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The Union Market district is always in motion. The noise of the double-blade fans suspended from store ceilings in combination with the muddled, overlapping chatter of perusing patrons means there’s never a silent moment in the space: just a gentle and consistent thrum, like a heartbeat. An array of differently shaped light fixtures, each belonging to a different vendor, creates a scrapbook of shapes in Union Market’s and La Cosecha’s industrial-style buildings, and each stall’s dangling sign hints at its unique aesthetic. Droves of D.C. residents and tourists alike flow in and out of the destination every day.

Union Market opened as Union Terminal Market in 1931, back when individual vendors were the primary place to pick up groceries, clothes and home goods. The space was originally outdoor-only; the Union Market building was constructed in 1967, but lost traffic and fell into disrepair by the ’80s. Beginning in the late 2000s, real estate company Edens began purchasing many of the neighboring storefronts and started refurbishing them. The entire district has exploded in popularity since the official space’s opening in 2012. In addition to the more than 70 food vendors and restaurants, it now sports a record store, a bookstore, a bridal boutique, a small movie theater, a live music venue and a subscription-based nail salon. One of the newest additions to its programming is the Freshfarm farmers market, which is open on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and calls back to the district’s earliest days as an open-air exchange.

But Union Market isn’t just for shopping; it also includes a rooftop lounge space, art studios, and activities such as yoga and — most recently — drive-in movies. You can spend an entire day in the district and still have more activities on your to-do list, but by far the most abundant category of shop is the eatery. Every conceivable type of food your palate desires — plus a helping of fusion dishes — is available in the five-block-by-five-block region of Northeast. So we’ve compiled a guide to help you decide where and what to eat in the Union Market district, with some pro tips and insider information along the way.

Craig Hudson

Market hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The modernized Union Market building is home to 34 full-time food and drink vendors and a handful of pop-ups. Wander through the space, which is located next to the historic awnings of its early-20th-century predecessor, and you’ll be met with abundant scents, shops and spots to eat.

<a href="https://www.its2fiftys.com/" target=_blank>2Fifty’s</a>: 2Fifty’s, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2020/11/10/best-barbecue-dc-maryland-virginia/" target=_blank>hailed as the region’s best barbecue in 2020 by Post food critic Tim Carman</a>, serves juicy Texas-style barbecue smoked meats by the pound, sandwiches and its signature honey mustard that you can also buy bottled. Its original storefront is located in Riverdale Park, Md., but visiting the Union Market spot will provide you with a taste of its full menu.

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

<a href="https://www.abovegrounddc.com/" target=_blank>Aboveground</a>: Aboveground offers classic British dishes like fish and chips and battered sausage at a stall decorated with the colors of the Union Jack. It also sports an assortment of British candy and drinks that you’d otherwise have to venture across the pond (or to an international food shop) to get your hands on.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

<a href="https://www.bananablossombistro.com/" target=_blank>Banana Blossom Bistro</a>: If you’re in the mood for pho, banh mi and other Vietnamese-inspired dishes, Banana Blossom Bistro is your stop at Union Market. Its savory options are complemented by its sparkling sweet and sour lemon-limeade, known in Vietnamese as soda chanh and da chanh, which it crafts in-house.

<a href="https://www.bidwelldc.com/" target="_blank">Bidwell Restaurant:</a> A sit-down restaurant within the Union Market building, Bidwell dishes out classed-up American staples like New York strip steaks and gooey gourmet raclette grilled cheese. It also occupies the most space, with its own airy region of the market sectioned off for its diners and designed to feel like a neighborhood gathering spot. Much of its menu uses produce from the restaurant’s rooftop aeroponic garden, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/going-out-guide/wp/2014/01/06/bidwell-to-open-in-union-market-on-thursday/" target="_blank">a passion project of lead chef John Mooney</a>.

Hours: Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; dinner, 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Weekend Boozy Brunch, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

<a href="https://www.bundup.com/" target=_blank>Bun’d Up</a>: Bun’d Up by chef Scott Chung demands you “bao down” to its Korean-inspired take on fluffy Taiwanese gua bao. Its goal in fusing Korean, Taiwanese and American cultures, according to its website, is to create “an exploration of the Asian American identity through food.”

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

<a href="https://www.dandanboy.com/" target=_blank>Dan Dan Boy</a>: This East Asian restaurant is one of Union Market’s newer food vendors. Its name comes from a child who spotted the Sichuan-style dan dan noodle stand at a farmer’s market and referred to its operator as the “dan dan boy.” Since then, the restaurant has expanded, opening its stall in Union Market in June.

<a href="http://dcdosa.com/" target=_blank>DC Dosa</a>: DC Dosa has become a staple of Union Market with its South Indian namesake dish, vegetarian lentil crepes stuffed with a variety of spices. Owner Priya Ammu came to the United States from Mumbai and, after pursuing several other career paths, ultimately opened DC Dosa as a pop-up restaurant in 2012. Today, she serves her childhood cuisine at the restaurant’s Union Market home, with another store recently opened in Water Park food hall in Crystal City.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

<a href="http://laobandumplings.com/" target=_blank>Laoban Dumplings:</a> The Laoban Chinese dumpling shop — which also offers a slate of East Asian snacks — is nestled on the back wall of Union Market, bathed in blue tile. If you can’t make it to the market, it also sells frozen dumplings at Whole Foods, Foxtrot and other stores in the D.C. area.

<a href="http://luckybuns.com/" target=_blank>Lucky Buns:</a> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/restaurants/go-ahead-break-your-new-years-resolutions-with-lucky-buns/2018/01/08/fb50c7c2-f199-11e7-b3bf-ab90a706e175_story.html" target=_blank>Lucky Buns </a>was born from a special Sunday menu at Alfie’s Northern Thai and Isaan Thai street food restaurant by chef Alex McCoy. Now at its own spot in Northeast Washington, Lucky Buns serves up burgers, fried chicken and classic American food with housemade sauces and pickles.

Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

<a href="http://dcpuddin.com/" target=_blank>Puddin’:</a> Puddin’ refers to itself as “Southern comfort food” because chef Toyin Alli crafted her menu with love and Southern charm. Complete with shrimp and grits and “red beans n’ rice,” this cozy stall evokes the fusion of D.C. culture and the influence of its Southern transplants.

<a href="http://uzu9dc.com/" target=_blank>Ramen by Uzu</a>: Snuggled in the back corner of the market, Ramen by Uzu looks as cozy as its ramen will make you feel. Former semipro basketball player and Toki Underground alum Hiroaki Mitsui created Ramen by Uzu as a way to spread his love for one of his favorite dishes.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

<a href="https://unionmarketdc.com/retailer/som-tam/" target=_blank>Som Tam:</a> Som Tam’s Thai cuisine is easy to find thanks to the hot-pink neon sign that dangles over the counter. Its menu rotates daily, but you can always stick to its classic noodles and salads served in traditional clay bowls.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday.

<a href="http://yasmine.us/" target=_blank>Yasmine:</a> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/02/13/yasmine-review-levantine-union-market/" target=_blank>Yasmine, created by Michelin-star chefs Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan</a>, delivers Lebanese-inspired kebabs, plus falafel, sandwiches and platters, as well as an array of mixed drinks. It is also one of only a few Union Market vendors with its seating exclusively for patrons, either at its green-hued bar area or at the high-top tables nearby.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

<a href="https://www.barbohemedc.com/" target=_blank>Bar Boheme</a>: Take a culinary trip across Europe with a spritz and sandwich from <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/07/17/dc-area-sandwiches/" target=_blank>Bar Boheme</a>. Here, the sandwiches are stuffed so full of bacon, prosciutto or homemade salt beef that you might need to cut them into quarters. It also serves lively cocktails, imported wine and craft beer that bring to mind the French countryside and Italian coastline.

<a href="http://www.buffalobergendc.com/home/" target=_blank>Buffalo &amp; Bergen:</a> Buffalo &amp; Bergen’s New York-style soda shop, especially its bagel sandwiches, has become a D.C. staple in recent years. Owner Gina Chersevani has become a staple in her own right, captaining other favorites such as neighboring <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/05/12/best-dc-happy-hours-under-10/" target=_blank>Last Call Bar</a>. At the heart of the pale-green-tiled counter is an old-school soda fountain that originally operated in a Chicago Woolworth’s and was passed down through Chersevani’s family.

Kitchen hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Happy hour: 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

<a href="https://www.toscana-market.com/cucina-al-volo/" target=_blank>Cucina al Volo:</a> All warm colors and comforting flavors, Cucina al Volo is Toscana Market’s sister restaurant that specializes in Italian food. It offers build-your-own pasta dishes, salads and stacked Italian sandwiches made with ingredients from local farmers markets.

Post pro tip: Cucina al Volo and Toscana Market host <a href="https://www.toscana-market.com/store/events/" target=_blank>cooking classes</a> at nearby 1280 Fourth St. for those who want to perfect their pasta game.

<a href="http://immigrantfood.com/" target=_blank>Immigrant Food</a>: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/11/12/immigrant-food-plus-restaurant-review/" target=_blank>Immigrant Food’s mission</a> is to reflect the diversity of the United States through cuisine. Each menu item, from sandwiches to bowls, represents flavors originating from different cultures and nations. The restaurant is named in celebration of this diversity and champions “gastroadvocacy,” its blend of immigration-centric activism and cuisine.

Post pro tip: Part of Immigrant Food’s advocacy work comes in the form of its blog, “<a href="https://immigrantfood.com/the-think-table/" target=_blank>The Think Table,</a>” on which it educates about and analyzes immigration-related topics from around the globe.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Monday.

<a href="http://labuenaempanada.com/" target=_blank>La Buena Empanada:</a> La Buena sells Argentinian-style — that means baked, rather than fried — empanadas in a variety of flavors that you can see through a glass case as they toast under hot lamps inside the stand, which is in the back right corner of the market. It also offers frozen empanadas to take home with reheating instructions on its website.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

<a href="http://lajambedc.com/" target=_blank>La Jambe:</a> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/12/28/cheese-shops-dc/" target=_blank>This French wine bar</a> also serves charcuterie if you’re more interested in bites than a heavy meal. As its name implies, it also serves wines from across France, as evidenced by the image of the country drawn in chalk on the stall’s wall.

Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

<a href="https://www.ontoastdc.com/" target=_blank>On Toast:</a> Open-face sandwiches are thought to date back at least hundreds of years, and On Toast passes the tradition on to Union Market. A sibling restaurant of Union Market’s the District Fishwife and Son of a Fish, this spot is open only during breakfast and lunch, so its menu caters to the brunch crowd and those who are visiting earlier in the day.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

<a href="http://sonofafishsushi.com/" target=_blank>Son of a Fish:</a> If the name alone hasn’t pulled you in, Son of a Fish’s grab-and-go sushi will. Its sushi is made with catches from fellow Union Market vendor and stall neighbor the District Fishwife. Edens CEO Jodie McLean says this spot and O-Ku across the street are her go-tos because of their fresh, clean catches.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, or until sold out.

<a href="http://southblockjuice.com/" target=_blank>South Block Juice Co.:</a> South Block first brought its pressed juices and acai bowls to Northern Virginia, and made its next target the Union Market district. South Block’s health foods are its most popular options, making it a great spot for someone searching for a nutrient-packed meal. Built into its stand is a refrigerator stocked with juice for those looking for a quick to-go option.

<a href="http://takorean.com/" target="_blank">TaKorean:</a><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/going-out-guide/wp/2013/11/04/today-in-tacos-takorean-goes-to-yards-park-tacos-impala-tests-impalocas/" target="_blank"> TaKorean’s Mexican-Korean fusion</a> draws from a unique combination of cultures and the American tradition of fast-casual dining. Try its Korean braised chicken (dak galbi) with its signature “guakamole”— yes, with a k — and lime crema.

<a href="http://districtdoughnut.com/" target=_blank>District Doughnut:</a> It’s all but impossible to pass up the scent of warm gourmet doughnuts from District Doughnut, regardless of whether you’re downtown or at its Union Market location. Try its classic flavors or gourmet selections like maple bacon and vanilla creme brulee.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

<a href="http://laduree.us/" target=_blank>Ladurée:</a> When you walk into Union Market, you’ll see a seafoam-and-gold antique cart displaying a rainbow of macarons. That’s the legendary <a href="http://laduree.us/" target=_blank>Ladurée</a>, a Parisian sweet shop founded in the mid-1800s that invented the double-shell macaron. Find shortbread and other treats here as well.

<a href="http://peregrineespresso.com/" target=_blank>Peregrine Espresso</a>: At one of the most fragrant stalls in the building, Peregrine Espresso’s small-batch coffee brings a buzz to the market. Its owners, Ryan and Jill Jensen, emphasize sustainable packaging and coffee-centric education, as well as caffeination.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

<a href="https://www.ravenhook.com/" target=_blank>RavenHook Bakehouse:</a> RavenHook is a European-style bakery with limited hours at the Union Market farmers market and inside Union Market. Outside of the Market district, it floats around Eastern Market in D.C., university farmers markets, and even into Maryland and Virginia.

Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the farmers market.

<a href="http://dcsouk.com/" target=_blank>Souk x the Sweet Lobby:</a> What happens when two of D.C.’s most popular dessert spots combine? Souk x the Sweet Lobby answers that question with pastries, cupcakes and macarons. Souk brings its “globally inspired” flair, while the Sweet Lobby’s macarons add pops of color and flavor.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

<a href="https://drinkspotoftea.square.site/" target=_blank>Spot of Tea:</a> Whether you’re looking for a re-up on caffeine or a sweet treat, Spot of Tea offers a variety of flavors and inclusions. It also serves dairy-free milk teas for those who love boba but aren’t big on dairy and matcha-flavored soft serve with oat milk.

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

<a href="http://thecreamerydc.com/" target=_blank>The Creamery:</a> Everyone loves ice cream, and the lines at the Creamery prove it. The Creamery serves local dairy products including milk, cheese and butter, but the highlight is its ice cream from three farms in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Here, you can stock up on essentials and pick up fresh cookies all in one stop.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Syracuse University, BS in Magazine

Zoe Glasser is a local dining reporter at The Washington Post. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in magazine journalism, and spent the summer of 2023 interning with the features team.