The names of FT reader commentators are given in bold at the end of each entry. Where readers have provided details about what they want in a particular market, this has been included as a quote.
Hong Kong
Wan Chai
“Wet markets (selling vegetables, seafood, meat) are everywhere in Hong Kong, with the sights and smells of tradition.” Wan Chai Market is opposite its former home, a 1937 Grade II listed Art Nouveau building on Queen’s Road East. Beloved by local foodies, it also sells dried foods such as red dates and dried prawns, and has a live poultry butcher. HKStald
Riga
Central Market
Housed in five World War I-era German Zeppelin hangars on the banks of the Daugava River just outside the Old Town, this claims to be Europe’s largest market. Amanda
Philadelphia
The Reading Terminal Market
The city’s oldest public market opened in 1893 and is open daily with more than 75 stalls, including family businesses selling local produce. Behemoth
Budapest
Central Market Hall
Opened in 1897, it is located in a neo-Gothic building with an area of 10,000 m2 on the Pest side of the Freedom Bridge. What you can’t find on its three floors, from cupboards to local specialties, isn’t worth finding. Brigadier Crispbread AND A concerned reader
Bangkok
Khlong Toei Market
“The market dims the imagination. Huge wet market filled with everything you could ever want to eat or cook. A small community of its own.” anyhow
Madrid
“Go to Mercado de la Cebada for sausages and beer, Mercado de Antón Martín for sushi, and Mercado Tirso de Molina (despite the name, this is nowhere near Plaza de Tirso de Molina) for paella. “All these markets generally have great meat, fish and produce.” Menis
Tel Aviv
Carmel Market
“This is a wonderful living and breathing food market, frequented by locals, filled with wonderful local fruit, vegetables, meat and fish and populated by delicious stalls. The surrounding area has had a hipster revival in recent years, so expect some of the best food in what is already a gastronomic mecca. PastelSunrise
ZIMBABWE
Harare Old Stables Market
“The weekend market at the Old Stables on Borrowdale Race Course sells everything from locally produced nut butters such as hacha and lettuce to baobab powder, sesame oil, jams and chilli sauces. Plus, the market has a great variety of amazing local crafts. I love the kind people who share their knowledge of local produce and food.” Dverner@worldbank.org
Fife
Bowhouse
Located on the Balcaskie Estate, this is about provenance, seasonal food, short supply chains and connecting small growers and producers with local restaurants and shoppers. The area is known for its exceptional seafood, but also has barley, beef, lamb, wheat, rape, wild roe deer, spirits, sweets and spices. Open the second full weekend of every month except January and February. FT Reader368
Padua
Piazza delle Erbe market
“Running for over 500 years in the same place, this is open six days a week. It’s a real market with attractive prices and fresh produce, not a tourist trap.” Anonymous For Today
Alpes-Maritimes
Menton Halles market
About 40 producers sell a mix of local specialties and foods from all over the nearby Italian border. Housed in a belle époque building between the sea and the old town, it has been in operation since 1898. Forgiving 2
Thessaloniki
Modiano market
The city’s largest indoor market was named after its architect Eli Modiano in 1925 and reopened in 2022 after an extensive but sympathetic restoration: fish shops, butchers, taverns, deli… Shaw
MELBOURNE
Prahran Market
“Thoroughly dedicated to food and where you would actually go if you wanted to buy groceries.” Japan
New York City
Union Square Greenmarket
This farmers market started small in 1976 and now sees more than 140 regional farmers, fishermen and bakers in peak season. In addition to culinary staples, you’ll find ostrich and emu eggs, farm-raised kimchi, organic hot sauce and salsa, and potted lavender. “It’s where you see all the big chefs buying A-grade products.” Really disgusted
Quebec
Atwater Market, Montreal
“Everything you can think of in a wonderful atmosphere. The 1933 art deco building in the Saint-Henri district is a spectacle.” es in London
“Early fall is especially remarkable, filled with ripe produce from all over Quebec. The market expands outside as the weather permits.” RNPARIS
Málaga
Shipyard market
“The architecture and interior are simply stunning. The production is incredible. The service is great.” Curiosity
Hague
The Hague Market
In keeping with the multicultural spirit of the city, this, one of the largest outdoor markets in Europe (with more than 500 stalls), has an international offering – you can find local cauliflower alongside baklava and garter snake originating from America Northern and Central. Hatchback
Borneo
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
“A great fish market – find fresh abalone at a reasonable price.” Inappropriate Brown II
Costa Rica
San Jose Central Market
“For fresh fruit, plus the big fried chicken.” Inappropriate Brown II
Cape Town
Oranjezicht City Farm Market
“Overlooking the sea, this is the best place for seasonal, organic produce; has at its heart a sustainable, community-focused ethos and practices; the best food and atmosphere.” Spiritual food
STOCKHOLM
Östermalm Sales Hall
A covered 19th century market as it should be, with cast iron pillars rising to the ceiling and lacquered wooden stalls. It reopened in 2020 after a four-year renovation and is open every day except Sunday. CNW likes it
Zurich
Bürkliplatz
“For flowers, fruits and mushrooms.” Inappropriate Brown II
Barcelona
Sant Gervasi
“This, my local market, would be attacked if it was in London. As it is, it’s just one of many in Barcelona, and never crowded.” NBSJ
Istanbul
Kadıköy market
“You’ll find everything from seafood to varieties of honey and deli with countless cheeses and cold cuts, as well as butchers, greens – a great treat for the eyes and more.” Omer li
Borneo
Kuching Open Market
“True, it’s basically in a car park, but the freshly cooked seafood is excellent.” DISTURBANCE
Jerusalem
Mahane Yehuda
“A great selection of greengrocers, fishmongers and attractive butchers, along with amazing ‘street food’, all mixed with a fantastic atmosphere. Samos
Greater Manchester
Bury Market, Bury
“For the black pudding.” Photo Bont
Crete
Saturday Farmers Market, Minoos Street, Chania
“For wonderful local produce including yoghurts, cheeses, herbs and mountain honey.” Wokellady
Rotterdam
Market hall
“Don’t miss this huge market that’s the size of a giant football field.” Karol
Brazil
Belo Horizonte Central Market, Minas Gerais
“Minas has the best food in all of Brazil.” Jorge
“Great for fresh produce: cheese, cachaça, amazing meatballs filled with cheese and cold beer.” Inappropriate Brown II
Frankfurt
Small market hall
“Some great stalls, a fantastic wine terrace and good restaurants.” Federica Brignone
Béziers
Les Halles
“Newly renovated, this is a vibrant place to shop for locally sourced produce and, of course, great local wine and a burgeoning craft beer scene.” William
CUMBRIA
Kirkby Lonsdale Market
“Every Thursday. Only small, but the bakery’s artisanal products are the best.” TRenny
Cork
English market
There has been a market on the site since 1788, although the current structure is from the mid-19th century. It supplies many of the city’s best restaurants – don’t miss specialties such as drisheen (blood pudding), spiced beef and buttered eggs. Raclette AND AugustineVin
Brazil
See Weight, Belém
“Come for fresh Amazonian river fish (or you can have it fried to eat with açai while overlooking the river), all the great fruits of the state (cupuaçu, bacuri and many more) and a lively trade in magic spells and potions. All under a magnificent iron structure made by the United Kingdom during the rubber boom.” Frank Talk
Calcutta
Gariahat market
“Not a tourist trap, not BoBo – just ground sonar, authentic Bangla.” Rumba
Turin
Palazzo Gate
“Its farmers market section is particularly valuable, although the number of vendors, especially cheese and dairy, has dwindled over the years. Turin is a multi-ethnic city and it shows in the variety of products brought to the market. Also great for places to eat.” Jb
Taiwan
Houbihu Seafood Market
“For the freshest and possibly cheapest sashimi in the world.” Inappropriate Brown II
