Food halls and markets are now a solid part of the food scene in New York, and one of the best ways to sample just how much the city has to offer. A food hall is usually an indoor space with a bunch of small vendors. You order at the counter and sit down in a shared seating area. The outdoor markets work the same way but have more of a street food vibe. They’re usually only open on weekends or during the warmer months. Many vendors don’t have brick-and-mortar restaurants and only operate at markets, which is often where you’ll find the most exciting concepts. The line between food hall and food market isn’t always clear, though.

Even if the setup feels casual, eating at these places isn’t particularly cheap. The portions are small, so you’ll need a few dishes to feel full, and the total ends up being about the same as at a regular restaurant. Still, you get to try things you won’t find elsewhere, and you don’t have to commit to just one type of cuisine.

Queens Night Market

Queens Night Market takes place Saturday evenings in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, from mid-April through late October. It’s one of the city’s most diverse food markets, both in terms of what’s served and who shows up to eat. Over 100 vendors offer dishes from all over the world, from Ethiopian teff injera to Tibetan momos and Peruvian ceviche. Most dishes are capped at five to six dollars, which makes this one of the most budget-friendly options in the city. Some stalls are still cash-only, but many now accept Venmo and other payment apps, so it’s smart to bring a bit of cash just in case. The vibe is very local and laid-back, with live music and performances most nights. It gets busy around dinnertime, so show up early if you want to avoid the longest lines.

My blog post about Queens Night Market

Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market is one of the most well-known food halls in the city. It’s located in the Meatpacking District and combines food stalls with specialty shops in a big indoor space. You can get everything from seafood and tacos to noodles and pastries. It’s a great lunch stop, but also very popular with tourists, so expect crowds during the day.

My blog post about Chelsea Market and Friedman’s

Time Out Market

Time Out Market is in DUMBO, right by the East River, with a rooftop that has one of the best views of Manhattan. It opened in 2019 inside the old Empire Stores warehouse, which also has shops, exhibits and offices. The vendors are handpicked by the editors at Time Out New York, and you’ll find outposts of some of the city’s most popular restaurants and cafés. There’s pizza from Fornino, brunch staples from Clinton St. Baking Company, Southern comfort food from Jacob’s Pickles and barbecue from Bark. For dessert, you can grab mini doughnuts from Doughnuttery or get a coffee from Birch. The market also has three bars, and the rooftop is open to everyone, with great views of both the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. It’s a little more upscale than most food markets, and a little more expensive, but still very approachable.

Market 57

Market 57 is one of the newer food halls in New York, located out on Pier 57 by the Hudson River. The vendor lineup was curated in collaboration with the James Beard Foundation, with a focus on sustainability and highlighting small businesses and chefs who don’t typically get a spot in the bigger food halls. You’ll find Japanese curry, Filipino barbecue, Nigerian snacks and Mexican tamales. It’s a great spot for lunch or a casual dinner, especially if you’re already in the area around Chelsea or Little Island. Upstairs, there’s a public rooftop park with views of the river, and you’re welcome to bring your food up and enjoy it there.

Urban Hawker

Urban Hawker is in Midtown, close to Times Square, and it’s the first market in New York dedicated to Southeast Asian street food. It opened in 2022 in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board. The selection is solid, with everything from Hainanese chicken rice and laksa to nasi lemak, char kway teow and oyster omelets. The vibe is lively and slightly chaotic, just like a real hawker center. There’s both seating and takeout, and it works equally well for lunch or a casual dinner.

DeKalb Market Hall

DeKalb Market Hall is a local favorite in Downtown Brooklyn with over 40 vendors serving everything from Caribbean jerk chicken and Korean dumplings to pastrami sandwiches from a Katz’s Delicatessen outpost. There’s plenty of seating and a much more relaxed feel than the markets in Manhattan.

Essex Market

Essex Market has roots back in the 1940s but was recently reimagined in a modern space on the Lower East Side. It’s part farmers’ market, part food hall, with a mix of fresh produce, prepared meals and specialty items. There’s Latin American comfort food, gourmet cheese and freshly made sandwiches. It’s not fancy, but it’s very authentic and still a bit under the radar. Most tourists don’t make it this far.

Smorgasburg

Smorgasburg is the city’s biggest outdoor food market and one of the best spots to get a feel for how international New York really is. The market runs on weekends over the summer, with events on Saturdays in Williamsburg and Sundays in Prospect Park. There are more than 100 vendors between the two locations, and you’ll find Korean corn dogs, Japanese sandos, lobster rolls, Indian wraps and slushy cocktails in bright colors. Many of the stalls are run by small food entrepreneurs, and you’ll come across dishes you won’t find anywhere else in the city. It’s not cheap, though. Most items are around ten to fifteen dollars, and if you want to try a few things, it adds up quickly.

I definitely prefer the one in Prospect Park. It feels more spacious and a little calmer than Williamsburg, which can be crowded and very touristy. On a sunny day, it’s the perfect spot for a weekend outing. Grab something delicious, find a spot on the grass and soak up the atmosphere.