The best food halls in Boston

Boston's first contemporary culinary hub, we're pretty proud of Time Out Market Boston. Our editors curate the lineup of 14 food offerings, from morning coffee, doughnuts and smoothies to chef-driven options for lunch and dinner. The kitchens are hemled by some of the biggest names in Boston food with truly something for every taste. Time Out's two top-notch bars, meanwhile, boast awesome rotating local beer and seasonal cocktails. There is plenty of seating, both indoors and out (with heaters!) in an Art Deco masterpiece in the Fenway neighborhood. And just like on our website, showcasing the best of the city goes beyond food and drink, so Time Out Market Boston also hosts frequent events.

Head to one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world to discover Bow Market, the Boston-area's first indie take on a small-scale maker market. The ever-evolving selection of unique, mom-and-pop-level food vendors at the Somerville hot spot includes Mike & Patty's, a Boston institution, and the founders' South Shore bar pizza-and-North Shore roast beef concept, Hot Box; Venezuelan eatery Carolicious; an all-vegetarian version of Freedom Trail favorite, Saus; and more. Bow Market is also home to Remnant Brewing Company and Rebel Rebel, which is one of the best wine bars in the area.

Debuted in 2016, Boston Public Market is a non-profit that highlights New England-based artisans and food producers. Think of it like a year-round, indoor farmers' market, where locals shop for fresh produce, meats, fish and more and tourists browse art, jewlery and homewares. Lots of prepared foods are available from a variety of vendors, with ample seating inside and outside on a Greenway-adjacent patio. Pastrami sandwiches, banh mi, popovers, pasta, lobster rolls and bibimbap are just a few of the dining options at the BPM. Finish up with apple cider doughnuts or ice cream, and pick up some fresh flowers on your way out.

This impressive operation debuted early in 2022 after a two-year delay, and it’s worth the wait. Offering about 20,000 square feet of dining and drinking sandwiched between two buildings in the Financial District, High Street is popular with weekday workers seeking a quick, delicious lunch and weekend wanderers looking for the same. Any time, you can match it with a standout cocktail from Daiquiris and Daisies, glass of wine from Bubble Bath or local beer from Alewives Taproom. Heavy on local offerings, standouts among the food selection are (giant) slices from Tenderoni’s by celeb chef Tiffani Faison, bagels from Mamaleh's and sushi from Fuji.

A historic set of buildings on Western Avenue in Brighton, The Charles River Speedway has been revitalized by the Architectural Heritage Foundation as a small-scale maker market and beer garden. The Boston home to Salem's venerable Notch Brewing, the Speedway beer garden serves up stellar lagers, ales, bratwurst, beer cheese and more. Elsewhere around the courtyard are micro-restaurants including Birds of Paradise, a cocktail bar from the team behind Blossom Bar; The Koji Club, Boston's first dedicated sake bar; Pizza Project; Rite Tea and Espresso Bar and Super Bien, a neon-lit wine bar and bodega from the folks that make Buenas empanadas. The Speedway also has a boutique hair salon and private events venues.

International import Eataly has every kind of artisan Italian food and food-adjacent product you could possibly imagine. Pick up groceries from the well-stocked shelves or one of the many in-house purveyors slicing fresh seafood and meat to order, or order up something hot and ready to eat. There are pasta dishes, pizza, gelato and more. Open seating is perfect for a snack or casual meal, or you can head to La Piazza or the seasonal patio for full-service dining. The roof-level restaurant, Terra, is worthy of any occasion. Finish up with a coffee at the street-level Caffé Lavazza.

Tucked neatly (and conveniently) into the TD Garden complex, Hub Hall is a lifesaver for a quick bite before a game or concert. It brings tons of new flavor to the North End-adjacent West End, with options from local chefs and beyond. Anchored by Momosan Ramen, a full-service Japanese restaurant from Iron Chef Morimoto, the bustling hall also offers counter-service spots from local favorites like Cusser's seafood and roast beef, Apizza slices from Douglas Williams of Mida, Greco gyro and fries, Mike’s Pastry cannoli and more. There are also multiple bars on-site.

You don't need to be a student to appreciate Harvard’s Smith Campus Center, an oasis of comfy chairs, coffee and good food. While there are just a handful of vendors, the options and seating areas (as well as the calming, plant-filled “living walls”) make this one of the best fast-casual options in all of Cambridge. Choose from banh mi from Bon Me, sweet treats from Blackbird Doughnuts, Greek sandwiches from Saloniki and more to eat as you contemplate getting that masters.

Is Quincy Market usually packed with tourists? Yes. Is it a fine option if you’re in the area and need a quick bite? Also yes! Walk through the long, central corridor and you’ll see plenty of chains —yes, you can get your Starbucks fix—but there are also options for chowder, freshly shucked oysters and Regina Pizzeria. The cool, historic building has plenty of seating that’s especially welcome in the chill of winter.