Row DTLA, Los Angeles

As you arrive at ROW DTLA, enter through one of the large brick gateways along Alameda Street or Seventh Street and step into what was once the Los Angeles Terminal Market. Built between 1917 and 1923 beside the Southern Pacific Railroad, this vast industrial complex has been transformed into one of Downtown L.A.'s trendiest destinations, comprising six renovated buildings spread across 32 acres.

After entering, follow the central pedestrian streets between the buildings. These open-air corridors are lined with outdoor seating, murals, seasonal installations, and landscaped courtyards that invite you to slow down and explore. If you look toward the upper levels, you'll occasionally spot rooftop terraces and event spaces offering excellent views of the Downtown Los Angeles skyline, especially around sunset.

One of the highlights is Market Row, the private street running through the center of the complex. During summer and fall, it hosts the POP Produce Farmers Market, where local farmers sell fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and artisan products alongside food trucks and live DJs. Nearby, the historic 7th Street Produce Market continues a century-old wholesale tradition, with more than 80 produce vendors serving both restaurants and the public during the morning hours.

If you're visiting on a Sunday, head toward the large open parking and event area, where you'll find Smorgasburg Los Angeles, the city's largest weekly street-food market. Dozens of food stalls, local artisans, vintage vendors, and rotating pop-up events create a lively festival atmosphere from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., making it one of the best places in Los Angeles to sample innovative local cuisine.

For some of ROW DTLA's best-known eateries, continue along Market Row, where many of the destination restaurants and cafés are clustered. Go Get Em Tiger is easy to spot thanks to its modern café frontage and outdoor seating, making it an excellent stop for specialty coffee or breakfast. A short walk away is Pikunico, a casual Japanese eatery famous for its gluten-free karaage, or Japanese fried chicken. Hayato has a discreet entrance inside one of the restored warehouses and is known for refined seasonal Japanese cuisine.

For shopping, look for Poketo, known for colorful design products and stationery, Still Life Ceramics, featuring handcrafted pottery, and Bodega, a famous sneaker boutique cleverly concealed behind what appears to be an ordinary loading dock, make their discovery part of the fun experience itself.