The 10 Best Urban Farmers Markets in the U.S.
July 18, 2014
Rows of gleaming fruits and vegetables. Friendly growers who can tell you exactly where your food comes from — and how to cook it. Infinite free samples. There’s nothing quite like a good farmers market.
But these days, there’s much more to farmers markets than a few rickety stalls. Now that “locavore” is everyone’s favorite buzzword, you’re as likely to see chef demos and pick up samples of yak cheese as you are to buy more typical produce (no offense, apples and potatoes). So grab your coolest tote bag and a stack of dollar bills: These are 10 of the best city-based farmers markets in the U.S.
1. Green City Market, Chicago: If you're a farmers market fan, you probably get bummed out every November when most close up shop for the winter. But if Chicago is your hometown, you're in luck: The Green City Market caters to locals all year long. Plus, you can nosh on everything from carnitas to maple candies. Just not at the same time, maybe.
Photo courtesy of Tom Campone/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Tom Campone/Flickr
2. The Copley Square Farmers Market, Boston: On Tuesdays and Fridays, Copley Square turns into a riot of rainbow-colored produce. It also becomes THE place to go if you want to buy a cookie the size of your face. Or load up on apple cider doughnuts. Or arm-length pistachio tarts. Hey, no one said all farmers market buys have to be healthy, right?
Photo courtesy of jennie-o/Flickr
Photo courtesy of jennie-o/Flickr
3. Portland Farmers Market, Portland: Is anyone surprised that Portland, land of the organic-loving and food-truck flocking, has serious farmers markets to its name? Portland Farmers Market, with locations across the city, welcomes upwards of 200 vendors that'll leave your stomach bursting (and your wallet thinned out). But who could be expected to resist handmade chocolate truffles? Or local sourdough? Or breakfast burritos? Portland, here we come.
Photo courtesy of Matt Kowal/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Matt Kowal/Flickr
4. Urban Harvest Farmers Market, Houston: Ever dreamt of eating a piping hot croque madame outside on a Saturday morning while you go shopping for emu eggs and listen to some live tunes? Sure, we've all been there. Luckily, Houston's Urban Harvest Farmers Market, one of the city's best and most bustling, can sort you right out.
Photo courtesy of Urban Harvest
Photo courtesy of Urban Harvest
5. Union Square Greenmarket, New York: One of those rare NYC institutions that's as popular with locals as it is with tourists, the Union Square Greenmarket descends on downtown Manhattan every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Alongside fresh produce and flowers, you can also score offbeat finds like ostrich eggs and elk steaks. Pro-tip: Put together a picnic basket and head to Central Park afterwards – it's almost like a trip to the country. Kind of.
Photo courtesy of John Joh/Flickr
Photo courtesy of John Joh/Flickr
6. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco: San Francisco is no ordinary city, and Ferry Plaza is no ordinary farmers market – "ultimate foodie Mecca" might be a more accurate description. Some markets sell bacon; this one sells bulgogi tacos. Some sell apple cider; this one's got rose and lemon verbena soda. Just sayin'.
Photo courtesy of Eric Heath/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Eric Heath/Flickr
7. Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market, Washington, D.C.: After browsing the local produce at the Dupont Circle farmers market (only sellers from the Chesapeake Bay watershed region are allowed), weekend browsers can take part in everything from cooking classes to flower arranging sessions. Just wait: You'll be a perfect dinner party host in no time.
Photo courtesy of FRESHFARM Market
Photo courtesy of FRESHFARM Market
8. University District Farmers Market, Seattle: Would you describe your culinary interests as "niche"? Seattle's University District Farmers Market is the market for you. One seller specializes in sheep's milk cheeses; another, in salt; a third only sells hazelnuts. Add in dozens more and you're looking at a food lover's wonderland. And did we mention there's a mac and cheese guy?
Photo courtesy of Seeming Lee/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Seeming Lee/Flickr
9. The Morningside Farmers Market, Atlanta: Do you care as much about the health of the environment as you do about your own? You'll want to make a beeline for Atlanta's Morningside Farmers Market, the only market in the city where all produce is guaranteed organic. You'll also be able to catch local chefs demoing recipes with purple potatoes and other specialties. Because everyone knows purple produce tastes best.
Photo courtesy of Sam Camp/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Sam Camp/iStock/Thinkstock
10. Santa Monica Farmers Market, Los Angeles: How to have a good day at the Santa Monica Farmers Market: 1) Ride your bike and leave it with the free bike valet. 2) Pick up avocados, heirloom tomatoes, and more of the SoCal bounty. 3) Order up a bespoke omelette. 4) Go for a pony ride. Actually, maybe save that last one for slightly younger attendees.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Grandfield/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Amanda Grandfield/iStock/Thinkstock
1. Green City Market, Chicago: If you're a farmers market fan, you probably get bummed out every November when most close up shop for the winter. But if Chicago is your hometown, you're in luck: The Green City Market caters to locals all year long. Plus, you can nosh on everything from carnitas to maple candies. Just not at the same time, maybe.
Photo courtesy of Tom Campone/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Tom Campone/Flickr
2. The Copley Square Farmers Market, Boston: On Tuesdays and Fridays, Copley Square turns into a riot of rainbow-colored produce. It also becomes THE place to go if you want to buy a cookie the size of your face. Or load up on apple cider doughnuts. Or arm-length pistachio tarts. Hey, no one said all farmers market buys have to be healthy, right?
Photo courtesy of jennie-o/Flickr
Photo courtesy of jennie-o/Flickr
3. Portland Farmers Market, Portland: Is anyone surprised that Portland, land of the organic-loving and food-truck flocking, has serious farmers markets to its name? Portland Farmers Market, with locations across the city, welcomes upwards of 200 vendors that'll leave your stomach bursting (and your wallet thinned out). But who could be expected to resist handmade chocolate truffles? Or local sourdough? Or breakfast burritos? Portland, here we come.
Photo courtesy of Matt Kowal/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Matt Kowal/Flickr
4. Urban Harvest Farmers Market, Houston: Ever dreamt of eating a piping hot croque madame outside on a Saturday morning while you go shopping for emu eggs and listen to some live tunes? Sure, we've all been there. Luckily, Houston's Urban Harvest Farmers Market, one of the city's best and most bustling, can sort you right out.
Photo courtesy of Urban Harvest
Photo courtesy of Urban Harvest
5. Union Square Greenmarket, New York: One of those rare NYC institutions that's as popular with locals as it is with tourists, the Union Square Greenmarket descends on downtown Manhattan every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Alongside fresh produce and flowers, you can also score offbeat finds like ostrich eggs and elk steaks. Pro-tip: Put together a picnic basket and head to Central Park afterwards – it's almost like a trip to the country. Kind of.
Photo courtesy of John Joh/Flickr
Photo courtesy of John Joh/Flickr
6. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco: San Francisco is no ordinary city, and Ferry Plaza is no ordinary farmers market – "ultimate foodie Mecca" might be a more accurate description. Some markets sell bacon; this one sells bulgogi tacos. Some sell apple cider; this one's got rose and lemon verbena soda. Just sayin'.
Photo courtesy of Eric Heath/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Eric Heath/Flickr
7. Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market, Washington, D.C.: After browsing the local produce at the Dupont Circle farmers market (only sellers from the Chesapeake Bay watershed region are allowed), weekend browsers can take part in everything from cooking classes to flower arranging sessions. Just wait: You'll be a perfect dinner party host in no time.
Photo courtesy of FRESHFARM Market
Photo courtesy of FRESHFARM Market
8. University District Farmers Market, Seattle: Would you describe your culinary interests as "niche"? Seattle's University District Farmers Market is the market for you. One seller specializes in sheep's milk cheeses; another, in salt; a third only sells hazelnuts. Add in dozens more and you're looking at a food lover's wonderland. And did we mention there's a mac and cheese guy?
Photo courtesy of Seeming Lee/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Seeming Lee/Flickr
9. The Morningside Farmers Market, Atlanta: Do you care as much about the health of the environment as you do about your own? You'll want to make a beeline for Atlanta's Morningside Farmers Market, the only market in the city where all produce is guaranteed organic. You'll also be able to catch local chefs demoing recipes with purple potatoes and other specialties. Because everyone knows purple produce tastes best.
Photo courtesy of Sam Camp/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Sam Camp/iStock/Thinkstock
10. Santa Monica Farmers Market, Los Angeles: How to have a good day at the Santa Monica Farmers Market: 1) Ride your bike and leave it with the free bike valet. 2) Pick up avocados, heirloom tomatoes, and more of the SoCal bounty. 3) Order up a bespoke omelette. 4) Go for a pony ride. Actually, maybe save that last one for slightly younger attendees.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Grandfield/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Amanda Grandfield/iStock/Thinkstock
