Exploring the food scene in Queens is like taking a culinary world tour in a single neighborhood. So it’s no surprise that the Queens Night Market ranked among the world’s best night markets in a new study compiled by long-haul travel specialists Travelbag. The report looked at at safety, online buzz, search demand and real-world reviews of night markets around the world to come up with the ranking.
The Queens Night Market stands out as the highest-ranked market in New York and one of only two in the U.S. to make the top ten list. Held seasonally in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, it’s a weekly celebration of Queens at its best. From Tibetan momos to Salvadoran pupusas, Nigerian suyato Colombian arepas and sweet treats from Thailand and Trinidad, it’s a certified global feast. Prices are famously low, which keeps things accessible and encourages adventurous ordering.
According to the study, Queens Night Market racks up around 74,000 monthly searches and boasts a strong average rating of 4.6. Its nighttime safety score of 68 makes it a comfortable place to linger, while TikTok reveals thousands of posts showing first bites, food hauls and dancing crowds. The market also features live music, performances and local artists.
At the top of the global ranking sits Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market, a giant by any measure with more than 15,000 stalls. Pub Street in Siem Reap takes second place and Jodd Fairs Night Market, known for its modern spin on Thai street food and viral food towers, comes in third.
The only other US entry is Los Angeles’s 626 Night Market, a West Coast favorite that leans heavily into Asian street food and pop culture flair.
But while those markets impress with scale or spectacle, Queens Night Market earns its spot through sheer diversity. Few places reflect the global city they call home so well. On any given night, you’ll hear a dozen languages, smell a variety of cuisines and eat something you’ve never tried before.
Ten best night markets in the world
Chatuchak Weekend Market—Bangkok, Thailand
Pub Street—Siem Reap, Cambodia
Jodd Fairs Night Market—Bangkok, Thailand
Petaling Street Market—Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Shilin Night Market—Taipei, Taiwan
Ningxia Night Market—Taipei, Taiwan
Queens Night Market—New York City, USA
Chiang Rai Night Market—Chiang Rai, Thailand
626 Night Market—Los Angeles Area, USA
Bugis Street Market—Singapore