The University District Farmers Market is held on Saturdays along University Way NE, near 5031 University Way NE in the University District of Seattle, Washington, and runs year round from about 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. It is the oldest of the city's neighborhood farmers markets and serves a mix of students, residents, and visitors staying near the University of Washington campus. The goods sold are what separate it from generic shopping: Washington-grown vegetables and fruit, seasonal berries, cheese, eggs, bread, honey, cut flowers, and prepared food, with produce from farms across the state. Vendors are producers who grow or make what they sell, which keeps the proportion of authentic local goods very high, and there are almost no souvenir-style trinkets. Prices are marked and bargaining is not part of the culture, although vendors often offer samples. Most stands accept credit and debit cards, and the market also participates in programs that help shoppers use food-assistance benefits, so cash is optional rather than essential. The United States offers no tax refund to visitors, and most unprepared produce is exempt from sales tax, while hot prepared food and non-food items are taxed at the register. The atmosphere is relaxed and community-oriented, busiest in the late morning and in summer when berries and stone fruit are in season, and noticeably quieter in winter, when the stalls shift toward storage crops, greens, mushrooms, and baked goods. Stalls line the street in a single long corridor, so the layout is simple: produce growers usually cluster together, with bakers, cheese makers, and flower sellers interspersed, and a handful of food vendors offering breakfast items, coffee, and hot lunches that can be eaten at nearby seating. Visitors who want to see the market at its liveliest should arrive in the first couple of hours after opening, when the selection is widest. The market can easily be combined with a walk along University Way, known locally as the Ave, which has bookstores, casual restaurants, and cafes, and with a visit to the nearby campus.
| Hours | Sat 9:00 AM-2:00 PM (year round) |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Address | 5031 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 |
Location
5031 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
47.6665, -122.3131 View on map
Highlights
- Buy seasonal Washington berries, stone fruit, and vegetables direct from growers
- Sample cheese, bread, and baked goods from small producers
- Eat breakfast or lunch from the prepared-food vendors
- Combine the market with a walk along University Way and the campus
Tips for visiting
- Arrive in the first two hours for the widest selection
- Bring a reusable bag for produce and bread
- Expect fixed prices; samples are common but haggling is not
- Winter visits offer fewer stalls but still have greens, mushrooms, and baked goods
- Confirm the schedule on the market operator's website before going
When to visit
Saturday mornings from opening to about 11:00 AM offer the best selection. Summer is peak season for berries and fruit.
Accessibility
The market is set along a flat city street, which is generally suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, though aisles between stalls can be crowded in the late morning.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the University District Farmers Market open?
It runs on Saturdays from about 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM year round. Visitors should confirm times on the operator's website.
Is there food to eat at the market?
Yes, several prepared-food and coffee vendors serve breakfast and lunch items that can be eaten on site.
Do vendors take cards?
Most stands accept cards, but carrying a small amount of cash can be helpful at smaller stalls.