Planning group dining can be a tricky part of itinerary preparation. With a motorcoach full of guests who have different tastes, dietary needs, and preferences, choosing restaurants that will exceed all expectations can feel daunting. Enter the food hall. The concept isn’t new—a building or open-air space for multiple food vendors to serve their chosen delicacies—but it’s also not going away anytime soon. Hundreds of food halls exist throughout the country, in cities big and small, and more are popping up every year—proving that these food establishments have a broad appeal. The following three food halls opened their doors over the last several years and welcome groups to savor their tasty culinary offerings.
THE GARAGE FOOD HALL
Credit: The Garage Food Hall
Opened in January 2021, The Garage Food Hall in Indianapolis, Indiana, features 20-plus food, beverage, and retail vendors in its 38,000 square feet of space. As the city’s first food hall, it brings a variety of culinary styles to the heart of the city as part of the new Bottleworks District.
The $300 million district is a 12-acre, urban, mixed-use development that reimagines the once-iconic Coca-Cola bottling plant in downtown Indianapolis, built in 1931. The Garage Food Hall occupies two of the former bottling plant’s original garage buildings.
“The sheer size of the food hall makes it much different from other markets and food halls, along with its history” says RoseAnn Haedt, director of public relations at Geronimo Hospitality Group. “Each vendor is independently owned and operated. The architecture, attention to detail, and furnishings all make it incredibly unique.”
Vendors include the likes of Clancy’s Hamburgers, Hard Truth Distillery, J’s Lobster & Fish Market, Lick Ice Cream, and Poke Guru, among many others.
“The Garage offers something for every taste and diet,” Haedt says. “Everyone in a group can order something different and dine at a table together.”
Groups of all sizes are welcome at The Garage. There are seating options both inside and outside, and all food is counter service.
The Garage Food Hall is located footsteps away from Bottleworks Hotel and plenty of entertainment options like Pins Mechanical, Living Room Theaters, restaurants, a spa, and retail establishments. garageindy.com
WELCOME MARKET HALL
Set in the circa 1912 former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad depot building in Sheridan, Wyoming, Welcome Market Hall serves a side of history alongside its culinary fare. The food hall opened in 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and lives to tell the tale.
Welcome Market Hall features four kitchens, two bars, a wine shop, a cafe, a patio, and event spaces. The stimulating space can accommodate up to 300 patrons at a time.
“We offer several types of cuisine showcasing the best ingredients and culinary techniques Sheridan has to offer,” says Travis Egan, general manager at Welcome Market Hall. “Our chefs have traveled the country training in some of the top restaurants from New York, Chicago, Florida, and the West Coast and are eager to elevate the culinary scene in Wyoming. We can host large groups with or without notice and certainly have something for everyone.”
Must-eats include Welcome Market Hall’s Neapolitan-style pizzas, which use ingredients imported from Italy. There’s also handmade pasta, including fettuccini, ravioli, and gnocchi. The hall’s Asian concept features dishes such as authentic Japanese-style ramen, handmade egg rolls, and five-spice pork belly bao buns. Its American kitchen serves dishes like flame steak and wagyu rib steak.
“What sets us apart from other food halls is our attention to detail, top quality ingredients, and our ability to host large events,” Egan says. “Our cuisine is unique and authentic.” welcomemarkethall.com
HIGH STREET PLACE
A new culinary destination made its debut in Boston, Massachusetts, in March 2022. High Street Place is a 20,000-square-foot food hall featuring 20-plus vendors that showcase some of Greater Boston’s most celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, brewmasters, cocktail experts, and coffee roasters.
High Street Place’s historic structure is infused with modern sensibilities. The space is marked by a five-story atrium, a green wall, a retractable window wall system that opens during warmer months for open-air dining, and an outdoor patio. The food hall features communal tables, banquettes, high tops, and outdoor dining.
Tour guests may have a hard time choosing between the many food options. There’s Dive Bar, a seafood and raw bar that brings together the best of Southern Gulf traditions and coastal New England favorites, or Mamaleh’s Delicatessen, featuring hand-rolled bagels, signature pastrami, and pastries. There’s Daiquiris & Daisies, serving inventive cocktail creations and Bubble Bath, a Champagne-focused wine bar. Other options include pizza and grinders, gelato, Asian-inspired dishes, and doughnuts.
“High Street Place makes it easy for tour operators,” says Lauren Johnson, manager of High Street Place. “Simply email events@highstreeetplace.com to order prepaid gift cards for each guest. We recommend loading each card with $25, so each person can get a drink and something delicious to eat from our local, owner-operated restaurants and bars.”
High Street Place can accommodate groups of all sizes, from small get togethers to large gatherings of 75-100, and full buyouts up to 500 guests. Several motorcoach parking spots can be reserved out front. highstreetplace.com.
Main Image and Credit: The Garage Food Hall
