looking for things to do in downtown la beyond the usual stops? our owner grew up in la and spent time living in different parts of downtown. so this isn't a list picked from a map. start at couplet on figueroa for coffee or matcha, then make an afternoon of it. the library is close; the food stops take you farther into downtown. that's part of the point.
sonoratown, for lunch
our owner's call is the asada and the burritos. sonoratown brings sonora-style cooking to 8th street: mesquite-grilled beef and house-made flour tortillas. the burrito 2.0 adds guacamole, jack, pinto beans and chiltepin salsa to your choice of meat. eater's early report described the mesquite and tortillas as the reason to go, and the little fashion district storefront is still a solid reason to leave your usual lunch loop. 208 e 8th st (https://www.sonoratown.com/).
cinnies, for a cinnamon roll at grand central market
our owner calls these some of the best cinnamon rolls around. cinnies started at la farmers markets and now has a stall in grand central market. go see which rolls are in the case; the classic is the anchor, with rotating flavors alongside it. the market can be a whole afternoon, but the cinnamon roll is enough reason on its own. grand central market, 317 s broadway (https://grandcentralmarket.com/vendor/cinnies/).
the los angeles central library, for staying a while
please don't forget about libraries in la. our owner grew up going to them, and central library is one of those downtown places you should actually step inside, not just walk past. it opened in 1926. look up at the tiled pyramid outside, then find the mural-lined rotunda inside. bring a book, find a seat, or just give yourself time to wander. this one is for the people who still like to be somewhere without buying anything. 630 w 5th st (https://www.lapl.org/branches/central-library).
uli's gelato, for the sweet stop
our owner called out a downtown gelato spot as some of the best gelato there is. uli's was founded downtown, first opening in the spring arcade building. that original location now sells gelato by vending machine, rather than scooping it over a counter, so know what kind of stop this is before you go. take home a pint or a mini for later. 541 s spring st, suite 104 (https://ulisgelato.com/pages/simple-store-finder).
our dtla shop is at 888 s figueroa st (https://coupletcoffee.com/pages/locations). come by, then keep going. downtown is worth more than one stop.