Lancaster Central Market

We went at 7 am no crowds and was able to look at all the different booths. Was able to find some great coffe and snacks for breakfast. We did return for lunch. It was really crowded and should of left the toddler strollers, but overall a great experience

I can't say enough good things about this market! Truly something for everyone including gluten free and vegan options. My only complaint is that it's not open every day! :)

For me, this was a rainy day "thing to do". I've actually never been to "downtown" Lancaster so it was fun to check out. It was busy but not overly crowded. I think I went relatively early (10AM) and spent some time walking around. I only bought a cup of coffee but it looked like they had all kinds of goodies. Cool old building, as well.

It was great to visit this cute little market on a cold day in November! There were alot of vendors ranging from florists, to dog treats, to vegetable! I recommend stopping by if in the area

At "Homage - West African Diaspora," I had the entree of goat served with jollof rice and black beans, and it was absolutely delicious!! The meat was incredibly flavorful and tender. I ate every last bit 😄. Cheers to the proprietor and master chef, Oliver, for sharing this wonderful dish!

Always a treat to visit this beautiful, local market. Such a terrific range of international flavors/cuisines represented in the community. Terrific flower stands, handicrafts too. Perfect gift finding location. Handicapped accessible. Pro-tip - take elevator (by bathrooms) upstairs to mezzanine overlooking the whole space. Tall top tables there for eating too. Lots of public parking all around

Great variety of vendors - both ready-to-consume and produce. Prices were awesome especially if you’re used to city prices. Can get a little crowded but at 10am on a Saturday it was manageable. Love love love the tea vendor and all the empanadas! Definitely worth popping through.

Ended up here around 1:00 pm - probably peak time! It was busy - but we found a place to park relatively easy and enjoyed our visit to the market. Lots of delicious food and drink. I was pleasantly surprised by the restroom (hey, this is the important stuff!) and smiled when I saw the note on the stall door. I’d love to visit again - maybe earlier - so we can enjoy it with less of a crowd.

What a beautiful experience in the heart of Lancaster! Stepping into the central market is a step back into history, as you enter the oldest publicly owned continuously running farmers market in the US. In fact, it dates back over 300 years, back when the British were the ones running the show. Inside you'll find all sorts of options, from pastries and coffee to butchers and produce. I thought the aisles were very open, allowing for a good flow as you scanned each stand. In general the stand vendors were very friendly as well, smiling and offering samples or tips on their best products. The only downside to the whole experience is that it's only operating a few days a week (Tuesday and Friday as of summer 2024), so you need to time your trip right or face a load of disappointment.

I loved this market. I was just in Lancaster for the weekend and was staying within walking distance of this market. We stopped by just to explore a bit and I was blown away by all of the options and the quality of the options. I ended up getting the pretzels and whoopee pies. Everything is made fresh. The pretzels are out of this world. Soft, buttery perfection. They had a deal on getting 3 for $5.50. Everything there is worth trying though. You can't get better quality or value. The whole market is just beautiful and unique. They offer candles, flowers, fresh produce and all kinds of other things. My only complaint is that it was crowded so you had to consistently be very aware of your surroundings to not run into someone. All in all, I loved my experience.

We were spending a nice summer day in Lancaster, visiting some of our favorite spots. Since it was not blistering hot, Lancaster Central Market was on the list. Why? No air conditioning, lots of stone, it can be hotter inside then outside on really hot days. Lancaster Central Market is the oldest continuously operating public farmer's market in the US, having opened in 1730. It's located in the center of downtown Lancaster, surrounded by other buildings, with a plaza winding around it's exterior. Inside there are a variety of merchants - from fresh produce to candies to prepared foods, a souvenir stand and even a local distillery - situated in long rows. We were there later in the day so some things were sold out, however there was still plenty. Booth/stand operators were friendly while also giving us space to browse. Once we had questions or decided to make a purchase they were all easy to do. It's a nice stop if you're visiting Lancaster. On Saturdays there seem to be lots of things going on outside the market too - like local music performances. Note that the market on Saturdays is WAY more crowded than on a Tuesday. This should be on your list of places to see in downtown Lancaster at least once, and we'll probably be going again on our next visit - as long as it's on a Tuesday, Saturday or Sunday.

Came to explore the market on small business Saturday and it was surely packed! Whoever made a comment about this being a smaller version of Reading Terminal in Philadelphia was correct. There are rows and rows of vendors with a variety of goods such as meat, produce, nuts, baked goods, candies and chocolate, flowers, etc. We found that any line we waited in did move quickly and most vendors were able to heat up food for you, if you asked. We sampled a few pretzels and a spinach pie from one of the stalls. All were good! The one pretzel was definitely just picked up from the Philly Pretzel Factory which was a little disappointing. They have a small upstairs viewing/seating area, if you take the elevator. There are bathrooms on the first level and when we visited they were not clean and smelled awful. I'd suggest waiting to use a bathroom somewhere else.

There is something for everyone here. I've been going to the market since I was a child, and many of the popular stands--like the deli, candy stand, produce stand, and flower stand--have been there for years. The people are always so kind, and there is so much to pick from. I love the treats from the Shady Maple stand. Because I don't have the time to drive all the way there, I love getting my sweet treats, especially the bacon donut, from them.

I visited the Lancaster Central Market for the first time - finally! - with my husband last weekend. I'd been to the market in York, but I had really been looking forward to visiting Lancaster's market! It's definitely larger and busier and more vibrant: lots of stands selling just about everything you can think of - produce, jams, tea, spices, sauces, breakfast, lunch, etc. We explored for an hour or so and took home some great products from a horseradish stand (freshly grated horseradish and a ton of sauces and mustards made with horseradish?!). It's definitely crowded (lots of traffic jams and generally hard to walk around), but we were there on a Saturday around 10/11 am! Pretty easy to find parking nearby and the area around the market has quite a bit of great shopping, too. Definitely worth exploring! Great market in a fun town to visit.

I really loved this market, they have everything you could think of! There were rows and rows of different vendors. Fresh fruits, meats, cheeses, jams and even plants. Bought a lot of goodies here. Would highly recommend a visit!

If you've been to Reading Terminal Market in Philly, then Lancaster Central Market is similar but smaller. Farm Fresh to the max (after all you're in Lancaster Amish country!). I believe they are open every Tuesday, Friday & Saturday only from 6am-3pm. You can get meats, cheeses, noodles, spices, baked goods, flowers, crafts. It's a farmer's market in the best & most old fashioned sense. Definitely worth a visit. There are also food stands where you can get lunch of all different types to go & even vegan choices. Take it from a home town girl (who now lives in Pittsburgh), you gotta visit if you're downtown on a Saturday morning.

For me, this was a rainy day "thing to do". I've actually never been to "downtown" Lancaster so it was fun to check out. It was busy but not overly crowded. I think I went relatively early (10AM) and spent some time walking around. I only bought a cup of coffee but it looked like they had all kinds of goodies. Cool old building, as well.

While traveling through Central PA recently my family purposefully planned our itinerary around the days and times that the Lancaster Central Market were open. We have heard and read wonderful things about the market and wanted to experience it for ourselves. We were thoroughly impressed with the wide variety of wares being sold and happily purchased sweet and savory items, fresh apple cider, blueberry milk, and a bouquet of beautiful flowers for Mother's Day. Prices for everything were very reasonable, all the vendors were friendly and helpful, and we were able to find a quiet corner to eat and admire the architectural features of the market. When we're in the area again I sure do hope we're there at the right days and times to stop back in.

Finally made it here!!! They are only open on Tues, Fri and Sat til 3pm. What a gem! They have everything from fresh flowers, fruits/veggies, donuts, cheese, pastries, grass fed beef. Some vendors take credit cards, some only cash. We bought pretzels, breakfast sandwiches, donuts and tchotchkes. Loved it and will be back!

I visit the LCM every so often. They offer some good quality meats and other goods. I also love the coffee shop at the back end of the market where you can even get flavored syrup in your latte or coffee. Everyone at the market is so friendly and if you want to contribute a little bit more, there is a stand that you can buy LCM merchandise! My other favorite spot is the pretzel stand and the fresh bakery stand. They sell freshly basked English muffins which we got this time on our visit and they were so soft and delicious! I will say some of the stands can be pricey! I recently saw "homegrown tomatoes" $3.99 each... I am not doubting the quality but other stands that sell homegrown were going for 3.99 for an entire basket of tomatoes. One thing to note is that I have only been there on a weekend but it does get very busy there especially in the morning. I would recommend leaving behind strollers if you can so that you don't get stuck in the congestion. There is also parking nearby for those that do not want to park on the street. Also, don't forget to bring your own bags!!

I came on a Saturday at 10AM and it was busy but the lines were not too long. It is certainly very lively in Central Market and there are 3/4 rows of stalls to explore! They range from breads to empanadas to soul food to candy shops to juice stands. It was mainly food (and there were some flowers/pet food/etc.) so don't come expecting that there are trinkets to buy. I bought The Passion smoothie from the Juice company ($6), a pretzel breakfast sandwich from the Pretzel shop ($4.50), and vegan mac n cheese from Soulcialize ($5). Passion smoothie: I would rate this a 3/5. A bit overpriced considering other stores were .5-$1 cheaper for juices. I was honestly a bit disappointed with my pineapple juice, mango, banana smoothie and felt like I've had waay better at Jamba Juice. Not sure why the Juice Company had such good reviews. I would recommend going a few stalls over and ordering the pina colada ($5) instead if you like pineapple/tropical juices. Pretzel breakfast sandwich 5/5: very very filling and I loved that it was on pretzel bread, which I feel like is rare to find. They served it hot and I got bacon egg and cheese on mine. This was delicious!! All the small businesses here were very cute and sold their own niche things. If you're looking for traditional lancaster food, they have it! If you're looking to try other cuisines like thai or soul food, they have it! I was pleasantly surprised by the selections, and everyone we talked to were so nice, friendly, and informative. A vendor even explained to us the history behind the central market. If you're in Lancaster, this is a MUST GO

You will find this marketplace on many of the "must see" attractions for Lancaster. This marketplace has been around since the 1700s and is worth the stop. There are a variety of vendors with prepared foods as well as some vendors with produce, flowers, and other goods. We picked up a sub from one vendor and some empanadas from a different vendor. Even tried some complementary pickle shots. A nice place to stop and grab a bite to eat with indoor and outdoor seating. Also a good place to grab some local produce and goods!

This was a cool experience. I typically don't even go to farmer's markets in my own city/state, but I do enjoy visiting other farmer's markets in different cities, states & countries. I like to check out food & items indigenous to the area. Not only is this market full of character, but it's historical as well! It's the oldest continuously publicly operating farmer's market in the country since 1730! Hours are limited : TUES,FRI & SAT 7am-3PM ( although on the doors it says (6am-3pm) call to verify. So plan accordingly. Some businesses take only cash, so come prepared with cash & credit! If you take pictures be sure to just ask before you do. Some allow it, some have signs not to. There are numerous stand holders ranging from trinkets, t-shirts, soaps,lotions, novelty items to fresh produce, seafood & meats, to baked goods, including gluten free to beautiful flowers & ethnic foods & sandwiches. Even treats & toys for your fur babies! Everything is primarily on the first floor, including restrooms. There is a set of stairs/elevators that lead to a very small indoor balcony overlooking the market. It has roughly 3 triangular tables for standing & eating. While there are some 2 person tables lining the perimeter inside the market, they tend to become occupied rather quickly. If you want an idea of the stand holders in the market, go to the LAncaster Central Market website & they list just about all of them, & their corresponding location. There's so many! My approach when I arrived was to go down every aisle quickly browsing each stand to see which ones I wanted to potentially patron. The aisles are tight & narrow & it gets busy & crowded. While strollers are permitted it is a tough squeeze as I saw others navigate through the crowds. I knew I wanted to try some Shoofly pie & found 3 stand holders that carried them. I went with Shady Maple & that was a good choice! They also had a smaller size pie (6"), in addition to the regular sizes. Which was helpful as I didn't want to commit to a larger size if I didn't like it. Thankfully I did! We also ordered a PB Long John, holy moly was that fantastic! In all fairness, all of Shady Maple's pastries looked delicious! They also offer a gluten free section at the far left of their counter. The young lady who helped me was so patient, friendly & kind throughout my barrage of questions. Ps I'm from the Mid-Atlantic, I have never heard of Long Johns. They looked more like eclairs to me, but I was explained that they are essentially elongated donuts. Other stands we thoroughly enjoyed were S. Clyde Weaver, they had some really good customized sandwiches that we consumed later at the Strasburg RR parking lot & Nord had absolutely delicious lemon frommage! With the market on my to do list, I came prepared with a cooler & ice packs with the intent to buy some goods & I didn't want to miss out! Plus we had other stops after & I didn't want anything to spoil. Street parking is available, but we parked in the Hager Parking Lot which is a quick walk. Parking is $4 an hour. Hold onto your ticket. It's better to pay at the kiosk before exiting the lot versus paying at the gate to exit. Plus even if you are over by a minute it will charge you another hour. I spoke to a friendly local who provided me that info. Payment is by credit card, cash (maybe) accepted as well. Definitely a place to check out whether a local or a tourist like me :-)

This is a fun market to visit on a trip to Lancaster. The city of Lancaster itself is fairly forgettable, but beautiful Central Market is located in an historic building and filled with wonderful vendors and great staff. Worth a stop before heading back out to the countryside.

Farm fresh vegetables, and fruits. Lots of choices when deciding what to have for lunch. We had delicious empanadas from Uruguay. Puerto Rican rice and beans with flavorful baked chicken. Lots of baked goods and delicious chocolate candy. Highly recommended when visiting downtown Lancaster.

Great spot with plenty to do great bake goods and all kinds of food from Cuban and many more types of cuisine, You can find fresh fruit and all kinds of fresh meats.

A wonderful place. Huge variety of foods and gifts. A must see attraction. It's only open three days a week. Tuesday, Friday And Saturday. But go bring money

I want to live here. Such an amazing selection of freshly baked goodies, meats, produce, cheeses, breads and different cuisines! The beef teriyaki skewers and carne asada from the butcher really stole the show for me, so flavorful and tender! And the habanero cheddar cheese I picked up was to die for. You can really make a whole day out of planning out a meal from what's available in Central Market.

First time here for my wife and I . We loved it the fresh produce and the meats and cheese's along with anything you can think of wow

An absolute delight - the variety of foods available is fantastic. - pies pickles honeys jelly's donuts meats breads pastries - prices are good portions are good everyone's happy. Butter ! Bacon!! Soups !! Walk around and buy a little of everything you won't be able to resist

Neat place with lots of choices - fresh produce, cheeses,meats and baked goods. Something for everyone!

Lancaster Central Market is one of the best city/farmer's market I've ever visited in my travels. It's a good mix of farm fresh goods, bakeries, food stalls, and artisans. During our June vacation, we purchased new potatoes, onions, peaches, herbs, deli meats and cheeses, a quiche, and the most delightful hand pies. I was also impressed to see three flower vendors. The local residents are so lucky to have 3 market days a week. If I lived here, I'd be in heaven.

The Lancaster Central Market is an amazing collection of local business all under one (historic) roof. It's only three days a week (Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) and it opens and closes on the early side (6am to 3pm). On the day we visited there were some street performers outside as well. It can be a bit crowded. Vendors range from hip and trendy to conservative Amish shops, and there's a bit of everything, especially if you come hungry. We brought a cooler along just to pack in all the good stuff we got.

I always love going to Market. I spent 50$ and i came home with 3 full bags of veggies, meat, and bread. No matter what time i come it is always crammed packed. Like when I say crammed, i mean CRAMMED. It's worth it when i save myself nearly 100$ on groceries though. The Shops are always great quality and always worth their price. Shopping there is always a smart choice and would recommend to anyone who is shopping on a budget.

A little of this and a lot of that can be found here. The central market is simply that. It has everything you need! A farmers market of sorts offering Meats, fruit and vegetables, canned goods of varying food varieties, fresh cooked and baked goods, coffee, smoothies, arts, crafts and nuts you can eat and people who are just plain "nuts" walking around :) Love all the shops and energy of this place. I was told many of the items here are locally sourced and sustainable. There are limited tables for you to dine in to enjoy the diverse food offerings here. The market is not open everyday and you need to check the schedule. Finding Parking is a challenge but there are indoor parking lots in the area. Hours of Operation from the website: TUESDAY 6 AM - 3 PM FRIDAY 6 AM - 3 PM SATURDAY 6 AM - 3 PM A definite place to visit when you're in the Lancaster area.

Sensory overload...in a good way. Multiple choices for the picky eater. I have eaten at Farm2Table two times and the sandwiches are great. I've gotten the Amber Special twice. The market has fresh meat, produce, drinks, crafts, etc. all under one roof. It's hit in the summer. I don't know about the winter. Not a ton of places to sit down to eat. Every business is friendly. Some of them sell out early. Rustic decor combined with modern amenities. Try the pickle place.

Just like any market it will be crowded. Take your time, be patient and shop away. There is a little bit of everything, but a good percentage is food. My daughter enjoyed an Oola Bowl from Oola Bowl. My mother picked up some cookies and my husband picked up some coffee. Seating is limited, so if it is cold out prepare.

Produce, food, atmosphere, vendors, all receive a perfect 10 from me:) I tried some Cuban empanadas, they were awesome in flavor and texture. Amish pickles were the delight of the people I gave them to. Dutch classic plates, diverse ethnic foods, and home made breads were all excitingly great. Price on certain items was high compared to similar products elsewhere but hey it's Lancaster!

I visited here at 7:30 a.m. on a Tuesday, and there were some vendors that were open and a few that were still closed. There were not a whole lot of people. I looked around and saw many groceries, meats, and dairy products. There were some souvenirs, but not many. The majority of people who came here were locals who went in to get what they needed and leave. Many vendors were very welcoming and happy to see tourists who had come from far away stop by. I ate some baked goods from an Amish vendor, salmon lox with toasted bread from a Norwegian vendor, and a chickpea salad. The food tasted fresh and had just the right amount of seasoning.

Only open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Parking garage a block away. Street metered parking is hard to find. A busy market with many stands and sellers. Things from hand rolled pretzels and pastries to fudge and empanadas, it's worth a visit! People also selling hand made crafts and such. There's a small dining area of tables and chairs in one corner of the market but also plenty of space to sit outside of the market if it's a nice day. The walkways are tight so it will be tough traveling there with a strollers.

Visiting for the first time because usually when we come, they are closed! Currently, they are open Tues, Fri and Saturday from 6Am-3PM. I love this market! There are so many wonderful, good quality goodies to choose from! There are vendor stalls including organic produce, home grown produce, popcorn, candy, bakeries, smoothies, seafood, meats (like grass fed beef that look so fresh!), handmade soaps, candle melts, candles, tea leaves, and so much more! I purchased an ounce of earl grey tea leaves (they are loose leaves measured out by weight) for $2. I am drinking this now and i can tell you that it is so fragrant, even without any sugar or milk- and this is after i refilled with my second cup of water! We also purchased some soy candle melts (3 for $10) and an oatmeal honey milk body scrub ($9). Haven't used them yet but they look good! I'd love to come back when i can browse at a more leisurely pace! There are so many vendor stalls that it can get overwhelming if you are in a time crunch.

This is my second time to Lancaster, and my first stop is always at the Central Market. I was able to get some excellent baked goods for the family back home, and a wonderful breakfast sandwich for myself.

If you've ever been to Quincy market in Boston or Grand Central Station market in New York City, Lancaster central market has a similar vibe. Amazing food options everywhere. Local cheese, coffee, seafood, produce, meat, baked goods...it goes on and on. My only concern is that it's extremely crowded and I'm not doing crowds these days. So, I walked most of the aisles but didn't really stop to purchase anything since it was just too busy for me. Our friends did buy coffee, jerky, lavender and squash from four different vendors. Cool place if you don't have a crowd aversion.

I visited here for the first time today. There were alot of foods and baked goods being sold. There were also all types of preserves, spices and milks as well as lotions, soaps and candles. We found off street parking not far away and it costed about $2.50/hr. Parking wasn't too hard to find possibly because the visit was on a Tuesday. There are parking lots and garages listed on the market website. I would visit here again.

I stopped in Tuesday morning and found street parking available nearby. The market is smaller than anticipated, but offers a solid offering from baked goods to coffee to produce to meat. There is limited seating on one side if you want to try to eat while there. There are also three tables outside of the market for days when you want to be outside. There are a few high top tables upstairs as well, but no seats if you want to stand and eat. It's wasn't crowded when I arrived just before 9 am, though did get more traffic around 10:30 am. I spent maybe 45 minutes there, including ordering and eating a doughnut and empanada (separately).

Lots of great finds! Went on a Tuesday so some of the shops were closed, unfortunately. Loved the trinkets we bought, and the coffee was awesome! Great service, too. Would definitely come back if we're in Lancaster.

Visit Deli Grassi (booth #60) for the best meatball and sausage subs you will ever have. Soft roll and delicious marinara. Tons of other great food, groceries, and knick-knacks in the market.

I found a great sandwich here and 2 donuts. The place is a little packed on a Saturday but you can always stay outside. There are tons of bench and tables. Walking around you will run into cheese shop, butcher and fresh veggie. Everyone is friendly and filled with life. Great place to get a quick bite.

A must when you visit Lancaster. So many things to choose from- smoothies, juices, cold cuts, Amish pretzels, beautiful flowers assortments and even Puerto Rican food. I even found gluten free baked goods. Can't wait to go back!

Spontaneously made a trip to visit this market last Saturday. The market is doing a great job at following COVID guidelines. They are limiting the amount of people allowed in the market at one time, requiring masks, and have certain entrances/exits so people aren't coming in and out at once. Most vendors are not allowing you to touch any product. You tell them which fruit/veggie you want and they will grab it with gloves and package it for you. I picked up some produce and biscotti, both were reasonable priced for being local and fresh. My mom and I snacked on two soft pretzels while we were here. They were ok- we prefer the ones at the Shrewsbury Amish Market. This market is smaller than we imagined but still worth checking out. I would recommend getting here early though. We arrived around 12:30 and a lot of stuff, particularly meats, cheeses, and desserts, were already sold out.

Every time I visit Lancaster I make sure to visit this Market for the most unique and fresh foods.

What a lovely farmer's market. Lots of vendors. Some only take cash and there is an ATM available.

"The Lancaster Central Market is America's oldest farmer's market. The market has been operated continuously since the 1730's." This old brick building market is not a place for amazing lunch plates on every corner. This is literally a market for meats, veggies, trinkets, jams/honey, etc. Albeit, there are a few sandwich joints inside that looked pretty good. The Amish folks run this joint and you can shop all their wares. There's a shop that sells eggs from geese, ducks, and big/small chickens. I got some jerky from the Turkey Lady and it wasn't bad. If I lived in the area, I would definitely shop around here for fresh meats. Bottom line is that you come here for the charm of farmland America, not a social media photoshoot. If you keep this in mind, then the market is pretty awesome. Be sure to check out the days and hours of the market since it's not open everyday.

One of my favorite farmers market. They have a little of everything and most of the prep foods are made to order. Can't comment much on the meats and veggies as I don't come to pick cooking ingredients. The prep foods here are good though. Nothing beats a Pennsylvania Dutch Glazed donut. This time, got a pretzel Donut and it did not disappoint. Soft, fluffy, and perfect complement to a morning coffee. Also ordered a few regular pretzels and a sandwich/sub as well. Sandwich tasted great as well. The bread was soft and the meat & veggies tasted fresh as well. A must visit if your in the Lancaster area or stopping through to go to an attraction in the area.

This is a fantastic farmers market with nice variety. I love the old brick building. There is plenty of fresh produce, delicious prepared foods and some specialty gifts. I make it a habit of picking up fresh horseradish for my dad each time I visit. There are flowers, plants, soaps, baked goods, meat and more. It can get crowded at times and I always need to double check the hours, because they are unconventional. They do not have their own parking, but we have always found street parking without too much trouble.

Downtown Lancaster is a really nice, inviting area. Central Market is in there with many vendors selling baked good, jellies, meats, vegetables, etc. Everyone is really friendly here, and there is so much stuff. The vegetables look really fresh and at a great price, but we were visiting from out of town so unfortunately could not take advantage of it. We did get some baked goods here, and they were all quite delicious. When we visited, there was some live music playing as well. This place has a nice charm to it. Would recommend coming early to avoid any crowds.

Overcrowded, loud, small...you are literally shoulder to shoulder with people. Disappointed because we drove quite a distance to get there. Every other vendor seemed to be selling similar things, plus they act like everyone is trying to steal. My family and I couldn't look at anything without shop employees suspiciously hovering over us. We expected to see homemade Amish food but we didn't see much of that here. Lots of overpriced junk. Not impressed at all.