One of the Best Food Halls in Massachusetts, This Spot Is a Must-Visit

Tourist attractions are popular spots for a reason, and Faneuil Hall in Boston is certainly no exception. Many people flock to this iconic Beantown spot for the shopping, but in my opinion, the marketplace’s Quincy Market food hall is just as worthy of a visit. With over 25 delicious and diverse eateries, it is easy to see why this city landmark is considered to be one of the best food halls in Massachusetts.  

Where This Food Hall Is and What Makes It Special

Meander across the brick walkways of historic Faneuil Hall, and you will come upon Quincy Market. Inside ia bustling food court with incredible eats from around the globe. This massive local food hall in Massachusetts is actually the country’s oldest and biggest! As you navigate your way through the colonnade, you will find stall after stall full of delicious food choices tantalizing your senses from both sides of the great hall. Now to make a difficult decision — what to eat today? 

The Vendors and Dishes You Cannot Miss

What sets Quincy Market apart from other food halls is the wide variety of choices. You could honestly dine here for weeks and never eat the same meal twice. There is almost everything that you could ever dream of eating. If you are looking to sample some fantastic local seafood, a bowl of authentic New England clam chowder from Boston Chowda pairs perfectly with a hot buttered lobster roll from Wicked Lobsta.

There are also some great international food options, including Greek, Japanese, and Italian cuisine. And don’t forget to grab a sweet treat to take with you while you explore the rest of the market. I highly recommend purchasing a cup of refreshing gelato from Joey's Gelateria.

What It’s Like to Visit

I’m not going to lie, this popular food hall does get busy, especially at lunchtime when tourists, families, and hungry locals come in to grab a bite to eat. I suggest scoping out the food options ahead of your visit, so that when you are ready to eat, you can go straight to your desired food stall and avoid getting hangry while waiting in line. If you prefer a sit-down meal, there are also several more traditional restaurants to enjoy within Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

Tips for Visiting

The seating in the main area of the marketplace is somewhat limited and tends to fill up quickly. If you can't locate a table downstairs, head up to the second floor, where you can find some additional spots. I typically prefer to sit up here because it is quieter. While I dig into my meal, I often sit back and admire the ornate rotunda, one of many interesting architectural details of this historic 1826 building. When I visit the food hall in the warmer months, I opt to take my meal over to the nearby Christopher Columbus waterfront park.

The Quincy Market Colonnade is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find out more about each food vendor on the Faneuil Hall Marketplace website. While you are at Faneuil Hall, be sure to check out all of the great shopping and be sure to stop and watch some of the fantastic local street performer shows. I also highly recommend taking a short stroll over to Boston's North End neighborhood, where you can visit the Old North Church and the Paul Revere House.