Everything to Know About Philly’s New Food Halls

Food halls, the fancy version of a food court with local eateries, no mega-chains, and, often, alcohol, are popping up across the country. While you could argue that Philadelphia was one of the first to embrace the food hall, with Reading Terminal Market opening way back in 1893, when it comes to modern versions like New York City’s Chelsea Market, Philly lags behind. But the city is starting to catch up. Chinatown Square opened last year in Chinatown with a range of Asian eateries, from Cambodian barbecue to poke to rolled ice cream. The newly opened Franklin’s Table food hall is now serving Goldie’s falafel, Kensington Quarters’ burgers, and Double Knot’s sushi from the University of Pennsylvania campus. Up next is the Bourse Marketplace, a total revamp of the old food court in the historic Bourse building across from Independence Mall.