14 Delicious Food Markets in London

Posted 16/02/2024 | 16th February, 2024

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There is no shortage of excellent food in London, ranging from the best fine dining restaurants in the world to tiny pop-up venues. But, if you want to try a range of the Big Smoke’s best food, look no further than one of London’s amazing food markets.

The best street food in London isn’t typically found on the street (I think we can thank the great British weather for that!). Instead, expect converted warehouses and large-scale, covered markets. You will not struggle to find food from all over the world, from Aussie brunches to Mexican tacos and everything in between.

To save you the hassle of crossing this massive city multiple times, I’ve gathered 14 of the best markets and food halls in London.

Here are 14 of the Best Food Markets in London

Table of Contents

Borough Market

📍 Location: Borough Market, London, SE1 9AL

⏰ Opening Times: Thursday – Saturday (10 am – 5 pm) & Sunday (10 am – 3 pm)

Finding Borough Market at the top of a ‘best food markets in London’ list is hardly groundbreaking.

However, there is a reason that Borough Market makes it to every single list of the best things to do in London and the best food markets in London. Regardless of the time of year or day of the week, Borough Market is buzzing.

Every tourist has Borough Market at the top of their agenda, so prepare for a shoulder-to-shoulder experience. At times, this can feel a little frantic, but this all adds to the experience.

The market is broadly divided into three distinct sections. The main area of Borough Market has regular vendors where you can pick up a range of local produce, including fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, nuts, and olives.

There are then two outside sections. One that has a range of produce to take home (fresh bread, cakes, coffee, etc). The second is packed with a range of vendors selling ready-to-eat food from all across the world – one of the best places to get street food in London.

There is a huge range of famous regulars at Borough Market. These include the TikTok viral Kappacasein ‘Borough Market cheese toastie’ and Bomba Paella. Borough Market is the perfect spot to fritter away an afternoon, sampling the city’s best and freshest delights.

No trip to Borough Market is complete without trying the famous oysters and prosecco – if it’s good enough for Philip Rosenthal, then it’s good enough for me!

Mercato Metropolitano (Most Fun Food Hall in London)

📍 Location: 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR

⏰ Opening Times: 12 pm – late Monday – Friday, 11 am – late Saturday & Sunday

If you’re looking for the best food market in London and love a party, then Mercato Metropolitano is for you! This place has a great buzz about it, especially on a Friday and Saturday night.

Mercato Metropolitano has perhaps the best range of food and drinks of all the markets on this list. It has a staggering 33 individual stands offering food from across the world.

The market’s open-air ambience and communal seating make it a perfect spot to savour London’s rich array of street food culture.

Mercato Mayfair

📍 Location: St. Mark’s Church, North Audley Street, London W1K 6ZA

⏰ Opening Times: 12 pm – 11 pm Sunday – Thursday, 12 pm – 12 am Friday & Saturday

Mercato Mayfair is the older, more sophisticated, refined sister of Mercato Metropolitano mentioned above.

Located inside a beautiful church just around the corner from Selfridges, Mercato Mayfair is undoubtedly the most beautiful food market in London. Even if you’re not hungry, come here just to take a look around!

Mercato Mayfair doesn’t bring the party like Mercato Metropolitano does. Instead, it offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy food from around the world, catch up with friends, and enjoy a drink. The selection here is relatively small but perfectly selected, including sushi, pasta, ramen, and Malaysian street food.

There is a really cool underground section of Mercato Mayfair.

Here, you can enjoy cocktails, cheese and wine in a gorgeous atmosphere. I celebrated a birthday here a couple of years back, and it really is the perfect place to enjoy a drink or two in London. You’re right in the heart of central London, but feel a world away from the chaos.

Broadway Market (Best Food Market in East London)

📍 Location: Broadway Market, London, E8 4P

⏰ Opening Times: Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm & Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm

Located in the heart of Hackney, Broadway Market is a vibrant culinary destination offering a diverse array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and international flavours. There’s a great mix here, from traditional English snacks to sushi and excellent vegan curries.

This bustling market, open every Saturday and Sunday, attracts locals and visitors alike with its eclectic mix of street food stalls.

If you’re looking for the best food markets in London on Sunday, I suggest a leisurely stroll around Columbia Road Flower Market before heading over to Broadway Market and sampling the delights.

Brixton Market & Brixton Village

📍 Location: Electric Avenue, London SW9 8JX

⏰ Opening Times: 8 am – 11 pm

Brixton Market stands out as one of the best food markets in London, with a great range of independent vendors.

Nestled in the lively neighbourhood of Brixton, this market is a foodie haven that reflects the area’s cultural richness. Open daily, it offers an extensive selection of fresh produce, international cuisines, and local delicacies.

The vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings make Brixton Market a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts exploring the dynamic culinary landscape of the city. Brixton Village has a spectacular range of food offerings from Middle Eastern falafel to Thai noodles and, of course, everyone’s favourite: Fish Wings and Tings.

Old Spitalfields Market (Beautiful Food Hall in London)

📍 Location: 16 Horner Square E1 6EW

⏰ Opening Times: 10 am – 8 pm (Monday to Friday), 10 am – 5 pm (Saturday & Sunday)

I consider myself somewhat of an Old Spitalfields Market expert after working just a stone’s throw from there for a couple of years.

The market’s covered Victorian hall provides a unique setting for visitors to explore a range of stalls, from vintage clothing boutiques to international street food vendors and a handful of high-street names.

Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane Market are very close together, so I recommend pairing them together and exploring this fun part of east London.

Seven Dials

📍 Location: Seven Dials, WC2H 9AU

⏰ Opening Times: 11 am – 10 pm

Situated close to the iconic Covent Garden, Seven Dials Market stands out among the top food markets in London – for both its vendors and beautiful aesthetic.

This bustling market in a historic banana warehouse combines a historic ambience with a modern foodie haven. Open daily, it showcases a curated selection of artisanal delights, from gourmet burgers to exotic street food.

Seven Dials Market is the food market in London to visit if you’re exploring the capital’s tourist highlights. With its eclectic mix of vendors and a lively atmosphere, this market has earned its place among the must-visit food markets in the heart of London.

Camden Market

📍 Location: 54-56 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF

⏰ Opening Times: 10 am – Late

It’s fair to say that Camden has lost a little of its grit and grunge over the last decade. That being said, Camden Market is still a fabulous day out and definitely one of the best markets in London.

The location is fabulous, with the iconic Camden Lock at its core; the market’s waterfront location adds a distinctive charm that can’t be replicated elsewhere.

Across the borough of Camden, there are amazingly over 1000 individual market stalls – so you certainly won’t struggle to find the item you are looking for. Whether you’re into trying different foods or looking for unique stuff, Camden Market is a lively spot that captures London’s busy and fun vibe.

Upmarket (Brick Lane Food Hall London)

📍 Location: 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL

⏰ Opening Times: 11 am – 5.30 pm Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm Sunday

Upmarket on Brick Lane captures the essence of East London’s creative spirit, making it a must-visit destination for those looking to explore the eclectic and dynamic offerings of the city’s market scene.

The front half of the market is packed with vendors from across the world, ranging from Venezuelan areps to Chinese noodles.

The back half of the market is packed with vintage gems, including homeware, clothes and accessories.

Are you looking for new, fun things to do in London? Check out my bumper guide of 102 epic things to do in London!

Maltby Street Market

📍 Location: Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby Street, London, SE1 3PA

⏰ Opening Times: Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 11 am – 4 pm

Nestled beneath the railway arches in Bermondsey, Maltby Street Market is a hidden gem that beckons food enthusiasts with its unique charm.

Open on weekends, this market boasts an array of artisanal and gourmet offerings, making it a haven for culinary connoisseurs. Maltby Street doesn’t have the size or reputation of some others on this list (looking at Borough Market and Camden Market!), but that adds to its magic.

From delectable cheese varieties to handcrafted chocolates and freshly baked pastries, the market’s intimate setting encourages visitors to explore the diverse stalls, where local producers showcase their craftsmanship.

With its emphasis on quality and a relaxed atmosphere, Maltby Street Market provides a delightful and immersive food experience in the heart of London.

Victoria Park Market (Fun Sunday Market in London)

📍 Location: Gore Road, London E2 9JW, UK

⏰ Opening Times: Sundays (10 am – 4 pm)

Victoria Park is one of my favourite areas of the city. It’s a large, green, welcoming space where you can expect to see runners, cyclists, dog walkers and skaters all enjoying the wonderful park.

However, each Sunday, the park comes to life with the Victoria Park market. There’s a produce section that sells organic cheeses, fresh baked goods and dog treats!

Just around the corner, you will find a range of London’s best street food trucks (many of which I have sampled on multiple occasions). Afghan charcoal chicken and Malaysian curry are two of the highlights!

Because the park is so large, the market doesn’t feel crowded, making it the perfect food market in London, especially in the summer. Victoria Park is one of the best Sunday markets in London and shouldn’t be missed!

If you love Victoria Park, be sure to check out my complete East London area guide.

Market Halls

📍 Location: Oxford Street, Victoria & Canary Wharf

⏰ Opening Times: 7 days per week (individual opening times vary)

If you’re looking for an excellent London food hall, then Market Halls have you covered. They have three locations across the capital (Oxford Street, Victoria and Canary Wharf).

I’ve visited the Oxford Street and Canary Wharf venues multiple times, and they have a great selection of foods and drinks. Market Halls have a much more relaxed atmosphere than some of the others mentioned on this list.

Don’t expect a wild party or booming music at any of these venues. Instead, they are great, chilled spots to enjoy a bite to eat and a few drinks with friends. If you’re a remote worker, they also provide a great place to work from mid-week.

Expect treats from all over the world, including Japanese Sushi, American Burgers and Malaysian Dosa.

Acklam Village Market (Portobello Road)

📍 Location: Acklam Road, London W10 5TY

⏰ Opening Times: 11 am – 7.30 pm, Saturday & Sunday

Anyone familiar with London will be aware of Notting Hill’s picture-perfect Portobello Road.

It’s a beautiful area of west London, known for housing a portion of the most affluent residents. Unsurprisingly, Portobello Road has some of the most expensive homes in the country.

Portobello market is open every day from 8 am – it’s packed with trinkets, jewellery and handmade clothing. It is a great, vibrant area to shop, relax and enjoy. But each weekend, this area really comes to life.

Acklam Village Market is a bustling area packed with street food vendors selling everything from Belgian fries to fresh Italian pasta to Caribbean jerk chicken. There are also plenty of spots to grab alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

If you’re looking for the best Sunday markets in London, then I would seriously recommend Acklam Village and Portobello Road. Expect good music, great food and even better vibes!