A mere mile from The Harrison lies one of the most renowned artisan marketplaces in San Francisco: The Ferry Building. Located within the Embarcadero, the building has evolved into far more than just a ferry terminal since its 1898 inception. In fact, The Ferry Building has become a bona fide hub for local farmers, artisan producers and independently owned and operated food businesses. While there are boundless world-class merchants to visit while exploring the aisles or waiting for your next trip, we’ve curated a list of our top five resident favorites.

Benedetta

A Sonoma-based skin and body care line, Benedetta is the quintessence of a small business that supports the local community. Their kiosk shop realizes the company’s minimalist approach, showcasing products handmade in small batches to ensure quality and freshness. Offering body wash, lotions, seaweed bath and several other “food for the skin” products, Benedetta strictly uses ingredients from certified organic and biodynamic local farms. And, to boot, each product comes in recyclable glass packaging while the business ensures ethical and sustainable practices. So, not only are Benedetta’s products wonderfully natural and skin-changing, you’ll likewise feel good about your purchase.

Acme Bread Company

Ask any San Franciscan which bakery makes the best bread and they’re sure to answer Acme Bread Company. Owner and founder Steve Sullivan is dedicated to working closely with local farmers in evaluating and selecting grain varieties for the organic flour they produce each year—which, of course, results in the most outstanding bread, time and time again. In the Ferry Building Marketplace, breads are baked fresh throughout the day, so no matter what time you stop in to grab a loaf, it will certainly still be warm.

Cowgirl Sidekick

If you haven’t yet heard of Cowgirl Creamery, or their Artisan Cheese Shop within the Ferry Building Marketplace, it’s time you drop everything to grab a taste. Featuring premium and award-winning farmstead cheeses, produced both locally and abroad, Cowgirl has swiftly become one of the most sought-after creameries in the country. Yet, the renowned company has gone one step further. Cowgirl Sidekick, adjacent to the cheese shop, offers a delectable menu of dishes with the creamery’s daily selection of cheeses. So, whether you stop by for a fresh mozzarella and egg sandwich in the morning or an unforgettable grilled cheese at lunch (made with Acme Bread, of course), Cowgirl Sidekick is a Ferry Building must.

Hog Island Oyster Company

San Francisco’s most delicious and distinguished oyster bar sits on the north end of the Ferry Building, offering matchless bay views while you devour the freshest oysters this city has to offer. Featuring shellfish from nearby Tomales Bay oyster farm, Hog Island’s menu is comprised of an assortment of raw oysters on the half-shell, a traditional oyster stew, steamed clams and clam chowder—along with beer, wine and cocktails, of course. So, if it’s an impeccably classic seaside meal you seek, look no further than what Hog Island Oyster Company is serving up on a silver platter (quite literally).

Farm Fresh to You

So long are the days of waiting for your one-day-a-week local farmer’s market. Set within the Ferry Building Marketplace is Farm Fresh to You, a full-service gourmet market that offers the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients for your cooking needs. Residents throughout the entire Bay Area flock to this market hotspot for organic produce that’s harvested daily from the Barsotti farm in the Capay Valley and shipped directly to the Ferry Building Marketplace. Say goodbye to your dreaded grocery store visits because Farm Fresh to You will surely fulfill all your market needs.

*Photos Courtesy of Visit Vallejo, Benedetta, Acme Bread Company, Timeout, Hog Island Oyster Company & USDA