London is a diverse city with numerous sights and activities, ranging from theatrical plays and nightlife like clubs and casinos to one-of-a-kind eating experiences. London is also a food lover’s paradise, with a thriving street food culture that will fill your stomach and make your palate sing. Locals know the right places to visit for lunch during a busy workday because they are familiar with these markets. If you are only visiting for a short period, it can be hard to decide which of London’s many food markets you want to see since there are countless options.
The following list will give you a list of the best street food markets around the city that you can wander through on a sunny day and enjoy an eclectic range of fantastic food from various vendors.
Our Favourite Street Food Markets in London
Borough Market
Since 1756, Borough Market has been the gold standard for London’s food markets and ranks among the city’s largest. Market hours are from Monday through Saturday, starting at 10 am each day. The whole market operates from Wednesday to Saturday, where you’ll find the street food vendors selling everything from Caribbean stews to Mexican dishes. Several hot food traders and fruits and vegetable sellers are still present on Mondays and Tuesdays, even if the stalls are not open. It is the most convenient market for tourists staying on the South Bank or following a one-day walking tour of London as it is close to London Bridge, just south of the Thames.
Pop Brixton
The Pop Brixton is worth a visit if you find yourself in Brixton for a day. A space made by stacking shipping containers in a disused area and turning it into a creative place where the trendy people in the neighbourhood hang out. Organisers work with Lambeth Council to highlight the best local and independent businesses, including bars, clothing stores, and food stalls. Some of the best food vendors to visit are Petare, Smoke & Salt and Alpes.Under fairy lights beside Brixton’s railway arches, you can enjoy this unique market Monday to Wednesday and Sunday from 9 am to 11 pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm.
Southbank Centre Food Market
One of London’s top food destinations is the Southbank Centre food market. Choose from fantastic street food, tasty coffee, healthy juices, and sweet treats. Southbank Centre market brings excellent, mouth-watering cuisine from Asia, Africa, America, Europe and UK. There is a bustling atmosphere and you are sure to discover new, exciting flavours and foods!Markets are held at Southbank Centre Square every weekend, and the market hours are noon to 8pm on Fridays, 11 am to 8 pm on Saturdays, and noon to 6 pm on Sundays.
Berwick Street Market
Berwick Street Market is undoubtedly a strong candidate if you’re looking for the best street food market in London. Among the many stalls in the market, you will find everything from jewellery to clothing, as well as tasty street food, which you can enjoy while you stroll through the market.The market dates back to 1778 and offers a variety of products from all over the world, like Greek food, Caribbean cuisine and Afghan curries. Opening hours for the market are 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday, but be warned, this market does get bustling, so it’s best to visit in the morning or after lunchtime.
Camden Market
A five-minute walk from Camden Town tube station, Camden Market has over 1,000 unique shops and stalls. The market is a mixture of food stalls, flea market stalls and quirky trinket shops. In the area around the canal, you will find shop stalls, and you can find anything you can imagine.As you get closer to the canal, you will see just how many food vendors Camden Market has available. You can indulge in fried chicken, grab some homemade pasta or meatballs, pizza, tacos or macaroni and cheese from the famous Mac Factory. Most Camden Market stalls and businesses are open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.This list only scratches the surface of what London offers regarding markets, but if you stick to this list, we guarantee you will not be disappointed. In the world of food markets, there is something for everyone, whether it is Greek Souvlaki, Italian meatballs, Caribbean jerk chicken, vegan dishes or British traditions like fish and chips. Moreover, you will find many options if you want to stroll through the market shops and stalls.If you love a London market, check out some other markets Britain offers, like GRUB, Manchester, or Northern Irelands Causeway Speciality Market. And when you’re all full from all the samples and treats you consumed, you can always try out other activities such as going to the Titanic museum in Belfast. You may do a lot of walking and tasting since there is so much to see, so make sure to take your walking shoes.
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the capital than to visit one of the famous food markets in London. While there are so many delicious ones to choose from we’ve selected our top five for you to explore.
Every day 10 am – 7 pm including bank holidays
camdenmarket.com
The Food Market Chiswick
Located in the farmyard setting of Grove Park Farm House, The Food Market Chiswick is swarming with locals no matter what the weather. The stallholders here are what makes the market so unique. Producers take time to speak with their customers and provide delicious recipe ideas. Here you are not only guaranteed produce of the highest calibre but also service with a smile.
Every Sunday, 10 am–2 pm
thefoodmarketchiswick.com
Kerb Gherkin
Thursday is KERB’s day in the City and who knew the Gherkin could be such an oasis of flavour? The line-up of vendors change weekly, but rest assured it will never disappoint with stalls like Mother Flipper burgers, Steakhaus for steak and chips or Kimchinary with their spicy burritos. It’s the perfect lunchtime fix if you happen to work in the area and need to come back to ground level after a long morning in a high up trading floor.
Every Thursday / 11:30AM – 2PM
Other KERB locations include Camden Market, Paddington, King’s Cross, West India Quay, London Bridge. kerbfood.com
London Farmers’ Market
Walthamstow farmers’ market swarms with locals every Sunday. Expect a market that offers a wonderful selection of fruit and veg accompanied by a traditional London vibe. Customers return each week to stock up on their Brambletye’s biodynamic eggs, juice and veg. Don’t miss the fantastic selection of meat and poultry as well as fresh pasta and artisan bread. Favourite stalls include Picks Organics and Seriously Italian.
Every Sunday, 10 am–2 pm
With various locations across London, be sure to visit more of London Farmers’ Markets by checking their website for more details. lfm.org.uk
Truman Brewery
The Sunday Upmarket in Brick Lane has been running since September 2004, every Sunday, on Brick Lane. It houses approximately 200 stalls, selling everything from fashion to art as well as an impressive food market. Upmarket offers food from all walks of life from Spanish Paellas and Empanadas to lovely Moroccan dishes.
Sundays 10 am–6 pm; Saturdays 11 am–6 pm
sundayupmarket.co.uk
London’s Best Outdoor Markets
Sometimes it can be fun to be a tourist in your own city, especially when exploring hidden gems. Here in time for summer is our pick of the capital’s 10 best markets for you to explore.
Broadway Market
Snuggled between Regent’s Canal and London Fields, Broadway Market has been a foodie haven for centuries. Formerly known as the Porter’s Path, Broadway Market relaunched as one of London’s most delicious Saturday markets in 2004. With 135 stalls all serving something equally delicious, be sure to wear something loose-fitting.
Saturdays 9 am–5 pm; Sundays 10 am–5 pm; broadwaymarket.co.uk
Victoria Park Market
Hidden within one of east London’s most expansive parks and hosting an array of delicious food is the excellent Victoria Park Market. Here brunch is a must, with enough fresh fruit and veg to cram in your five-a-day and delicious goodies from Meltsmiths, Gyoza Guys and A Pie Party to name a few. Nobody is going home hungry.
Sundays 10 am–4 pm (hot food until 5 pm); Saturdays 11 am–5 pm; victoriaparkmarket.com
Greenwich Market
The jack of all trades, offering food, fashion, crafts and jewellery, this market situated in historic Greenwich is no relic. Home to over 120 stalls the market is home to all kinds of exciting bric-a-brac, but we recommend refuelling at one of the 40 food and drink stalls, we hear the cannoli are a must.
Daily 10am-5.30pm; greenwichmarket.london
Columbia Road Flower Market
Prepare to witness an onslaught of foliage and flowers, a stone’s throw from the picturesque cobbled streets of Shoreditch. Each Sunday the street is packed with traders selling bulbs, herbs, shrubs, bedding plants and bouquets of freshly cut flowers. Arrive early to nab the pick of the bunch and stay late to enjoy the independent shops, cafes and galleries that nestle between the garden and vintage clothes stores.
Sundays 8 am–3 pm (approx.); columbiaroad.info
Brick Lane Market
Although open every day, Sundays are the best day to visit when the streets are lined with people hawking their second-hand wares, with treasures hidden around every corner. Street performers dance between the vintage fashion, arts, crafts and other oddities that take over the Old Truman Brewery. The nearby Boiler House hosts an array of international cuisine, including authentic Jewish bagel shops and Bangladeshi curry houses, perfect for an inexpensive Sunday lunch. The joy of this market is that you never know what you’ll find; anything from vintage leather to kitsch collectables and Art Deco furniture.
Saturdays 11am-5.30pm; Sundays 10 am–6 pm
Old Spitalfields Market
One of London’s most Instagrammable markets, Old Spitalfields hosts all the usual aspects of food, fashion and crafts but you’ll also find higher-end eateries and shops surrounding the market. The original east London market is open all week, but for the most colourful affair visit on the weekend.
Daily; Saturdays 10 am–6 pm; Sundays 10 am–5 pm (indoor all week); oldspitalfieldsmarket.com
Oval Night Market
London’s newest market is also the most secretive, with only four weekends in the diary for summer, you’ll want to pencil in a visit. Inspired by the party atmosphere of New York street markets, urban eats, dancing on the streets, crafts and cocktail bars can be enjoyed throughout the evening, all set against the iconic gasworks cityscape.
Opens Friday at 5 PM and closes at 11 PM, and on Saturday from 12 PM to 11 PM
Canopy Market
Canopy Market has recently moved to Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, and is home to wonderful artisan food, drink, designer-makers, and music. Browse the stalls and taste the rotating cast of street food while enjoying live music.
Fridays from 12pm to 8pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 6pm. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. ; kingscross.co.uk
Portobello Road Market
No list of London markets is complete without Portobello. It’s several markets in one, Saturday being the day when all are in full swing. Situated between the brightly coloured homes of Notting Hill, you’ll find the mile-long hustle, haggle, colour and energy of the world’s largest antique market.
Monday to Wednesday from 9 am to 6 pm, Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm; portobelloroad.co.uk
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