NYC Food Hall of Fame

Chelsea Market opened its doors to thousands of hungry New Yorkers of wildly different backgrounds and tastes in food in 1980. Thus began a new genre of city eateries: the food hall.

Food halls in NYC first existed as jumbled masses of stalls and people but have since transformed into carefully curated groups of restaurants chosen for quality and authenticity. These food halls have become more and more popular, with over 20 in NYC alone and five more set to open by 2018.

They have opened in train stations and warehouses to feed tens of thousands of visitors a day. These large spaces packed with stalls of a diverse array of cuisine allow people to get a taste of the world within the confines of their city. Food halls represent what is truly great about this city—the diverse range of cultures that thrive in our five boroughs—and allow us to share and appreciate these cultures.

Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market resembles an abandoned building fallen into disrepair, but in a way that seems very intentional—it features exposed brick and pipes, chipping paint, and graffiti-like wall art. There’s even a water fountain designed to look like a leak from an exposed pipe.

This market was a pioneer for food halls in the city and is now a NYC classic, frequented by tourists and residents alike. Every turn of the head brings a new restaurant or shop with its own aesthetic to your attention.

The range of food options is incredible—almost overwhelming—with each possible choice better than the last. From the chewy noodles served in simmering broth at Very Fresh Noodles to mini donuts with strange combinations of flavors that somehow mesh together in the perfect way at Doughnuttery, Chelsea Market is the one food hall that will truly never disappoint, no matter what you’re craving.

Try: Pollo asado tacos ($3.50 each) & horchata ($3.75) at Los Tacos No. 1

The Plaza Food Hall

Tucked inside the famous Plaza Hotel, with its reputation for luxury and glamour, the Plaza Food Hall yields high expectations but falls short on delivery. Upon entry, the atmosphere is stilted, and the décor comes across as tacky and overdone. In terms of food, there isn’t much variety—many of the stalls are bakeries. Some notable examples are Lady M, featuring its signature crêpe cakes layered with cream, and FP Patisserie, serving a variety of cakes and pastries.

However, the options for savory food are sparse. Two popular shops, No. 7 Sub and Chi Dumpling & Noodle, dish out mediocre food at unfair prices. Though some stalls do serve fresh and high-quality food, the majority of food at the Plaza is disproportionately expensive and can leave the entire hall feeling like an overpriced tourist trap. Ultimately, it is up to consumers to decide if they can afford the hit to their wallets.

Try: Green tea crepe cake ($9.00) at Lady M & Clam chowder ($6.50) at Luke’s Crab Shack

Canal Street Market

For those craving Asian food, look no further than Canal Street Market, one of the newest players in the NYC food hall game. The décor is modern and clean, and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed, a minimalistic contrast to other food halls.

As far as food goes, there aren’t as many choices as some other food halls offer, but of the food selection, there is a good variety of traditional and more modern, trendy dishes for an affordable price.

Buy a bento box from Izakaya Samurice for a filling entree or grab a quick bite from the dim sum stand Nom Wah Kuai. There’s even bubble tea, courtesy of The Boba Guys, if you’re looking for a sweet, refreshing respite from the heat. This hall is a great spot to sit and relax with friends without breaking the bank.

Try: Japanese curry rice ($10.00) at Izakaya Samurice & anything from Nom Wah Kuai ($5.00)

Industry City Food Hall

Located in an inconspicuous Brooklyn neighborhood, Industry City has a luxury that many Manhattan food halls don’t: space. Each vendor at Industry City has its own enclosed area with sitting space, rather than the classic small stalls that most food halls employ. It also has a nice outdoor space, with ample room to eat and relax, and even occasional live music events.

While the atmosphere of the hall is pleasant, the food itself leaves something to be desired. There isn’t much of a standout restaurant—food at the iconic Avocaderia, the world’s first avocado bar, is better to take pictures of than actually eat. Though some places have decent food, such as Ends Meat, a cured meat and sandwich shop, or One Girl Cookies, a small bakery and cafe, there really isn’t much at Industry City to draw customers out of their way to Sunset Park.

Try: Whoopie pie ($3.00) at One Girl Cookies

Urbanspace Vanderbilt

Upon entry to Urbanspace Vanderbilt, customers are greeted with a lively scene—the hustle and bustle of businesspeople in the heart of Manhattan. Vendors and customers alike are packed together into an almost overflowing space, without enough seating to accommodate everyone.

However, these crowds don’t detract from the food, which is the real star of the show. This food hall features a variety of cuisines, including everything from sizzling tacos at La Palapa to authentic pad thai at Bangkok B.A.R. Portions are hearty, and prices are reasonable—just the right combination for a great lunch spot.

Try: Famous original pizza ($10.00) at Roberta’s & Strawberry yuzu ($4.00) at Korilla

Considering the fact that they cater to such a diverse range of tastes, it’s no surprise that food halls are on the rise in New York City, with many more set to open in the near future. New halls like The North End, coming to Washington Heights in 2018, or Bourdain Market, set to open in the Meatpacking District in 2019, are sure to continue to spur this trend into the future.