market during the year.
- Family-Friendly Activities: Smorgasburg LA is an all-ages venue that is friendly to families. The special events are usually associated with special family-related activities like costume contests, story time, hands-on art projects, and games.
- Photo Opportunities: The market is in a cool/industrial location within the ROW DTLA, and has a very interesting and attractive background for taking photos. The well-arranged and colourful food, the atmosphere, and the artistic installations that are held on special occasions present multiple ways of taking memorable photographs.
How to Get to Smorgasburg LA?
Here are the three best ways to go to the Smorgasburg LA:
- By Metro: Travel by Metro Expo Line to 7th Street Metro Centre and use Metro bus 60, or walk to the place. Weekends also have the metro buses 53 and 66 serving in this area. There is also a Metrolink Weekend Day Pass of $10, which is applicable on any of the lines on Saturdays or Sundays.
- By Limo and Car Services: Limousine service Los Angeles is an easy, luxurious way of getting to the venue. Hired a car to pick you up from your location and drop you off at the Alameda Produce Market in downtown Los Angeles.
- By Rideshare/Taxi: Take a ride-hailing app such as Uber or Lyft to Smorgasburg. A taxi is also available in the market.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
Tourists have a personal choice to visit the Market based on the ease of weather, crowds, and even cost. The best time to visit the market is April-May (spring) and September-October (autumn), which tend to have the best combination of good weather, a lower number of people, and cheaper rates than the highest season, summer and the convenient holiday season. Visit the market early morning to avoid the rush.
Where to Eat & Drink at Smorgasburg LA?
Here are the four best places to eat at the Smorgasburg LA:
- Chicas Tacos: Chicas Tacos is located on South La Brea Avenue. It serves tacos, burgers, and salads and has gained a reputation as being vegan. Its atmosphere is friendly with yummy food.
- Salt & Straw: Salt and Straw is a well-known ice cream store with its unique and unusual flavours that are a sweet treat to those who have a sweet tooth. It’s famous for its unique taste and best services.
- Poke-Poke LA: Poke-Poke LA is a Hawaiian-style poke bowl that offers many fresh ingredients to be customised. It boasts of ingredients that are always fresh and cool.
- Boba Time: Boba Time is a popular destination among bubble tea lovers, and there are several branches of this item in LA, such as in Koreatown and on West 3rd Street. It serves beverages, such as milk teas, fruit teas, and smoothies with traditional toppings of boba.
Is Smorgasburg LA Worth Visiting?
Smorgasburg LA is the best place to visit, particularly among food lovers who want to have a diverse selection of cuisine in a vibrant environment. It has a complete variety of unique and quality cuisine from almost a hundred local food stands, starting with gourmet street food and ending with global desserts. It has become the dream of a foodie. Tourists applaud the vibrant vibe, live concerts, as well as the possibility of finding the emerging local masters and artists. To maximise your time visit, make sure you come early to avoid the crowd and get a seat. It is best to go out with a group of people to share and taste more diverse food.
