Herbs, teas & spices
The Herb Shop
A pantry stop that has anchored Central Market for decades — bulk herbs, loose-leaf teas, and hard-to-find spices from around the world.
Central Market has been feeding Lancaster since the 1730s. The red-brick Market House at Penn Square opened in 1889, and inside you'll find something like eighty standholders — Pennsylvania Dutch farmers and butchers, a new wave of Lancaster makers, and food from the many communities that call this city home. This isn't a curated tourist experience. It's still where people do their weekly shopping.
What to take home
Pantry & take-home stands
Smoked meats & cheeses
S. Clyde Weaver
Pennsylvania Dutch smokehouse tradition. The sweet bologna and aged cheddars are what regulars pack in their coolers.
Fresh-ground horseradish
Long's Horseradish
Family-run for over a century. Ask for it hot — they grind it right there and it will clear your sinuses in the best way.
Butcher & deli
Stoltzfus Meats
Lancaster County smoked sausages, bacon, hams, and their signature ring bologna. A Sunday-dinner staple for a lot of local families.
Butcher shop
Rohrer's Meats
Locally raised beef and pork cut to order. Grab a pound of scrapple to see what your friends outside PA are missing.
Chocolates & fudge
Groff's Candies
Hand-dipped chocolates, buttercreams, and fudge made the old-fashioned way. Easter and Christmas cases are worth the trip alone.
Breads & baked goods
Willow Valley Bakery
Sticky buns, whoopie pies, shoofly pie, and hearth breads. Show up early on Saturday if you want the good stuff.
Cold-pressed juice & smoothies
Pressed
A newer generation stand — cold-pressed juices, açaí bowls, and wellness shots. A nice reset between meat and cheese sampling.
Standholders rotate over time — the current lineup lives on Central Market's standholder directory.
What to eat at the market
Grab-and-go & sit-down bites
Lebanese & Middle Eastern
Saife's Middle Eastern Food
Falafel, shawarma, and hummus that regulars line up for. Bring cash and be ready for a line at lunch.
Thai comfort food
The Thai Place
Pad Thai, curries, and drunken noodles cooked to order. Ask for it Thai-hot if you mean it.
Grain bowls & breakfast
Wicked Kitchen
Seasonal bowls, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee. A modern counter in a very traditional building.
Charcuterie & sandwiches
Rooster Street Provisions
House-cured meats and pressed sandwiches. The porchetta sandwich has a following.
Standholders rotate over time — the current lineup lives on Central Market's standholder directory.
Beyond food
Flowers, soaps & local makers
Cut flowers & bouquets
Lancaster County Flower Vendors
Multiple flower stands rotate through Central Market — a Tuesday or Friday morning bouquet run is a local ritual.
Handmade soaps
Local Soaps & Body Care
Small-batch bar soaps, lotions, and lip balms made in Lancaster County. Great as house-warming gifts for newcomers.
Ceramics & gifts
Pottery & Handcrafts
A rotating cast of Lancaster County potters and makers keep the craft stands stocked with mugs, ornaments, and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Standholders rotate over time — the current lineup lives on Central Market's standholder directory.
First visit tips
How a local plans a market run
Go early — especially on Saturday
Bakers and butchers sell out. If you want sticky buns or a particular cut, be there in the first hour or two.
Bring a tote and a cooler
You'll leave with more than you planned. A cooler in the car means you can shop for the week, not just breakfast.
Carry a little cash
Most stands take cards now, but a few of the smaller vendors are still cash-only.
Walk the whole loop first
Do one lap before you buy anything. It's the easiest way to plan a lunch and figure out what to take home.
Park at Prince or Duke Street garages
Both are a two-minute walk. Street meters downtown fill up fast on Fridays and Saturdays.
Say hi to the standholders
Many are second- and third-generation. Ask what's best that week — you'll get a real answer.
Make a morning of it
Pair your market run with a walk downtown
Central Market sits right on Penn Square, so it's easy to string a whole morning together on foot. A few local favorites within a few blocks:
- Prince Street Cafe — coffee before market. Two blocks south.
- Demuth Museum — the historic home of painter Charles Demuth, a half block off Penn Square.
- Zoetropolis — art house cinema and cafe, one block down.
- Building Character — a maker's marketplace inside a restored warehouse a few blocks east.
Questions we hear a lot
FAQs
What days is Lancaster Central Market open?
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Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday are the traditional market days. Hours shift with the seasons and holidays, so check the official Central Market site before you drive in.
Where do I park?
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The Prince Street Garage and the Duke Street Garage are both within a two-minute walk. Street parking on King and Queen Streets is metered and fills up quickly on weekends.
Is Central Market kid-friendly?
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Yes — most families have a routine that includes a treat stop (Groff's chocolates or a whoopie pie) after the practical shopping is done.
Do vendors accept credit cards?
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Most do, but a few smaller stands are still cash-only. Bring a little cash and you won't get stuck.
Is it worth visiting if I'm just in town for a day?
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Yes. Even a thirty-minute walk-through is one of the best snapshots of Lancaster you can get — Pennsylvania Dutch tradition and the modern city side by side under one roof.
Sandra's Note
When newcomers ask me what makes Lancaster feel like Lancaster, I usually send them to Central Market before I send them anywhere else. It's the fastest way to meet the county — the farmers, the makers, the neighborhoods all pass through here. Come hungry, take your time, and say hello.