Must-Visit Food Halls & Markets in New York

Have you even been to New York if you don’t come home with a few extra kilos? (And I’m not talking excess baggage!) Chew York City has so much to offer the foodie, from chewy bagels to thin-crust pizza, but what if you want to sample some of the city’s best dishes without spending a fortune on taxis?

Well, fear not, because these New York food halls and markets offer the best of New York on a plate all under one roof. (Or on the rooftop in some places. )

If you’re planning a trip to New York, make sure you add 1 or 2 of these gourmet food markets to your list for a delicious day out.

DeKalb Market Hall

I think we can legitimately call this a NYC secret seen as it is literally tucked away in a basement of a mall and there were hardly any tourists there on the day of our visit.

DeKalb Market Hall is a funky, neon-lit food hall in Brooklyn where you can feast on burgers, BBQ, falalel, bagels and more from 40 food vendors.

With seats at individual stalls and communal benches dotted around the floor, this place has the feel of an Asian hawker centre but with a distinctly New York menu.

Don’t miss the chance to try a sandwich from NYC institution Katz Deli – you can get a mound of their famous pastrami without a fraction of the wait time you’ll find in their East Village location.

Find it: 445 Albee Square West, Brooklyn

While you’re here: If you plan to walk the Brooklyn Bridge and want to avoid the stairs at Washington Street, catch the subway to Jay Street MetroTech, fill your belly at DeKalb and then enter the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway at the intersection of Tillary Street and Boerum Place.

Time Out Market New York

The newest food market in the city is found in a spectacular location, wedged between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges inside the historic Empire Stores warehouse in DUMBO.

Spread across 2 levels, including a show-stopping rooftop terrace, Time Out Market New York features their top picks of NYC eats including pizza from Brooklyn institution Juliana’s (by Patsy of Grimaldi’s fame), pancakes from Clinton Street Baking Co, fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles and Japanese comfort food from Bessou.

My top pick has to be a scoop or 2 of DŌ, delectable edible cookie dough in flavours including cake batter and brookie dough.

Even if you can’t fit in any food (and really when does that happen?!) make sure you head up to the roof for gorgeous sunset views. There are no entry fees and plenty of seats both inside the market, on the roof and along the riverfront.

Find it: Empire Stores, 55 Water Street, Brooklyn 

While you’re here: Tussle with the crowds at Water Street and Washington Street – DUMBO’s famous Insta-spot – for a shot of the Manhattan Bridge, Empire State and DUMBO’s quintessential cobbled streets.

Smorgasburg

Technically 4 markets, Smorgasburg is the biggest foodie offering on this list.  

What began as a spin-off to the Brooklyn Flea is now American’s largest outdoor food market, attracting over 20k hungry bellies to Brooklyn each week.

You’ll find over 100 local vendors on the Williamsburg waterfront on Saturday and in Prospect Park on Sunday.

If that all sounds a little too overwhelming, however, you’ve got two more manageable options to check out in Manhattan. On Fridays you’ll find 30 food stalls outside the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Centre. If you’re in the area for business or the 9/11 Memorial, you can grab a bite of giant bao (like we did) between 11am and 7pm.

You can also find a selection of 6 trucks at the shiny new Hudson Yards on Tuesday and Wednesday so it might be worth timing your trip to The Vessel or the new extension of the High Line for when these eats are on offer.

Find it: Addresses for all 4 locations are found here. h

Chelsea Market

The oldest institution on this list, Chelsea Market has been a Meatpacking favourite for over 15 years.

Perfectly positioned next to The High Line, Chelsea Market is by far the most crowded food market in New York (in my experience) but the mixture of shops, restaurants and the tasty little rings at Doughnuttery mean it’s worth popping in.

Find it: 75 9th Avenue, between 15th and 16 Streets

While you’re here: Coffee aficionados will enjoy stepping into the Starbucks Reserve New York Roastery across the road where you can watch the beans being roasted and sup coffee concoctions at various bars and lounges.

Eataly

Pretty much my definition of foodie heaven, Eataly is exactly what it sounds like – a mega-market dedicated to all things Italian cuisine.

Featuring Italian groceries, deli counters, fresh pasta bars, pizza and panini stalls, an espresso bar, gelato, cannoli.. the list goes on. You can grab a focaccia to go, prop up against one of the numerous counters or get a table at one of the restaurants.

Find it: Their flagship store is in the Flatiron District, directly opposite the iconic Flatiron Building. The Downtown location is at 4 World Trade Center.

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