The Absolute Best Food Markets In All Of Europe, According To Travelers - Explore (2024)

travelview/Shutterstock

ByJenna IntersimoneAug. 11, 2024 10:45 am EST

When visiting a new European city, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the massive number of culinary options — and trying to squeeze them into a limited number of meals in a day is challenging. But one way that foodies have long loved to try it all in one shot and get a taste of the local culture is to visit a food market, where residents and tourists join together to do everything from grocery shop to get a bite of a staple dish or find a special ingredient to take home. If you want to mix culture, cuisine, and conversation, head to a food market.

Most major European cities have their own food markets, and some larger cities that are particularly gastronomy-focused have multiple food markets. As you'll be devoting a few hours to eating your way through a given market, it's important not to waste it at a tourist trap. To help avoid such a catastrophe, we rounded up the best food markets in Europe, based on which had the highest number of reviews and the highest rating on Tripadvisor, as well as the best vendor offerings and the most authenticity. History and tradition make everything taste a little bit better, after all. We'll explain more about how we compiled this list in the final slide, but let's dig into the delicious experiences first.

Hermsdorf/Getty Images

Stroll by Budapest's Central Market Hall with its iron red and yellow neo-Gothic exterior, and you'll think you're looking at a church. And you wouldn't be entirely wrong — Central Market Hall is referred to as the "iron cathedral." But inside the biggest indoor market in Hungary, you'll find more than pews — this three-floor market has 180 vendors spread throughout 10,000 square feet below towering ceilings. Its three floors make it easier to navigate — vendors on the first floor sell Hungarian spices, pickles, and other basic ingredients; those on the second sell grocery items like produce, meat, and bread; and vendors on the top floor sell ready-to-eat Hungarian dishes (that you can chow down on right then and there) as well as wines and liquors.

Central Market Hall has four stars on Tripadvisor and over 9,000 reviews, which isn't surprising since an estimated50,000 people visit it every day. "Great way to enjoy local culture and cuisine," said one reviewer. "Also the best place to buy souvenirs and trinkets. It has a very friendly vibe about it. It's quite big so allow time to take it all in." There is plenty of history involved; this market almost became a pile of rubble after World War IIand had to be completely rebuilt after the war — as did much of Budapest.The market was also renovated in 1991, and is as important to the city as its iconic bathhouses.

Jono Photography/Shutterstock

Its name might imply a small, humble market, but Borough Market in London is anything but. It's one of the English capital'sbiggest and oldest food markets, housing over 100 vendors and dating back nearly a millennium (although it has moved in that time). But what we know as the market today was established in 1756, and it offers everything from local cheese to seafood wraps. Borough Market has 14,000 reviews on Tripadvisor and a rating of four-and-a-half stars. "A great place to spend a few hours if you are interested in good food of every sort," said one reviewer. "Food to buy to take home plus lots of food to eat on site." And apparently, foodies aren't the only ones to love this market — Hollywood loves it, too. It was the setting of several scenes in "Bridget Jones's Diary."

Feeling overwhelmed at the many options at Borough Market? One of the favorites to check out first is Furness Fish Markets, a half-century-old business that sells sustainably sourced English staples like cod and haddock. Or, for some heat with your meal, visit Spice Mountain, which sells hard-to-findinternational spices hailing from Italy to Nepal and everywhere in between. Another popular place is Ginger Pig, abutcher'sthat uses every cut of meat.

FreeProd33/Shutterstock

More than 7 million people flock to Mercado San Miguel in Madrid every year to taste the country's culinary highlights like Iberian ham and Basque cheese. And judging by this market's reviews, it sure seems like they're enjoying them. Mercado San Miguel has more than 15,000 Tripadvisor reviews and a four-and-a-half star rating with comments like "It is a place with a lot of personality. The food is delicious and there is a great variety of options. The price is not exactly cheap but it is well worth it." And if you're still hungry, the Spanish capital has plenty of fabulous food tours to satisfy your inner foodie.

Mercado San Miguel dates back to 1916, but the creations ofaward-winningmodern chefs can be found throughout its 20 stalls. For example, visitors can check out Rocambolesc, the brainchild of three Michelin-starred Jordi Roca, which offers natural and artisan ice cream.For a traditional paella with accolades to boot, grab a pan of this traditional dish at Paella by Rodrigo de la Calle, who has one Michelin star. To taste more must-try Spanish dishes, stop by Arzábal, known for its spectacular (and social) seasonal tapas.

s.s.ikram / Instagram

Paris is known for its fine dining, but as Marché des Enfants Rouges proves, you don't need a white tablecloth to enjoy authentic and delicious worldwide cuisine. Not that there's anything wrong with that, and formal diners should make a beeline for the places Anthony Bourdain ate in the City of Lights. Hidden behind a sign overhanging a side street, Marché des Enfants Rouges winds between alleys to showcase its vendors — just as it has since 1615, making it the oldest market in the city. Visitors can either get in line at the many stands for a snack to-go or snag a seat at one of the market's marvelous restaurants.

With over 1,000 reviews, the market receives four stars on Tripadvisor. Said one visitor, "What a nice surprise when we entered this incredible market with a friendly atmosphere. We recommend!" One spot that always has a solid following is Chez Alain Miam Miam, a sandwich shop where the sandwiches are grilled on a crepe pan for a perfectly warm and melty lunch. But despite the jovial vibe and tasty eats of the market, its name — which translates to Red Children's Market — isn't so sunny. It's named after the former orphanage next door, where children wore red uniforms.

Manfred Gottschalk/Getty Images

There aren't many places where people can choose from 120 international vendors in one place, but they can find it all at Naschmarkt in Vienna, Austria. Naschmarkt, located above the River Wien, has more than 3,700 reviews and a four-star rating on Tripadvisor. The customers are plenty satisfied. "Definitely worth a visit to this bustling market. You can spend a couple of hours here and try a variety of cuisines. We loved it!" said one visitor.

This lively food market is the biggest in Vienna and is the most well-knownfor good reason. It has a little bit of everything, including a row of restaurants and another of food stalls, so make sure your trip here includes a stroll down each. The Austrian capital has plenty of ways to walk off your eats, with the city's finest museums at the top of the list. That massive size is a far cry from the market's humble beginning in the 1770s as a milk market. It moved to its current location about a century-and-a-half later. Today, the pavilions— though not the diverse offerings — are just as they were in 1916. Despite its history, the market has continued to evolve exponentially. It offers free Wi-Fi, music spun by DJs on the weekends, and a very popular Saturday flea market.

Nowaczyk/Shutterstock

Copenhagen is known for its vibrantstreet food scene, and that spirit thrives at Reffen, a 6,000-square-foot outdoor food market with 50 international vendors. Reffen was created in 2018 on the edge of the Port of Copenhagen, but what it lacks in history, it makes up for in quality — just ask its 500 Tripadvisor reviewers. The market receives four-and-a-half stars on the site and is even one of the top things to do in the entire city. "So good we went three days in a row, food for every taste, friendly staff and beautiful view," said one reviewer. "Would recommend it a 100%!" Once you pick up your desired goodies, take them to a 4,000-square-foot dining area adjacent to the market, where you can eat them overlooking the water. Or, if it's cold out, head to Reffen's indoor former machine hall, where vendors sell food and beverages year-round.

Even better, you can eat here with a clear conscience because Reffen is all about reusing and recycling. The majority of the market is constructed with recycled supplies, and even the stalls are housed in former shipping containers. Vendors are required to compost and use other methods to sort and reduce waste, and also use organic, free-range and local ingredients whenever possible. That includes at standout vendors like Fuego, where Argentinian meats are cooked over open fire, and Kuku, where travelers can try acclaimed Iranian stews.

Claudio Caridi/Getty Images

Bologna doesn't mess around when it comes to food — one of its nicknames is even "La Grassa," which means "the fat one." It isn't surprising that the Quadrilatero — the oldest food marketboth in Bologna and on this list — takes up an entire city square bounded by four streets. Tracing its roots back before the 11thcentury with many of its original buildings, the Quadrilatero remains a place where people can find seafood, meats, cheeses, wine, and more. It has four-and-a-half stars from over 600 reviews on Tripadvisor. "We loved wandering around here and just looking at all the foods. Everything looked just amazingly delicious (and we did sample a few things and they were great)," said one reviewer. "I would definitely be sure to stop here when you visit Bologna."

One of the must-try spots in the Quadrilatero is Osteria del Sole, one of the oldest continuously operating bars on the planet, having opened its doors in 1465. Here, you can bring food from outside and sit at the osteria with a glass of its beer or wine. Or, for a plate of some of the pasta that originated in Bologna, order lunch at Zerocinquantino. But don't leave without a visit to Salumeria Simoni, an Italian grocery store stocking the country's flagship products like cured meats and balsamic vinegar, making for great souvenirs to take home to remember your visit to the Fat One.

gseg90/Shutterstock

Porto is known for its port wine and food scene, so it's no surprise that the city is home to a fabulous food market with 70 vendors that is so big that it takes up an entire block. Mercado do Bolhão — named for the air bubble once located where it now stands — sells everything from pork tripe filled with spices to crêpes. It's all located in a two-story building built in 1914 that has since beennamed aMonument of Public Interest. And with over 2,000 reviews and three-and-a-half stars on Tripadvisor, it is definitely a must-visit landmark. Said one reviewer, "What a market!! Fantastic!! We had a great time there, we wanted to eat and drink everything they had there. The quality was amazing."

Some of the vendors include the Bolhão Fruit ShopandDona Rosa's Corner, which sells bread, cornbread, cakes, and more than 50 wines. Besides picking up items like seafood, meat, and produce, visitors can also visit the market's onsite restaurants for homemade and affordable meals. Even if you're full, don't leave the market without seeing its knife sharpener, one of the last such tradesmen to do the task for Porto residents while traveling throughout the city on his bike. The market also regularly hosts live music and events like wine tastings.

Momo11353/Getty Images

It doesn't get much bigger than Riga Central Market in the Latvian capital. As one of the largest food markets on the continent, Riga Central Market is primarily inside five massive zeppelin hangars built for German soldiers and dating back to World War I, but it also stretches outside. With 3,000 vendors, it takes up nearly 800,000 square feet, selling everything from candy to spices, meat, seafood, and more, all divided by category in each building. It's so massive and overwhelming that you can opt for a food tour of the market rather than wandering it. The Riga Central Market is also part of the capital's old town, all of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And with more than 3,500 Tripadvisor reviews culminating in a four-and-a-half star rating, it is clearly worth a visit. "This place is amazing. In here one can find all type of food, drinks, pastry, souvenirs ... it is quite huge," said one reviewer. "Huge variety of it, stuff we had never seen! A must come and see!"

You won't go broke trying this epicenter of Latvian cuisine, either. Since it's where locals do their grocery shopping, prices are reasonable. Latvians aren't afraid to use all parts of an ingredient, so you're bound to see some interesting items here, like the pig's head with brains still inside. And since the market has onsite restaurants, you can also enjoy a full meal here alongside beer, wine, or liquor.

travelview/Shutterstock

Nearly every day of the week in Frankfurt, locals and visitors alike can meander through the 16,000-square-foot, neo-Renaissance style Kleinmarkthalle, where more than 150 vendors hawk their international goods ranging from the city's staple "green sauce" to Italian cheeses to French pralines. More than 800 Tripadvisor users have given the market four-and-a-half stars, writing comments like, "Fantastic and lively place to sample some of the delicious sausages, olives and bakery items. There are interesting stores offering honey, chocolates, yummy cakes and lots of cheese. A fun visit and a great way to grab a snack on the go!" It is a delicious way to settle down after navigating Frankfurt Airport — one of the most stressful in Europe.

Shoppers can pick up ingredients like meat, seafood, and vegetables or head to one of the vendors servinghot meals or sandwiches. Fabulous options include Daheim, an apple wine bar and restaurant making authentic German dishes, or The Marktstubb, which serves homemade seafood and meat dishes from breakfast through dinner. Kleinmarkthalle is also a market that was almost lost to history. After opening in the late 1800s, it was reduced to rubble during World War II before being rebuilt in the '50s, much to the relief of local culinary enthusiasts.

Longfin Media/Shutterstock

Hala Targowa, one of the biggest food markets in Wrocław, was built between 1906 and 1908 when the city was under German rule. However, its history goes back much further than that. The market is located in a former convent withreligious artifacts dating back to 1170. Its history doesn't stop there — Hala Targowa was ravaged during World War IIand had to be restored to its original splendor in the 1980s. But after you're done exploring its rich past, you can taste the best part of the market today — its food. Above the ruins, you'll find produce, cheese, and meat vendors, and kitchen necessities and other household items one floor up. For those looking to enjoy a meal on the spot, Hala Targowa is also home to restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.

And no, it's not just an epicenter of Polish eats — vendors here specialize in everything from Italian to Portuguese cuisine. For a traditional Polish meal, grab a pork chop or sour soup from Grill Steak Bar; if you need a pick-me-up, purchase a cup o' joe from Wrocław Enclave Coffee Roaster, which brews its beans in-house. End it with a sweet to-go from Irma Confectionary, a more-than-30-year-old shop making cakes, doughnuts, cupcakes, buns, and more.

Angelafoto/Getty Images

No matter which European city is on your itinerary, you're bound to find a food market, whether it's known for hawking foods from all over the planet or for spotlighting the best that its hometown has to offer. To choose the best of the best to recommend to our readers, we dug through countless Tripadvisor reviews to determine which had the best — at least three-and-a-half stars — and the most reviews; most of these markets have hundreds, if not thousands, of happy customers.

We also considered which food markets were considered iconic landmarks with the most storied and interesting histories, as well as those with the most top-notch quality vendors staying true to their cuisine's highest standards. You know that no matter where you pick up a snack or a meal, it will be a memorable one. Regardless of where you go, make sure to follow Rick Steves' clever tip for tourists worried about getting food poisoning on vacation, and enjoy your delicious food without worry.