In recent years, food halls have risen in popularity in cities and urban centers across the country. Food halls and markets emphasize local and authentic food, while offering diverse culinary options.

These trendy hallowed halls bring together a variety of chef-driven restaurants, to-go options, boutique food retailers, and artisanal food and beverages choices. Some are located in revitalized buildings, adding a historical element to the experience.

Journey to these food halls and food markets to fuel up before continuing the group’s journey.  

Grand Central Market
Los Angeles, California

Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, Calif.
Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, Calif.
Credit: Mike Baker

Ever since its founding in 1917, Grand Central Market has celebrated the diverse cuisines and cultures of Los Angeles. The market’s food arcade (between Broadway and Hill Street at the base of Angels Flight) provides an unparalleled eating and shopping experience, showcasing the best local chefs, culinary purveyors and entrepreneurs. grandcentralmarket.com

Pike Place Market
Seattle, Washington

Pike Place Market, Seattle’ original farmers market, was founded in 1907. The market operates within a 9-acre historic district and is a bustling neighborhood of hundreds of vendors, residences and businesses, including farmers, craftspeople, independent shops, buskers and residents. Find produce, fish, specialty foods and more than 80 restaurants. 206-682-7453, pikeplacemarket.org

West Side Market
Cleveland, Ohio

West Side Market, Cleveland, Ohio
West Side Market, Cleveland, Ohio
Credit: GTM/David Hoekman

Over 100 vendors sell meats, seafood, fresh vegetables, baked goods, and dairy and cheese products at the market, which is owned and operated by the city. Other booths offer ready-to-eat foods, herbs, candy and nuts. The distinctive yellow brick market house was dedicated and opened in 1912, and the 137-foot clock tower is a Cleveland landmark. 216-664-3387, westsidemarket.org

Optimist Hall
Charlotte, North Carolina

This new $60 million redevelopment of an old textile mill includes a 22,000-square-foot food hall with 20 vendors. An additional 32,000 square feet of anchor restaurant and outdoor space make it the largest food hall in Charlotte. Optimist Hall is a thoughtfully curated assembly of some of Charlotte’s best food options in several categories — including the first brick-and-mortar location for the beloved local food truck staple, The Dumpling Lady. optimisthall.com

Anaheim Packing District
Anaheim, California

Anaheim Packing District, Anaheim, Calif.
Anaheim Packing District, Anaheim, Calif.
Credit: Anaheim Packing District

Anaheim Packing House, a former 1919 orange-packing facility, has been retrofitted into a food hall. Choose from more than 26 culinary artisans such as Kettlebar, ADYA, Black Sheep Grilled Cheese Bar and Pandor Artisan Boulangerie and Café. The packing house is the cornerstone of the district, which includes several historic landmarks and the urban green of Farmers Park. 714-533-7225, anaheimpackingdistrict.com

Central Food Hall at Ponce City Market
Atlanta, Georgia

The Central Food Hall is a daily gathering place and culinary destination at the market, located in a renovated Sears, Roebuck & Company building. The design, food and flavors of Atlanta are presented by artisan chefs and local purveyors. Dine-in restaurants and grab-and-go market stalls offer everything from Georgia-caught seafood to freshly baked breads milled in-house from Southern, heirloom grains. 404-900-7900, poncecitymarket.com

Chelsea Market
New York, New York

Chelsea Market, New York, New York
Chelsea Market, New York, New York
Credit: Chelsea Market

Since 1997, the former National Biscuit Company factory (birthplace of the Oreo cookie) has served as an indoor food hall. More than 35 vendors sell everything from soup to nuts, wine to coffee and cheese to cheesecake. Chelsea Market attracts 6 million visitors a year. 212-652-2121, chelseamarket.com

Revival Food Hall
Chicago, Illinois

The ground floor of The National building in the Loop is a site of the all-local dining concept. The massive 24,000-square-foot marketplace opened in 2016. Its 15 fast-casual stalls feature many of Chicago’s favorite neighborhood restaurants in a grab-and-go setting. There’s plenty of seating. A rotating pop-up stall showcases a new local, chef-driven restaurant every three months. revivalfoodhall.com

Global Café
Memphis, Tennessee

This international food hall opened in mid-2018 in Crosstown Concourse. The former Sears distribution center and retail store is now a mixed-use vertical urban village. Three immigrant/refugee food entrepreneurs cook and sell an eclectic mix of affordably priced dishes from their home countries: Syria, Sudan and Venezuela. A bar serves craft cocktails. 901-512-6890, globalcafememphis.com

Stanley Marketplace
Aurora, Colorado

Stanley Marketplace, Aurora, Colo.
Stanley Marketplace, Aurora, Colo.
Credit: Visit Aurora Colorado

A former pilot ejection seat factory is now a bustling food hall and urban market. Discover 50-plus independently owned Colorado businesses, from gourmet chocolates and boutique clothing to craft wine and fitness classes. Stanley Marketplace has a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who believe in sustainability, thoughtfulness and creativity. 720-990-6743, stanleymarketplace.com

Boston Public Market
Boston, Massachusetts

The indoor, year-round market offers fresh, locally sourced food from nearly 40 New England farmers, fishers and food entrepreneurs. In addition to produce, fish, meat and poultry, vendors offer baked good and specialty and prepared foods. Products highlight New England’s four seasons. Cooking demos and classes also are part of the market, which opened in 2015. 617-973-4909, bostonpublicmarket.org

Reading Terminal Market
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, Pa.
Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, Pa.
Credit: Photo by J. Smith for Visit Philadelphia®

Visitors encounter a vast array of food choices — local produce and meats, artisanal cheeses and desserts, authentic Philly cheesesteaks, scrapple, and Asian and Middle Eastern dishes. The lively space is home to more than 80 merchants and sit-down eateries. Amish merchants from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are located in the northwestern corner of the market. They bring their farm-fresh products and distinctive prepared dishes to the market four days a week. 215-922-2317, readingterminalmarket.org

St. Roch Market
New Orleans, Louisiana

This chef-centric food hall bills itself as a destination for the culinarily curious to explore a variety of new cuisines. Eleven dining options are centered around the award-winning craft cocktail bar, The Mayhaw. 504-609-3813, neworleans.strochmarket.com