City Market

Really cool place to check out and walk around on a nice day. Different shops… such as a coffeehouse, produce stands, Chinese/​Vietnamese/​Cajun food, crepes, and other variety shops. Went on a weekday so it wasn’t busy so it was very enjoyable.

I used to come to kansas city for bbq. Now I have another reason to visit KC. This was nice farmers market with various fresh produces and foods. I really like it!

It has become clear in the six years since my original review that they need to start rethinking the design of it. The popularity means the whole market quickly becomes a pain to navigate on weekends. Rethinking the produce stands, spice sellers, etc so they don’t take up 75% of the covered area paths would be smart.
One big deal, it’s simply not safe to open up the parking lots during peak hours. I have seen small children out walking where cars are backing up with hundreds of people out and about. The market may be past the time it’s safe for produce sellers to park next to their stand.

Bring your reusable bags, some cash, and explore the local offerings. Took a while to find parking which was understanding given the amount of people there. There are small ethnic food shops, produce, coffee, spices, flowers, raw honey, baked goods, and some clothing/​gift stalls. The market stalls are neatly organized and easy to navigate.

Amazing vendors, produce and food. This is the largest farmers market I’ve ever visited. You can get all types of fresh produce and great cuisine to please your appetite. The prices were great and the market is very organized. We loved our cookies and strawberry rhubarb pie from Bauman farms.

There really isn’t another experience like City Market around the metro area. There are some that say the Overland Park Market has better prices and selection, but OP doesn’t compare to this old time gem that is a must visit attraction on weekends in the spring, summer, and fall.
Saturdays are prime time market days in the spring and summer. Crowds start ramping up as early as 7:00 to get the pick of the produce and peddled wares. No fewer than 50 vendors line the stalls early in the mornings setting up their items for sale. Fruits, vegetables, baked goods, farm fresh eggs, and random items like honey, firewood, and even fresh/​frozen meats.
Walking through the crowds early on a Saturday morning harkens back to a time honored global tradition of strolling through an open air market looking for the freshest ingredients straight from the farm to the market. Beware the static brick and mortal stores here — many of them pull their produce and products off the same trucks that deliver to your grocers door. Focus on the family owned farms and business that pull up in the weather-​beaten pick up truck with dirt in the tires and hailing from far off cities like Chillicothe, Hayes, Paola, and Lamar.
Sundays offer a taste of the market without the same food experience. Much of the vendors on Sundays are swap-​and-​shop tradesmen. Imagine a community yard sale at City Market. Some of these deals are equally impressive. I found a pair of cowboy boots here for 20 bucks one time.
Weekdays are slow around the market. Vendors tend to their home gardens and the static business remain but are partially shuttered without the same level of crowds. Don’t overlook great options like Winslow’s BBQ, Bo Lings, Beignet, City Market Coffee, Quay Coffee and The Steamboat Arabia Museum during quieter days of the week or season.
Every Kansas Citian should visit City Market on a Saturday during market season. Every visitor should too. It ranks right up there with Union Station as historical stalwarts that remain favorites for everyone who visits. Don’t not pass up a trip here.

The City Market, what can I say about it? It’s more than just a farmer’s market although you can get plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables there. In the middle area are the different farmers and suppliers with products like seedlings to start your own garden to honey fresh from bees. There is bread that has been baked daily and odds and ends like scarves and jewelry to purchase.
On the outer edge, there is the everyday stands who also have products like fresh produce but there’s so much more. There’s where you’ll find treasures like the spice shops and the tea shops. There’s various restaurants to try that may have felt out of place somewhere else but fit in perfectly here at the city market.
There’s also events here periodically from classes teaching how to preserve foods or free workouts with the YMCA or even a busker fair where you get to be entertained by performers. They even have had weddings on Valentine’s Day for the last few years. They are pretty good at keeping their Facebook page and/​or website updated with the current schedule. I think the city market it pretty awesome and a great representation of our city.

Not everybody’s feeling Ethiopian for lunch? That’s cool because they also have Italian, Indian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Brazilian, Chinese, BBQ, pizza, and if you can believe it even more is available.
When I first started going it was usually on a Saturday morning for all the vendors that came out to offer stuff like homemade pasta, cheese, bread, or local framers with watermelon, fresh flower bouquets, fruits, veggies. Saturdays can start as early as 6am and go til 5, most local vendors close up at 2pm. I loved it, still do but parking for me is a bit nutty, it kinda brings out the road rage in me.
Sunday is a city garage sale, its mostly locals bringing out their stuff, some of its not bad, and it changes week to week. Produce still available just not as many local farmers show up. Hours a pretty similar to Saturday.
Monday through Friday no local vendors in the middle, which now becomes parking, and the parameter which is always the same fruit/​veggie stands and restaurants. The permanent produce stands look like the stuff that was passed over by the grocery stores and than offered at a the city market for a fraction of the cost. I can go with $ 10 and several bags of produce, strawberries a dollar, lemons 4 for a $ 1, cucumber 2 for a $ 1, apples 4 for a $ 1. Yeah you’ll find some stuff that’s off but plenty that is just as good as what you’ll find in the supermarket. As a regular I’ve even been given a greater discount. No matter the weather it’s usually always open. I really love that KC offers this and I’ve noticed they’ve doing renovations, looking good.

The perimeter of this old, run-​down, and dingy marketplace is actually hidden oasis of ethnic eating establishments– and a wonderful place to score a delicious and inexpensive lunch on a weekday.
After finding City Market on my second day in Kansas City, I made sure to return each day during the week that I was in town for a different dining experience. Vietnamese, Mexican, Mediterranean, Brazilian, Italian, and several other types of cuisine are represented here. It’s not the prettiest (or most sanitary) place in the world, but it sure beats the hell out of a shopping mall food court.
Pick whatever type of food you’re in the mood for, grab a seat at one of the rickety tables outside, and enjoy the people watching along with your meal. Good stuff.

This last time I went was my second time through and I was on a mission. Veggies from whomever and cookies and bread from the Amish. Yum! I walked through paying close attention to everything and then hear some wonderful bluegrassy (is that a word… it is now) music. This place has anything you could want, however I suggest you show up before 11, that’s when it really takes off.
We walk all the veggies first then head to find the best looking ones and the best price. This place is also great for finding just the right ingredients for many different cultural favorites. Go when you have lots of time and get there early. I also suggest not taking the kids or a big group the first time… fighting crowds can be a biotch when you have lots of peeps with you :-)