Bennett’s Ice Cream is one of the last of a vanishing tradition: Scott Bennett and his staff make their own ice cream from fresh ingredients mixed on the spot (you can watch the process through Bennett’s kitchen window). The result is so fine that Bennett's regularly wins awards (there are Blue Ribbons all over the shop). The flavors are also wonderfully inventive – try Scott’s cabernet sauvignon sorbet or his pumpkin ice cream.

Stall #548
(323) 939-6786

 

The very freshest spices, sauces and blended seasonings (southern, mesquite barbecue, tandoori and many more) are all here. Experts on hand to help you add new zest and fun to meals from formal to backyard.

Stall #623
(323) 935-8888
www.dragunara.com

 

èple is right next door to Pinkberry, and it comes from the same creative team, on the Market’s south side. Èple is pure heaven for fresh fruit fans, offering freshly made smoothies, juices, remarkably fresh fruits (and grape tubes – very neat indeed!) and, among other joys, the most extraordinary strawberries you’ll ever try. When you’re ready for a healthy snack served with syle and panache, visit èple.

Stall #126
(323) 939-3753
eple.com

 

In the outer aisles, you’ll find some of the most magnificent fruit you’ve ever seen – apples and oranges and melons and seasonal fruits are all fresh and just plain gorgeous. In the interior aisles, you’ll find great vegetables – potatoes and onions and lettuce and garlic –which are so good that a sizable contingent of local vegetarians won’t shop anywhere else.

Stall #612 & 518
(323) 936-6363

 

Farm Fresh Produce offers a wide and appealing array of absolutely fresh produce, seasonal as well as year-round. Fruits in season and all manner of vegetables are truly fresh – browse the aisles for everything from grapes to bananas to lettuce and limes.

Stall #816
(323) 931-3773

 

Sonia Laj and her team of professionals are true poultry experts. The chicken here is more flavorful than any found on freezer shelves in chain stores, the turkey comes from several exceptional purveyors (try the ground turkey as an outstanding substitute for ground beef), and fresh eggs and exotic fowl are also readily available.

Stall #216
(323) 936-8158

 

Dozens of flavors are available from Gill’s, one of the Market’s oldest and most popular shops. They’ll make you a cone, of course, but they also hand-pack in bulk for parties or dinners at home. You can find all manner of other treats here, as well, including soft drinks, frozen bananas and frozen yogurt.

Stall #416
(323) 936-7986

 

A true old-fashioned butcher shop, Huntington offers traditional roasts, steaks, chops, ground beef and much more. You’ll discover an astonishing selection of sausages here (Cajun, three-cheese, chicken sausage, Italian from mild to Wow! and many more). For parties, select a variety of barbecue so everyone can have a taste! Huntington is also one of the city’s exclusive purveyors of Harris Ranch meats.

Stall #350
(323) 938-5383
www.huntingtonmeats.com

 

Light My Fire has hundreds (perhaps thousands) of hot sauces from around the world. Ranging from mild and amusing to spicy enough to curl eyebrows, the selection here is so rich and varied that a single selection seems impossible. A posted scale corresponds to the locations of the sauces, rated from 1 (just a little kick) to 10 (you’ll need a large glass of milk to soothe the burn).

Stall #230
(323) (323) 930-2484
hotsaucetogo.com

 

Michael Graves of Littlejohn’s turns out handmade confections from scratch every day – you can see him and his crew at work in the windows of the shop, often up to their elbows in chocolate or caramel or toffee. The result is nothing less than sweet heaven – many customers won’t even think of consuming other candy and fans make special trips to the Market just for Littlejohn’s exquisite creations.

Stall #432
(323) 936-53798
www.littlejohnscandies.com

 

A perfect marriage of restaurant and grocery store, LIttle Spain serves the best of authentic Spanish cuisine from paella to tapas, all created from recipes which have been in owner Alejandro Pages' family for generations. The shop features fine imported food, wines, spices and ingredients. Offering interior and patio dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it is an ideal location for early evening wine and nosh.

Stall #120
(323) 634-0633
Little Spain's Facebook

 

Magee’s wide, superior variety of nuts has been a tradition (and a holiday staple) for decades. Pecans, walnuts, macadamias and several varieties of peanuts are all available by weight or in charming gift boxes. There’s a special treat here, as well: the fresh nut butters are scrumptious and, if your timing is right, you can watch the machine which makes fresh peanut butter work its magic.

Stall #218
(323) 938-4127
www.mageesnuts.com

 

A world-wide selection of nuts occupies the counters here. So do exotic treats of all kinds: candied fruits in so many varieties that it’s difficult to keep track, wonderful candies and flavored popcorns. They’ll box it for you, ship it for you or just hand it over so you can start enjoying it all right away.

Stall #522
(323) 936-1383

 

At Marconda’s, you’ll see the pro’s ordering at the counter every day. The selection is amazing: a wide range of steaks and chops, roasts butchered to your specifications, ground beef and lamb, homemade Italian sausage (turkey Italian sausage, too) and a New York hot dog which is simply sublime. Don’t neglect the exceptional array of cold cuts around the corner from the main counter.

Stall #514
(323) 938-5131
www.marcondas.com

 

Mr. Marcel’s amazing shop is traditional, exotic, unique and a cook’s delight. You’ll find basic staples here, but you’ll also find a magnificent deli counter offering cheeses and cold cuts from around the world, a wine cellar which is as international as it is large, and (a favorite among locals) a large collection of old-fashioned pickle and olive barrels.

Stall #150
(323) 935-9451
www.mrmarcel.com

 

A native of Normandie, France, owner Josette Leblond has been baking since she was a youngster. Her skill and talent are abundant in her baked-fresh daily fare – breads, rolls, croissant, pastries, tarts and delicacies galore – and in her legion of fans, which literally spans the world.

Stall #330
(323) 930-1944
normandiebakery1.com

 

These experts know fowl: whole birds or perfectly prepared cuts of chicken, turkey and exotic birds are all available here. It is as fresh as it can be and you can have the pros behind the counter prepare your order exactly as you wish. The shop offers great advice, too – ask the experts behind the counter about special cooking tips and suggestions.

Stall #226
(323) 938-0312

 

The brainchild of the late Master Baker, Amy Pressman, Short Cake puts a modern twist on the old-fashioned bakery concept. You'll find a variety of fresh baked sweet and savory goods made only with top quality, local, organic and artisanally produced ingredients. The menu spans from sweet to savory, and includes tried and true favorites such as cookies, brownies, muffins and scones, alongside savory tarts and quiches.

Stall #316
(323) 761-7976
www.shortcakela.com

 

Here you’ll find hundreds of teas galore from Ceylon, India and China, among other exotic sources. They also brew tea here, but for those who truly love exceptional tea, the take-home option is ideal. A full compliment of tea accessories are available as well and the staff are extremely knowledgable and eager to help.

Stall #212
(323) 930-0076

 

Simply exquisite breads, sweets and rolls are fresh every day, and feature top quality ingredients. Some of the baked goods here are absolutely unique. The owners use a number of original recipes from their native Russia for such items as breads and dessert treats. Market regulars turn to this charming shop for the perfect sweet finish to lunch or dinner. Whether you eat here or carry home, the baked goods at T&Y will bring you back for more.

Stall #222
(323) 930-2355

 

Few seafood shops can match Bob Tusquellas’ exceptional store: lobster, shrimp, salmon, tuna, cod, snapper and a rich selection of daily catches are always available here. Bob also dispenses recipes to all who ask, offering great preparation and serving tips as the perfect compliment to the freshest fish anywhere. Try their tuna salad (a recipe contributed by Bob’s wife Kathy) against which all others must be measured.

Stall #316
(323) 938-1919