Reading Terminal Market
READING TERMINAL MARKET WILL ALWAYS BE a bustling hub for tourists, but it’s more than the best place to take your out-of-town friends for awesome Philly sandwiches. This institution is truly a market—the city’s savviest shoppers buy their groceries here week in and week out. And it’s not just for the top-quality ingredients and unbeatable prices.
Reading Terminal Market provides a rich shopping experience steeped in history. It’s one of the most special food places in Philly, where quality and community converge. That’s thanks to the purveyors who bring their passion, expertise, and stories to the stalls they helm. From the freshest produce and finest meats to the day’s catch and the choicest nuts, these dedicated merchants have earned the trust and loyalty of their regulars. Here’s a look at just a few of the businesses that give the market its enduring charm.
IOVINE BROTHER’S PRODUCE
“Our advice for someone visiting Iovine Brother’s for the first time is just to enjoy the experience,’” says Butch Dougherty, director of operations. This isn’t a mad dash through a chain supermarket to the express lane, according to Dougherty. “Stroll up and down our aisles to familiarize yourself with what is local and in season. Use your senses as you select produce, and allow yourself to be inspired by the ingredients in front of you.” That’s what the chefs do—it’s not unusual to see restaurant chefs going through the herbs and specialty produce with a fine tooth comb.
Since brothers James and Vincent Iovine opened their stand more than 30 years ago, it’s become a staple. Despite changes over the years, the fresh, quality ingredients and exceptional customer service that made them local legends remain their business's cornerstones. What began as a modest produce stall is now a destination known for its vibrant displays, good prices, and wide selection.
Shoppers find everything from staples like potatoes and onions to gourmet mushrooms, unusual fruits, cold-pressed juices, and a wall filled with nuts, beans, seeds, and dried fruits. "Our regulars like having a connection with our ownership," Dougherty says. "Their input helps us determine what specific produce our customers are looking for."
Even though Iovine Brother’s is well known, there are still things Dougherty thinks shoppers might overlook. “Some people don’t know how much local produce we source when in season and that all our cold-pressed juices are 100% homemade in-house daily,” he says.
Another insider tip? Molly Malloy’s Restaurant, located within the Reading Terminal and owned by the Iovine family, features much of the same fresh produce, showcasing their commitment to quality and community.
JOHN YI FISH MARKET
Many Reading Terminal customers have been shopping at John Yi since they were kids. The stall has been in operation for 38 years. Back in 2017, food writer Devra Ferst penned an essay for Edible Philly about getting lost at Reading Terminal Market as a child. She found her Dad at his usual spot: John Yi Fish Market.
She wrote: “I spotted my dad and our fishmonger Tang engaged in their usual banter. No one in the Terminal feels more a part of our family dinner table than him—like a culinary godfather overseeing the meals.”
Not much has changed. Manager Lydia Fusanti says that a big part of what they do is advise customers on what to buy and how to cook it. “People love octopus, but they don’t realize how much it shrinks or how long you need to cook it,” she says. No matter how many times she has the same conversation, she still loves talking people through the process of simmering octopus in seasoned water for two hours. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, the team at John Yi ensures you leave with the perfect seafood and the know-how to prepare it. “We love answering all the questions,” she says.
People come for the fishmongers as much as they do for the large selection of seafood. Whether you're looking for sushi-grade tuna and salmon or live lobsters from their giant, back-lit tank, John Yi has it. If you don’t want to cook, you can pick up an array of pre-cooked items, including lobster, crabmeat, shrimp, dry salted cod, and pre-seasoned scallops and fillets. The immaculate display cases always feature what’s in season, encouraging customers to try something new.
THE HEAD NUT
Tucked away near the edge of Reading Terminal Market, The Head Nut stocks an astonishing array of pantry essentials into a relatively compact space. This market stall is an offshoot of the Head Nut’s flagship shop in Ardmore. Originally tracing its roots back to Temp Tee Nuts, a nut packaging company founded in 1945, this family-owned business has evolved with the times while holding on to its mom-and-pop charm.
At The Head Nut’s Reading Terminal Market location, you'll find a treasure trove of treats, including its signature coffee, roasted by Main Line Coffee Roasters, and teas sourced from around the globe. Kids of all ages delight in the array of gummy candies. The Head Nut’s selection of spices, flours, extracts, and baking essentials meets the needs of home bakers and professional chefs alike.
Regulars especially love the bulk section, where shoppers can buy the exact quantity they need. Clearly, despite the name, The Head Nut offers much more than nuts. It is a gourmet shop right inside Reading Terminal Market.
HALTEMAN FAMILY MEATS
At Halteman Family Meats, the Riehl family brings the old-school butcher shop vibes to Reading Terminal Market. For three generations, this Lancaster County family has provided customers with an extensive selection of farm-raised, hand-trimmed meat and poultry. You’ll also find many home-smoked products—a customer favorite. Halteman’s is especially beloved for its bacon. (There are sometimes as many as eight varieties offered, including applewood and pepper, maple glazed, plus options made from beef and turkey.)
Today, the shop is run by brothers Jake and Samuel Riehl, but the friendly, knowledgeable faces behind the counter are all part of their Mennonite family. Their commitment to quality and tradition shows in every cut of meat and every interaction with customers. Halteman Family Meats is more than just a place to buy meat; it’s a testament to the Riehl family’s dedication to their craft and their community, offering a personal touch and exceptional products that keep customers coming back for more.
- Reading Terminal Market is open daily 8am – 6pm* (*individual merchant hours may vary). For a complete list of stores, visit Merchant Directory at readingterminalmarket.org.
