I recently discovered an amazing food market in London. It’s in Leather Lane and has all sorts of food stall from all over the world which just entice you with the mouth watering sights and delicious fragrances coming from them.
Once I was actually able to contain my excitement (which I was only able to do as soon I had eaten meals from a couple of stalls), I started to wonder why I’d never heard about this market! It’s in a fairly central part of London (near Holborn/Farringdon), it’s fairly large as it spans across the entire street and it’s always busy. It’s easily a place I would take friends and family visiting London to go try a variety of different meals on offer (I’m very much a fan of food tourism 🙂 ) and so I figured it was high time to do a roundup of my favourite food markets across London.
Before you visit any of them, do remember that these markets aren’t open every day of the week so check the official websites for each (included below) to make sure you get the correct opening days and times.
without further ado, here are 14 of the top food markets you have to visit when you’re in London! (In no order of course)
1.) Borough Market: By far the most famous of the lot, Borough Market is a must do when you’re in London. The quality of food on offer here is pretty high and it has the right balance between fresh produce and meals you can eat pretty much straight away!
Website: www.boroughmarket.org.uk
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge
2.) Camden Market: Camden market is one that you need to visit for so many reasons – vintage clothes, random knick knacks and of course the food (to mention but a few). It’s very easy to find that you spend hours browsing through the wares at Camden market as it’s rather large so feel free to look around and reward yourself with a tasty treat for all your shopping efforts.
Website: www.camdenmarket.com
Nearest Tube Station: Camden
3.) Leather Lane Market: This street is filled with meals that are ready to be eaten then and there but my goodness, the variety on offer here and the deliciousness of the meals (once you get round to choosing a stall that you like of course) means that regardless of what your personal preferences are, you will find something you like here.
Website: www.leatherlanestars.wordpress.com/the-market/
Nearest Tube Station: Chancery Lane / Farringdon
4.) Greenwich Market: While this is not as big as Borough market, the size is by no means a reflection of the diversity of delicious foods on offer (things just appear to be more tightly packed here). Greenwich is good for an afternoon out in itself (visit Greenwich park, the Cutty Sark, The Royal Observatory, The National Maritime Museum… to mention just a few) and the food market is the perfect cherry on the cake!
Website: www.greenwichmarketlondon.com
Nearest Tube/DLR Station: Cutty Sark
5.) Partridges Food Market: This is one of the fancier food markets and so perhaps it’s perhaps not as stereotypically “street-food-y” as some of the other places on here but it’s definitely worth a visit! Plus, if Partridges is good enough for the Queen, it’s probably good enough for you and I! 😉 Hehe!
Website: www.partridges.co.uk/foodmarket
Nearest Tube Station: Sloane Square
6.) Dalston Food Market: This is one market that is increasingly gaining traction and understandably so, it caters to a wide range of audiences (everyone from toddlers to pensioners will find something they like here), it has live entertainment on offer and the opportunity to have a little picnic here. This is perfect for one of those London days where you have no pressing plans and just want to immerse yourself in a bit of laidback London life.
Website: www.dalstonfoodmarket.com
Nearest Tube Station: Haggerston
7.) Maltby Street Market: This market kinda reminds me of a smaller version of Borough market but this is by no means a bad thing. In fact, quite the opposite, the aspects that remind me of Borough market are all the good thing – great food, high quality items, nice tasters (love a good market tasting session) and rather friendly traders!
Website: www.maltby.st
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge
8.) Berwick Street Market: This is one of the more centrally located markets and is surprising rather old (established in 1830). There’s a lot of other stuff on offer here in addition to food and if you’re visiting London, chances are that you will be around the general area anyway so pop over for a little gander and some tasty treats!
Website: www.berwickstreetlondon.co.uk
Nearest Tube Station: Oxford Circus / Tottenham Court Road
9.) Chatsworth Road Market: This Sunday market is open for just 5 hours a week and has on offer amazing antiques in addition to delicious food! I’m a fan of nabbing bargains while stuffing my face with delicious food so this market is always an easy win!
Website: www.chatsworthroade5.co.uk/market/
Nearest Train Station: Hackney Central
10.) Broadway Market: It is rumoured that this market inspired the street market featured in popular and long running British soap (the TV kind not bathroom kind) Eastenders. The market used to be a regular street market but the early noughties saw it becomes an amazing food market and definitely one worth checking out when you’re in London.
Website: www.broadwaymarket.co.uk
Nearest Train Station: London Fields
11.) Brockley Market: This market is a firm favourite of locals and deservedly so, it has some of the nicest fresh food on offer and a is one of those places that you’ll leave over-stuffed with good food, barely able to move and yet not regret a single decision you made on your trip there!
Website: www.brockleymarket.com
Nearest Train Station: St Johns
12.) Whitecross Street: This is located in one of the ‘cooler’ parts of London and so expectations run high when visiting this market – for what it’s worth, it meets up to these high expectations and doles out lashing of delicious street food to its visitors. A particular favourite of patrons to the market is Luardo’s (which serves up amazing Mexican food).
Nearest Tube Station: Barbican / Old Street
13.) Southbank Centre Market: Amazing street food with an amazing view of the Thames and some of London’s famous landmarks? This market is an easy win everytime!
Website: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/festivals-series/markets
Nearest Tube Station: Waterloo
14.) Wapping Market: The same guy (Toby Allen)who started Brockley Market actually started Wapping Market and in what is starting to become a trademark of his, the food on offer here is absolutely delicious and varied enough to please even the fussiest eaters!
Website: www.wappingmarket.com
Nearest Tube Station: Wapping / Shadwell
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