From San Diego’s South Bay to our North County, food halls have really carved out a space for themselves in our local food scene over the last five years. Let’s take a look at these hubs of grub, in all their glory — and, of course, some must-try items.
Liberty Public Market
- Established: 2016
- Address: 2820 Historic Decatur Rd., Ste. 140
- Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
What to know: Located in the heart of Liberty Station and featuring 30+ vendors, many credit LPM for pioneering the food hall trend in San Diego. The marketplace is located inside a historic building that dates back to 1923, formerly part of San Diego’s Naval Training Center. It’s central bar is dubbed the Mess Hall as an homage to the sailors who dined in those very rooms all of those years ago.
We go here a lot and let our noses guide us. Usually, we end up at Paraná for the savory Argentinian empanadas, with a craft beer in hand from Bottlecraft, followed by something sweet from Olala Crepes. Pro tip: The patio is ample and dog friendly, and a great place to relax and eat. Sometimes, there’s live music, a trivia night, or beer bingo.
Windmill Food Hall
- Established: 2019
- Address: 890 Palomar Rd. (the landmark building with the giant Windmill, can’t miss it)
- Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
What to know: Located in Carlsbad, the Windmill Food Hall features about a dozen vendors. Find us grabbing a burger or chicken sandwich from Cosmo’s Burgers or ordering the Mongolian beef at
Secret Sauce Wok + Grill.
Pro tip: The patio is a great spot to enjoy a meal with active little ones — there’s a lot of space to run around.
Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands
- Established: June 2021
- Address: 12841 El Camino Real (above Jimbo’s market)
- Hours: vary by vendor
What to know: This two-level culinary collective at Del Mar Highlands Town Center in Carmel Valley houses nine concepts — from Italian and French cuisines, to Thai, Japanese, and Mexican. We love the variety here, and typically find ourselves on the Brewers Deck first, enjoying a pint at Northern Pine while plotting our global food journey.
Pro tip: Six of the eateries join forces Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m., to offer happy hour deals — Ambrogio15, Craft House, Glass Box, Marufuku Ramen, Understory, and URBANA. Chef’s kiss.
Market on 8th
- Established: October 2021
- Address: 41 E. 8th St., National City
- Hours: Daily, hours vary by vendor
What to know: This 9,000-sqft food hall has transformed quite a bit since its debut, shifting to stalls mostly focused on Mexican cuisine in September 2024. Inside, patrons will find merchants including Tacos La Ocho, Carnitas Quiroga, and Kiko’s Place, a spot once featured on Netflix’s “Taco Chronicles.” For a pint or glass of wine, pull up a chair at Barra 8, and for a sweet treat, try a milkshake from Poppy’s & Cream.
Pro tip: Taco Tuesday is on point here — follow the market on Instagram for the latest deals.
Tremont Collective
- Established: November 2021
- Address: 602 S. Tremont St., Oceanside
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
What to know: This hub for both shopping and dining features food and drinks from local brands like Bottlecraft, Communal Coffee, and Shoots Fish & Beer. Also, don’t miss a visit to Bueno Wine & Goods, a truly graze-ful specialty shop that offers charcuterie boards + wine.
Old Town Urban Market is a collective of Latin-inspired businesses on Congress Street in Old Town San Diego. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
Old Town Urban Market
- Established: December 2021
- Address: 2458 Congress St., Old Town San Diego
- Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
What to know: This colorful addition to SD’s food hall scene sits in the heart of the historic landmark and offers a spacious patio where you can sip + savor your haul. Once helmed by Chef Priscilla Curiel’s Michelin-honored Tuetano Taqueria (now located in Chula Vista), the market is now features vendors like Fuego Sushi, Elote, Bonehead Burgers, and Flor’s Farm to Table.
Pro tip: Don’t miss the delectable donuts at Barrio Donas and the treats at Hola Paris, a Mexican-French fusion spot.
Mercato Food Hall
- Established: September 2023
- Address: 9420 Scranton Rd., Sorrento Valley
- Hours: Daily, vary by eatery
The restaurants at this small food hall are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Try Fiesta Mexican Grille for a breakfast burrito, Grater Grilled Cheese for lunch, and Corner Office Craft Bar & Kitchen for a happy hour cocktail or dinner — that one is open until 11 p.m.
Mission + Garnet
- Established: February 2023
- Address: Mission Boulevard + Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
- Hours: Vary by vendor
What to know: When it debuted in early 2023, this 4,000-sqft collective at the former site of the PB Denny’s featured six takeout eateries. Founder Scott Slater still runs his breakfast burrito spot Earlybird here, but the spaces have been reconfigured to house the Manhattan-based cult favorite Prince Street Pizza and Irv’s Burgers.
Changes, changes
San Diego’s dining scene is always evolving. Here are some updates on local food halls as of Feb. 14, 2025:
- After seven years in business at Piazza della Famiglia, Little Italy Food Hall announced it would close its doors on Feb. 16, 2025. The Little Italy hotspot was anchored by concepts created by Grain & Grit Collective and YouTube superstar Sam “The Cooking Guy” Zien, including Not Not Tacos and Samburgers. In late January 2025, Zien announced he was bowing out of the restaurant business.
- A planned food hall at the former US Bank building on Girard Avenue in La Jolla is potentially opening in 2026. Developers said the concept will likely feature seven tenants, and so far, interest from local businesses has been high. We’ll keep an eye on updates.
