If you haven’t explored Market Street in North Spokane lately, you’re in for a surprise. This corridor—stretching from Hillyard through the evolving North Market neighborhood—has become one of Spokane’s most exciting areas for food, small business, and new housing. I’ve always thought of it as one of the city’s most authentic main streets: a mix of history, creativity, and community spirit that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Here are my five favorite reasons why Market Street is North Spokane’s best-kept secret.
A Food Scene Rooted in Flavor and Community
Market Street and its surrounding blocks have quietly built one of Spokane’s most distinctive food scenes—where every spot feels like a local’s favorite.
For comfort food, try Bulldog’s Famous BBQ & Brews for authentic Texas-style barbecue or the redeveloped Crazy Train Eatery for sandwiches, salads, and local brews.
Just down Market Street, Bellwether Brewing Co. is a community-focused brewery known for its historically inspired beers. Next door, Derailer Coffee fuels locals with espresso and house-made pastries.
Nearby, Kismet serves vibrant Latin-inspired dishes, while Red Dragon has been a Spokane staple for Chinese-American comfort food since 1946. For a night out, The Bad Seed offers creative American fare and craft cocktails inside the historic Hillyard Library, and The Yard Bird Tavern brings a quirky mix of craft cocktails, cold beers, and specialty hot dogs to the neighborhood.
If you live nearby, you’ll want to check out Beacon at Home, a scratch-made weekly family meal delivery service that drops off right at your doorstep for FREE within 10 miles of their Northeast Spokane location. Honestly, this one is a fun option for many Spokane residents!
Related: I mention Derailer Coffee in my blog 8+ Best Coffee Shops in Spokane’s Favorite Neighborhoods
Local Shops with Character
Market Street is made for wandering and browsing. Its locally owned shops blend craftsmanship, creativity, and nostalgia—each one with a story to tell.
Green’s Fresh Market is a Hillyard staple for fresh produce and deli sandwiches, while Hillyard Bicycle keeps riders rolling with sales, rentals, and repairs.
If you want vintage, Market Street has it and more. Some great shops include The Ecclectic Cottage, Market Street Antiques and Vintage Mercantile & Auction offers weekly auctions filled with vintage treasures.
Families love Pigasus Toys for sustainably sourced, creativity-sparking toys, while Bear Totem draws tabletop and gaming enthusiasts.
Even self-care has a community feel—The Yard Barber offers classic cuts in a welcoming atmosphere, and Hillyard Built supports youth job training while selling locally made merchandise.
A Community Brewing with Creativity
From brewery events to art pop-ups and local fundraisers, Market Street’s identity is built on connection. Bellwether Brewing’s history-themed releases draw loyal fans, while businesses like Hillyard Built and SOK Design Studio (both owned by locals born and raised in northeast Spokane) show commitment to planting more creativity in the community.
The revitalized United Building—home to Crazy Train Eatery—embodies the area’s renaissance. This mix of small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs has turned Market Street into one of Spokane’s most inspiring hubs for local culture. For handmade artistry, KJ Pottery showcases locally crafted ceramics and has a home here.
We love KJ Pottery works. Photo from KJpottery.com.
Easy Access to Outdoor Adventures
Another reason I love this area? It offers a lot of reasons to get outside. Just a few minutes from Market Street, Beacon Hill (managed by Evergreen MTB East Chapter) offers miles and miles biking trails with stunning views of the city. It’s one of Spokane’s best spots for a ride and offers the longest biking season in the inland northwest.
Want more biking, jogging and walking in your life. The Children of the Sun Trail starts north of Market Street and follows South. Eventually it will connect with the Centennial Trail.
Esmeralda Golf Course is tucked into Northeast Spokane and has been a favorite course for many years with Spokane locals. Spokane’s city golf courses are phenomenally maintained and offer more affordable options than private courses.
Living near Market Street means you can enjoy Spokane’s urban energy and outdoor beauty all in one day.
Related: I mention the Centennial Trail a lot here. Includes in my blog The 10 Best Hikes and Walks Close to Spokane, WA
New Homes, Neighborhood Revival & Connectivity
One of the most exciting developments in North Spokane is the housing transformation happening near Market Street and further east on Beacon Hill.
The Vistas at Beacon Hill offers modern apartment living with panoramic views, high-end finishes, and direct access to hillside trails. Just beyond, additional new residential projects on Beacon Hill are projected to add thoughtfully designed homes that blend seamlessly with Spokane’s natural landscape.
In Hillyard, classic homes and buildings are being renovated and restored, bringing new life to the neighborhood’s historic architecture. The combination of revitalization and modern development has created an energy that’s hard to ignore—and wonderful to watch. I’ve loved watching this neighborhood flourish from its historic roots to a new, modern chapter.
And, all of this is within quick access to the 70% complete North Spokane Cooridor; a 10.5-mile multi-modal corridor that connects I-90 at the south (just west of the existing Thor/Freya interchange) and connects to US 2 (at Farwell Road) and US 395 (at Wandermere) on the north end. The connectivity this provides to this neighborhood will create ease for many of it’s residents and more traffic for its businesses.
Related: The Architecture of Historic Spokane Homes or check out this darling listing that’s walkable to all the great amenities of Market Street.
Why Market Street Is Spokane’s Next Big Thing
Market Street has always been authentic, but lately, it’s become something more: a community that’s creative, connected, and full of momentum. Between its incredible food scene, local craftsmanship, and new housing options, it’s quietly becoming one of Spokane’s most desirable places to live.
Whether you’re stopping by for a pint or considering a move to the area, don’t overlook Market Street—it might just be your favorite Spokane discovery. If you’re interested in learning more about northeast Spokane, take a look at my listings here or reach out to me.
