Findlay Market in downtown Cincinnati is a historic foodie destination with both basic and specialty offerings. Here's a glimpse at the market!
During one weekend getaway to Cincinnati, we took in an underground brewery tour, an artsy coffee shop, and a trip to the historic Findlay Market, one of the downtown area's oldest landmarks.
If foodie explorations are your thing (like they are mine!), here's what to know about adding the market to your own Cincinnati trip.
How Do I Get to Findlay Market?
The market is located in the Over the Rhine district in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.
Hourly paid parking is available at a large lot on Findlay Street (just north of the market building). It's clearly signposted for customers.
There's also a free streetcar that has multiple stops in this district, so if you're making a day of it and checking out other places in the downtown area, you may just be able to leave your car in one spot and use the tram.
The market is closed on Mondays.
What's the History of the Market?
Cincinnati used to be home to nine public markets! Findlay is the last of them that's still running, and it was built starting in 1852.
It was originally an open-air pavilion, but is now enclosed. There is an outdoor Farmers Market area that's open year-round on the weekends, where local produce, artisanal goods, flowers, and other things are sold.
The main iron frame building is now on the National Register of Historic Places, and its antique tower bell still rings out every morning.
Inside, everything painted red is the original iron framework from the 19th century.
Interested in learning more? Sign up for a free bi-monthly tour, or contact the market for an inexpensive basic tour or the "Tour and Treat" where you get to sample a product.
What Kind of Foods Can I Find?
You'll find a wide variety of shops inside the market, including butchers, seafood, bakeries, and everything from basic to exotic food options.
About two-thirds of the vendors are selling raw foods; the rest offer prepared foods.
Some of the merchants have been in this market for multiple generations!
There are more than 50 shops found here at Findlay. And the streets surrounding it are filled with food vendors too.
More than a million people visit this market every year, making it one of Cincinnati's top attractions, right up there with the zoo and the museum center.
There are also restaurant booths with meal options, like Taste of Belgium, Mama Lo Hizo, Harmony Plant Fare, The Gourmand Group, and more. So you could also easily come for lunch.
We especially enjoyed checking out the quick pickle seasoning from All Spice Merchants, and indulged in a very tasty cannoli from Bouchard's.
Then we polished off the cannoli with a delicious latte from Moxy.
Moxy also produces lots of pastries, including savory and sweet croissants, danishes, and muffins.
There are so many options in the market that it's hard to narrow down what to try on just one visit! If you get to go, let us know what foods we should be on the lookout for next time.
Want to explore more of the Over the Rhine district? Stop in at Bakersfield for Mexican street food and delicious cocktails!
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