The World's Best Food Markets In The World

To truly experience the people and culture of a country, there is no better place to visit than a local fresh food market

Or Tor Kor Market - Bangkok, Thailand

Or Tor Kor is a riot of color and flavor—featuring numerous varieties of fresh vegetables and fruit (including the odoriferous, thorny durian), as well as chiles, curries, sun-dried fish and noodles.

Jemaa el-Fna - Marrakech, Morocco

At the heart of Marrakesh's famed medina is Jemaa el-Fna, where anything goes. Snake charmers, musicians and herbalists set up shop next to tea, fruit and spice vendors under the shadow of the Mouassine Mosque's minaret.

Tsukiji Fish Market - Tokyo, Japan

People line up at 3 a.m. to watch the ancient, world-famous tuna auction, sip hot tea and try the freshest sushi in the world—meticulously prepared by professionals.

Spice Bazaar (Misir Çarşisi) - Istanbul, Turkey

Not much has changed since the 1600s in this cavernous medieval market—where people haggle over conical piles of spices along with everything else, including what seems like a thousand varieties of dates, halvah, tea and cheese.

Machane Yehuda - Jerusalem, Israel

One of the largest souks in Israel, Machane Yehuda is a mesmerizing maze of alleys and stalls selling every food staple in the Middle Eastern diet, including enticing arrays of nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables, meats, olives, falafel, shawarma, halvah and more—as well as housewares. The atmosphere becomes frenzied in the early afternoon hours on Friday before most stalls close for the Sabbath.

La Boquería - Barcelona, Spain

Said to date back to the year 1217, Mercado de San José de la Boquería is a feast for the eyes and the stomach—especially if you are a connoisseur of jamón ibérico (Spanish cured ham). Come for the spectacle. Stay for lunch.

Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio - Rome, Italy

The Eternal City’s historic Mercato di Testaccio got a new lease on 21st-century life when it relocated from Piazza Testaccio to a light-filled modern building powered primarily by solar energy. Inside, the vibe is an energetic mix of contemporary and antiquarian pleasures: among the 103 purveyors are stalls specializing in fresh produce and hand-made pasta.

Borough Market - London, England

London’s oldest market (it dates back more than 1,000 years) continues to be a draw for city denizens and tourists alike. That’s because more than 70 organic farmers and artisanal purveyors from nearby and abroad flock there on the weekends, making it a nexus of hyper-local and seasonal cuisine. It’s also the place to stock up on unexpected ethnic food such as Ethiopian spices, Balkan pastries, or Spanish olive oils.

Torvehallerne Market - Copenhagen, Denmark

One of Copenhagen's most diverse markets, Torvehallerne has over 60 vendors that offer everything from sushi to tapas to risengrød

La Merced Market - Mexico City, Mexico

The largest food market in Mexico City is also one of the most delicious and bewildering. Piles of fried grasshoppers and crickets lie next to select cuts of meat, mounds of mole, cactus paddles, chiles and mangoes. It's so large, there are professional guides.

Pike Place Market, Seattle

The “Public Market” sign above the entrance to Pike Place Market is a familiar Seattle landmark, and rightly so. This 110-year-old open-air market is deeply invested in the community, supporting a wide range of local farmers and food producers. Don't miss the fish markets, which offer fresh-caught salmon, crab, oysters, and more, plus an array of smoked seafood.

St. Lawrence Market - Toronto, Canada

While open every day, the St. Lawrence Market began with its Saturday farmers market over 200 years ago and includes fresh produce, Montreal-style bagels and antique dealers.

Sanyuanli Market - Beijing, China

Exotic, colorful and tantalizing produce fill this market—along with (almost) everything and anything that can be caught on land or fished from the sea. Sanyuanli is truly a fascinating experience.