Orange County food halls offer a kaleidoscope of dining options ranging from global flavors to local specialties. But these gastronomic hubs have also become fertile grounds for culinary innovation, helping nurture new trends and burgeoning chefs, and human connection.

Although Orange County has a collection of budding food halls, including the recently opened one at Downtown Disney District and the upcoming Miramar Food Hall in San Clemente, here are the best ones to put on your radar.

4th Street Market

This roughly 30,000-square foot marketplace at Fourth and Bush streets in Santa Ana plays host to more than a dozen eateries, with menus ranging from Thai street food and hot pot to smashburgers and takeaway omakase. This food hall also doubles as a kitchen space for budding entrepreneurs (hourly rents available with flexible scheduling) and a culinary school. Stadium seating, plenty of table seating and occasional live music (ranging from acoustic guitar to DJs) add to the convivial community vibe.

Eats: Alta Baja Market (market and cafe with vegan, vegetarian and Mexican options), And Broth (hot pot), Baked Banhs (pastries, baked desserts), the Chicken Rice, Daily Kombucha, Deli Station (sandwiches), Faka’s Island Grill (Hawaiian), Gina’s Crepes and Waffles, the Golden Eatery (burgers), Loose Leaf Boba Co., Recess by Playground (craft cocktails), Sushi Wabi-Sabi (omakase-style sushi) and Tuk Tuk Thai Street Food

Must try: Pho brisket sandwich at And Broth.

201 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; 714-486-0700, 4thstreetmarket.com

Anaheim Packing District

One of Orange County’s largest food halls, this sprawling, two-floor space has a central wraparound seating area, ideal for solo diners, inside an open and airy industrial-chic space. Guests can mill about as they sample aguas frescas, barbecue and gelato on a stick while perusing some of its retail offerings from dozens of vendors. Truly a stunner of a space. Bonus points for being within walking distance of Poppy & Seed.

Eats: 206 BCE (Cajun fusion), Adya (Indian), Black Sheep GCB (grilled cheese bar), BXCR Underground Spirits, Chippy Fish and Grill, El Chamango (aguas frescas and antojitos), En Cultura (Ahumadero barbecue and bar), Georgia’s Restaurant (soul food), Hammer Bar (craft cocktails), Hans’ Homemade (ice cream), Le Parfait Paris (pastries and desserts), Mangal (Syrian), Mini Monster (boba teas), Pique-Nique (cheese and charcuterie), Popbar (gelato on a stick), Randy’s Donuts, Rolling Boil (hot pot), The Blind Rabbit (speakeasy-gastropub), The Iron Press (beer and pub fare), The Kroft (sandwiches and poutine), The Stuffed Potato (entertainment venue with food and cocktails), Urbana (Mexican gastronomy), White Elephant (Thai), Zabon Ramen and Rolls (Japanese) and ZeroZero39 Pizzeria

440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim; 714-533-7225, anaheimpackingdistrict.com

Mercado González

A momentous achievement, care of the family-owned Northgate Markets empire, Mercado González features more than two dozen puestos that serve up dine-in and carry-out options. The approximately 70,000-square-foot food hall and market, which opened in 2023, draws inspiration from the labyrinthine bazaars of Mexico. Highlights include vibrant murals, colorful tile work, handmade crafts and, of course, food: Sinaloa-style sushi, lengua verde, cinnamon-dusted churros from Mexico City’s most popular churro maker, birria and even a full-fledged Mexican grocery store await.

Eats: Prospera González, Pastelería La González, El Moro Churrería (churros), Florería Nayel, Cremería (ice cream), La Nena Paletería, Aguas Frescas Las Delicias, Salsas El Molcajete, Frutería El Puesto, Chiles Y Especias, Hacienda La Cofradía — Licorería Y Cevercería, Marisquería El Puerto, Mariscos El Pariente, Carnicería La Preferida, Chorizería, Las Cazuelas Guisados, Los Mesquites Asados, Birriería Y Menudería — La Tapatía, Tacos Los Guichos, Chiva Torta, La Tamalería, Carnitas Don Miguel, Tortillería La González, Sushi El Sinaloense, Entre Nos Bar & Lounge.

2300 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa; 949-238-6470, northgatemarket.com/mercado

Rodeo 39 Public Market

Designed like a smaller Grand Central Market in downtown L.A., Stanton’s food hall features a bevy of Asian vendors in addition to several retail and hangout spots. Glass windows let you see your food being prepared. And for the daring who want to gussy up their bod after filling their belly, head to Skin Design Tattoo for some fresh ink.

Eats: Bearded Tang Brewery (beer), Bestea (teas, sweet treats), Capas Taco, Chic Now Hainan Chicken Rice, Crawfish Hut, Crepes Avenue, Blue Bowl (superfood bowl), Kare (Japanese curry), Karai Handroll X Ramen (hand-roll bar), Oi Asian Fusion (Philippine fusion rice bowls), Phoholic (pho), Primal Cuts (steakhouse eats, meats), Remicone (ice cream), Rodeo Bar (full bar), Shootz (Hawaiian), Sweet G’s (cookies), Tenori (musubi)

12885 Beach Blvd., Stanton; rodeopublicmarket.com/rodeo39

Rodeo River Street

A downright delightful spot inside the new River Street Marketplace, Rodeo River Street is the youngest food hall in Orange County and features 10 tasty vendors from which to select. Particularly noteworthy is its design of soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows at two of its entrances, plus neon signage above each eatery, giving the barnlike space a downtown, cosmopolitan vibe. An added benefit is its location inside the epic new marketplace, which, should you yearn for something less casual, comes with a handful of new fine-dining restaurants, including Finca, La Vaquera and the Market by the Meat Cellar.

Eats: Bred Hot Chicken (hot chicken sandwiches and more), Hudson’s Cookies, Capas Tacos, Kebab Craft, Nom (Asian-inspired bowls), Kozan (specialty tea drinks), Paranas Empanadas, Pastalia (pasta), Shootz (Hawaiian), Sushi Stand.

31856 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano; rodeopublicmarket.com/rodeo-river-street

SteelCraft

This food hall, which opened in 2019, comprises 22 repurposed shipping containers, making it a treat for gastronomes and design geeks alike. The containers surround a large common space under a structure akin to a barn with a corrugated metal roof, a nod to Garden Grove’s agricultural history. Guests can also spend time in the vintage video arcade.

Eats: Aldente (pasta, flatbreads), Barrio (Philippine and Korean), Beachwood Brewing (craft beer), Bird Talk, La Taqueria Brand, OniGuru (onigiri), Swagyu Burger and Tea Otter.

12900 S. Euclid St., Garden Grove; 714-482-6298, steelcraftlb.com/steelcraft-garden-grove