Reading Terminal Market

From Philadelphia.Wiki
Reading Terminal Market
TypePublic market, food hall
Address51 N 12th Street
MapView on Google Maps
NeighborhoodCenter City
Phone(215) 922-2317
WebsiteOfficial site
Established1893
FounderReading Railroad Company
OwnerReading Terminal Market Corporation (nonprofit)
Employees400+
HoursDaily 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
ProductsPrepared food, produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, specialty items
StatusActive
Reading Terminal Market(215) 922-231751 N 12th StreetPhiladelphiaPAUS

Reading Terminal Market sits at 51 N 12th Street in Center City, Philadelphia, and it's one of America's oldest continuously operating public markets. It opened on February 22, 1893, tucked beneath the train shed of the Reading Railroad Company. You'll find over 80 merchants here selling fresh produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, prepared foods, and specialty items inside a National Historic Landmark building right next to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.[1]

What really sets this place apart? The Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish vendors from Lancaster County who've claimed the northwestern corner of the building. You've got DiNic's, famous for a roast pork sandwich that the Travel Channel called "America's Best Sandwich." There's Beiler's Bakery with hand-rolled doughnuts in nearly 50 flavors. Bassett's Ice Cream has been here since day one in 1893. Around three million people visit every year, making it one of Philadelphia's top destinations for both tourists and locals who come back again and again.[2]

History

Origins

Two earlier markets stood on the 1100 block of Market Street: the Butchers' and Farmers' Market and Franklin Market. In 1890, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company bought that block to build its new passenger terminal. The merchants didn't want to leave. So the railroad made a deal: they'd build a new market underneath the elevated train shed and tracks instead.[3]

Age and Founding

The market opened for business on February 22, 1893. That makes it over 130 years old now. Originally it covered about 78,000 square feet with nearly 800 merchant stalls, each six feet wide. By 1913 things were booming. You had 250 food dealers and 100 farmers working their spaces.

The Reading Railroad went bankrupt in 1971, but the market didn't die with it. When the Pennsylvania Convention Center went up in the 1990s, they incorporated the old train shed while keeping the market intact below. Two vendors trace their roots back to 1893: Bassett's Ice Cream and Spataro's Cheesesteaks. They're the descendants of original merchants from opening day.

Revival and Preservation

After World War II, things got rough. Decline set in. Then in the 1980s, revival started. The market got designated a National Historic Landmark. The Convention Center next door brought new crowds. Today Reading Terminal Market Corporation, a nonprofit, runs the place. They're committed to keeping it diverse and open to everyone, whether you live here or you're just visiting.

Hours

Reading Terminal Market is open Monday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day only.

Keep these details in mind:

  • Different merchants keep different hours. Some open earlier or stay later.
  • Many prepared food vendors wrap up 30-60 minutes before closing time.
  • The Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish vendors? Wednesday through Saturday only.

Sunday Hours

On Sunday the market runs from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. But here's the catch: the Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch vendors in the northwest corner don't open on Sunday. They observe it as a day of rest for religious reasons. Wednesday through Saturday is when they're around.

Want to hit the Pennsylvania Dutch section? Go Wednesday through Saturday. Sundays still work great if you're after DiNic's, Bassett's, Carmen's Famous Italian Hoagies, and plenty of others. Most vendors run full hours.

Pennsylvania Dutch Vendors

The Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch merchants operate Wednesday through Saturday only. They travel about 60 miles from Lancaster County to staff their stalls and take Sunday off as a day of rest.

Twelve Amish businesses operate here, most clustered in the northwest corner. You'll find:

  • Beiler's Bakery and Beiler's Donuts & Salads - Hand-rolled doughnuts, nearly 50 flavors
  • Dutch Eating Place - Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast and comfort food
  • Fisher's Soft Pretzels - Authentic soft pretzels
  • Dienner's Bar-B-Q Chicken - Rotisserie chicken
  • Miller's Twist - Soft pretzels and baked goods
  • Lancaster County Dairy - Fresh eggs, butter, and cheese[4]

Food and Vendors

With over 80 vendors here, you've got overwhelming choice. These are the ones everyone talks about.

Must-Try Foods

DiNic's Roast Pork Sandwich - In 2012 the Travel Channel called it "America's Best Sandwich." Thinly sliced roast pork on a long roll with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe. Fourth-generation family runs it. Their Italian sausage is excellent too.[5]

Beiler's Doughnuts - Hand-rolled Pennsylvania Dutch style, nearly 50 flavors. The lines wrap around other vendors. They use a grandmother's bread recipe with potato flakes.

Bassett's Ice Cream - Continuously operating since 1893, Bassett's claims to be America's oldest ice cream company. Rich, dense, beloved by generations of Philadelphians.

Dutch Eating Place Apple Dumplings - Whole apples wrapped in pastry, cinnamon-sugar coating, served with warm cream. True Pennsylvania Dutch specialty.

Tommy DiNic's - Sister location to DiNic's with roast beef and other Italian sandwiches.

Other Highly Recommended Vendors

  • Carmen's Famous Italian Hoagies - Classic Philadelphia hoagies
  • Pearl's Oyster Bar - Fresh oysters and seafood
  • Hershel's East Side Deli - Jewish deli with corned beef and pastrami
  • Molly Malloy's - Irish pub food
  • By George Pizza - Pizza by the slice
  • Kamal's Middle Eastern Specialties - Falafel and shawarma

First-Time Visitor Guide

New to the market? Hit these spots in order:

1. DiNic's roast pork sandwich - The signature dish 2. Beiler's doughnut (any flavor) - Get there early, popular flavors vanish 3. Bassett's ice cream cone - A 130-year tradition 4. Dutch Eating Place apple dumpling - Pennsylvania Dutch specialty 5. Fisher's soft pretzel - Fresh from the oven

Budget roughly $30-40 per person to try several vendors.

Parking and Transportation

No dedicated parking lot exists, but nearby options work fine.

Gallery Place Garage (right next door)

  • 925 Market Street
  • Closest option, accessible from the Convention Center

AutoPark at the Gallery

  • 9th and Market Streets
  • About 2 blocks east

Street Parking

  • Metered spots on surrounding streets
  • Limited spots and time restrictions apply

Public Transportation

Transit beats driving here:

  • SEPTA Market-Frankford Line - 11th Street Station (one block away)
  • SEPTA Regional Rail - Jefferson Station (adjacent to market)
  • Multiple SEPTA bus routes serve 12th and Market Streets

Payment Methods

Most vendors take credit cards, but some stay cash-only, especially the Pennsylvania Dutch merchants. ATMs sit inside the market.

Bring cash (around $40-60) to be safe. You'll want to shop anywhere without hitting payment problems.

Convention Center Connection

Reading Terminal Market sits directly next to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The market occupies the ground floor of the historic Reading Railroad headhouse. The Convention Center incorporated the elevated train shed above and expanded around it.

The main entrance on 12th Street is steps from the Convention Center's main entrance on Arch Street. An interior connection lets Convention Center visitors access the market directly during market hours.

That location drives huge crowds. Convention attendees, event-goers, tourists all pass through. The market pulls in roughly $60 million in annual tourist revenue.

Delivery and Online Ordering

Some vendors offer delivery through DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats, but it varies by vendor. Not everyone participates. You can also find:

  • Online ordering for pickup at select vendors through the Reading Terminal Market website
  • Gift boxes and shipped items from certain specialty vendors
  • Catering services from multiple vendors for events

For the real experience though? Come in person.

Visiting Tips

Best Times to Visit

  • Weekday mornings (8-10 AM) - Fewest crowds, every vendor open
  • Wednesday through Saturday - All vendors including Amish merchants
  • Skip lunch rush (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM) - Packed, especially weekdays

What to Bring

  • Cash (for vendors that don't take cards)
  • Reusable bags (for produce and groceries)
  • Patience (it gets crowded)

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "History". Reading Terminal Market. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  2. ↑ "Reading Terminal Market". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  3. ↑ "Reading Terminal Market". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  4. ↑ "Pennsylvania Dutch". Reading Terminal Market. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  5. ↑ "The 17 Best Things to Eat at Reading Terminal Market". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025

External Links

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