When we want to browse for quality specialty foods, Market Hall Foods is one of the first places we turn to.
They have a wonderful selection of hard-to-get luxury and specialty foods like Tasmanian leatherwood honey, Luxardo Maraschino Cherry Jam, and the ever-elusive espresso powder — all in one place! They also offer delicious varieties of pasta, like these lemon ricotta ravioli, and high-quality canned goods like Ortiz tuna from Spain.
Their online service is great; we recently ordered several varieties of candied flowers, and they arrived promptly and well-packaged. We were delighted with the quality too.
While we look for most of our food locally, Market Hall Foods is great for those rare items that can elevate a dish or a meal into something unique and special.
Has anyone else had any experience with Market Hall Foods' online store, or has anyone visited their brick and mortar marketplace in Oakland, California?
(Images: Market Hall Foods)
Post originally published September 24, 2007
Soda Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Recipe: Spring Fruit and Nut Tabouli
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
TW Salt Mill by Wil...
Which Wall Color Gives the Best Sleep?
Ana Creates a Community at Home
Loooooooove Market Hall! I am going there today on my lunch break to get supplies for dinner with friends. It's great for everyday shopping even. There is a little series of grocery stores--good produce, wine store, butcher the actual Market Hall with its specialty ingredients.
Just remember to pay in every section - I once accidentally stole a little tub of olives because I thought I could pay in the produce store. Got home and realized that they weren't on the receipt.
Market Hall (in Oakland) is a ten minute walk from my apartment! I usually only get specific specialty items (certain cheeses/baking supplies/olives) but they have a really nice wide array of prepared foods, fresh pastas, olives, cheeses, etc.. Leans to the Italian/French end of the gourmet spectrum. The Brick & Mortar Oakland Store (I believe there's another one in Berkeley?) is part of a larger collection of stores with Market Hall being it's flagship. There's a cute bakery, tea shop & coffee shop, a small produce store, a fish monger, a wine shop, and a butcher all in the same complex. Plus, Trader Joe's is a block away for (most of your) pantry staples. One stop local shopping!! This is why I love Rockridge, Oakland.
I miss living in Rockridge and between Berkeley Bowl and Market Hall it does not get much better.
The one in Berkeley is easily a weekly stop for me. I work within walking distance. The salad bar and deli case are awesome. I used to buy there on a more regular basis but it's pricey, so definitely more of a special treat nowadays.
I still stop by regularly for home cooking inspiration and make sure to make a few small purchases every so often (baguette, olives, piece of chocolate) to support local business.
I actually had no idea they had an online business!
It's a high end place right by Rockridge BART, and they have samples.
I've only gone on Sundays, and it's very crowded then.