By Regina Kaza
No one can really remember how it all began. Food halls are a trend that sparked just over eight years ago when venues like the Plaza Hotel in New York City began converting its basements and 40,000 sq. ft warehouses into homes for speciality food vendors that quickly became wildly popular cultural destinations.
So popular that as this foodie trend sweeps the country, real estate firm, Cushman & Wakefield, predicts there to be 180 food halls by the end of 2018 and a total of 300 nationwide by 2020. And it makes sense, right? Vendors can take advantage of more affordable retail space in major cities along with both visitor and local foot traffic. And of course Brooklyn is no stranger to this phenomenon. The New York City borough is home to Smorgasburg, a weekly open-air market featuring some of New York's trendiest vendors and now a permanent space of local restaurants in downtown Brooklyn, Dekalb Market.
Visiting this market is like taking a food tour of New York's best foodie spots without leaving the building. Dekalb Market is home to local legends like Katz's Deli, Ample Hills Creamery and more. The space showcases 40 vendors serving everything from paella to pierogies along with cocktails and live entertainment. Visitors can try bites from various cultures and neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn. Some of our favorites include Cuzin's Duzin deep fried donuts and Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie dipped cake pops — yum!
HOURS:
Monday – Sunday 7am – 10pm
DEKALB MARKET HALL
445 ALBEE SQUARE WEST
BROOKLYN, NY 11201