To market, to market: the best local food markets in London
North
1. Alexandra Palace Farmers’ Market
At the south side of the park, at the Crouch End entrance (though during the pandemic it’s being held at Campsbourne School), you’ll find everything you need, such as Kent-grown fruit and vegetables, Welsh beef, Bath soft cheese and steak jerky… for your dog. Snack wise, you can’t beat the saltfish fritters from Guadeloupean stall Bokit’la. Afterwards, walk up to the Grade II-listed palace and take in the views.
Open Sundays
2. Parliament Hill Farmers’ Market
Home to the famous dog park, and right on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Pick up sourdough from Levain Bakery, tomatoes fresh from the Isle of Wight and all manner of seasonal goodies from Jerusalem artichokes to rhubarb.
Open Saturdays and Sundays
3. Walthamstow Farmers’ Market
At the top of the High Street, beyond Walthamstow’s long main market (the longest in Europe, in fact) lies a small collection of quality producers. Try Brambletye’s biodynamic eggs, fresh-made pasta by Seriously Italian, and pasteurised goat’s cheese from East Sussex’s Nut Knowle Farm.
Open Sundays
South
4. Brixton Village and Market Row
Much loved and passionately protected, Brixton Village and Market Row have long been the centre of the community here. As such, the arcade has a splendid spread of foods – including Afro-Caribbean, Asian and Latin American ingredients, such as okra, yam and dried shrimp. Stay for lunch – you’ll feast on Jamaican seafood curry at Etta’s Kitchen, tacos from Jalisco or soft-shell crab at Kaosarn.
Open Daily
5. Borough Market
London’s most-visited market is deserving of its status. It’s been here since at least the 12th century, located at the foot of London Bridge in an imposing green, cast-iron structure. It’s quite the spectacle, a riot of colourful fruit and veg, buckets of oysters, mountains of cheese and everything in between, from the very best British and European producers. Some notable artisan food businesses started here – check out the original Neal’s Yard Dairy and Brindisa. While many claim the best thing to eat is the cheese toastie from Kappacasein stall, you’ll be spoilt for choice for restaurants too (it’s home to Padella, El Pastor, Flor, Elliotts…).
Open Monday to Saturdays
6. Maltby St Market
Borough’s unofficial younger sister, with a big focus on street food (though you can pick up staples for home such as fruit and veg, wine and pasta), served on stalls or in permanent joints under the railway arches. Come hungry – you’ll want to try jamón from Bar Tozino, doughnuts from St John, traditional 17th-century French canelés from Babelle and a gin-based cocktail to go from local distillery Little Bird.
Fresh produce every day; hot food traders open Saturdays and Sundays
7. Black Heath Farmers’ Market
Although it’s held in the carpark of the station, this market is on the edge of the green expanse of Black Heath. Find everything from Chegworth Valley juices (and fruit and veg) to Norfolk-caught brown shrimps.
Open Sundays
8. Venn Street Market
Clapham’s best market. Find everything you could need for a Saturday night feast: Lincolnshire and Kent veg, seafood from the Dorset coast and British and Irish cheeses. But if you don’t fancy cooking, pick up a luxury ready meal from Le Petit Moulin Traiteur: coq au vin with a gratin dauphinoise, perhaps.
Open Saturdays
9. Tooting Market
The red-and-white fronted covered Tooting market has been there for 80 years. While it still offers the local community a place for their weekly shop for staples (butcher, baker), it’s also a hub of decent eateries, where you can find Venezuelan arepas, ramen or Guyanese dhal pouri with fluffy roti, served out of hatches or permanent restaurants.
Open Daily
10. Brockley Market
A relatively young newcomer to the market scene, but no less broad in its offering. Find free-range chicken (and pies, stock and broth) from Fosse Meadows, all manner of potatoes from The Potato Shop, plus an eclectic mix of goodies from Mont d’Or cheese to jars of kimchi. There are usually hot food trucks too (everything from Filipino barbecue to pizza) but for now, snacks will have to be cinnamon buns from Nyborg’s Kitchen.
Open Saturdays
East
11. Broadway Market
A Victorian-era market which runs the length of the street of the same name, with tightly packed stalls set in between some of Hackney’s coolest restaurants and shops. While you can pick up everything you might need for the kitchen, from olive oil and pasta, to meat and fish, it’s a popular weekend meet-up point, with people buying food to eat in neighbouring London Fields. Fin and Flounder’s scallop and bacon rolls and Sporeboys’ mushroom risotto rank highly.
Open Saturdays
12. Chatsworth Road Market
Clapton has welcomed this market on and off since the 1930s. You’ll find specialist Alpine and British cheesemakers, smoked fish from Greenwich and Wiltshire-reared pork, plus plenty to graze on while you browse: vegan cakes, Japanese rice parcels and hotdogs.
Open Sundays
13. Victoria Park Market
It’s first and foremost a street food market, where you can eat breakfast muffins from Mother Flipper, Anna Mae’s mac and cheese and Crosstown Doughnuts. But you’ll also be able to pick up staples like British heather honey, Breadwinners’ loaves and greens from Ted’s Veg.
Open Sundays (though closed during lockdown)
West
14. Queen’s Park Farmers’ Market
In the carpark of an Edwardian primary school on pretty Lonsdale Road. Don’t leave without yoghurt and goats’ cheese from Wiltshire’s Brinkworth Dairy, charcuterie from the Chilterns or caviar from Exmoor. Be sure to join the queue for The Garlic Farm’s dumplings, freshly made and smothered in chilli oil – they’re worth it.
Open Sundays
15. Notting Hill Farmers’ Market
A local favourite, hidden down an alley by Waterstones on Notting Hill Gate. Queues form before 9am in order to get the freshest catch from fishermen. Looking for lovage or chocolate oyster mushrooms? You will likely find them here.
Open Saturdays
16. Duke of York Square Fine Food Market
This fine food market, held in the square out the front of the Saatchi Gallery, has the Queen’s seal of approval: it’s curated by Partridge’s, the Royal green grocers. Meat is from Woodwards Farm in Cambridgeshire, oysters and shellfish from the Maldon Oyster company, while sweet treats abound – try Diana’s handmade vegan chocolate bars, Giselle Richardson’s British macarons and cannoli from Casa Cannoli. There’s also a broad range of food to go, from fish and chips to arancini.
Open Saturdays
Central
17. Berwick Street Market
Soho’s leading market has been around since the 18th century. While a few fruit and vegetable stalls still operate, it’s largely a place to eat: you’ll find Jerusalem falafel, pan-Asian dishes from Pit Stop Café (the sea bass is memorable) and Lime Hut’s Caribbean-inspired plantain tostones.
Open Mondays to Saturdays
18. Marylebone Farmers’ Market
A big and bustling market off Marylebone High Street (which itself is great for boutique shopping). You’ll find seasonal fruit and veg piled high, from asparagus to strawberries; meat, poultry and game from the country’s best farms; oysters, mushrooms and… oyster mushrooms.
Open Sundays
*Please note that ongoing restrictions might mean some markets may be operating with fewer stallholders or closed entirely – check before you visit.
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