A guide to the best food halls in Orange County

Orange County food halls offer an kaleidoscope of dining options, ranging from global flavors to local specialties. But these gastronomic hubs have also become fertile grounds for culinary innovation, helping nurture new trends and burgeoning chefs, and human connection.

While the popularity of food halls is often attributed to the 2010 opening of Eataly in New York City or the 2003 culinary re-imagining of San Francisco’s Ferry Building, the concept has a longer history. Look no further than Los Angeles’ Grand Central Market, established in 1917, demonstrating that these communal dining spaces go back decades before the advent of the modern food hall or the chain-stricken food court found at your nearest mall. In addition to good grub, these proverbial halls provide valuable and exceedingly rare third spaces — i.e., places outside of home and work where people can gather, connect and relax. A hot commodity in an age where social interaction is increasingly replaced by the pull of screen time.

Although Orange County has a collection of budding food halls, including the recently opened one in Downtown Disney District and the upcoming Miramar Food Hall in San Clemente, here are the best ones to put on your radar.

4th Street Market

201 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; 714-486-0700, 4thstreetmarket.com

Opening in 2015, this roughly 30,000-square foot marketplace at Fourth and Bush streets plays host to more than a dozen eateries, ranging from Thai street food and hot pot to smash burgers and takeaway omakase. In addition to its sundry food vendors, this food hall also doubles as a kitchen space for budding entrepreneurs (hourly rents available with flexible scheduling) and a culinary school. Stadium seating, plenty of table seating and occasional live music (ranging from acoustic guitar to DJs) adds to the convivial community vibe happening at 4th Street Market.

Eats: Alta Baja Market (market and cafe with vegan, vegetarian and Mexican option), And Broth (hot pot), Baked Banhs (pastries, baked desserts), the Chicken Rice, Daily Kombucha, Deli Station (sandwiches), Faka’s Island Grill (Hawaiian), Gina’s Crepes and Waffles, the Golden Eatery (burgers), Loose Leaf Boba Co., Recess by Playground (craft cocktail), Sushi Wabi-Sabi (omakase-style sushi) and Tuk Tuk Thai Street Food

Must try: Pho Brisket Sandwich at And Broth.

Anaheim Packing District

440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim; 714-533-7225, anaheimpackingdistrict.com

One of Orange County’s largest food halls, this sprawling, two-floor space features a central wraparound seating area, ideal for solo diners, inside an open and airy industrial-chic space. With more than 30 vendors, guests can mill about as they enjoy aguas frescas, barbecue and gelato on a stick while perusing some of its retail offerings. Truly a stunner of a space. Bonus points for being within walking distance from Poppy & Seed.

Eats: 206 BCE (Cajun Fusion), ADYA (Indian), Black Sheep GCB (grilled cheese bar), BXCR Underground Spirits, Chippy Fish and Grill, El Chamango (aguas frescas and antojitos), En Cultura (Ahumadero barbecue and bar), Georgia’s Restaurant (soul food), Hammer Bar (craft cocktails), Hans’ Homemade (ice cream), Le Parfait Paris (pastries and desserts), Mangal (Syrian), Mini Monster (boba teas), Pique-Nique (cheese and charcuterie), Popbar (gelato on a stick), Randy’s Donuts, Rolling Boil (hot pot), The Blind Rabbit (speakeasy-gastropub), The Iron Press (beer and pub fare), The Kroft (sandwiches and poutine), The Stuffed Potato (entertainment venue, food and cocktails), Urbana (Mexican gastronomy), White Elephant (Thai), Zabon Ramen and Rolls (Japanese) and ZeroZero39 Pizzeria

Must try: The Hot Mess grilled cheese with fontina, bacon and jalapeños at Black Sheep GCB.

ALSO SEE: Fill your belly at some of Los Angeles County’s best food halls

Mercado González

2300 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa; 949-238-6470, northgatemarket.com/mercado

A momentous achievement care of the family-owned Northgate Markets empire, Mercado González, named in honor Don Miguel González and Dona Teresa Reynoso de Gonzalez, the husband-wife duo who founded Northgate Markets, features more than two dozen puestos that serve up both dine-in and carry-out options. The approximately 70,000-square foot food hall and market which opened in 2023, draws inspiration from the labyrinthine bazaars of Mexico. Highlights include vibrant murals, colorful tilework, handmade crafts and, of course, food; Sinaloa-style sushi, lengua verde, cinnamon-dusted churros from Mexico City’s most popular churro maker, birria and even a full-fledged Mexican grocery store await.

Eats: Prospera González, Pastelería La González, El Moro Churrería (chorros), Florería Nayel, Cremería (ice cream), La Nena Paletería, Aguas Frescas Las Delicias, Salsas El Molcajete, Frutería El Puesto, Chiles Y Especias, Hacienda La Cofradía — Licorería Y Cevercería, Marisquería El Puerto, Mariscos El Pariente, Carnicería La Preferida, Chorizería, Las Cazuelas Guisados, Los Mesquites Asados, Birriería Y Menudería — La Tapatía, Tacos Los Guichos, Chiva Torta, La Tamalería, Carnitas Don Miguel, Tortillería La González, Sushi El Sinaloense and Entre Nos Bar & Lounge.

Must try: Chicharron con carne at Carnitas Don Miguel.

Rodeo 39 Public Market

12885 Beach Blvd., Stanton; rodeopublicmarket.com/rodeo39

With a setup similar to a smaller Grand Central Market in Downtown L.A., Stanton’s food hall features a bevy of Asian fare, in addition to several retail and hangout spots. Glass windows let you see your food being prepared. And for the daring who want to gussy up their bod after filling their belly, head to Skin Design Tattoo for some fresh ink.

Eats: Bearded Tang Brewery (beer), Bestea (teas, sweet treats), Capas Taco, Chic Now Hainan Chicken Rice, Crawfish Hut (soft opening Mar. 6), Crepes Avenue, My Blue Bowl (super food bowl), Kare (Japanese curry), Karai Handroll X Ramen (handroll bar), Oi Asian Fusion (Filipino fusion rice bowls), Phoholic (pho), Primal Cuts (steakhouse eats, meats), Remicone (ice cream), Rodeo Bar (full bar), Shootz (Hawaiian), Sweet G’s (cookies) and Tenori (musubi)

Must try: Pork Belly Bun at Oi Asian Fusion.

ALSO SEE: Inland Empire food halls provide unique dining in memorable settings

Rodeo River Street

31856 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano; rodeopublicmarket.com/rodeo-river-street

Downright delightful mini food hall inside the new River Street Marketplace, Rodeo River Street is the youngest food hall in Orange County featuring 10 tasty vendors from which to select. Particularly noteworthy is its design of soaring ceilings and floor-to- ceiling windows on two of its entrances, as well neon signage above each eatery giving the barn-like food hall a downtown cosmopolitan vibe. An added benefit is its location inside the epic new marketplace, which, should you yearn for something less casual, comes with a handful of new fine-dining restaurants, including Finca, La Vaquera and the Market by the Meat Cellar.

Eats: Bred Hot Chicken (hot chicken sandwiches and more), Hudson’s Cookies, Capas Tacos, Kebab Craft, Nom (Asian-inspired bowls), Kozan (specialty tea drinks), Paranas Empanadas, Pastalia (pasta), Shootz (Hawaiian) and the Sushi Stand.

Must try: Kimchi butter katsu chicken plate at Shootz.

SteelCraft

12900 S. Euclid St., Garden Grove; 714-482-6298, steelcraftlb.com/steelcraft-garden-grove

This  food hall, which opened in 2019, comprises 22 repurposed shipping containers, making it a treat for gastronomes and design geeks alike. The containers surround a large common space under a structure akin to a barn bearing a corrugated metal roof, a nod to Garden Grove’s agricultural history. In addition to a handful of food vendors, guests can also enjoy the vintage video arcade.

Eats: Aldente (pasta, flatbreads), Barrio (Filipino and Korean), Beachwood Brewing (craft beer), Bird Talk, La Taqueria Brand, OniGuru (onigiri), Swagyu Burger and Tea Otter.

Must try: A triple cheese wagyu burger at Swagyu Burger.