London has long been a melting pot of culinary traditions from around the world, and nowhere is this more evident than in its vibrant food markets. From historic markets that have fed Londoners for centuries to modern street food hubs showcasing global cuisine, the capital's markets offer some of the most authentic and diverse food experiences in Great Britain.
At BritExplore, we believe that exploring London's food markets is an essential part of understanding British culture. In this guide, we'll take you through the most exciting markets in the city, highlighting each one's unique character and must-try specialties.
Borough Market: London's Oldest Food Market
Dating back more than 1,000 years, Borough Market is a paradise for food lovers. Located next to London Bridge, this market combines traditional British produce with international delicacies. The market's covered Victorian architecture creates an atmospheric setting as you wander between stalls laden with artisanal cheeses, freshly baked bread, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
What to Try at Borough Market:
- Cheese at Neal's Yard Dairy - Sample some of Britain's finest artisanal cheeses, from crumbly Lancashire to creamy Stilton.
- Oysters at Richard Haward's - Fresh oysters shucked before your eyes, served with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of tabasco.
- Roast sandwich at Roast To Go - Succulent roast meat in freshly baked bread with homemade condiments.
- Scotch Eggs at Scotchtails - Not your average Scotch egg, these come with perfectly runny yolks and creative flavor combinations.
- Doughnuts from Bread Ahead - Their famous pillowy doughnuts with vanilla custard are the stuff of London legend.
Visit on weekdays for a more relaxed experience, as weekends can get extremely crowded. The full market runs Wednesday to Saturday, with a limited market on Monday and Tuesday.
Camden Market: Eclectic Street Food Haven
Set alongside Regent's Canal, Camden Market is a colorful labyrinth of food stalls, retailers, and music venues. What started as a small arts and crafts fair in the 1970s has grown into one of London's most visited attractions. The food section, particularly in Camden Lock and The Stables, offers an incredible diversity of global street food.
What to Try at Camden Market:
- Halloumi Fries at Oli Baba's - Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, topped with pomegranate seeds, mint, yogurt, and molasses.
- Ethiopian platters at Ethiopian Flavors - Colorful vegetarian and meat dishes served on injera bread.
- Dutch pancakes at Poffertjes - Mini fluffy pancakes served with a variety of toppings.
- Loaded mac and cheese at The Mac Factory - Gourmet mac and cheese with creative toppings.
- Vegan döner at Rudy's Dirty Vegan Diner - Plant-based kebabs that even meat-lovers queue for.
Camden Market is open every day from 10am to late. The atmosphere is especially vibrant on weekends, with live music adding to the experience.
Maltby Street Market: Bermondsey's Hidden Gem
Hidden under the railway arches of Bermondsey, Maltby Street Market is a smaller, more intimate alternative to Borough Market. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in quality. This weekend market attracts serious food enthusiasts who come for the carefully curated selection of food producers and pop-up bars.
What to Try at Maltby Street Market:
- Gin cocktails at Little Bird Gin - Refreshing gin cocktails served from a converted garage under a railway arch.
- Steak sandwich at The Beefsteaks - Perfectly cooked rare bavette steak in ciabatta with rocket and béarnaise sauce.
- Duck confit sandwich at Le Petit Cochon - A decadent French classic.
- Waffles at Waffle On - Light, crispy Belgian waffles with sweet or savory toppings.
- African street food at Ethiopiques - Authentic Ethiopian dishes bursting with flavor.
Maltby Street Market is open on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 11am to 4pm. Visit early to avoid the crowds that gather in this narrow alleyway.
Brick Lane Market: East London's Sunday Destination
Sunday in East London means Brick Lane Market, a sprawling affair that encompasses several markets including the famous food hall at the Old Truman Brewery. Brick Lane itself is renowned for its Bangladeshi restaurants (it's known as London's "Curry Mile"), but the Sunday market offers a global street food experience with flavors from almost every continent.
What to Try at Brick Lane Market:
- Salt beef bagel at Beigel Bake - Open 24 hours, this East End institution serves traditional Jewish-style bagels with hot salt beef, mustard, and pickles.
- Upside Down Cake at Flavors of Spain - Delicious Spanish-style caramelized upside-down cake.
- Rainbow dumplings at Yum Bun - Colorful steamed buns with creative fillings.
- Authentic curry from one of the many Bangladeshi restaurants - Some offer market-day special deals.
- Coffee at Nude Espresso - Award-winning coffee to fuel your market exploration.
The market is busiest from noon until 5pm on Sundays. Combine your food adventure with browsing the vintage clothing, antiques, and arts and crafts stalls that make up the broader Brick Lane Market experience.
Broadway Market: Hackney's Gastronomic Street
Broadway Market runs from London Fields to Regent's Canal in the heart of Hackney. This Victorian street market has been revived over the past two decades and now features over 100 stalls each Saturday. What makes Broadway Market special is the mix of established market traders selling high-quality produce alongside hip street food vendors and permanent shops and cafes.
What to Try at Broadway Market:
- Bao buns at Bao Bar - Fluffy steamed buns filled with slow-cooked meats or vegetarian options.
- Meringues at Meringue Girls - Colorful, flavored meringues that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
- Cinnamon buns at Fabrique - Swedish-style cardamom and cinnamon buns that sell out fast.
- Artisanal chocolate at Cocoa Runners - Single-estate chocolate from around the world.
- Scotch eggs at F. Cooke - This traditional pie and mash shop is a London institution.
Broadway Market runs every Saturday from 9am to 5pm. After exploring the market, take your food to nearby London Fields for a picnic when the weather is good.
Portobello Road Market: Notting Hill's Famous Street
While Portobello Road is most famous for its antiques, the market also hosts an excellent selection of food stalls, particularly on Saturdays. The food section stretches under the Westway and features a diverse range of street food alongside fresh produce vendors and specialty food shops.
What to Try at Portobello Road Market:
- Crepes at Crepe Factory - Both sweet and savory options available at this popular stall.
- Falafel wrap at Falafel King - Freshly made falafel with a generous selection of toppings.
- Portuguese tarts at Lisboa Patisserie - Authentic pastéis de nata with perfectly caramelized tops.
- Paella at Jamon Jamon - Huge pans of authentic Spanish paella cooked right in front of you.
- Oysters and champagne at The Oyster Man - A luxurious street food experience.
The main market day is Saturday, when all sections are open. Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds that flock to this famous location.
Exploring British Culinary Traditions at London's Markets
While London's markets showcase global cuisine, they're also wonderful places to experience traditional British food. Look out for these classic dishes and ingredients:
- Pie and Mash - Traditional London working-class food, often served with parsley liquor sauce.
- Scotch Eggs - A boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried or baked.
- Artisanal British Cheeses - From Cheddar to Stilton to lesser-known regional varieties.
- Cumberland Sausages - Distinctive coiled sausages from Cumbria.
- Welsh Rarebit - A sophisticated cheese on toast with mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
- Fish and Chips - Britain's famous takeaway, best with malt vinegar.
- Afternoon Tea Treats - Scones, shortbread, and Victoria sponge cake.
- Traditional Preserves - Handmade jams, marmalades, and chutneys.
Tips for Exploring London's Food Markets
- Go hungry - You'll want to try multiple dishes, so arrive with an appetite.
- Bring cash - While many vendors now accept cards, some smaller stalls are cash-only.
- Visit early - For the best selection and to avoid crowds, aim to arrive when the market opens.
- Ask questions - Vendors are usually passionate about their products and happy to explain what makes them special.
- Look for taster samples - Many stalls offer small samples, perfect for trying before you buy.
- Combine markets in one day - Many food markets are only a short tube or bus ride apart.
- Pack light - Markets get crowded, so a small backpack is better than bulky shopping bags.
- Bring your own bottle - To reduce plastic waste, carry a reusable water bottle.
Food Market Tours with BritExplore
At BritExplore, we offer guided food market tours that take you to the best stalls and hidden gems at London's markets. Our knowledgeable guides share stories about the history of London's markets and introduce you to vendors who have been feeding Londoners for generations.
Our most popular tour, "London Markets: A Culinary Journey," includes visits to Borough Market, Maltby Street Market, and Brick Lane, with plenty of tastings included. We can also customize tours to focus on specific aspects of British cuisine or international influences.
For food enthusiasts looking for a more hands-on experience, we offer market shopping tours followed by a cooking class where you'll learn to prepare classic British dishes using your market purchases.
Contact us today to book your London food market adventure.