Mercato Orientale di Genova and MOG: the food tour you can’t miss

Entering the Mercato Orientale di Genova (Genoa’s Eastern Market) means finding yourself among stalls full of fruit, vegetables, spices and aromas that tell the story of the city better than a guidebook. It is the most famous covered market in Genoa, just steps from Via XX Settembre, and for over a century it has been a meeting place for those who buy, those who sell, and those who simply want to look around.

In recent years this historic place has been transformed thanks to the MOG, the large indoor food hall where you can eat, drink and take part in food-related events. A stop that combines tradition and new habits, perfect for anyone who wants to experience Genoa through its cuisine.

History and origins of Genoa’s Eastern Market

The Mercato Orientale di Genova was founded at the end of the 19th century, when the cloister of the convent of Nostra Signora della Consolazione, by then unused, was converted into a space for commercial activities. The city was rapidly growing at the time and needed a large covered market to serve the new districts around Via XX Settembre. The official opening dates back to 1899, and since then the market has been a permanent point of reference for the residents.

From an architectural point of view, the Mercato Orientale is noteworthy because it was among the first in Italy to be built using the Hennebique reinforced concrete system, an innovation for its time. The ring-shaped layout, which still defines the interior today, was designed to host stalls and shops in an orderly way, while ensuring light and ventilation. This design has allowed the market to remain functional despite the changes over time.

What you’ll find at the Mercato Orientale di Genova

Walking through the corridors of the Mercato Orientale di Genova means taking a journey through fresh products, typical flavours and aromas that embody Liguria. The market still fulfils its original role as a place for daily trade, but has also become an attraction for visitors to the city.

Stalls and typical Ligurian products (fruit, vegetables, flowers, spices)

The stalls offer seasonal fruit and vegetables, aromatic herbs, flowers and spices that are part of Ligurian cuisine. Typical products are easy to find, such as Genoese DOP basil — the key ingredient of pesto — extra virgin olive oil and local olives.

Many stalls also sell cheeses, cured meats and preserves, with special attention to local producers, as well as meat and fish. It remains the place where both Genoese residents and restaurateurs shop daily.

Food experiences for tourists and locals

For tourists, the Mercato Orientale offers a chance to get closer to local food culture. You can taste focaccia, farinata and other ready-to-eat dishes, or buy typical ingredients to take home. For locals, the market remains a landmark: not only for groceries, but also for the variety and quality of products that are hard to find elsewhere.

The MOG: the food hall of the Mercato Orientale

Inside the Mercato Orientale di Genova you won’t just find fruit, vegetables and traditional products: since 2019, the MOG has been open, a food hall that has transformed the market into a modern space, designed for those who love good food and new experiences. Here you can come for lunch, dinner, an aperitif or a quick break, but also to take part in events and activities connected to food culture.

What the MOG is and why it was created

The name MOG stands for Mercato Orientale Genova, chosen to highlight its direct link with the historic market. The idea was to bring new life to a central city space, not just as a place to shop but as a meeting point open to everyone.

The project aimed to give fresh energy to the market while keeping its ties to tradition, introducing formats tailored to a contemporary audience of curious travellers, students, families and professionals living or working in the area.

Kitchens and restaurants at the MOG

Inside the MOG there are more than ten different kitchens, each with a specific offer. You can find Ligurian cuisine with pesto, trofie pasta and cheese focaccia, as well as pizzerias, places specialising in meat or fish, gourmet burgers, international cuisine, vegetarian and vegan options.

The concept is simple: each corner prepares its dishes, you order freely and then sit at the large shared tables, designed for a convivial dining experience.

In addition to the kitchens, there is also a café, a cocktail bar and spaces dedicated to craft beer and wine, with the possibility of guided tastings. This variety makes the MOG ideal for groups and families, as everyone can choose what they like without being tied to a single menu.

Events, tastings and entertainment

The MOG is not just a place to eat. Its events programme is an essential part of the project, with monthly activities ranging from wine and Ligurian oil tastings to cooking classes, book presentations and live music nights. The central amphitheatre is used as a multipurpose space, keeping the atmosphere lively and engaging.

This makes the MOG a reference point not only for visitors but also for Genoa’s residents. Taking part in an event or workshop is a way to connect with local producers and discover Ligurian food traditions in an informal, accessible setting.

Where the Mercato Orientale is and how to get there

The Mercato Orientale di Genova is located along Via XX Settembre, one of the city’s most central and busiest streets. Its location makes it easy to reach both on foot and by public transport, and it’s perfect to combine with a stroll around the city’s main attractions.

Address and location on Via XX Settembre

The main entrance is at 75R Via XX Settembre, the broad avenue that connects Piazza De Ferrari with Brignole railway station. The access is easily recognisable thanks to the monumental arch leading into the covered area. Around the market there are shops, cafés and services that keep the area lively.

How to get there on foot, by metro or by car

On foot, the market is less than a ten-minute walk from Piazza De Ferrari or from Genova Brignole railway station. The nearest metro stop is also Brignole, from where you just walk a short stretch along Via XX Settembre.

For those arriving by car, there are several paid car parks nearby, both underground and along the side streets.

If you are staying in the city, the market is only a few steps from the Hotel Astoria in Genoa, a stylish and convenient place to book if you want to explore the historic centre: from here it takes just five minutes on foot to reach the Mercato Orientale.

Useful information for your visit

Visiting the Mercato Orientale and the MOG is straightforward, but having some practical details helps you plan better.

Opening hours of the Mercato Orientale and the MOG

The Mercato Orientale di Genova is open Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, and closed on Sundays. Some stalls take a break in the middle of the day.

The MOG Genova follows different hours and stays open into the evening:

• Monday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

• Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm

• Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to midnight

Services (parking, accessibility)

The area is well served by paid car parks, including those near Brignole and Piazza della Vittoria. The market is also accessible to people with reduced mobility: the interiors are flat and equipped with entrances suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Practical tips and the best time to visit

The best time to visit the Mercato Orientale is in the morning, when the stalls are fullest and the atmosphere is at its liveliest. If you want to experience the MOG, instead, head there at lunchtime or for an evening aperitif, when the space fills with both locals and visitors. Weekends are busier, but also richer in events and activities.