Share This

After a visit to the Whitney, return along the Highline and exit at W15th Street. Chelsea Market encompasses the block at W15th, W16th and 9th & 10th Avenues. On the original site where Algonquin Indians would sell their wares, The National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) built their factory. Coinciding with the Highline construction, the architects designed the building in order for the line to run through the inside. Making use of lard from nearby butchers in the Meatpacking District, Nabisco baked their famous Oreo and other brands of biscuits on the premises for 60 years before moving to the suburbs. Now with a food hall, shopping mall, offices and TV studios, Chelsea Market is a one-stop shop for fashion, produce, kitchenware, dining, and the recording of Food Network’s, Iron Chef America.

Artists & Fleas, at the 10th Ave entrance, presents Brooklyn design, art, fashion, vintage and more. A large space with new vendors appearing weekly. Pick up new and used, rare and classic vinyl from EAT Records along with vintage stereo equipment. For a whimsical poetry inspired ready to wear range check out Ava Hu’s Avalove. Brooklyn Charm will make your handpicked jewellery on the spot and if recycled forks, spoons, typewriter keys and stones are your thing then Churoncalla have just what you need in their jewellery range. Pigeon Be Pigeon is a quirky clothing range by street artist Simon Hyun. Prints of the urban landscape include….yes, Pigeons!

Outside Artists & Fleas, Imports from Marrakesh have an eclectic range of shoes, bags and homewares. Seek kitchenware advice from the knowledgeable staff at Bowery Kitchens. When you’ve stocked up on fresh fruit and veg at Manhattan Fruit Exchange, seafood from the Lobster Place, meat from Dickson’s Farmstand and picked your bottles up from Chelsea Wine Vault you may be ready for a snack and a glass. Prop yourself at the bar at Corkbuzz and leave your selection to the very capable staff. Wines from Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, and Austria are joined by the more familiar from Italy, France and California. The all-day menu provides salads, snacks and small plates with a great range of cheeses and charcuterie. So relax and take a load off.

There may be time to browse through Anthropologie before making it to Cull & Pistol for $1 oysters from 4 – 6 pm weekdays. No, that was not a typo! To avail of this extraordinary offer, you need to sit at the bar, but it packs out quickly so arrive early to score your seat. According to Cull & Pistol staff, 3 of any one bivalve variety allows the maximum appreciation of their flavour. At only $1 each, an oyster tasting tour is not out of the question. Our journey took us from New Brunswick to Maine, onto Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington, Connecticut and back to New York. Selections change daily and with 2 hours to travel, who knows where you’ll end up.

To end your day at Chelsea Market, perhaps a table at Buddakan at the 9th and W15th corner? Modern Asian cuisine presented artistically with an awe-inspiring dim sum menu is hard to refuse.

An entire day spent at Chelsea Market: it’s a thing we love….