Six of my favorite markets in New York City

Last Updated on October 9, 2025

There is no better way to absorb the essence of a city than to visit its markets, and it doesn’t much matter if those are flea markets, ordinary fruit and vegetable markets or those meant to sell cheap trinkets to tourists. There is just something about strolling past the stalls, taking in the energy of buyers and sellers, the different languages, smells, foods, the local handicrafts, clothes, antiques and souvenirs. Some markets have a real sense of purpose while others just seem like fun cultural experiences. As huge lovers of markets, naturally we researched what New York has to offer in terms of markets and set out to discover them all and eventually declare what are – in our opinion – the best markets in New York City.

 

New York City has dozens of weekly markets, seasonal fairs and flea markets to choose from and, as is our custom, much of our time in the Big Apple was spent checking out all of the New York City flea markets and food markets. If you’re headed to New York and are looking for a way to soak up the city, our detailed list of the markets in New York City (plus two honorary mentions) is a great place to start:

The Six Best Markets in New York City

6 Smorgasburg (Williamsburg)

This used to be my favorite food market in NYC when it started out – initially located in DUMBO. It moved to Williamsburg later on, and sadly, as Williamsbug became more and more gentrified, so did Smorgasburg. These days, that shows especially in how ridiculously overpriced some of the food items sold at Smorgasburg are, however, I still love some of the vendors and nothing beats a picnic on the small beach in Marsha P Johnson State Park, where Smorgasburg takes place on Saturdays. The views over the East River and the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn are lovely, and as a foodie, I can’t resist a good food market! There are actually two Smorgasburg markets in Brooklyn: Saturdays in Williamsburg and Sundays in Prospect Park. Both are worth a visit, since they feel very different.

The Saturday market is usually much more crowded because of its location in the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood, while the Sunday market in the park feels more relaxed and attracts a different clientele. The Sunday market also sees less tourists, the crowd feels more local.

Foodies love offering food from all over the world and classic American grub like burgers and grilled cheese. Many famous New York eateries started out in this market before they opened brick-and-mortar shops, and it’s interesting to see how the line-up of vendors changes year after year. Foods you usually find at Smorgasburg: dumplings, lobster rolls, artisanal doughnuts, tacos, BBQ, sandwiches, various dessert stalls, lots of different lemonades, and there’s even a bar area that serves alcohol. Come early though, or you’ll face long lines and crowded tables.

Good to know: There are three Smorgasburg locations in New York City now: On Fridays, you can find the market right next to the Oculus, on Saturdays on the Williamsburg waterfront and on Sundays in Prospect Park.

Top tip: No matter which Smorgasburg location you visit, definitely come hungry!

Details: Open on Saturdays from 11am to 6pm (April through October). Location: Marsha P Johnson State Park in Williamsburg. Closest subway station: Bedford Ave (on the L Line). You can also take the ferry to North Williamsburg; the ferry dock is right next to the market.

5 Union Square Greenmarket

Set right on Union Square, this market has some of Broadway’s most historic buildings as its backdrop. Union Square Greenmarket is a paradise for health-conscious eaters – with locally made yogurt and honey, grass fed beef, organic fruits and vegetables, artisan breads and vegan muffins. If you come in the afternoon before the market shuts down, you’ll be able to find some of the best deals. Obviously, the variety of produce is much bigger in the summer and fall months, but the market is open year-round.

When the Greenmarket initiative started in 1976, there were only 12 farmers – today, there are over 230 farmers who belong to the Greenmarket network, the biggest farmers market network in the US which has 54 markets in New York City alone. Union Square Greenmarket even made CNN’s Top Ten Fresh Markets In The World.

Details: On the north and west sides of Union Square Park every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 6pm; Closest Subway Station: 14 Street – Union Square (4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, L Trains)

4 Brooklyn Flea

Brooklyn Flea is a small flea market that takes place every Sunday in Dumbo, right under the Manhattan Bridge, rain or shine. It’s a small flea market, but I love the location and that you can combine it with a stroll along the waterfront. The views over the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline from Dumbo are spectacular!

There are dozens of antiques and second-hand stalls selling everything from kitschy ceramic owls and in-your-face reminders of a segregated past to up-and-coming furniture dealers and trend-setting jewelry makers. There are also some food vendors – including famous Brooklyn donuts by Dough – but if you’re hungry, there is also plenty of good food nearby, for example TimeOut Market, where you find 21 restaurants under one roof.

If you aren’t sure if you include Brooklyn on your trip to New York – the Dumbo flea market and a stroll through the surrounding waterfront neighborhood are a perfect reason to visit Brooklyn.

Details: Every Saturday from 10am to 5pm at 80 Pearl St. / Manhattan Bridge Archway, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Subway: York Street on the F Train)

3 Chelsea Flea

The Chelsea Flea is one of the longest standing flea markets in New York City. It was named one of the Top Ten Shopping Streets in the World by National Geographic and if you have time to visit only one, then this should be the New York City flea market you should visit. The vendors sell antiques, vintage, furniture, unique Brooklyn-made clothes, distinct indie fashion, memorabilia and jewelry.

The location is great and the market was relatively empty considering its Midtown Manhattan location, within walking distance to Times Square, and just around the corner from Madison Square Park. This market is a paradise for collectors of antiques, vintage clothes, oddball memorabilia, retro items, jewelry, furniture and its rumored that many set designers and props masters come here to source decorations and furniture for Broadway and Off Broadway shows. 

Details: The Chelsea Flea is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 5pm, year-round. The market takes place on West 25th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. Closest subway stop: 23rd Street (F, M, R & W Lines).

2 Grand Bazaar

Grand Bazaar is a Sunday market on the Upper West Side, steps away from the Natural History Museum and Central Park. You find dozens of vendors of antiques, collectibles, vintage clothes, jewelry, handicraft, and more. There’s some vintage stuff, but also plenty of new things, such as art and clothes by local designers.

The locations is perfect to combine a visit to the Grand Bazaar with a stroll around Central Park or through the Upper West Side, known for its beautiful architecture.

Details: It takes place every Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Location: 100 West 77th Street, (at the corner of Columbus Avenue) in Manhattan. Closest subway station: 72rd Street (1, 2, 3 Lines), 79th Street (1), and 81nd Street (A, B, C Lines).

1 Queens Night Market

Going to the Queens Night Market to me feels like going to Smorgasburg ten years ago – a great place to discover foods you’ve never tried before, cheap enough to sample a variety of different dishes. Since it’s a bit of a trek out to Flushing Meadow Corona Park where the Queens Night Market takes place, tourists rarely visit this market, and even residents from other boroughs don’t really make the journey. If you think that means it’s less crowded than other New York markets, I have to disappoint you though: the market does get very busy later in the evening, usually around sunset. It is a very local crowd though, dare I say this market is Queen’s best kept secret? (Sorry for spilling it!)

What I love about the Queens Night Market is that you can get truly exotic food here – the market is just as diverse as the borough itself: Persian food, dishes from Sierra Leone and Brazil, Cambodian and Burmese cuisine, Polish pierogies, Hong Kong street food and Trinidadian curries. There’s food from Mexico, from Turkiye, Colombia, Peru, Vietnam and Thailand, from Bangladesh and from Ecuador – to name just a few. 

Even though it’s called “Night Market”, it actually starts at 4pm (and closes around midnight, but many vendors tend to sell out long before 12pm, so don’t go too late). There are a couple of bars selling beer, wine and hard seltzer.

Details: The Queens Night Market takes place every Saturday between mid-April and late October, but note that there’s a 4-week break during the U.S. Open (mid-August – mid-September). The market opens at 4pm, and tends to get busy after 6pm. It closes at midnight. The market takes place in Flushing Meadow Corona Park near the New York Hall Of Science. The closest subway station is 111th Street on the 7 line, around 30 minutes from Grand Central Terminal. From there, it’s a 15 mins walk to Corona Park.

Honorable mentions: Other great markets in New York City

Chelsea Market

Not a market in the traditional sense, Chelsea Market is more of an upscale assembling of restaurants, bakeries and food stores housed in the former home of the National Biscuit Company, where the first ever Oreo was made in 1912.The industrial aspect of the building was maintained when it was transformed into a market, creating an industrial chic vibe. Eateries include the fabulous Green Table, Chelsea Thai, a small storefront of the Artists & Fleas market from Williamsburg, plus Amy’s Bread – which has excellent cupcakes and other sweets, The Fat Witch – some of the city’s best brownies and Eleni’s famous cookies. Just off the Highline Park, this is a great pit stop for snacks to eat up on former railroad line turned green space and park, all with great views over Lower Manhattan.

Upstairs and out of reach for the everyday tourist are several television studios, including Food Network’s headquarters, where Iron Chef is filmed.

Details: 75 Ninth Avenue, Manhattan. Closest subway station: 14 Street (A, C, E Trains); 8 Ave (L Train)

Artists & Fleas

Artists & Fleas is an indoor artisan market in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. When it opened in 2003, it did so in an old warehouse on what was a neglected part of North 6^th Street, before Williamsburg’s popularity exploded shortly after. Open on Saturdays and Sundays, this is the best place to come for everything from creative inspiration to furnishing your new apartment. Here you will find paintings and photography by local artists, antique books, jewelry handmade out of just about any material – and the same goes for furniture and other accessories.

Details: Open on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am to 6pm (year-round). Address: 70 North 7th Street between Wythe and Kent Avenues. Closest subway stop: Bedford Avenue (L Train) or you can take the East River Ferry and get off at the North Williamsburg Ferry Pier.