14 Best Food Halls on the East Coast (From a Local)
Hi, my awesome foodies.
Moving from Florida to the Northeast was a bit of a “culture shock” scene-wise — even for a young couple like us. We’ve had to find our own ways to forget about the beach and embrace the North! Here’s what I mean by “culture shock”: no mailbox for returning mail at our homes, snow (obviously), parking is ridiculous and impossible, and the beaches are… let’s just say not Florida beaches.
But amongst the negatives, there are some big positives — and one of my favorite discoveries has been food halls!
A food hall is exactly what it sounds like: a hall of food. Each one is different — some take up an entire floor, some a string of buildings, others feel like a cozy restaurant. But what they all have in common is the magic of being able to eat literally anything your foodie heart desires in one spot. Dessert, fast food, Italian, sandwiches, butcheries, Polish pierogies, Korean BBQ, you name it. Basically, think food courts on crack.
Eastern Florida is seriously lacking in this department, so it’s been my mission while living on the East Coast to visit as many food halls as possible. I’ve pulled together this list of my top finds — from New York and Philly all the way down to Florida, yes, I did find some in Florida after all. Ordered from my most favorite to least, here are 15 East Coast food halls worth visiting (at least once!).
Note to parents: Food Halls are totally kid-friendly. I always bring a stroller and have ample room to explore, and my kiddos love the chaos. There is so much to see and smell that they totally zone out. Addtionally many stall owners love kids and will offer up some samples for the little ones, so don’t hold back. Take the entire family!
1. Reading Terminal Market – Philadelphia, PA
This market has been around since 1893, and it’s HUGE. Legendary food hall. It has everything, I mean everything. You cannot be in the area without checking it out. Go, go, go — I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. I purchased food and books, which I still use for recipes/cooking.
📍 51 N. 12th St. Philadelphia, PA 19107
2. Plaza Hotel Food Hall – Manhattan, NY
What an amazing surprise this was! Just a short walk from South Central Park, we found ourselves in this exclusive-feeling basement floor of the Plaza Hotel. Food, shops, and so much charm. Yes, do make a trip of it. I will say that this was one of the more expensive food halls I’ve been to, but still amazing. Just budget accordingly!
📍 1 W. 59th St. New York, NY 10019
3. Dekalb Market Hall – Brooklyn, NY
The entire bottom floor of a mall packed with 40 vendors. This was the first NYC food hall I visited — also where I became addicted to Polish pierogies (no regrets).
📍 445 Albee Square W. Brooklyn, NY 11201
4. Chelsea Market – Manhattan, NY
Trendy, innovative, and full of surprises (like edible glitter lattes ✨). Beyond food, you’ll find wine vaults, flea markets, and indie shops. Get the stand-up sushi! So delicious.
📍 75 9th Ave. New York, NY 10011
5. Industry City Food Hall – Brooklyn, NY
More spread out than your average food hall (multiple buildings), but worth it. Don’t miss Korean BBQ at Ejen Korean or the Japan Village.
📍 274 36th St. Brooklyn, NY 11232
6. Grand Central Market – Manhattan, NY
Stumbled upon this one by accident — European-style with fresh food and “to-go” goodies. Definitely grab something sweet here.
📍 89 E. 42nd St. New York, NY 10017
7. The Pennsy – Manhattan, NY
Right by Penn Station. Good for a quick drink, but don’t expect tons of options. Worth it if you’re nearby, but not a destination hall.
📍 2 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121
8. DE.CO – Wilmington, DE
Bright, modern, and buzzing with local energy. Smaller than Philly’s giant hall, but the mix of fried chicken, poke bowls, and ice cream makes it fun.
📍 111 W 10th St, Wilmington, DE 19801
9. The Market at 25th – Richmond, VA
Community vibes and soul food heaven. Expect tacos, smoothies, and bakery treats that will make you forget your diet instantly.
📍 1330 N 25th St, Richmond, VA 23223
10. Optimist Hall – Charlotte, NC
A refurbished textile mill turned food hall = aesthetic goals. Dumplings, empanadas, BBQ, vegan comfort food… basically foodie paradise.
📍 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206
11. BullStreet District Food Hall – Columbia, SC
Still new, but buzzing with local bites, craft beer, and live music. More “hang out with friends” vibes than touristy.
12. Ponce City Market – Atlanta, GA
The king of southern food halls. It’s massive, with rooftop fun, indie shops, and endless food. Ramen, biscuits, Indian street food, gelato — yes, all in one spot.
📍 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
13. Central Fare – Miami, FL
Latin flair meets trendy bites inside MiamiCentral. Perfect stop for Cuban sandwiches, arepas, and cocktails.
14. Armature Works – Tampa, FL
An old trolley barn turned into a gorgeous riverside food hall. Sushi, BBQ, cocktails, plus plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the vibe.
📍 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Final Thoughts
From the historic legends like Reading Terminal in Philly to the shiny modern vibes of Optimist Hall in Charlotte, the East Coast knows how to do food halls. Whether you’re craving pierogies in Brooklyn, BBQ in Tampa, or empanadas in Charlotte, these foodie gems are worth the stop. Let me know which Food Hall you stop by and what food item you are in love with. If you’re nervous, you can steal my go-to coffee drink (yes, even if it’s cold outside!), a medium, caramel iced coffee with cream AND sugar. Come on, live a little, and if you’re feeling crazy, go ahead and ask for whipped cream and extra caramel drizzle. You’ll need the calories for all the Food Hall walking you’ll be doing anyway!
