7 Of The Best Food Halls To Check Out Around the U.S. (2024)

When you’re visiting a new city, especially one with a reputation for an impressive food scene, it can be overwhelming to narrow down your options. Plus, your travel companions could be craving something different from you. If you're at an impasse, try a food hall. Food halls aren’t a totally new concept, but they're having a moment right now and new ones popping up around the U.S.

They are typically set up as cafeteria-style markets with local vendors, offering a mix of new local spots or smaller versions of well-known family-owned restaurants. They may sometimes specialize in one region’s type of cuisine, such as Italian or Asian offerings, or offer a variety of food spots spanning a variety of multicultural cuisines. Read on for some of the top food halls to check out around the U.S.

This downtown Houston food hall used to be home to the historic Barbara Jordan Post Office. Featuring everything from seven regional South American cuisines at Andes Cafe (the ceviche and lomo saltado, i.e. sauteed beef, are must-tries), to hot chicken, Mediterranean, and Cajun offerings, you’re bound to find something that helps Houston live up to its reputation as a food mecca.

If you’re visiting San Diego and in the mood for Italian, why not immerse yourself in a variety of offerings? This Italian food hall is located right within the city’s Little Italy neighborhood at Piazza della Famiglia. Featuring six food stations from local businesses, a full-service restaurant, and a donut cart, this Italian market is sure to help you get your Italian food fix in more ways than one. There is also a mobile outdoor pop-up area that regularly features cooking demonstrations from well-known chefs, as well as two full bars offering local beers and unique craft co*cktails.

If you’re visiting Nashville, there’s a high chance you’ll check out “Honky Tonk Highway,” which is a row of country music bars on Lower Broadway in downtown. As such, you’re likely to need to refuel with good food, which is where Assembly Food Hall comes in. Here you'll find everything from the hot chicken the city is known for, to barbecue, Vietnamese and Indian food, a variety of bars, and much more. And if you don’t want to ditch the music scene, fear not; you can still enjoy live music and a co*cktail on the rooftop, which is the largest in the city.

Located right on the state’s historic Route 66, Mother Road Market is actually Oklahoma’s first food hall. Visitors will find 15 vendor options offering everything from classic Oklahoma barbecue, to brunch, burgers, tacos, ice cream, and more. You’re sure to find some something to ease your indulgent cravings here.

Touting itself as having the best culinary talent in Chicago, as well as the best happy hour in the Loop, visitors are unlikely to leave Revival Food Hall with disappointed palates. Vendors offer everything from tacos and empanadas to poke and burgers. The food hall also features activities such as summer exercise classes, as well as karaoke and trivia nights.

If you’re in the mood for southeast Asian cuisine in Seattle, this street-food concept hall is your one-stop shop. While the owner has launched 10 Thai restaurants during his more than three decades in the restaurant business, this food hall treats visitors options to Vietnamese, Burmese, Singaporean, and Malaysian cuisines, in addition to Thai, among various others. There's even a variety of crepes, ice cream, and pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth for dessert.

Located in a revitalized city space, this vibrant food hall was created to preserve Mount Vernon’s heritage while also providing a modern space to combine Baltimore’s bustling music, arts, and food scenes. Visitors will find common food hall offerings like sushi, tacos, and burgers, as well as seafood items the region is known for in its oyster bar and fish restaurant Fishnet, which features a variety of sandwiches and soups.