While it’s not warm enough for open-air Smorgasburg to open its doors quite yet, there are plenty of other superb Food markets open year-round. New York’s food hall scene has ramped up over the past few years, with new locations cropping up all across the city. Food halls have become a destination for all, from those who love a variety of food choices to veteran restaurateurs attracted to the unique financial advantages and community vibes. It’s no surprise that some of the most innovative and interesting food halls are in Brooklyn. Here’s a round up of some of the spots to check out!

Industry City

Industry City is a massive, 16 building complex of creative office space located along the waterfront in Sunset Park. Home to a mix of retail and commercial space, it’s also a food powerhouse. Its massive 40,000-square-foot food hall features 12 vendors and an additional 13 restaurants scattered throughout the sprawling space. Here are our favorites:

• Avocaderia: the ultimate spot for aesthetic social media photos with an all-avocado menu featuring toasts, salads, sandwiches, and smoothies
• Burger Joint: internationally recognized for their simple, no-frills burger
• One Girl Cookies: acclaimed neighborhood bakery known for their cookies and whoopie pies
• Frying Pan Brooklyn: intimate indoor bar with fresh seafood, innovative cocktails, and a game room complete with mini golf and ping pong tables

Hill Country Food Park

Hill Country Food Park brings a taste of Texas to the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. Housed in the old Hill Country Barbeque Market, this new, 10,0000-square-foot space draws inspiration from the Austin food truck scene, reimagining it in a food hall setting. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’re sure to satisfy your cravings here with their variety of offerings.

• Hill Country Barbeque: enjoy the slow cooked, traditionally seasoned meats (shipped directly from Texas) by the pound, as a platter, or in sandwich form
• Bluebonnets: named after bluebonnets that bloom in the Texas springtime, this stall offers fresh salads and sandwiches that challenge common conceptions of Texan dining
• South Congress: specialty donuts, breakfast tacos, and coffee beverages to start the day on the right foot

Japan Village

The latest addition to Industry City deserves its own shoutout. Bringing the authentic taste of Japanese culture and cuisine to the area, this 20,000-square-foot space was designed to emulate a traditional Japanese village square. Japan Village is home to 11 delicious vendors, a restaurant and cocktail bar, a specialty Japanese liquor store, and the largest Japanese supermarket in New York City.

• Food Hall: enjoy a full range of Japanese flavors, with stalls offering street foods like okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), takoyaki (octopus balls), ramen and udon, omakase, and pastries and tea
• Kuraichi: pick up your specialty Japanese spirits here, like sake, whisky, and wine
• Sunrise Mart: bring home fresh Japanese staples like wagyu beef, sashimi-grade seafood, homemade tofu, yuba, and soy milk

Dekalb Market Hall

Dekalb Market Hall sets itself apart by being one of the largest food halls in the country, stretching over 60,000 square feet in the basement level of City Point in Downtown Brooklyn. Showcasing 40 vendors in custom designed stalls with unique neon signage, as well as sit-down locations of Han Dynasty and Fortina, the variety of cuisines highlights the cultural and ethnic diversity of the borough. Plus, with its own speakeasy and performance venue on its way, this food hall is destined to become a top dining and entertainment venue.

• Katz’s Delicatessen: naturally, the first outpost outside of the Lower East Side attracts huge crowds waiting on line to order the legendary giant stacked pastrami sandwich.
• Pierogi Boys: enjoy a bowl of soul warming, homemade potato dumplings topped with things like bacon, sour cream, and chives
• Forcella Pizza: fried pizza might sound strange when you hear it, but the freshly fried dough gives a satisfying crunch with every bite
• Arepa Lady: savory fillings contrast from the sweet maize-based arepa, making for a filling meal

Gotham Market at the Ashland

Relative to some of the other locations on this list, Gotham Market at the Ashland is smaller and more intimate. At 16,000 square feet, this spot is still packs a punch with four vendors and an unbeatable location. Housed in the ground level of The Ashland, one of Fort Greene’s luxury rental buildings, Gotham Market is just steps away from several of the neighborhood’s top destinations including Brooklyn Academy of Music and Barclays Center, making it an ideal stop before a show or basketball game.

• Bolivian Llama Party: innovative take on Bolivian favorites; order one of their top-rated salteñas–similar to an empanada, but made from a thicker pastry and filled with a thick, savory soup
• The Flamingo: fun tiki bar with a rotating draft selection and creative cocktail menu
• Fulton Hall: low-key beer hall with a pool table; a local destination for catching a sports game while enjoying bar food and a cold brew
• Hungry Ghost: fueling your coffee needs with fresh roasted beans sourced from Brooklyn

Winter Smorgasburg + Brooklyn Flea Market

If you can’t get enough of the OG, never fear, Smorgasburg’s annual Winter Flea Market set up shop at the Atlantic Center. Housed in the old Office Max across the street from Atlantic Terminal, this massive space might lack an aesthetic charm, but it makes up for it with a selection of 25 vendors and plentiful seating accommodations.

• Ramen Shack: order their famous Ramen Burger or get a bowl of Classic Tonkatsu
• Rooster Boy: they serve up their beloved chicken dishes and take a crack at a new item, the Pho-Cup, literally pho in a cup
• The Izakaya: try their pour-over miso soup or their katsu sando, a thick cut of pork katsu wedged between bread
• Pizza Cupcakes: the newest take on pizza is exactly what it sounds like, and they make the perfect bite-sized morsel to snack on while you peruse flea market
• El Perrito Street Dogs: hot dogs with inventive Latin and South American toppings; try the “Colombiana,” topped with cabbage slaw, cilantro crema, pineapple sauce, salsa rosada, crushed potato chips and a quail egg

Berg’n

Operating out of a converted garage on the cusp of Prospect Heights and Crown Heights, Berg’n is a beer hall and event venue. This slightly industrial space is decked out with long, wooden tables and benches, making it a the perfect spot for a large group of friends. Grab something to eat from one of the five on-site vendors and pair it with a cold drink from the full-service bar.

• Mighty Quinn’s BBQ: known for their perfectly cooked, hand carved barbeque meats. Choose from four meat options (brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, wings) and pair it with a few sides for a satisfying meal.
• Jianbing Company: serving Shanghai-inspired street food to the masses. Order the jianbing, a perfectly thin crêpe filled with 13-spice pork, chili flakes, egg, scallion, cilantro, and crispy cracker.
• King David Tacos: breakfast tacos on flour tortillas, what could be better? Try the Mom’s Migas, filled with scrambled eggs, homemade salsa, tortilla chips, jalapeno rajas, and a blend of monterey jack and cheddar cheese.
• Landhaus: all-American fare with their signature bacon on a stick, fried chicken sandwich, and excellent waffle fries on the menu

North 3rd Market

North 3rd Market is Williamsburg’s addition to food hall scene. This 15,000-square-foot space opened in spring of 2018, bringing in industry veterans to set it apart from an already crowded food hall scene. With a total of 19 vendors, there’s now even more great food to try in Williamsburg.

• Di Fara: Now you don’t have to travel as far to try some of this legendary pizza, served by the slice or as a whole pie
• Corner Bistro: Famed purveyor of simple, but mouthwatering burgers
• Chuko: Popular Prospect Heights-based ramen shop with a simple menu of four ramen options (sesame garlic, miso, soy, or kimchi) with the option to add-on toppings
• Greenberg’s Bagels: try their inventive twist on a breakfast classic–bacon, egg, and cheese on a glazed donut

Time Out Market New York

This market won’t be open until later this spring, but it follows in the footsteps of North 3rd Market in bringing heavy-hitters into the Brooklyn food scene. Their initial list of 11 vendors includes New York favorites Juliana’s and Clinton Street Baking Company, as well as other recognizable names including Miss Ada, Jacob’s Pickles, Reserve Cut, DŌ, and Felice Pasta Bar, to name a few.

Located in DUMBO, the 22,000-square-foot complex will feature a total of 22 vendors spread across two floors. It will boast three bars, a stage, and an exhibition space with 520 communal seats, plus a rooftop area overlooking the East River and Manhattan skyline.

Is your stomach rumbling yet? Head over and check out these incredible spots for yourself. If you’re looking for a new place, consider making Brooklyn your new home and you’ll have all these options (and more) at your disposal.

The post From Pizza Cupcakes to Ramen Burgers: Your Guide to Brooklyn Food Halls appeared first on The Zumper Blog.