Strolling the Farmers Markets

It’s farmers market season again in the Gables! As temps drop and the sun emerges from behind the dreary, rainy-season clouds, the City Beautiful is hosting outdoor markets every weekend. From pastries to produce to plants, you can find your next “can’t live without” at these local markets featuring small businesses and artisan vendors from our community.

Farmers and Artisan Market at The Shops at Merrick Park
358 San Lorenzo Ave.

When we first visited this market several months ago, it was little more than a few small stalls lost amid the grandiose arcade on the east side of the Shops at Merrick Park. Since then, the market has grown exponentially, now featuring the widest variety of vendors of any Coral Gables market.

Held every Sunday, the market begins at 11 am and runs all day until 5 pm, featuring plants, jewelry, freshly-made meals, handcrafted home décor items, produce, and snacks — so many snacks. Fresh guacamole, empanadas, smoothies, baked goods… you name it, this market has it. Here, you can pick up a carved wooden fruit bowl, a crochet stuffed animal for your friend’s new baby, stop for a smoothie, and then find yourself staggering back to the car under the weight of a 20-pound guava tree sapling.

The market also draws a crowd, though nothing like the throng you’ll find outside City Hall on Saturdays, making it slightly more approachable. But be warned: the secret is out now! – Kylie Wang

Artisan Market at Giralda Plaza
120 Giralda Ave.

If you’re looking to pair outdoor dining with a product-based market, look no further than the monthly Artisan Market on Giralda Plaza. An all-day affair, the event runs from 2 pm to 10 pm every third Saturday of the month and is still growing.

The offerings here steer away from food — after all, that’s what Giralda Plaza itself is all about – and focus on artisan goods. There are vintage jackets, swimsuits, handmade hats, candles, soaps, home goods, plants, pottery, and more. On the Saturday we visited, we were struck by stalls selling bromeliads in what appeared to be coconut pots, vintage sportswear featuring logos the Miami Dolphins haven’t worn in decades, and brightly stitched fedoras handmade by craftsmen in Brazil. – Kylie Wang

Coral Gables Farmers Market at City Hall
405 Biltmore Way

Open every Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm, this festive, open-air market takes over the block outside of City Hall for an all-inclusive farmers market. Dozens of local vendors turn out to showcase their wares, many of them handmade or hand-baked, hoping to lure the hundreds of citizens who turn out to sample the best of the Gables.

There are the traditional offerings (farm-fresh produce, baked goods, fresh-pressed fruit juices) as well as some rarer picks (bonsai trees, foraged mushrooms, and crystals, to name a few). The market also has several local vendors offering sweet and savory sit-down meals, ranging from Colombian street food to Mexican birria tacos. On-the-go items like Italian ice, gelato, and cheesecake can be enjoyed while browsing the stalls.

This is a family-friendly event that draws a large crowd every week until its final Saturday on March 30. You’ll have to dodge strollers and dogs of every size — as well as preoccupied perusers — but it’s worth it. – Alexander Luzula

Looking for more outings? Check out our events calendar and don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter!