The allure is international. 

Exciting, colourful, places to shop at.

People from all over the world flock to them.

Many markets are centuries old – the world’s top food markets.

Join us as we tour the world’s top five food markets.

Jfemaa el-Fnaa - Marrakesh, Morocco

Located in the bustling heart of the city – the market is centuries old.

In 2001 UNESCO named it a “Masterpiece of World Heritage” for showingcasing, preserving, centuries-old cultural and historical Moroccan traditions.

And there is a reason for that – the markets’ vast services, ranging from traditional medicine, fruit, vegetables, food, dental care, entertainment galore: fortune telling, snake charmers, musicians, traditional dancing, storytellers.

In the evening the market becomes a huge open-air food spectacle.

Tables and bench seating set up, creating the ultimate al fresco outdoor dining area.

Soon the air fills with cooking smoke plumes, delicious smells coming from the hundreds of food stalls, each serving its own specialties.

A vast array of Morrocan cuisine awaits you – spicy merguez sausages, grilled meats, tajines, salads, harira soup, fried fish. Ingredients arrive fresh each evening and are cooked in front of you.

Mercado de la Merced – Mexico City, Mexico

This dazzling, colourful, market, the largest in Mexico, has been Mexico City’s commercial hub since the 17th. century.

It’s huge, covers four city blocks, contains 5,250 vendors plus thousands street vendors outside the market.

The market consists of a series of sheds – each the size of an airplane hangar – and within the sheds there are areas selling only certain foods. So you will find stand after stand specializing in chicken, mole sauce, you name it it’s there. On the outside of the shed perimetres are the endless food stalls serving delicious food at great prices.

St. Lawrence Market – Toronto, Canada

For more than 200 years, the market has been a go to destination for Torontonians.

Today the market also is a top tourist destination, given the vast array of available delicious food, often food you can’t get anywhere.

The market is divided into a South and North section, the South containing more than 120 speciality vendors – the place that Toronto food lovers shop at for the freshest foods and produce grown and made in Ontario and from all over the world.

Vendors in the North offer plenty of local game, elk, deer, venison, homemade pies and breads, the freshest produce, specialty tropical fruits and vegetables.

On Saturdays the North is transformed into a farmers market – a tradition since 1803.

Often driving for hours farmers offer seasonal fresh produce – often organic – along with locally produced cheeses, grains and meats.

Mercat De La Boqueria – Barcelona, Spain

The market dates back to 1217 – selling meat.

Today more than 40,000 people, local and tourists shop here.

It’s home to 200 fishmongers, butchers, cheesemongers, greengrocers and dozens of small charcuterie shops specializing in Spanish hams and cured meats.

The choices are an endless array of food products, local and international. The top food stalls are operated by fourth and fifth generation heirs and many offer delicious meals as well. The counters of any of the tiny gourmet restaurants provide fresh seafood and Mediterranean specialties.

In 2017 CNN named it the best food market in the world.

Or Tor Kor Market – Bangkok, Thailand

Or Tor Kor Market is not your average market.

It’s high end – offering the best and freshest of everything. The incredible range of beautiful fruits, extremely fresh vegetables, meats and seafood, is spectacular.

This market – home to 10,000 vendors – is a foodies paradise, a showcase for the best Thai food and produce.

Looking for perfectly ripe Thai mangoes – not a single spot or scratch on them, the most beautiful yellow colour you can imagine with the perfect shape?

The market has them.

In this part of the market you will find all the ingredients to cook up a Thai feast. Every imaginable ingredient needed is there for you.

The other section- the food court –  offers the best in Thai cuisine – fabulous seafood, awesome curries, chili sauces and dips and more – either for take out or you can enjoy it at a nearby table.

Next week we feature the remaining top five food markets in the world.