Summary
Union Market is an artisanal food market in NE Washington DC featuring over 40 local vendors, and it’s a godsend for groups who all want to eat something different (and try something new). This hip DC market is home to all sorts of businesses run by up-and-coming entrepreneurs to well-known restaurateurs. Plus, you can shop for groceries and unique gifts to take home.
Union Market opened its doors to the public on September 8, 2012, and since then, it’s been a favorite in the neighborhood to try new dishes and flavors as well as to take home produce and other delicacies. Union Market is open for dining and shopping year-round, and the surrounding neighborhood is rapidly evolving to include more restaurants, bars, and shops.
What to Eat, Do, and Buy There
Union Market’s diverse stalls include seafood from Rappahannock Oysters Co.; egg sodas at Buffalo & Bergen, created by renowned mixologist Gina Chersevani; coffee from Peregrine Espresso; breads by Lyon Bakery; salmon BLTs from Neopol smokehouse; and meats from butcher Harvey’s Market. Additionally, you can find burgers and sausages at Red Apron; produce from Almaala Farms; creative offerings from DC Empanadas; delicious DC Dosa; tacos from TaKorean; milk and ice cream from Trickling Springs Creamery; and wine and cheese at La Jambe.
You can also shop for wine at Cordial or explore unique local shops like homewares store Salt & Sundry or Politics & Prose bookstore. When seeking a sit-down dining experience, there’s a restaurant within the market called Bidwell Restaurant.
Nearby in the Union Market neighborhood, discover Blue Bottle Coffee, Cotton & Reed distillery, and Masseria, an upscale Italian bistro featuring a tasting menu. New spots continually emerge, such as sushi restaurant O-Ku and Israeli restaurant Shouk, alongside an outpost of New York American restaurant St. Anselm.
Moreover, Union Market’s Angelika Pop-Up serves as a movie theater that screens a mix of specialty film programming and hosts unique events. Drive-in movies are occasionally presented throughout the year, projected onto the Market’s three-story exterior wall.
Dock 5 is a warehouse event venue featuring over 12,000 square feet with 22’ high ceilings and glass garage doors. This space is conveniently located above the artisanal marketplace.
History of Union Market
The history of Union Market is rich and fascinating. The former D.C.’s largest market stood where the National Archives currently is situated. Centre Market opened to the public in 1871, serving the entire city from its location near the White House and the Capitol Building. However, when Centre Market was demolished in 1931 for the construction of the National Archives, food vendors relocated to a new market at 4th Street and Florida Avenue NE.
Union Terminal Market opened at that 4th Street and Florida Avenue NE location in 1931, evolving into a bustling shopping destination with more than 700 vendors selling meat, fish, dairy, and produce in indoor stalls. However, the market’s popularity declined after D.C. banned outdoor sales of meat and eggs in 1962.
In 1967, a new indoor market sprang up a few blocks away at 1309 5th Street NE, which is now the revitalized Union Market site. Although many original merchants departed in the 1980s for modern distribution centers and supermarkets in the suburbs, Union Market reopened in 2012 as a pioneering urban village designed to bring people together to discover new culinary experiences. Union Market is owned and operated by EDENS, a company that develops and operates community shopping centers across the country. The surrounding neighborhood continues to evolve with new restaurants, shops, and apartments emerging.
Location, Parking, and How to Visit
Address: 1309 5th Street NE, Washington DC
Union Market is located just east of the NoMa Neighborhood in Washington DC, near Gallaudet University and the Noma-Gallaudet U (New York Ave) Metro Station. The area is rapidly developing, with the market surrounded by diverse retail shops, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues.
For those considering driving, there’s a large parking lot located in front of the market, and parking in this lot is free. Ample street parking is also available in case the lot fills up.
To utilize public transportation to reach Union Market, take WMATA’s Red Line to the NoMA-Gallaudet U stop. Afterwards, turn right onto Florida Avenue NE, then turn left onto 5th Street NE, and the market will be on your left.
Hours
Union Market’s hours change seasonally, so please verify before planning your visit:
- Tuesday-Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Thursday-Saturday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Website: www.unionmarketdc.com
What Else to Do Nearby
After your meal, embrace the local vibe by strolling through nearby residential areas, such as NoMa, which boasts high-rise buildings housing apartments and offices. Creative street art, courtesy of graffiti artists, enhances every corner of NoMa. Additionally, the H Street NE corridor, just about a 15-minute walk from Union Market, offers a variety of fun restaurants and bars.
Tourist must-sees within a short drive include the impressive architecture of Union Station, located adjacent to the National Postal Museum. Capitol Hill, the Library of Congress, the US Capitol, Folger Shakespeare Library, and the Supreme Court are all nearby. Explore adjacent neighborhoods like Brookland and Ivy City, where you’ll find the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the U.S. National Arboretum, respectively.
