Vendors first set up shop at the Italian Market in the mid-to-late 1880s, and today, the spread of stalls, stores, and eateries runs all along South 9th Street in Philadelphia’s residential Bella Vista neighborhood. A trip here involves all the senses: sights, sounds, vibrant colors, and, most intoxicating of all, the combined aromas of spices, coffee, and just-baked bread. Along this stretch, shoppers can find fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, fish, seafood, meats, cheeses, pastries, homemade pasta, ice cream, chocolates, and tea. The 10-block market area also includes a great variety of restaurants. Overwhelmed by the choices? Stop at the Visitor Center for suggestions. The market operates all year round, and in all types of weather.
This annual festival features live entertainment, games (including a greased pole-climbing contest) and food, plus the Italian Market’s dazzling array of homemade sausages, delicious cannoli, imported meats and cheeses, luscious cappuccino, butcher-cut beef and poultry, specialty cookware and fresh pastas.
L. Berckey for VISIT PHILADELPHIA
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The Italian Market Philadelphia
Let’s start with the Italian Market. I LOVE this place. Go to Tortilleria San Roman! I got about 34 tortillas, a medium bag size of tortilla chips and a huge thing of salsa all for 7 bucks. After that I hit up the streets that were filled with produce. I got habanero peppers, corn, onions, mangos, sun dried tomato’s, artichokes and much more all for $17. Needles to say I have been eating healthy all week and I still have a ton of produce left. If you’re going to do this and are spending the day in Philly after, I would recommend to leave a cooler in your trunk with ice packs. Because, trust me when you enter that market street you will have no idea what you will walk out with.
