10 Must-Visit Indoor Food Markets in Pennsylvania

From Bucks County to Crawford County, Pennsylvania has no shortage of indoor food markets that you can visit throughout the year for local groceries, a delicious lunch, or the simple joy of milling about a market.

As summer winds down, it’s the perfect time to visit nearby food markets and stock up on seasonal veggies like tomatoes and zucchini. But even when it gets colder in Pennsylvania, you can keep frequenting indoor food markets, which have been popular in the state for more than a century. Here are ten indoor food markets across Pennsylvania that you can visit throughout the year for some local groceries, a delicious lunch, or the simple joy of milling about a market.

Broad Street Market, Harrisburg

Many of the markets on this list have been continuously operating for decades, but the oldest in the entire country is Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. The state capital’s market first opened in 1860, so it predates the Civil War. (And indeed, in its early years, the market helped sustain Union troops stationed nearby.) Nowadays, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Pennsylvanians visit the more than 40 vendors at the Broad Street Market to pick up delights like craft coffee, Jamaican cuisine, or gourmet donuts. 

Lancaster Central Market

The Lancaster Central Market dates back to 1730, when farmers began selling their crops on a small plot of land, earning the market the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the country. The market expanded over the years until a market house was built in 1889, a structure that still stands today and houses the indoor market. Specialty vendors abound at this market, including those offering Amish goods. Lancaster is, after all, the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. Find this market open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia

Reading Terminal Market is widely recognized as one of the best indoor markets in the country, and for good reason. Located at the site of an old train terminal, the vast public market that opened in 1893 has dozens of vendors peddling a wide variety of goods, including groceries from all over the world, wine and beer, prepared food like crepes or sushi, flowers, gifts, and much more. Some of these vendors (or at least, the original vendors’ descendants) have been feeding Philadelphians for more than a century. Today, Reading Terminal Market is considered a major Philadelphia tourist attraction, right alongside the Liberty Bell, and you can visit daily.

Central Market, York

York’s Central Market is located in the downtown area of the city, and is a destination for fresh groceries as well as quality prepared foods and unique gifts. Like many Pennsylvania markets, this one is historic. The beautiful, two-story red building was built in 1888. Grab your lunch — perhaps a gyro or vegan tacos — and relax at one of the dining tables, or just grab a drink and wander the aisles. Most vendors are open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Meadville Market House

In case you thought all the state’s indoor markets were located in Southeastern Pennsylvania, you should know about the Meadville Market House. The small city of Meadville is located in the northwestern part of the state, just 45 minutes south of Erie. Built in 1870, Meadville’s market has been operating out of the same structure for more than 150 years. Inside the historic building, you’ll find farmers selling produce, dairy, and meats alongside vendors — including an artist-in-residence — selling crafts, coffees, baked goods, and more. And between May and October, there is also an outdoor Saturday farmers market. The Meadville Market House is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Allentown Farmers Market

Allentown, the third-most populous city in the state, is home to the large, indoor Allentown Farmers Market, where you can stock up on specialty foodstuffs and other fun products. Produce, candy, gifts, spirits, international food, Amish food, and even gourmet dog treats: you can find all this and more at Allentown’s massive market. Walking by the various merchants, you will certainly notice foods reflecting Pennsylvania German heritage, like shoofly pie and apple butter. Note that the Allentown Farmers Market is on the site of the Allentown Fairgrounds, meaning that the market closes for a couple weeks each summer during the Great Allentown Fair. Otherwise, the market is open year-round on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The Markets at Hanover

Hanover, just north of the Mason-Dixon Line, is home to a small, growing indoor market with several shops, vendors, and food stands. At The Markets at Hanover, you can explore a number of international cuisines, including Korean, Chilean, and Argentinian, shop for art or gifts, or simply make a grocery run. The market is regularly open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but each merchant is independent, so be sure to check an individual shop’s own hours before heading over to Hanover.

Easton Public Market

Founded in 2016, the relatively young Easton Public Market is part food hall, part farmers market. That combination allows each visitor to try quality, local cuisine while shopping for unique home goods and groceries. The result is a modern space where you can revel in your inner foodie. While the market may be small—there are a little more than a dozen vendors—each is varied enough that you’ll have a different experience each time you visit. 

Bristol Amish Market

Bristol Amish Market is just across the Delaware River from New Jersey, meaning that you’ll be competing with out-of-staters for the goods when you visit this market. Bristol is more than an hour’s drive from Lancaster — where the largest Amish community in the country lives — but the Bristol Amish Market gives shoppers a chance to pick up Amish-made wares like furniture and crafts as well as homemade Amish delicacies such as soft pretzels, donuts, and fresh cheese. The market is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Farmers’ Market Cooperative of East Liberty, Pittsburgh

Though one of the smaller markets on our list, the Farmers’ Market Cooperative of East Liberty is the oldest operating indoor market in the southwestern part of the state. For the past 81 years, this cooperative — the market is owned by the farmers — has provided produce, meats, dairy, and other goods to the Pittsburgh community. Additional vendors sell homemade art and crafts, breads and pastries, prepared food, and more. You can visit the market year-round, but only on Saturdays from 5 a.m. to noon.