The Friday-night crowd — or lack thereof — makes this one of the most decidedly low-key markets in the city. It also makes it particularly family-friendly, with a playground right on site and a dance floor for the live music that often fills up with twirling toddlers. But while there are fewer folks, the selection remains robust, with some of the city’s best strawberries from Schuh Farms, stone fruit from Collins Family Orchards, and endless peppers from Alvarez Farms. And the kid-approved dinner options include pizza and plenty of ice cream.

Saturday nights in Ballard are for choosing from the neighborhood’s plethora of hot restaurants and hopping between its myriad bars, but Sunday mornings are made for the market. While many of those same restaurants pop open for brunch, nothing beats the selection of seasonal pastries from the Salmonberry Goods booth while browsing the seemingly endless rows of fruits, seafood, meat, and vegetables, interspersed with the occasional artist. While the market has all the standards, it also keeps it quirky with stands selling locally grown saffron strands and hummus made from fresh garbanzos.

Since 1993, the University District Farmers Market has been the standard bearer — locally and nationally — for the greatness of a neighborhood farmers market. The year-round market keeps its focus squarely on great food, providing space for both large farms, like Tonnemaker, which carries fruit and fresh and roasted peppers in season and a wide selection of dried products in the depths of winter, as well as small farms like Grouse Mountain Farm, which comes in for select weeks when their stone fruit is at its peak.

A sprawling seasonal Thursday market, there’s plenty of room here to explore some of the unique vendors, like Chinampas Farm, which grows microgreens, and Kardi Vera sauces. Though the parking lot location leaves a bit to be desired, the live music and prepared food vendors that include Colombian Delights Bakery and Poke Me Food Truck more than make up for it — plus Fortuity Cellars is always there providing drinks.

After getting bumped from location to location through various construction projects, the Capitol Hill Farmers Market has finally found its home — and its groove, catering more to a younger crowd than many of the further-out neighborhoods. That means it starts a little later than others and has plenty of post-partying treats, like 9th & Hennepin doughnuts, El Chito tamales, and big, beautiful, gluten-free cakes from Grain Artisan Bakery.

Since 1907, the cobblestone stretch of Pike Place and the buildings that line it have been the culinary hub of Seattle. Each year, millions of visitors pass through the high stalls facing the street and selling fresh produce and wander the below-ground hallways full of unique shops. But while the crowds can get miserably thick on summer afternoons, take a hint from the locals and stop by in the cool morning hours, when you’ll still find Sosio’s handing out samples of their “Oh My God” peaches, and clam chowder simmering at Jack’s Fish Spot. 

The sourdough baked goods from Temple Pastries alone are a reason to hit this seasonal Wednesday afternoon market, but it also reigns supreme for its inclusive, welcoming atmosphere — which extends right into the picnic-dinner vibe at the adjacent park. With many of the same vendors as the big weekend markets but none of the tourists flowing through, the market is easy to navigate as neighbors greet each other over Ethiopian food while shopping their way around the many flower stands that set this market apart. 

If you smell the coffee roasting on-site from Valente, you’re in the right spot for this suburb’s seasonal Saturday market. In the shadow of the mountains, with easy access to local farms, there’s plenty of interesting produce woven in among the crafts and concession stands here. Look for organic vegetables or plants to take home from Oxbow Farm, a variety of berries from Skagit Sun, lots of green beans and cucumbers from Duris Farms, and a fascinating array of mushrooms from Fruit of the Woods.

Kent has made a name for itself among Seattle suburbs as an incubator for exciting food businesses and restaurants, so it makes sense that their seasonal Saturday market has a fun array of vendors. Linds Custom Meats makes teriyaki beef jerky and jalapeño pepperoni sticks with cheese, El Jibarito sells Puerto Rican hot sauces and jams, and Bees in the Burbs sells their suitably suburban honey — all while kids play in the neighboring splash pad.