North Market Review

One of the jewels of the Short North District, the North Market is a fast moving foodie haven. If you like to eat and eat well, head into the area to check out the 35 in-house vendors and - during the summer - the thriving farmer's market.

North Market began in 1876 and was originally known as the North End Market.The market began its resurgence in the late 1980s and early 1990s because of the North Market Development Authority (NMDA).

Market Hours:

Monday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.

It is easy to step into North Market and become overwhelmed. The sites, sounds and especially the smells hit you as soon as you enter the door. But that's a good thing. The vendors are friendly and so is the crowd which depending on the day can be quite dense.

For first timers, the best thing to do is take a sweep of the whole market first, then decide on where to eat. At the market it's possible to enjoy several courses from multiple vendors so plan accordingly! Take a moment to spend time talking with the merchants, something that can be difficult when the market is crowded, but their knowledge and willingness to share it with you is worth it.

Even if you don't get food, take a trip upstairs to the open table area. It gives you a great view of the activity of the market from above and people watch. It's also a fantastic place to go if you lose someone in your group!

Speaking of merchants, it's their dedication to their craft that makes the market such a pleasant place to be. They are not out to simply sell you an item, they are interested in sharing an experience with you. It's not uncommon for a customer and merchant to spend 15 minutes discussing the techniques, ingredients and origins of the items on the menu.

Want to know more about the merchants? Check out the listing:

brēzel
Omega Artisan Baking
Taste of Belgium
A Touch of Earth
Bubbles, the Tea & Juice Company
The Barrel & Bottle
Better Earth
North Market Cookware
The Source by Wasserstrom
Curds & Whey
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Best of the Wurst
Expressly Market Bakery and Bistro
Heil's Family Deli
Holy Smoke BBQ
Market Blooms
The Greener Grocer
CaJohn's Flavor & Fire
Clever Crow Pizza
Firdous Express
Flavors of India
Hubert's Polish Kitchen
Lan Viet Market
Nida's Sushi
Pastaria
Pastaria Seconda
Sarefino's Pizzeria and Italian Deli
Bluescreek Farm Meats
North Market Poultry and Game
The Fish Guys
North Market Spices
Pam's Market Popcorn
Pure Imagination Chocolatier
The Candy Shack

People don't go to the North Market to just talk about food, they go to eat it and the options don't disappoint. It's not uncommon to see groups of shoppers mapping out their meal strategy in the middle of an aisle.

Eating your way through the North Market is not an easy task, but sampling your way through is possible and it's wonderful. There is a reason why the vendors that are in the market are so popular, they combine their passion and skill into delicious product. Another cool thing about the market is the food prices are reasonable.

The types of food available are: Baked Goods & Pastries
Beverages: Coffee, Tea, Juice, Wine and Beer
Dairy
Delis, Soups, Salads & Sandwiches
International Grocery & Prepared Foods
Meat, Poultry & Seafood
and Specialty Foods including chocolates, candy and spices.

Besides the food, there are also several merchants that specialize in cookware and gift items. When you're looking for a unique gift item, North Market should be on your list.

The market is not only buzzing with hungry shoppers, the market sponsors many monthly events throughout the year. Events that focus on food, wine, cooking classes, festivals, craft fairs, farmer's markets and more. Don't miss their monthly events calendar to stay on top of all the culinary fun.