Food halls seem to be one of the latest culinary trends spreading across America. The trend originated from the concept of shopping for products under one gigantic roof provided by different vendors who have created their offerings from locally sourced ingredients. These food halls have been staples in other countries. For example, the Galeria Alameda in Cali, Colombia; the Market in Beaune, France; and les Halles de Lyon.
The contemporary food hall trend is attributed to Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, who in 2010 opened the Italian food hall Eataly in New York City. A Chicago outpost opened in 2013 and a Los Angeles location is designated for 2017, while future locations in D.C., Boston, and Philadelphia are also planned.
Eataly offers a convenient way to shop and eat-in by combining restaurants, and dining spaces under one roof. New York and Los Angeles have several food halls, most notably NYC’s Gotham West Market and LA’s revamped Grand Central Market. And many are planned in cities around the country.
Food Halls aren’t really a new occurrence in the US. They’ve been around a long time, but had a decline as smart marketing from big food convinced everyone that food in sterile packaging was better, healthier, and cleaner than that found in a food hall. Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market opened in 1892, Washington, D.C.’s Eastern Market was opened in 1873 on Capitol Hill, and Quincy Market in Boston has been hosting food merchants since 1742. While most of these venues have faded, many of them have experienced a revival.
The appeal for a vendor to open a food hall rather than a restaurant is the low-risk involved compared to a stand-alone restaurant, since vendors share the cost of rent, utilities, and maintenance, making stall set-up costs less than a restaurant or food truck.
Because of the growing concern Americans have about processed food and where their food comes, locally sourced food has been trending for years in America and food halls support this trend by joining vendors and celebrity chefs in one location forming a community of shared interests.
A (Working) List of the Best Food Halls in the USA
1) Chicago French Market, Chicago
Chicago French market is the city’s year-round indoor market.
Featuring 30 restaurants and vendors, Chicago’s French Market is located in the new MetraMarket development in the West Loop. According to their website: “The Bensidoun family, the largest market operator in and around Paris since 1953, co-developed the market with Chicago-based U.S. Equities Realty, and operates and manages Chicago French Market.”
Open Monday thru Saturday, enjoy Chicago French Market’s fresh selections for cooking at your place, dining at ours or on-the-go. Whether you are looking for a quick breakfast, a business lunch, casual dinner or just something to snack on.
MONDAY – FRIDAY
7:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Closed Sunday
GENERAL INFORMATION
312-575-0306
2) Eastern Market, Washington, D.C.
Eastern Market in Washington DC’s Capitol Hill.
A perfect blend of old and new, D.C.’s historic Eastern Market attracts tourists and locals alike, especially in the warm summer months. The market holds 12 indoor food merchants and several sit-downs, including Market Lunch, which is famous for its buckwheat blueberry pancakes. Outside, there are many more vendors.
Standard Hours of Operation
Tuesday to Friday – 7am – 7pm
Saturday – 7am – 6pm
Sunday – 9am – 5pm
Monday – Closed
225 Seventh Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-698-5253
3) Gotham West Market, New York City
Gotham West Market on New York’s Hell’s Kitchen is a favorite of locals and Tourists
New York’s Gotham West Market is home to 9 premiere artisan vendors and restaurants with communal dining areas for groups both large and small to enjoy the market’s diverse culinary offerings. A world renowned ramen expert, Ivan Orkin, has set up his Ramen Slurp Shop at Gotham West, inspiring rapture among Yelpers. The Cannibal offers up small plates and a curated beer and bourbon list.
Gotham West Market
600 11th Avenue
(between 44th and 45th)
New York, NY 10036
HOURS
SUN – THURS: 7AM – 11PM
FRI & SATURDAY: 7AM – MIDNIGHT
PHONE
(212) 582 7940
4) Melrose Market, Seattle
Melrose Market is a food hall in Seattle, WA that features Artisans, Shops, Bars, Restaurants and more.
Seattle’s Melrose Market is the home of Sitka & Spruce, nominated as a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2007. Melrose Market houses several other vendors, including Still Liquor, The Calf & Kid, and Taylor Shellfish Farms. The Melrose Market has two restaurants, a specialty wine shop, specialty cheese shop, a butcher, and handcrafted goods upstairs.
Melrose Market
1501-1535 Melrose Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
5) Todd English Food Hall, New York City
The Todd English Food Hall includes restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops and more
The Todd English Food Hall is located in the basement of Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel. Celebrity chef Todd English offers prepared food. Diners can choose between pasta, flatbread pizza, burgers, sushi, raw bar, and more. Other foods are offered by Olma Caviar Boutique & Bar, Three Tarts, and Épicerie Boulud.
768 5th Ave,
New York, NY 10019
HOURS
10:00 am -10:00 pm – Market Open Daily
212.986.9260
6) The Original Farmers Market, Los Angeles
This market has been serving Los Angeles since 1880
The Original Farmers Market has many great food stalls and enjoyable sit-down and takeaway restaurants, offering everything from produce and desserts to sushi and great meats. This market has been visited by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles, and Frank Sinatra. By 1934, mere months after it opened, farmers and merchants, including restaurants, grocers and service providers, were moving into permanent stalls and the new Farmers Market was so popular that its founders staged a celebration, the first Fall Festival at Farmers Market.
Monday – Friday: 9 am to 9 pm
Saturday: 9 am to 8 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm
Telephone: (323) 933-9211
Toll Free: (866) 993-9211
7) French Market, New Orleans
The French Market is the US’s Oldest Continually Operating Public Market & Food Hall.
While the Market has existed on the same site since 1791, each new decade and governing flag has brought dramatic changes to the Market and helped to secure its special place in the hearts of the people of New Orleans. What began as a Native American trading post on the banks of the mighty, muddy Mississippi River on the site chosen for the City by the French, has become a cultural, commercial and entertainment treasure which the Crescent City proudly shares with the world.
The market has been the place for coffee and beignets in New Orleans since 1862. New Orleans’ favorite spot for beignets and café au lait among other offerings, such as PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans, and Evans Creole Candy Factory, voted one of the 10 Best Candy Shops in the U.S. by Bon Appétit, along with dozens of other vendors.
1235 N Peters St,
New Orleans, LA 70116
Monday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
8) Oxbow Public Market, Napa, Calif.
The Oxbow Public Market is a haven for foodies and wine lovers
Oxbow Public Market, located in the Oxbow District of Napa, has become the local gathering place for great food and wine in downtown Napa and throughout the Napa Valley. The 40,000 square foot marketplace, which includes a scenic outdoor deck with seating along the Napa River, features a diverse tenant mixture of local food vendors, artisan cafes and an organic produce outlet for local farms. Oxbow Public Market and its artisans and purveyors passionately support the concept of sustainable agriculture and local harvest—promoting a healthy environment, and social and economic equity within our community.
Merchants start opening at 7:30 am and many stay open until 9:30 pm. All tenants are expected to be open at least between 9 am and 7 pm. The restaurants are open later. It is recommended you check hours with individual merchants. On Tuesdays, all stores stay open until at least 8 pm for Locals’ Night.
610 & 644 1st St
Napa CA 94559
707.226.6529
9) Krog Street Market, Atlanta
If you’re looking for a Food Hall in Atlanta, Krog Street Market is for you
KROG STREET MARKET is a destination for Atlanta’s intown culture – those who are always searching for unique, specialty creations. It’s designed to be as authentic as the 1920’s warehouse it’s built into. This Atlanta area food complex opened in 2014 with 10 restaurants and assorted retail. Krog St. Market is the first food hall of its kind in Atlanta, and it has been very well received by both tourists and locals.
The Market is open Monday – Thursday 7am-9pm, Friday – 7am -10pm, Saturday 8am-10pm, Sunday 8am-9pm. The Market will be closed for Thanksgiving and have special Black Friday Hours of 10am -10pm. Please note, however, that each tenant has their own hours of operations – please visit the Dining & Retail pages.
Krog Street Market: 99 Krog Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
10) Hudson Eats, New York City
Hudson Eats boasts not one, but two Food Halls…since the new Le Distric is right downstairs
This food hall opened in 2014 with rave reviews. There are a variety of quality offerings from vendors such as Black Seed Bagels, Dos Toros Taquería, and Umami Burger. There are plenty of food selections along with ample seating. Hudson Eats offers a curated collection of chef-driven fast-casual dining from restaurants such as Dos Toros, Sprinkles, Umami Burger, Mighty Quinn’s and Dig Inn. Designed by AvroKO, the 30,000-square-foot space will provide seating for up to 600 guests with expansive views of the Hudson River.
HOURS
Mon–Sat 10am–9pm
Sun 11am–7pm
Special hours: Closed Easter Sunday
Brookfield Place
230 Vesey Street
New York, NY 10281 212.417.2445
11) Union Station, Denver
This train station is now home to Denver’s coolest foodie destination
Several food halls have emerged in Colorado recently, including this one within a revitalized Union Station, where there are 10 restaurants under its roof. Chef Jennifer Jasinski, a James Beard Award-winner for Best Chef runs Stoic & Genuine, a seafood and oyster bar. The lower level of Union Station is equipped with meeting and events space reserved for business meetings, dinners, lunches, or your own speakeasy.
303-592-6712
1701 Wynkoop
Denver, CO 80202
12) Grand Central Market, Los Angeles
The Grand Central Market has been satisfying Los Angeles since 1917
Grand Central Market has been a downtown landmark since 1917, and brings together the cuisines and cultures of LA. This 98-old food hall has attracted new food entrepreneurs including Sticky Rice’s Thai street food, Anya Fernald’s Belcampo butcher shop and food stand, Eggslut, and G&B Coffee’s iced lattes, which were mentioned by the New York Times as the best in America.
HOURS: SUN – WEDS 8AM – 6PM, THURS – SAT 8AM – 9PM
317 S. BROADWAY
LOS ANGELES, CA 90013
TEL (213) 624-2378
FAX (213) 624-9496
PARKING GARAGE ENTRANCE 308 S HILL STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90013
13) Grand Central Dining Concourse, New York City
Grand Central Station in NYC has amazing dining options.
This food hall is located on the terminal’s lower level as well as main concourse level. Downstairs you’ll find Magnolia Bakery, Shake Shack, and Junior’s, as well as the legendary Grand Central Oyster Bar. And while you can’t sit down and dine in the market upstairs, you’ll find food vendors ranging from Murray’s Cheese to produce stands and two fishmongers. The legendary bar The Campbell Apartment is located a couple flights up, as well as restaurants like Cipriani and Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse.
GRAND CENTRAL DINING CONCOURSE HOURS
MONDAY-THURSDAY: 6:30AM TO 11PM
FRIDAY-SATURDAY: 7:00AM TO 9:00PM*
SUNDAY 11:00 AM TO 6:00 PM
GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL
89 E 42ND STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10017
GRAND CENTRAL “STATION MASTER’S OFFICE”
(212) 340-2583
14) Union Market, Washington, D.C.
Union Market in DC can satisfy the most discerning gourmand
This revamped historical building has 15 restaurants, including Toki Underground, and the ramen restaurant. You’ll also find Rappahannock Oysters Company, DC Empanadas, and TaKorean, serving Asian-inspired tacos. “This authentic market of culture and commerce serves as an inviting melting pot of old world heritage and new world opportunities.”
MARKET HOURS
Tuesday–Friday 11:00am – 8:00pm | Saturday–Sunday 8:00am – 8:00pm
Union Market
1309 5th Street NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20002
15) West Side Market, Cleveland
The West Side Market in Cleveland has over 100 choices for foodies
Cleveland’s West Side Market is home to more than 100 vendors and restaurants. The market has been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network, and receives visitors from all over the world. With origins of the land dating back to 1840 the West Side Market is Cleveland’s oldest publicly owned market. You can find fine meats and fresh vegetables, and also fresh seafood, baked goods, dairy and cheese products, and even fresh flowers. There are also booths that sell ready-to-eat foods, herbs, candy and nuts.
Open: Mon, Wed: 7AM – 4PM
Fri & Sat: 7AM – 6PM
Closed Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
(216) 664-3387
1979 West 25th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113