The best food markets in London appeal to those looking to experience the city’s cosmopolitan dining scene. As a city with diverse and eccentric cultures, it’s not surprising that England’s capital remains one of the top culinary destinations in the world.

The city’s spirit is very much linked to its vibrant food markets and eclectic neighbourhoods, such as Borough Market, Flat Iron Square, and Brixton Village. Besides classic British staples, you can sample authentic dishes from all over the world at affordable prices. In this list, we have picked out the best of the best food markets in London, all of which are loved by tourists and locals alike.

  • 1

    Borough Market

    The best-known market in London

    Borough Market
    • Food
    • History
    • Shoppers

    Borough Market is an unmissable food market, beloved by both locals and tourists. It first opened in 1756, and still has a great reputation for providing high quality produce and artisanal goods. Visiting the market can be a sensory overload, with the colourful stands, the chattering of the crowds and the random wafts of unusual smells. 

    The hustle and bustle of the Borough Market is what has kept it thriving for so long. Try one of the homemade cold and hot pies from Mrs King’s Pork, made with love since 1853. For a little something sweet, visit Alpine Deli for cured meats‎ from South Tyrol. 

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    Open: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +44 (0)20 7407 1002

    Map
  • 2

    The Kitchens at Old Spitalfields Market

    A stylish market with excellent international foods

    The Kitchens at Old Spitalfields Market
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Old Spitalfields Market is probably already on your bucket list, so The Kitchens market just gives you even more reason to visit. This intimate market is found within the larger complex and is a collection of some of London’s best restaurants in street food form. 

    The atmosphere is stylish and refined and the food follows suit. There are several fully working kitchen units within this space, and our favourites are Karapincha that serves colourful street food from Sri Lanka and Kushi London that offers Japanese curry boxes and yakitori. Take your pick and choose a stall or give the diet a day off and try them all. 

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    Location: 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW, UK

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm

    Map

    photo by Herry Lawford (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 3

    Greenwich Market

    The city’s only historical market set in a World Heritage site

    Greenwich Market
    • Food
    • History
    • Shoppers

    Greenwich Market attracts an eclectic mix of people, from tourists to hippie locals and trendy South Londoners. Like the area around it, Greenwich Market has a character of its own due to the multicultural community and rich historical roots as an ancient village on the banks of the Thames. Stalls peddle street foods, antiques, handicrafts, vintage fashion and jewellery. 

    Expect all sorts of cuisines here: Indian, Ethiopian, Japanese and Italian, among others. On weekends, food stalls extend onto Durnford Street, where outdoor seating is offered for diners. Try some delicious Brazilian churros and wash them down with a steaming hot cup of chai.

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    Location: 5B Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ, UK

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm

    Map

    photo by Daniel Case (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 4

    Maltby Street Market

    Gourmet food paradise

    Maltby Street Market
    • Food
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Maltby Street Market is one of those ridiculously pretty markets that will have you snapping pictures at an alarming rate. Found below railway arches and billowing bunting, you almost feel like you’re in a country village, far away from the bustle of London. 

    Although the market is fairly small, the quality of the traders is fantastic, and you’ll be spoilt for choice. Stroll around the market sampling foods from all the stalls and chit-chatting with the friendly vendors. Make sure to try the melt-in-your-mouth oven-baked julienne potatoes at The Greek Pot. For some heavenly cheese toasties, head to Moon Cheese Toasties

    Location: Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby St, London SE1 3PA, UK

    Open: Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm (closed Monday–Friday)

    Map

    photo by Matt Brown (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 5

    Exmouth Market

    Heavenly food in a picturesque setting

    Exmouth Market
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Exmouth Market is set in an idyllic cobbled enclave where vendors are pitched amid quaint vintage shops and cafés with golden fairy lights strung between either end of the lane. Delicious smells of spices and herbs fill the air, and young professionals from the nearby offices flock to get their lunch here. 

    This market is a great place to stop by for a quick but delicious bite to eat. Sit on a bench with the charming bell tower in view or indulge in some window-shopping along the street. A true shining star of the market is the Spanish restaurant Moro. Indulge in pistachio madeleines, straight out of the oven, or maybe from heaven.

    Open: Hours vary by shop

    Map

    photo by Ewan Munro (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 6

    Boxpark Shoreditch

    Delicious treats from small vendors

    Boxpark Shoreditch
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Boxpark in Shoreditch is a food and retail park made out of repurposed shipping containers. This market fits right in with the hipster vibe that runs wild in Shoreditch, as do most of the shoppers. 

    Whether you’re looking for a full-on meal or just a little snack and a cocktail, Boxpark can offer both. Pasta Evangelists serves up little known regional specialities from across Italy. Their pistachio pesto from Sicily and wild boar ragù from Tuscany are big hits. To end your meal sweetly, head over to Soft Serve Society and order a gigantic freakshake.

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    Location: 2-10 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E1 6GY, UK

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 11.45 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 10.30 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)20 7186 8800

    Map

    photo by Ewan Munro (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 7

    Brixton Village and Market Row Markets

    For all sorts of unique foods

    Brixton Village and Market Row Markets
    • Food
    • Nightlife
    • Shoppers

    Found in South London, Brixton Village and Market Row Markets are 2 separate markets found in 2 different arcades, but strongly linked by their ties to Brixton’s rich cultural history. The markets are home to over 120 independent traders, such as the famous Honest Burgers, which started in the area, and Ruben’s Reubens serving up classic Reubens sandwiches alongside lots of smoked BBQ specials and snacks. 

    More niche restaurants and cafés include Etta’s Seafood Kitchen, where Jamaican/European fusion seafood is served, and Santaferino that offers large portions of Columbian cuisine. There are also multiple excellent Caribbean restaurants and takeaways, almost too much to choose from.

    Location: Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8PS, UK

    Open: Monday from 8 am to 6 pm, Tuesday–Sunday from 8 am to midnight

    Map
  • 8

    Broadway Market, East London

    One of London’s hippest market

    Broadway Market, East London
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Broadway Market is nestled in the heart of Hackney and connects London Fields to the Regent’s Canal. On sunny days, the market shines bright with life and happy noise as crowds of all ages come to revel in the cheerful atmosphere. The market offers about 135 stalls of street food, fresh produce, flowers, vintage clothes, books, groceries, coffee, and the list goes on. 

    The stalls are only set up on Saturdays and Sundays, but it’s still worth visiting on other days of the week for the charming cafés and trendy boutiques. Try the crab cake burgers at Fin and Flounder and the chocolate churros at El Ganso

    Location: 35 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH, UK

    Open: Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm

    Map

    photo by Matthew Black (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 9

    Flat Iron Square

    A market sprawled under railway arches

    Flat Iron Square
    • Food
    • Photo
    • Unusual

    Flat Iron Square is a hub of street dining, drinking and dancing in the shadow of The Shard. On weekends, a flea market pops up selling vintage clothes, cameras, homeware, books and much more. The square is always bustling with either tourists or young professionals ready to down a drink and a burger after a hard day’s work. 

    The street stalls and vans cook a range of international foods. Head to Bar Douro for traditional Portuguese sharing plates and interesting wines. At Where The Pancakes Are, you’ll find all-day breakfast with sweet and savoury pancakes. Remember to try their amazing cocktails.

    Location: 64 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU, UK

    Map
  • 10
    Mercato Metropolitano, Elephant & Castle
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Sprawled out on an industrial space, Mercato Metropolitano is located in Elephant & Castle and focuses mainly on Italian cuisine in a casual setting. This massive street food hall will certainly impress in size and variety. There are different food stalls, with most types of Italian food available, including fresh pizza, pasta, fritto misto and arancini. 

    If you’re not feeling Italian, don’t fret, they also have Turkish, Indian, Mauritian and Uzbek food, among others. The setting is truly cool, and you’ll find yourself munching away and staring at your surroundings pretty often.

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    Location: 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR, UK

    Open: Monday–Wednesday from 7.30 am to 11 pm, Thursday from 7.30 am to midnight, Friday from 7.30 am to 1 am, Saturday from 9 am to 1 am, Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm

    Map

    photo by Bex Walton (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 11

    KERB

    A street food company running several markets

    KERB
    • Food
    • Unusual

    KERB prides itself in serving adventurous and tasty street food. There are 5 lunch markets spread across the city, plus a food hall in Seven Dials, and even a spot at the National Theatre. 

    On Wednesdays, make your way to KERB Holborn for the tasty Philly cheesesteaks at Philly Philly. On Thursdays, check out KERB Gherkin and sample the mouthwatering Vietnamese street food at Hanoi Cà Phê . If you have a serious case of a sweet tooth, head to Cucumber Alley in the Seven Dials food hall and try some of the best desserts in the Big Smoke. For the exact market days, opening hours and traders, visit the KERB’s website. 

    Map

    photo by Spitalfields_E1 (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 12

    Leather Lane Market, Holborn

    For lunch, flowers and fashion

    Leather Lane Market, Holborn
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Leather Lane Market in Holborn is a popular lunch market with street food from around the world and long history. Street trading in Leather Lane began in the aftermath of the great fire of London in 1666. Today, lunching local workers flock to Leather Lane to get their mitts on a mac ’n’ cheese toasted sarnie or a banging burrito. This charming market is said to offer the best falafel in London. 

    The sprawl of stall stretches from Clerkenwell Road to High Holborn. In addition to mouthwatering street food, you’ll find cut flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, fashion, and homeware. To get to Leather Lane, take the Tube and exit at Chancery Lane or Farringdon.

    Location: 75 Leather Ln, London EC1N 7TJ, UK

    Open: Monday–Friday from 7 am to 7 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

    Map

    photo by Imagebox (CC BY 2.0) modified

Sophia Macpherson | Contributing Writer