We hear you’re on the hunt for a new wardrobe, vintage books, a glass bird figurine, and the world’s tastiest pupusa. To help we’ve compiled a list of our favorite markets and fleas, but remember, the real fun starts when you start digging. On your market, get set, go.
The Williamsburg warehouse filled with fledgling artists, indie designers, vintage collectors, and crafters has a thrift store vibe. We usually stop in on the way to or from Smorgasburg for trinkets.
Artists & Fleas, 70 North 7th Street, between Wythe and Kent Avenues, Williamsburg (artistsandfleas.com).
Amateur and multistarred chefs alike flock to the west and north sides of Union Square for Hudson River Valley- and Long Island-grown fruits and vegetables, as well as artisanal cheeses, jams, bread, pickles, ciders, and syrups.
Union Square Greenmarket, 33 East 17th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South (grownyc.org).
A weekend ritual you (and every other person who’s at least 20 percent hipster) simply call “the flea.” Our route takes us past the sample jars at Brooklyn Salsa Co., around the corner to Liddabit Sweets, out to the fences for vintage furs and dresses, then back in for a pupusa. In Fort Greene on Saturdays and in Williamsburg on Sundays.
Brooklyn Flea, 176 Lafayette Avenue, between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenues, Fort Greene; 27 North 6th Street, at Kent Avenue, Williamsburg (brooklynflea.com).
Founded by DailyCandy’s own SuChin Pak, the Lower East Side fair packs a big punch in a small space. Look for Luke’s Lobster rolls, Little Muenster grilled cheese, Wink & Flip baubles, and handmade stuffed animals by Hazel Village Toys.
Hester Street Fair, Hester Street, at Essex Street (hesterstreetfair.com).
From the team behind Brooklyn Flea, the Saturday eating fest on the water captures (and perhaps is partially to blame for) Brooklyn’s artisanal food zeitgeist. Go hungry and with a plan.
Smorgasburg, 27 North 6th Street, at Kent Avenue, Williamsburg (brooklynflea.com/smorgasburg).
A once-barren construction site is now home to a community garden plus year-round indie retailers, vintage shops, and restaurants housed in salvaged shipping containers. We’re keen on Cuzin’s Duzin doughnuts, Filipino dishes from Maharlika, YakBlak’s retro shades, bike accessories from Eleanor’s, and the regular rotation of nighttime events.
Dekalb Market, Albee Square, at Willoughby Street, Downtown Brooklyn (212-529-9262 or dekalbmarket.com).
Two floors of a parking garage in Chelsea become a decorator’s paradise every weekend. Go for the furniture, but don’t fight the urge to browse knickknacks, framed paintings with character, forgotten rhinestone costume jewelry, and retro objets d’art.
The Antiques Garage, 112 West 25th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues (hellskitchenfleamarket.com).
New York’s most famous Italian-American restaurateurs (Mario Batali, Joe and Lidia Bastianich) team up with Turin’s slow food marketplace founder for a sprawling foodie complex filled with the best Italian ingredients and local, seasonal produce. Make your way around the marketplace, grocer, wine shop, coffee bar, steakhouse, crudo bar, gelateria, bakery, cooking school, pizzeria, and rooftop beer garden.
Eataly, 200 Fifth Avenue, between 23rd and 24th Streets (eatalyny.com).
Mix one half home goods with one half vintage clothing; add a few food trucks to curb shoppers’ hunger. We go for small furniture, cowboy boots, and Tibetan textiles. If you’ve just moved into a new apartment, we’d suggest a visit before the inevitable Craigslist troll.
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, West 39th Street, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues (hellskitchenfleamarket.com).
An underground gourmet shopping mecca for dinner hosts and High Line picnic planners. Carbo-load with freshly baked bread and pastries from Fat Witch, Sarabeth’s, and Eleni’s; scoop up sandwiches, shakes, and yogurt smoothies at Ronnybrook Milk Bar; or feel guilt-free with vegan treats from One Lucky Duck. There’s even an Anthropologie if you’re feeling too indie.
Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue, between 15th and 16th Streets (chelseamarket.com).
At the former Fulton Fish Market in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, shop for fresh produce, breads, meats, dairy, and locally made foodstuffs from Orwasher’s Bakery, Kings County Jerky, Saxelby Cheesemongers, Brooklyn Cured, and Flying Fox Fruiterer. The lower Manhattan market is also the Sunday home to Morris Grilled Cheese, of which we remain big fans.
New Amsterdam Market, South Street, between Beekman Street and Peck Slip (newamsterdammarket.org).
What started as family-manned grills to feed hungry soccer spectators at the Red Hook Ball Fields in the ’70s is now an NYC summertime institution. Foodie or not, the trek is worth the trouble: Latin American street food doesn’t get any better than this.
Red Hook Food Vendors, Bay Street, at Clinton Street, Red Hook (redhookfoodvendors.com).
You won’t find any artisanal cupcakes or Brooklyn-made bitters (well …) at the most famous market on our list; however, the national landmark is worth scoping out at least once.
New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, between Nassau Street and Broadway.
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