Downtown LA's Grand Central Market Ranked Among Nation's Top Restaurants

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Grand Central Market in Downtown L.A. has been listed as one of America's 50 best new restaurants.

Bon Appétit magazine says the culinary hub is a must-see for foodies.

It's a nearly century-old building that used to house bulk goods and cheap food.

But the newly redone Grand Central Market just made Bon Appétit's lists for best new restaurants in the country, and it speaks to the evolving scene downtown.

From grass-fed burgers to gourmet cheese to traditional Mexican food, those in search of gastronomic delights can find all that and more among the dozens of restaurants under one roof.

Bon Appétit called it a one-stop snapshot of the L.A. food scene.

Grand Central Market, on Broadway at 3rd Street, opened in 1917 as a market, complete with a soda counter. It's been known for ethnic food or a spot to buy ingredients in bulk.

But new upscale eateries such as Belcampo's grass-fed meat, named as best burger in the country, have raised the culinary bar for this L.A. landmark.

Customers say they come for the variety and appreciate the mix of old and new.

With more people living downtown, residents say the expanding restaurant scene is helping revitalize the area and giving a boost to the urban economy.

For more on Grand Central Market, visit www.grandcentralmarket.com.