The St. John's Farmers' Market: what to eat, buy and know before you go

If you want to see what Newfoundland food looks like before it reaches a restaurant, the St. John's Farmers' Market is the place to start. Every Saturday, year round, local farmers, bakers, cooks and makers set up inside a building on Freshwater Road, and a good part of the city turns up for breakfast, a coffee and a wander. It is one of the best ways to spend a Saturday morning in St. John's.

When and where is the St. John's Farmers' Market?

The market runs on Saturdays, year round, at 245 Freshwater Road, a short drive or a longer walk from downtown. Its listed hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but check the market's current hours before you go, especially around holidays.

What can you eat at the farmers' market?

Food vendors change, but you can usually find:

• Breakfast, from egg sandwiches to baked goods
• Coffee and tea
• Lunch dishes from cooks with all kinds of backgrounds, reflecting the city's growing mix of cultures
• Baking: bread, buns, muffins, squares, pies and cookies
• Sweet treats to eat on the spot

Many people make a morning of it, eating breakfast at the market and picking up groceries for the week.

What should you buy to take home?

The market is a good place for:

• Partridgeberry and bakeapple jams, made from Newfoundland's wild berries
• Local honey and preserves
• Baking, such as a loaf of bread or a bag of buns
• Seasonal vegetables, from summer greens to winter root vegetables
• Crafts and gifts made in the province

Jams and preserves travel well if you are flying home; pack them in checked luggage.

When is the best time to visit?

Early is best for the widest choice, especially for baking, which can sell out. Late morning is the busiest and liveliest time. In summer and fall the market is at its fullest, with the most local produce. In winter it is a warm, welcoming place to spend a cold Saturday.

Is the farmers' market good for families?

Yes. Children enjoy the food, the bustle and the treats, and there is plenty to look at. It can get crowded at peak times, so a carrier may be easier than a stroller.

How does the market fit into a Saturday in St. John's?

A relaxed Saturday might start at the market for breakfast, move downtown for a walk along Water Street and Duckworth Street, include a climb up Signal Hill and end with dinner downtown. If you only have one Saturday in the city, the market is worth an hour.

Are there other markets in St. John's?

In summer, the downtown pedestrian mall on Water Street has its own markets. In 2026, Markets on Water ran on Thursday afternoons and evenings from July 9, with some extra Saturday dates. Christmas markets pop up in December. Check local listings for dates each year.

How do you get to the farmers' market?

Freshwater Road runs inland from downtown, and the market is a short drive or taxi ride away. Some people walk from downtown, which takes longer and involves hills, but is pleasant on a fine morning. City buses serve the area too; check the current routes and Saturday times before you set out. If you drive, arrive early on busy summer Saturdays, when parking fills up.

What makes a good market breakfast?

Wander the whole room before you choose. The best breakfast is often at the stall with the longest line of locals, and a market is one of the few places where you can try three different things in one morning without committing to a full meal at any of them. A coffee from one vendor, something baked from another and a savoury plate from a third is a perfectly respectable way to eat.

Why do farmers' markets matter in Newfoundland?

Growing food on the island is not easy, with a short season, cool summers and rocky soil. Local growers, bakers and makers keep traditions alive and bring new ideas, and a busy market is a sign of a food culture that is growing. Buying from them is a direct way to support it.

What should you bring to the market?

1. A reusable bag for your shopping
2. A card and some cash, since payment options vary from stall to stall
3. An appetite
4. A cooler bag if you plan to buy perishables and keep exploring

How do you pay at the farmers' market?

Many vendors take cards and tap payments, but not all of them, and a busy Saturday can strain the card machines. Carry some cash as a backup.

A few other habits help:

• Bring your own bags, and a cooler bag in summer for fish, meat and cheese.
• Arrive early for baked goods and the most popular stalls.
• Ask vendors how something was grown or made.
• Remember that most fresh groceries are not taxed, while prepared food generally carries the HST.

How do you remember your favourite vendors?

Market vendors often have their own stalls, pop-ups and businesses elsewhere in the city. Mosey lets you rate the places you ate at and the dishes you ordered, with photos, and keep a list of favourites so you can find them again.

More guides to read next:

• Brunch in St. John's: toutons, fish cakes and weekend lines
• Fish and chips in St. John's: cod, batter and dressing and gravy
• Food festivals and summer events in St. John's: when to visit and what to eat

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.