It's wonderful for locals and I think it would make a fun weekend morning for people who have never been. Browse the market and flea market, have a nice lunch nearby.

Anonymous wrote:I used to go once a month but then realized it wasn't anything that special or worth the trip from where I lived. I'm sure there a couple of nice vendors, but it's overrated.

It's not worth a special trip if you don't live nearby, but if you live on the eastern side of the city (or PG) it's about the best combo farmers/craft market around. The Dupont farmers market is good but is on the other side of the city, Bethesda is excellent if you're over there, Fenton St in Silver Spring is great if you're north of the city, Crystal City/Pentagon City is great for there, etc.

I used to go once a month but then realized it wasn't anything that special or worth the trip from where I lived. I'm sure there a couple of nice vendors, but it's overrated.

I live nearby and am there most every weekend for something. Saturday has more fruit/ vegetable vendors, Sunday has slightly more craft vendors. Either day you really can't go wrong.

Hi OP. I live very close to eastern market. First, don't go on Mondays, it is closed. Second, yes the cheese shop is great. And if you go on a weekend, indigo Indian food outside is great. Big poppa kettle corn on the weekends and in the flea market section is good too. I like the fresh local berries. But I agree that we need more high end things. I never really go anymore because I feel it is just not special or unique.

Anonymous wrote:Can you get cider donuts at Eastern Market?

There's a donut stand, but I wouldn't really call them cider donuts. Still yummy though.

Don't forget the crepe man! Love going to get crepes at Eastern Market. It's our Sunday morning tradition.

Can you get cider donuts at Eastern Market?

Anonymous wrote:Get off the streets before dark, lots of crime

Why is it that the Capitol Hill haters (or should I say hater) always forget punctuation?

If you can, try going on Tuesday. The outdoors fruit and vegetable vendors are there, but it is nice and quiet during the day. Agree with trying the cheese vendor and I like the dried fruit from the fruit vendor inside, especially the dried pears.

Now, for two specific recommendations instead of generalizations: go to the cheese vendor inside the market and to the weekend pickle makers outside.

Get off the streets before dark, lots of crime

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Market Lunch is not worth it on the weekends. Get pickles, interesting pasta, not-found in the grocery store meats like ground lamb, rabbit, bison, turkey sausage and hit the outside vendors for really good fresh produce.

Is it expensive, organic fresh produce or regular priced produce?

They have a very few organic stands. The rest is "local" - which means, not that special, but fresh. So like, fresh pickling cukes for 1.99/lb; fresh peaches $2.99/b; "heirloom" tomatoes at $3.99/lb. Not super impressive, but better quality than you'll find in Safeway.

Anonymous wrote:Seriously overrated, and not worth the effort unless you enjoy being harassed by riff-raff in the area.

I agree it's a bit overrated if you're not a neighborhood local, unless you've never been to Europe ... but being harassed by riff-raff? That's ridiculous. You're MUCH more likely to be harassed by a double BOB stroller.

That said, Eastern Market has grown on me. I used to think it was really lame, but now I appreciate it much more. My main (and serious) quibble is that I wish they'd have higher standards for the vendors. Don't want to turn it into the ridiculousness that is Union Market, but would be great to have some good bread, real coffee (NOT peregrine - a decent French Roast, please), and more organic produce. Also more food options. Market Lunch is worth the wait (not many DC places can say that). There seems to be plenty of demand, so not sure why they don't replace some of the crappy jewelry and soap stands with good food.

Seriously overrated, and not worth the effort unless you enjoy being harassed by riff-raff in the area.

Also - there are a ton of vendors there with interesting jewelry (if you like silver). you have to go beyond eastern market; they're clustered across the street from the coffee shop and not too far from the pickle vendor.