The Best Food Markets in London

I don’t know about you, but one of my favourite weekend activities in London involves mulling about food markets and soaking up the genial atmosphere. There’s just something about being surrounded by quality fruits and vegetables that makes me feel good. It’s an experience that's almost as nourishing as eating that veg. Well, kinda.

As well as the stacks of fresh produce available, another thing that I love about some of the best food and farmers’ markets in London is the array of street food and hot food stalls they’ve got in attendance. Whether it’s a Colombian arepa or a bao bun fit to burst with confit pork, there’s plenty of street food in London that’s capable of putting the food served at some of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants to shame. And yes, you can quote me on that. If you want to know where to get your chops around that food – and do a weekly grocery shopping where you can meet the actual producers of the food you’re eating – then you’ve come to the right place.

This guide will give you a rundown of the best food markets in London. We’ve even gone and broken them down into their respective geographical areas of the city to make things easier for you. From established icons like Borough Market to relative newcomers like Primrose Hill Food Market, these are the best food markets in London that you should be giving the time of day.

Mosey on down to Navigator Square this Saturday to meet an incredibly merry band of food and drink traders. Whether you’ve got your heart set on sampling the finest fromage and saucisson from French delicatessen Chez Francis et Sylvie French Delicatessen or filling yourself with freshly prepared speciality gnocchi from the excellently-named Gnocchi Jockeys, there’s enough edible excitement at Archway Market to warrant a return visit every weekend until you’ve tried the lot.

Opening hours: Saturday 10am–6pm.

Where: Navigator Square, Archway, N19 3TD

Yes, Camden is a bit of a shady-tattoo-shops-and-stalls-selling-tat kind of area but Camden Market boasts some impressive street food traders and is a pretty great food market for a quick and satisfying lunch. Careen yourself around the tourists and make a beeline for fancy French patisserie from Philippe Conticini or heartwarming Indonesian cooking from Pino's Warung. Those are just two of my personal faves but there are so many options for good eats at Camden Market that I’d recommend shunning any sort of plan of attack and just going with an empty stomach and an open mind. Your nostrils will probably tell you what you’re craving the most.

Opening hours: Everyday 10am–late.

Where: Camden Market, Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AF

Fresh fruits and veggies, artisan produce, wine, craft beers and street food every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday? That’s what you can expect from Canopy Market, MOB. This covered market in King’s Cross is suitable for whatever the weather gods are throwing your way and is a particularly nice place to shelter when the gods are throwing rain and hail. Settle down with a cup of freshly brewed chai and experience once of the finest food markets that London has to offer.

Opening hours: The market is open on Friday from 12pm- 8pm as well as Saturday and Sunday from 11am-6pm.

Where: West Handyside Canopy, N1C 4BH

Launched in March 2020, Primrose Hill Food Market is a social enterprise market run by traders to support the local community. It’s a lovely addition to an already lovely neighbourhood and has established itself as one of the big players in London’s food market scene. Whether you’re in the mood for some organic vegetables or a refreshing bottle of kombucha, the range of lovely traders at this lovely market should see you right. Make sure to leave with a paper bag that’s been lovingly weighed down with a couple of Paula’s Samosas.

Opening hours: Saturday from 9:30am–3pm.

Where: Elsworthy Road, Primrose Hill, NW3 3DS

Local produce that’s been tended to with care is the modus operandi of the Ally Pally Farmers’ Market. It’s that combination of super fresh and flavourful ingredients with the sheer overwhelming pleasantness of the location itself that makes this north London market one of our favourite here at MOB Kitchen. You can easily while a few hours’ away just staring at all of the excellent produce on offer. And we haven’t even mentioned the slew of street food traders serving hot food. Top stuff all around.

Opening hours: Sunday 10am–3pm

Where: Campsbourne School, Nightingale Lane, N8 7AF

Whatever you've got a craving for, it's pretty likely that Buck Street Market will be able to satisfy it. This Camden-based, container-strewn food market is stocked full of tasty vendors who do a bang-up job at just about every cuisine you can think of. Expect punchy Thai flavours from Siam Noodle, a New York-style slice of pizza from chef Miguel Barclay, and some of London's best falafel from Magic Falafel. I can guarantee that you'll find something at this market that hits the spot, MOB.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11am–11pm

Where: 192, 198 Camden High Street, Camden Town, W1 8QP

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Borough Market is the big kahuna when it comes to food and farmer’s markets in London and it’s not hard to see why it’s earned that reputation. Borough Market been serving the people of Southwark for 1,000 years and, although you wouldn’t have found dench cheese toasties from Kappacasein Dairy around back then, the exceptional produce has been a staple since it opened. Many of the Market’s stallholders are producers themselves. Walk through the mazy market and you’ll be able to meet the farmer who reared the animal, the fisherman who caught the fish, and the baker who baked the bread. You can pick up some banging street food, too.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10am–5pm and Saturday from 8am–5pm

Where: 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL

A farmers' market located in Bromley’s most beautiful park? That sounds all right to me. When it comes to London food markets where you can pick up essential groceries as well as some artisan treats, it’s hard to look past Crystal Palace Park Market. They’re fairly new on the block but the number of top stalls on offer has already made it one of the better options south of the river for veg that actually tastes like veg and fruit that actually tastes like fruit.

Opening hours: Sunday 10am–4pm.

Where: Crystal Palace Park, Thicket Road, SE20 8DT

Maltby Street Market opened in 2010 and has quickly become one of the most popular (and one of the best) food markets in London. As well as purveyors of the finest seasonal fruit and vegetables available you’ll find a rotating arsenal of street food traders at the top of their game. Head down to Maltby Street Market if you’ve got a hankering for toasties from The Cheese Truck, arepas from La Pepia, or even some delicate French canelés from Babelle. You won’t be disappointed, MOB.

Opening hours: The market is open 9am-5pm every day if you’re after fresh produce with the takeaway traders around on Saturday from 10am–5pm and Sunday from 11am–4pm.

Where: Ropewalk, Maltby Street, SE1 3PA

Venn Street Market is an award-winning local community food market in Clapham that works directly with farmers and small independent producers. There’s no better way for you to meet the growers and makers of the foods that you’re consuming each and every week than by doing it here. Look out for fresh fish caught only hours or days before from the coast of Dorset by folks over at The Wild Fish Project and seasonal produce sourced from Ted’s Veg farm in Lincolnshire. The street food selection is always changing but don’t be surprised to see everything from Indonesian rendang curries to Patagonian chicken and Sri Lankan hoppers in attendance.

Opening hours: Saturday 10am–4pm

Where: Venn Street, Clapham Town, SW4 0AT

Yes, yes, all that art and culture at the Southbank Centre is all well and good but what you really care about is the food, right? Well, good news: the Southbank Centre’s Food Market is open every weekend, playing host to a sophisticated range of street food vendors. And by sophisticated, I, of course, mean absolutely delicious. There’s perfectly barbecued meat from Street Pig BBQ, tender seafood from Shrimpy, spicy Korean burritos from Korrita, caramelised pasteis de nata from Galeta, and heaps more goodness to explore with your tastebuds. And hopefully your actual buds, too.

Opening hours: The market is open on Friday from 12pm–8pm, Saturday from 11am–8pm, and Sunday from 12pm–6pm.

Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX

A carpark in Lewisham might not sound like it’d be home to much fresh and exciting produce but if you head to the Lewisham College Carpark on a Saturday between the hours of 10am and 2pm you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the array of seasonally sourced fruit and veg on offer at Brockley Market. This weekly food market is one of the better options in south-east London with everything from quality native breed meats to biscuits and cakes available for purchase. Grab a coffee from the ever-present, ever-consistent Browns of Brockley for your Saturday morning caffeine fix while you peruse some of the best looking root veg you ever did see. You won’t regret it.

Opening hours: Saturday 10am–2pm.

Where: Lewisham College Carpark, Lewisham Way, SE4 1UT

This south-east London staple is a vibrant Sunday market packed with stalls selling locally-produced food, plus arts and crafts and street food to boot. Herne Hill’s street market currently boasts more than 50 traders and adds a real sense of life to the local area. It’s impossible to walk through the market – armed with an artisan loaf from The Old Post Office Bakery nestled under your arm – without having a smile on your face and having your nostrils bombarded by some wonderful smells and aromas.

Opening hours: Sunday from 10am–4pm.

Where: Railton Road, Herne Hill, SE24 0JN

A covered market in Greenwich with a bustling food court section that puts most others to shame? That’d be a food market that’s right up my street. Greenwich Market is home to everything from handmade gourmet sausages to freshly made hand-pulled noodles and dim sum. Whatever you’re craving, you’re bound to find something to satisfy your appetite here.

Opening hours: Every day from 10am-5:30pm.

Where: 5B Greenwich Market, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 9HZ

Community is at the heart of everything at this south London food market collective. With 83 businesses taking up space in Brixton Village, and 45 in the adjoining Market Row, you’ll find food traders with roots from all over the world, representing the diversity of Brixton in all of its edible glory, around the clock. Japanese curries from Curry Ono. Tacos and enchiladas from Jalisco. Braised Brazillian beef from Carioca. There’s all that, and plenty more. Get exploring today.

Opening hours: The market is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8am–11:30pm and Monday from 8am–6pm.

Where: Unit 74, Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8PS

Established in 1930, this long-running food market has been keeping Tooting residents fed and happy for decades. The combination of fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables at discount prices with hot and heavy portions of Guyanese takeaway and Venezualan arepas makes Tooting Market entirely unique and one of London’s best food markets for seeing the depth and breadth of cuisines that the capital can offer. Do your weekly food shop here before gorging yourself on pan-fried dumplings and freshly baked cupcakes. It’d be rude not to.

Opening hours: Open every day from 8am–10:30pm, except on Sundays when it open from 9am.

Where: 21-23 Tooting High Street, Tooting, SW17 0SN

I’m a big fan of any food market where you can get your hands on caramelised jerk chicken, a crispy slice of spanakopita, and a banging bánh mì in a 100m radius. Which is why I’m a big fan of North Cross Road Market. Located just a 10-minute walk from East Dulwich station, this south London food market is worth making the trek to for its excellent street food along. Yet, that being said, you’ll find yourself hard-pressed to ignore the fresh fish and seafood from the local fishmonger and the myriad bakes and breads available, too.

Opening hours: Friday and Saturday from 8am–5pm

Where: North Cross Road, East Dulwich, SE22 9ET

Victoria Park Market just has immensely good vibes, MOB. There’s seasonal fruit and veg, locally baked bread, natural wines, craft cans, and lots of banging street food. When the sun has got his hat on, there’s honestly not many places we’d rather be than this cracking food and farmer’s market. The competition between traders is high so expect everyone to be on their A-game when you make a visit. With everything from Filipino BBQ to breakfast muffins available, make sure to bring a lot of stomach space with you.

Opening hours: Sunday 10am–4pm.

Where: Victoria Park, Grove Road, E3 5TB

This outdoor street market isn’t one for the weekend warriors (because it’s not open at the weekend) but it’s an excellent shout if you’re after a weekday lunch that’s much, much better than a meal deal. The vendors tend to rotate in and out but you can rest assured that you’ll always be able to get your chops around some hot and happening form of street food. The hench chicken tikka wraps from Tikkarito are especially worthy.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10am–3pm.

Where: Leather Lane, Holborn, EC1N 7TJ

An east London staple, Broadway Market has been home to market traders since the 1890s. And if you want to taste a bit of proper London history then you should definitely schedule a trip there on your next free Saturday. The market is home to oodles of fresh produce and more street food than you can shake a stick at. Whether it’s artisan cheddar from Big Wheel Cheese or slamming sandwiches and burgers from Deeney’s and The Frenchie, Broadway Market has got a bit of everything. And all of it is delicious.

Opening hours: Saturday 9am–5pm.

Where: Off Lansdowne Drive, London Fields, E8

For two decades, the Upmarket food hall on Brick Lane has housed some of London's most exciting and imaginative street food brands. You can find over 40 of the most eclectic street food traders offering everything from fried chicken sandwiches and injera bread to Korean dak-kkochi skewers and everything in-between. Along with a host of newcomers you’ll also find street food superstars like Chunky Buddha Group, The Orange Buffalo, and Mother Clucker. Basically, if you can’t find something you fancy to eat at the Upmarket then the problem is you, my friend.

Opening hours: Saturday from 11am–5.30pm and Sunday 10am–5pm.

Where: Upmarket, Ely's Yard, E1 6QR

When it comes to the best food markets in London, it’s hard to look past the all-star roster which Old Spitalfields Market has put together. Just reading through the list of the 27 food and drink vendors which call this Commercial Street market home is like reading a who’s who of the London street food scene. There’s Bleecker Burger, Dumpling Shack, The Real Greek, Pleasant Lady, Merkamo Ethiopian, Sud Italia, Cafe Caribbean, Fen Noodles, Dirty Bagel, Yum Bun, Climpson & Sons, and literally, like, a dozen other top spots to eat and drink. If you haven’t been, go. If you’ve been before, go again.

Opening hours: The market is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am–8pm. It’s also open Thursday from 8am–6pm and on Saturday from 10am–6pm and Sunday from 10am–5pm.

Where: 16 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, E1 6EW

The question of whether or not Boxpark counts as a food market is certainly up for discussion. What’s not up for discussion is the quality of the street food that you can find nestled in the containers at Boxpark’s Shoreditch premises. You won’t see any lovely fresh produce or heritage tomatoes so plump and round that they’re capable of making you blush but you will see glorious, greasy burgers from Black Bear Burger, crisp and craggy chicken wings from Coqfighter, and fresh vegan food served up at The Clean Kitchen. Boxpark Shoreditch isn’t somewhere you can do your weekly shop but it is a great market – so to speak – when you’re in the mood for something good to eat. If you're not up for a jaunt to Shoreditch then there's always Boxpark Wembley or Boxpark Croydon.

Opening hours: Boxpark is open on Monday to Saturday from 8am-11pm and on Sunday from 10am-10pm.

Where: 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, Hackney, E1 6GY

If we’re taking both size and quality into account then Netil Market might, pound-for-pound, be the very best food market in London. The number of quality independent traders that the organisers of the market have been able to pack into its limited space is nothing short of extraordinary. From the impeccable tacos, dripping with vibrant chile verde, that are sold en masse at Sonora Taquería to the immaculate bao buns and Taiwanese eats from the O.G. BAO Bar, Netil Market simply doesn’t miss. Head on down to Hackney to see what all the fuss is about for yourself.

Opening hours: The market is open Monday to Friday from 9am-6pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 11am-6pm.

Where: 13, 23 Westgate Street, Hackney, E8 3RL

London Fields isn’t lacking for excellent food markets but Westgate St Market is one of our personal faves here at MOB. With heaps of produce, street food, and smiles in the premises, the vibes at the market are just all-around great. Big name traders like Calamari Canteen and Bun House are regularly in attendance but don’t be surprised to see BBQ biryani, salt beef sandwiches, wood-fired pide, and more when you visit on a sunny Saturday. Just don’t forget to bring your smile.

Opening hours: Saturday from 9am–5pm.

Where: London Fields Primary School, Westgate Street, Hackney, E8 3RU

Lloyd Park Market is a weekly farmer’s market that takes place every Saturday inside the green and lush vicinity of Waltham Forest’s park. There’s groceries, produce, and hot food galore at this excellent east London market. Expect to find seasonal fruit and veg, artisan cheese, handmade pies, craft beer, single-origin coffee, small-batch bread, organic meat, and a range of street food vendors serving cracking eats. Go to Lloyd Park Market with an empty stomach and you’re guaranteed to leave well-fed.

Opening hours: Saturday from 10am-4pm.

Where: Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4PP

Brook Green Market is a FARMA-certified farmer's market selling the finest organic, free-range, and naturally grown produce available. The weekly market also features an exciting array of London’s finest street food (think falafels, pide, tempura-battered prawns, and more) as well as plenty of craft beer and wines for enjoying a weekend bev. Brook Green Market can be your weekly one-stop shop for everything from artisan cheese to fresh fish, caviar, and cinnamon buns. Check them out this weekend.

Opening hours: Saturday from 9.30am–3pm.

Where: St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Masbro Road, Brook Green, W14 0LT

The Partridges Food Market on the Duke of York Square was started on Saturday 29th October 2005. The aim was to celebrate the diverse and evolving world of fine, local, British and International foods and offer small producers, startup businesses and farmers the chance to share their passion and expertise with the public. The market community now comprises of around 70 diverse stalls (including the likes of Crosstown Doughnuts, Breadwinners, The Ugly Dumplings, The Meat Boss, and many more) every Saturday. It’s a bit of all right, this.

Opening hours: Saturday from 10am–4pm.

Where: 2-5 Duke of York Square, London SW3 4LY

Fresh produce and banging street food is what the Fulham Farmers’ Market does best. This west London food and farmer’s market isn’t the biggest but it more than makes up for its lack of size in the quality of what’s on offer. Cheeses from Heritage Cheese; New Orleans-inspired Cajun chicken from Voodoo Chicken; piping hot pide from Piddaji; freshly-caught fish from The Fish Stall; and flaky buns courtesy of Buns From Home. You can get your mitts on all of that – and then some – every Wednesday and Saturday at St Johns Church. Make a pilgrimage to Fulham Farmer’s Market at the next available opportunity.

Opening hours: Wednesday and Saturday from 9am–2:30pm.

Where: St Johns Church, North End Road, Fulham, SW6 1PB

This iconic London food market is packed with stalls selling baked goods, oils, olives, gourmet cheeses, meat, seafood, and a range of other specialist items. Portobello Road and the accompanying Goldborne Road are also both lined up with foods stalls selling a host of tempting hot food alongside the heaps of fresh produce. The stalls have a huge choice of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs from Monday to Saturday and, on Fridays and Saturdays, the street food vendors on the Portobello end can be found serving freshly-cooked dishes like paella, fish and chips, sausage baps, crêpes, and curries. Shimmy over to Golborne Road and you’ll find North African and Caribbean street food throughout the week.

Opening hours: The market is open from 9am–6pm Monday to Wednesday, from 9am–1pm on Thursday, and from 9am–7pm on both Friday and Saturday.

Where: Portobello Road, Notting Hill, W11 1LA

This independent street market has been running for over 330 years. Although you’ll find a couple more trendy street food vendors there today than you would have done back in the 1700s, there’s still plenty of traditional fruit and vegetable and florist stalls that have been doing business on the cobbled streets of Soho for donkey’s. Berwick Street Market remains a nice central London food market where you can get your fill of fresh produce and hot grub. Fat falafel pittas from Jerusalem Falafel and free-range jerk chicken, jerk pork, and curry goat from The Jerk Drum? That’s a yes from me, MOB.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8am–6pm.

Where: Berwick Street, Soho, W1F 0PH