The best food markets in London

Most conversations about food markets in London start with Borough Market, known far and wide as a must-stop for local and foreign foodies alike. Located next to the Thames and within walking distance of some of the city's most famous sights, the market lets you fuel up at one of the many street food vendors or restaurants, grab indulgent treats on the go, load up on artisanal ingredients to take home and soak up the bustling market atmosphere.

Every Sunday, the leafy Victoria Park in East London undergoes a  transformation into a lively market showcasing the best of local producers and street food vendors. You can pick up a plethora of goodies, ranging from flowers and enticing street food to natural wines and buzzy live music. It's the perfect opportunity to replenish your supplies for the upcoming week while enjoying lunch on a park bench near the park lake.

Every Saturday, Hackney's Broadway Market sets up stall after stall of delicious international street food, fresh foodstuffs and more on a Victorian street, drawing crowds that turn the market into a get-together for the local community as much as a place to stock up on fresh produce and grab a bite. Numbering more than 150 traders, you can find anything from cannoli to vinyl records and handcrafted decor here, as well as pop into the many shops that line the street.

Camden Market lets you cram as many treats and goodies from all over the world down your throat as you can in-between checking out the areas alternative fashion and jostling through throngs of tourists. The highlight for foodies is the courtyard next to Camden Lock, with vendors pushing decadent mac 'n' cheese, loaded halloumi fries, hefty falafels and more. Seating here is limited but the crowds are not, so you're better off enjoying your grub a little further down the canal.

The colourful Pop Brixton is a start-up culture and community hub with studios, business and restaurants operating out of reused shipping containers. You can choose from an array of mouth-watering street food, such as Neapolitan pizza, authentic Japanese curries, Lebanese baked goods, decadent vegan burgers, sugary churros, and enjoy them in the shared open-air space.

Tucked away beneath the railway arches in Bermondsey, this picturesque weekend market hosts rotating guest traders in addition to its more regular ensemble. It makes up for what it lacks in size with drool-worthy street food around, from La Pepia's rainbow arepas to Bangers Catering's stacked sausage sarnie and charcoal-grilled beef by The Beefsteaks. There are various other shops in the surrounding arches, and the market is right on the Bermondsey Beer Mile.

The whole area around the Brixton Village arcades, themselves included, is one giant marketplace, from Market Row across the street to the various farmers' and community markets popping up all around. Depending on when and where you look, you can find everything from second-hand knickknacks to fresh produce, but if you're searching for a medley of international flavours from Asia to the Caribbean and back around again, the Village and Market Row are where to go.

Despite its closure in 1990, the unwavering efforts of local residents led to Chatsworth Road Market's triumphant reopening two decades later. On Sundays, it springs to life and offers the ideal opportunity to explore this vibrant market and indulge in its diverse selection of culinary treats. Whether you crave artisanal cheese, carb-fuelled bread and pastries, coffee, or refreshing beverages, you'll find it all here. The market is also a hot spot for international street food and is home to various stalls, including clothes, crafts and more.

You certainly feel the history when you walk into the Victorian market hall and queue up at one of the many streetfood stalls beneath the iron latticework of its roof. The vendors here are regularly considered among the top in the city both from a tastiness and a trendiness perspective, with standouts such as the famed Dumpling Shack, the Instagram-ready decadent desserts of Humble Crumble and the masterful chai concoctions from the Chai Guys.

This covered market is located just a few minutes away from some of Greenwich's most famous sights and is a popular shopping destination among locals, lending itself to a lovely day out with stalls offering fashionable clothing, twee jewellery, charming antiques and more. You can grab a bite to eat at one of the many streetfood purveyors scattered around, including freshly prepped seafood dishes, homemade spiced cakes, jumbo hotdogs and more.

This one might be a bit of cheat on the list, but any food market purists can find solace in the Old Spitalfields Market just a few steps away. Eataly ticks all the boxes we're looking for in a food market, with various different restaurants, bars and counters on hand for different dishes in one place, a welcoming, social vibe, and artisanal products to take home with you. The one catch? It's all Italian. If you're into that, it definitely ranks among the best.

Mercato Metropolitano's flagship venue in Elephant & Castle champions sustainability and social responsibility, putting the disused paper factory it inhabits to good use with various community events, a music theatre and a micro-brewery. The more than 40 independent on-site trading partners offers cuisine from all over the world, from Uzbekistan to Peru.

Upmarket takes place on weekends in an area shared with the Brick Lane Vintage Market, Ely's Yard Food Trucks, the Backyard Market, Rinse Boutiques and the Tea Rooms, helping you spend a Saturday or Sunday in a frenzy of stall-browsing, shopping and feasting. Its food hall features an eclectic lineup of innovative street food and fresh, artisanal produce and fairtrade delights from all over the world.

Boxpark Shoreditch, supposedly the first pop-up shopping mall in the world, has been an East London mainstay for more than a decade, taking full advantage of the shipping containers it inhabits. The shopping experience centres on carefully curated fashion and arts brands and independent retailers, while the dining relies on modern street food and drinks. There's regular entertainment on at the various venues, from fun activities like axe throwing to live gigs.

Portobello Road Market is the world's largest antiques market, famed around the world for its stalls piled high with treasures and bric-a-brac of all sorts. But that's not all that's on offer, as there's a proper array of street food vendors and fresh produce sellers around to help you out when you get hungry after hours of browsing and bargaining. On weekends, the market's liveliest days, look for gourmet foodstuffs as well.

Chicken katsu, pad thai, duck confit, cajun curry, bruschetta, shawarma – this is just a sample of the numerous global delicacies on offer at the Southbank Centre's Food Market each weekend. The best part? The Thames is right there. Literally RIGHT THERE. A few steps and bam, instant riverside picnic sorted. And if the weather isn't cooperating, don't fret – the Southbank Centre with its exhibitions, concerts and more is literally right there as well.

Located between the River Lea canal and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this new project from the Pop Brixton team offers both indoor and outdoor seating and a variety of street food traders, such as Filipino grill, Neapolitan pizza and homemade gyoza dumplings. You can get some work done in the modern space if needed, and there are various events for the community going on as well.

Reviving a historic market hall just off of Granary Square, the Canopy Market provides a space for both independent food producers and traders beneath its steel and glass roof. You can order international street food such as pizzas, toasties, tacos and pad thai, or buy fresh produce and delicatessen treats. Later, take a walk around the hall and look at the various arts and crafts on display.

Lewisham's Brockley Market has successfully surmounted the unfavourable odds of its car park location to win awards and become a welcome weekly ritual for numerous South Londoners. The seasonal produce from local traders is one part of the appeal, the broad range of quality street food, such as Mike + Ollie flatbreads and Chacarero empanadas is the other.

Tooting Market, South London's premier indoor market, hides countless traders in its maze-like warrens, with wares including fresh produce, clothing, records, arts and crafts, furniture and more. Once you find your way to the food offer, however, the choice of what to get becomes even harder, with everything from Polish pierogi to ramen and Lebanese mezze in the running.

One of several locations run by the renowned street-food business Kerb, Seven Dials Market is a lively place with street-food traders, bars, event space and even a bookshop. DJs run the decks from Thursday to Saturday and there's various events taking place throughout the week, so make sure to check their website for the latest info.

The Market Place food courts were established in order to provide promising street food businesses with access to prime high-street locations around London. Each of the lively food hubs is home to variety of food vendors, ranging from pizza and bread to cookies, steaks and burgers. Different independent retailers also display their wares here.

Just a few minutes from London Fields, Netil Market is home to a varied assortment of street food vendors, independent shops, and service providers. There are all sorts of tasty street food options to choose from, with communal outdoor seating where you can enjoy your meal and hang out over a drink or two.

Whitecross Market, aptly nicknamed Bitecross Market, has become a beloved lunch destination for local professionals and mid-week diners alike. Sandwiched between Old Street and Barbican, this market springs to life just before midday as the streets bustle with food traders offering an array of dishes from across the globe. Here, you can find an assortment of culinary delights, ranging from traditional Brazilian feijoada and mouthwatering Italian arancini to innovative Indian fusion and comforting homemade pies.

Arcade Food Hall numerous open kitchens that take you on a global culinary journey, serving everything from Middle Eastern shawarma to mouthwatering US-style smash burgers. Experience an omakase counter, indulge in Thai cuisine at Plaza Khao Gaeng, and enjoy al fresco dining on the vast outdoor terrace. You can enjoy cocktails made with fresh market ingredients at the standalone cocktail bar and there's a rota of events and weekly DJ performances taking place throughout the week.

Situated within the arches of London Bridge, Flat Iron Square is a well-loved food court offering both indoor and outdoor seating options. Here, a diverse selection of food and drink vendors await, where they cook up a storm of global street food dishes. To top it off, the site boasts its own brewery, meaning you can enjoy just-made, freshly poured pints straight from the tank.

Market Halls serve tasty street food and refreshing drinks from diverse vendors. These food halls offer a place to get a bite to eat and drink and a lively atmosphere for a great evening out. The Victoria branch, housed in a charming Edwardian building that was once a dance hall, spans three floors, complete with a rooftop terrace, while the Oxford Street branch hosts events such as family-friendly daytime parties. But for pretty city views, check out the Canary Wharf halls, where you can enjoy views across the canal in a bright, industrial-style space.

Established in 1778, Berwick Street Market is one of London's most historic markets and offers a convenient stop for a delicious bite in vibrant Soho. Feast on various global street food, ranging from fragrant Afghan curries and mouthwatering Mexican burritos to flavour-packed Jerusalem falafels and jam-packed Turkish wraps. Once you've made your choice, you can perch on a bench in the nearby Soho Square Gardens for an al fresco lunch on sunny days.

Leather Lane comes to life as a bustling marketplace on weekdays, stretching from Clerkenwell Road to High Holborn. Here, you can pick up a range of treasures and treats, from vintage knick-knacks and fashionable attire to tasty street food, including mac 'n' cheese toasties and jam-packed burritos.

Buck Street at Camden Market is set inside old shipping containers and is a haven for mindful shoppers. Situated on bustling Camden High Street, this dynamic complex is brimming with enticing street food vendors, with a particular emphasis on vegetarian and vegan options, as well as ethical retailers. Explore a diverse range of offerings, including vintage fashion, organic skincare products, one-of-a-kind custom-painted shoes, and exquisite jewellery and homeware items.

Open every Saturday, this weekly market is a hotspot for stocking up on provisions for the upcoming week. Here, you'll find everything from farm-fresh produce to shellfish and seafood, as well as an assortment of cheese and charcuterie. The market also offers numerous eateries and drinking options, making it the ideal destination to gather all the necessities while indulging in culinary treats along the way.

This bustling weekly flea market in London Bridge gathers an assortment of unique stalls, from vintage clothing and collectables to books, art, jewellery, and more. While the flea market operates on a weekly basis, the Vinegar Yard food stalls are always up and running and include everything from Indian-inspired burgers to hand-pressed croquettes.

The Crate spaces use repurposed contains to set up welcoming spaces that serve as social hubs in their local community. In addition to an assortment of street food vendors, the Crates are home to businesses such as florists, record shops, delis, vintage clothing stores, galleries, mini golf, and more. The vibrant spaces draw a mixed crowd and aim to provide something for everyone.

One of London's most central markets, Strutton Ground Market runs on weekdays and takes over a bustling cobbled street. It's popular with nearby office workers, offering an array of global cuisines all in one place. The atmosphere is vibrant and busy, with options like falafel wraps, kebabs, pasta, and paella all available.

Located in Clerkenwell, Exmouth Market is a charming street lined with bars and eateries and it is also home to a weekday street food market. The picturesque road gets taken over by friendly vendors offering an array of international cuisines. It's a popular spot for lunch for local workers and residents.

Established in 2024, Tower Hill Market is a weekly street food market taking place in the shadow of the Tower of London. More than 30 food vendors are here, offering international flavours like burgers, burritos, roti, and samosas. Added to that, there are stalls offering items like jewellery and plants, a pop-up pub, and music and art.