Downtown LA Food Tour: 7 Tastings in Chinatown & Little Tokyo

Taste your way through Downtown LA's food neighborhoods without a car

A guided walking food tour through Downtown Los Angeles covering Grand Central Market, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and historic landmarks, with tastings at 7 top-rated eateries and a live English-speaking guide. The tour runs 3.5 to 4 hours and includes metro fare, so you move between neighborhoods by transit instead of driving. Choose between a private tour or a public group departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Union Station15m
2. Little Tokyo45m
3. Bradbury Building10m
4. Grand Central Market45m
5. Angels Flight Railway5m

Explore Downtown LA food and landmarks

• Visit Los Angeles Union Station
• Explore El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument
• Tour Chinatown and taste local cuisine
• Discover Little Tokyo and Japanese fusion dishes
• See Los Angeles City Hall
• Visit the Bradbury Building
• Sample foods at Grand Central Market
• Ride Angels Flight Railway

The experience

Downtown LA is where the city's food story begins, and this tour traces it on foot through the neighborhoods that built it. You start at Union Station (the last grand railway station built in the USA, with soaring Art Deco ceilings), then move into the districts where immigrant communities shaped LA's eating culture. The guide walks you through the history as you go: why chefs from Japan still come to Little Tokyo, how Central American and Mexican food took root at Grand Central Market, and what the neighborhoods look like now as they change.

Tastings happen at 7 eateries across the route. At Grand Central Market, you'll sample LA-style tacos and Central American favorites from vendors who've been there for decades alongside newer spots. In Chinatown, you learn to spot specialty ingredients at neighborhood markets and taste dishes that reflect the area's long history. Little Tokyo is where you try Japanese fusion food you won't find anywhere else in LA: the kind that only exists because of the community's particular place in the city. Between stops, the guide points out the Bradbury Building's ornate ironwork, explains why no one should ride the Angels Flight Railway up Bunker Hill, and tells you about the first Academy Awards ceremony and how City Hall corruption killed the streetcar system that once connected these neighborhoods.

You move between districts by metro (the tour includes your fare), so there's no traffic, no parking, and no time lost to driving. The route covers ground on foot, so you'll want comfortable shoes and a moderate level of fitness. Water is provided throughout the 3.5 to 4 hours.

What’s included

• Seven tastings at neighborhood eateries.
• bottled water.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• metro fare between districts.

Options for this experience

2 options

Public tour, Downtown LAGuide in English · 12:00

Private tour, Downtown LAGuide in English · 12:00Private

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Delicious Dish Tours LA

Is this one for you?Book the public tour if you're comfortable walking with a small group and want to meet other food travelers. Choose the private option if you prefer a dedicated guide and the flexibility to linger at stops or ask questions without keeping others waiting.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How many tastings are included on the Downtown LA food tour?

Seven tastings at top-rated eateries across Grand Central Market, Chinatown and Little Tokyo, sampling everything from LA-style tacos and Central American food to Japanese fusion dishes found only in LA.

What neighborhoods does the Downtown LA food tour visit?

The tour covers Grand Central Market, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and historic Downtown sites including Union Station, the Bradbury Building, Angels Flight Railway and City Hall, with food stops woven through each area.

Is transportation between neighborhoods included in the Downtown LA food tour?

Yes, metro fare is included, so you travel between districts by transit rather than walking the full distance or arranging your own transport.

How long does the Downtown LA food tour take?

The tour runs 3.5 to 4 hours, moving at a walking pace through the neighborhoods with stops for tastings and to see landmarks along the way.

Can I book a private tour instead of joining a public group?

Yes, you can choose between a public group tour or a private tour at checkout. Both follow the same route and include the same 7 tastings and guide.

What's included in the Downtown LA food tour price?

Food tastings at 7 eateries; bottled water throughout the tour; a live English-speaking guide; and metro fare to travel between neighborhoods.