Shilin Night Market, a staple of Taipei's food scene for over 100 years, began near Shilin's Cicheng Temple and has grown into one of Taiwan's largest night markets. The main building of the Shilin Night Market features clothing, accessories, souvenir stores, and more than five hundred cafes, snack bars, and trays with a variety of Taiwanese street food. Must-try local delicacies include oyster omelets, stinky tofu, bubble tea, and the famous XXL Chicken Cutlet. While prices are generally fixed, light bargaining is acceptable for non-food items, and cash is preferred as most vendors don't accept cards. Seasonal events bring special food items during festivals like Chinese New Year. Insider tips include visiting the underground food court for sit-down meals and joining a guided food tour to sample the best street food offerings.

Shilin Night Market © Lifestyle Travel Photo / Shutterstock

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM daily (some stores open earlier)

• Best Time to Visit: Around 8:00 PM for the full lively atmosphere

• How to Get There: MRT to Jiantan station

Opened in the mid-19th century, St. Lawrence Market in Toronto is a beloved gastronomic hub where visitors can enjoy delicious food, cooking workshops, and themed dinners. The market offers high-quality goods like fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, cheeses, spices, and herbs. On Sundays, antiques are available for sale. The market comprises three buildings: South Market, North Market, and St. Lawrence Hall, with over 120 specialty vendors. Local favorites include the peameal bacon sandwich and Canadian cheeses, and fresh seafood from the East Coast. Visitors can try samples, explore international foods on the lower level, and attend year-round cooking classes and food festivals. Don't miss the Farmers' Market on Saturdays at the North Market.

St Lawrence Market © f11photo / Shutterstock

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: Tue-Thu 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sat 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sun Antique Market 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Best Time to Visit: Saturday morning for the full market experience

• How to Get There: Subway to King station, then a short walk

Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM (Tue-Sun), Closed Mondays

Best Time to Visit: Early morning for the freshest produce

How to Get There: Metro to Ledru-Rollin station

Pike Place Market, Seattle, USA

The Pike Place Market is located in the American city of Seattle, Washington. It is one of the oldest indoor markets in the country, founded in 1907. It played a crucial role in connecting local farmers with urban consumers during the Great Depression. The Pike Place Market covers an area of nine hectares, where books, jewelry, flowers, food, alcohol are sold, and snack bars, coffee shops, and restaurants are open. Watch for "Meet the Producer" signs to buy directly from local farmers. Pike Place Market is also a popular venue for street musicians, actors, and entertainers. But the main feature of the market is the fish vendors, who put on an entire show of tossing sea creatures over each other's counters. The market hosts various festivals throughout the year, including a Flower Festival in spring and Sunset Supper in summer

Established in 1878, the Queen Victoria Market is a historic landmark and the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. It has been central to Melbourne's fresh food and cultural scene for over 140 years. Queen Victoria Market covers two blocks and consists of more than 600 outlets. It offers local and imported products, clothing, shoes, souvenirs, and handmade goods. The market is a mix of historic sheds and modern halls, with local specialties such as Australian-made crafts, farm-fresh produce, and borek pastries from the Deli Hall. Prices often drop toward the end of the day, especially for perishables. Seasonal highlights include the Night Market, which features global street food and live entertainment on Wednesday evenings during summer and winter. Visitors can join free tours to explore the market’s rich history or discover sustainably produced foods in the organic section.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: Tue, Thu 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM; Fri 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sat 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM; Sun 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Best Time to Visit: Saturday mornings for the fullest market experience

• How to Get There: Free City Circle Tram to Elizabeth Street

The Toyosu Fish Market opened in 2018 and replaced the iconic Tsukiji Fish Market, the heart of Japan’s fish trade for over 80 years. Known as the world’s largest fish market, Toyosu features state-of-the-art facilities, with a focus on hygiene and sustainability. Highlights include the famous tuna auctions, ultra-fresh sashimi and sushi, and specialty dishes like kaisendon (seafood rice bowl). For the best experience, pre-register to view the tuna auction, and don't miss the rooftop garden with panoramic views of Tokyo Bay. Visitors can also take sushi-making classes and capture great photos from observation windows overlooking the auction floor.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: Tuna auctions from 5:30 AM - 6:30 AM; General market 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning for the tuna auction, avoiding Sundays and holidays

• How to Get There: Take the Yurikamome Line to Shijo-mae Station

Opened in 1888, Östermalms Saluhall is a historic food hall in Stockholm that showcases Swedish culinary traditions within a beautifully renovated Neo-Renaissance building. The market features high-end vendors offering premium local specialties, including Swedish cheeses, charcuterie, fresh seafood like salmon and herring, and traditional pastries. Shoppers can look for products with the "Svenskt Sigill" label to ensure quality.

Seasonal events celebrate Swedish holidays such as Midsummer and Christmas. Visitors can savor classic dishes like "husmanskost" at the market's restaurants or take a food-tasting tour to experience its offerings fully. The market also includes a temporary hall across the street, highlighting its vibrant history during renovations.

Opened in 1888, Östermalms Saluhall is a historic food hall in Stockholm that showcases Swedish culinary traditions within a beautifully renovated Neo-Renaissance building. The market features high-end vendors offering premium local specialties, including Swedish cheeses, charcuterie, fresh seafood like salmon and herring, and traditional pastries. Shoppers can look for products with the "Svenskt Sigill" label to ensure quality.

Seasonal events celebrate Swedish holidays such as Midsummer and Christmas. Visitors can savor classic dishes like "husmanskost" at the market's restaurants or take a food-tasting tour to experience its offerings fully. The market also includes a temporary hall across the street, highlighting its vibrant history during renovations.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Mon-Fri), 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Sat), 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Sun)

• Best Time to Visit: Late morning on weekdays to avoid crowds

• How to Get There: Metro to Östermalmstorg statio

Opened in the mid-19th century, St. Lawrence Market in Toronto is a beloved gastronomic hub where visitors can enjoy delicious food, cooking workshops, and themed dinners. The market offers high-quality goods like fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, cheeses, spices, and herbs. On Sundays, antiques are available for sale. The market comprises three buildings: South Market, North Market, and St. Lawrence Hall, with over 120 specialty vendors. Local favorites include the peameal bacon sandwich and Canadian cheeses, and fresh seafood from the East Coast. Visitors can try samples, explore international foods on the lower level, and attend year-round cooking classes and food festivals. Don't miss the Farmers' Market on Saturdays at the North Market.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: Tue-Thu 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sat 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sun Antique Market 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Best Time to Visit: Saturday morning for the full market experience

• How to Get There: Subway to King station, then a short walk

Chatuchak Market, established in 1942, has evolved from a small flea market into one of the world's largest weekend markets. Covering 35 acres, it boasts over 15,000 stalls selling everything from clothing and accessories to live animals. Visitors can enjoy Thai street food like moo ping (grilled pork skewers) and coconut ice cream, as well as handmade crafts from all regions of Thailand. Bargaining is common — start at 50-70% of the asking price. Be sure to bring cash, use the clock tower as a meeting point, and explore Section 7 for vintage treasures. Beyond shopping, you can take a Thai massage break at one of the market's massage parlors. Travel Tip: During the rainy season (June-October), bring an umbrella as some sections are uncovered.

Chatuchak Weekend Market © Vassamon Anansukkasem / Shutterstock

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Sat-Sun), Plant section is opened on Wednesdays and Thursdays

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning on Saturday to beat the heat and crowds

• How to Get There: BTS to Mo Chit station or MRT to Chatuchak Park station

Boquería is the main market of Barcelona and one of the most famous in the world. Its entrance is located on the pedestrian street La Rambla. The first mention of this place as a marketplace dates back to 1217. The opening of the covered part took place only in the middle of the XIX century. It's a gourmet paradise with stalls bursting with delicacies, local fruits, and vegetables. If you come here, you must buy Spanish Jamon, Mediterranean seafood, and fruit slices that are so convenient to eat on the go. The Mercado de La Boqueria has several bars where you can eat tapas and drink cold sangria. Visit Bar Pinotxo for a traditional Catalan breakfast and explore the offal section for a glimpse into traditional Catalan cuisine.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:30 PM (Mon-Sat), Closed Sundays

• Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning after the restaurant rush but before the tourist crowds

• Local Delicacies: Jamón ibérico, fresh seafood, especially percebes (goose barnacles), Catalan sausages and cheeses

• How to Get There: Metro to Liceu station

Chatuchak Market, established in 1942, has evolved from a small flea market into one of the world's largest weekend markets. Covering 35 acres, it boasts over 15,000 stalls selling everything from clothing and accessories to live animals. Visitors can enjoy Thai street food like moo ping (grilled pork skewers) and coconut ice cream, as well as handmade crafts from all regions of Thailand. Bargaining is common — start at 50-70% of the asking price. Be sure to bring cash, use the clock tower as a meeting point, and explore Section 7 for vintage treasures. Beyond shopping, you can take a Thai massage break at one of the market's massage parlors. Travel Tip: During the rainy season (June-October), bring an umbrella as some sections are uncovered.

The Grand Bazaar is the most important shopping place not only in Istanbul but also in Turkey. It consists of 66 streets and more than four thousand stores, all under one roof. Construction of the pavilions began in the middle of the XV century. After 450 years, the market underwent extensive reconstruction after a massive earthquake. The entrance to the Grand Bazaar is served by two dozen gates, which are the main landmarks not to get lost in this vast area. The assortment of goods is astonishingly diverse — from tableware, fabrics, jewelry to spices, cosmetics, and clothing.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday to Saturday

• Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings to avoid crowds

• How to Get There: Take the tram to Beyazıt, Üniversite, or Sirkeci stops

Opened in the mid-19th century, St. Lawrence Market in Toronto is a beloved gastronomic hub where visitors can enjoy delicious food, cooking workshops, and themed dinners. The market offers high-quality goods like fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, cheeses, spices, and herbs. On Sundays, antiques are available for sale. The market comprises three buildings: South Market, North Market, and St. Lawrence Hall, with over 120 specialty vendors. Local favorites include the peameal bacon sandwich and Canadian cheeses, and fresh seafood from the East Coast. Visitors can try samples, explore international foods on the lower level, and attend year-round cooking classes and food festivals. Don't miss the Farmers' Market on Saturdays at the North Market.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: Tue-Thu 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sat 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sun Antique Market 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Best Time to Visit: Saturday morning for the full market experience

• How to Get There: Subway to King station, then a short walk

The Pike Place Market is located in the American city of Seattle, Washington. It is one of the oldest indoor markets in the country, founded in 1907. It played a crucial role in connecting local farmers with urban consumers during the Great Depression. The Pike Place Market covers an area of nine hectares, where books, jewelry, flowers, food, alcohol are sold, and snack bars, coffee shops, and restaurants are open. Watch for "Meet the Producer" signs to buy directly from local farmers. Pike Place Market is also a popular venue for street musicians, actors, and entertainers. But the main feature of the market is the fish vendors, who put on an entire show of tossing sea creatures over each other's counters. The market hosts various festivals throughout the year, including a Flower Festival in spring and Sunset Supper in summer.

Boquería is the main market of Barcelona and one of the most famous in the world. Its entrance is located on the pedestrian street La Rambla. The first mention of this place as a marketplace dates back to 1217. The opening of the covered part took place only in the middle of the XIX century. It's a gourmet paradise with stalls bursting with delicacies, local fruits, and vegetables. If you come here, you must buy Spanish Jamon, Mediterranean seafood, and fruit slices that are so convenient to eat on the go. The Mercado de La Boqueria has several bars where you can eat tapas and drink cold sangria. Visit Bar Pinotxo for a traditional Catalan breakfast and explore the offal section for a glimpse into traditional Catalan cuisine.