Let’s take a journey to North America, home to Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Here we’ll find the most incredible markets with a wide variety of options for every type of consumer.
Markets can differ greatly in terms of their selling points. Some markets primarily focus on selling craft goods while others pride themselves on creating a melting pot of cultures through food sales. Regardless of what they sell, here are the greatest markets in North America.
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The Ferry Building is a marketplace culminated with different cuisines ranging from the bay area to all other regions of the world. Vendors here typically sell produce, cheese, coffee, candy, and ready-made food for life on the go.
The Ferry Building also has a farmers market extension that you can visit on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday before 2 pm. Here you can celebrate food culture while overlooking the bay and taking advantage of the local flowers, eggs, herbs, and meats.
Created in 1917, Grand Central Market in Los Angeles, California, hosts food vendors, florists, and artisans daily.
Grand Central Market is a popular tourist attraction that satisfies every photographer’s craving for quality content while providing a culturally rich environment. Visitors can expect a vibrant atmosphere with colorful signs at each stand, leaving no doubt that you are in a melting pot of cultures.
On the Grand Central Market website, visitors can find a list of events such as live entertainment and game nights.
The food court offers both traditional food options and wacky food combinations where on-the-go snacks turn gourmet. Visitors can expect to encounter classic options such as chicken strips, sandwiches, and BBQ meals.
More adventurous eaters can find Asian-Mexican fusion, lobster rolls, and gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
The Reading Terminal Market is a diverse market consisting of produce and home goods. This market is one of the oldest and largest markets in the United States, dating back to 1892.
Here you can taste food from different countries without boarding a plane. The market offers a taste of Spain, the Netherlands, and Philadelphia itself.
Some foods include seafood dishes, pasta, cheesesteaks, deli meats, and jerk chicken!
Now, if you’re ever in the United States, why not stop by the location that hosts the first ever Starbucks? Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, is open daily to anyone looking for a bite to eat.
At Pike Place Market, you’ll be greeted by waterfront scenery and over 500 businesses daily. The scenery and welcoming environment make Pike Place Market a great way to spend your day. Here you will encounter local farmers, small businesses, artists, and other craftsmen.
Popular restaurants located within Pike Place Market include Three Girls Bakery, Pike Place Chowder, Shug’s Soda Fountain, and the Crumpet Shop. It is considered one of the largest markets in the world.
Don’t forget to try a Red Bull Italian soda while visiting this market! Red Bull Italian sodas are limited to a couple of states within the USA and allow you to combine syrup flavors with, you guessed it, a Red Bull!
You should also stay tuned for all their market programs and signature events. That way, you get the most out of your visit!
In Mexico City, you’ll find Mercado La Merced, the largest market in Mexico City. This market is so large that not getting lost can be a challenge. Here you’ll encounter a labyrinth full of mole, tortas, tamales, Mexican candy, and various meats.
Mercado La Merced is open daily and can take half a day to travel through! Mercado La Merced is worth the visit if you have some time and want to experience Mexican cuisine and get some grocery shopping done.
Dating back to 1845, St. Lawrence Market has served the locals of Toronto, Canada, for all their food and antique needs. Some staple dishes served here include beet chutney, ginger scallion relish, and orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe.
St Lawrence Market also hosts Arts at the Market, an event open to the public to promote local businesses and art culture. The market is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm except for Saturday. On Saturdays, the market is open from 5 am to 4 pm.
The Forks Market is an eclectic food hall open daily from 7 am to 10 pm. You will find two sections: the ground floor and the market loft. With over 4 million visitors per year, The Forks has become a prime contributor to the Canadian economy and top-rated on the list of tourist attractions.
At The Forks, you will find local creators, small business owners, events, unique attractions, and fantastic dining options. The Forks is wedged between the Red and Assiniboine rivers, making it easy to kill two birds with one stone.
How many people can say they visited two rivers and a marketplace all at once? Just you and the other 4 million visitors travel to The Forks annually.
Some restaurants located at The Forks include Danny’s All Day Breakfast, Fergie’s Fish and Chips, Zorba’s Greek + Italian, and Jenna Rae Cakes. Each offering a different cuisine for every type of taste bud.
Time Out Market is indeed closely connected to the best market in Lisbon, Portugal, Mercado da Ribeira. You’ll encounter the Time Out Market Lisbon food hall within Mercado da Ribeira. Coincidence? They have the same investors!
These markets have dominated in their continent due to their unique and delicious food options, such as beef carpaccio. The market credits its success to its 16 food concepts, high-quality chefs, and 40,000 square feet of upscaled market dining.
Popular food options within Time Out Market are poke, curry, ramen, whelks, and hamburgers. After enjoying a nice meal, dessert lovers can enjoy fried biscuits, brioche donuts, and gelato.
Time Out Market is excellent for travelers searching for slightly upper-scale food choices and a great ambiance.
The Inglewood Night Market is a great pet-friendly spring and summer market located in the fresh air. The market has set dates and is not open daily; therefore, checking dates before travel is essential.
Upon entry, visitors will notice a variety of entertainment options. There is a village bar, food trucks, trunk sales, booths, and a stage!
Food options vary with each date, but there is always something for everyone. Some food options shown by the night market include Asian fusion, Mexican food, BBQ, and more! They even have creative drinks in obscure containers.
The Inglewood Night Market is the perfect place for people who love being adventurous and trying wacky versions of everyday foods.
The Coronation Market can be perfectly described as a farmer’s market combined with a swap meet and a food court. Here you will find the biggest market in the English-speaking Caribbean.
At Coronation Market, local vendors gather to sell exotic fruits, Jamaican cuisine, and trinkets. Travelers often encounter a culture shock entering Coronation Market as it offers a bewildering sea of stalls selling various goods.
Popular fruits native to Jamaica are ackee, annatto, avocado pear, and roasted breadfruit. These fruits can be commonly found within the Coronation market and are not more prominently found across North America.
The most popular days to go are Fridays and Saturdays. On these busy days, you may be lucky enough to witness how Jamaican locals bargain the price of their produce.
Regardless of where you’re traveling in North America, having reliable and pre-investigated food options are always great. We did the work so you don’t have to worry about visiting a low-grade unreliable food hall – one less headache of remembering what to prepare beforehand.
So the next time you’re traveling and battling a family that can’t decide what to eat, visit a market with a variety of options for everyone.