★★★★★ 4.8 stars, 73 reviews
Gourmet Ghosts Downtown LA Walking Tour
$37.13 per person
Ghost stories, haunted cocktail bars, legendary bakeries, and the dark secrets of Downtown LA — all on one unforgettable afternoon walking tour.
*includes all taxes and fees
Duration
Approx. 3 Hours
Meeting Point
Pitchoun! Bakery & Café, 545 S Flower St, DTLA
Minimum Age
21+
Check-Out Availability
She was last seen alive at the Biltmore Hotel on the evening of January 9, 1947. Elizabeth Short, soon to become the most infamous murder victim in Los Angeles history, known forever after as the Black Dahlia, checked in, sipped a drink at the Gallery Bar, and vanished into the night. Her case was never solved. But according to those who have worked and visited the Biltmore since, she never entirely left.
On the Gourmet Ghosts Downtown LA Walking Tour, that drink at the Gallery Bar isn't just a story. It's one of your tour stops!
Led by James Bartlett, journalist and author of the cult-favorite book
Gourmet Ghosts, this afternoon walking tour combines the best of Downtown LA's storied culinary scene with the dark and fascinating history hiding in plain sight behind its most iconic buildings. From French pastries steps from a building haunted by an Art Deco ghost, to craft cocktails in a stunning bar with more secrets than it lets on, every bite and sip comes with a story worth telling. Some are chilling. Some are criminal. All of them are true.
What To Expect
Expert Paranormal Guide
Sunday Afternoons
Easy/Moderate
$37.13 Per Person
Why Choose American Ghost Walks?
The Gourmet Ghosts Downtown LA walking tour is based on the works of James Bartlett, a British journalist and longtime Los Angeles resident whose book Gourmet Ghosts pioneered the concept of exploring LA through the lens of its haunted culinary history. James has spent years researching the crime stories, ghost sightings, and hidden histories of the restaurants, hotels, and bars that make Downtown LA what it is. Every stop on this tour is the product of that original, on-the-ground research.
American Ghost Walks partners with local experts, historians, and authors to ensure our tours are grounded in verifiable history and authentic storytelling, not recycled legend. The Gourmet Ghosts tour brings that standard to downtown Los Angeles for the first time.
Important Info
- Metered street parking is available, but there is also the Pershing Square parking lot at 532 S. Olive St.
- This tour runs in cold temperatures and light rain, so please dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes.
- The tour route is wheelchair-accessible, just let us know if you plan on using one, so we can adjust the route appropriately for your comfort
- Because this is a limited capacity tour, all sales are final. But we will reschedule you if you have an emergency, we love ghosts, not monsters!
- Service animals are welcome but for liability issues, please leave your furry friends at home.
Meet the ghost of Angel's Flight
Ghost hunters at the Biltmore Hotel
Learn the secrets of LA's most dangerous hotel
The coolest book store you'll ever see is also haunted
Could a building's architecture be influenced by a Ouija board?
Meet the ghost of Angel's Flight
Ghost hunters at the Biltmore Hotel
Itinerary
Highlights
- Explore Downtown LA's most haunted and historically significant locations on foot
- Enjoy curated food and drink tastings at five iconic DTLA venues
- Hear the real story of the Black Dahlia's last known evening — told at the scene
- Discover the ghost stories, crimes, and legends hiding behind world-famous facades
- Led by James Bartlett, journalist and author of the acclaimed book Gourmet Ghosts
- Walk away with a guest card featuring exclusive deals to return to each stop on your own
List of Services
-
Pitchoun! Bakery & CaféItem Link List Item 1
Your adventure starts at one of Downtown LA's most beloved French bakeries, tucked into the shadow of the Millennium Biltmore on the same block as the mysterious Oviatt Building. Enjoy a signature pastry while James introduces you to the extraordinary ghost story next door — and why this corner of downtown may be one of the most haunted blocks in the city.
-
Settecento DTLAItem Link List Item 4
Behind the Central Library — itself the site of a devastating and deeply suspicious fire — sits one of Downtown's most welcoming Italian restaurants, with a generous early happy hour and a connection to a story of institutional tragedy that the city has never fully reckoned with. Enjoy a bite and a drink while James connects the dots.
-
The Last BookstoreItem Link
A beloved local institution, the Last Bookstore occupies a building with a past far stranger than its charming present. James has a special story about the elevator. You may never ride one the same way again.
-
Angels Flight & Grand Central MarketItem Link
The world's shortest railway has also been the site of one of LA's most shocking accidents. At the base of Angels Flight, James tells the full story of what happened here — and why the funicular's history goes much deeper than most tourists realize. Then it's into the legendary Grand Central Market for a snack: a donut, an empanada, ice cream — your choice from one of the city's most celebrated food halls.
-
The Alexandria HotelItem Link
Once the grandest hotel in Los Angeles, the Alexandria hosted Charlie Chaplin, King Edward VII, and countless legends of the early 20th century. Today it stands as one of the most haunted addresses in the city. James tells its full story on the exterior — where the sightings, the legends, and the history come into sharpest focus.
-
Millennium Biltmore Gallery BarItem Link List Item 2
Opened in 1923, the Biltmore has hosted presidents, movie stars, and — allegedly — at least one lingering ghost. The Gallery Bar is where Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia, was last seen alive. Settle in for a cocktail and hear the full story of what happened next, what investigators found, and what staff members have seen in the decades since.
-
Hotel CecilItem Link
Nestled in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the Cecil Hotel holds a chilling reputation as one of the world's most haunted destinations. Its history is marred by an unsettling array of tragedies including unexplained accidents, sudden deaths, brutal murders, and heartbreaking suicides.
Meeting Point
Pitchoun! Bakery & Café, 545 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (Steps from Pershing Square Metro Station)
-
What is the Gourmet Ghosts Downtown LA Walking Tour?
It's a 3 hour afternoon walking adventure of Downtown Los Angeles that combines curated food and drink tastings at five iconic DTLA venues with the ghost stories, crime history, and hidden legends of the city's most dramatic buildings. The tour is led by James Bartlett, journalist and author of the book Gourmet Ghosts.
-
How long is the tour?
Approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, running from 2:30 PM to 5:45 PM.
-
Where does the tour start?
Service animals are welcome. However, for liability issues, please leave your furry friends at home if you don’t require their assistance.
-
What's included in the ticket price?
Your ticket covers the tour itself and food and drink tastings at five stops along the route. Guests also receive a card with exclusive deals to return to each venue on their own.
-
Who leads the tour?
James Bartlett is a British journalist and longtime Los Angeles resident who has spent years researching the haunted and culinary history of Downtown LA. His book Gourmet Ghosts is the foundation of this tour.
-
Is this tour family-friendly?
The minimum age to join is 21 due to mature themes and ghost-related stories and because we stop at a bar. In California, you can only go to a bar if you are 21 or older.
-
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. This is an afternoon tour, so sun protection is recommended on warm days.
-
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
The route follows public sidewalks through DTLA. Most surfaces are flat and paved. Guests with mobility concerns should contact us before booking.
-
Do I need to eat before the tour?
No, the food tastings are designed to carry you through the afternoon. That said, this is a tasting tour, not a full multi-course meal. Guests with larger appetites may want a light snack beforehand.
-
What happens if it rains?
The tour runs rain or shine. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket just in case.
-
Can I book a private group tour?
Yes! The Gourmet Ghosts tour is available for private groups. Contact us for more information.
-
Why choose American Ghost Walks?
American Ghost Walks partners with local authors, historians, and paranormal experts to deliver tours grounded in original research and authentic storytelling. Every story on the Gourmet Ghosts tour comes from James Bartlett's years of firsthand investigation into LA's haunted culinary scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have the courage to join?
Explore haunted locations and hear chilling tales. Face your fears and uncover dark secrets. Join us, if you dare!