This post is for those who want to know which Sunday Leimert Park, Village foods to eat from the weekly Marketplace (which are in pop-up tents/tables in the main plaza)! Leimert Park is a historically black neighborhood, between Culver City and USC (and North East of Inglewood). When hunger strikes you gotta make the right food decisions, so I am here to help!

To read where to eat for brick-and-mortar, Leimert Park restaurants, see my related post:

Where to Eat in Leimert Park, Blog Post Here

The following post is highlighting the weekly pop-up tents and marketplace in the Leimert Village plaza - so read forth to discover more!

Every week, upwards to 10 pop-up food vendors ranging from sweet to savory including Caribbean, Jamaican, Southern Soul, Vegan, American (e.g. burgers, wings, fries, nachos, etc), and/or BBQ dishes — consistently set up shop every Sunday afternoon. It’s a celebration of food, culture and community. #supportblackbusinesses #supportlocal

Let us not forget the **Leimert Park, Sunday drum circle**!

I usually see them setup and full steam just after 3p! It’s 10x better than the Venice Beach drum circle with a completely different vibe — think tight knit community, or in your auntie’s backyard!

I recommend visiting the Village late Sunday afternoons, typically between 12p - 3p. If you rollup at noon, you’ll be early and some vendors are still setting up; but I find plenty of options and nothing is sold out (all mine nom nom nom). If you roll up too late at 4p, popular food dishes may be sold out (you’ve been warned)! So I like to arrive late afternoon if my schedule allows and which allows me to be in the midst of the activity!

For background, I live walking distance from the Leimert Park Village, and regularly swing by the Village several times a week. I have tried just about every food pop-up in the plaza (altho the vendors and dishes do change regularly!). As a caveat, I especially love veggie-forward dishes - so my favorites highlight these vendors :)

And you probably know from reading my other posts, I am a huge sweets connoisseur so always leave room for dessert. Thus I will always give you my honest opinion on which desserts you should try).

Lunch from Tastetastic Jamaican

*Whole fish, veggies, and mac and cheese from Tastetastic in Leimert Village. Image by LinhDa Tran*

There are several food tents boldly decked out with the Jamaican flag - don’t be confused! Make sure you’re at the Tastetastic tent! For a long time, I delayed ordering from them because their prices are not cheap at $25. They are one of the more expensive Leimert Village pop-up tents. But once you try it, OMG! Kyla’s sweet, spicy flavors are incredible and recognizable from the other pop-ups; it’s these flavors that gives her a leg up on her competitors (I think she knows it too!). I’m drooling thinking her food now.

My partner and I shared their Fish Plate which came with a whole fish (bone-in), rice and beans, veggies, mac and cheese, and some sweet fried plantains. Our container was piled high, and generous — I’m glad we shared! Their printed menu lists more dishes as they rotate what they make.

Don’t leave without ordering a Jamaican patties (pictured above); which I like to think of as a Jamaican empanada. A pastry with layered, orange doughy outside (made yellow with egg yolk or turmeric) and filled with savory goodness like ground beer, chicken curry — or my favorite vegetables (typically well seasoned cabbage/veggie mix!). It’s the best kind of savory hand-pie, and can fill you up or act as an appetizer!

Don’t worry, there’s usually two tents that have their own **Jamaican patty** game. If Tastetastic is not available - my backup is the Jamaican Tent (by SilverLink). $5 patty for either veggie (pictured, with spinach and peas), chicken or beef available on this particular day. I found it equally tasty but they had a higher ratio of doughy outside to the inside.

*Menu for the Jamaican Food tent run by SilverLink*

Vegan Food at Goddess of Vegan

Goddess of Vegan food tent in Leimert Park Village on a Sunday

Don’t mistake vegan food as not tasty; it is every bit as decadent and yummy as the meat and dairy based foods at Goddess of Vegan’s distinctive geometric tent. Can’t miss them with their dodecahedron shaped tent (which strangely reminds me of Burning Man)! They subscribe to the belief that food should taste good; and they are do not hold back. Just take a look at their nachos, plantain fries, or their quinoa bowl. The food is flavorful with oils, seasonings, sauces, and incredibly well-spiced so your tastebuds will thank you. Their portion sizes err on the smaller size, so treat this tent like an appetizer or small meal; commit and order several dishes to fully partake. My partner enjoyed the decadent nachos, oozing with toppings and flavor!

Literally Any Dessert from Sweet Blessings

Cordon Bleu alumni Stephanie Johnson knows how to fill your sweet cravings! Literally, everything I get from Sweet Blessings is incredible. She knows what she’s good at, and she feeds your soul with her cookies, banana pudding and rotating offerings including including red velvet cake, marble cake, carrot cake and cinnamon buns.

Ask what they have available, as she has an assortment of goods in her fridge (out of sight) so it’s not just those cookies scattered on the table!

OH, and those cookies!! They are the perfect amount of chew, crumble, and hardness - just the way I like them. Not too crispy and chewy but not too doughy. I always get any her chocolate chip and pecan cookie (which tastes like the perfect sweet and touch of sale to me).

On this particular day, we were lucky as she was selling ooey cinnamon buns (pictured above)!! Yes ma’am! The dough was springy and fluffy, and the icing oozing and generous! What more can you ask?? My partner (a bigger cinnamon bun fan than me) said he prefers more cinnamon; however, I found zero faults and thought it perfection in a bun.

Don’t forget her banana pudding which comes in a clear plastic cylinder, showing off its layered goodness! I personally love her banana pudding because the top has a fluffy cream! This banana puddings starts fluffy and at its core, is no not overly dense, scattered with those crumbly vanilla wafer - YUM. These are usually in her fridge, so ask if she has any in stock before walking away.

Banana Pudding from Your Sisters Treats

*Your Sister's Treat's pop up tent in Leimert Park Village marketplace on a Sunday*

A relative newcomer to the Leimert Park Village scene - Your Sisters Treats specializes in banana pudding! As of writing, they have unveiled two flavors: the classic banana pudding and the eye-catching strawberry shortcake banana pudding.

I’m a personal fan of traditional banana pudding, so I have yet to try their strawberry flavor! If you give a go - let me know what you think (linhdy@outlook.com).

I am obsessed with banana pudding, and I find theirs dense, sweet and filling. Be warned: if you come later in the day, they sell out; don’t be left out.

Noteworthy Mentions

Baba’s Vegan always impresses with their flavorful, plant-forward, line-up of patties, soups, and entrees. With a notable social media following, they’ve recently launched a brick- and -mortar Crenshaw District restaurant! I haven’t seen them at the weekly Leimert Village Marketplace since, but hope to visit their shop soon! They are popular, as they were often sold out at the weekly marketplace, so I know their restaurant will be popular. Swing by and support local businesses. Read more about them in VegOut

There are many, many more Leimert Park vendors to explore and they regularly switch it up! I’ve seen especially good accessories including earrings, headbands, dresses, sunglasses, hats and t-shirts! So I highly recommend following the Leimert Park Village Vendors IG for a peek and swinging by the Sunday Leimert Park Marketplace to have a look-see yourself.

I hope you’ve found this post helpful for enjoying your next day in Leimert Park! If this post was fruitful, please share this article and/or drop me a line if you have any questions, comments, or tell me how it went! linhdy@outlook.com

To read where to eat for brick-and-mortar, Leimert Park restaurants, see my related post:

Where to Eat in Leimert Park (the Restaurants) Edition