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There’s so much to New York that captures a traveller’s curiosity that it is hard to list it all without making a grave omission. Often alluded to because of its record-breaking skyscrapers, its cosmopolitan culture, its world-class museums, its stunning landscapes and architecture as well as its vibrant dining and partying scene that features amongst the best in the world, New York City seems to have it all. But one of the most commonly neglected things that make New York City, well, New York City is its local markets where the true essence of the city can be found.
Here are top five markets in the New York City that a visitor must consider visiting:
Smorgasburg
If you are in Brooklyn, New York from April through October, consider spending a weekend exploring Smorgasburg market, a great place for sampling some of the popular New York fusion food, trendiest flavours and fanciest delicacies that the city has to offer. Visitors can taste treats such as bahn mi and kalby tacos, waffle sundaes, micro-brewed beers and the New York style hotdogs at one of the hundreds of vendor stalls in the market. The market is hosted in Williamsburg every Saturday and Prospect Park on Sundays.
Brooklyn Flea Market
Found on Saturdays in Fort Greene and on Sundays in DUMBO, the Brooklyn Flea Market is full of excellent shopping possibilities. A seasonal market open from April through October, the Brooklyn Flea Market boasts a great variety of vintage jewellery, design, antiques, furniture, collectibles, and food items. Additionally, visitors can have their pick from a plethora of locally produced craft and accessories including handbags, hats, clothing and more. As the music plays on various stalls, the entire shopping experience is rendered even more enjoyable.
Queens Night Market
If there’s a market to seep in the spirit of Queens, an ideal neighbourhood in New York to meet with the eclectic mix of the city’s residents, it is the Queens Night Market. More than 100 vendors line up in their colourful tents here to sell everything from crafts, food to art. Even if you don’t fancy buying anything, you are in for a great time here as the scheduled cultural performances have enough fodder for entertainment. Food lovers will have a time of their life savouring delicacies like Romanian chimney cakes, fried ice cream, Korean Pancakes, Chilean street food, Sri Lankan snacks, and Trinidadian shark sandwiches among others. After you are done exploring; find yourself a spot, grab some snacks, and set yourself for a memorable night under the stars as you enjoy the music and the performances.
Red Hook Food Vendors
If you are a fan of Latin American Food, Red Hook Food Vendors market is your best bet in New York. As Latin American food is commonly available in the city, what sets Red Hook Vendors apart from other eating joints is that it is only here that you will find Latin food in its most authentic form, mostly cooked by native families of the Latin origin. Mexican tacos, Peruvian ceviche, Salvadoran pupusas or Costa Rican gallo pinto with friend plantains – whatever your jam is, expect to find it here in the perfectly purist form.
Kalustyan’s
Not as much a market as a food store, Kalustyan’s is where you should go if Indian and Middle-eastern spices and flavours excite you. Located at the Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, Kalustyan’s is a great place to find Middle Eastern breads, Armenian delights, Indian chutneys, curry pastes, spices, pickles, hot sauces and an array of different flavoured tea. A family run business functional since 1944, Kalustyan’s also has a great selection of cookbooks and recipes that you can use to create some creative dishes yourself.