Liberty Public Market

San Diego’s recently opened Liberty Public Market will quickly become a foodie and beer enthusiast destination with its wide variety of offerings and fun, friendly atmosphere.

You can get everything from fresh-cut flowers to empenadas, cheese (from Venissimo Cheese), massive hunks of beautiful beef, sea urchins, oysters, produce, Thai, burgers, lobster, pasta, salads, desserts, coffee, beer, wine, and even something for your dog. It really is something quite special. (Be sure to check out the photos in the gallery below—they’ll give you far better insights into some of what’s available than any description I could offer up.)

Most of the vendors—or “artisans” as they’re called on the Liberty Public Market website—had lines of people waiting to place their orders and taste their offerings. Some lines moved faster than others, but most everyone appeared to be patient knowing that something delicious was on its way.

The Mess Hall is a sit-down restaurant with a wood-fired oven visible from the dining area. Executive Chef Tim Kolanko and Chef de Cuisine Collin Murray will change the menu daily to feature food from the market’s artisans; they’ll also offer beer and wine pairing suggestions. There’s also a large open seating area adjacent to Bottlecraft, where you can sample a myriad of craft and international beers.

Outside, there’s plenty of informal seating around planters, on benches, and on the lawn (artificial grass).

I’ll have to admit that I didn’t really know what to expect when I walked into the market. On the one hand, I thought it might be larger than it is; on the other hand, there’s plenty in the space that they do have. I wasn’t disappointed, and I’ll definitely return.

So if you’re looking for a new food-related destination in San Diego, Liberty Public Market is definitely worth a visit.

What You Need To Know

Location: 2820 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106

Hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. daily

Cost: Free

Phone: (619) 487-9346

Website: libertypublicmarket.com

Tips: With it being so new, expect crowds. Be patient. While it’s definitely family-friendly, it may be best to leave the strollers outside. It can be very challenging to navigate the aisles with all the people. There’s plenty of parking on Liberty station; you just may have to walk a block or two to get to the market after parking.