8 of the must-visit food markets in New York City
With its vibrant culture, amazing eateries, and delicious food markets, New York City is one of the best cities to visit for foodies. From fresh produce and unique delicacies to classic street snacks, there’s something for everyone in the city that never sleeps.
If you’re staying with us at Freehand New York, and want to sample some of the finest street grub in the city, we’ve put together a handy guide on some of the top food markets in Manhattan and beyond.
Let’s dive in!
Here are some of the must-visit food markets in New York
The food options at the following street food markets are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings!
Urbanspace Vanderbilt
Urbanspace Vanderbilt is a New York City food hall located near Grand Central Station. It features rotating chef-driven artisanal food concepts, and offers digital gift cards. The food hall is open from 6:30am-8pm Monday-Friday and 7am-5pm on Saturday, Urbanspace Vanderbilt is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat while sightseeing in the city.
The Union Square Greenmarket
This iconic farmers’ market is a great place to find freshly-picked fruit and vegetables as well as artisanal products like cheese, breads, and pastries. Open four days a week from 8am-6pm, you can find anything from local honey to organic meats here.
Essex Street Market
Essex Market is one of NYC’s oldest public markets, whose original location on the Lower East Side had been there since the 1940s (the new 37,000‑square‑foot market was reopened across the street from the old site). The indoor market offers an eclectic mix of cuisines ranging from Mexican tacos to Chinese dim sum.
It also has lots of specialty stores selling everything from spices and herbs to seafood and meat. The Essex Street Market is open seven days a week and is a must-visit for anyone looking for unique flavors and ingredients. When visiting, try a Essex-Market-fan favorite: Puebla Mexican, Shopsin’s General Store, and Ni Japanese will not disappoint!
Chelsea Market
Located in the heart of Chelsea, this popular market offers an array of international foods from Italian charcuterie and Israeli salads. If you’re looking for something sweet, there are also plenty of bakeries offering freshly baked treats every day. There are more than 40 vendors selling everything from books, coffee and cupcakes to sushi, tacos and even lobster!
Chinatown’s Canal Street Market
Canal Street Market is one of Chinatown’s best-kept secrets when it comes to shopping for international cuisines on a budget – here you can find literally everything from Asian snacks like Pocky sticks or Japanese dango rice cakes to traditional Chinese roast ducks hanging in shop windows ready to take home!
Even if you’re not looking for any ingredients there are plenty of souvenirs available like Chinese lanterns or Chinese traditional medicine that make great gifts too! All these items make Canal Street Market a must-visit attraction while in Chinatown!
Brooklyn Flea
If you’re looking for something truly unique then head down to Brooklyn Flea – this huge flea market, Located in DUMBO on the cobblestone streets of Pearl Plaza, hosts dozens upon dozens of vendors selling everything from vintage clothing and antiques to handmade crafts and jewelry.
But it doesn’t end there; Foodies will have no shortage of satiating bites to try either, as the market’s creators also operate one of the city’s best food markets: Smorgasburg (which is only open during the Summer). Brooklyn Flea closes for the Winter, but they reopen again in Spring, usually around early April.
Time Out Market
You’ll find Time Out Market in the heart of Dumbo, overlooking the Hudson River and the Brooklyn Bridge. Spread over 2 floors, this traditional and quirky food market houses 21 food vendors, 3 bars and even a demo cooking area! Plus, their killer rooftop views are also a must
