Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Ahoy NY Food Tours Blog

Back to Ahoy NY Food Tours Blog

The Seven Best Outdoor Food Markets in New York City

Luke's Lobster Shrimp Crab and Lobster Roll

Outdoor food markets have become a lot more popular in last few years in New York City. You can truly find some interesting and yummy dishes in these markets. There really is no better time to check them out than the summer time so here are the seven best outdoor food markets in New York City!

Hester Street Market

Ducks Eatery Pastrami Sandwich

Hester Street Market is a fun street fair and bustling marketplace in the Lower East Side. A big part of the Hester Street Market is of course the food. In the past, we tasted delicious lobster rolls, yummy macarons and a giant pastrami sandwich here. Hester Street Market also runs a smaller outdoor food market in Bryant Park on Fridays and also keep an eye out for their annual Grub Street Food Festival which is a huge outdoor food market with over 50 different options for food!

Smorgasburg & Brooklyn Flea

Mr Bing Crepe

Smorgasburg is one of the premier outdoor food markets and this summer Smorgasburg is in Williamsburg on Saturdays and Prospect Park on Sundays. With lobster rolls, tacos, BBQ, Asian inspired hot dogs and more, you just never know what you will find here. In addition there is also the Brooklyn Flea on Sundays in DUMBO. It is always a huge draw and there are also great options for food there.

Queens Night Market

Queens Night Market Kati Roll

P.C.: yelp, Kati Rolls S.

The Queens Night Market in the Flushing Meadows Corona Park, near the New York Hall of Science offers an international twist with authentic and delicious international dishes like bibimbap & bulgogi bowls, takoyaki and Guatemalan hot dogs. You can definitely try something new here every time you visit.

LIC Flea & Food

LIC Flea and Food Doughnuts

P.C.: yelp, Bradley H.

Also in Queens, there is the LIC Flea & Food which draws people to Long Island City every weekend in the summer. LIC Flea & Food is smaller than Smorgasburg or Brooklyn Flea but with empanadas, tacos, pickles and more, there is always a nice of variety of food. Plus there is a beer garden featuring local microbreweries!

Red Hook Food Vendors

Red Hook Food Vendors Pupusas

P.C.: yelp, Marcos L.

At the Red Hook Food Vendors, you will see rows of food trucks and it has become the go to spot for delicious Latin American dishes. In fact, a number of their vendors have won the Vendy’s award in years past for the best street food so you know the food will be outstanding.

Union Square Greenmarket

Union Square Farmers Market

Union Square Greenmarket started way back in 1976 and has since grown to be one of the biggest farmer’s markets in New York City. You can’t get fresher produce grown locally anywhere else. In addition to fruits and vegetables you can get fresh baked breads, pies, beef, honey and so much more.

Urbanspace Markets

Red Hook Lobster Pound Lobster Roll

Urbanspace runs a number of outdoor food markets in Midtown including Broadway Bites, Urbanspace Garment District, Madison Square Eats in the Spring & Fall and the new TSQ MKT. Each market has a ton of tempting options for lunch. Some vendors to keep an eye on include Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Mr. Bing, Macron Parlour and Chick’nCone.