While the popularity of food halls is often attributed to the 2010 opening of Eataly in New York City or the 2003 culinary reimagining of San Francisco’s Ferry Building, the concept has a longer history. Look no further than Los Angeles’ Grand Central Market, established in 1917, demonstrating that these communal dining spaces go back decades before the advent of the modern food hall or the chain-stricken food court at your nearest mall. In addition to providing good grub, these halls offer valuable and exceedingly rare third spaces — places outside of home and work where people can gather, connect and relax. It’s a hot commodity in an age where social interaction is increasingly replaced by the pull of screen time. Inside are our choices for the top food halls in Southern California.

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