Essex Street Market, Chelsea Market, Smorgasburg — New York knows how to do food markets.
So this weekend, when I headed to Washington D.C. for my friend Kate’s bridal shower (you remember Kate!), I was happy to see how the city’s markets compared. And, ooh, I was impressed.
She and her husband-to-be, Darius, took me to Union Market and I thought it was too cute not to share. Here are some of the things I liked:
1 :: A lovely outdoor area, complete with a herb garden, neon-colored seating and ‘grass’.


2 :: Delicious egg and cheese biscuits from Red Apron Butchery (yes, despite the name, they catered to a veggie).


3 :: Never-ending pastry displays from Panorama Bakery:


4 :: Freshly farmed and baked produce everywhere you looked:


5 :: The creative sauerkraut and pickles from No.1 Sons. These Masala Cider Beets were my favorite.

6 :: This build-your-own cheese plate.

7 :: Lots and lots of pretty food…



8 :: …did I mention lots and lots of pretty food?



You can check out a full list of the vendors – who make everything and anything from empanadas and dosas to Korean BBQ and gelato – here.
As well as endless – and very trendy – stalls of snacks, there’s a restaurant in the market and a couple of bars, including one for oysters. It means that they have every event — from a casual breakfast to a fancier dinner — covered. I don’t think that variety is something we can say of any of the food markets here. I was impressed.




I just hope they get a few more chairs outside for the impending summer crowds. I’d definitely be here all the time if I lived in the city!
Thanks for the introduction — and for the great weekend — Kate and Darius!

For more info about the market, see their website here. It’s open between 11am and 8pm on Tuesday to Friday and between 8am and 8pm at weekends; it’s shut on Mondays.
This place looks fantastic! We are headed down to DC soon ourselves and will check this out!
Yeah, tons of choice, and lots of meat for a meat fiend like you!
What an amazing place, I wish it was nearer to my home!
I wish it were nearer mine, too!
Build your own cheese platter?! This is AMAZING!!! What a brilliant concept, and gorgeous market to enjoy it in 🙂
I know! So cute, I thought!
I miss DC a lot! I lived there for a couple of months back in 2006 and have visited pretty regularly every year up until about two years ago and I want to get back soon. When I do go back down, I will definitely make sure to pop into this market as I loooove markets, especially when they involve food 😀
Yeah, I did a lot of the touristy stuff in the city a few years ago, so I really enjoyed going back and seeing places that the locals like! This market was definitely a winner. Hopefully you get back soon!
Yum, that all looks amazing!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
It tasted amazing, too!
Love the vibrant colors of this place and those pastries me drooling all over my keyboard. I’m trying to cut back on sugar so I’m glad this place is in DC or I’d lose all will power and run across town, downtown, uptown, where ever for one of those delicious looking little tarts!
Omg, I know — I’m trying to cut back too, but the hardest thing is at 4pm when I’m at work thinking ‘which cookie/doughnut/macaron place can I blog about tonight?’ and then I realise that’s not allowed anymore. I blame this blog for my sweets addiction 😉