London has long shaken off its reputation for dubious dining, with world-class restaurants now competing for attention on practically every street. However, the gourmet revolution is just beginning: in recent years, a seemingly endless array of food markets have sprouted up, where you’ll find superlative cuisine from every corner of the globe. Here’s a guide to some of the very best food halls and markets in London.
Market Hall Victoria
Until recently, the Victoria terminus in central London was not somewhere to linger, but that’s changed with the opening of Victoria Market Hall. Located directly opposite the main concourse, the airy, three-storey building includes a roof terrace and contains 11 food vendors spread across two indoor levels, three bars, and plenty of communal seating. Arrive early if possible – it gets incredibly busy come evening, with a one-in, one-out policy not uncommon. The 16-hour smoked brisket naan from Flank is exceptional.
Getting there: Next to Victoria station (tube/train)
Bang Bang Oriental Food Hall
Easily the biggest oriental food hall in London, Bang Bang contains 27 Asian restaurants and stalls across two levels, all under one enormous roof. On the ground floor, you’ll find the Golden Dragon, a Chinese restaurant serving classic dishes with room for 360 diners. The top floor hosts the remaining vendors, which between them sizzle up cuisine from the rest of Asia, including India, Japan, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Getting there: 10 minute walk from Colindale station (tube)
Mercato Metropolitano
One of the coolest food markets in the city (and strangely still something of a secret to non-locals), Mercato Metropolitano is an enormous venue housed in and around an old paper factory. The focus here is on serving natural foods that are sourced locally while keeping waste to a minimum. Although it’s mainly Italian fare, including an Italian food store alongside the stalls, you’ll also find options ranging from Vietnamese to Argentinian to Turkish.
Getting there: 5–10 minute walk from Elephant & Castle station (tube/train)
Dinerama
As one of the best street food markets in East London (no mean feat, considering the competition), graffiti-covered Dinerama occupies two open-air levels in the heart of Shoreditch. The choice is immense, in terms of both quantity and quality, with offerings from Babek Brothers (gourmet kebabs), Thunderbird (where chicken never tasted so good), and Chin Chin Labs (ice cream meets science). Additionally, there are 10 bars to choose from, and the venue hosts regular events.
Getting there: 5 minute walk from Shoreditch High Street station (Overground)
Maltby Street Market
Maltby Street Market has long ceased to be a secret, but it still somehow feels like a new discovery, even if you’ve been before. Squeezed between Victorian railway arches along a smoky, open-air corridor called the Rope Walk in a quiet patch of Bermondsey, around 30 artisan food and drink vendors serve meals, snacks, desserts, and cocktails from around the world. For a tipple to wash down lunch, check out Jensen’s – a gin distillery, bar, and shop, all in one.
Getting there: 10–15 minute walk from Bermondsey station (tube) or London Bridge station (tube/train)
Vinegar Yard
Vinegar Yard opened in spring 2019, and is already a huge hit with Londoners. Situated in the shadow of the Shard, and offering incredible views from its spacious terrace, the venue is full of food traders throughout the week (Baba G’s Indian-inspired burgers are particularly noteworthy) and at the weekends, a flea market pops up. British artist Joe Rush has created mechanically-themed sculptures, with the highlight being an abandoned train carriage covered in giant, red ants.
Getting there: Next to London Bridge station (tube/train)
Flat Iron Square
Spread throughout seven railway arches, and an outdoor area for those summer vibes, Flat Iron Square is primarily a food market, though it also acts as a cultural complex that hosts regular events, including live music, film screenings, and quiz nights. On the food front, around 15 traders operate at any one time, serving up everything from stone-baked pizzas to ramen to burritos. The venue forms part of the ‘Low Line’ project, which aims to transform the Bankside railway arches into a public cultural space.
Getting there: Between London Bridge (tube/train) and Southwark (tube) stations
Brixton Village
The arcades of Brixton Village Market have been around for almost a century (originally it was called Granville Arcade), but it’s only in the last decade or so that they’ve become home to arguably the best food market in South London – certainly the best for budget eats. A variety of stalls, restaurants, and cafes serve dishes from around the world, and if you fancy even more choice, head over to Pop Brixton, a collection of repurposed shipping containers hosting pop-up food and drink options.
Getting there: Next to Brixton station (tube/train)
Borough Market
Borough Market has been operating in one form or another for at least 800 years, and today is a top London attraction in its own right. It’s a bit of a maze and always chaotic, adding to the fun – using a map may be as futile as resisting the vast array of gourmet eats available, so enjoy getting lost and discovering your own delightful finds. Lunchtimes are unsurprisingly busy, especially on Saturdays, when it feels like the whole world has descended on the market, so try to arrive early if you can.
Getting there: Next to London Bridge station (tube/train)
Broadway Market
A classic Hackney haunt dating back to Victorian times, Broadway Market has found new life since being revitalized in the early 2000s by the local community, who reinvented it as a street food and fresh produce market, open for business every Saturday. Once you’ve had your fill (look out for the prawn burger), you can browse the permanent shops and boutiques that line the street, and stroll along nearby Regent’s Canal.
Getting there: 5–10 minute walk from London Fields station (Overground)
Plenty more to come…
The above suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to London food markets, and there are even more to come. Two new markets are slated for Bishopsgate in 2020 (The Market, which will be housed in 22 Bishopsgate, a skyscraper currently under construction, and Italian-themed Eataly, which will open in 135 Bishopsgate). Furthermore, Time Out Market, Waterloo is set to open in 2021 in the station’s old Eurostar terminal.
