Borough Market
Near London Bridge, Borough Market is the city's best-known food market and one of its oldest. Under Victorian ironwork, stalls sell British cheeses, fresh bread, fish, game and produce alongside hot food from around the world.
It gets extremely crowded at weekend lunchtimes. Come on a weekday morning to browse calmly, sample cheese and buy a picnic to take to the river. Check opening days before you go, as some traders only open part of the week.
East London favourites
In east London, markets are a weekend ritual. Spitalfields, in a handsome covered hall, mixes street food with fashion, crafts and antiques. Nearby Brick Lane is famous for its curry houses, vintage shops and bagel bakeries that serve salt beef bagels into the night.
Broadway Market in Hackney, typically held on Saturdays, is a local favourite with excellent street food, artisan bakers and coffee. Afterwards, walk along the canal or relax in London Fields.
Covered halls and newer spaces
Leadenhall Market, in the heart of the City, is a beautiful Victorian covered arcade with ornate painted roofs. It is more of a lunchtime spot for office workers than a farmers' market, but its architecture alone justifies a visit.
London has also seen a boom in food halls and street food markets in converted spaces, from railway arches to former industrial buildings, where you can try everything from Peruvian ceviche to Taiwanese buns under one roof.
What to try
London's food reflects its population, so the best approach is to be adventurous. Try Indian and Bangladeshi dishes in east London, Caribbean flavours in Brixton, Turkish grills in north London and dim sum in Chinatown.
Classic British options are worth sampling too: a proper sausage roll from a good bakery, fish and chips, a Scotch egg or a Sunday roast in a pub.
Picnic in the park
One of the joys of London's markets is gathering a picnic and taking it to a nearby park. Collect bread, cheese, pastries and fruit at Borough Market and walk to the riverside, or buy street food on Broadway Market and settle in London Fields. On a warm day, Londoners flock to their green spaces, and joining them is a quintessential city experience. Just remember to take your rubbish with you, and keep an eye on the clouds; a sudden shower is never far away in London, so having a covered market nearby is always handy. Many parks have cafés and kiosks too, if you forget the drinks.
Good to know
- Arrive early to beat the lunchtime rush at popular markets.
- Most stalls accept cards, but a little cash can be handy.
- Bring a tote bag for produce and souvenirs.