essex market

bustling crossroads for daily downtown life

A contemporary hallmark of any big city these days is a large indoor (or at least covered) hybrid marketplace food hall that resides in the footprint of an historic market and now functions as a crossroads for tourists and locals to pop in and out of spontaneously, grabbing a bite, seeking shelter from the elements (warmth in the winter, air conditioning in the humid summer), and of course if we’re being honest, borrowing the restroom. Essex Market is one of several of these types of third spaces in Manhattan, but it stands out as one of the better ones, anchoring the crowded and vibrant Lower East Side neighborhood on a bustling intersection of Essex and Delancey right off the Williamsburg Bridge. 

Essex Market stands as testament to the history and immigrant heritage of lower Manhattan. With roots tracing back to the 1880s when it was little more than peddlers and push carts gathered on Essex Street, the indoor market has been a fixture of the neighborhood since the 1940s. Over the decades it’s evolved with the community and economy, falling into disarray in the 90s before being revitalized in at a new address across the street in 2019. Over the past few years, the current iteration of the market has found its footing and once again become a central part of the rhythm of the neighborhood, a public hub for shopping, eating and community events and home to local businesses and quick serve outposts of beloved culinary institutions. 

The ground floor is filled with vendors and grocers, as well as bakeries and some specialty and prepared food stalls, offering a blend of international culinary ingredients, fresh produce and artisanal goods in its aisles. The lower level, The Market Line, operates as a bit more of a food hall, with some shops and food counters serving up some of New York’s popular bites, and plenty of open seating. Along the perimeter of the market are some standalone casual restaurants and bars for a slightly more formalized meal experience. Today’s Essex Market is more than a market, but a cultural third space that captures the changing landscape of the city around it and invites people to step in from the street even if only for a moment, for a noncommittal break before diving back into the city. 

the details

Address88 Essex St, New York
Websitehttps://www.essexmarket.nyc/ https://www.marketline.nyc/
Yelphttps://www.yelp.com/biz/essex-market-new-york-2
Instagram@essexmarket @themarketline
Hours8am – 8pm Monday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm Sunday
Price$-$$, free to enter of course, most vendors are pretty accessibly priced 
Aestheticcontemporary market stalls in an vibrant modern space

good to know

Go here for: a midday pause, a quick grab and go bite, a solo lunch, to kill time when you’re waiting for a friend or a reservation

Don’t miss: they often host pop ups, events and community activities for local organizations, listed on their site and socials

Amount of time to spend: 5 minutes or a couple hours, depending on what you’re up to

When to come: any time you are in the neighborhood and need a place to hang for a moment

Getting here: right by the Delancey St/Essex St station (F, J, M, Z lines)

Other things to note: The market is open every day, but individual vendor hours are not all consistent, so be sure to check if you’re looking for something specific.

Last visited: May 2023

Last updated: June 2023

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