Taste global flavors at the 8 best food halls & markets in Pennsylvania
Local chefs serve international eats at these eight Pennsylvania food halls.
Food halls are a perfect dining solution, whether you’re part of a group juggling different diets or dining solo and eager to try a variety of cuisines. Pennsylvania is home to several contemporary food halls as well as more traditional public markets that feature local eateries serving up global flavors. We’ve put together a list of eight of our favorite food halls and markets where you can explore cuisines from around the world, from Haitian food in Harrisburg to Filipino food in Philadelphia.
1. Reading Terminal Market – Philadelphia
The famous Reading Terminal Market is one of Philadelphia’s most visited attractions, but it’s also a key stop in many locals’ shopping routines. The market, which is located inside an old train terminal, is home to more than 75 local vendors selling everything from grocery items and gifts to ready-to-eat fare. More than 30 eateries operate in the space, offering a wide variety of global flavors from Japanese sushi to Eastern European comfort food. You’ll also find merchants making Indian, Pakistani, Greek, Filipino, Chinese, Thai, Caribbean, Central American, and even Cajun food. Reading Terminal Market is open daily.
2. Franklin’s Table Food Hall – Philadelphia
Though it’s located at the University of Pennsylvania, Franklin’s Table Food Hall will satisfy any diner, not just students. At this food court, you can munch on international comfort foods from casual restaurant concepts developed by some of Philly’s top chefs. For example, you can feast on falafel at Goldie—developed by Zahav’s Michael Solomonov—or DK Sushi—an option from Double Knot’s Michael Schulson. Much better than the college dining hall! Franklin’s Table is open daily.
3. Novo Asian Food Hall – Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s Strip District features a number of Asian restaurant concepts within its Novo Asian Food Hall, located in the neighborhood’s terminal building. Restaurants including Japanese Mola, Vietnamese Tan Lac Vien, Taiwanese Kung Fu Chicken, and Korean Korea Garden anchor the food hall with a wide range of flavorful options. Novo also features a full bar with a creative cocktail menu, as well as a fruit tea stand, Teachana. The food hall is open daily.
4. Lawrence Hall – Pittsburgh
Lawrence Hall is a new food hall in Pittsburgh’s hip Lawrenceville neighborhood, operating out of a repurposed industrial warehouse originally built in the 1890s. The community space features four different local restaurants as well as an ice cream shop and a full bar called Dear James. The four restaurants run the gamut in terms of flavors: There’s La Palapa’s Mexican food, Kazoku Sushi’s fresh sushi, Loaded’s American-fusion eats, and Cuddy’s Soul Food’s homestyle comfort food. If you can’t choose, why not try something small (or large) from each spot? Open daily, Lawrence Hall also offers live music every Wednesday.
5. Flagship City Food Hall – Erie
Flagship City Food Hall is a downtown Erie destination bringing together several restaurant concepts under one roof. You can grab Neapolitan pizza, Southeast Mexican specialties, Dominican cuisine, casual Asian-inspired noodles, and much more! And like any good food hall, the culinary options are all buffeted by a full bar. The bar opens to a lively atmosphere on the South Street side of the food hall, while the seating area near the food hall’s North Park Row entrance is quieter and well-suited for remote work or soft conversation. The food hall is open daily.
6. Broad Street Market – Harrisburg
Broad Street Market in the state capital of Harrisburg has the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating indoor market in the country. The market has hosted food vendors since 1860, but in recent decades it has evolved from primarily selling Pennsylvania Dutch and regional specialties to featuring a range of international foods, reflecting the diversity of the capital city. Today, you can pick up Haitian, Puerto Rican, Jamaican, Mexican, and South Asian foods, as well as traditional Pennsylvania Dutch treats. The Broad Street Market is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
7. Southern Market – Lancaster
Southern Market, a food hall operating out of a revitalized 1888 building, ensures that the Lancaster community can find a variety of artisanal eats all in one place. The space’s “chef stations” offer Moroccan flavors, fresh sushi, Thai specialties, German schnitzel, Jewish deli sandwiches, and comforting pho options. Intended as a community hub, Southern Market is also home to a coffee shop, a bar, and areas for coworking. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday.
8. Easton Public Market – Easton
Easton Public Market blends a classic indoor market vibe with the energy of a modern food hall. Most of the market’s 14 vendors are eateries run by local chefs, offering a variety of global flavors like French crêpes, farm-to-table ramen, and gourmet Italian paninis. Though the indoor market is small, it punches above its weight as a solid choice for dining in the Lehigh Valley. Plus, it often hosts live music on the weekends! The Easton Public Market is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
