A borough-by-borough guide to NYC’s food halls

Cronuts. Raclette. Poke bowls. Avocado toast. While the list of trendy cuisines making a splash in New York City’s food scene appears endless, food halls are making it easier for New Yorkers to try a bit of everything all under one roof. The city is experiencing a boom in this casual dining style; real estate developers opt to anchor their buildings with food halls, as all-star chefs choose food halls to serve their celebrated dishes. Ahead, follow 6sqft’s guide to the city’s 24 current food halls, from old standby Chelsea Market to Downtown Brooklyn’s new DeKalb Market, as well as those in the pipeline, planned for hot spots like Hudson Yards and more far-flung locales like Staten Island.

Gotham West Market via NYC & Company

Manhattan

1. Gotham West Market
600 West 11th Avenue,  Hell’s Kitchen

Just a few blocks from Hudson Yards, the Gotham West Market sits underneath the 1,238-unit Gotham West complex.  It includes dining options from American chef and Ramen expert, Ivan Orkin’s Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, his first restaurant outside of Japan. The Cannibal offers ‘cyclist’ inspired sandwiches, salads, and vegetables as well as a whopping 200 global beers. End it on a sweet note, with Ample Hills Creamery, Zagat’s #1 rated ice cream shop in NYC.

K-town’s largest restaurant, photo via Food Gallery 32

2. Food Gallery 32
11 West 32nd Street, Korea Town

As the largest restaurant in K-Town, Food Gallery 32 spans three floors and includes a dozen Korean, Japanese and Chinese fast food, as well as a cell phone store and bar/kiosk selling beer, sake and soju. Notably, the Korean shop Mama offers croissant taiyakis (custard, cream cheese and red bean) flavorful, oversized “bunns,” and pocket buns (beef, kimchi, sweet potato). GoChujang offers Korean “school food” such as Kimbap, fish cake soup, tempura, soondae (blood sausages) and more.

The Plaza Food Hall is a favorite for lunch in Midtown, photo via The Plaza Hotel

3. The Plaza Food Hall
1 West 59th Street, Midtown West

On the concourse level below the Plaza Hotel, sits a food hall designed by chef Todd English with a variety of upscale dining options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Vendors range from Chi Dumpling & Noodles to Olma Caviar Boutique and Bar. In addition to the caviar, this high-end food court also has lobsters from Luke’s Lobsters and sushi from Sabi Sushi.

Photo via City Kitchen on Facebook

4. City Kitchen
700 8th Avenue at 44th Street, Times Square

In the heart of Midtown, City Kitchen brings the best food from each of the city’s five boroughs to the tourist mecca that is Times Square. The 4,000-square-foot food hall at Eighth Avenue and 44th Street opened in 2015. Diners can enjoy empanadas from Gabriela’s Taqueria, sushi from Azuki and ramen from Kuro-Obi.

The Chelsea Market Wine Vault, photo via Chelsea Market

5. Chelsea Market
75 9th Avenue, Meatpacking District 

For 20 years, Chelsea Market has set the standard for NYC’s food hall scene. Once the factory where Oreo and Saltines were baked, Chelsea Market became a renowned food hall when it opened in 1997. The former factory vibe continues to be felt today with the market’s exposed iron pipes and brick walls. The space also includes retail, offices, and a television production facility. With over 40 vendors, this market has something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for crepes, Thai food or German currywurst.

Photo courtesy of Gansevoort Market

6. Gansevoort Market
353 West 14th Street, Meatpacking District

The history of open-air produce markets can be traced back to a farmers market that was held beginning in 1884 at the site of the former Fort Gansevoort location, which was named for Peter Gansevoort, a colonel in the Revolutionary War. Fresh meat, poultry, and dairy products were sold at the 19th-century market. After moving to 14th street in 2016 from its original location by the High Line, Gansevoort Market has undergone some changes. Vendors include NYC-staples like Big Gay Ice Cream, Mission Ceviche and Gotham Poke.

UrbanSpace Vanderbilt, photo via NYC & Company

7. UrbanSpace Vanderbilt
230 Park Avenue, Midtown East

Just steps from Midtown’s Grand Central and Rockefeller Center, UrbanSpace Vanderbilt features over 20 artisanal food vendors all year round. Undeniably, Vanderbilt’s big draw is Roberta’s, an iconic Brooklyn pizza joint known for made-fresh-daily mozzarella and use of seasonal vegetables. Other vendors include Korilla, one of NYC’s first Korean-taco food trucks, and Liquiteria, said to be the pioneer of the cold-pressed juice trend in the city.

Photo courtesy of Whole Foods Market

8. Whole Foods Market
1095 Avenue of the Americas, Bryant Park

Opening just this past January, Whole Foods expanded their NYC takeover by opening a 43,000 square-foot store that also features a food hall. In addition to its typical organic fare, the Whole Foods market lets shoppers feast before or after checking off goods on their grocery lists. The store has traditional Japanese omakase, a raw bar with 24 beers on tap and authentic Turkish-style artisanal bread.

Great Northern Food Hall in Grand Central Terminal, photo via NYC&Company

9. Great Northern Food Hall
89 East 42nd Street in Grand Central Terminal, Midtown

If searching for farm-fresh food in New York, check out the Great Northern Food Hall in Grand Central Terminal. The market, designed to infuse Nordic and American style, partners with local New York farmers to cook what nature gives them. Opening in June 2016 by Danish food star, Claus Meyer, Great Northern offers Nordic-cuisine with an American twist. You can order flatbreads at Meyers Bageri, Danish-style hot dogs and Danish treats and light-roast brews at Brownville Roasters coffee bar.

The food hall is right above Penn Station, photo via The Pennsy

10. The Pennsy
2 Pennslyvania Plaza, Midtown

While waiting for your inevitably delayed LIRR or NJ Transit train, head to the Pennsy, a food hall right above Penn Station. Open daily from 11 am to 2 am, the 8,000-square-foot street-level space features an outdoor patio and a variety of food and drink options. For vegan foodies, check out The Cinnamon Snail, which offers specialties ranging from Thai BBQ Tempeh sandwich and a Smoked Sage Seitan Burger to Kimichi Tater Tots. Other vendors at Pennsy include Ribalta, home of true Neapolitan pizza, The Little Beet for veggie lovers, and The Pennsy Bar, perfect for a pre-concert drink or a nightcap after the big game.

The gastrohall offers craft beer and cocktails, photo courtesy of @unionfare on Instagram

11. Union Fare Gastrohall
7 East 17th Street, Union Square

Adding to NYC’s food hall boom of 2016, Union Fare Gastrohall sits in the heart of Union Square and offers private dining options, with two fully private dining rooms. The space spans 25,000 square feet and includes a cafe, bakery bar and a full-service restaurant that serves modern American food. A wide range of cuisines is offered, including poke, Italian, street food and a raw bar.

The open-air food market, photo via Bowery Market

12. The Bowery Market
348 Bowery, NoHo

This mini, open-air food market sits at the northwest corner of Bowery and Great Jones Street and offers a unique take on the typical food hall presentation. Created by real-estate developer Scott Marano, the market was built on the former site of an auto-body shop. The vendors at the Bowery operate out of tiny “homes.” Current vendors include Alidoro, an Italian specialty sandwich shop, Oaxaca Comida Calle, traditional Mexican fare, Parantha Alley, Indian style roti, and Sushi on Jones, NYC’s first outdoor sushi bar.

The market’s colorful facade, photo via Essex Street Market

13. Essex Street Market
120 Essex Street, Lower East Side

First opening in 1940 by former Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, the Essex Street Market is one of the oldest and most iconic food halls in New York City. In the beginning, the food reflected the culture of the immigrant communities of the Lower East Side at the time. Jewish and Italian immigrants served traditional foods, as well as flowers, clothing and fresh produce. After the NYCEDC renovated the market for $1.5 million in 1995, the historic food hall was consolidated and saved from closure. Today, the Essex Street Market continues to sell a range of local products, like gourmet cheeses, fresh-cut meat, fish and vegetables. In 2018, the market will move to a new home in the Essex Crossing development, which will contain a larger, more modern space.

The LES market offers a wide variety of goods, photo via Canal Street Market on Facebook

14. Canal Street Market
265 Canal Street, Lower East Side

If you’re looking for both dumplings and a new piece of art, Canal Street Market might just be the perfect place. The Canal market has food, but it also has vendors who sell retail, designs and beauty products. Dining options in the 12,000-square-foot space include favorites like Nom Wah Kaui, Davy’s Ice Cream and ramen at Kuro-Obi. After all of the deliciousness, check out the artwork from various galleries like la Boratuvar studio, UNLINDE, and Nicholas Newcomb Pottery & Sculpture.

Hudson Eats, Image © Patty Lee

15. Hudson Eats
230 Vesey Street, Battery Park City

Since 2014, Hudson Eats at Brookfield Place has served cheap, casual dining options in its sprawling, fancy Lower Manhattan digs. The 30,000-square-foot space seats 600 guests and features white marble countertops, terrazzo floors and super high ceilings. Plus, windowed walls offer sweeping views of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty. All-star vendors include Black See Bagel, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar, Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Olive’s Stumptown coffee and cupcakes from Sprinkles.

Cheese and cured meats, photo courtesy of Eataly

16. Eataly NYC
200 Fifth Avenue, Flatiron

While it may be overwhelming at 42,500-square-feet, Eataly Flatiron continues to be the must-try market in NYC. As the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in the world, Eataly, located just off Madison Square Park (a second location can be found at the World Trade Center) features Italian bakeries, candies, gourmet stores and wine and spirits. Plus, the restaurants at Eataly use items sold in the store in their dishes. In addition to La Bierreria, a rooftop beer garden, dining options include Manzo which serves fresh-cut meat of all kinds, La Pizza & La Pasta, self-explanatory, fresh vegetable-centric dishes at Le Verdure and fresh seafood from Il Pesce.

The market’s French restaurant Beaubourg Brasserie, photo via Le District

17. Le District
225 Liberty Street, Battery Park City

Often described as the French version of Eataly, Le District sits in Brookfield Place and offers goods and services separated by three different districts. These include the Cafe District, offering coffee and sweets, the Market District, which includes both retail and dining opportunities and The Garden District, which features fresh produce. The sprawling 30,000 square-foot space also includes Beaubourg Brasserie, a full-service all-day French restaurant, Le Bar, which serves craft cocktails and wine and Bar A Vin, which features 32 rotating wines with over 200 cheese and house-made charcuterie.

Photo of Turnstyle NYC, via Wikimedia

18. Turnstyle
1000 8th Avenue, Midtown

Named for its proximity to the subway (it sits below the Columbus Circle Station), Turnstyle boasts 38 businesses, including 15 eateries, 15 retail shops, and eight kiosks. Since opening in 2016, the underground market has featured city favorites like Doughnuttery, Aprea Factory, Dylan’s Candy Bar and Bolivian Llama Party.

Photo of the Fort Greene food hall, via NYC & Company; Gotham Market at the Ashland

Brooklyn

19. Gotham Market at the Ashland
590 Fulton Street, Fort Greene

As the sister store of Manhattan’s Gotham West Market, the market at the Fort Greene location offers eight Brooklyn favorites all within a spacious 16,000-square foot space. The market will host a rotating selection of BK-based vendors for four months at a time. Currently, the local pop-up store is an Indian ice cream company called Malai. Other dining options include Mason Jar & MJ Station, which specializes in beer, bourbon and barbecue, Apizza Regionale, locally-sourced Italian fare with house-made mozzarella, Flip Bird, which sells both fried chicken and spatchcocked rotisserie chicken, and more.

The Downtown Brooklyn’s 40-vendor market has something for every diner, photo via DeKalb Market Hall on Facebook

20. DeKalb Market
445 Albee Square West, Downtown Brooklyn

As one of the largest dining spots in New York City, DeKalb Market spans a massive 60,000 square feet, features 40 vendors and serves locally-sourced food with a global touch. Of course, the arrival of Katz’s Deli in Brooklyn was met with many cheers, but there’s so much more than the giant pastrami sandwich here (even though it’s still iconically delicious). The stand-outs at DeKalb include fried chicken enthusiast Wilma Jean, Shanghai-inspired street food at Jian bing and the Pierogi Boys.

Crown Height’s spacious food + beer hall, photo via Berg’n

21. Berg’n 
899 Bergen Street, Crown Heights

Since 2014, Berg’n has been doling out micro-craft brews, cocktails, coffee and Brooklyn favorites. Founded by the duo behind Smorgasburg, the attractive looking space features long wooden tables, oversized windows and a courtyard. While the vendors change every few months, the relaxed vibes remain all year round. Current vendors include Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, American fare at Landhaus, Filipino food at Lumpia Shack and pizza at Brooklyn Pizza Crew.

Tons of fresh produce available at this BK market, photo via City Acres Market on Facebook

22. City Acres Market
11 Broadway, South Williamsburg

Located on the Williamsburg waterfront, City Acres Market features local and organic produce and groceries, prepared food and craft beers. While the Brooklyn food hall is the group’s flagship store, a second location just opened in FiDi at 70 Pine Street, and sticks with its model of a hybrid food hall and grocery store. Popular vendors include Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, Vanessa’s Dumpling House, Cinnamon Snail, JuiceBrothers and Beyond Sushi. The market has one of the largest selections for vegan eaters in the city’s food hall scene.

New York’s largest indoor Asian mall, photo via New World Mall

Queens

23. New World Mall Food Court
136-20 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing 

Ride a Queens-bound 7 train to the last stop and discover New York’s largest indoor Asian mall in Flushing. While it looks like a typical shopping center with clothing stores, salons and tech shops, on the lower level of the three-story glass building, there is a massive Asian supermarket with 32 vendors that offer ridiculously cheap, authentic dishes. Dining options include handmade dumplings, sesame and scallion pancakes and of course lots of fresh noodles. The nearly three dozen vendors offer traditional food from North and South East Asian countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Japanese and China. And if you’re not too full from all of the goodies, check out the mall’s karaoke bar.

This mall offers trendy Asian dining options, photo via Queens Crossing

24. Queens Crossing
For a different Flushing food hall experience, head to Queens Crossing, a more trendy dining spot than other traditional Asian malls in the city. While Shanghai-street food remains a staple, other unique options include a Korean tofu spot, Wonjo SoonToFu, a Korean fried-chicken spot called Tori and a Happy Lemon bubble tea juice bar, as the Times reported last fall. New vendors include a British tea and pastry shop, Rose House, and a Cantonese seafood cuisine that offers daily dim sum, New Mulan Seafood.

Coming soon:

• MRKTPL at Empire Outlets (Late 2018)
  55 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
  
• Anthony Bourdain’s Market (2019)
  Pier 57 along the Hudson River, Manhattan
  
• North End Food Hall (2017)
  4300 Broadway and 183rd Street, Washington Heights
  
• Bruckner Market (2017)
  9 Bruckner Boulevard, South Bronx
• The JACX Market (2019)
  28-01 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City
  
• Cipriani
  Two Waterline Square, 30 Riverside Boulevard, Upper West Side
  
• Jose Andres Spanish food hall (2018)
  30th Street and 10th Avenue, Hudson Yards
• Chef Todd English at former Il Bastardo, Chelsea
  191 Seventh Avenue, Chelsea
  
• Urbanspace
  570 Lexington Avenue, Midtown
  

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