Chelsea Market travel guide

If you’re a foodie, them you simply cannot afford to miss out on a trip to Chelsea Market if you’re in New York City. One of New York’s best places to try new foods, Chelsea Market is packed with independent stalls and family-run restaurants that focus on flavour and quality.

About Chelsea Market

Since 1997, Chelsea Market has served as a hybrid urban public square/high-end food court in the former National Biscuit Company building in New York City. Chelsea Market is where the humble Oreo biscuit was invented! Chelsea Market is now home to world-famous shops like Posman Books and Bowery Kitchen Supply, as well as restaurants and food vendors like the incredible Amy's Bread, One Lucky Duck, Jacques Torres Chocolates and Buddakan.

Markets have thrived in the district since the 1840s despite the fact that it was initially a residential area. In the 1820s, people fled epidemics in Manhattan's central business district and settled in the Meatpacking District's tenements. In 1900, there were 250 slaughterhouses and packing companies in the area and by the 1930s, they had produced the third-largest amount of dressed meats in the country. There are still five meatpacking plants in the neighbourhood.

Chelsea market opening hours

Chelsea Market is open from 8am daily and closes around 9pm. However, many of the restaurants located in or near Chelsea Market have their own entrances and come to life just as the market itself is closing.

Where is Chelsea Market?

Chelsea Market is located in the Meatpacking District. The closest subway station is 14 St / 8 Av, around a four minute walk from Chelsea Market. The street address is 75 Ninth Ave but ask your taxi driver or Uber to take you to Chelsea Market and they’ll know exactly where to go.

Chelsea Market stores

Chelsea Market has no shortage of amazing stalls and shops selling everything from spices to kitchen utensils. Get stuck in and pick up some souvenirs but don’t forget to arrive hungry.

For some people, baked products are reason enough to visit Chelsea Market and they will not be disappointed. On either end of the lengthy central aisle, you can find two original bakeries where you can sample specialty breads like semolina-fennel-raisin or award winning biscuits and jams.

Berlin Currywurst has German sausages, Los Tacos No. 1 has some of the best tacos in the city and Dizengoff is a hummus stand dedicated to all things mushed-up chickpeas. Our pick, however, is the Lobster Place Chelsea Market – the flavours here are truly incredible. Sit-down, full-service restaurants are also readily available if you want a more relaxed experience. Because of the variety of cuisines available in Chelsea Market, it's well worth going back more than once!

Chelsea Market tours

One of the best ways to experience everything Chelsea Market has to offer is with a guided Chelsea Market food tour. Here, a local expert will guide you through the market, providing plenty of insights and places to stop off and try foods and snacks. Many tours also include the nearby High Line, another one of the best things to do in Chelsea, New York.

More things to do nearby

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building was the tallest structure in the world from 1931 to 1977. Its Art Deco spire is illuminated at night and decorated with seasonal and commemorative lighting and colours throughout the year. Take an elevator up to either the 86th or 102nd story of this famous building, and after taking in the mosaics in the Art Deco lobby, prepare to be awed by the panoramic vistas that stretch out in every direction.

Soho

SoHo, a district in Manhattan's Lower West Side, is famous for its many cool boutiques, galleries, and eateries. Even though it's more calmer than Times Square, SoHo can nevertheless get crowded with visitors and shopaholics. Take a stroll around the historic streets, shop at high-end department stores and quaint boutiques, and explore the city's numerous art galleries.

Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building, completed in 1902, has been a New York symbol ever since it first appeared on the city's skyline. The building, which is a National Historic Landmark thanks to the efforts of architect Daniel Burnham, was given its unusually thin, triangular name. The public cannot access it at this time.