London is a melting pot where countless cultures are represented. From a culinary perspective, London is a city in which you can get a taste of just about anything you set out to find. From authentic Chinese to Eastern European and Indian food; pretty much, if you crave it, you can hunt it down in London.
One of our favorite ways to spend time while visiting London is by grazing our way through the numerous food markets that the capital city has to offer. Each market offers visitors a little something different. They are vibrant, colorful and lively places that offer a diverse range of mouth-wateringly delicious foods to sample. We can’t think of a better way to explore London and it’s multifaceted culture!
Whether you’re looking to grab a quick bite to eat or are in search of gourmet ingredients to make you’re next cooking session all the more so memorable, London’s food markets are the place to be to fulfill all of your culinary aspirations.
If you’re anything like us, then dining is a hugely significant part of your travels. Keep watching to discover the best food markets in London.
Broadway Market
This market is widely considered to be the trendiest of London’s food markets. It boasts a fabulous selection local produce, delectable food stalls, and vintage clothing booths. Broadway Market has a distinctly Victorian aesthetic and has been selling fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies since the 19th century,
These days, the market is a foodie utopia. More than 100 stalls are serving up just about everything you could ever hope for. If you have craving for hot wings, check out Lord of the Wings. For a grilled cheese that will blow you’re mind, head on over to Deeney’s.
At Broadway Market, you can find culinary indulgences from all over the world. Stalls featuring the flavors of Persia, Asian, Africa and Indonesia are all represented. As you walk around, you’re senses will come alive with the variety of colors and aromas that greet you at every turn.
Borough Market
Dating back to roughly a millennia ago, Borough Market is arguably London’s most historic food market. It got it’s start in the 11th century and is located just south of the London Bridge. Here you can find all sorts of seasonal produce items as well as a broad range of prepared food. Make sure you snag a savory meat pie over at Ginger Pig and a fresh loaf over at Bread Ahead. For fresh cheeses and dried meats, swing on by French Comte to see what it’s available. If neither of these options pique your interest, no worries! Simply wonder around the market and sample whatever food catches your attention. Regardless of what you try, we can almost guarantee that you won’t walk away from Borough Market disappointed.
Portobello Road Market
This market is one of the largest antique markets in the world, but you won’t be limited to merely shopping for old collectibles when making your visit. If you walk past the collection of antique vendors, you’ll come upon numerous food stalls that serve up things like bread and pastries, fresh-caught fish and artisan cheeses.
Food stalls serve up meals like fish and chips and bratwurst. There are also stalls that serve food with a more internationally-inspired menu ranging from North African to Caribbean cuisine.
Camden Market
It would be absurd to do a video on London food markets without mentioning Camden Market. It’s the largest of it’s kind in London and has been open since 1974.
The market is known for it’s rich diversity and for encouraging vendors to be creative, especially when it comes to their food. Camden Market offers visitors a nice selection of cuisines to try including Italian, Hawaiian, Portuguese, Indian, and Asian.
A few of our favorite stalls include The Cheese Wheels, SteakHAUS, Oli Baba’s and Hans and Gretal. The market has an excellent offering of indoor and outdoor seating. At Lockside Camden, there is terrace seating that overlooks the market’s west end. Lockside is a great spot to grab a pint or a cocktail to sip on while dancing late into the evening to a variety of musical genres.
Another one of our favorite things about Camden market is how easy it is to get to. The market is very close to Camden Town, Camden Road stations and Chalk Farm. You can also take the bus from Kings Cross, West End, Victoria, or East London.
Maltby Street Market
While much younger and not nearly as large as nearby Borough Market, Maltby Street Market is a popular place for locals to go on the weekend to enjoy a bite to at why knocking back a craft beer. The market is located beside railroad tracks in Bermondsey. Numerous vendors sell and craft their wares in the brick arched recesses of the railway trestles. So, not only is Maltby Street Market a an excellent spot to go if you’re trying to get your grub on, but it also makes for a great sightseeing experience.
Berwick Street Market
If you’re in Soho and you make your way to the end of Berwick Street, you’ll stumble upon a collection of vendor stalls selling a wide variety of delicious foods, beverages, and craft goods. The market dates back to 1778, making it one of the oldest food markets in London.
There are 20 food stalls. Some of the most popular include Paella Fellas, What Jerk!, and Wow Shees. There are also several florist and fabric merchants sprinkled in with the food stalls. Visitors can purchase fresh goods like milk, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, baked items, and much more!
The market got it’s start when Italian, French, and Greek immigrants began to populate Soho. The influx of new residents gave rise to a new wave of restaurants and eateries. The birth of the Berwick Street Market helped give these new establishments a means to source their ingredients. In fact, the humble tomato was first introduced in London right here back in 1880.
These days, the market features an impressive selection of foods and flavors from around the world. You can find everything from Spanish to Egyptian and Jamaican foods here. If you’re looking for something new to tantalize your taste buds, you’re sure to find it among the bustling stalls of his iconic market.
Boxpark Shoreditch Market London
This is one of the newer food markets to be featured in this video. Boxpark Market was established in 2011. It’s built from shipping containers and is in our opinion one of the best places for foodies, shoppers and music lovers to convene.
Boxpark is home to many bakers, chefs, and street food wizards. Some of the stalls include businesses like Humbledough, Small Batch Coffee, Mercy Burger, and The Argentinian Grill. Whether you’re looking just to pop in to get a hot cup of coffee or tea or are more interested in filling your belly with some truly one of a kind delicacies, Boxpark has you fully covered.
In addition to the food stalls, Boxpark also hosts a mixed-bag of live performances and events. It’s also home to a nice mix of independent shops and bigger corporate brands. Regardless of whether you’re in search of handcrafted jewelry, fashionable clothing, or even a temporary tattoo, you’ll find all of that and more at Boxpark.
Tooting Market
This south London Market offers visitors a nice mix of food stalls, fresh produce stands, restaurants and other alluring vendors. You’ll find stalls selling fresh Caribbean grocery items, African fabrics, vintage clothing and practically everything else you might be on the look out for. The market is a bit maze-like, but that just makes the experience of exploring it that much more captivating.
Food from all over the world is offered hear. Options include dishes from Guyana, Lebanon and Germany.
Mercato Metropolitano
This London institution is located inside of an enormous former paper factory. Today, more than 40 vendors have set up shop to dish out an international selection of delicious foods ranging from Italian to German and Vietnamese cuisine. There is also an on-site microbrewery that offers an impressive variety of craft beers to wet your whistle.
Greenwich Market
To find this market, all you’ll have to do is make your way to Greenwich and follow your nose. The savory scent of sizzling food coupled with the soul-nourishing aroma of fresh baked bread will alert you when you’re in close proximity to this London borough’s most popular attraction. The market is without a doubt one of the best food options in the neighborhood. As you peruse through it’s stalls, you can sample items like locally sourced oysters, wood-fire baked vegan pizzas, hand-rolled sushi, and Argentinian empanadas.
Market Hall Fulham
If you make your way out to Market Hall Fulham, you’ll be able to sink your teeth into foods like pizza, kababs, fried chicken, tacos and more. The market has a large communal dining area as well as a large number of independent vendors who have taken over Fulham Broadway’s old ticket hall. As a Grade II-listed space, the majority of the historic sites features have been preserved and still stand where they were originally built.
Pop Brixton
Comprised of a variety of colorful shipping containers, this market houses dozens of shops, bars, and food stalls that are all independently owned and operated. The majority of the vendors are locals and more than half of the stalls are run by first time entrepreneurs. This means that your dining experience here will be truly unique. The bright, young minds that have helped make Pop Brixton a reality are sitting at the cutting edge of the London food scene.
Real Food Market – King’s Cross
Located right outside of King’s Cross station, Real Food Market prides itself at selling foods that are ethically sourced and sustainable. You can find things like fresh fruit and veggies, British and Euro cheeses, baked goods and meats.
While there are still more food markets that we could discuss, since we’ve covered all of our favorites, we’ll go ahead and wrap up this video.
You’ve heard what we had to say, now we’d love to hear your take on things. Which one of London’s food markets are you most excited to explore? If you’re a London local or have simply visited in the past, which of the city’s food markets stand out to you as being particularly special? Let us know in the comments.