Eastern Market is Washington's oldest surviving market building, operating since 1873 on 7th Street SE in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood. The Victorian brick structure holds food vendors on the ground floor — produce, butchers, bakers, flower sellers — with a flea market and arts-and-crafts market in the surrounding streets on weekend mornings.
The market is genuinely used by the neighbourhood and not merely a tourist attraction, which gives it a vitality that tourist-oriented markets lack. Saturday and Sunday mornings are the best time to visit: the South Hall has an excellent farm produce section with local vegetables, honey, and preserves, while outside vendors spread antiques, vintage clothing, and hand-crafted objects across the surrounding streets. The Market Lunch counter inside serves good breakfast and is popular with Capitol Hill residents.