Our Story: Authentically Michoacán, Proudly LA
For more than six decades, La Luz del Día has been serving the flavors of Michoacán from the heart of historic Olvera Street—the birthplace of Los Angeles.
Since 1959
Our story began in 1941, when my grandfather purchased a small grocery store called La Luz del Día. A few years later, visionary city leader Christine Sterling, founder of Olvera Street, invited him to transform it into a restaurant celebrating authentic Mexican cuisine. In 1959, our family opened the doors of the La Luz del Día you know today—where recipes, traditions, and warm hospitality have been passed down through three generations.
Every tortilla is handmade, every dish is rooted in family memory. Guests come from all over the world to enjoy favorites like carnitas on handmade tortillas, tamales, chicharrón tostadas, and champurrado, all crafted with the same care and authenticity that started it all.
But La Luz del Día is more than a restaurant—it’s a living part of Los Angeles’ cultural history.
We proudly participate in Olvera Street’s beloved traditions such as Día de los Muertos, Las Posadas, and the Blessing of the Animals, honoring our community and the heritage that built it.
Come visit us and experience the heart of LA through the flavors of Michoacán. Step inside, and you’re not just having a meal—you’re becoming part of a story that began over 80 years ago and continues with every plate we serve.
📍 Located on Olvera Street, where history, family, and flavor meet.
Recent Press
bon appétit
It’s Time We Give the Mexican
Combo Platter the Credit It Deserves
Written by PATRICIA ESCÁRCEGA
Los Angeles Times: Review by Jonathon Gold
Discover Los Angeles: Best Tamales in LA
LA Weekly: Review
Los Angeles Downtown News
2013 Best Mexican Food Nominee
Featured On: Huell Howser California’s Gold
