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Bäco Mercat
(Now Closed)Gastropub$$$$
Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles
The experts at LA Weekly and Los Angeles Times recommend this place
143 Tips and reviews
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kim gDecember 24, 2012Everything was amazing! Our waiter was on top if it! Knew exactly what we needed and was always checkin in on us! The food had so much flavor and the desserts were heavenly! My advice, eat everything!
EaterOctober 30, 2013Chef Josef Centeno stretches his baco-wings to cover brunch too. His yeasted waffle and dry-cured ham plate are an excellent pair. The breakfast baco is also good for the hair of the dog.
Alice HuMarch 9, 2015Everything is so good here. Service is fantastic too! Wide selection of veggie tapas- eggplant and cauliflower were favorites. Sea bass and ravioli (pictured) were amazing as well.
Justin OrdovezaMarch 5, 2015Wonderfully inventive sandwich combinations, these flat bread sandwiches are pretty substantial. The Beef tongue schnitzel is a meaty masterpiece. It's a great way to introduce someone to beef tongue.
Saleh AAugust 10, 2016The okra with yogurt is amaaaazing . The zaatar sumac labnih appetizer is out of this world. The waiter is very friendly. The baco's according to my brothers are amazing. I loved it overall ❤️
The vegetable small plates are fantastic. The bäco's though are just amazing. The Pesco bäco is my personal favorite. The soft shell crab one (usually in the summer) is a treat. Order a cocktail too.
Los Angeles TimesJune 4, 2013Go for the Bäco, Josef Centeno's signature creation, a kind of flatbread sandwich halfway between a Catalan coca and a taco pumped up on 'roids, slicked with a goopy, vaguely Mediterranean sauce. Read more
Alex MoskalyukOctober 1, 2017Fabulous place with entire dinner menu very adventurous and inventive. If L.A. had a Michelin star guide, Baco would get a star or two
Omari AllenFebruary 16, 2018This is a perfect spot to dine with friends or simply treat yourself to a moderately-priced, delicious lunch. The Jerk Bäco is packed with flavour. 👌🏾 I didn't want to end. 😩
Franco CalizFebruary 11, 2015Strange, strange drinks with the assurance that they are also very good house made one. New bitters a wide selection of drinks and smart bartenders. Don't forget great food. The bacos are legit.
Chefs FeedMay 6, 2016"Folded inside chef Josef Centeno's delightfully soft and slightly chewy flat bread, the fava fritter (think falafel) is crispy on the outside and soft and moist within."- Nathan Lyon Read more
AlainDecember 22, 2015Fabulous food, the mix of styles, just unbelievable. I never had Brussels sprouts like here anywhere else, a real delight! Guys, do me a favor, open one in Antwerp!- Los Angeles TimesAugust 3, 2014The menu here reads almost like a graduate exam in culinary post-structuralism, mixing flavors and structures from Spain, France and western China, and Mexico and Peru. Read more
They gotta bring the Inca Punch back! Best things here are their veggies--squash blossoms, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, potato salad. Also: hamachi , and all the pizzas. I want to eat here every day.
Serious EatsMay 29, 2014Chef Josef Centeno's first solo venture, this buzzing space turns out uniquely international plates for dinner, and casual sandwiches for lunch. 3 stars.
Sean BesserFebruary 4, 2013I don't know how to describe this fusion place, but it is a MUST try. Their baco's (which are an SE Asia influenced sandwich) are amazing and something I find myself craving all the time.
Andrew SalehMarch 18, 2013The oxtail bäco is complex, hearty, and delicious. Plus, it pairs almost perfectly with the speedball, a wonderful concoction consisting of aged rum, cold-press coffee, and cinnamon.
Doug de WetAugust 7, 2015When peaches are in season, their Peaches and Goat Cheese salad is tangy, sweet, and refreshing; it's an all around great dish.
EpicuriousSeptember 22, 2014Opt for chef Josef Centeno's seasonal vegetable-driven fare like blistered okra with tomato and basil or the now-legendary "caesar" brussels sprouts. Read more
Yuval ZukermanJune 16, 2018Terrific interesting food. Great service and cocktails. Go for the pork shoulder and NY steak.
- EaterJuly 30, 2012In addition to the bäco expect a bevy of seasonally inspired plates, craft beer, boutique wine, modern cocktails, and house-made sodas. [Eater 38 Member]
KatJanuary 29, 2015An explosion of tastes in my mouth. The shishito and kale, and the cauliflower, are fantastic. Be prepared for picante if you get the pesco bäco, in a good way.
Rebecca PruzanApril 5, 2013Great food, cool vibe and the sweetest staff. I brought my 8 months old baby and the hostess really did everything to make it easy. The Caesar brussel sprouts and hamachi crudo rocked my plate: FTW!
Jenn WongOctober 7, 2013The "Slayer" for the win and a close second was the oxtail sandwich (baco) and the beef tongue baco was also bomb. Also loved the vinegar shrubs at the bar.
Stephen SheppardApril 13, 2019Baco bread with eggplant and mini chicken schnitzels were delicious! Happy hour wine was very good. This is a great place.- Los Angeles TimesMarch 6, 2012With an inventive menu, smart urban setting and late-night hours, Bäco Mercat already feels like a fixture in downtown L.A. The food is gutsy and delicious and the prices are moderate. Read more
- EaterJuly 9, 2012n addition to the bäco expect a bevy of seasonally inspired plates, craft beer, boutique wine, modern cocktails, and house-made sodas.
- Went last night (2/16/15) and they have added a fried chicken Baco to the menu. Always been a fan of Chef Centeno's fried chicken so this does not disappoint (it's huge).
Simple FoodieDecember 18, 2014Hamachi Crudo, Patatas Bravas, Sunchoke, Bazole, Original, Toron & the best ever - the Cauliflower. Best Cauliflower in the city.- Doug de WetSeptember 1, 2014The caramelized cauliflower and el pesco baco are texture filled, flavorful, cravable, and satisfying.
Natalie NoblittFebruary 27, 2014The hamachi crudo and lace battered squash blossoms are fantastic! Really can't go wrong with any of the small plates or baco.
Kyle DeWittAugust 27, 2012Who cares if this place is a hipster suck - food is amazing and the beer even better. Get the original bäco with a brown ale and enjoy the clowns wearing vintage everything.
DowntownLA.comAugust 31, 2012"You can find exactly what you’re looking for just within a few blocks – AND have the train take you home" – Check out Tatevik Simonian's bar crawl @
Isabel ZhongOctober 1, 2018Had three kinds of veggie dishes plus soft shell crab,amazing distinguishing flavors,yum yum in my tum tum!
Cooper Barrier BaileyMarch 20, 2014Wow... An epic letdown! Didn't come close to living up to all the hype! Service gets a 1.0 out of 5 (Alexis was great and that got the 1point) and the food gets a 3.9 out of 5 for a total score 2.49.
Los Angeles magazineMarch 2, 2012Ragù is subbed with beef bírria on papardelle. Fried shrimp arrive with heads on, ideal for popping. Chicken thighs are cut into “ribs” and slathered with Szechuan sauce. Read more
Edward ForteAugust 16, 2015Nice for a lunch, tasty food from Flatbread and sandwiches. Desserts could be better but overall good food
@JaumePrimeroDecember 7, 2012You must try the Crispy Pork Belly Baco! One of the best food inventions ever! Will definitely be coming back soon.
Cordelia MartinezSeptember 14, 2019Sourdough is so good! Get the dip and the Caesar Brussel Sprouts and the Cauliflower
Sarah PharesJuly 16, 2015The menu is organized around these flatbread sandwiches, but there are lots of good dishes to share. (from a friend)
Pete HamillNovember 21, 2013Place is amazing!! Any of the Baco sandwiches are great. Everytime I'm in downtown LA I try to stop in.
Alyssa PriceJuly 13, 2013Try the house made vinegar sodas. You won't regret it. Tomato Basil pictured.
Stephen HorelSeptember 15, 2013Limited menu 3-5. The Baco is amazing. Seats around 50. Great service - good vibe - amazing food
642 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Chef Josef Centeno is the creator of Bäco Mercat, a concept he developed over several years (the Bäco originally was an off-the-menu, late-night snack for staff and friends).
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 11:30 AM–2:30 PM
- 6:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Fri
- 11:30 AM–3:00 PM
- 5:30 PM–Midnight
- Sat
- 5:30 PM–Midnight
- Sun
- 11:30 AM–3:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
(213) 687-8808
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Dining Options
Bar Service
Parking
Street
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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