Fabulous Food Markets around the World – Big, Small and Local

Cozes Market, SW France

Fabulous Food Markets around the World – Big, Small and Local

West Seattle Farmers Market: Image West Seattle Farmers Markets

I am lucky enough to have lived and travelled all over the world, and as an avid cook and foodie, I am always drawn to the food markets in each country I visit or have lived. My top ten markets may differ to National Geographic’s Top Ten Food Markets of the World, but, we do share some of the same hallowed foodie temples on our lists!  First on my list of  fabulous food markets around the world, and just across the channel, is my local market in COZES, in the Charente Maritime, SW France.

My local market in COZES, in the Charente Maritime, SW France.

This wonderful covered market may not be as big as some of the more famous global food markets, but is just as interesting and is FILLED with local produce. There is a market there twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays – and on the second Thursday in every month, we have an enormous one that goes on ALL day. The market is open from about 6am to the early afternoon, as one needs to get home for lunch in France, and everything stops for lunch!

Locally baked artisan bread, Cozes Market, SW France

Cozes is an ancient Medieval Covered Market Place – it’s truly beautiful; the wooden benches that the market traders set their stalls up on, are the ORIGINAL Medieval ones, and you can see numerous marks and cuts that are centuries old. Apart from the historical aspect of the market, the food that is on offer is amazing, from artisan breads and brioche to fresh oysters and local cheeses. There is a spice stall and lots of small holders with locally grown fruit and vegetables, as well as strings of garlic and bunches of shallots and onions.

Bunches of Shallots, Cozes Market, SW France

Moving on from my local market, and I will be sharing a full post about it on Lavender and Lovage in the future, here are my other top food markets from around the world, where I have been lucky enough to visit.

Borough Market, London

Vibrant and colourful, this London market has just about any foodie treat on offer to customers, as well as some of the best street food on offer in London

Borough Market, London: Image Free Attraction Reviews

Castries Market, St. Lucia

A fabulous market for spices, local basketwork as well as fish and seafood – full of sound and colour and so representative of the island.

basketwork at Castries Market, St. Lucia: Image Travel Photo Base

Egyptian (Spice) Market, Istanbul

This is the place for all your spices, as well as a plethora of fruit teas and Turkish Delight too. Hustle and bustle amongst the locals for the most amazing ingredients.

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar: Image The Guardian

Kowloon Street Markets, Hong Kong

The markets of my childhood, and the best place to enjoy Cantonese street food as well as buy local produce or have your fortune told, or even buy a “thousand year old egg”.

Nelson Street Market, Kowloon: Image Every Trail

Nuremberg Christmas Market, Germany

As Christmas approaches, I am squeezing in a Christmas market – I visited this market many years ago and the magic of the market still remains in my memory – wall to wall gingerbread and glühwein, as well as beautiful wooden toys.

Nuremberg Christmas Market: Image Christmas Markets

There are many more amazing markets throughout the world of course, too many to mention here, but if you are jetting off from Gatwick airport this winter for a well-earned break , don’t forget you can take your car to the airport, as Gatwick Parking provides cheap and easy car parking for your trip abroad, and an easy way to get all of your foodie purchases home once you land! Have a wonderful festive season and enjoy the food markets wherever you travel to this winter. Karen 

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