Italian Market | Philadelphia

The Italian Market in Philadelphia, officially known as the South 9th Street Italian Market, is one of the oldest and most vibrant open-air markets in the United States. It is deeply rooted in Philadelphia’s cultural and immigrant history and remains a lively hub of food, community, and tradition.

Location and Scope

The market stretches along South 9th Street in the Bella Vista neighborhood of South Philadelphia, spanning about ten city blocks from Fitzwater Street in the north down to Wharton Street in the south.

This historic corridor is lined with family-owned shops, food vendors, specialty grocers, butcher shops, bakeries, and restaurants.

The market is open every day of the week and attracts locals and visitors from all over seeking authentic food and cultural experiences.

Historical Background

The market began in the mid-to-late 1880s as Italian immigrants settled in South Philadelphia, especially in the Bella Vista neighborhood.

The first notable business that spurred the market’s growth was a boarding house opened by Italian immigrant Antonio Palumbo, which attracted more Italian families and entrepreneurs.

Originally, the market was informal, consisting mainly of curbside stands and pushcarts where vendors sold fresh produce and homemade goods.

Over time, it developed into a bustling, permanent commercial district with brick-and-mortar shops alongside traditional street vendors.

While its roots are Italian, the market’s demographic and cultural makeup have diversified greatly over the decades, now including Mexican, Vietnamese, Korean, and other communities, reflecting Philadelphia’s evolving immigrant population.

Market Offerings and Atmosphere

The Italian Market is famous for its fresh produce stalls, bursting with seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, and specialty items sourced from local farms and international suppliers.

Butcher shops here are particularly renowned for their quality meats, including Italian sausages, prosciutto, and fresh seafood. Many butchers have been family-run for generations.

Cheese shops offer a wide selection of Italian cheeses such as mozzarella, provolone, ricotta, and parmesan, alongside cheeses from other cultures.

Bakeries sell classic Italian baked goods—cannoli, biscotti, focaccia, and the beloved Philadelphia tomato pie, a thin-crust savory pie topped with tomato sauce and herbs.

The market also features delis, spice shops, coffee roasters, and specialty food vendors selling olives, pickles, pasta, olive oil, and more.

Many shops are family-owned and operated, some tracing back four or five generations, adding to the market’s unique, authentic character.

The streets come alive with vibrant sights, sounds, and smells, especially on weekends when shoppers bustle about, vendors call out their wares, and street musicians occasionally perform.

Cultural and Community Events

The Italian Market hosts an annual South 9th Street Italian Market Festival every May, which is one of the area’s biggest cultural events.

The festival celebrates the market’s heritage with live music, entertainment, food vendors, and traditional Italian-American contests like the greased pole climb, where participants try to climb a slippery, greased pole to win prizes.

This festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors and is a lively expression of the community’s pride and enduring traditions.

Visiting and Practical Information

The Italian Market Visitor Center is located at 919 South 9th Street, serving as a hub for information, guided tours, and merchandise.

Visitor Center hours:

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Tuesday through Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Getting there:

By public transit: The SEPTA Broad Street Line to Ellsworth-Federal Station and bus routes 47 and 47M serve the area.

Parking is available at Carpenter Street between 9th and 10th Streets and in nearby garages.

Food Tours and Experiences

For those wanting to explore the market with insight and tastings, several guided food tours operate regularly:

Free Tours by Foot offers a name-your-own-price food tour every Sunday morning from the Visitor Center. This 2-hour tour covers about a mile of the market and includes stops for tasting various specialties.

The Independence Visitor Center runs a guided Italian Market food tour priced around $59, combining culinary tastings with historical storytelling.

These tours highlight the diverse culinary offerings and provide context about the market’s immigrant heritage, making them ideal for food lovers and first-time visitors.

Unique Shopping and Souvenirs

Beyond food, visitors can find unique gifts and souvenirs such as market-themed apparel, cookbooks, Christmas ornaments, and decorative magnets at the Visitor Center.

The market itself is a living museum of Philadelphia’s immigrant and culinary history, where visitors can buy authentic ingredients and experience local culture firsthand.

Significance

The Italian Market is not just a marketplace but a vibrant cultural institution. It reflects the story of immigration, entrepreneurship, and community resilience in Philadelphia. For over 130 years, it has been a place where generations of families have worked, socialized, and preserved culinary traditions. Today, it remains a bustling, dynamic neighborhood hub that welcomes visitors to experience the tastes, sights, and sounds of one of America’s most beloved ethnic markets.