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Where I like to grab grub for home cooking
There are supermarkets. These are super markets. Here's where I like to buy…
Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
- Nearest Transit:
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Grand Army Plaza (2, 3, 4)
Eastern Pkwy - Brooklyn Museum (2, 3, 4)
7 Av (B, Q)
- Hours:
Sat 8 am - 4 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
73 reviews for Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
Review Highlights
"The goat cheese is out of this world."
(in 11 reviews)
"Not as big as Union Square Greenmarket, but has plenty of..."
(in 14 reviews)
"I love this market - I try to go every Saturday."
(in 4 reviews)
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73 reviews in English
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Review from Jonathan E.
Brooklyn, NY
10/16/2011
I used to live in Santa Monica, which is blessed with incredible weather and an equally incredible farmer's market. No matter the time of year, you get great fare thanks to the climate.
As such, the Grand Army Greenmarket perplexed me (initially). Why can't I get plump tomatoes or spicy chiles in Jan.?
But it has grown on me. And I now realize that all of the booths are run by local purveyors, offering their seasonal fare, so it changes throughout the year, many many times. Here's what I've learned:
- You have to submit. You can't go there with a dish in mind and expect to gather all the ingredients. Instead, you have to go and see what's available. Make that your starting point.
- You can find some instant eats, or some simple combinations and create a meal within minutes. But for more complex dishes, you might have to hit another market for certain proteins or specialty items.
- The really passionate folks take their big, thick milk jugs for re-fills, which is beyond my world. But I respect them.
- The crowd can be annoying with the strollers and bikes, but the purveyors are usually super friendly and full of advice... if you ask.
So yeah, you can't pull up and expect purple potatoes and sprouts in Feb., but you can get really good grub from really passionate folks who own the supply chain. And you will get some great grub and solid fare... on their terms, not yours. -
Review from Margaret T.
New York, NY
9/26/2011 3 Check-ins Here
On one hand, I don't think there is better produce to be found in the area. The supermarkets in the area have been pretty anemic in terms of fruit/vegetable selection. I found some really awesome beefsteak tomatoes here that rocked my sandwich.
On the other hand, you have to deal with the people with dogs and children on leashes. The people who insist on pushing strollers through the already crowded aisles of the stalls. The same to people who push their bikes around rather than locking them up while they shop.
And back to the first hand, we have the delicious baked goods, gourmet cheese, and fresh seafood that you would probably have to make several stops to pick up.
But then that second hand has $2.80/pound for eggplant when Whole Foods has eggplants for $1.49/pound.
In the end, the Greenmarket probably doesn't have everything you need but it's nice to come here to get some nice produce on a nice sunny day. -
Review from Paul S.
8/20/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Love this market!
Can find just about anything you want. Nothing horribly overpriced. I have never regretted getting anything here.
Between artisan foccacia, a huge selection of fish and shellfish, myriad fruit and veg, a pickle guy, a cheese lady, a mushroom booth,. pork and turkey specialists, and lots of bakers, you will get what you need.
I'll be interested to see how it changes in the winter.. -
Review from Elizabeth B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/28/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The best Greenmarket in the Park Slope/ProCro area. I brought home some gorgeous cheese, crusty bread, and four thick lamb merguez sausages that just kept calling my name. I don't get here that much though because it's SUCH an early market -- by 2:30 today Ronnybrook Farms had sold out and gone home and on a typical day 3:30 there are just a few holdouts and not much merchandise left. I couldn't find any tempting desserts. There were some vegan fruit pies that looked good but were out of my price range and that was it. Maybe the pie people had also sold out and gone home.
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Review from Caroline C.
Brooklyn, NY
12/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
This weekly greenmarket always gives me a burst of energy and sunshine every Saturday morning. It is always refreshing to see local farms selling fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, bread (I love Bread Alone), pastries and pies, honey, and even lavender! I do wish they had it on Sundays during the summer, but you can't have it all. I live so closeby and yet I still don't take advantage of the greenmarket and what it has to offer. Minus one star for the expected high prices, compared to some of the stands in the Union Square farmer's market. Also it would be nice if they had a vendor that served up meals for lunch. It is a lazy Saturday!
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Review from Rachel S.
New York, NY
12/22/2011
If I miss the Greenmarket on Saturday my entire food week is ruined. I plan my meals around the produce I get at the market. I think the prices are totally fine, not sure why people are such haters. Sure some things might be cheaper at whole foods but others are a bargain in comparison. You have to buy what is in season and looks good. I would much prefer to pay an extra buck to support a local farmer. I love the veggies, fruits, fish and different plant venders at the market. I refuse to make plans too early on Saturdays because I love waking up (kinda) early and grabbing a coffee and walking my dog to the market.
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Review from Joey G.
Brooklyn, NY
12/12/2011 4 Check-ins Here
One of the best farmers markets in Brooklyn open every Saturday, year round. Cheese, breads, wine, fish, fruits, veggies---it has everything. There's even a place to drop of your used clothes or your organic garbage (for compost). Start your Saturdays off here. But come early, because it's always packed and goods sell quickly!
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Review from Sara R.
8/8/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I have so many great things to say about the Greenmarket that several of my other reviews are already peppered with them. We try to eat local whenever possible, affordable, and accessible and this market does all those! It's only a few blocks from our home (I know. We DO count our lucky stars, thank you!) but also serviced by the 2/3 and B/Q, as well as the B41 and B69 buses.
I've never been disappointed on selection or prices. In fact, it just keeps getting better! The Greenmarket booth will swipe your Credit/Debit/EBT card and doll out $5 wooden tokens if you came without cash in hand. We've recently acquired a compost drop (please donate to keep them there!) where you can drop your kitchen scraps or purchase really nice, rich soil. We keep ours bagged in the freezer all week until Market day to avoid the stink. More info on how to "lazy compost" can be found on the LESEC's website. There's also a textile recycling drop for clothes or fabric that may not be Salvation Army-worthy. Then of course there's endless produce, Turkey, goat cheese, Lavender, honey, eggs, milk, bread, and flowers. Did I forget anything? A lot of them will brave the Winter, even!
It's a lovely community of farmers (and fishmongers!) who are graceful under the pressure of a crushing Saturday morning crowd. My advice is either go early or just breathe and take your time. They will not run out of food anytime soon. You, too, will get your asparagus. And it will be tastier if picked up with patience. -
Review from Benjamin F.
Brooklyn, NY
8/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I don't go the market every single week but I certainly did when we first moved to the neighborhood because it is FANTASTIC.
There's a fresh fish vendor that has mostly if not entirely fare that has been harvested from the ocean in the past 24 hours. If you want to get fish, though, get there EARLY. I really mean that. The fish vendor often has a very long line and while I've only bought their wares a few times, I found it hard to get exactly what I wanted at least twice because I didn't get there until later in the day. I could see on the chalkboard that they had had what I wanted but it had already been sold out.
In addition to the obvious farmer's market fare of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers that have been likely been picked in the past 24 - 48 hours, there are also exceptional bread, cheese and meat vendors there every week.
If you can afford to do so and you live nearby, you should consider making this your weekly staples grocery shopping trip. That said, if you can afford to do so and eat meat and dairy, your job title might be something like "investment banker." Please don't misunderstand: you're absolutely getting what you're paying for; everything is high-quality and grown or harvested somewhere very nearby. You can, however, get meat and dairy products that may not be of a similar quality and will have come from farther away and likely from a "factory farm" for much less than you can get products of the same type here.
One other important note: there is a booth that offers textile recycling and composting, so if you have scrap fabric or clothing sitting around that needs to go or you're able to track your compostables but don't actually have the space or necessity to compost them, you can take all of that to the plaza on Saturday afternoons.
Go early and go often. I know I will. -
Review from Tanya S.
7/31/2011
I feel pretty dang lucky to live almost next to this.
Things are decently priced here (one time, we came with $100 to see what we could get with our money, and only ended up spending $60 because we had a ton of things by that point, and thought buying anything else would be ridiculous).
They seem to alternate the wineries that have booths here. Most are from Long Island, and most have really good chardonnays. If you want to buy a good "local" chardonnay, I would say this is your place.
Also on the "things you must buy" list: fresh cider (the booth is always there), preserves from Phillips Farms, apples from the booth nearest Prospect Park West, fresh fish, and lavender. But the lavender is for me, because I'm a cheap bastard and I can't justify spending money on lavender. It just smells. so. good. -
Review from Ajay R.
Brooklyn, NY
10/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
A fine market but extremely pricey. They have a pretty good selection and you can find almost anything you want, however I'll admit I don't shop here often. The meats are crazily priced... they must feed their chickens gold dust to justify the $7-$10 per lb prices. Compare that to $3.50 at Fleisher's for good organic chicken. However it's probably the only place in the neighborhood to get good fresh fish.
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Review from Netta A.
5/13/2011 9 Check-ins Here
What can I say wrong about this place! All the vendors are friendly with smiles on their faces. You have the backdrops of scenic eye-candy all around you; Prospect Park, BK Library and Grand Army Plaza. Even when I can only purchase one fruit, I make this the place to go!
Bring a friend, the family, EVERYONE if you want! Great atmosphere -
Review from Ramon W.
Brooklyn, NY
4/20/2011 14 Check-ins Here
I come here as nuch as I can. The bakery vendor is where I go. The fresh Challah bread is the best! Good for my weekend mornings stuffed french toast. I also love the mozzarella and spinach breads. It can get crowded in the afternoon..so I make my trip there early in the morning.
All the vendors here have great things to offer. From milks and cheeses to fresh turkey meats and flowers. -
Review from Megan C.
Brooklyn, NY
12/23/2010
I love the GAP Greenmarket. Even if it wasn't a few blocks from home, I'd definitely make a trip to go. It's usually excessively crowded between about 12 and 2, but it all kind of adds to the experience, in my opinion.
There are always a plethora of great vendors with fruit, vegetables, flowers, cheese, meat, milk, eggs, and bread, to name a few. Some of the vendors are a bit expensive, but there are usually a few stations selling each item, so you can shop around for prices and quality before purchasing.Listed in: The Basics
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Review from S N.
Brooklyn, NY
8/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
Good cheese, minipizzas, clams/seafood, and... flowers!!!
I was shockingly oblivious to this Greenmarket until several Saturdays ago, when I was brought flowers, delicious stinky cheese, and artisanal personal pizzas. (Nothing says "day of romance" like individually portioned doughblobs.) I dislike receiving flowers when they're delivered from remote florists. I consider commercially grown flowers a waste of transit gas, of floral lifespan, etc. But unlike the unoriginal output of FTD and http://flowers.com, those modestly presented, fresh, local Greenmarket sprays were perfect and much-beloved by me because deep down inside my razored spiny soul I have some traditionally girly attributes after all. It was a good call. A couple weekends ago, he bought clams. They were GOOD. They were a surprise. I did not know that greenmarkets had seafood.
Today I finally visited the market myself. As a result I have some fine cheese called Bloomsday in honor of James Joyce's "Ulysses." I have some petite smooth purple and white marbled delicious-looking eggplants, 4 ears of fresh corn, and the most delicious tiny tomatoes.
The only problem with excellent fresh produce, seafood and meat is that you can't stock up on it for the next few months because that defeats the point. -
Review from Cassie G.
7/3/2010
This place has everything that a farmer's market needs. Bread, produce, milk, meat, and then some. Good news for peach lovers- they've finally arrived and tasting sweeter than ever! Just to make sure, there were some samples that definitely sealed the deal.
Now if you're like me and love getting breakfast at farmer's markets I'm gonna forewarn you. This morning I was not feeling like a baked muffin, scone, etc. but there weren't very many other options. I ended up with a mango yogurt drink from the milk man that was good but nothing out of this world.
I wouldn't have been too upset if as I was leaving I saw three food trucks parked across the way. So THAT is where everyone was getting their juices and coffee fix... They all looked great and had me wishing that I had found it earlier!
This place gets a bump up due to it's proximity to Prospect Park. If you don't have things that might spoil right away, it's a great place to relax with a book for a little and maybe waste some time until you're hungry enough to grab a dumpling from the Rickshaw dumpling truck!Listed in: This Little Piggy Went to…
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Review from Peter D.
4/14/2010 2 Check-ins Here
They have fresh vegetables, delicious cider, creamy goat cheese, crusty bread, juicy fruit,* sweet honey, and if you're lucky, generous jam samples available for your enjoyment.
But if you're not lucky, some 6 year old will be hogging all the jam samples. And you shouldn't throw a little girl on the ground and take her jam, because then her father will be angry, and believe me, it's hard to run and eat jam samples at the same time.
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*Not the gum. Or, maybe the gum too, but I've never seen it. -
Review from Rahsaan C.
Brooklyn, NY
6/3/2011
While I dig the one in my own neighborhood of Fort Greene, gotta say this knocks that one out of the water as it's larger with more vendors and more variety and it's right outside of Prospect Park, which also blasts Fort Green Park out of the water. I can say these things as a native Fort Greener. (Yes. We still exist.) In spring, summer, autumn, you feel like you're at a country fair.
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Review from J S.
Brooklyn, NY
7/9/2011
Great selection, great quality, can't complain
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Review from CANDICE H.
Brooklyn, NY
6/25/2011
I'm here every Saturday and so are the vendors! rain or shine! they have a great selection of veggies, fruits, and breads. The selection of items depends on the season. You can buy apples, scallions, organic bread, ciders, flowers, pickles, sweet potatoes, strawberries, fresh fish, and today a vendor was selling duck meat. Don't expect to go here and see citrus though. You gotta remember this is NYC lol. There is always a vendor selling fresh milk as well as brown eggs! If you don't like crowded or tight areas do not go to the market!! It tends to get crowded, especially if the weather is nice. And people always come and try to maneuver around the tents with strollers and dogs on leashes. Today I saw a great dane and siberian huskie and I almost died lol
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Review from Allison G.
Brooklyn, NY
11/11/2006
I love this place! If you're just passing by, check out the free samples of cheeses, apples, jams, and jellies. Otherwise, come with a canvas tote bag and fill it with a week's worth of fresh produce! They also have fish, poultry, and meat!
Also: they have a great (and cheap!) selection of houseplants!
Everything is so fresh and yummy, you'll find yourself coming back again and again! Also, you'll feel really good about supporting local farmers, cheesemakers, fishermen, etc.! -
Review from Blake S.
Santa Ana, CA
6/29/2010
I saw Mayor Bloomberg there once. He was inspecting the produce.
If it's good enough for the Mayor, it's good enough for me.
I even saw him kiss a black baby, then give a nickel to a war veteran on crutches. -
Review from Emily R.
San Francisco, CA
7/18/2009
What a great farmer's market! It is one of the biggest I have seen so far, perhaps surpassed only by the Union Square market, but the quality of the produce and baked goods is unbelievable. Bring cash!
The Herb Lady (I'm sure this is her given name) is a rather odd character, but her selection is wonderful. I saw fresh eucalyptus plants, thyme, spearmint, pineapple mint, parsley, dill, and more. No brown, dying leaves here- everything was fresh and green. My boyfriend picked up a cute little bonsai tree for our apartment, and I just had to pick up some chive and peppermint plants, too.
The Orchid Man (so I have a short memory for names, sue me) was a really offbeat old guy who loves his flowers. It was $15 for an orchid so beautiful that I got stopped twice by other patrons and asked directions for the booth!
Be sure to stop by Blue Moon- you won't get fresher fish anywhere. But come early! These guys arrive on time and sell out early. Lobsters were $8.95 each.
The Cheese Ladies have some wonderful cheese (Zagat gave their farm a 27 for food!).
And just in case you felt a bit yuppylicious, remember that GAP greenmarket accepts food stamps so everyone can eat fresh, local food. -
Review from Monica R.
Brooklyn, NY
4/27/2009
I would like to go on record that I bought my first slab of "red-ish" meat here.
Okay. I fibbed.
I didn't actually purchase the (turkey)meat. My friend did.
She paid the 10 bucks. We brought the meat home and I fried it up in sausage type patties. I made some omelets. She toasted the bagels. I cut the strawberries and bananas.
I pretty much spent the entire weekend being a good domestic housewife. I didn't know I had that in me.
Thank you Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket for inspiring me to cook up some MEAT in a frying pan. I highly appreciate the grease stains on my olive green tank top from all my domestic house duties. -
Review from Alexis K.
Brooklyn, NY
11/21/2008
I used to live near the Union Square market, and there is truly no replacement for it. It's so much bigger than any other greenmarket in the city, and that broad selection is unbeatable.
That said, however...what GAP gives up in variety, it more than makes up for in quality. Bradley, Maxwell, Blue Moon Seafood, Evolutionary, Wilklow, Flying Pigs, all provide the highest, highest quality food available in New York.
Yes, it's expensive. But, what's the most important thing for you to do in your life? Treat your body like the temple that it is. Don't eat junk. Don't buy "Organic" because the government tells you it's good for you, even though it's been shipped here from California. What a waste.
Okay, my $.02.
I'll shut up now. -
Review from Brian H.
New York, NY
4/24/2009
While the Union Square Greenmarket is still my favorite, the greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza is the next best thing. For one, it is also open all year and just like Union Square, it has a few of the same vendors. I was able to spot some of my favorites such as:
Cato Corner Dairy (great cheeses)
Body & Soul which serves amazing homeade and not bland vegan dishes. I had an escarol and white bean empanada once and it was really healthy and delicious.
Ronnybrook Farms
Those are the only names I can think of at the moment but there was fresh produce, cider, a wine booth, fresh breads, etc. And the park is right there! It definitely has all the makings of a great picnic in Prospect Park. I will be coming here as much as I can.Listed in: Crown Heights, 11238
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Review from Maggie M.
Brooklyn, NY
10/18/2011
Fun to browse on a Saturday morning with my dog. I like the cut flower sellers, always a nice seasonal selection, and I've purchased plants from my yard from the people here for what seems like a decent price. You can easily spend 20 bucks here on fruits and veg and not get all that much, but at least you are supporting the farmers. The seafood stand is always packed and I have yet to try it.
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Review from Rachel P.
Brooklyn, NY
8/31/2009
+not crowded
+many plants
+clean
-not much variety
-not much fruit, and fish -
Review from Lakshmi R.
Chicago, IL
6/27/2010
Standard farmers' market: in-season produce, cheese, meat, all the basics as well as some random stuff, like the guy selling solely bunches of lavender and other lavender-themed items.
It gets crowded by 11am, so try to get here early, and take a break from the heat in the shade of Prospect Park. I'm glad this is going to be the source of my groceries during my summer in New York. -
Review from Bianca B.
7/8/2008 14 Check-ins Here
Bring cash, a big sturdy reuseable bag and arrive early! And eat breakfast first because you will buy up everything if you go on an empty stomach.
On a good day, the Grand Army market has what you're looking for: strawberries, lemon verbena plants, dahlias about to bloom, sundried tomato foccacia, pickled relish, the tastiest seafood, rhubarb preserves, fresh goat cheese, summer squash... I like this one better than the Union Square market because it's smaller and feels more like a neighborhood establishment and less like another NYC attraction.
I do wish there was a bigger selection of organic foods, but this market is a definitely a gift in a neighborhood ripe with sparse, overpriced supermarkets.Listed in: What I Love Most
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Review from Laura B.
Brooklyn, NY
9/6/2007
I love this market - I try to go every Saturday. Lately there have been more vendors and it's getting really crowded. Unfortunately for your Saturday morning situation, you should get here early. Last time I went, I noticed a line of at least 15 people lined up for the fishmonger. In fact, if you go after 1pm, don't be surprised if the fish are sold out. The amazing variety of produce is great to check out, and it's first come first serve.
My favorite vendor is Rick's Picks, 'cause i'm obsessed with their smokra (pickled okra). But I always hit the baker with the short short shorts first to make sure they're not sold out of whole wheat baguettes. mmm. Also, I'm a fan of picking up a bundle of kale for $2.50 that you could not eat in a week if you tried. Love the produce! Great people watching.
Take your Friday night date through here if they are lucky enough to end up in your neigborhood in the morning. -
Review from Michelle L.
Brooklyn, NY
3/31/2007
Part of a perfect Brooklyn Saturday. A perfectly manageable number of vendors: you can get anything you'd want from a farmer's market, but don't have to get lost between the booths. (Bonus: they're open until mid-afternoon, around 3 or 4.)
If you stop of a cup of hot cider as they're winding down, odds are good you'll get a free, fresh doughnut with it too! (The ones from the stand in the far northwest corner are cinnamon-sugar, the ones two booths over are straight up. They will redefine doughnuts for you.)Listed in: North Slope/Prospect Heights
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Review from Barbara G.
Brooklyn, NY
4/21/2011 4 Check-ins Here
i love that its so close to my apt. Makes me want to go there every Saturday if I could. The bread bakers are the best and have the best muffins! Get there early if you want to get the good stuff. You can bring your compost and your textile recycling there which is a plus. Stay in touch with each season as the produce changes. Healthy eating starts with local and fresh produce.
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Review from Ben S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/7/2009
The Green Market at Grand Army Plaza is nice. There is usually a good selection, except some of the winter weekends but that's ok. It's not as big as Union Square but it's also closer and not as crowed. I try to go every week but some weeks I just cannot force myself to get moving early enough. That being said a few of the vendors hang out later than the official hours.
It can be crowded some times and all of the strollers can get annoying but all in all it is a solid market. I wish it was more than once a week!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Amy G.
Brooklyn, NY
5/1/2009
There is absolutely nothing better than walking through the Greenmarket on an early Saturday summer morning after going to the gym, picking up a vegan corn muffin from Body&Soul, and a container of fresh blueberries, or an asian pear, and sitting on the ledge of the park watching the people and cute dogs pass by.
Oh -- and make sure you buy a Tickle Hill bottle of peach-wine. Dessert in a bottle. -
Review from Rebecca L.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 6/11/2009
I stick by my older review but this review is for Milk Thistle Farms:
Your chocolate milk is the purest form of heaven in a bottle.
...I'm serious. Go get a bottle (fyi they usually sell out) then walk down the path into the park. Sit on the grass. Gulp the milk. Life is beautiful.Listed in: Places I will Miss after…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/27/2008
Gotta say I found it pretty pricey here.
Definitely prefer Union Square.
The produce I bought was… Read more »
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Review from Damian G.
Brooklyn, NY
7/17/2010
Great produce, amazing cheese (both the goat lady and the cow people), and the BEST fn lamb marguez sausages I have ever had in New York. Look for the meat dude with the wooden cases. But leave some for me.
Minus one star for some crazy high produce prices on occasion. -
Review from Kate T.
Alexandria, VA
11/15/2008
Grab some fresh cider, mini baguettes, apples, and goat cheese. Put it in your canvas bag. Hop back on the bike and head down into the park for a picnic. Bliss....
Great selection, solid offerings, not as large as Union, but very easy to bike to if you don't live right around the corner. Hit the library while you're here. -
Review from ju l.
6/3/2009
As can be expected, it can't compare to the Union Square Farmer's Market. But the selection here is pretty broad and seems to have all the basics. Atmosphere is a little weird-- maybe I only pass by later towards the afternoon, but it feels so empty and kind of foreboding with all the cars rushing by...
Regardless, a solid farmer's market that I would frequent a heck of a lot more if I lived in Park Slope-- even though Union Square is better, I can't think of a valid reason a local would go through the hassle of spending $4 for the subway there, rather than just walking to Grand Army Plaza and maybe paying that much more for a giant load of produce.
Up a notch from "A-OK" because it's a great resource for Park Slope people, and just a nice place in general to walk around and revel in the freshness of it all. Oh, and also to sample some yummy jams/preserves. -
Review from Jillian H.
Brooklyn, NY
10/27/2010
Lovely market with a great array of friendly farmers and products; I always stock up on fruits, veggies, pastries and tea. Year round! Every Saturday 8am-4pm.
Listed in: Weekly Staples, Organic and Grass-fed
