Ever since Hugh Grant’s wobbly baritone introduced the world to the fruit sellers and questionable antique dealers of Portobello Rd, London Markets have been kind of a big thing.
Of course for Londoners, they’ve been a big thing pretty much since antiquity, when the Romans set up the old marketplace just near the newly built London Bridge (it’s changed a little since those days).
Now of course, the city’s market scene has evolved. There’s still the ultra-traditional sites that have been clicking along for hundreds of years, but pockets of the city are throwing up new markets all the time: fresh produce, crafts, vintage clothes, records, tourist tat. There’s a street stall to suit every shopper.
Check out my guide to the must visit London street eats markets for foodies.
1. Borough Market
A proper London food experience is not complete with a grand tour around the city’s oldest food market. Dating back to around 1000 years, this Southwark landmark (next to London Bridge) and colourful undercover market serves up the best of British food and regional specialities from around the world.
This place isn’t just an institution for fresh produce growers, fishmongers, cheese makers, artisans and wine connoisseurs, it is a place for those who really appreciate the passion, knowledge and preparation of food. It’s also a testing ground for new cuisine: wild mushroom pate anyone?
Select quality produce to make a gourmet meal (or on-the-go sandwich) from scratch or pop over to a stallholder serving up the more specialty eats. From authentic paella to fresh oysters, grilled chorizo and red pepper Panini’s and grilled baguettes stuffed with raclette cheese, there are endless options to choose from. With its bustling atmosphere and stallholders championing the love of food, this is the UK’s most exciting food market.
Borough Market, 8 Southwark St, London, SE1 1TL
2. Broadway Market
New York’s Broadway may be famed for its singing, dancing and theatre action, but its London’s Broadway that is really drawing the hungry eyes.
Slap bang between Regent’s Canal and the fairy tale of London Fields is East London’s popular food market: Broadway. This trendy bar and restaurant strip is a hive of activity come Saturday, with buskers strumming their stuff, independent artist showcasing their talents and everything intertwined with endless stalls of fresh produce and street eats inspired from all corners of the globe.
Broadway is a place to mingle with the locals and munch away on traditional Scotch eggs, roast meat rolls and more adventurous offerings like scallop and bacon brioche burgers, confit duck burgers and mushroom strudels.
Due to this Hackney Borough market exploding in popularity, it also runs off the main drag and into a nearby school yard only a short stroll away. Pull up a picnic chair on the strip and savour some weekend vibes.
Broadway Market, Broadway Market E8 4QJ Open: Every Saturday 9-5pm
3. Maltby Market
Maltby Markets are a popular choice for South East London locals who crave a quality food experience sans crowds. It’s a relative new-comer to the London food scene, and packs a punch, despite being small and narrowly located under the railway arches of Bermondsey.
The brainchild of the guys who brought us the LASSCO Ropewalk, Maltby stallholders serve up Mezze platters, the old time guilty pleasure of fried chicken waffles, freshly baked French breads and tonnes of pastries. Wash it all down with boutique wine tastings and a few specialty gins.
Maltby is only a short tube ride from London Bridge, so if the Borough Markets are heaving with tourists on a sunny Sunday, this place might be a good bet.
Maltby Street Market, Ropewalk, London SE1 3PA Open: Saturday 9 – 4am and Sunday 11am – 4pm
4. KERB Camden
Anyone who gives you a list of London’s best eats and doesn’t include KERB Camden needs to take a long hard look at themselves. Smack bang in the middle of the iconic Camden Lock, this recently renovated market has dropped its stall numbers to 35 in order to improve on one thing: food quality. Pumping out diverse snacks from local artisans and a casual laid back vibe, it’s the perfect spot to grab a canal-side seat and eat a lip-smacking feed for under tenner.
Definitely dig into the Venezuelan Arepa or a plate of Columbian Asado (a little plate full of South American heaven). Or if you’re after some American greasy fare, there are topping-heavy hotdogs and mac and cheese to die for, including the nostalgia-soaked Super Mario flavour (mac and cheese capped off with truffle oil and wild mushroom – go figure). Save room for seconds, there’s a lot to try on the KERB.
KERB Camden Market, Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF
5. Sunday UpMarket
Brick Lane is famed for its long strip of curry houses, but come weekend, the rest of the world gets its chance. You’ll find the Sunday UpMarket (get it?) on the site of the iconic Old Truman Brewer, along with a motley crowd drawn to the everyday hustle and bustle of Brick Lane.
There’s an eclectic mix of stalls including vintage clothes, locally designed goods and gourmet eats (think dim sum, Korean street food and fancy artisan stalls). The best bit? There’s so much foodie competition that stallholders have taken to offering a bunch of free samples.
You can probably fill up on these alone if you play your cards right, but the average snack here will only set you back between £5 – 7. Borough Markets this is not. My pick is the heavenly rich in flavour Lithuanian stand serving up traditional dumplings and Zrazai (minced beef rolls).
Sunday UpMarket, Brick Lane, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane E1 6QL Open: Every Sunday 10-5pm
