An Eater’s Market

Public markets where vendors sell produce, prepared foods, and other goods have always served as community gathering places and hubs of edible commerce. Nowadays, food halls, a similar concept that brings together local restaurants and food stalls in one space, are popular all over the country as an evolution of the public market. They are destinations for food lovers of all kinds, and usually offer a diverse range of meals, snacks, and even events such as cooking demonstrations and live music. Next time you’re exploring a city, check out this list of vibrant public markets and food halls old and new.

Related: Bucket List Destinations for Foodies




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Reading Terminal Market | Philadelphia

Housed in an 1893 National Historic Landmark building, Reading Terminal Market is one of the most well-known food halls on this list, and rightly so. You can try all kinds of local specialties here, such as DiNic’s roast pork and greens sandwich, or opt for something from another part of the world such as the Peking duck from Sang Kee. Taste of Philly food tours aren’t running now, but should return with the easing of the pandemic to give you a better handle on everything it has to offer.

Related: Great American Beer Gardens in Philly, NYC, and Beyond




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Citizen Public Market | Culver City, California

Seven eateries have so far moved into this newly opened 7,500 square-foot market hall in a historical, 1920s-era building that once housed Culver City’s Citizen Publishing — a community-minded newspaper and printing press. Tucked in among the Beaux-Arts and art deco elements of the Citizen Public Market is everything from the coffee and pastry of goodboybob and fare of Bar Bohémien to the savories of Louella’s Cali Soul Kitchen, The Jolly Oyster, Pizzette, Mexicology, and more.  

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Eataly | Multiple Locations

Eataly’s original location is in Turin, Italy, and now its seven U.S. locations are considered wonderlands of Italian food and drink. The 50,000-square-foot NYC location combines elements of grocery and retail, restaurants, bars, and European markets for an experience where you can fill up on porchetta on the rooftop patio before taking home some freshly made mozzarella. Sign up for a wine and prosciutto pairing class or take a guided tour of the market complete with food tastings.

Related: 50 Best Old-School Italian Restaurants in America




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Midtown Global Market | Minneapolis

Opened in 2006, Midtown Global Market is a vibrant community center dedicated to furthering the businesses and culture of immigrants in Minneapolis. Entrepreneurs of many ethnicities operate restaurants, produce stalls, and art booths in what had been a vacant Sears building. Grab a torta filled with milanesa, avocado, and beans, or an “Induritto,” a burrito of Indian ingredients such as pork vindaloo wrapped in roti instead of a tortilla.

Related: 18 Places to ‘Travel Abroad’ Without Leaving the Country




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Eastern Market | Detroit

The Eastern Market is a massive, multiblock group of markets, restaurants, retail, and community spaces that’s been operating since 1841. Different markets are available on different days: Sunday is filled with artists, events, festivals, and food trucks, while Saturdays are for more traditional farmers market with lots of produce vendors. When you’re hungry, grab a slice of thin crust pizza from Supino’s or hit up Bert’s for barbecue and burgers.

Related: 42 Food Trucks Worth Following in Every Major City




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Mercantile and Mash | Charleston, South Carolina

The “Mercantile” of Mercantile and Mash refers to the gourmet food hall up front, while Mash is the name of the whiskey bar in the back of this converted cigar warehouse. Take a load off and order a spicy chicken biscuit or porchetta tartine, then pick up some rotisserie meats, grab-and-go meals, pastries, charcuterie, and handmade pasta for dinner this week. Come back with friends to take advantage of the shuffleboard and bocce courts at Mash.

Related: 19 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Charleston




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Faneuil Hall Marketplace | Boston

Probably the most historically significant market in the country, Faneuil Hall was first established in 1742 and has been the site of countless important political events, earning it the nickname “the Cradle of Liberty.” Today in the Quincy Market Food colonnade there are dozens of retailers and international food vendors, nine restaurants and 40-plus office tenants. You can get everything from New England clam chowder to enchiladas and watch performers outdoors between bites.

Related: The Best Things To Do In Boston




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Legacy Hall | Plano, Texas

There are more than two dozen food stalls and restaurants at the chic Legacy Hall, along with craft cocktail bars, a wine bar, and a brewery on the third floor. Try the fried chicken from Roots Chicken Shak, where everything is fried in duck fat, or a Belgian-style waffle from Press Waffle Co. An outdoor stage called the Box Garden hosts live music and sporting events on a giant TV for up to 1,500 people.

Related: 25 Places to Find Amazing Waffles Across the Country




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Crossroads Collective | Milwaukee

Located in a historic building that used to house Oriental Drugs, a Milwaukee institution pharmacy and lunch counter, Crossroads Collective is a modern food hall and bar. You can get everything from handmade pappardelle with bolognese at Egg & Flour Pasta Bar to beef brisket and greens at Heaven’s Table BBQ. Head to the alley to find the secret entrance to Shanghai, a speakeasy with new takes on classic cocktails such as the Singapore sling.




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Pike Place Market | Seattle

Encompassing a massive 9 acres, Pike Place Market opened in 1907, making it one of the oldest continuously operating farmer’s markets in the U.S. The fish market, where vendors theatrically throw whole fish to each other, is still a main attraction, but there are also produce vendors, specialty foods, cafes, craft shops, and bars. You can visit the first Starbucks store, listen to buskers perform, and even visit the unofficial mascot, Rachel the bronze pig.




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Liberty Public Market | San Diego

The aisles between vendors at Liberty Public Market feel enclosed and cozy, making things seem a little more crowded than they are (which might not be the best thing until the pandemic blows over). Once you get your snacks from the 30-plus vendors, head to the spacious mess hall or the outdoor lawn where you can breathe a little. French crepes filled with Nutella and fresh fruit are a favorite, or sample some little bao sandwiches and boba tea. Keep a lookout for live music on the patio on Tuesday nights.




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Ponce City Market | Atlanta

Modeled after the legendary Chelsea Market in Manhattan, Ponce City Market is a sprawling food hall in a revamped historic building. Some of the roughly three dozen food vendors are sit-in restaurants, some offer grab-and-go options, and some offer retail food sales. Discover South African charcuterie at Biltong Bar or enjoy fried fish from W. H. Stiles Fish Camp from the James Beard Award-winning chef Anne Quatrano.




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The Bottling Department | San Antonio

Part of a mixed use development called The Pearl, The Bottling Department is a food hall with vendors that are committed to sourcing fresh, local ingredients. It’s not the biggest hall on the list, but the storefronts are adorable and the food is top notch. Start with a patty melt at Fletcher’s Hamburgers, then share some shoyu ramen from Tenko Ramen. If you’ve somehow got room for dessert, stop in at Lick for artisanal ice creams made with local, seasonal ingredients.




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West Side Market | Cleveland

Cleveland’s oldest continuously operating municipally owned market, West Side Market is housed in a beautiful century-old building with a 44-foot ceiling and a formidable clock tower. A gridlike layout makes it simple to navigate through rows of butchers, cafes, and delis. International foods are the norm here, including everything from Cambodian stuffed chicken wings to Mediterranean gyro. Don’t miss the pierogies at Pierogi Palace or the apple fritters at K&K Bakery.




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Easton Public Market | Easton, Pennsylvania

An extension of the Easton Farmers Market operating since 1752, the Easton Public Market is a hall that combines Old World grocers with a modern dining experience through food stands, butchers, demonstration kitchen, and gathering spaces. Stop at Mister Lee’s Noodles for a bowl of ramen or try a mahi mahi burrito at Taylor Taco Shop. While you’re there, sign up for a cooking class for yourself or with your kids.




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Auction House Market | New Orleans

The small but mighty Auction House Market is on the lower level of a new development. It feels a little like a secret garden in a bright white space lit with skylights and hanging greenery and plants around a main marble bar — a chic space to chow down on an eclectic mix of salmon poke bowls, barbecue shrimp po’boys, potato and carrot tacos, and chai snickerdoodle ice cream sandwiches. Don’t miss the bar’s happy hour with $5 beer.

Related: 26 Best Cheap Or Free Things To Do In New Orleans




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Eden Center | Falls Church, Virginia

Eden Center is a food hall and market dedicated to Vietnamese food and businesses. It started out as a strip mall in 1984, but has since added enclosed food halls to the mix for a total of more than 120 vendors. It’s impossible to wander down any of the halls and not find something delicious to eat, but banh mi in crisp baguettes are always a go-to and easy to munch on while you shop.




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Grand Central Market | Los Angeles

Though there are plenty of trendy food halls opening in L.A., Grand Central Market is still the stalwart when it comes to grabbing a quick, tasty, and eclectic meal among charming neon signs. China Cafe is an iconic market stall with Chinese-American classics such as wonton soup and fried rice, and Sarita’s stuffs handmade pupusas with a dozen different fillings. You’ll also find plenty of newer vendors alongside the longtime favorites, including Horse Thief BBQ for brisket, Sticky Rice for excellent Thai dishes, and Berlin Currywurst for a less familiar approach to German sausages. The market also hosts weekly events, including trivia nights, live jazz, and more. Get there on the Metro Red or Purple lines, or use the Market’s parking garage.




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Pine Street Market | Portland, Oregon

One of the more recent openings on this list, Pine Street Market features nine of Portland’s best chefs with stalls in an updated food court setting with communal tables and strings of trendy Edison bulbs. The smashed burgers topped with gooey American cheese at Bless Your Heart are a standout, as is the Korean street food and Southern barbecue mashup menu served at Kim Jong Smokehouse.




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The Pizitz Food Hall | Birmingham, Alabama

The Pizitz Food Hall is a modern, airy space in a historic building with a restaurant and food stalls, a bar, and some retail shops. Try a plate of momo, a Nepalese dumpling, or a kati rolls, an Indian street food of skewer-grilled ingredients stuffed in paratha breads. Look for the return of events such as yoga classes, live music, and a dog-friendly happy hour on the patio.




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The Denver Central Market | Denver

The Denver Central Market is a combination food hall and marketplace with bakeries, cafes, fishmongers, butchers, and restaurants. It’s spacious, but it feels quaint and welcoming in its 1920s industrial building. Enjoy handmade pastas from Vero salads and smoothies from Green Seed, then stop at Temper Chocolate for some confections on your way out.




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Aster Hall | Chicago

Located on the fifth and sixth floors above a Michigan Avenue shopping mall, you may feel underdressed when you walk into the elegant Aster Hall. But don’t worry; it’s a favorite spot to take a load off and relax. There are vendors and a full bar for everything from a spinach and blueberry Salad to a chili-lime watermelon side for your sweet corn and poblano tacos. You can also grab a famed Au Cheval cheeseburger from Small Cheval without waiting in line for hours.




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Nashville Farmers’ Market | Nashville, Tennessee

The Nashville Farmers’ Market is a hybrid market: Outdoor stalls sell mostly produce, plants, and other goods, while the indoor Market House is a food hall. About 20 vendors offer cuisine from around the world, including the ever-popular Jamaican jerk chicken and bubble tea. There’s also an incubator kitchen for startups, pop-ups, and cooking classes called Grow Local Kitchen.




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Chelsea Market | New York

Chelsea Market is an iconic food hall and gathering place, so much so that other markets on this list are modeled after it. Six million people visit it every year, and they all get a mouthful (or many) of good eats from spots such as Very Fresh Noodles and Los Mariscos. There’s also office space for business such as the Food Network, retail stores, and even a section of the High Line, the elevated park on the former New York Central Railroad, which runs through one of the buildings.

Related: Best Free and Cheap Things to Do in New York City




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Green Jeans Farmery | Albuquerque, New Mexico

Built entirely of recycled shipping containers, Green Jeans Farmery is an indoor and outdoor collection of food vendors, shops, bars, and hangout spots complete with giant fire pit. It’s got a quirky, avant garde style with lots of color and artwork. It houses a microbrewery, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza spot, creamery with nitrogen ice cream, organic juice bar, and even a medical marijuana dispensary.




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