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If the current food hall boom around the nation is a trend, then Philadelphia has been ahead of the curve since the late 19th century, when Reading Terminal Market and the 9th Street Italian Market first fed the city’s quick-service customers.
A fixture in much of Europe and other parts of the world, multi-vendor, indoor markets showcasing local eateries and artisans have been trending in America for the past decade.
Of course, the new wave of food halls is in full effect in Philly as well: In the fall of 2018, The Bourse, within view of Independence Hall, reopened as a day-to-night food hall with an emphasis on independent purveyors.
Over in West Philadelphia, Franklin’s Table Food Hall offers a well-curated selection of area favorites under a single roof on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus.
Spontaneous, indecisive and/or extra-hungry eaters will find plenty of ready-to-eat delicacies to sample at Philly’s year-round food halls and longstanding public markets.
Set below a former railroad terminal that’s now a National Historic Landmark building, Center City’s 126-year-old Reading Terminal Market serves as both a dazzling tourist destination and a source for fresh produce, seafood, meats and cheese for locals. Dozens of restaurants dish up breakfast and lunch daily, with the choices spanning from Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine to Thai curries to fancy corndogs. Retail merchants sell housewares, jewelry, linens and more.
Where: Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Not quite a food hall by the strictest definition, this outdoor market has always hosted restaurants in addition to merchants. These days, the choices are just as likely to be Southeast Asian and Mexican as Italian, with plenty of cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches thrown in for good measure.
Where: 9th Street Italian Market Visitor Center, 919 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Ardmore’s well-heeled Suburban Square treats its shoppers to a diverse fast-eats destination. The spread includes Middle Eastern, seafood, sushi, Thai, baked goods, Saxbys coffee, a full array of DiBruno Bros. made-to-order and grab-and-go items and flowers (to ensure a perfectly set table, of course).
Where: Ardmore Farmers Market, 120 Coulter Avenue, Ardmore, PA
In downtown Kennett Square, a 10,000-square-foot indoor market houses a smorgasbord of treats. Among the selections: burgers, breakfast sandwiches, shakes, tacos, pizza and even wine and cider by the glass, courtesy of Paradocx Vineyard.
Where: The Market at Liberty Place, 148 W. State Street, Kennett Square, PA
The Historic District’s circa 1895 commodities exchange has transformed into a delicacy-filled artisan market in the style of Chelsea Market and so many other prime examples. The burnished, Victorian-era member of the National Register of Historic Places across the street from Independence Mall was most recently a food court. Now, The Bourse’s new incarnation delivers an experience befitting Philadelphia’s current and centuries-old reputation as a city of makers — and eaters. Among the 27 tenants in the mix: LALO (Filipino), Mighty Melt (grilled cheese), Scoop de Ville (ice cream), Bluebird Distilling (spirits), Prescription Chicken (soup), Chaat and Chai (Indian) and Chocodiem (chocolate).
Where: The Bourse Building, 111 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA
This two-story hub houses cuisines from Korea to Cambodia with an emphasis on fun and stylish street food. It’s not just a lunchtime spot, however — the Square stays open until well after midnight with nighttime cocktails and karaoke.
Where: Chinatown Square, 1016-18 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
The food hall on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus keeps a local focus, with DK Sushi, Pitruco (pizza), Goldie (vegan falafel), KQ Burger, High Street on Market (sandwiches and baked goods) and The Juice Merchant all representing serious Philly flavors. The food hall seats 175 people in a cafeteria-style setting and offers breakfast through dinner options.
Where: Franklin's Table Food Hall, 3401 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia) and overnight hotel accommodations.
Great eats at one of the nation’s oldest and largest public markets ...