This is a list of some of the best London food markets.
Best Food Markets in London
One of my absolute favourite things about London is the abundance of food markets. I LOVE a food market, I always look for one when I’m travelling… they’re casual, no fuss and offer so many different options. You can literally have Korean-Italian-Polish meal in one go.
Forget booking dinner weeks in advance or sitting quietly at white-tablecloth restaurants. Markets are loud, joyful and deliciously chaotic. Expect sizzling grills, clouds of fragrant steam rising from bao baskets, crunchy churros coated in sugar, freshly baked bread and people happily eating while leaning against barrels and benches. That’s the magic: delicious food without fuss.
As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, London reflects its global roots in every bite. Afghani dumplings, Turkish gözleme, Ethiopian injera, Venezuelan arepas, Polish pierogi, Korean fried chicken and the perfect British sausage roll can all exist happily on the same street. This guide gathers the most vibrant food markets in London to help you eat your way through the capital like a local.
Now, if you’re looking for British food in particular, here’s a list of the best British food in London (you can find a lot of them at markets!)
Borough Market, London Bridge
London’s best-known food market and a rite of passage for hungry visitors. Beneath Victorian railway arches you’ll find handmade pasta, towers of cheese, fresh olive focaccia, raclette being scraped into warm buns and doughnuts oozing with custard. It gets busy (very busy), so I recommend going midweek in the early morning. I love that I can get German cakes there!
By all means look around the stalls but don’t sleep on the restaurants around. SO MANY great choices! Porteña (technically a stall…but has outdoor seating) has an excellent Argentinian steak sandwich my dear friend and traveller Carl (RIP) introduced me to. There’s also BAO – if you go there, DO order the steak on rice, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever had! Also Padella for the best pasta.
Why go: It’s the heart of London’s food scene
Signature bites: oysters, British cheese toasties, Bread Ahead donuts, Humble Crumble
Best for: your first introduction to London food culture
Practical info
• 8 Southwark St, SE1 1TL
• Tube: London Bridge
• Open: Mon–Sat (Wed/Thurs best)
• Insider tip: Book a guided tasting tour if you panic in crowds
Camden Market, Camden Town
A world-famous market beside the canal with serious personality. Loud music, bold flavours and plenty of plant-based options. Grab food and sit by the lock watching boats drift under the bridge while street style unfolds around you.
Why go: Iconic Camden vibes and food for every taste
Signature bites: Korean corndog, mac ‘n cheese, steak & chips, Chin Chin Labs ice cream/iconic hot chocolate
Best for: alternative vibes
Practical info
• Camden Lock Pl, NW1 8AF
• Tube: Camden Town
• Open: Daily
• Insider tip: Dive into the old stables for the coolest stalls and Amy Winehouse’s statue!
Seven Dials Market, Covent Garden
Inside a former banana warehouse you’ll find a buzzing indoor food hall filled with neon lights, global flavours and two floors of food traders. Bao buns, pasta, independent bakeries and craft cocktails. It’s all here with plenty of seating. Great when you want street-food vibes in weather-proof comfort. Perfect spot to take a break from sightseeing with different food choices if your group can’t decide what they want!
Why go: Trendy, central, brilliant for groups
Signature bites: EVERYTHING! But if you have to choose… Taiwanese bao, chai from Chai Guys, Lucky’s Hot Chicken and, again, Chin Chin Labs
Best for: theatre nights, rainy-day food crawls, easy lunch break when in town
Practical info
• 35 Earlham St, WC2H 9LD
• Tube: Covent Garden or Tottenham Court Road
• Open: Daily
• Insider tip: try the banana bread from Chin Chin Labs…
Maltby Street Market, Bermondsey
A small but mighty weekend market hidden under railway arches. The smells alone, sizzling steak, grilled halloumi, sweet brownies are enough to make you weak in the knees. Cosy seating spots and craft drink stalls make it ideal for a chilled afternoon date.
Why go: Delicious, compact and less touristy than Borough
Signature bites: grilled cheese, steak and chips!!, brownies
Best for: Saturday foodie strolls
Practical info
• Ropewalk, SE1 3PA
• Tube: London Bridge / Bermondsey
• Open: Sat–Sun
• Insider tip: Pair with the Bermondsey Beer Mile for maximum joy
Broadway Market, Hackney (Saturday)
The hipster one. It attracts creatives, indie coffee obsessives and dogs in cosy jumpers. Expect Caribbean jerk chicken next to vegan pastries and Turkish gözleme. Grab a snack (or five) then picnic on nearby London Fields.
Why go: Local energy and great people-watching
Signature bites: gözleme, jerk chicken, vegan doughnuts
Best for: brunch lovers and hipster vibes
Practical info
• Broadway Market, E8 4PH
• Overground: London Fields
• Open: Saturdays
• Insider tip: Hop onto the Regent’s Canal towpath afterwards
Southbank Centre Food Market, Southbank
Open on weekends and always buzzing with smells and smiles. Just behind the Royal Festival Hall and close to the Thames, you’ll get river breezes with every bite. Perfect before a show, after a museum visit or just because you’re hungry.
Why go: Scenic location and excellent variety
Signature bites: steak and chips, Korean burritos, Turkish gözleme
Best for: great food stop in one of the most iconic areas of London
Practical info
• Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
• Tube: Waterloo
• Open: Fri–Sun
• Insider tip: Combine with a browse at the Southbank Centre Book Market
Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell
A weekday gem centred around lunchtime. Office workers queue up for Syrian wraps, bao buns and fresh pastries. It’s authentic London life; noisy, fast and flavoursome.
Why go: Brilliant lunch spot with zero tourist energy
Signature bites: falafel wraps, street tacos, fresh pastries
Best for: quick, satisfying meals
Practical info
• Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QA
• Tube: Angel / Farringdon
• Open: Mon–Fri (lunchtime)
• Insider tip: Some stalls are card-only (a lot of places in London are, tbh!)
Greenwich Market, Greenwich
Historic, colourful and indoors, perfect for London’s unpredictable skies. You can eat Venezuelan arepas, shop indie jewellery and walk to the river within minutes. Then head up Greenwich Park for unbeatable skyline views. At certain times of the year, it’s the best sunset view in London!
Alternatively, you can head to the tunnel and walk under the Thames!! (it took me YEARS of living here to find out about the tunnel…blew my mind so I’m passing on the info. I must warn you: the other side is very anticlimactic, no shade to Isle of Dogs).
Why go: Food + crafts + sightseeing in one stop
Signature bites: churros, empanadas, Filipino BBQ
Best for: families and half-day trips
Practical info
• Greenwich Market, SE10 9HZ
• DLR: Cutty Sark
• Open: Daily
• Insider tip: Weekends have more stalls and more atmosphere
Old Spitalfields Market, Shoreditch
Street food and stylish stalls under a beautiful Victorian roof. From bao buns to Ethiopian coffee, Shoreditch’s creativity is alive here. Do some shopping, do some eating, do some people-watching…repeat.
Why go: Trendy market culture meets global food
Signature bites: dumplings, sushi burritos, artisan coffee, another Humble Crumble (personally, I don’t think the queue is worth it but it IS very popular so I’d say you should try for yourself)
Best for: shopping break snacks
Practical info
• 16 Horner Square, E1 6EW
• Tube: Liverpool Street
• Open: Daily
• Insider tip: Walk to Tibet Kitchen truck for unreal momos (this is the best tip I can give you!)
Leather Lane Market, Clerkenwell
Legendary among locals craving cheap but delicious weekday lunches. Shawarma sliced straight onto your plate, steaming pho, fresh pasta made in front of you…it’s comfort food heaven.
Why go: Big portions at friendly prices
Signature bites: shawarma, bánh mì, arepas
Best for: hungry office workers and budget travellers
Practical info
• Leather Lane, EC1N 7TJ
• Tube: Chancery Lane
• Open: Mon–Fri
• Insider tip: Peak time = 12–1pm. Come early.
Berwick Street Market, Soho
An old-school market with a Soho edge. Great food at lunchtime, especially for those who thrive on bustle. Perfect to grab and go between shops, galleries or rehearsals.
Why go: Authentic street-food flavours in the city centre
Signature bites: Afghan dumplings, souvlaki, curries
Best for: lunch on the move
Practical info
• Berwick St, W1F
• Tube: Tottenham Court Road / Piccadilly Circus
• Open: Mon–Sat
• Insider tip: Eat in Soho Square for fresh air + seating
Tooting Market, Tooting
A community hub of global flavours with serious personality. Under a colourful roof you’ll find Caribbean, Mexican, Lebanese, ramen, doughnuts and cocktails. There’s even a Mauritius stall! Grab a table with friends, order from multiple stalls and feast family-style. The all-you-can-eat sushi at Tsukiji is very popular. I enjoyed it! Pretty decent for the price, friendly service. I must recommend the Brazilian spots too… go get yourself a pastel at Flor de Samba or Happy Hour Brazilian Food. Here’s a list of the most amazing Brazilian food you should try, both stalls serve a lot of them!
Why go: Welcoming and flavour-packed
Signature bites: jerk chicken, tacos, shawarma
Best for: laid-back weekend dinners
Practical info
• 21–23 Tooting High St, SW17 0SN
• Tube: Tooting Broadway
• Open: Daily
• Insider tip: Evenings are quite lively! Great spot to get together with friends or even take a date
Mercato Metropolitano Mayfair
Food market inside a former church where the altar is THE BAR!!! Growing up attending catholic school, I find this highly amusing… Besides, you’re surrounded by stained glass and twinkling lights while eating pizza and sipping cocktails, a winning combo.
Why go: Unusual and so pretty + delicious food
Signature bites: fresh pasta, Thai food
Best for: again, unusual setting!
Practical info
• St Mark’s Church, W1K 6ZA
• Tube: Bond Street
• Open: Daily
• Insider tip: Sit in the side alcoves for a romantic vibe
Mercato Metropolitano Elephant & Castle
A huge indoor-outdoor space focused on sustainability and community. Great for groups who can never agree on one cuisine. Live events give it constant energy.
Why go: Massive selection and fun atmosphere
Signature bites: pho, pizza, arepas
Best for: groups and long lazy meals
Practical info
• 42 Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR
• Tube: Elephant & Castle
• Open: Daily
• Insider tip: Check the schedule, film nights and DJ sets pop up often
Portobello Road Market, Notting Hill
Iconic and full of life, especially on Saturdays. Known for antiques and vintage but the food stalls are growing stars. Perfect for a slow wander down pastel-lined streets with crunchy empanadas in hand.
Why go: Food + vintage treasure hunt + iconic neighbourhood
Signature bites: pastel de nata, empanadas, churros…honestly, they have everything! It might the most diverse market in London but don’t quote me on that. Also…they too have a Brazilian stall selling pastel <3
Best for: weekend culture strolls
Practical info
• Portobello Rd, W11 1LJ
• Tube: Ladbroke Grove / Notting Hill Gate
• Open: Fri/Sat for the full market
• Insider tip: Early mornings = fewer people
Victoria Park Market, Hackney
A Sunday favourite set inside a beautiful park. Locals show up with dogs and coffee and wander between stalls selling flaky pastries, BBQ skewers, freshly shucked oysters and natural wine by the glass. Once you’ve chosen your feast, take it to the lake and soak up the weekend glow.
Why go: Laid-back East London weekend atmosphere
Signature bites: arepas, pastries, seasonal veg
Best for: picnics and slow Sundays
Practical info
• Bonner Gate to Gore Gate, E2 9JW
• Overground: Cambridge Heath / Hackney Wick
• Open: Sundays 10am–4pm
• Insider tip: Bring reusable containers for produce and snacks
Lesser-Known London Food Markets to Try
Hackney Bridge Market, Hackney Wick / Stratford
Waterside weekend fun with craft beer taps and global street food. Industrial-cool vibes and creative energy everywhere.
• Signature bites: bao buns, smash burgers
• Best for: beers by the canal
Chapel Market, Islington
A neighbourhood classic that transforms with foodie farmers’ market energy on Sundays.
• Signature bites: roast pork baps, falafel
• Best for: local culture and low prices
Mercato Metropolitano Queen’s Park
Cosy market hall serving crowd-pleasing Italian and global comfort food in one of London’s prettiest neighbourhoods.
• Signature bites: wood-fired pizza, tiramisu
• Best for: family-friendly weekends
READ MORE:
Ultimate London Food Guide: Where to Eat for Every Budget
All the Foods You Must Eat in London: Famous Foods, Viral Snacks and Iconic Spots
Best British Food in London: 16 Most Popular Dishes and Where to Eat Them
Where to Find the Best American Pizza in London
Where to Get the Best Pancakes in London
Why choose food markets over restaurants?
• Variety: try a bit of everything
• Affordability: flavour without the price tag
• Culture: the most “real London” experience
• Flexibility: eat on the go, sit with friends, snack whenever
Final Thoughts
London’s food markets are a celebration of everything that makes this city great: diversity, creativity and incredible food from sunrise to midnight. Whether you end up slurping ramen in Tooting, clinking glasses in Bermondsey or picnicking in Victoria Park, you’re guaranteed to taste something unforgettable.
Which one are you visiting first? Tell me in the comments and don’t forget to check my other London posts to help you plan your trip. So little time, so much to eat.
This is a list of some of the best London food markets.
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