We are squarely in the middle of fall, with winter and the holiday season close on its heels. This time of year is ideal for visiting markets around Brooklyn. The food purveyors are gearing up for their busiest part of year, but right now they are enjoying the calm before the storm. They are serving up their heartier fare for the cooler weather, using seasonal ingredients like pumpkin, beets and concord grapes.
We’ve chosen ten top markets for finding tasty and innovative food in Brooklyn. Many of them are also venues to shop for artisan and vintage products, so now would be a good time to do some of your holiday shopping and beat the crowds.
For more stories about people, products and trends in the artisan, farmer, food and flea markets, visit the Markets of New York website.
Artists & Fleas
70 N 7th St.
One of the original initiatives in the new generation of artisan and flea markets, Artists and Fleas understands that good shopping and good food go together. This market brings outstanding local artisans to their newly expanded market in Williamsburg, as well as excellent local food entrepreneurs, making it an excellent places to shop and eat Brooklyn’s famous local fare. Depending on the weekend, you’ll find outstanding coffee, pies, cookies and other outstanding snacks to fortify you while you explore the market collections and the eclectic attractions of Williamsburg.
Berg’n
899 Bergen St. (between Classon and Franklin)
NEW: It is a challenge for me to keep from using too many superlatives to describe Berg’n, the new food emporium and beer hall from the Brooklyn Flea in Crown Heights. Berg’n features several of the vendors you may know from Smorgasburg, including Ramen Burger’s astounding burger in a ramen noodle bun, Asia Dog’s organic hot dogs with zesty Asian toppings, Pizza Moto’s perfect brick oven pizzas and Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, with burnt ends you’ll dream about. Berg’n has long tavern-style tables and a also has a deep artisanal beer menu at the bar.
Brooklyn Night Bazaar
165 Banker St.
The Brooklyn Night Bazaar is a remarkable one-stop-shop for hanging out with friends on a Friday or Saturday night. You will find fantastic food, sweet and savory, from 20 fine local food purveyors, including Italian rice balls, Thai curries, Indian Kati rolls, Texas-style brisket and super premium ice cream. There is a large bar space and ever-changing art installations. You can also shop from over 20 cool and curated artisan vendors. Live music, ping pong and air hockey tables round out the evening’s activities.
Carroll Gardens Greenmarket
Carroll St. and Smith St.
Open every Sunday of the year, this neighborhood market is a destination in and of itself, although you will want to spend some time wandering through this historic Brooklyn neighborhood. If you need a snack right then and there, you can munch on a delicious organic muffin or a cookie, or pick up some crisp, seasonal apples or pears. Fresh produce, grass fed beef, wild caught fish, and heritage ducks meet the highest standards of New York shoppers and of the GrowNYC organization.
La Marqueta de Williamsburg
110 Moore St.
I’ll always send people to this market for a truly authentic New York experience. This market was built in the 1940’s by Mayor La Guardia to get the pushcarts off the streets and make room for more vehicles. The market stalls are filled with mostly Caribbean and Mexican fare. You can sit and eat freshly made alcapurrias (stuffed fritters) or a plate of hearty mofongo. The two grocery stalls are filled with more unusual Caribbean ingredients and products, such as plantains, giant bags of rice, and unusual tubers (yucca, apio, malanga and more), as well as fresh hot peppers. You will want to purchase a tub of sofrito seasoning to try at home. This market is a community center as well, and you can get a shave and a haircut there too.
Shwick
6 Charles Place
NEW! This market opened just a few weeks ago, and it is off to a great start. The vendors are primarily local handmade artisans, with some outstanding artisanal food makers in the mix. If you want to meet the upcoming generation of food entrepreneurs, stop by this market for luscious spicy honey, Turkish ice cream, Jamaican jerk chicken, handcrafted chai concentrate, seasonal jams and jellies and portable cake pops. The market will likely continue to grow in the coming months to bring in even more intriguing vendors and special events.
Smorgasburg
Saturdays at East River State Park, 90 Kent St. at N. 7th St.
Sundays at Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park
If you want to know what the next big thing in food is going to be, or if you just want to have an amazing food experience, you simply have to visit this world-class food market. Imagine 100 vendors, all selling foods you want to try. Whether you are an adventurer who will eat anything (lumpia or vegan meat), or you seek beautifully made classics (grilled cheese or pizza), you will find your happiness at Smorgasburg. The market runs through November 23 in its two outdoor locations.
Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
Prospect Park West and Flatbush Ave.
Abundance, beauty and enthusiastic neighbors — you really cannot ask for more from a farmers market. This Saturday market sets up under the ornate memorial arch on the plaza at the main entrance to Prospect Park. In the market, you will find over thirty farm stands selling fresh local dairy, including treats like ice cream and chocolate milk, a wide range of cheeses and breads, pickles and chutneys, wines and ciders, and an abundance of produce. Fill up your tote and go have a picnic in the park.
McGolrick Park Down To Earth Farmers Market
Center of McGolrick Park, near Shelter Pavilion
McGolrick Park in Greenpoint is another scenic spot for a Sunday farmers market. The Down To Earth organization that hosts this market is unique in the city because they include specialty foods to their vendor lineup. In addition to inspiring local produce, baked goods and dairy, the market vendors sell nut butters, fresh soups, Brooklyn-grown tempeh, olive oils and kombucha. Now is also the time to pick up natural alpaca and sheep yarns and start working on your fall knitting projects.
Vegan Shop Up
Saturdays 11/15, 12/6 and 12/20 at the Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan St., Brooklyn
Saturday 12/14 at MooShoes, 78 Orchard St., Manhattan
Vegan dining is an evolving area in the culinary world, and this Bushwick market features some of the most innovative advances in developing delicious vegan fare. The market is also an excellent venue for gaining knowledge and ideas about alternative ways to look at classic foods, such as lasagna, burgers and donuts, in ways that are delicious, healthy and earth friendly. Regardless of whether you are a strict vegan or an omnivore, this market is an excellent place for families and friends to meet and share savory and sweet foods together in a safe environment for all.
