If you’ve been living in London for a while, you will have found your local supermarket for your weekly shop. Don’t forget, though, that London has some fantastic food markets where you can find real bargains, luxury local produce and street food from around the world. Find out if any of the following markets are near your house or workplace and pay them a visit next time you’re hungry!
Borough Market
Borough Market has existed in some form for over 1000 years and is a definite must-see when you’re in central London. The market is mostly covered by the railway lines above but it’s a really atmospheric place to browse the stalls of locally produced and imported fruit and veg, meat, cheese and much more. There are loads of street food pop-ups as well, serving hot and cold meals from all over the world. Borough Market isn’t cheap, but you’re sure to find something delicious to treat yourself with!
Nearest Stations are London Bridge and Borough. Open Tue-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.
Broadway Market
The East End of London is famous for its markets and Broadway Market has been running in Hackney since the early 19th century. Broadway Market feels more traditional, with its rows of outdoor stalls, but the produce is of a high quality. You’ll find greengrocers and costermongers as well as delicious street food to munch on while you browse. Keep an eye out for Deeney’s Scottish toasties and Emerald Eats which serves Irish snacks. I’d recommend going on a Saturday as there are up to 100 stalls to see.
Nearest station is London Fields Overground. Open Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.
Brixton Village and Market Row
If you are south of the river, you should definitely wander around Brixton village, which has a real multicultural buzz. There’s loads of little shops and vans selling international street food to suit every taste. Market row feels more like a traditional covered market, selling everything from tech accessories to clothes, but there are also lots of greengrocers and butchers which specialise in Spanish and Caribbean food.
Nearest station is Brixton. Open Mon 8am-6pm, Tue-Sun 8am-midnight (some shops will close early).
Southbank Centre Food Market
Like many food markets in the centre of London, there’s lots of street food to choose from at the south bank, as well as coffee, juice and alcoholic drinks. I like wandering around this area because the modern architecture of the National Theatre is really striking, and you can walk along the side of the Thames for quite a distance. Next weekend, why not do the same with a shawarma in one hand and a mocktail in the other?
Nearest station is Waterloo. Open Fri 12pm-9pm, Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm.
Kerb Seven Dials Market
This food hall is located in Covent Garden, which is a must-do for tourists and shoppers. The Seven Dials is a lovely place to wander around in, with loads of independent shops and boutiques selling jewellery, arts and crafts, clothes and much more. When you’re feeling peckish, head over to the Kerb for a dizzying array of international street food. The stalls change every 6 months but you’re sure to find something to make your mouth water!
Nearest station is Covent Garden. Open Mon-Tue 12pm-10pm, Wed-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm.
Glossary
Pop-up (n): a temporary business using a stall or van, selling anything from clothes to hot food.
Costermonger (n): an ancient word for greengrocer, now used to refer to anyone selling items in a market. This is not a word in common use.
Toastie (n): a toasted sandwich.
Buzz (n): atmosphere.
Mocktail (n): a cocktail with no alcohol.
Peckish (adj): a little bit hungry.
Array (n): selection.
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