Union Market, at 1309 5th St NE in the NoMa and Union Market district of Washington, D.C., is a food hall and specialty marketplace set in a converted wholesale-market district northeast of downtown. It differs from generic shopping by concentrating on food and craft: more than 35 vendors sell prepared meals, specialty groceries, cheese, baked goods, coffee and gifts, with a rooftop bar adding drinks. The vendor mix leans toward independent local and regional businesses and chef-led stalls rather than national chains, so little of the merchandise is tourist trinkets. Prices are fixed at each stall and there is no bargaining culture. Cards and mobile payments are widely accepted, and vendors typically add sales tax at the register; the United States offers no general tax refund for tourists on food and everyday goods. The atmosphere is busy and social, particularly at weekend lunch, when seating in the central hall fills quickly and lines form at the most popular counters. Because the hall mixes eating with grocery shopping, visitors can sample dishes on site and buy ingredients, packaged foods or gifts to take away. The layout is an open hall with vendors along the perimeter and shared seating in the middle, and the surrounding blocks hold additional shops, galleries and restaurants worth exploring. A FRESHFARM farmers market operates beside the hall on Sundays from about 10am to 2pm, adding produce and prepared items. Daily hours are commonly listed from about 8am to 8pm or 9pm, but individual vendors set their own times, so a stall may be closed even when the building is open. Parking is limited in the surrounding streets, and visitors often use rideshare or transit, with the nearest Metro stop a walk away in NoMa. The district is a convenient stop for lunch combined with browsing, and works best as a food-focused outing rather than a clothing or souvenir trip.
| Hours | Daily mornings to evening (commonly listed 8am-8pm or 8am-9pm); individual vendor hours vary; FRESHFARM market beside it Sundays 10am-2pm |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ to $$$ |
| Address | 1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 |
Location
1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
38.9084, -76.9985 View on map
Highlights
- Food hall with more than 35 vendors covering prepared meals, coffee, baked goods and cheese
- Specialty grocery and gift shops under one roof
- Rooftop bar for drinks after browsing
- Sunday FRESHFARM farmers market beside the hall
Tips for visiting
- Visit on a weekday or before noon to avoid crowded seating at weekend lunch.
- Check individual vendor hours, as stalls can close earlier than the building.
- Cards and mobile payments are widely accepted, so little cash is needed.
- Combine with the Sunday FRESHFARM market (about 10am-2pm) for produce and prepared items.
- Rideshare or transit is easier than finding street parking nearby.
When to visit
Weekday late mornings are the quietest; Sundays add the farmers market but are busy.
Accessibility
The hall is on a largely level floor with wide aisles in most areas, though crowds at weekends can restrict movement. Visitors with mobility needs should confirm access to the rooftop bar with the venue.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of shopping is at Union Market?
It is mainly a food hall and specialty marketplace, with prepared-food stalls, specialty groceries, some gift shops and a rooftop bar.
Is there a farmers market at Union Market?
A FRESHFARM market operates beside the hall on Sundays, typically from about 10am to 2pm.
Do prices get negotiated?
No. Prices are fixed at each vendor and there is no bargaining custom.
When is it busiest?
Weekend lunchtimes are the busiest, with seating in short supply. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are calmer.