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[wakingdream]

Food! We all love it! There is something to be said about wandering through a food market with all the tantalizing, and sometimes not so tantalizing smells, sights and sounds (like food that is still alive!). Sometimes you see the craziest things! I often wish that there were more fresh food markets closer to my home ( minus the 'sleeping' squirrels!). Cooking with fresh ingredients bought daily sure beats rounding up the supplies at the grocery store, alot of things being canned, boxed or bottled.

25 of the World's Best Food Markets

Have a gander at the above link, describing 25 of the 'best' food markets in the world, but ofcourse, it is all a matter of opinion. I've been to 8 of the markets listed and have to say they were pretty awesome. Anyone else out there a Foodie? Perhaps you know of a food market worth a mention?

[whereshegoes]

WOW! What a great thread

That list makes me want to jump on a plane right now! I love markets not just for the food or crafts but just the general atmosphere.

I remember the market in Nairobi with all these amazing wares and carvings which were just dirt cheap.

[His Royal Monkeyness]

me like markets too. the list has many fancy 'frou frou' markets though. i like the down n' dirty markets. the ones where you really feel like your with the average person out shopping.

I remember the market in Nairobi with all these amazing wares and carvings which were just dirt cheap.

Was that the one just out in a dirt field in the middle of the city? They did have lots of trinkets there.

[whereshegoes]

Was that the one just out in a dirt field in the middle of the city? They did have lots of trinkets there.

Yup thats the one. They had so many crafts....did you see the hand carved chess boards and figures? So pretty.

[His Royal Monkeyness]

did you see the hand carved chess boards and figures? So pretty.

that's something i really, really wish i'd got in africa. just didn't have extra room in the bag for carrying stuff. we stopped at a place in kenya (or was it tanzania?) that had all kinds of things carved out of soapstone. lots of nice chess boards there. they had some with various animals for the pieces that were really cool.

if i make it back to africa, i'll pack an extra bag just for souvenirs. there were all kinds of cool hand-made things at low prices.

[ScottWoz]

Haven't had chance to look at the list yet, but one I'll never forget (though I've forgotten the name) is the huge indoor food market on Las Ramblas, Barcelona. They had to drag me away..

[wakingdream]

the list has many fancy 'frou frou' markets

Yeah, Food & Wine is a bit frou frou for sure but it's the only decent thing I could find on food markets, so it's prolly not the best for travellin' folks who have seen alot of cool markets alot of people wouldn't set foot in! I would rather hear about the smaller, more obscure markets by word of mouth b/c you know they are good. I was hoping to make our own list!

the huge indoor food market on Las Ramblas

That's on the list, and it's Mercat de la Boqueria. Love that place. I spent so much time in there. Bought so much fresh seafood, veggies, nuts, fruits (oh the fruit!!) and the proscuitto!! Holy cow! It was hard to tear me away too, so I just ended up going alone! First thing in the morning when they're setting up is cool.

[whereshegoes]

The market on Las Ramblas was one of my favorites too. It was so visually stunning with all its colors and the care in which they set up and displayed everything. Remember that whole booth of just candy! I think I gained 10 pounds just looking at it

[wakingdream]

everything. Remember that whole booth of just candy! I think I gained 10 pounds just looking at it

Oh yeahhhhhh, soo good!! I bought these cute truffle busts, mmmmmm!!

I bought those and 2 varieties (4 of each, 8 altogether )of these other, small, specialty chocolates and when she told me the price whoa... at least it was Christmas time so I could (sort of) justify it! The busts were tasty!!

[His Royal Monkeyness]

my favorite chocolates were some chocolate with baileys creme center from belgium. oooooh, so good.

my memory isn't as good as it once was and a lot of places blur together a bit, but i think i may have missed that market in barcelona. dang. don't let me write any guidebooks...

have you been to the christmas markets in england and germany? i like those. very festive.

[wakingdream]

I've heard of them. Steve mentioned them in another post. Is there a food part?

[kacampau]

Christmas Markets.... A lot of touristy junk to buy for too much money, but great glüewein and eating. Have you ever been to a medival Christmas market? There is a great on in Esslingen, close to Stuttgart. Crowded though.

I am surprised there isn't anything about the Turkish markets on the list. There is some great stuff there too.

[His Royal Monkeyness]

I am surprised there isn't anything about the Turkish markets on the list. There is some great stuff there too.

actually, my picture from post #3 is of a turkish market. i was disappointed with the grand bazaar though. it seemed more like a shopping mall than what i had pictured. i wanted strange sights, smells and utter chaos.

[exploreamerica]

Scott, yeah I loved the one on Las Ramblas.

There were two great ones in Israel.
One was in Jerusalem. They have four quarters, but I enjoyed going through the Arab quarter and seeing so many delicacies that I have never seen before. it definitely did not feel like I was in Kansas anymore.

Another one in Israel was in Tel Aviv. I forget the name, but anyone who had been to Tel Aviv surely knows which one I am talking about. Endless amounts of vendors with fish and fruit. And I love being able to buy beer there and walk through the markey with a bottle.

[exploreamerica]

How could I forget my own country. Philadelphia has so many cultural sections but the Italian market was unbelievable. I ate my way through it, but I didn't run in to Rocky.

[wakingdream]

I ate my way through it, but I didn't run in to Rocky

Isn't that b/c Rocky eats spinich out of a can like Popeye?

[exploreamerica]

Every time Rocky had his training montage he ran through that market in Philly.

[wakingdream]

The article is just a basis on which to start this discussion.

I'd be the first to admit that there are many more incredible markets out there. 25 is just a few compared to what's out there in the world and many small markets are more then worthy of a mention too. They don't all have to be grandiose. As I mentioned in my post, 'it's all a matter of opinion'. I was hoping that we would compile our own list.

Perhaps the article is distinguished by its omissions, so it's an even better reason to add to it! I have a feeling the markets mentioned in the article are ones who might recieve more press then others. Please feel free to add as many or few as you'd like!