10 best international markets for food and drinks

deleciousfood | April 16, 2025 | Street Food | No Comments

Do you want to live the heart and soul of a culture? There is nowhere better than a local food market. These animated poles of sites, sounds and odors offer a deep sensory immersion in the culinary essence of a place. Whether rustic or refined, chaotic or calm, the world’s food emporiums offer a bonus of fresh seasonal products, regional specialties and signature dishes, all served with a tasty slice of local life.

Cut of history, the markets go back to ancient times, with bazaars from the Middle East and Greek Agoras. Today, they range from simple producer markets to crowds of street hawkers who deposit tempting creations. And the suppliers of mom and pop always reign supreme, as in past days.

There are thousands of markets around the world, and we have discovered the best for the third world prize for Tastemakers of Food & Wine. From high -end Bacquelona Boqueria to Taipei high energy Ningxia night market, this is where you can enjoy the best, whether basic staples or sublime local specialties. All are worth planning a trip.

Winner: Vucciria (Palermo, Italy)

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Although the oldest market in Palermo is not the animated food center of yesteryear, it has impatiently supported a new coat as a night cloud in the city. Of course, this tangle aged 700 years of street stands always has its required products, seafood and meat which represent the quintessence of Sicilian cuisine. A tumble of cheap household items makes Vucciria more like a flea market than a culinary bazaar. But once the sun sets, it comes to life like a bar and a catering hotspot. It was at this moment that Vucciria, which means “confusion” or “tank” in Sicilian, earns its name. A large part of the young Palermo pours into its labyrinth -shaped streets to eat, drink and dance all night.

La Boqueria (Barcelona, Spain)

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The oldest food market in Spain (a 1217 meat market worked in the same place) and the second largest in Barcelona, the Bocheria is a horn of abundance of high class. More than 200 traders exercise their delicious culinary goods in a place covered in the city center, on the famous La Rambla. Bring your appetite and enough euros to engage in breathtaking specialties of Catalonia and beyond: olives, nuts, fruits and cheeses compete with seafood, meats, candy and typical dishes (Garbanzos and blood sausages, anyone?). Eat your path through the market by sampling small tastings – do not miss the Jamón Ibérico – or do not stop in one of the famous tapas bars. You will have a party to remember.

Merced Market (Mexico)

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Talk about an embarrassment of wealth. Mexico City’s largest retail market covers 22 acres with a space for 5,525 merchants, not to mention the endless street sellers. Strengthen yourself to sail in this labyrinth of flavors and aromas housed in seven buildings. The Merced offers an attractive gastronomic visit to the country, from its rich moles, its tostadas with chipotle flavor and its blue corn questions (with oaxaca cheese, Of course), to his Huaraches, his Tacos Al Pastor and his French Fris have exceeded the Campechanos. The traditional ingredients are stacked sky: tomatiles, banana leaves, corn shells, nopales and a rainbow of peppers and corn. Do you feel adventurous? Try to Fried Maguey, crickets and locusts, or the hardened chicken intestines, a specialty of the market.

Ningxia Night Market (Taipei, Taiwan)

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Do not be fooled by its relatively small size. One of the oldest Taipei night markets, Ningxia is a high octane center of authentic Taiwanian street food in the center of the city. Dozens of food stands, with the highest concentration of Michelin recommendations in the city, the Ningxia Street line, which becomes reserved for pedestrians at night. It is at this moment that the crowds at the yell align classics, steamed dumplings and fried potato balls with pork pepper and stinking tofu, all washed with the famous Taiwan bubble tea. The prevailing superstar is the oyster omelet: fresh fried oysters with eggs, green vegetables and dough, then covered with a soft and tasty sauce. Just another example of the enticing event of the Taiwan food market.

Or Tor Kor Market (Bangkok, Thailand)

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Come love this temple of traditional Thai cuisine. In the open or Tho Kor’s open breakage pavilion, you can buy everything that goes in these exhilarating curry jars and steam noodle soups. Follow your nose to herbs and spices: turmeric, lemongrass, soft Thai basil, galangal, ginger, coriander and fiery red peppers. Discover the light crustaceans, the monticles of the vegetables and the fruits of Come-Hith, from the Malodious Durians to the tangy mangosteens. Better yet, pay your path through the prepared vertiginous dishes: Pad Thai and Pad Sataw, Satays accompanied by unleashed priks Nam of the head (Chile sauces and dips) and 10 types of sticky rice. Your taste buds will thank you.

Nishiki Market (Kyoto, Japan)

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Do you want an intensive course in Kyoto’s kitchen? This narrow shopping street of five houses of houses bordered by more than 100 stands. Many points of sale on the Nishiki market have been in the same families for generations and specialize in a type of food. Get a dictionary of culinary terms when you sail on this 400-year-old market, known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, which sells Kamo-ryori (duck specialties), Wagashi (Japanese candies) and all kinds of Tsukemono (Pickles). Do not miss the pillars of Kyoto like Yuba, the film was formed on the surface of heated soy milk; Tako Tamago,, A baby stake on board with a quail egg in his head; Mochi, a sweet sticky rice cake; Shime Saba, or Sushi mackerel; And the Kyoto cream omelet, Dashimaki Tamago.

Jean-Talon Market (Montreal, Canada)

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At the heart of Little Italy, Jean-Talon is the largest public market in Montreal and one of its oldest, dating from 1933. About 300 sellers, mainly farmers in the Montreal campaign, pedd their goods in one of the largest outdoor markets in North America. Family and European atmosphere, it stands out from its local products, its aromatic flowers and its range of traders, butchers and bakers to fishermen and grocers. Cafes restaurants serve local and international dishes, while specialized stores have cheeses, oils, smoked meats, pastries, maple flavor and other Quebec products. Fill a picnic basket for a summer afternoon in Mount Royal. Or stop in winter when the market remains open under large tents.

Surquillo market (Lima, Peru)

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Head to this animated domestic market to watch residents do its everyday shopping for products from all over the country: exotic fruits from the Amazon; peppers, potatoes and quinoa rich in Andes’ nutrients; And the coolest seafood on the Pacific coast. Thanks to the numerous microclimats of Peru, it has 3,500 varieties of potatoes, 300 types of corn and 55 different peppers, many in display live here. Just like the eyes are fruits such as Lucuma, Chirimoya, Aguaymanto and Camu Camu, with flavors as intense as their colors. Do not miss traditional dishes like Ají de Gallina, grated chicken in a cream with creamy yellow chili and the classic ceviche, native to Peru. Overquillo has everything.

The big bazaar (Istanbul, Türkiye)

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A 4,000 -street stores of 61 streets in one of the oldest and the largest covered markets in the world. The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, considered one of the first shopping centers in the world, is seated in the center of the old town, where it has attracted merchants and buyers since the middle of the 15th century. Today, food suppliers are hidden in the middle of the Warren labyrinthine stores that sell jewelry, carpets, leather items and household items. There are divine baklaves, robust coffee and Turkish confectionery treats from Turkish delight, sold by the kilo. In addition, spices and nuts and plants based on plants, oh my god! Slow down and sip pomegranate tea, graceful of a hospital merchant, while you are thinking about your next purchase. Do not forget your best negotiation skills.

Queen Victoria Market (Melbourne, Australia)

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Come for food; Stay for fun. The largest outdoor market in the southern hemisphere since 1878, Queen Victoria Market (Queen Vic to the inhabitants) is a heritage emporium in the city center with more than fresh products and special edible products. Its famous summer night market presents pop -up bars, live music and itinerant artists who offer a pleasant evening – not to mention the catering trucks that set up kitchens from all over the world. During the day, you can joke with more than 600 merchants while you taste everything, Australian cheeses and smoked salmon in Tasmania in Salami Kangaroo and artisanal pastries. Or mark a unique memory of local manufacturers who tighten their craft creations.

To discover the best experiences of food and drinks for travelers, food and wine were interviewed more than 400 chefs, travel experts, food and travel writers and wine professionals around the world for their best culinary travel experiences. We then gave the results to our World Advisory Council, which ranked the main candidates in each category. For the full list of 165 winners, visit foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers.