In recent years, Boston has embraced food halls, but make no mistake, these are nothing like old food courts. Prominent chefs, big-name brands and elevated food and drinks are hallmarks of these spaces, where it’s not uncommon to find champagne and caviar on the menu.
Time Out Market
This Fenway food hall, one of seven markets from the famous media brand, showcases some of Boston’s finest chefs. Renowned toque Michael Schlow offers heartwarming dishes like rigatoni with spicy sausage ragu and fettuccini alfredo at his eponymous Italian spot. Respected culinary couple Tim and Nancy Cushman, who are behind the acclaimed restaurants o ya and Hojoko, serve Japanese-style chicken and dumplings at the whimsically named Ms. Clucks Deluxe. The market has more than a dozen other equally tempting outlets.
In addition, local brewery Trillium has an outpost outside, where you are welcome to bring your food. Come winter, there’s an outdoor ice skating rink to enjoy at the adjoining 401 Park as well.
High Street Place
Powerhouse chef Tiffani Faison has not one, not two but three venues at this upscale downtown hall. Tenderoni’s Pizza evokes an old-school pie parlor, while Dive Bar centers around seafood — not cheap drinks. Bubble Bath, Faison’s third outlet, is a fun, 13-seat champagne and wine bar with an irresistible Moët & Chandon vending machine serving small bottles of chilled bubbles.
Ask for a flute sipper and enjoy the beverage while checking out the hall’s 17 other venues, including the Asian fusion “lab” Kutzu’s pho-men (a combination of pho and ramen), rice bowls and banh mi, and Sugar Skulls’ ice cream tacos, boozy floats and frozen cocktails.
Hub Hall
Hub Hall couldn’t be more convenient for game days and concerts, given its location next to TD Garden and North Station. If you want to eat and drink without the crowds, visit when no events are happening. You can savor world-class ramen from chef Masaharu Morimoto at Momosan or iconic Boston favorites like Sullivan’s Castle Island’s lobster rolls and cannoli from Mike’s Pastry without the wait.
The Smoke Shop from chef Andy Husbands and Apizza from chef Douglass Williams are more examples of local chefs expanding their reach into a food hall.
Boston Public Market
The non-profit Boston Public Market is dedicated to offering products made in Massachusetts or the New England region from approximately 30 vendors. While food is the market’s main attraction, with everything from popovers to pasta available, local artisans are also featured. Grab a beverage from the Pine Bar before browsing the aisles. Try the lobster bisque from Red’s Best or a savory crepe from Bon Appetit Crêperie.
The market also holds tastings, singalongs and other events. Fun fact: Boston Logan International Airport has an outpost of the market in Terminal C.
Eataly
A veritable playground for Italian food lovers, this three-story dream boasts everything from a butcher to a bakery, four full-service restaurants and casual food counters. You can find specialty wines, chocolates, housewares, oils, fresh seafood and practically anything else here.
La Scuola, tucked in the back of the market, offers uniquely delicious classes in everything from oyster shucking to caviar tasting to truffle ravioli making. And yes, participants get to eat their creations.
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