The Best Food Markets In The World

If you really want to get to know a city, don't waste your time combing through restaurant reviews and hitting all the tourist attractions. Instead, head straight to the markets.

It's there, amid stalls of fruit hawkers and butcher counters, where you'll taste the true flavor of wherever you're traveling. You'll see how the locals shop and maybe meet a few along the way. And if you head to one of these 10 mazelike markets, you'll get to sample the best food the city has to offer.

Tsukiji Fish Market | Photo: Elizabeth Beard/Getty Images

It's no surprise Tokyo is home to the best and largest fish market in the world, Tsukiji Market. Getting up early (or maybe you never fall asleep, because jet lag) for the boisterous daily 5 a.m. tuna auction is a must at this sprawling wholesale fish market (but be mindful: Space for the public is limited). After the auction, sit down at one of the many sushi counters for breakfast surrounded by fishmongers and cooks picking up their daily fish supplies. You can also find produce, real wasabi and sashimi knives.

St. Lawrence Market | Photo: Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

Toronto is filled with immigrants from all over the world, and it shows when you stroll through the three buildings of St. Lawrence Market. There's the South Market, which has more than 120 vendors selling food like fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, baked goods and dairy; The North Market, which hosts the Saturday Farmer's Market, a tradition that began in 1803, and on Sundays brings in dozens of antiques dealers; and St. Lawrence Hall, which houses retail businesses on the ground floor. Try the Montreal-style bagels from St. Urbain, the pastel de nata (eggy Portuguese tarts) from Churrasco of St. Clair, pierogi from European Delight, and the veal sandwich from Uno Mustachio.

Tourists take photos at La Boqueria | Photo: QUIQUE GARCIA/AFP/Getty Images

Said to date back to the year 1217, Mercado de San José de la Boquería, known as La Boquería, has existed in Barcelona in some form or another since the Middle Ages and is undoubtedly one of Europe's best markets. With hundreds of stalls hawking Spanish dietary staples like offal, charcuterie, shiny olives, fresh seafood and fillets of salted cod, it's impossible not to find what you're craving—just follow the huge legs of jamón Ibérico dangling from the ceiling. Sprinkled throughout the market are intimate bars selling drinks, tapas and pintxos, the most famous being Bar Pinotxo by the entrance. But, really, you can't go wrong.

A local sells fresh baked goods at the Ferry Building and Plaza | Photo: Nat & Cody

San Francisco's Ferry Building originally opened in 1898 as a ferry station. Now it's home to dozens of merchants selling small-batch food items and an outdoor farmers' market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Sample cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery, pear ginger scones from Biscuit Bender, dark chocolate from Dandelion Chocolate and brown sugar fennel ice cream from Humphry Slocombe. And since you're in California, you know the produce is some of the best in the country; expect to see some of your favorite local chefs there on Saturday mornings.

Dried chilies on display at Mercado de la Merced | Photo: Loop Images/UIG via Getty Images

Mexico City is brimming with stall-filled markets inside large warehouses; each neighborhood has at least a few, focusing on everything from piñatas to pets to Santeria to, of course, food. The city's largest and most central is Mercado de la Merced, near the historic city center. It's overwhelming for sure (you may want to hire a guide), but once you start roaming the aisles and asking for samples, you'll be captivated by butchered meat hanging from the ceilings, rows of women seated on low stools trimming nopals (cactus paddles), bowls of fried insects, and mounds of mole and bright-red chiles. Snack on french fry-topped tacos, posole, quesadillas, candied fruits and freshly sliced mamey (tastes like a cross between an avocado and a papaya).