It’s official: We’re living in the heyday of the epicurean heaven known as the food market. And if you’re the type who has trouble ordering just one entrée, what could be better than a one-stop shop teeming with grab-and-go eats and diverse flavors? Here are a few of our favorite markets to check out around the city—just make sure to go with an empty stomach.
10 NYC Food Halls Where You Can Feast to Your Heart’s Content
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Published Jul 22, 2019
Courtesy of Miznon
Chelsea Market
Long before the great food-hall boom of the mid-2010s, this West Side mainstay was feeding locals and tourists alike. The giant space is home to a mix of grab-and-go eateries, gourmet specialty stores and sit-down restaurants. Don’t miss out on carne asada tacos at Los Tacos No. 1 (and ceviche at its hidden sister spot, Los Mariscos) or whole-roasted cauliflower and a burger in a pita at Miznon. If you’re looking for somewhere to sit down and relax, the lobster roll at Cull & Pistol is one of the best around.
75 Ninth Ave.; chelseamarket.com
Liz Barclay
Canal Street Market
Used to be that Flushing was the only place to find the famous Joe’s Steam Rice Roll. But as of last fall, the delicate rice noodles filled with egg, scallion, cilantro and whole shrimp can be found at this downtown Manhattan market. There’s plenty more, too: overflowing portions of matcha shaved ice at Bonsai Kakigori, burritos stuffed with Korean bulgogi at Azumma and refreshing bubble milk tea at Boba Guys. While food is, of course, the top priority, Canal Street Market also houses a handful of home goods and beauty products ranging from ceramic tea sets to knock-off Le Labo candles.
Lower East Side Partnership
Essex Market
This LES institution recently moved from its longtime digs (79 years, to be precise) into a shiny new home across the street. While the scenery is different, the market’s character remains. Twenty-one of the old vendors are sticking around, including beloved breakfast spots Shopsin’s and Davidovich Bakery. You can also expect a handful of new spots, like Lower East Side Ice Cream Factory and Don Ceviche, alongside upscale grocers and specialty shops selling olive oil, cheese and chocolates. Now we’re bracing ourselves for the opening of the upcoming Market Line, which will feature some of our favorite eateries, like Nom Wah, Veselka and more.
88 Essex St.; essexmarket.nyc
Dekalb Market Hall
This downtown Brooklyn marketplace has been open for just over two years now, and we’re still just as excited about it as ever. DeKalb Market is home to 40 vendors, both established restaurants (think Katz’s Delicatessen, Ample Hills Creamery and Arepa Lady) and a handful of newer eateries. (We’re partial to the barbecue ribs at Fletcher’s and grilled chicken over sticky rice at Chicks Isan.) The space also boasts a cocktail bar and an event space that hosts everything from dance parties to trivia nights.
445 Albee Square W., Brooklyn; dekalbmarkethall.com
Courtesy of Breads Bakery
Time Out Market
Perched on the Dumbo waterfront, this newcomer to the food-hall scene features several big names you’ll probably recognize, like Breads Bakery and Clinton Street Baking Co. It’s easy to be a glutton when faced with choices like Jacob’s Pickles’ honey-smothered fried chicken sandwich and Juliana’s cheesy Margherita pizza, but there are lighter options here too. We love the lemongrass-spiced shrimp tom yum soup from Fish Cheeks and the avocado toast topped with creamy burrata from Avocaderia.
55 Water St., Brooklyn; timeoutmarket.com/newyork
Courtesy of Mercado Little Spain
Mercado Little Spain
However you feel about Hudson Yards, there’s one thing everyone can agree upon: Mercado Little Spain is the closest you can get to the Iberian Peninsula without leaving the city. Star chef José Andrés has put together a food court where you’ll find everything from classic gazpacho and thinly sliced serrano ham to patatas bravas topped with garlic aioli. There are also two bars and three full-fledged restaurants, including the casual all-day spot Spanish Diner, the seafood-centric Mar, and Leña, where dishes like lamb chops and pork loin are cooked a la parilla (on the grill).
10 Hudson Yards; littlespain.com
Urbanspace Vanderbilt
Just a stone’s throw from Grand Central Terminal, this gastro hall boasts big names like Roberta’s Pizza, Dough Doughnuts and Red Hook Lobster Pound. Visit around noon on a weekday and you’ll see bankers holding back their ties while slurping Ippudo ramen or chowing down on Bobwhite’s fried chicken sandwiches. If there’s one thing not to miss, it’s Mr Bing’s jianbing—a freshly made Chinese crepe stuffed with egg, scallion and fillings like kimchi or Peking duck.
East 45th St. and Vanderbilt Ave.; urbanspace.nyc.com
North 3rd Street Market
Piling onto Williamsburg’s seemingly never-ending food landscape is this 15,000-square-foot warehouse, which offers a little something for everyone. We’re talking plant-based Mexican dishes like mushroom quesadillas and beet empanadas at Jajaja, generous bowls of sesame-garlic ramen at Brooklyn-based Chuko and Polish dumplings stuffed with bacon and cheddar at Baba’s Pierogies. There’s also an outpost of the famous Di Fara Pizza—the only one aside from the Midwood original.
103 N. Third St., Brooklyn; north3rdstreetmarket.com
Turnstyle Underground Market
Taking up an entire underground city block at Columbus Circle, this shopping mall–meets–food hall is nothing if not eclectic. Among the stalls you’ll find everything from upscale clothing for your dog to gourmet hot sauce. But, of course, food is your prerogative, and there’s plenty to choose from. Try the salteñas—baked empanada-like snacks filled with spiced meat and veggies—from Bolivian Llama Party or the ramen-crusted fried chicken sandwich on a soft bao bun from Hey Hey Canteen.
1000 Eighth Ave.; turn-style.com
Le District
Couldn’t pull off a Paris trip this summer? Do the next best thing and visit the high-end French market in Brookfield Place. Among the many options, there’s a poissonnerie serving lobster cocktail and oysters on the half shell, a pommes frites counter and a fromagerie boasting all the French cheese you could ever dream of. There’s also a grocery store, two restaurants and two bars, ideal for sipping Beaujolais with an artfully crafted charcuterie plate. Pro tip: Come around sunset for the gorgeous Hudson River views.
225 Liberty St.; ledistrict.com
