From Seattle to Philadelphia, here are the best food halls in the US

Food halls are a food lover’s paradise. They’re an extension of street-food markets, where instead of pop-up vendors selling small bites, they host mini-restaurants in a sociable, relaxed setting. Some food halls will also feature pop-up vendors, so you can try a range of new dishes. A food hall might specialize in one cuisine, or it might showcase a variety of cuisines from various cultures.

When visiting a new city, especially one with a foodie reputation, you might be on the hunt to try different flavors and new cuisines. Finding a top-notch restaurant is sometimes challenging in a new city, but food halls won’t let you down. They’re also a haven for fussy eaters or big groups – there will always be something delicious to eat. You can tuck into sushi while your friend enjoys a fresh slice of pizza, and everyone’s happy.

A great food hall will deliver on more than food – it needs to offer a good time, too. We’ve ranked the 20 best food halls in the US based on atmosphere, entertainment, customer reviews, and of course, the quality of the food on offer and value for money.

The Best Food Halls in the US

20. Grand View Public Market, West Palm Beach, Florida

Find this small but charming food hall in sunny West Palm Beach. Vendors are subject to change, but their current offering includes slurp-worthy ramen at Ramen Lab Eatery, perfect slices at Pizza Paradise, and juicy bites at Caribbean Fire Bistro. The market selects its vendors carefully, ensuring the quality is high and the offering is diverse. Grand View Public Market also hosts regular events, including trivia nights, karaoke nights, and yoga.

19. City Foundry STL, St Louis, Missouri

This ultra-cool, industrial-style space is a must-visit in St Louis. From Creole to Caribbean, there is a healthy selection of international and national restaurants to choose from. Not only does the City Foundry offer excellent food, but it’s also a place for entertainment. They’re committed to combating boredom with a range of activities to partake in, including an immersive VR experience, wine tastings, and crazy golf.

18. Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This mecca of food, beverages, arts and crafts, local produce, events, and so much more, is a Philadelphia landmark. The sprawling market has been going for 131 years, and the building is a National Historic Landmark. We recommend coming hungry, making a beeline for the food hall section, and browsing the stallholders once you have a full stomach. You can try all kinds of local dishes here, such as Carmen’s Hoagies and Cheesesteaks and DiNic’s roast pork sandwiches. You can also try various international cuisines, including Filipino, Georgian, and Caribbean dishes.

17. Federal Galley, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This unique space is a combination of a food hall and a restaurant accelerator. Federal Galley hosts four rotating restaurants, allowing up-and-coming chefs to test new concepts on customers and promote their business. Expect modern, hearty food, with exciting flavors and a cheerful, family-friendly atmosphere. The food hall has been the launch pad of some of Pittsburgh’s most notable chefs, so for those who live to be ahead of the curve, head to Federal Galley.

16. Post Market, Houston, Texas

We’d never expect anything less from Texas, but the extensive food selection at the Post Market is seriously impressive. This huge, hip food hall showcases incredible restaurants that go way beyond a standard burger and fries. For example, Andes Cafe is a South American restaurant drawing inspiration from the 7 countries connected by the Andes mountain range. With creative cooking and exciting flavors, the Andes Cafe is an example of why Post Market is a fantastic dining experience. As well as the food, there’s always a lot going on here. From the happening happy hours (Monday to Friday, 3pm to 6pm), to the rooftop movie nights, the Post Market is one of the most important cultural and entertainment spaces in Houston.

15. The Market at Malcolm Yards, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Market at Malcolm Yards is a community-centered space, committed to supporting Minnoesotan chefs. The food hall showcases both experienced and new local chefs to help build their credibility and businesses – it’s a charming, family-friendly place with a warm local feel. There are nine food concepts, including Wrecktangle Pizza: a much-loved Detroit-style pizza joint. You might come for the food, but you’ll stay for the Beer Wall. With a selection of beers, wines, and non-alcoholic drinks, it’s a convenient and quirky way to fill up your cup. The offerings regularly change, but there’s something for every taste. The drinks on offer range from a crisp orange wine to a nitro peanut butter stout.

14. Revival Food Hall, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago’s Revival Food Hall proudly shows off the best culinary talent in the city. It’s a great spot for anyone, whether you’re in a couple or a big group. Couples will find a quiet spot in the Revival Bar, while a group can take the party upstairs to the 6th-floor lounge. This Chicago institution is committed to a good time, with a daily happy hour, a changing list of drink specials, and regular events, such as trivia nights. Entertainment aside, the food alone is worth the visit. From poke to dosa, there are plenty of delicious dishes to keep your tastebuds excited.

13. ASEAN StrEAT Food Hall, Seattle, Washington

This Southeast Asian food hall proudly touts itself as having a market vibe, so you can escape rainy Seattle and enter bustling Thailand for an hour or two. This is your one-stop shop for all things Southeast Asian street food. There are Thai, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Filipino, Indonesian, Burmese, Laotian, and Cambodian options. The street food concept makes this a quick, affordable, and simple way to grab lunch or dinner. And if you want to hang around after your food, there is a bar serving Southeast Asian-inspired cocktails.

12. Pine Street Market, Portland, Oregon

Portland has a thriving independent scene, so it’s no wonder that Pine Street Market is one of the best food halls in the US. Find an insight into the city’s varied dining scene in the industrial space, where the ground floor was once a string of nightclubs. There are seven gourmet vendors here, though they are subject to change. Several are offshoots of beloved Portland restaurants. Tuck into wholesome Costa Rican comfort food, slurp a bowl of moreish ramen, and bite into freshly steamed Shanghai-style buns.

11. Gotham West Market, New York City, New York

Located in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen, Gotham West Market was destined to be one of the hottest food destinations in the city. The food hall offers some of New York’s most delicious culinary purveyors, including Gorin Ramen and Dell’anima. Compared to the other food halls, it has a smaller offering of 6 restaurants. However, it’s quality vs quantity in this case. Every restaurant is a master in what it does, from sizzling Filipino pork to much-loved tacos at La Palapa. Gotham West Market also puts on regular comedy nights and groups can book private dining experiences.

10. Legacy Hall, Plano, Texas

Make sure to come hungry to Legacy Hall – there are over 20 restaurants to choose from. Every taste is well catered to here, with an eclectic mix of ramen, tacos, lobster rolls, and much more. Round off your meal with a Plano favorite: Cotton & Snow’s shaved ice and cotton candy. There are also several bars to end your night in, serving specialty cocktails and craft beers. Music, events, good food, and a hearty selection of drinks? This might be Plano’s hottest spot.

9. St. Roch Market, New Orleans, Louisiana

This bright, airy space is a little different from the usual industrial, warehouse-vibe of food halls. The 1875 landmark building now houses a diverse selection of excellent vendors. You can find New Orleans classics, such as po’boys, BBQ shrimp, and etouffee at Genevieve’s, as well as Malaysian comfort food at Laksa. As well as incredible food, St. Roch Market delivers on happy hours. There’s a happy hour from 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday and a ‘happiest hour’ between 3pm and 4pm when drinks prices are even lower. There’s also a happy hour on oysters, it’s available Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5pm.

8. Chelsea Market, New York City, New York

NYC’s Chelsea Market is one of the country’s best-loved food halls. It has become a landmark in itself, with the market extending far beyond food. You can find quirky stores, artisanal stallholders, and vintage clothes galore. When browsing or shopping has worked up an appetite, make a beeline for the food hall and take your pick from the huge selection of vendors on offer. You might not expect to find ultra-fresh seafood here, but the Lobster Place is a seafood market within the market. Touting itself as serving the best lobster in NYC, along with high-grade sushi and a raw bar, it’s a seafood lover’s heaven.

7. Gather, Greenville, South Carolina

As the name suggests, Gather is all about bringing people together. The layout is ideal for groups, with large tables and a bright, open space. There are currently 13 vendors serving up some of Greenville’s best bites, from Mama Mozzerella's mouthwateringly-good sandwiches to ultra-fresh lobster at Palmetto Seafood Co. There’s a permanent buzzy atmosphere at Gather, and the events encourage a good time. There’s regular music bingo, live music, and events catered towards kids.

6. Budd Dairy Food Hall, Columbus, Ohio

This former dairy is part food hall part chef incubator. The modern concept is a space for up-and-coming chefs to grow their businesses, improve their craft, and test new recipes. You’ll find these pop-up vendors at the Hatch, which hosts new chefs every few weeks. There are nine other permanent vendors and their offerings range from Filipino street food to Southern comfort food. Head to the rooftop deck for a post-meal cocktail – they host DJ sets every weekend. Other regular events include trivia and karaoke.

5. Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, California

With over 100 years of history, Grand Central Market is the oldest of its kind in Los Angeles. While it maintained its old-school market roots, parts have developed into a flourishing food hall experience. Find a mix of trendy vendors, such as Egg Slut, and no-frills spots, such as Sarita's Pupuseria, serving up authentic Salvadoran pupusas. New vendors pop up from time to time, but one has maintained its spot for over 70 years: Roast to Go. The charm of Grand Central Market is in its hustle and bustle – it’s not the slick version of Los Angeles, and it’s an important part of the immigrant communities that shape the city.

4. Ponce City Market, Atlanta, Georgia

This exciting space has a lot to offer visitors. Firstly, the food. Find the Central Food Market and explore the wide range of restaurants on offer, from Iranian Bibi’s to Korean Umbrella Bar. There are plenty of international options, but you can also enjoy a taste of Southern flavors with award-winning Chef Linton Hopkins’ Hop’s Chicken. Finish off with a boozy popsicle from the locally renowned King of Pops, or grab a cocktail on the grassy patio.

3. Mercado Little Spain, New York City, New York

Find this delicious love letter to Spain in Hudson Yards. Chef José André and brothers Albert and Ferran Adrià celebrate all corners of Spain in this huge space. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and so many Spanish dishes to try, so be sure to come hungry. The kiosks are run by specialists from Spain, so the jamon is sliced flawlessly, the Basque cheesecake is expertly fluffy, and the paella is cooked to perfection. Whether you’re in for a quick bite, or to whittle away the afternoon enjoying tapas and sipping sangria, Mercado Little Spain has something for every taste.

2. The Garage Food Hall, Indianapolis, Indiana

This community-focused food hall has a lot to offer visitors. Located in the Bottling District, which was once the largest Coca-Cola bottling plant in the world, there’s a cool industrial vibe here. It’s a big space, with over 20 vendors to choose from. Not only is everything delicious, but nothing is the same. There are plenty of international restaurants, such as Brazillian, Cuban, Venezuelan, and Hawaiian spots, as well as a good ol’ hamburger joint.

1. Assembly Food Hall, Nashville, Tennessee

Located on the iconic ‘Honky Tonk Highway’, the Assembly Food Hall is the perfect place to refuel in between country music bars and museums. The buzzing food hub serves up a range of cuisines, from Nashville’s famous hot chicken at Prince’s to Steamboys’ selection of dumplings and noodles. There are over 30 eateries and bars to choose from, and we recommend a trip to the rooftop bar – it’s the largest in Nashville. And if you want to leave the music scene for too long, fear not: there’s live music on the rooftop, at the Concert Bar.