If you haven’t been to the food halls of the Bay Area lately, you’re in for a treat. There are new restaurants, new cocktails and, in some cases, music and summer activities. Here are five of our favorites:
Market & Main, Martinez
Inside the brick walls of this downtown venue, you’ll find a small but well-rounded selection of vendors: East Bay Artisan, offering breads, sandwiches and pastas; Craft & Fire, a bar with artisanal pizzas; Moroccan Coffee Mamounia; the Shuck It! oyster bar; TL Custom Cakes; as well as fresh produce. Soon a new stand, Banh Mi & Rolls.
Details: 610 Market Street, Martinez; www.marketandmainmartinez.com
Castro Valley Market
They have the butcher (Barons), baker (Seven Hills), and sushi maker (Akemi), as well as Oculto, the Cannery Kitchen & Tap, Castro Valley Natural Grocery, Cordial Cellar & Lounge, and Night Owl. Niche specialists include Amphora Nueva Olive Oil Works and Oaktown Spice Shop. Check the website for the schedule of concerts and other events this summer.
Details: 3295 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley; www.castrovalleymarketplace.com
San Pedro Square Market, San José
A tequila bar, the Alma Tequileria, has joined Hyland Sushi, Jora Peruvian, Urban Momo, Loteria, Pasta Fresca, Hella Good Burger, Three Sisters and the rest of the food and drink gang at this downtown market constantly evolving. This summer, the market will feature live music five nights a week, Wednesday through Sunday, in the expansive courtyard, and Kavaia Tea will appear on Saturdays.
Details: 87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose; www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com
State Street Market, Los Altos
This peninsula food hall has been busy since opening in September with four restaurants (Ostro, Murdoch’s, Banks & Braes, Grains & Greens). Celebrity chef Traci Des Jardin’s El Alto debuted in the courtyard, and Little Blue Door, Bao Bei and Tin Pot Creamery joined the picture in the main building. There is a farmer’s market on Thursday afternoons and an on-site cooking class program.
Details: 170 State St., Los Altos; www.statestreetmarket.com
Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco
Four food vendors are among the new tenants of this sprawling hall on the city’s waterfront: an artisan pudding bakery, Yes Pudding; a caviar specialist, Tsar Nicolai; the spin-off Grande Crêperie du Marais; and Obour Foods, a maker of artisan hummus and tahini. Summer, naturally, is the perfect time to visit the legendary Farmer’s Market here. It takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Details: A Ferry Building, San Francisco; www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
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