Gourmet Ghosts Downtown LA Walking Tour
Ghost stories, haunted cocktail bars, legendary bakeries, and the dark secrets of Downtown LA — all on one unforgettable afternoon walking tour.
Elizabeth Short was last seen alive at the Biltmore Hotel on the evening of January 9, 1947. She made some phone calls, sat in the elegant lounge, and then walked off into the night. After her mutilated body was found a week later, newspapers nicknamed her “The Black Dahlia,” and despite a huge investigation by the LAPD, her case was never solved. It's still the most famous murder in LA history — and she still haunts the corridors of the Biltmore today. On the Gourmet Ghosts Downtown LA Walking Tour, that's not just a story. It's one of your tour stops!
Led by James T. 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.
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What To Expect
The Gourmet Ghosts Downtown LA walking tour is based on the works of James T. 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.
Tour 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.
Itinerary
Meet your guide at The Biltmore Hotel — 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
- 1
Pitchoun! Bakery & Café
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.
- 2
Settecento DTLA
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.
- 3
The Last Bookstore
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.
- 4
Angels Flight & Grand Central Market
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.
- 5
The Alexandria Hotel
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.
- 6
Millennium Biltmore Gallery Bar
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.
- 7
Hotel Cecil
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.
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.
Meeting Point
Biltmore Hotel 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
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Also In Los Angeles
Hollywood Boulevard Ghost Walk
- Hollywood Boulevard after dark
- Valentino & Chaplin's ghosts
- Houdini's Knickerbocker seance
Do You Have The Courage To Join?
Explore haunted locations and hear chilling tales. Face your fears and uncover dark secrets — if you dare.
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