As a result of being one of the most diverse cities on the planet, New York City has an incredible food scene that features cuisines from across the globe. In the summer months, you can feast on Italian sausage, vegan Ethiopian dishes, fishcakes inspired by the flavors of Barbados, and Polynesian pastries all in one place as local vendors convene for open-air night markets across the city. Here, we’ve rounded up the night markets where you can taste foods from all over the world prepared by local New York City business owners, enjoy performances by popular local artists, and see the sights of the city.
1. Uptown Night Market
The Uptown Night Market in Harlem is one of New York City’s largest cuisine, culture, and community festivals. Now in its third season, the market brings more than 70 diverse vendors Under the Arches of Riverside Drive. Along with cuisines from all over the world, the market also offers family-friendly activities and exciting performances.
The market will take place once a month, every 2nd Thursday from April to October from 4:00pm to 10:00pm. A few vendors that are new to the market this year include Mama T, Darling Pies, Bel-Fries, Angies Delightful Bites, Aquam Dei, Aleise Bee lemonade & treats, Cynful Bliss, Condensed Juice Company, Tipsy Treats and Famously Vegan. Attendance is free and tickets are not required but you can RSVP here for raffles and giveaways.
Uptown Night Market Tasting Tour
Join Untapped New York for a tasting tour of the Uptown Night Market on June 8th! On this tour, you’ll be guided to a variety of vendors where you can meet the proprietors and sample their delicious offerings. This tasting tour is $10 for Untapped New York Insiders. Not an Insider yet? Become a member today and get your first month free with code JOINUS. In the coming months, Insiders will also visit the Brooklyn Night Market and Bronx Night Market too!
2. Brooklyn Night Market
The Brooklyn Night Market takes over Industry City every last Monday from May to October from 4:00pm to 10:00pm. Now in its second season, the market features a variety of NYC-based food, beverage, and packaged goods vendors including Perros Locos , Tacos El Guero, Downeast Lobstah, Sassy’s Fishcakes!, HangryDog, Brooklyn Dim Sum Co, Pinche vegana, and many more!
The market is free to attend but you can RSVP here to participate in exclusive raffles and giveaways. Just like the Uptown Night Market, the Brooklyn Night Market will feature beloved local artists in live performances and offer activities for the whole family to take part in.
3. Bronx Night Market
The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Uptown Night Markets are run by MASC Hospitality Group (MHG). Led by hospitality and media entrepreneur Marco Shalma, the MHG team consists of mostly female and POC members. Through their food and culture events, MHG aims to create “diverse, inclusive, equitable experiences that are safe, affordable, fun, aesthetically pleasing, and dedicated to the communities” of New York City. Female, POC, immigrant, LGBTQIA-owned and operated micro-businesses represent more than 70% of the micro-businesses in the MHG network.
You’ll find the Bronx Night Market at Fordham Plaza every Monday from May through October from 1:00pm to 7:00pm. The longest-running of MHG’s night markets, the Bronx market features vendors like Burger Supreme, Chocolicious NYC, SAM’S ICE CREAM, Arnie & EbonyCateringLLC, Paradise Taqueria and Birrieria Fl, Condensed
Juice Company LLC, Common Meadows, and more! Attendance is free and tickets are not required but you can RSVP here for raffles and giveaways. Untapped New York Insiders will get to go on a tasting tour in July. Check out photos and vendors from our first tasting tour!
4. Vegan Night Market
New York City’s first-ever vegan food night market is coming to Central Park this June! This new experience will take place at Wollman Rink every Tuesday night from June to October from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. Presented by MHG, the market will feature food and drink options from local artisans, and foster connections between New Yorkers with a passion for sustainability and ethical living.
You can sign up to receive a newsletter with updates about the market here and find out how to become a vendor. This event is free to attend and you can RSVP here. The first market will take place on June 6th.
5. Queens Night Market
The Queens Night Market opens for the 2023 season on Saturday, May 13th! Set up outside the New York Hall of Science, a remnant of the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the fair features more than 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food.
The fair represents the diversity of Queens and highlights cultural performances alongside mouthwatering dishes. If you can’t make it out to the night market but still wants a taste, you can order a cookbook inspired by the foods of the fair called The World Eats Here.
Next, check out A Food Guide to Little Thailand in Queens and A Guide to NYC’s Little Caribean in Brooklyn
