Saturdays, 7am-1pm
New York Ave at New England Ave, Winter Park, FL
Website | Map
Hands down, hands across America, hands in your pands, the Winter Park Farmers Market is THE market in Orlando to beat. It comes the closest to that bustling, energetic feeling you get when you're at a real farmers market. The merch was diverse, most of the vendors got creative with their displays (though some were surprisingly void of personality in product, display and salesmanship), and the people were in good spirits. Highly recommend a visit.
Hot as HELL outside so bring a shade umbrella, wig or large piece of cardboard shaped like a cloud.
Inside the air-conditioned barn thing. The food is in here. This had the feeling of a baby version of that food market at ground level in Grand Central Station in NYC. See if you agree with me.
I have NEVER seen better customer service than from Davis Bakery and Company. Many vendors at other tables were standing around, not making smal talk, etc. These people were smiling, talking, selling. Was fun to watch. And the food looks awesome. I didn't try it, but I would, just because they were so nice and outgoing to the other customers.
Boiled peanuts!
What? The woman selling this concoction also owns a mobile crepe cart. She told me she was the very first mobile crepe cart vendor in Central Florida and that she can't vend downtown during the week because she has a real job. This cart is not as cute as the one downtown AND its $2 more expensive than it. (This one is $6 a crepe, the other one is $4)
Veggie food shot
Here's the thing about this market. People WERE BUYING the fresh veggies. Bags in hand, cash being paid, veggies being bought. It was an actual market. The veggies were not there for display and color, but for consumption. And the prices were not outrageous Winter Park-ish.
This photo is not JUST cool because of the 4th Jonas Brother sitting on some boxes in the corner, but because this vendor has a tank that allows him to carry around live lobster. I now have an idea. I want to get him to meet me downtown, and I want to pay him for his time (and maybe his dead lobsters) and I want to vend lobsters to people like a food vendor. My threat to people would be that if they do not buy the lobsters by 5pm, I'd line them up in a line on the road and allow God's will to take hold with their lives. Also, he is opening a restaurant right next door to the Winter Park Playhouse called "Winter Park Fish Market" in two months.
This baby cheesecake is only $2!!! Amazing. And these vendors have as many flavors of them as half a Baskin Robbins. So creative. Two dollars, and it was gooooood.
Outdoor Seating to the right of the entrance to the air-conditioned-giant-barn-thing with all the food inside
Other Farmers Markets:
Audubon Park Community Market
Wednesdays | 6pm-9pm | 1842 E. Winter Park Rd | Authentic hippie feel | Vegan this-and-that, cupcakes, veggie co-op, bike repair
Lake Eola Farmers Market
Sundays | 10am-4pm | Lake Eola Park | Very commercial/produced feel | veggies, art, live music, prepared foods
Serendipity Square Swap Meet
2nd Saturday of every month | 9am-4pm
612 N. Thornton Ave, Orlando, FL. 32803 | Come and experience Serendipity Square! An eclectic swap meet that brings LA and New York to Orlando. Be the first to get up in coming designer items, art, excellent vintage, a toy swap for the kids, entertainment and more.
Sundays | 10am-4pm | Lake Eola Park | Very commercial/produced feel | veggies, art, live music, prepared foods
5 Comments:
i was here this past saturday!! and ate some kettle corn popcorn ! i checked out it since i was up early but had to leave and drop by to visit mr brian feldman hah. great photos! i see why it won best farmers market . how do you rank all the "farmers markets" in the area??
I've only been to three, so here is my personal ranking so far.
1. Winter Park Farmers Market
2. Audubon Community Market
2. Lake Eola Farmers Market
I just learned from a friend who went a few days ago that Maitland has one, but he said it wasn't so hot.
I went to the Brian Feldman thing, too! How did you like it? I should post those pictures soon.
Great Overview! I've only been there once, but I LOVED it! I did try something from Davis Bakery & I've gotta say, their friendliness matches the quality of the food.
Where is the crepe vendor downtown and when is it open and most importanty do they have Nutella?
The Maitland Farmers Market has improved at it's new location. It is now located on Lake Lily at 17-92 & Maitland Ave. It is on Sundays from 9-2pm. & THE KETTLE KORN IS DEFINITELY THERE~~~ :)
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