Readers' Choice Awards Best Food Halls of 2026

Over the last decade, urban food halls have become some of the most interesting places to eat in America, showcasing the history and food culture of the surrounding region—local chefs and longtime market vendors sharing space with buzzy new concepts under one roof. To celebrate them, Reviewed's food and travel experts selected 16 of the best food halls coast to coast—and then we asked you to vote. The ballots are counted, and these are the 10 readers picked as this year's Readers' Choice Award winners, ranked from first place on down.

Winner: Mother Road Market

Tulsa, Oklahoma

You can find flavors from nearly every continent right on historic Route 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, thanks to Mother Road Market. This nonprofit food hall was built expressly to help local food entrepreneurs get off the ground. As a result, consumers can dig into bibimbap, jollof couscous, calabresa pastel, and more.

What sets it apart, our reviewers noted, is its mission: through the on-site Kitchen 66 incubator, the market gives cooks access to commercial kitchen space, business coaching, and rent assistance to grow their concepts into standalone restaurants. That returns the food hall to its original purpose as a launchpad for local talent.

Readers returned again and again to the same handful of details: rotating pop-up vendors that change the lineup week to week, retail shops that go beyond the usual food-hall merch, a bar worth sitting at, vegan options, and hours that run from early breakfast through dinner and cocktails. Many framed the Route 66 address as part of the appeal—a stop for cross-country travelers and locals alike—and plenty simply praised the staff.

Runner-up: Ponce City Market

Atlanta, Georgia

Ponce City Market is one of the more multiuse destinations on this list, which makes sense when you hear it's housed in the beautifully restored former Sears, Roebuck building, one of the largest brick structures in the Southeast. The food hall portion features an excellent roster of Atlanta chef-driven spots, including a brewery, a winery, and several sweet stops. Shopping is also a key focus, with major retailers like Anthropologie and Marine Layer mixing with local boutiques. It all sits with direct access to the Atlanta BeltLine's trails and parks, so a meal here can easily extend into a walk or bike ride.

Since reopening in 2014, the market's Central Food Hall has drawn acclaimed chefs and inventive concepts to a soaring, light-filled space that our reviewers singled out for its striking setting. The adaptive reuse of the historic building is a big part of the draw, turning a piece of Atlanta's industrial past into a modern gathering place that our panel considered a natural top pick.

Readers point to the rooftop—and its games—as a draw in its own right, along with the depth of international options and ample seating, which makes the market as workable for a group dinner as for a fast-casual lunch.

#3: Assembly Food Hall

Nashville, Tennessee

Just a few country two-steps from Broadway, right near the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, Assembly Food Hall spreads across 100,000 square feet and multiple levels, and it features Music City's largest rooftop patio and live music venue.

This happening food hall also accommodates roughly 30 eateries and bars, including Prince's Hot Chicken, for anyone looking for the best of Nashville's signature poultry dish.

Our experts called it the quintessential Nashville food hall, a place packed with locals and tourists where the soundtrack of live music and sprawling views are as much the draw as the food. Between the rooftop hangout space, the range of local and national concepts, and the near-constant entertainment, vibes here are high.

Readers single out the Dolly-inspired butterfly bar and the pop-ups that land most weeks, often timed to a food holiday. They also credit the practical stuff: indoor, outdoor, and rooftop seating, accessibility for guests with disabilities, and staff who greet people on the way in. Several said they stop by after work, and that it doubles as a place to get work done.

#4: 3rd St. Market Hall

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Since opening in 2022 inside a former downtown department store on West Wisconsin Avenue, 3rd St. Market Hall has quickly become one of Milwaukee's liveliest gathering places. The 40,000-square-foot space pairs roughly 20 chef-driven vendors with a full craft cocktail bar, plus Topgolf Swing Suites and a Nintendo gaming lounge in case you want to hang after digging into Cambodian sandwiches, Venezuelan arepas, Mediterranean gyros, and Mexican tacos.

In fact, it's that blend of dining and entertainment that our panel pointed to as one reason 3rd St. Market Hall earns a spot on our list. Add in a steady calendar of happy hours and live programming, and this place captures what our experts describe as the next generation of food halls.

Readers describe the hall as family-friendly and constantly evolving, with a new candy shop among recent additions and a beer list that has earned its own mentions. The service and the downtown location came up repeatedly, as did the "eat-ertainment" angle.

#5: Legacy Hall

Plano, TX

The eponymous Legacy Hall packs more than 20 food and beverage stalls into a three-story building in the Legacy West area of Plano, Texas. The offerings run from Texas barbecue to shawarma and Mexico City–style tacos. A hybrid wine bar lets guests sample by the pour before buying a bottle, and an outdoor concert and event venue keeps patrons entertained.

Our panel described it as a DFW destination where something is always happening—live music, a beer garden, big screens for games, and a steady stream of events—set amid shopping and near some of the region's biggest sports venues. With that many concepts spanning the familiar and the unexpected, experts noted there's something here for every appetite.

Readers point to the Box Garden, where concerts and game-day watch parties draw crowds of their own, and to the ramen. Voters also described the hall as clean and welcoming, with enough programming on the calendar that there's usually a reason to go.

#6: High Street Place

Boston, Massachusetts

Downtown and Financial District workers will tell you that High Street Place is a newer addition to Boston's food hall roster. It opened in 2022 with a lineup of about 20 food and beverage vendors curated by the city's culinary heavyweights. The mix runs from sushi, Indian street food, and bagels to breakfast sandwiches, fried chicken, and an award-winning champagne bar, anchored in part by concepts from local chef and Food Network fixture Tiffani Faison.

Our experts adore the polished, comfortably designed seating area that often hosts small public events, such as trivia or live music. Its location near South Station makes it easy to access.

Readers credit the design, the diversity of vendors, and the team behind them, as well as the music and how clean the room stays.

#7: Denver Central Market

Denver, Colorado

You'll find butchers, bakers, and a chocolate maker (but nary a candlestick), lined up next to a fresh fish market and a local coffee roaster, all curating the diverse aromas at Denver Central Market, which anchors the Rocky Mountain city's RiNo Art District on Larimer Street.

Inside its roughly 11 stalls, wood-fired pizza shares space with ice cream and cocktails—a spread that leans as much toward provisioning as it does toward prepared meals.

Our reviewers described it as a trendy neighborhood gem that is an early example of the current wave of American food halls. They also singled out its mix of specialty grocers and sit-down options as what makes it worth a visit. Open daily from morning through evening, it works equally well for a quick coffee, a market run, or a full meal with a drink in hand.

Readers call it a Denver staple and the heartbeat of RiNo, naming Crema's coffee and Green Seed's salads among their standbys. It's been a fixture since 2016, and several voters said it's their standing recommendation for out-of-town visitors—partly for the street art that surrounds the block.

#8: Mercado Little Spain

New York, New York

First with his restaurants (notably Jaleo and Minibar) and now with a 35,000-square-foot food hall Mercado Little Spain in Manhattan's Hudson Yards, Michelin-starred chef José Andrés continues to champion Spanish food and culture, alongside fellow chefs Ferran and Albert Adrià. Opened in 2020, Mercado Little Spain combines full-service restaurants with more than a dozen food and retail kiosks and a pair of bars, serving everything from paella and jamón to Spanish wines and pastries.

Our panel appreciated both the depth of the Spanish focus—a rarity among American food halls—and Andrés' broader work, including his founding of the humanitarian nonprofit World Central Kitchen. The result is a hall that feels less like a food court and more like an immersive market transplanted from Spain. For diners curious about regional Spanish cooking, our reviewers considered it a singular destination.

Readers agree, describing it as the closest thing to Spain stateside and praising the service, ambiance, and food.

#9: Liberty Public Market

San Diego, California

Set inside the restored 1923 naval buildings of Point Loma's Liberty Station, Liberty Public Market opened in 2016 as San Diego's first seven-day-a-week public market—but as the original Naval Training Station's mess hall and commissary, the building's history has been tied to food from the first.

Today, the 25,000-square-foot space gathers more than 30 local restaurants, artisan vendors, and specialty producers, with options ranging from French pastries and ramen to empanadas, fresh seafood, and produce.

Our team highlighted its focus on Southern California flavors and local makers, along with a relaxed atmosphere that encourages visitors to wander and linger, whether from stall to stall in the airy interior or through the market's outdoor patio and gardens. The former military setting gives the hall a distinctive character, and the daily hours make it as suited to a morning coffee or market errand as to a leisurely lunch.

Readers point to the range of options and the clean, current feel of the space—and, not incidentally, to the parking.

#10: Monarch Market

Charlotte, North Carolina

Uptown Charlotte's Tryon Street is lined with steakhouses, fast-casual spots, and other restaurants, but amidst the bunch, Monarch Market gathers a curated blend of 11 locally owned and nationally recognized vendors serving Korean, Japanese, Lebanese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, and American fare, alongside three cocktail bars.

We flagged it as an especially good fit for groups with differing tastes, since the range of cuisines means everyone can find something they want without leaving the room. Its central location makes it convenient and walkable for workers, visitors, and event-goers.

Our Experts

BethEllen Clausen

Clausen is a freelance writer with a heavy emphasis on art and culture. She is a member of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association and the LA Wine Writers, and she writes for Food, Wine and Travel Magazine, the Napa Valley Wine Academy, and Costco Connection. You can read more about Clausen's experiences at her website, Organic Wine Travel.

Lisa Waterman Gray

Lisa Waterman Gray has written national and international stories on must-do travel, must-taste food and beverages, and eco-friendly destinations that engage and delight readers. Her print and online stories have appeared in DreamScapes Travel and Lifestyle Magazine, USA Today/10Best, Fodor's, AAA, Wander With Wonder, Foodie Travel USA, and several state tourism magazines and websites. Find more about her work on her website.

Sharon Kurtz

Sharon Kurtz is an award-winning travel writer and photographer specializing in destinations, hotels, cruises, and cultural experiences for readers. Her firsthand reporting has appeared in JourneyWoman, SheBuysTravel, World Footprints, FYI50+, The Compass, and TripAdvisor. Based in Austin, Texas, Kurtz is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

Susan Lanier-Graham

Lanier-Graham is an award-winning food, wine, and travel writer with more than three decades of experience exploring destinations around the world. She has visited luxury resorts, boutique properties, and hidden gems across six continents, bringing a discerning eye to every stay. As publisher of Wander With Wonder, she leads an award-winning digital publication that inspires readers to discover exceptional travel experiences. Her work blends firsthand insight with a passion for storytelling, offering trusted recommendations on where to stay, dine, and explore. Susan’s expertise helps travelers confidently choose destinations that transform trips into unforgettable, experience-rich journeys.

Nancy Monson

Monson is a writer, artist, and teacher who frequently writes about travel, wellness, spas, and creativity. Her articles have appeared in over 30 national magazines and websites, including AARP, Glamour, Saturdayeveningpost.com, USA Today, Woman’s Day, and Women’s Health. She is also the author of Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting, and Other Pastimes, which explores how creative hobbies improve mental health. Connect with her at @NancyMonson and see her work at Nancy Monson Art.

Dena Roché

A travel and wine journalist and member of the prestigious Circle of Wine Writers, Dena Roché's publishing credits include Food & Wine, Full Pour, the BBC, and more. When she’s not exploring exciting destinations and wine regions, you can find her hosting private and corporate wine experiences in Scottsdale through her company Vin Roché.

Penny Sadler

Penny Sadler is a freelance writer residing in the Lone Star State. Her glass is always full, preferably of something white and bubbly. She writes for Timeout, Texas Lifestyle Magazine, Matador Network, Inside Hook, Cheese Professor, and other outlets. Read more from Penny on her website, Adventures of a Carryon.

Elaine Warner

Society of American Travel Writers member Elaine Warner has been writing travel stories for more than 30 years, most recently regular columns for Edmond Life and Leisure and the Norman Transcript. She also contributes to Endless Weekend Getaways e-zine. Warner has written a guidebook to Tulsa and More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Missouri Women, Biographies of 13 Outstanding Women From the Show Me State.

Reviewed Editors & Experts

Reviewed editors and experts have hard-earned insight from a broad range of backgrounds, and our nomination panel includes independent researchers, subject matter experts, and editorial team members. We provide unbiased, experiential editorial coverage on products, brands, and companies across the U.S.