London’s best street-food markets and food halls

What is it? The mother of all artisan foodie markets in London – a sprawling cornucopia of home-grown producers and gourmet goodies from across the globe.

Why we love it: Dating back to the 18th century, Borough Market is the OG. The don. When you think of London food markets, chances are you think of Borough. Wedged in among the butchers, bakers and cheesemakers, you’ll find a host of street-food stalls selling everything from French confit duck sandwiches to Hainanese chicken rice to posh crumbles. There are entire stalls dedicated to mushroom pâté, dates and pork pies, while you can also knock back freshly shucked oysters or sit down for an impromptu glass of wine. Meanwhile, tucked around its outer edges is a host of London favourites including Bread Ahead bakery, Bao, Padella and more.

Don’t miss: For a hulking great sandwich that’ll keep you satiated long past lunch, head to The Black Pig, where their toasted ciabatta slabs are filled with generous portions of slow roast pork, finished over coals. 

Address: Southwark, SE1 9AL.

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.

What is it? A gargantuan pan-Asian food court in Colindale. Yes! Colindale! Trust us though, it’s well worth a trip to Zone 4.

Why we love it: The largest food hall of its kind in Europe, with almost 30 individual kiosks offering a whole range of Asian cuisines from classic dim sum to Malaysian nasi goreng, Hong Kong style roast duck to Korean fried chicken, Bang Bang lets you eat your way around China and south-east Asia while still staying on a tube line. The massive food hall has seating for up to 450 people, while the space also hosts Chinese beauty parlours, a community dance rehearsal studio and the 300-cover flagship Golden Dragon restaurant. 

Don’t miss: With branches in China as well as London, Four Seasons is the real deal and their roast duck noodle soup (£13.60 for a hefty bowl of crispy Cantonese-style bird on a bed of soupy egg noodles) is a no brainer. Tip: ask for more of that sweet, salty sauce and pour it all over.

Address: 399 Edgware Rd, Colindale, NW9 0FH.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 12-9.30pm, Fri-Sat 12-10pm.

What is it? A diverse and vibrant gastro ground-zero, with endless choices sprawling across the lanes of SW9.

Why we love it: You can’t move in Brixton for fab food spots these days, but Brixton Village is still packing more gems per square metre than most. The beauty is in its sheer breadth of options. Superlative barbecue? Got it. Japanese okonomiyaki pancakes? Sure! Gigantic plates of home-style Latin cooking? Si, señor! French cheese and bubbles? Naturellement! The vibe’s a little more refined and less yuppified than nearby Pop Brixton, with a decent whack of independent traders, book shops and more nestled between their eateries. If you’re after a cocktail or a craft ale, there are plenty of places for those too. 

Don’t miss: Fish, Wings and Tings is a Brixton staple, having set up in 2012. Trading in traditional Caribbean fare, their cod fritters with ginger and lime aioli are a zingy, zippy delight. 

Address: Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8PS.

Opening hours: Mon 8am-6pm, Tues-Sun 8am-12am.

What is it? The food-loving hipster’s hangout of choice and an east London classic, known for its vibe as well as its quality.

Why we love it: Arguably London’s trendiest market, this crowded, buzzy parade welcomes well over 100 stalls selling a fabulous array of stuff over its ever-thriving weekend tenure. There are food stalls on Sunday too, but Saturday is where the action is really at. Head down for delectable morsels from the likes of Deeney’s (Scottish toasties), Makatcha (south-east Asian classics), and Zardosht (two sisters taking a fresh look at Persian food). There are also plenty of fruit and veg stalls, baked goods, deli items, and generally delicious bits to fill your fridge for the rest of the week.

Don’t miss: Gluten-free gluttons, rejoice! OSU Coconuts’ moreish pancake stacks are both vegan and entirely devoid of wheat protein. Get them topped with coconut whipped cream, chocolate, fruit and more.

Address: Broadway Market, London Fields, E8 4PH.

Opening hours: Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.

What is it? A heaving strip of a market on Bermondsey’s Ropewalk, between the railway arches and the Lassco salvage warehouse.

Why we love it: Maltby Street Market started taking shape in 2009 when it was just coffee kings Monmouth cupping up for a couple of hours every Saturday. Now it’s a proper institution, and the main contender to Borough Market’s crown. Street food, booze and produce of every shape abounds, with regularly changing vendors emptying the wallets of tourists and locals alike. Mainstays include meaty bowls from Duck Frites, charcoal-cooked onglet from The Beefsteaks, and Mooncheese Toasties’ superlatively oozing sandwiches. There are also bricks and mortar establishments tucked beneath the arches, including small plates and wine at the walk-in only 40 Maltby Street. 

Don’t miss: For a pit stop and some hydration, look out for Malt Bar - a craft beer bar at the heart of the market where you can bring any foodie treats purchased from outside to eat while you sup.  

Address: Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3PA.

Opening hours: Fri 5.30-8.30pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.

What is it? One of east London’s busiest attractions, a mere stone’s throw away from Brick Lane and other local institutions, and open seven days a week.

Why we love it: A covered market that’s had several revamps over the years, Old Spitalfields still maintains buckets of charm and the food here is endlessly impressive. There are gloriously succulent burgers from Bleecker, perfect pizza from Sud Italia, spiced tea from Chai Guys, fluffy Taiwanese pancakes from Wheelcake Island, jianbing from Pleasant Lady, loaded potato goodness at Hash Hut and TikTok-famous puds at Humble Crumble. Head to Funky Cellar to work your way through their eclectic wine offerings, or find Grind’s recognisable pink van for a caffeine fix to keep you strolling the stalls for even longer. A very, very fun time. 

Don’t miss: Dumpling Shack’s exceptional pan-fried xiao long bao (aka soup dumplings) now have a sister stall in Fen Noodles, serving hand-pulled goods worth making a mess for.

Address: Brushfield St, Spitalfields, E1 6BG.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 10am-8pm, Thu 8am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm.

What is it? A quirky gem of a market, and a little bro to the creative complex of Netil House just down the road.

Why we love it: Filled with an ever-changing rotation of rickety stands, Netil is more charming and far less crowded than nearby Broadway Market. There’s not much cover, but you can brave the hipsters and plonk down in the park on sunny days. You'll find Jupiter Burger in their spaceship-like hut, plus ramen joint Sen Noods, pizza by the slice from the humbly-titled World Famous Gordos, and booze to drink in or take away from Wingnut Wines. A former Netil staple, the extremely popular pita bar Pockets, meanwhile, has moved to a permanent spot at nearby Mentmore Terrace.

Don’t miss: One of London’s top cheap eats and best burgerss, Jupiter Burger’s signature cheeseburger is a UK homage to America’s famed In-N-Out: a lightly smashed beef patty that comes sandwiched between yellow-hued potato rolls.

Address: 13-23 Westgate St, London Fields, E8 3RL.

Opening hours: Sun-Tue 9am-6pm, Wed-Sat 9am-10pm.

What is it? A food market beside the Royal Festival Hall serving up street nosh, booze, coffee and artisan produce.

Why we love it: While culture vultures flock to the Southbank for artsy attractions, fans of world food circle around its culinary market for an equally satisfying fix. If meat is required try Beast & Field's steak, or chopped cheeseburgers from New York sandwich slingers Two Als. The New Orleans-style scran at Voodoo is a Cajun-influenced flavour bomb, while Levant Kitchen deals in some serious shawarma. For booze, get real ale from the Hop Locker, or head to Elephant Juice where their fruity nectars get a grown-up cocktail makeover come the afternoon.

Don’t miss: Go all out and get Beast & Field’s grass-fed bavette and chips, draped with chimichurri and a side of extra halloumi. It’s all the good stuff in one box.

Address: Belvedere Rd, Southbank, SE1 8XX.

Opening hours: Fri 12-9pm, Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 12-6pm.

What is it? A lowkey foodie destination offering better-than-average lunch options throughout the week.

Why we love it: Dating back to the 17th century, Whitecross Street Market claims to be (another) one of London’s oldest markets. These days, however, it primarily caters to local workers looking to inject some deliciousness into their day courtesy of vendors including Luardo’s, purveyor of prime Latin American street food, vegan massaman curry from Buddha Bowls, and brill BBQ from Smokin’ Aces. For a relatively unassuming market, Whitecross has impressive range; Vietnamese bowls, paella, Brazilian flatbreads - they’ve got it all. Plus, there’s a bargain 50p drinks stall: a throwback to… well, maybe not the 1600s but a simpler time nonetheless.

Don’t miss: An offshoot of their nearby restaurant of the same name, Iskele serves up kebabs par excellence. Try their Turkish lahmacun wraps, filled with chicken, lamb, halloumi, veg or sausage.

Address: Whitecross St, Barbican, EC1Y 8JL.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm.

What is it? A modern two-level food hall in Covent Garden with pockets of tables upstairs and bustling communal seating down below.

Why we love it: Industrial yet with a soft retro edge, Seven Dials Market is one of London’s more aesthetically-pleasing street food spots. As for what to eat, they’ve got that nailed too. Traders (a mix of street food faves and restaurant concessions) change every six months or so, with some veterans like small plates fromage fiends Pick and Cheese staying longer. Right now we love Bad Boy Pizza Society, and the paratha wraps, fried chicken sandos and Columbian fusion tacos from Kolkati, Lucky’s Hot Chicken and Los Gordos, as well as nigiri and sashimi from Sukoshi. Bleecker Burger are also currently in residence. 

Don’t miss: Pick and Cheese’s conveyor belt of stilton, cheddar and so much more is the stuff of fever dreams. Head down on a Wednesday for bottomless plates: a gout-ready challenge, if ever we heard one.

Address: Earlham Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LX.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 12pm-10pm, Wed-Sat 11am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm. 

What is it? An opulent three-floor space in a handsome Edwardian building, with a 100-seat roof terrace for summer basking.

Why we love it: Smack-bang opposite Victoria station, Market Halls has got everything you could hope for: nine kitchens, three bars, and that all-important roof terrace. As for the food, the specific line-up changes all the time, but the theme is one of high-quality drinking fare. Right now, that means oozing baps at Eggslut, buttermilk fried chicken at Butchies, proper Mexican tacos at CDMX, and no nonsense burgers at Black Bear. Consider going in a big gang: if you’re in a group of eight (or more), you can book, otherwise it’s walk-ins only.

Don’t miss: The little sister of Roti King, Gopal’s Corner also serve a mean line in buttery, flakey flatbreads as well as other Malaysian Tamil favourites. Their Banana Leaf meal (curry, rice, two sides, papadam and chutneys) is solid value.

Address: 191 Victoria Street, Victoria, SW1E 5NE

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 8am-10pm, Wed-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 8am-9pm.

What is it? A perfectly formed foodie paradise at the bottom of Centrepoint and slap bang in the middle of town.

Why we love it: Food halls don’t come much finer than the mighty Arcade. Park any thoughts of paper plates and charmingly DIY street stalls, this eatery is full-on fancy, with an array of culinary heavyweights pitching up on Centre Point’s landmark ground floor. Southern Thai standout Plaza Khao Gaeng is helmed by Luke Farrell of Speedboat Bar, while Shatta & Toum’s Levantine plates are a sibling to Soho’s Berenjak. Elsewhere, their current roster includes smash burgers at Manna and Indonesian hawker food courtesy of Bebek! Bebek! - plus, they’ve also got a second Arcade location at Battersea Power Station.

Don’t miss: Plaza Khao Gaeng’s beef massaman curry is rich and complex, flecked with fluffy potatoes and jelly-like shallots that are slowly cooked to soak up the pool of flavours.

Address: 103-105 New Oxford Street, Oxford Circus, WC1A 1DB.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11.30am-11pm, Sun 11.30am-9pm.

What is it? A wholesale spot that opens up to normies like us every Saturday.

Why we love it: First there was Borough Market, then came Maltby Street, but those in the know nip around the corner to the railway arches of Spa Terminus. This producers’ collective isn’t strictly street food, but if you’re hooked on all things artisan, it’s the business: coffee roasters, butchers, bakers, cheesemakers, olive specialists, ice-cream churners and the like all ply their trade here, and you can buy their wares on Saturdays. Cruising from arch to arch is a pleasure, but be aware that there are two main sites – so yo-yo between Spa South and Druid Street for the full experience.

Don’t miss: Visit Ice Cream Union for some of the best cold stuff in the capital.

Address: Dockley Road, Bermondsey, SE16 3FJ.

Opening hours: Sat 9am-4pm.