Chelsea Market
No trip to Chelsea is complete without a stroll through the historic Chelsea Market, once the location of Nabisco’s New York factory. One block long and one block wide, the market is now a mecca for foodies, with more than thirty-five vendors offering everything from hummus to halvah. Visitors ambling between the shops here during meal times will rub shoulders with Chelsea locals and workers—including staff from television’s Food Network, whose headquarters are in the same building.
What to See at Chelsea Market
Since the market opened in 1997, such venerable purveyors as Buon Italia, an Italian imported goods emporium; the Manhattan Fruit Exchange, a well-stocked grocery with bulk spices; and Dickson’s Farmstand, a source for local and humanely-raised meats, have served local restaurants and consumers.
Today, visitors can enjoy restaurants and food stalls from cuisines around the world. Tastebud-tempting global bites include Berlin Currywurst for German sausages, some of the city’s best tacos at Los Tacos No. 1, and Dizengoff, a food stand dedicated to all things hummus. Some visitors come here exclusively for the baked goods, and Chelsea Market is at no loss for excellent options. Amy’s Bread and Sarabeth’s Bakery are two originals anchoring each end of the long corridor, where you can try signature breads like semolina-fennel-raisin and award-winning biscuits and jams respectively. Of course, sit-down, full-service restaurant options abound as well. From seafood and Thai to farm-to-table and gluten-free, Chelsea Market’s meal options make it a spot worth visiting multiple times.
To tour the market properly, sign up with Food of NY Tours through Chelsea Market for a pre-arranged professional tour with experts on New York City’s food culture. Clothes shopping, sample sales, spice vendors, kitchen supplies and craft vendors will keep you occupied for hours.
For more information, visit the Chelsea Market website.