South LA · Spot · Lunch · Book P.64
Holbox
About
Holbox is a Mexican seafood counter inside the Mercado La Paloma food hall in South LA, run by chef Gilberto Cetina, known for Yucatán-style seafood and regularly named one of LA's best. The sea urchin and sweet shrimp tostada, grilled octopus taco and raw aguachile are the signatures, and the daily whole grilled fish sells out.
Jasmine says
The best seafood stall in a food hall near USC, a 'budget miracle' recognized by the Michelin Guide. Chef Gilberto Cetina Jr. uses charcoal, sour orange and chiles to take Yucatán seafood to Michelin level, everything cut and grilled to order.
A Michelin-level Mexican seafood stall hidden in the Mercado La Paloma food hall: one bite of the sea urchin and sweet shrimp tostada and you're hooked.
Insider tips
- The Sea Urchin Tostada is the star: sea urchin, sweet shrimp and ginger soy
- The grilled octopus taco is the soul of the place
- Whole grilled fish is limited each day; show up late and it's gone
- Order: Aguachile, raw seafood
- Order: Octopus taco
- Order: Fish of the day tostada
Jasmine’s notes
- Historic South Central（Mercado La Paloma）A Michelin star inside a community market: one star in 2024, still there in 2026. Order at the counter and find your own seat; closed Mondays, no alcohol; tasting menu on Thursday and Friday nights.Order: Squid ink octopus taco, smoked kanpachi taco, ceviche, aguachile
- Address
- Mercado La Paloma, 3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 11:30–21:00 · Closed MonChecked on the official site Nov 2026; confirm before you go
- Website
- holboxla.com →
- Best time
- Lunch
Where I wrote about it
Open on the interactive map →Open in Google Maps →The full page on the LA Guide →