3 awesome Bay Area food halls to visit — or revisit — in 2024

Who doesn’t love a good market hall? It’s mix-and-match heaven for food lovers: Get your wood-fired pizza over here, add a Thai soup and wheat beer from over there, do some protein-and-produce shopping for tonight’s dinner and — oh! — definitely save room for seasonal pies, artisanal macarons or whatever else your sweet tooth desires.

What began with a few major players, like Seattle’s Pike Place Market, New York City’s Eataly and the San Francisco Ferry Building, has now spread to most every major city. But if you’ve been to one market hall, there’s no guarantee it’ll be the same the next visit. These vibrant places are always changing — swapping tenants, updating menus, adding attractions like live music and farmers markets.

Here’s what’s new or cool at three major Bay Area food halls — and if you want more choices, we’ve got details on several others, too.

Saluhall SF, San Francisco

When Saluhall opened next to the new San Francisco Ikea in April, the city hoped it would revitalize a downtown area that has struggled to bounce back from the pandemic. So far, business has been better than anticipated for the Scandinavian-themed food hall.

“We knew that part of town was going to be a challenge,” says Simon Mitchell, CEO of KERB, the company that manages the food hall. “It has been a challenge and continues to be a challenge, but we’re busier than expected. The real issue is post-8 p.m. When it gets dark in that part of town, it is tricky.”

What’s new: Shopping at Ikea can be exhausting — how many faux bedrooms can one person see in a day? — and the perfect reward is a beer.

At the Logom Bar, the must-have for beer drinkers is the Fort Point’s Saluhall Lager ($7.50). Brewed exclusively for this location, the Nordic-style lager is soft and smooth with floral notes up front and a crisp bite at the end.

While you’re sipping that beer, order from the adjacent Burgare Bar, a vegan burger bar that will have you drooling for more “cheeze.” The cheezeburger ($10.50) is made with Beyond meat, cooked to perfection and served on a light, flaky bun covered in hot, oozing cheeze.

If you’re in the mood to be adventurous, try one of the KAYMA Algerian Eater’s best-sellers, the Dajaj Paradise Bowl ($20), which features halal chicken marinated in yogurt and tomatoes and served with couscous, bell pepper h’miss and chunky aubergine mash.

Save room for dessert, because the oat-milk based soft serve at Snöberg and its fun toppings bar have been a smashing success.

To go: Curry Up Now serves up Indian street-food mashups including spicy Punjabi burritos ($15) and deconstructed samosas ($16), among other treats.

Momo’s Noodles has a spicy noodle dish ($16) that’ll make you sweat, Taqueria La Venganza offers tacos ($5) made on locally-made tortillas by Oakland’s La Finca Tortilleria, and Casa Borinqueña serves mofongo cups with deep-fried plantains mashed with vegan meats ($13).

The most important part of your visit will be the answer to this question: Are there any almond twists from Smorgasland left today? These seeded wonders provide bites of flaky, buttery delight with subtle almond flavor that makes it difficult to save this snack for later.

Events: The Saluhall Lager is one of the many drinks sold for $5 during happy hour, 4-6 p.m. on weekdays. Geeks Who Drink hosts a Monday trivia night that starts at 6 p.m.

The market hall’s Cookery Skola offers cooking classes where you can learn to make Swedish baked goods and savory dishes.

And there will be a Drag Bingo Brunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. featuring host Elsa Touche and Vendettaa.

Details: Find Saluhall at 945 Market St. in San Francisco. The cafe opens at 9 a.m. daily. The other eateries and bars open at 11 a.m. A garage under the building offers parking for a fee, and the BART Powell Street station is nearby. Find more details at www.saluhallmarket.com.

Castro Valley Marketplace, Castro Valley

Opening one of the East Bay’s largest food halls during a pandemic was a big challenge for this Castro Valley market hall.

“It was painful,” says Donna Layburn, the president of East Bay Natural Grocers, Inc.

As you might have expected, there’s been a lot of turnover: Critically acclaimed fine-dining restaurant Oculto announced it was closing last summer. The Cannery Kitchen & Tap, “which kept this place alive during the pandemic by offering an outdoor gathering place,” Layburn said, recently closed as well. But the closing of originals has created opportunities for new businesses.

“Over the years, it’s evolved. It starts getting its own flavor,” Layburn says. “You think it’s going in one direction, and then someone else comes into your life, and we go, ‘This is perfect.’”

What’s new: The upstairs part of the 39,000-square foot marketplace will soon include a pair of Oakland-based restaurants. Pho 510, a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant, and La Perla, a Puerto Rican restaurant, have signed leases and begun giving out tastings at their new spaces in anticipation of opening.

The Slice House by Tony Gemignani opened in The Cannery Kitchen & Tap’s former location two weeks ago to such rapturous response, the pizza hot spot had to stop taking online and phone orders to concentrate on the dine-in customers clamoring for such specialty pizzas as the Cal Italia and Burrata Queen — and the Castro Valley special, “The True Italian,” an ode to his late mom’s favorite pie.

To go: Castro Valley Natural Grocery has a cheese section that Layburn can’t resist. (Her go-to is the Honey Lemon Wensleydale.)

Seven Hills Baking Co. is known for its breads and a Kouign Amann ($4.75) that’s only available weekdays. Baron’s Meats has a popular dry-aged meat case. Dumpling Kitchen sells frozen dumplings in to-go bags. And the White Balsamic Vinegar ($8) from Amphora Nueva comes in various flavors like peach, pineapple, lychee and apricot. We’re told they’re amazing with mandarin oranges.

Events: The Marketplace Mixer, held on the second Thursday of the month, offers live music and tastings.

Mark Sept 27 and Oct. 4 on your calendar for the Honey Harvest celebration, when the market hall’s rooftop beehives are harvested for fresh honey that is jarred and sold that day.

Details: Castro Valley Marketplace is located at 3295 Castro Valley Blvd. in Castro Valley. Hours vary by vendor; https://castrovalleymarketplace.com.

Marin Country Mart, Larkspur

There’s plenty to explore at this open-air market hall located in the salt-air shadow of the Larkspur Ferry Landing. Start by just taking a walk around to marvel at its immensity, promising something for everyone.

For foodies, more than a dozen restaurants and eateries serve everything from chilaquiles and huaraches to Tomales Bay oysters, craft beer and croissants the size of volleyballs. You can sit outside at one of the communal, umbrella-shaded picnic tables and order on your phone; it’ll buzz when ready. Or just order at a restaurant’s counter, and they’ll give you a flag to come find you, the king or queen that you are.

Kids will love the central playground made up of immense, carved tree trunks where they can scamper like monkeys. There are fun events like pie-baking contests and movie nights, plus author talks and signings at Copperfield’s Books. And for folks who want to experience the rarified cusp of Marin retail, there are shops like Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, Todd Snyder’s New York menswear and one store selling “extreme cashmere,” whatever that is.

What’s new: Loveski Deli arrived late last year with soulful “Jew-ish” food with an Asian twist. The husband-wife team of Christopher and Martina Kostow, whose original location is in Napa, give spins on the deli classics like a chopped reuben with corned beef and kimchee on generously buttered griddled rye ($21). There’s a deeply chickeny matzo ball soup, with two big balls ($10), and a second version that pays tribute to Martina’s Thai heritage with chili and lemongrass ($12). The eatery recently added a dinner menu with heartier grub like miso-braised brisket ($20) and roast chicken with charoset ($23). Grab a bag of sourdough bagels for the road. (If Kostow’s name sounds familiar, Christopher was the chef at St. Helena’s Restaurant at Meadowood. Yes, these bagels have Michelin cred.)

Buvette du Marais moved in a couple of months ago with French breakfast and lunch bites like market-veggie quiche, Croque Monsieur, Dungeness crab benedict and a huge list of sweet and savory crepes. It’s the latest project from the family of French-born Patrick Ascaso, who run San Francisco’s popular Le Marais Bakery with its long-fermented natural levain. The buzziest thing at Buvette — at least according to Instagram — is its giant croissant ($12), which is only served on weekends (you’ll need to get there early) and is large enough to carve like a turkey. The bistro is planning to add a menu of uncommon regional French wines, so oenophiles, look for that in the future.

Souvla opened last fall, bringing its Bay Area-meets-Mediterranean fare to Marin, with rotisserie meats served on fluffy pitas and cult-fave Greek fries with lemon, parsley and mizithra cheese. And a new ice-cream place from Seattle has popped up, Frankie & Jo’s, offering plant-based scoops in intriguing flavors like smoked vanilla and pine — dubbed California Cabin — and salted caramel with coconut charcoal.

To-go: The larder at Loveski Deli’s is an excellent place to stock up on smoked salmon, house pickles and (for those handmade bagels) cream cheese blends like miso vegetable and yellow chive with fermented onion. Rustic Bakery is the go-to for organic loaves, baked in a stone-hearth oven in varieties like Campagne batard, rosemary boule and the simple baguette. And the pastries at Johnny Doughnuts are so huge and weighty, you’ll definitely be taking at least part home — try the Crodough or a Lime Bismarck, paired with a latte made with the shop’s own doughnut glazes.

Events: The Saturday farmers market gathers dozens of vendors selling everything from fresh eggs to Sonoma produce and heritage meats, plus crafts for kids and live music (9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine). Through October (and perhaps beyond) the market is hosting movie nights at 6 p.m. on Fridays, with child-friendly flicks like “Finding Nemo” and “Stuart Little.” The annual pie-baking contest falls on Oct. 12 this year, with $200 going to the winner. And for Oktoberfest, the market is holding events on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 featuring live music, a beer garden with organic festbiers and something bewitching called “traditional pretzel crafts.”

Details: 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur; marincountrymart.com

What’s new at other market halls

By their very nature, food halls are always in flux. Here are updates on six other popular spots around the Bay:

San Pedro Square Market: This massive indoor/outdoor San Jose food hall — with more than 20 restaurants and bars — has welcomed two new dining concepts this year after adding the Gelato Shop last year. Suerte Eatery specializes in contemporary Mexican plates and shareables such as Chicken Guajillo Enchiladas, Brisket Birria Egg Rolls and Truffle Cotija Fries. And the ID Cafe offers Indian dosas stuffed with all manner of fillings, including tikka chicken, goat, paneer, green chile and classic potato and peas. With 20 TVs, the market’s also popular for sports viewing. Doors will open at 10 a.m. every Sunday during the NFL season. And the courtyard will continue to feature local bands this autumn and winter. Details: sanpedrosquaremarket.com

State Street Market: This Los Altos market hall rebooted and reopened last year, bringing back several much-loved vendors — including Little Blue Door, Little Sky Bakery, Konjoe Burger, Penny Ice Creamery and Murdoch’s bar (with new seasonal cocktails). New last summer: The Good Salad and its lineup of customizable and signature salads, including the fan-fave Blazing Bird — halal Cajun chicken, chopped romaine and avocado with black bean and corn salsa. Coming soon is Miko’s CALiTALIA, a new concept featuring pizza, pasta, sandwiches and more. Stay tuned for a grand opening date. Details: www.statestreetmarket.com

Ferry Building: Perhaps the most well-known market hall in San Francisco has a bunch of new and upcoming tenants. Lunette is a Cambodian restaurant from the chef of Oakland’s now-closed Nyum Bai, a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner. A16 La Pala is an outgrowth of the Italian staple famed for its Neapolitan pizza; this is more of a grab-and-go spot with sandwiches, pastries and pizza al taglio, the rectangular slices found in Rome. Peaches Patties opened last year with golden Jamaican patties, filled with curried meat or lentils, plus house sorrel. Still to come are Nopa Fish, a seafood restaurant from San Francisco’s Nopa team, and the new location of knife-sharpening business Bernal Cutlery. Details: ferrybuildingmarketplace.com.

SoFA Market: This food hall, located in downtown San Jose’s club and gallery district, just celebrated its 10th anniversary with food and cocktail deals that run through Sept. 30. All of the restaurant concepts are participating, from longtime faves Habana Cuba, Vietnoms, Umi Handroll and the Fountainhead Bar, to the newer Desi Express and Salad Planet. Owner Grace Liu and GM Jen Echeverri have big plans for the coming months: Look for live jazz performances starting on Wednesdays in October and the continuation of Tuesday trivia and other events. The front pop-up area will welcome brittle-and-pie-maker Sweet Dragon and other purveyors. Details: sofamarketsj.com.

Market & Main: This food hall in downtown Martinez is a hub of fresh restaurant concepts, including a new sushi stall, Hella Sushi, which serves up locally-inspired sushi rolls. Bentley’s Cocktail Bar and Lounge — the recent second place winner of Martinez’s annual Martini Shake-Off — will start hosting karaoke nights soon. Tuesday taco nights are coming, with vegan options from Souley Vegan. And keep an eye out for a new kraken to appear above the food hall’s Shipwreck Bar, which is releasing a new Goonies-themed cocktail menu. Details: @marketandmainmtz on Instagram.

The Public Market: The Bay Street Emeryville shopping district got all the headlines recently for its planned Asian grocery, Tokyo Central, but there’s news from the city’s food hall, too. The Nusa bakeshop opened this spring with Indonesian sweets, snacks and heartier dishes that are as nice to look at as they are to scarf down. Try the thousand-layer cake (spekkoek), which combines European butter and warm spices like clove and cinnamon into a painting-worthy dessert. And La Vida Fish and Chips also recently moved in with its namesake battered cod and fries, plus clam chowder, fried calamari and grilled-seafood sandwiches. Details: publicmarketemeryville.com.