Best London food markets

Browse more than 100 stalls dishing out steaming plates of Indian curry, British pies, Spanish paella and more at Borough Market, where food traders have gathered for a millennium. It’s also the perfect spot to pick up cheeses, freshly baked bread and pastries for a picnic.

Discover foodie treats at Mercato Metropolitano, a huge former paper factory where more than 40 vendors have set up shop. They serve a global selection of dishes, from Italian and German to Vietnamese and Japanese, and there’s even an on-site microbrewery.

Drop by east London weekend favourite Broadway Market, a thriving market in Hackney that’s been operational since the Victorian era. In addition to the dozens of temporary stalls that set up in the road every Saturday, more than 70 food shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants line the street, adding to the buzzy atmosphere.

Follow your nose to Greenwich Market, close to some of Greenwich’s top attractions. This market is one of the best food options in the neighbourhood, and you can sample your way through the stalls of locally sourced oysters, plant-based pizzas, handmade sushi and Argentinian empanadas.

Mixed in among African fabric shops and Caribbean grocers, food stalls and restaurants with just a handful of seats can be found in the maze-like Tooting Market. This south London market serves up food spanning the world, including options from Germany, Lebanon and Guyana.

Feast on fried chicken, pizza, barbecue, kebabs, tacos and more in the huge communal dining area at Market Hall Fulham. Independent food traders have taken over Fulham Broadway’s former ticket hall, a Grade II-listed space that’s kept many heritage features in situ.

Take a break from shopping with a bite to eat at Camden Market. After browsing the endless stalls of vintage fashion, quirky souvenirs and eye-catching jewellery, you can nibble your way through dozens of food stalls. A single meal can encompass anything from Portuguese custard tarts to Hawaiian poke bowls and salt-beef sandwiches.

Made from a colourful collection of shipping containers, Pop Brixton houses an array of food stalls, bars and shops that are 100% independently owned, with many hailing from the local area. More than half of the 55 spaces are run by first-time entrepreneurs, meaning you’re feasting at the cutting edge of London’s food scene.

Portobello Road Market is one of the world's largest antiques markets, but collectables aren’t the only things on offer. Stroll past the antiques section to find London-made bread and cakes, plus fish and cheesemongers. Street food stalls serve up dishes such as bratwurst and traditional fish and chips, or you can get a taste of North Africa and the Caribbean along Goldborne Road.

Tucked under a string of 19th-century railway arches, Maltby Street Market makes a perfect start to the weekend, especially for anyone about to set off on the Bermondsey Beer Mile. Pop-up and permanent food spots sell sausage sandwiches, Venezuelan arepas, sugar-coated doughnuts and more.

Plan a trip to one of London’s most beautiful food halls, Mercato Mayfair, run by the same crew as Mercato Metropolitano in south London. Set inside a Grade I-listed deconsecrated church, this market has taken over the entire nave, plus the upper-level wrap-around balcony. A brewery serves pints from the former altar and from the underground bar in the crypt.

Treat yourself to delicious dishes from KERB's street food markets outside the National Theatre and the Gherkin (on selected days). You can also head to its first brick-and-mortar location at Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden, home to the world's first cheese conveyor-belt restaurant.

Discover the Real Food Market outside King’s Cross station, which prides itself on selling food from ethical and sustainable producers. Browse the selection of fresh fruit and veg, British and European cheeses, meats and baked goodies every Wednesday to Friday.

Soak up Brick Lane’s atmosphere at the weekend, when pop-up vendors lure in foodies from across the city. The Brick Lane Market food hall offers delicious bites from around the world, from Ethiopian to Korean. More food stalls are set up along a huge stretch of Brick Lane, as well as inside some of the buildings, so come hungry.

An oasis of quiet in central London, Marylebone is home to one of the city’s largest farmers’ markets. Taking place every Sunday, the Marylebone Farmers’ Market offers a selection of seasonal, fresh produce. Pick up seafood, poultry and game to cook at home later, or a snack from the market’s stalls.

Enjoy locally sourced produce and beautiful views at Alexandra Palace Farmers’ Market, set atop a hill with a wonderful lookout over London. Buy fruits and vegetables or ready-made treats to enjoy right there at the park outside the palace.

Hidden behind the Tube station, it’s easy to miss Notting Hill Farmers’ Market, but it’s worth seeking out. Popular picks to search for at this market include line-caught fish, tomatoes from the Isle of Wight, unpasteurised milk and cream, and local honey.

Stock up on raw milk, fish caught in the English Channel, handmade bakery items, and seasonal fruits and vegetables at Growing Communities in Stoke Newington. It’s the UK’s only farmers’ market that’s completely organic or biodynamic, and nearly all the growers who participate in the market are from small, sustainable farms within a 60-mile radius of London.