I just heard about this interesting market and all of its vendors making foods right there. Is it as good as they say? I've heard you can "graze" with some fantastic foods at very reasonable prices -- true? Also, which good shops/vendors would you recommend?

In relation to the Inner Harbor - where is it located?

Lois

I wouldn't recommend going there. I think it's on the sleazy side. It's probably a mile away from the inner harbor. Walking distance, but the neighborhood isn't too nic.

I used to go to Lexington Market all the time when I lived in Baltimore, one of my favorite places to go on a Saturday in the city. This market is mostly frequented by the African-American community of Baltimore and is one of the livelier, real urban Bawlmer parts of the city. (It's *definitely* not a tourist trap!) I've not seen anything else quite like it in the States. Some of the stands are more generic and there are some heavy foods stands (deep-fried chicken, BBQ, creamy cole slaw) but they have seafood, fresh meat and on Saturdays there's often entertainment in the central part. No stand in particular stands out in my mind, just check out the produce and see what appeals to you. The market is closed on Sunday and open in the morning & afternoon the other days of the week.

The market is about a 15 minute walk from the Inner Harbor; head away from the the harbor itself (i.e., go up Charles St) and take a left on Lexington.

There's usually quite a number of people on the pedestrian Lexington Street as well as businesses; as you approach the market, you'll see sometimes Nation of Islam members handing out newspapers, sometimes Evanglical preachers with bullhorns decrying social injustice or rallying folks to the ways of Jesus. It's quite animated; it seems some folks might find the scene sketchy/sleazy/
intimidating, but I never had any problems (I'm white if you're wondering).

Have fun if you decide to go. DAN

The Lexington Market is terrific. I try to go everytime I'm in Baltimore, the last time was quite a few years back. But I still remember the lump crab cakes. They were about $10 per cake back then so I'll bet they're more now, but well worth it. My husband is a VA gentleman who doesn't tolerate stuffing in his crab cakes but he loved these. The fried chicken vendor is wonderful, be sure to have a wing or two.

I believe there was another market in Fells Point that was supposed to have good crab cakes.

This is the heart of Baltimore, if you want to think of it as sleasy and pass it by then you will be missing some fine chow and an ethnic fun experience.

Faidley's is the seafood stand in Lexington Market. And all their seafood is first-class.

Yes, it is "as good as they say." And well-worth the visit. I'm not relaly sure where it is relative to the Inner Harbor--some googling might be in order....

Lois:

Lexington Market is an interesting spot indeed. As Daniel stated the patrons are predominately black and there is an undeniable urban feel and pace to the place. There has on occasion been trouble in and outside of the market (one time I was there at lunch time some 5 years ago and a tussle between a patron and two Baltimore city policemen left a plate glass window broken). Not a tourist attraction in the least and if you are uncomfortable in a highly ethnic scene this may not be for you.

If you go expect to find an old time market with lots of freshing butchered meats, fresh produce, seafood and the like. There are plenty of sub stands and chinese and so on to get prepared food to "graze on" but as Bookhall recommends go to Faidleys. Excellent Baltimore style seafood, you can't go wrong there.

An alternative idea may be from the Light Street Pavillion walk south on Light towards and then past the Science Center. The majority of traffic will bear left on Key Highway but continue on Light Street for about 3 or 4 blocks to the Cross Street Market. It will be a slightly less walk than to Lexington Market. It is in the upscale neighborhood of Federal Hill, is a much safer walk to the market and is essentially the same idea but on a smaller scale. You will also find quite a few pubs, bars, and small shops scattered around the immediate area. You will get just as good a Bawlmer feel, if not better, in the the Cross Street Market. It will just be a different part of Bawlmer.

Have fun
John

I too enjoyed going to the Cross St. Market, which while located in the more gentrified Federal Hill neighborhood, still manages to give a feel of more white working-class Bawlmer charm (it is somewhat racially mixed, but the racial difference is visible between here and the Lexington Market). I'd definitely recommend; some great seafood in particular. Broadway Market in Fell's Point is worth a look-see as well for slightly more touristed, yet still Charm City charming market. The Northeast Market is the smaller eastern sister of Lexington Market, with less variety, but largely lively African-American working-class Baltimore ambience... worth checking out if you have business at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

It's a bit strange for me to read people describe the Lexington Market as "ethnic" (at risk of sounding PC, I find it a vague word anyhow, since everyone has an ethnicity). Despite a few Asian food stands, it's primarily run by African Americans. Not much (if any) in the way of South Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Southern/Eastern European or even African or Afro-Caribbean cuisine....

I will say that the Lexington Market is bigger than the other markets mentioned here, and can stand out from the others particularly when there's live music in the central courtyard area.

I went there once when living (10 blocks from Inner Harbor) in Baltimore. Since it is close I'd visit if I were a tourist.

Huh, I've lived here for years, and I'm embarassed to admit, I never checked out the Lexington Market. I'll correct that this weekend, though, and let you know what I think.

X out.

The Market has changed a lot since I was a child 40 years ago. Then, it was run by Italian fruit vendors, Greek seafood vendors, and Polish sausage people. It's still an interesting place. During the week, you see a huge mix of people - professionals and students from the University of Maryland, just around the corner, welfare mothers, and older folks. YOu can get some amazing food there, and it's pretty cheap. Worth a visit.