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9 Best Food Markets In London

Discover how to eat your way through the best food markets in London during your next trip to the bustling world capital.A visit to London England is incomplete without a visit to at least one of these London food markets!

Tomatoes at Broadway Market - Best Food Markets in London
We spent a good amount of time in London the last couple years and still couldn’t see all the great markets that the city has to offer. The Broadway Market in Hackney features a number of eateries and street food vendors selling fresh produce like these tomatoes. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

London’s culinary melting pot spans the sprawling city from the centrally located Chinatown to Little India in Southall. Sure, it would be fun to visit each and every neighborhood to try all of the city’s global treats, but that would take years considering all of the markets to visit in London, not to mention all of the London Christmas markets during the holiday season.

That’s a lot of time, not to mention tube fares! Yes, England’s sprawling, global city is that big.

Shoreditch and Brick Lane Markets Stalls - Best Food Markets in London
London street markets are perfect for exploring the city’s culinary melting pot. They’re also great for people watching. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Luckily for visitors without unlimited time and bottomless oyster cards, the city has a vibrant market scene scattered throughout the city. With a little strategic planning, it’s possible for a tourist to sample a variety of London’s exciting cuisines at one of these markets. Better yet, visit a few. Or be like us and visit a lot.

Best Food Markets In London

Crowd at Maltby Street Market - Best Food Markets in London
Crowds swarm to the best food markets in London like the Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We recently spent two weeks eating our way through the best markets in London. During this time, we grazed our way through outdoor and indoor venues in our quest for the city’s tastiest food, logging in thousands of steps on our Fitbit as well as hundreds of miles on the tube and overground.

In the end, we ate some of the best food in London while getting a great feel for the city’s neighborhoods. These are our favorite London markets:

1. Borough Market

Produce at Borough Market - Best Food Markets in London
Borough Market is known around the world for its wide selection of prepared foods, but the market also excels at selling local, seasonal fruits and vegetables. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Dating back to the 11th century, Borough Market is arguably London’s most historic and epic food market. We first visited Borough Market in 2012 and always make a point to visit the popular food market located just south of the London Bridge whenever we’re in town.

This market sells all kinds of seasonal produce as well as a range of prepared foods. Be sure to try a meat pie at Ginger Pig and a baguette at Bread Ahead or some cheese and saucissons at The French Comté. Otherwise, just wander and eat whatever Borough Market food catches your eye.

Sign at Borough Market - Best Food Markets in London
There are lots of choices at Borough Market London. Just remember to keep your hands to yourself. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Pro Tip
Budget some time to wander beyond the Borough Market for a cappuccino at Monmouth Coffee and some cheese at Neal’s Yard Dairy.

Borough Market is located at 8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL, UK. This market is open Monday through Saturday.

2. Maltby Street Market

Vendor at Maltby Street Market - Best Food Markets in London
In case you didn’t know it, this bread baker is from London. If you don’t believe us, read his hat. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Smaller, cooler and younger than nearby Borough Market, Maltby Street Market is where locals go on the weekend to enjoy lunch and craft beer. Located directly beside rail tracks in Bermondsey, many vendors sell and make their wares in the brick arched recesses of rail trestles. This makes Maltby Street a cool sightseeing experience along with a tasty one.

 Grilled Cheese at Maltby Street Market - Best Food Markets in London
The Cheese Truck serves grilled cheeses at the Maltby Street Market just the way we like – ooey, gooey and with bacon. This gorgeous sandwich is just one of many of the eating options at the ultra-hip Bermondsey market. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

While there, you can bump up against a hip crowd while choosing from top-notch global food vendors serving Vietnamese pho, Chinese dumplings and Belgian waffles. As for us, we were drawn to The Cheese Truck stall where we shared a decadent, oozing, melty grilled cheese sandwich loaded with Keens Cheddar, onion and bacon cooked to a lovely crisped, chestnut brown.

Pro Tip
Spend some time on the Bermondsey Beer Mile where you can crawl to ten different microbreweries or park yourself at Hiver Beers and drink your fill of the brewery’s signature honey beer.

Maltby Street Market is located at 37 Maltby Street, London SE1 3PA, UK. This market is open on Saturday and Sunday.

3. Broadway Market

Fishmonger at Broadway Market - Best Food Markets in London
Aw shucks! These oysters look good enough to eat. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Hackney comes alive every Saturday when the Broadway Market opens for business. Here, you can eat burgers and sip on Vietnamese coffee while soaking in a gentrified yet still cool East London neighborhood vibe.

It’s not just about prepared food at this market. Vendors sell buckets of olives and trays of treats like the salted caramel whoopie pie we scarfed down at the Eat “n” Mess stall.

Whoopie Pies at Broadway Market - Best Food Markets in London
These gluten-free whoopie pies at Hackney’s Broadway Market are big enough to share. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Pro Tip
Although Broadway Market is only open on Saturdays, the neighborhood bustles all week long with a selection of cafes and boutiques.

Broadway Market is located in Hackney, London E8 4QJ. This market is open on Saturday only.

4. Mercato Metropolitano

Mercato Metropolitano - Best Food Markets in London
The decor is industrial chic at Mercato Metropolitano in London’s Elephant and Castle neighborhood. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

At first glance, Mercato Metropolitano is an upscale Italian market selling a variety of meat, cheese and dried goods. However, a massive, modern food court hides in a 45,000 square foot warehouse just behind the Elephant and Castle shop.

Guests dine on yellow communal tables with food selections ranging from Kansas City BBQ to Vietnamese Pho to Lebanese wraps. However, it would be difficult to beat the Neapolitan pizza served at Mercato Metropolitano’s La Pizza Napoletana.

Pizza at Mercato Metropolitano - Best Food Markets in London
This Neapolitan pizza at Mercato Metropolitano is as Neapolitan as you can get outside of Italy. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The yeasty flavors and slightly crunchy texture transported us straight back to the pizza we ate in Naples Italy. Shoppers can also dine on pasta or just enjoy a plate of charcuterie with an aperitivo.

Pro Tip
You won’t go thirsty at Mercato Metropolitano. The market has an enoteca (Italian wine bar) and craft beer in addition to the food.

Mercato Metropolitano is located at 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR, UK. This market is open Tuesday through Sunday.

5. Brixton Village and Market Row

Brixton Village and Market Row Entrance - Best Food Markets in London
Brixton Village and Market Row may have a neighborhood vibe, but the food options span the globe. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Situated inside a former arcade, Brixton Village Market is an indoor market with rows of cafes, restaurants and shops. The market’s crowd includes hipsters sipping on third wave coffee and locals getting hair weaves, a mix that results in something that’s funky yet congenial.

Federation Coffee - Best Food Markets in London
Two flat whites and one pastel de nata at Brixton Village’s Federation Coffee provided us with the perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Though we may not be hipsters, we went the third wave coffee route with flat whites at Federation Coffee. Just outside the market, international vendors sell fresh produce alongside fishmongers and Halal butchers making Brixton a one-stop location for shopping and people watching.

Pro Tip
Don’t get fooled by all of the outdoor vendors. To us, the best Brixton market action is inside the covered market.

Brixton Village and Market Row is located at 10-11 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LB, UK. This market is open Monday through Sunday.

6. Leather Lane Street Market

Leather Lane - Best Food Markets in London
The lunch crowd at Leather Lane Street Market is as eclectic as the market’s food offerings. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

A veritable newcomer by British standards, Leather Lane Street Market has been on the London food scene for the past 400 or so years. Dozens of food market stalls cater to a hungry weekday lunch crowd that enjoys a diverse lunch selection with vendors from Japan, Spain and even England serving hearty fare at reasonable prices.

Food Vendor at Leather Lane - Best Food Markets in London
Vendors at Leather Lane Street Market serve more than British food, but they have that too. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Pro Tip
Despite its name, you won’t find leather apparel at this food-focused market.

Leather Lane Street Market is located at Leather Lane, London EC1N 7TJ, UK. This market is open Monday through Friday.

7. Brick Lane Market

Shoreditch and Brick Lane Markets Entrance - Best Food Markets in London
Hipsters line the street on Sundays to eat street food at the Brick Lane Market in East London. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

This busy East London market comes alive on Sunday when masses arrive to pig out at the Sunday UpMarket. The street literally swells with people nibbling on food sold by outdoor vendors as well as inside the Old Truman Brewery. London street musicians add to the festive atmosphere, though the international food selection is the real star of the show.

Pork Bap at Shoreditch and Brick Lane Markets - Best Food Markets in London
If you’re going to pig out at the Brick Lane Market, you might as well eat a pork bap from this guy. Trust us or just trust the photo – it’s good. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Pro Tip
Stop by nearby Beigel Bake for London’s greatest bargain – a bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon.

Brick Lane Market is located at 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QR, UK. This market is open on Saturday and Sunday.

8. Partridges Food Market

Partridges Market Stands - Best Food Markets in London
The crowd may be a bit older and better dressed at Partridges Food Market in Chelsea, but the food selection mirrors markets in other parts of the city. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We stumbled upon this weekly market on our way to the Sloane Square tube station and were quickly dazzled by the selection of artisan goods like cakes, scotch eggs and quiche. Not as famous as other London markets, Partridges Food Market offers a well-rounded London market experience in the tony Chelsea neighborhood.

Quiche at Partridges Market - Best Food Markets in London
Quiche may be a French delicacy, but this English version looks mighty tasty. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Operating in the Duke of York Square since 2005, the market hosts 70 vendors selling to hungry families and neighborhood locals.

Pro Tip
Pop into the flagship store Partridges to shop for British food souvenirs at the posh shop. Options include tea, biscuits and preserves.

Partridges Food Market is located at 2-5, Duke of York Square, King’s Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4LY, UK. This market is open on Saturday only.

9. Old Spitalfields Market

Old Spitalfields Market Food Stand - Best Food Markets in London
Old Spitalfields Market has a variety of stalls selling local products and prepared foods. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Originally operating as a wholesale market in 1875, Old Spitalfields Market is now an East London fixture with its rows of stalls selling both food and clothing. Whether you splurge on oysters or indulge in a cupcake, there’s no need to worry about the inevitable London rain.

Old Spitalfields Market Vendors - Best Food Markets in London
Turkish food is popular throughout Europe, so it’s no surprise to find it in the Old Spitalfields Market. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Since the market is covered, you won’t get wet at Old Spitalfields Market. The market also features Abondance, a French cheese shop that sells a wide variety of top fromage from all over Europe.

Pro Tip
Stock up on French cheese when you shop at this market. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better selection outside of France.

Old Spitalfields Market is located at 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW, UK. This market is open Monday through Sunday.

Other Notable Food Markets

Scotch Eggs at Maltby Street Market - Best Food Markets in London
Scotch eggs were invented at Fortnum and Mason in the 18th century. They remain a popular market treat to this day. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

There’s never enough time to see and do everything in London! If you have extra time, be sure to include these additional markets in your London itinerary:

  • BOXPARK Shoreditch – This trendy food hall on Shoreditch High Street is an excellent place for a quick bite before walking to the adjacent Overground train station.
  • Camden Market – This is the food market stalwart in London’s fun, kitschy Camden neighborhood.
  • Fortnum & Mason – The market under the historic Soho store has just about everything one would need to plan a smashing party.
  • Portobello Market – You can get your Hugh Grant on at this market which features antiques and food stalls (food on Friday and Saturday only) in Notting Hill.

London Planning Checklist

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About The Authors

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We self-funded our multiple trips to London.

Sponsorhip
This article was sponsored by Expedia.

Original Publication Date: November 20, 2017

Danial

Wednesday 18th of July 2018

So many tantalizing markets, so little stomach space!

John Bynx

Tuesday 23rd of January 2018

Did you take the photo at Maltby Food Market in London? Someone is on Steve's Digicam photo forum claiming they took it. Could you be one in the same?

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Tuesday 23rd of January 2018

Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention. We personally took all photos in this article. We have contacted the forum to have the photo removed since the person who posted it stole it from this site.

Emmalene

Sunday 31st of December 2017

Broadway Market is fab and was one of the best hidden gems on our May London trip; it's a great detour from walking along Regents Canal

Sarah

Friday 29th of December 2017

A great read! It's good to be able to read about all these scrummy markets, although now the difficult decision is which one to visit first!

Connie S Reed

Tuesday 21st of November 2017

OMG—That grilled cheese sandwich from The Cheese Truck looks sooooo delicious!

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