25 Food Markets Around the World You Should Visit at Least Once in Your Life

If you're anything like us, you'll agree there's no better way to get to know a new city than by visiting its food markets. You can check out the local dishes, try some inventive mashups, and even meet some third- and fourth-generation vendors who'll give you the best insider knowledge of the area. Best of all, you'll be supporting local businesses and giving back to the community (and come away with some pretty incredible Insta stories.) These 25 indoor food halls, open-air parks, and night markets around the world make it almost impossible not to #foodgasm.

Union Square Greenmarket, New York City, NY: This flagship market serving NYC's five boroughs is one of the city’s most well-known and much-loved institutions. New Yorkers Lynn and Justin's blog MadHattersNYC suggest lingering over samples of Valley Shepherd Creamery, tasting jams from Beth’s Farm Kitchen, or biting into a crunchy oatmeal raisin cookie from Hawthorne Valley Farm. (Photo via MadHattersNYC)

Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA: This iconic Philly market is celebrating its 125^th anniversary this year. Peppered throughout the 80+ merchants’ stands are local produce, fish, meat, eggs, handmade jewelry, Amish goods, flowers, and spices. Locals would tell you try a roast pork, broccoli rabe, and provolone from DiNics (even over cheesesteaks!) or a butter pecan cone from Bassetts. (Photo via Reading Terminal Market Tourism)

Boston Public Market, Boston, MA: Health and Wellness blogger MissBlondeAmbition puts this market at the top of her list thanks to an all-local selection, including top-eight allergy-free Jennifer Lee’s Bakery. She also stops in at Finesse Pastries for soft and chewy seasonal flavored macaroons. (Photo via MissBlondeAmbition)

West Side Market, Cleveland, OH: This historic space in the city’s unofficial brewery district has been serving up fruits, dairy, meats, vegetables, cheeses, and a whole host of ethnic and international foods since 1912. You’ll find a little bit of everything here, from traditional cuts of smoked meat at Slovenian butchers Czuchraj Meats to liquid nitrogen-created ice cream at Piccadilly Creamery (Photo via Destination Cleveland)

St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, Canada: If you haven’t tried Carousel Bakery’s peameal bacon sandwich at this world-famous marketplace in Old Town, get it on your bucket list, stat. Locals and tourists alike descend daily for a bite of the famed sandwich while browsing the 120+ vendors. (Photo via Toronto Tourism)

Markthalle Neun, Berlin, Germany: Lindsey Shianna of travel blog Hello Jetlag reports that this recently refurbished market is a favorite thanks to its Street Food Thursdays. "The vendors are always changing, but there are a few local favorites that show up each week, such as the pulled pork sandwich, the ramen burger, and Rosa Canina ice cream," says Shianna. "Order local craft beers and cocktails, or buy a bottle of wine, and post up for the night at one of the communal tables." (Photo via HelloJetlag)

Torvehallerne, Copenhagen, Denmark: Sourced from all Danish suppliers, this fun market is a favorite stop-by for Laura Longwell of Travel Addicts, who loves sampling the typically Danish open-faced sandwiches, fresh fish, and shellfish. This year, the area will host 47th annual Roskilde Festival, the largest cultural festival in Northern Europe. (Photo via Laura Longwell/Travel Addicts)

Marché Raspail, Paris, France: Culinary cofounder and head chef at Plated Elana Karp loves this traditional market in Paris’ 6th arrondissement, open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. “They have everything you could need from fresh produce to aged cheeses to rotisserie chickens. My favorite stand sells dried candied fruits that are absolutely delicious!" (Photo via Elana Karp/Plated)

Le Marché Ave du President Wilson, Paris, France: If you’re ever in Paris and want to see where Michelin-starred chefs get their inspiration, stop by this famous market, open Wednesdays and Saturdays in front of the Palais Tokyo. While you’re there, peruse fourth-generation farmer Joël Thiebault’s colorful treasure trove of more than 1,700 herbs and veggies that stock the restaurants of Paris. (Photo via Lisa Klein Michel/Lucky Miam)

FICO Eataly World and other markets, Bologna, Italy: The world’s largest “agri-food park” opened this past November in Bologna, and it's already a must-see stop for gastro-travelers. It’s certainly impressive, but Travel Addicts' Laura Longwell is equally taken by the historic food markets that have been filling the center of Bologna for centuries. "There is a massive selection, but it’s best to try local pasta specialties like tortellini and tagliatelle, and you can’t miss mortadella, the sausage that many outside of Italy are more likely to call 'bologna,'" she says. (Photo via Laura Longwell/Travel Addicts)

Freshfield’s Farmers' Market, Kiawah Island, SC: On beautiful Kiawah Island, just outside Charleston, you’ll find this fun farmers' market/food truck park filled with customers clamoring for local produce, art, and food, including sweets from Sweet LuLu’s Bakery and Cocktail Caravan. Former vice president Joe Biden apparently often stops here while visiting his vacation home. (Photo via Trish Pruitt/Freshfields Village)

Old Town Farmers' Market, Alexandria, VA: The oldest farmers' market in the country to be held continuously at the same site, this spot in the charming, waterfront colonial town of Alexandria is full of history — word has it George Washington even sent produce here from Mount Vernon. Today, you can not only stock up on fresh-made breads, cheeses, and pickles, but its Resource Recovery Stations show you how to compost food and yard waste at home. (Photo via Alexandria Tourism)

Locale Market, St. Petersburg, FL: The brainchild of James Beard-award-winning chef Michael Mina, this 20,000-square-foot, two-level space is modeled after the great markets of Europe and is incredibly fun to explore. Grab artisanal goodies and snacks from its gourmet grocery, or meet up with friends at one of its 12 open-air kitchens and cook stations. You won’t want for good weather — St. Pete’s is known for 361 days of sunshine a year. (Photo via Locale Market)

Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA: One of the most famous city markets in the country, Pike Place just got a facelift after 40 years with its new Marketfront expansion, creating a whole new public plaza with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. There’s now room for 47 additional farmers, craftspeople, and artisans, including Old Stove Brewing Co., Little Fish canned fish, and Honest Biscuits. (Photos via Pike Place Market)

Smorgasburg, Los Angeles, CA: Blogger Latifah Al-Hazza of The Alhazza Adventures is a huge fan of this downtown LA outpost of the original Williamsburg market. "It’s neat in that it’s an open-air space where over 50 food trucks gather to provide neat food mashups and ethnic dishes," she tells us. Her must try? "The Goa Taco, made with paratha bread, which is a blend of a tortilla and a croissant. These are not your average tacos!" (Photo via Latifah Al-Hazza/The Alhazza Adventures)

Little Italy Mercato, San Diego, CA: San Diego has more small farms than any other county in the US, making this century-old-market in the heart of the neighborhood a can’t miss, but most love stopping by for its rich Italian heritage, bistros, bakeries, and street festivals. In 2018, the new Piazza Del Famiglia will open as a community gathering place and new heart of the neighborhood. (Photo via Annie Pearson/ San Diego Tourism Authority)

Lote 23, San Juan, Puerto Rico: Despite its recent challenges, Puerto Rico’s chef community is helping to push the island forward with innovative community food and emerging artist meetups. At Lote 23, 16 of the island’s top chefs and mixologists convene to serve up everything from pork sandwiches to burgers to fried chicken. Must-trys include La Croqueteria and a tuna or octopus poke bowl at El Jangiri. (Photo via the Puerto Rico Tourism Company)

Mercado de San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina: With new direct flights from the US, the waiving of the $160 entry visa fee, and brand-new tourism centers with free WiFi and phone chargers, now is the perfect time to visit this gastro-friendly city. Built at the turn of the 20th century to cater to the waves of immigrants arriving from Europe, the hall has kept many of its original touches, including its Italian façade. You’ll find local empanadas, the best coffee in town, and gorgeous old silver antiques at its weekend fair. (Photo via Buenos Aires Tourism)

Time Out Market, Lisbon, Portugal: Lisbon is notorious for delectable tapas, and you can snack to your heart’s content at this beautiful food hall, shares blogger Emily Brandwin of CIASpyGirl.com. She suggests sampling regional specialties, such as Azeitao sheep’s cheese, Alentejo ham, custard tarts, wines, and chocolates. “Lisbon’s top chefs have opened up pop-ups in the market, so you can sample bites from many popular restaurants in one stop,” says Emily. (Photo via Emily Brandwin/CIAspygirl)

Aix-en-Provence Market, Aix-en-Provence, France: Laura Longwell of Travel Addicts also has this city in the South of France on her list, writing, “Three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), it feels like the entire city transforms into one massive market… the choices seem endless, although local products like lavender products, herbes de provence, honey, and Provencal cloth are particular favorites.” (Photo via Laura Longwell/Travel Addicts)

Santa Caterina Market, Barcelona, Spain: Andre Arriaza, blogger and founder of Barcelona Eat Local, says it’s worth a trip to Barcelona’s “Second Market,” Santa Caterina, in addition to the famous Boqueria. Built in 1845, the market was renovated in 2005, including its beautiful wavelike roof. Andre says food stalls and tapas bars are never packed (unlike other markets in the city), making the experience of trying traditional dishes such as patatas bravas, bread with tomato, salads, and Iberian ham easy and enjoyable. (Photo via Andre Arriaza/Barcelona Eat Local)

Tsujiki Market, Tokyo, Japan: This fish market known the world over for its daily morning Tuna Auction is scheduled to move to a larger area in fall 2018, so it’s your last chance to visit its original location in city center. Sign up for a visitor pass between 5am and 6:15am to see the auction live. "At the Tsukiji, you’re guaranteed to taste the freshest sashimi, and during your stroll, you should try roe, octopus legs, squid on a stick, and of course, fresh grilled fish," says Cory, the founder of You Could Travel. (Photo via Cory/You Could Travel)

Kuromon Ichiba Market, Osaka, Japan: Wear comfy shoes, and whatever you do, visit on an empty stomach, cautions Emily Brandwin of CIAspygirl: "With stalls filled with crabs so large you want to strap a saddle on them, fresh grilled scallops the size of a toddler's head... [and] produce that would make Picasso tear up, it is a visual gourmet wonderland. We ended up visiting the Kuromon market three times during our five-day trip." (Photo via Emily Brandwin/CIAspygirl)

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Darwin, Australia: Foods in this day-to-night beachside market in Australia’s Northern Territory represent the incredible fusion of Australian-meets-Asian cuisine, including Indonesian, Southeast Asian, and Indian flavors, as well as Aussie BBQ favorites. Locals recommend fresh watermelon, pineapple, and mint juice from JJ Juice, fresh oysters from Oysters Gold, and, once the sun goes down, Sari Rasa for Indonesian rice cakes and satay. (Photo via Darwin Tourism)

Harbourside Market, Wellington, New Zealand: One of the oldest and most popular markets in Wellington, Harbourside originally opened in the 1920s. It functions as the heart of the city every weekend, attracting upwards of 10,000 people each Sunday who come to meander the produce stalls, snack on food truck bites, and take in live music from area bands. (Photo via Nicola Edmonds/New Zealand Tourism)