Baltimore has six indoor food markets all of them at least 100
years old. What you find at one market, you will no doubt find at
another; perhaps with an exception of the larger Lexington Market
which might offer a bit more. All the markets accommodate visitors
with take-out or dine-in, and have vendors selling fresh seafood,
meats, poultry, baked goods, produce, deli, and more. The two most
famous are Lexington Market and Broadway Market (see
below for details), others include: Belair Market on Gay
and Fayette Sts., Cross St. Market on Light and Cross Sts.,
Hollins Market on Hollins and Arlington Sts., Northeast
Market on Monument and Chester Sts..
Broadway Market
Broadway and Thames Streets (Fell’s Point)
Located in the heart of Fell’s Point, this quaint indoor
marketplace consists of two separate structures and is the center
median of the 600 and 700 blocks of Broadway Street. The square
was laid as a marketplace in 1776 and is the only market still
functioning on its original site. Although it’s smaller and
offers less than Lexington Market, the surrounding neighborhood is
much more pleasant both visually and socially. One important point
though: being the largest and generally the most accommodating
structures in town, you might think that the markets would have
restrooms open to the public. Well, think again. However, there is
a public facility located on Aliceanna Street on the western side
of the marketplace. Getting to Broadway Market from the Inner
Harbor is an easy eastward drive down Pratt Street, which takes
you directly to Broadway Street (the market is South). But a
better ride would be to take a water taxi from the Inner Harbor to
Fell’s Point, as it drops you off right at the southern end of
Market Square.
Lexington Market
400 W. Lexington and Eutaw
Streets
410-685-6169
The oldest in the country and biggest in Baltimore, this indoor
market was founded in 1782 and is comprised of two separate
buildings that together hold more than 130 vendors who sell fresh
meat, produce, seafood, baked goods, delicatessen, poultry,
salads, and more. Vendors and therefore food choices come from a
large variety of ethnic backgrounds. Yet, aside from this worldly
variety, this place is not the best place to go grocery
shopping or get a quick bite to eat. Although the market is fairly
crowded most of the time, it’s a good idea to keep an unusually
close check on your wallets and purses in this neighborhood.
Driving your own vehicle is in your best interest as the market is
connected to an area parking garage.