CENTRL Neighborhood Spotlight: Los Angeles

At CENTRL, we believe in creating an office environment that is both energetic and inspiring — just like the neighborhoods we’re in. It’s important that where you work is a short walk to the small things that make going to the office even more worth it, like having great options for artisan coffee, diverse lunch selections, after work spots, and culture.

Thankfully, there is no shortage of amazing local businesses to support in downtown Los Angeles. Located in the heart of Little Tokyo, two blocks west of the Arts District and 2.5 blocks east of the Historic Core, our members enjoy access to world-class offices, steps away from a vibrant array of locally-owned coffee and breakfast spots, eclectic bars and restaurants, and galleries. It is an ideal location for those seeking a better work-life balance.

During this challenging public health crisis, coming together is also more important than ever. That’s why CENTRL is committed to supporting and promoting our neighbors and fellow entrepreneurs in downtown LA, so that they, too, can do their best work.

With this in mind, here’s a partial list of a few of our neighbors we think you’ll like and hope you’ll support. Just remember to bring your mask! We’ll also be giving shout-outs to more of our neighbors in future posts.

Coffee & Breakfast

Donatsu

www.donatsu.com
330 E 2nd St, Ste C, Los Angeles, CA 90012
By some estimates, over 1,500 donut shops across California are owned by Cambodian families. At Dōnatsu in Little Tokyo, husband and wife duo Jenny and Nite Ban put their own unique spin on an exclusively vegan collection of elevated donuts with fluffy textures and unique toppings that fit the shop’s name and our neighborhood. Definitely give their Madagascar vanilla glazed donuts a try!

Bicycle Coffee

www.bicyclecoffeeco.com
358 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Looking for a quick egg sandwich a great cup of artisan coffee that’s only a quick elevator ride from where you work? Check out Bicycle Coffee, located in the lobby of our Little Tokyo office. The venue is spacious and their menu includes helpful diagrams to illustrate the breakdown of ingredients in each beverage. They also have milk alternatives and sell matcha tea if you don’t drink coffee.

Lunch & Midday

Sushi Gen

www.sushigen-dtla.com
422 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Craving sushi? Sushi Gen is a great option — as well as being an LA institution. Pro tip: if want to take advantage of their lunch specials, check their hours because Sushi Gen is closed for lunch a couple of days a week. And if ordering for takeout, be sure to check their website as it’s slightly different from their usual offerings. We absolutely love the sashimi here!

Mike’s Deli 2

www.mikesdelionline.com
238 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Featuring the famous “Boarhead” meats, Mike’s Deli offers about ten standard sandwiches and it’s easy to custom build your own. They also have salads if you are trying to cut down on your carb intake. Our favorite is Mike’s Special: honey turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado, mayo/mustard, on squaw bread.

Grand Central Market

www.grandcentralmarket.com
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Grand Central Market has been celebrating the cuisines and cultures of Los Angeles since 1917. Located between Broadway & Hill Street at the base of Angels Flight, this is an unparalleled eating and shopping experience showcasing the outstanding local chefs, culinary vendors, and entrepreneurs. If you’re looking for a seriously diverse market with authentic food for all pallets, Grand Central Market is the choice.

After Work

Angel City Brewing

www.angelcitybrewery.com
216 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Located in the Arts District, Angel City Brewery brings old-world, small-batch, craft brewing to the neighborhood. The brewery itself is a large space with two levels of seating, displays art for purchase, and has games available. Outside food is always welcome and their parking lot is a hot spot for food trucks. They’re now offering their beer selections to-go.

Wurstkuche

www.wurstkuche.com
800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
This place isn’t your average hotdog joint. Wurstküche is an LA staple, with sausages served on a freshly baked roll, including a choice of two toppings and gourmet mustards. With sausage options that include duck & bacon, rattlesnake, and a plain bratwurst, there’s something for everyone. The Belgian fries are very good too (maybe too good).

Conclusion

At CENTRL, we know that coming together with local businesses is more important than ever. We feel fortunate that our downtown Los Angeles location is situated in such a uniquely beautiful and vibrant community of businesses, fueled by creativity, a collaborative spirit, and entrepreneurship. We encourage you to support them. And whether you are looking for the perfect cortado, a gallery, or a place to watch a game after work, always feel free to ask our Community Managers for a recommendation. We’re here to help!