Jump to: North | South | East | West | Central
There are few better ways to spend a day in London than to stroll leisurely through a local food market; often it’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach. Regardless of where you are in London, there’s one that’s perfect for you. We asked one of London’s best-known foodies, Kar-Shing Tong (better known as KS) to give us his top tips on where to go along with what to order.
North
Camden Market West Yard
Camden Lock Place, London NW1 8AF
Come to Camden and you're truly spoiled for choice. Between Buck St Market, The Stables and new(ish) Hawley Wharf, you might get frozen by indecision. Head to West Yard which houses a selection of some 34 separate street food vendors offering tasty dishes to take away.
What to eat: Get a fried chicken burger from Bill or Beak - their honey butter fried chicken with jalapeno mayo is unbeatable. The MSC-certified calamari from Ink Fish Bar couldn't be fresher and the halloumi fries tossed in sumac and topped with yogurt, honey, pomegranate and mint from Oli Baba are legendary for a reason.
When? Every day
More about Camden Market West Yard
Canopy Market
West Handyside Canopy, London N1C 4BH
You’ll find this weekly market located under a Victorian steel and glass roof just off Granary Square, bringing together fresh produce, artisan food, designers and artists alongside street food, craft drink and music.
What to eat: Stock up on baked goods from Little Bread Pedlar (make sure your order includes a ‘cheesy thing’ - aka a gruyere bun). For street food, you must try a biryani from The Indians Next Door and there’s no better place to get freshly shucked oysters than Rocks.
When? Friday to Sunday
South
Brockley Market
Lewisham College Carpark, Lewisham Way, London SE4 1UT
This award-winning local farmers market is the perfect place to pick up seasonal fresh produce for the week ahead, while powering your shop with a trip to one of their many hot food traders.
What to eat: Hit up Taca Tacos for their next-level birria tacos made with six-hour braised brisket and served with a pot of bone broth. Mother Flipper’s 35-day-aged burgers are a must-try (their breakfast muffins with sausage and candy bacon are particularly good for early risers) and Chubby Dumplings are the stall to go to for pan-fried handmade dumplings with noodles.
When? Saturdays
More about Brockley MarketMore about Brockley Market
Crystal Palace Market
Main Centre Walk, Crystal Palace, London SE20 8DS
This Sunday market is organised by the same people behind Victoria Park Market. You’ll find both fresh produce and hot foods here from an ever-changing lineup.
What to eat: Filigrillz serves up delicious Filipino food like their signature Notorious P.I.G adobo or tofu skewers, and make sure you’ve room for one of Raastawala’s kati rolls.
When? Sundays
More about Crystal Palace Market
Greenwich Market
5B Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ
Established in 1737, this is one of London’s oldest and most beloved markets where you can spend the day browsing artisan crafts before getting your fill of a variety of global cuisines from Japanese to Ethiopian.
What to eat: Get a soft shell crab burger from Da Fish Ting and Eastern Mediterranean bites from Ehla before finishing with one of the signature desserts at Brazilian Churros - filled with dulce de leche.
When? Every day
East
Broadway Market
Broadway Market, London E8 4PH
Established on an old drover’s route into the city, Broadway Market has been home to market traders since the 1890s and is now a buzzy East London mix of crafts, fresh produce and street food as well as the odd busker.
What to eat: You’ve got to get one of Katsu Wrap’s cult classic fried chicken wraps (don’t forget their homemade chilli oil) while Gujarati Rasoi’s vegan samosas and thali boxes are another must-try.
When? Saturdays
Netil Market
13, 23 Westgate St, London E8 3RL
Located a stone's throw away from popular Broadway Market this artisanal market offers an incredible array of food vendors and independent shops.
What to eat: Get the always popular Taiwanese gua baos from Bao or a burger from OG’s Lucky Chip. Also, the new kid on the block, Pockets, is making waves with his homemade pitas, which shouldn’t be missed.
When? Tuesday to Sunday
Brick Lane Market
Brick Ln, London E1 6QR
Brick Lane explodes to life on Sunday, transforming itself into a full-on street party lined with stall after stall selling honestly amazing street food. This is further enhanced by the markets hosted by the Old Truman brewery such as Upmarket, housing over 200 stalls encompassing fashion, art and food, Backyard Market and the Boiler House Food Hall which contains another 30 food stalls with a more international feel. Basically, Brick Lane is the place to be on a Sunday.
What to eat: The wings at Orange Buffalo are worth crossing down for and don’t leave without getting some ribs from The Ribman but go early because he routinely sells out.
When? Sundays
Victoria Park Market
Victoria Park, between Bonner Gate and Gore Gate, London E2 9JW
Even the lockdown couldn’t dampen East Londoners’ enthusiasm for this popular weekly food market where you can stock up on organic meat and fresh fish alongside artisanal cakes and cheeses.
What to eat: Pick up a Vietnamese noodle salad from Hanoi Kitchen or some fragrant Malaysian rice bowls from Eat Lah.
When? Sundays
More about Victoria Park Market
West
Partridges Food Market
Running track at Duke of York Square, 5 King’s Road, London SW3 4LY
This market was organised by food shop Partridges and it’s as much a celebration of local and international food as it is an opportunity for farmers and small producers to connect directly with the public. Here you can pick up anything from baked goods to fresh produce and condiments and of course, hot food.
What to eat: Start with some dumplings from The Ugly Dumplings or handmade sushi prepared at the stall from Aki Maki and finish off with a French canele from Babelle.
When? Saturday
More about Partridges Food Market
Portobello Road
Portobello Rd, London W10 5TY
Immortalised by Hugh Grant’s seasonal wander in Notting Hill the movie, this market has been a mainstay of West London since the 1940s. It’s best known for the eclectic antiques stalls, but the food scene is good too.
What to eat: Papelon serves up cachapa - a traditional Venezuelan corn pancake stuffed to the brim with various fillings. They’re gluten-free and made fresh to order. For more carby goodness head to Bonobo up at the top of the road in Acklam Village Market for their sourdough cheese toasties. The menu changes regularly but go for the ‘Classic’ with their signature cheese blend and mixed onions and you will be very happy.
When? Monday to Saturday
More about Partridges Food Market
Central
Seven Dials Market
35 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LD
Curated by KERB, one of London’s best-known street food communities, this Covent Garden covered market features two bars and 19 traders. It’s a great place to browse but two of the restaurants can also be booked in advance (The Cheese Bar and Bong Bong’s).
What to eat: The middle eastern food at Shuk is sensational (don’t miss the falafels) as is the Filipino food from Bong Bong’s - go for the pata pancakes. For dessert, it has to be the creme brulee crepes from Boolay - the new outlet from Sammy of Yolkin.
When? Every day
Southbank Centre Food Market
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
Set just back from the Thames, beside the London Eye, this is a sizeable market with a huge choice of street food and drinks.
What to eat: Get a Moong dal dosa from Horn OK Please, heritage beef steak and fries from 28 Well Hung or Asian comfort food from My Kids Are Hungry.
When? Friday to Sunday
More about Southbank Centre Food Market
Borough Market
8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL
London’s pre-eminent food market - a bona fide tourist attraction meets London shopping destination where the only constraint to what you can find here is your imagination. Go to the market for fresh produce, bread and cheese (don’t miss the parma ham and mozzarella stall) then head onto Borough Kitchens for hot food.
What to eat: Get a mixed chicken and lamb kebab on fresh tandoor bread from Juma Kitchen, go to Black Pig for a smoked scamorza cheese ciabatta with their signature slow-cooked pulled pork, the lamb barbacoa taco from Tacos Padre is the boss or you could opt for a rice bowl from Pochi.
When? Every day
Maltby Street Market & Spa Terminus
Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby St, London SE1 3PA
Located under the viaduct that once carried the railway, this now provides a home for a careful curation of some of the best food producers and beverage traders in Bermondsey. A little further on you’ll find Spa Terminus which leans more to traders than street food but well worth including in any trip here for fruit & veg at Natoora, beer from Kernel and great meat courtesy of O’Shea’s.
What to eat: Get a steak sandwich with a side of triple-cooked chips from The Beefsteaks then walk to St. John’s for a doughnut or the newer Flor Bakery for one of their brown butter cakes.
When? Saturday & Sunday
More about Maltby Street Market & Spa Terminus
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners
