You’re abroad on a trip, and you can’t find a place at the restaurants you’re looking for. You can taste extraordinary flavors at world-famous food markets.
The Best Food Markets
Madrid Mercado de San Miguel Market
Located near Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel is one of the city’s oldest neighborhood markets, making it an exciting place to explore. Operating in its historic building since 1916, the market offers the freshest cheeses and seafood from the Iberian Peninsula.
You might enjoy some of the tastiest tapas in Spain here. At the market, you can sample Spanish street food you won’t find in restaurants and enjoy colorful evenings at the delightful pubs.
Barcelona La Boqueria
Established in 1840, La Boqueria is situated right in the heart of Barcelona and serves a variety of popular local dishes.
Known for its stands offering flavors from Catalan cuisine, you’ll find vibrant stalls where you can sample local products and dishes, from meat varieties to seafood. The tapas bars at the market are also a must-try.
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Tokyo Tsukiji Outer Market
Among the many markets in Tokyo, the capital of Japan and a trendy destination recently, Tsukiji Outer Market stands out as the most famous.
It’s an excellent choice for those wanting to dive deep into Japan’s seafood culture. Wander the narrow streets of the market and discover some of the world’s best sushi.
London Borough Market
Dating back thousands of years, Borough Market is one of London’s oldest food markets. Once a wholesale market serving greengrocers in South London, today, it serves as a guidepost for sustainable food production, short supply chains, and socializing.
Don’t miss the food festivals held year-round at the market. If you have time, join the food tours and workshops.
Los Angeles Grand Central Market
Located in downtown Los Angeles, Grand Central Market was established in 1917 as the largest market on the Pacific Coast. With over a century of service, the market’s 40 stalls feature a delightful mix of old shops like China Cafe and Roast To Go, rising stars, and success stories from the city’s dynamic food scene.
Be sure to try the wonton soup served in large bowls and the fried chicken, offering a taste of the city’s cosmopolitan food culture under one roof.
Mexico City La Merced
La Merced is a magnificent neighborhood market that celebrates the soul of Mexican cuisine. Two specialties you must try here are quesadilla and tostada. Try the quesadillas with various local sauces and Oaxaca cheese, a staple of Mexican cuisine.
Like quesadillas, tostadas are also served with a wide range of sauces and ingredients. Seafood tostadas are among the favorites at La Merced Market.
Marrakesh Jemaa el-Fnaa
Jemaa el-Fnaa, the world-renowned square in one of Morocco’s most beautiful cities, Marrakesh, also dazzles with its food market, where you can discover the country’s cuisine. You can find unique flavors at the stalls set up in the historic square in the evenings.
After tasting street foods like makouda (potato croquettes), sfenj (Moroccan-style doughnuts), and msemen (a bread similar to layered flatbread), as well as various kebabs and tagines, finish with a traditional Moroccan mint tea to aid digestion.
Paris Marché d’Aligre and Marché des Enfants Rouge
Although Marché des Enfants Rouges is one of Paris’s oldest markets, it still maintains its popularity. Add Les Enfants Du Marché and the mussels in gorgonzola cream sauce to the top of your list of stalls where you can taste the finest flavors of French cuisine.
Known as the city’s chicest market, Marché d’Aligre attracts award-winning chefs with its high-quality stalls. Be sure to check out Le Bar à Patates and La Bergerie du Mesnil for their expertise in potatoes, mushrooms, and fresh herbs, La Maison Priolet for its reputation for game meats, and the stalls offering pot dishes.
