Exploring Downtown Raleigh’s Historic City Market
When you live at IDYLE, some of the finest Downtown Raleigh attractions are steps from your front door. One of the coolest venues that should be topping your “must-visit” list is Raleigh’s Historic City Market.
Recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, City Market is an open-air shopping and dining district that first opened in 1914, and for over a century has served as a community hotspot. Tourists and locals alike flood the Market each weekend to enjoy food, specialty shopping, and more.
From a morning cup of coffee to a stroll under the stars & twinkling lights along its beautiful cobblestone streets - Historic City Market has something to explore 24/7, 365.
Historic City Market at Sunrise in Downtown Raleigh
Background: Raleigh City Market’s Rich History
Before supermarkets existed, shoppers obtained their weekly fare from bustling market squares like this one. Each week, farmers from the Eastern part of our state journeyed to City Market in trucks and horse-drawn carts, bringing loads of produce, meat, and flowers with them. The Market was also the #1 place to find baked goods, handmade soap, and miscellaneous sundries for many across the state.
The Market flourished from its opening in 1914 until the mid-1940s when the advent of grocery stores and the nearby Farmer’s Market put an end to the good times. In 1957, it was closed, and spent the next few decades being passed around to various owners. In the 1980s, it was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, and its new owners launched a revitalization project.
By the 1990s, the Market was bustling once again, this time with tourists hungry for a slice of Raleigh history!
Big Ed’s Breakfast in Downtown Raleigh, NC
Butter your Biscuit at Big Ed’s
The first Big Ed’s was founded in 1958 by “Big Ed” Watkins, a Wake County native who grew up helping his mother prepare meals for their family farm. After opening several successful restaurants around the state, Watkins opened the City Market location in 1989 as part of the Moore’s Square revitalization project.
Today, you can head to Big Ed’s to indulge in homemade buttermilk biscuits, fried fatback, farm-fresh egg omelets, or jumbo-sized hot cakes (blackstrap molasses optional). Breakfast at this location is served until 2 p.m., so you can enjoy an early treat or a leisurely brunch. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Walk the Streets at Historic City Market in Downtown Raleigh
Hit the shops & explore the venues
City Market offers an eclectic mix of shops to suit a wide variety of budgets, tastes, and interests. Some of our favorites include Copperline Plant Co., which stocks a charming collection of houseplants, succulents, cacti, and pottery for all your urban greenery needs. Dog lovers will want to spend some time in Unleashed, The Dog & Cat Store, for top-of-the-line pet supplies. For the fashion-inclined, there’s Social Status, a luxury streetwear boutique which stocks more than 100 cutting-edge brands. Finally, if you’re exploring one of City Market’s two wedding venues—Historic Market Hall and The Grove—you might want to make a day of it & find your perfect dream gown at White of Raleigh next door.
Grab a slice at Vic’s Italian Restaurant
With more and more New Yorkers choosing to ditch the Big Apple for our warmer, less costly city, there’s plenty of competition for the title of “best New York pizza in Raleigh.” Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria just might be the winner, though. Owner Mario Longo and his family have been serving up authentic, old-world Italian cuisine for nearly 30 years, in both New York and N.C. This location is definitely a local favorite, and with all sauces and doughs made in-house, it’s no wonder. If you decide to stop here, make sure to try the Meat Eater, featuring Italian sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, and ham. Trust us, it’s an offer you just can’t refuse.
A Beautiful Start to Any Day in Downtown Raleigh