When most people think of farmers markets, a picture of a few tents in a parking lot comes to mind. Sure the food and produce may be great, but there’s no “wow” factor. In Dallas, known fondly as the Big D, bigger is always better and that goes for our farmers market as well.
Newly reopened in the beginning of this year, the farmers market now includes not only all the same great fruits and veggies as before, but favorite Dallas restaurants and shops too. Every Dallasite should make full use of all the Dallas Farmers Market has to offer. Keep reading to find out what makes it so great.
1. A $65 million face lift
Photo by Caroline Early
A couple of years ago the Dallas Farmers Market was taken over by a private company and a huge renovation project broke ground. Today, the space includes The Market, a 26,000 square foot food hall, The Shed, an open-air pavilion with local vendors and fresh produce, and coming soon, Futsal Park, a space for 5-on-5 soccer, and luxury housing.
2. Restaurants in the Market
Photo by Caroline Early
The Market is home to a wide variety of restaurants, including additional locations of the best Dallas has to offer. The full list is as follows: Rex’s Seafood at The Market, Taqueria La Ventana, Stocks & Bondy, Palmieri Café, Mudhen, Bellatrino Neapolitan Pizzaria & Cucina, Cajun Tailgators, La Popular, Laili, Si Tapas, Caribbean Cabana, Chombos. For a description of each vendor, check out this article.
3. The Shed
Photo by Caroline Early
The Shed is part of what makes the renovations of the farmers market so amazing. First of all, there are misters and fans to lower temps by 15°F which is SO necessary in the triple digit temperatures that are the norm for Dallas summers. Upgrades also include shopping carts and higher quality food and vendors.
4. Locally grown produce
Photo by Caroline Early
One of the differences between the old and new farmers markets is the disappearance of non-local produce resellers (think pineapple and papaya). While it may seem like a bad thing that you can’t purchase all your fav tropical fruits in The Shed, think of the benefits it provides for the local farmers.
5. Expand your tastes
Photo courtesy of dallas.eater.com
Farmers markets everywhere are full of unique and tasty dishes, produce and products that most people haven’t tried. There is so much offered at the new Dallas Farmers Market, so it’s easy to embrace it all at once.
6. Food Trucks
Photo by Caroline Early
In addition to the large number of other vendors at the farmers market, there is also two food trucks that are stationed at the complex: Nammi and Cool Haus. Nammi specializes in Vietnamese fusion, and their bahn mi is to die for. Cool Haus has some of the best cookie ice cream sandwiches in town and will be adding milkshakes, floats and ice cream bars to their menu. I personally recommend their mint chip ice cream #bestIeverhad.
7. Rubial’s
Photo by Caroline Early
Located directly next to the farmers market, Rubial’s is the perfect place to stop for some gorgeous plants, flowers, or vegetables for your garden after stocking up on produce at the market.
8. Shops in The Market
Photo by Caroline Early
Not only are there great sit-down restaurants in The Market, there is also a variety of specialized vendors that sell sweet treats and fun merchandise. The selection includes Chelles Macarons, Doc Popcorn, Market Provisions Co., Betty’s Blue Ribbon Fare, Dallas Antique Co., Lone Chimney Mercantile, Abundantly Aromatic and Bullzerk. Be sure to check out Bullzerk’s assortment of t-shirts asserting Dallas’s dominance over other cities in Texas.
9. Explore Dallas
Photo courtesy of dmagazine.com
While you’re downtown it would be worth your while to check out some of the great close by neighborhoods Dallas has to offer. You could check out Deep Ellum and feel like a true hipster, explore the Arts District (the largest contiguous urban arts district in the nation), shop around in Uptown, or see what’s happening in Oak Cliff.