Eastern Market

Eastern Market is a brick building occupying an entire city block, housing indoor stalls where vendors sell fresh meats, produce, and baked goods in permanent booths. Additional outdoor vendors set up on weekends, extending the shopping experience into the surrounding streets.

Architect Adolf Cluss designed this structure in 1871, making it the last remaining public market building in Washington DC still serving its original purpose. The building survived and was rebuilt following a major fire in 2007.

The market serves as a gathering place where neighbors chat with vendors while shopping, and local artists display their crafts alongside produce and baked goods. This mixing of food shopping and artistic expression reflects how Capitol Hill residents live and interact daily.

The market is busiest on weekend mornings when outdoor vendors are set up, though weekday shopping is quieter if you prefer a calmer browse. Arriving early gives you the best selection of fresh items and lets you move through comfortably.

The market shares its surroundings with nearby artist studios and galleries run by some of the same creators who sell their work here. This blend of food commerce and artist workspaces makes it different from typical urban markets.

Location: Washington

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 07:00-19:00; Saturday 07:00-18:00; Sunday 09:00-17:00

GPS coordinates: 38.88659,-76.99647

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:24