If you want to unearth some delicious street food in London, be warned: the street is not exactly the place to look. Instead, try these abandoned halls, former warehouses and covered markets – they’ve all embraced the trend for casual-but-brilliant dining, and regularly host tons of different street food vendors for you and your friends to try. Get ready to eat everything and anything at our favourite street food markets in London – and what better place to warm you up during Dry January hey – bon appetit!
1. Mercato Metropolitano, Borough
This sprawling street food market, with oodles of space to sit indoors and out, is open seven days a week and home to 33 (!) street food stalls and bars. While the first hall has a loose Italian theme, head deeper inside to find ribs from Prarie Fire BBQ, tacos from Hermanos Tacos, biodynamic wines from France, and other edifying edibles. Live bands occasionally stomp through cover versions from atop a brewing tank, while vintage fairs, supper clubs and other events also take place here. There’s also a lovely beer garden, and they’ve also got a sister site in Mayfair.
📍You’ll find Mercato Metropolitano at 42 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6DR.
🚇 Nearest station is Elephant and Castle.
2. Borough Market, London Bridge
Think ‘London food markets’, and this is probably the first place to spring to mind. With an internationally-famous reputation and an 1000-year history, Borough Market remains the gold standard for food markets in London. Open in full Wednesday – Saturday, the market has long offered fresh ingredients you can cook at home. But in keeping with the times, there’s an ever-growing street food offering: everything from Levantine-inspired mezze to ‘reinvented Scotch eggs’ can be found here. This is a very busy working market, so you’ll need to purchase, escape, retreat and eat!
📍You’ll find Borough Market at 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
3. Eataly, Broadgate
Eataly London was in the works for almost three years, before finally being revealed to the adoring public in April 2021. Over 5,000 Italian and local food products are found at this London street food spot, with cured meat, cheese counters, and Via del Dolce (the Sweet Spot), which serves fresh-baked Italian cakes, pastries, cannolis, and handmade gelato. You can also find a pretty serious wine collection; Eataly fields some 2,000 wines, making it the largest Italian wine collection in London.
📍You’ll find Eataly at 135 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3YD.
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
4. Pop Brixton, Brixton
This colourful cluster of shipping containers in South London is a gastronomic wonderland, incorporating countless different restaurants and stalls – including a few award-winning small-plates options sure to thrill any foodie. It’s open seven days a week: you can find out more about Pop Brixton here.
📍You’ll find Pop Brixton at 49 Brixton Station Road, London, SW9 8PQ.
🚇 Nearest station is Brixton.
5. Camden Market, Camden
Arguably the most epic street food line-up in London a whopping amount of traders, this outdoor market runs seven days a week, but is strictly a daytime affair, catering for hungry tourists and Secret London writers. There’s something for everyone, including as-seen-on-social hits like halloumi fries and the infamous ‘cheesy wheel of pasta.’ This location is packed with market stalls, so you’ll need to enjoy your tray of treats perched somewhere nearby. More info.
📍You’ll find Camden Market at 54-56 Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AF.
🚇 Nearest stations are Camden Town and Chalk Farm.
6. The Kitchens, Old Spitalfields Market
If you’re headed Brick Lane way, make sure to stop by the Kitchens in Old Spitalfields Market for some of the best street food in the area. There’s everything here from vegan dishes with an Ethiopian twist to bagels with pulled pork and melted cheese – and with over 41 different stalls to choose from, you’re sure to find something you’ll like! Open all week long: find out more here.
📍You’ll find The Kitchens at Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, London, E1 6EW.
🚇 Nearest stations are Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street.
7. Bang Bang Oriental, Colindale
This epic food hall in North London celebrates all the tasty cuisine of East Asia, with almost 30 different stalls to choose from. Dishes from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and all corners of China await, from bite-size treats to spicy curries and quirky desserts. Go with an empty belly and fill up on Korean-style fried chicken from Janchi Korean Kitchen, melt-in-your-mouth roast duck from Four Seasons, and some fresh sashimi from Oishi Tasty Sushi. It’s open seven days a week, too.
📍You’ll find Bang Bang Oriental at 339 Edgware Road, Colindale, NW9 0FH.
🚇 Nearest stations is Colindale.
8. Southbank Centre Food Market, Waterloo
Right in the heart of the the famous South Bank you’ll find one of the capital’s most varied and most popular food markets. It boasts a dizzying range of cuisines – from Thai and Portuguese to Indian and Lebanese – and it’ll take you several months (or one gluttonous weekend) to eat your way through them all.
📍You’ll find Southbank Centre Food Market at Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Opens February.
🚇 Nearest stations are Waterloo, Charing Cross and Blackfriars.
9. Peckham Levels, Peckham
Taking over the sixth floor of Peckham’s multi-storey car park is Peckham Levels. Now well-insulated from the elements, the family-friendly hall hosts six street food traders – including lockdown-born pizza pals 081 Pizzeria. There’s also cocktails, live music, and more thoughtfully-planned events await us once the lockdown is officially over. Meanwhile, there’s always Frank’s Cafe up on the roof!
📍You’ll find Peckham Levels at Centre Carpark, F1-F6, 95A Rye Lane, London, SE15 4ST.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
10. Model Market, Lewisham
The only Street Feast venue currently open is nicknamed ‘The European Capital of Vibes’, and whilst that may be a tad grandiose, this south-east London courtyard is still wildly popular on summer nights. Maybe it’s something to do with the rooftop tequila terrace? Find them every Thursday to Saturday, with a rotating cast of traders on throughout the Summer months. Note to self – it reopens in April.
📍You’ll find Model Market at 196 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6LS. Opens April.
🚇 Nearest stations are Lewisham and Ladywell.
11. KERB, Various Locations
KERB’s array of outdoor food markets stretch across London from North to South and East to West. Their markets have a tendency to come and go, but at the moment they’ve got spots at the National Theatre, West India Quay, London Bridge, Kings Cross, St Katharine Docks, and even the Gherkin. Several are just lunchtime affairs though.
📍You’ll find KERB at various different locations across London. You can find out more here.
12. Mercato Mayfair, Mayfair
The sister market of Mercato Metropolitano is found inside a gorgeously-restored church right in the heart of glitzy Mayfair. The dominant religion here is food, with bountiful market stalls and street food traders filling the nave – down in the crypt, meanwhile, you’ll find a rather fancy wine bar with some rather excellent vintages.
📍You’ll find Mercato Mayfair at St. Mark’s Church, N Audley Street, London, W1K 6ZA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Bond Street and Marble Arch.
13. Hackney Bridge, Hackney
A relatively new spot that opened in Hackney Wick in 2021, Hackney Bridge comes to us from the team behind the aforementioned Pop Brixton and Peckham Levels. This al fresco canalside spot can welcome up to 400 guests, and it’s a real peachy place to hang out when the sun shines. It’s also just a stone’s throw from Crate Brewery and the Lord Napier Star pub.
📍You’ll find Hackney Bridge at Units 1-28, Echo Building, E Bay Lane, London, E15 2SJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Wick.
14. Seven Dials Market, Neal’s Yard
Turning an old banana warehouse into the West End’s only covered food market has turned out to be a masterstroke for the KERB gang. Their first indoor market is home to delights including a cheese conveyor belt restaurant, vegan Mexican cuisine, and some utterly banging fried chicken. It’s rather easy on the eyes, too.
📍You’ll find Seven Dials Market at 35 Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9LD.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
15. Kingly Court, Soho
More of a food court than a food market per se, but Kingly Court in Soho is a site of pilgrimage for any self-respecting London foodie. Behind the powder blue entrance, you’ll find a three-storey courtyard practically bursting at the seams with pizza, Greek food, ramen, and posh kebabs. With 21 separate dining options, this place was made for the indecisive.
📍You’ll find Kingly Court at Kingly Street, Carnaby, London, W1B 5PW.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
16. Flat Iron Square, London Bridge
Squeezed between the road and the railway arches, Flat Iron Square nonetheless manages to delight out of all proportion with Good Slice’s pizzas, BBQ goodness from Gamekeeper, authentic Lebanese cuisine from Lil’Watan and tequeños, empanadas, tacos, arepas and chocolate churros from Streat Arepas. Gluten-free and vegan options are available, and the in-house brewery will take care of the drinks.
📍You’ll find Flat Iron Square at 45 Southwark Street, London, SE1 9HP.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
17. Crate, Walthamstow
Small but mighty, Crate is another shipping container village delivering the goods. Perched alongside St James’ Street station, you can tuck into Baggio Burger, Island Style, The Green Grill and Crosstown Doughnuts here, whilst The Italian Bakery is perfect for picking up carby treats. A sister site in Loughton focuses more on retail than food. More here.
📍You’ll find Crate at 35 St. James Street, London, E17 7FY.
🚇 Nearest station is St. James Street.
18. Goods Way, Kings Cross
Lightly inspired by the food and music culture of New Orleans, Goods Way sadly opened mere weeks before the first lockdown, but they’ve rallied and are better than ever. The food and drinks served here are excellent, led by tacos stalwart Breddos, sushi superstars Sushi On Jones and American-style cocktail bar Sweetwater. Live music gem Lafayette is also in the basement – pre-gig visit perhaps?!
📍You’ll find Goods Way at 11 Goods Way, London, N1C 4DP.
🚇 Nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.
19. Market Hall, Victoria
The Market Halls gang moved pretty quickly after their initial Fulham branch opened (which has sadly now shut its doors), with Market Hall Victoria as their sophomore effort. Found right next to Victoria station, Vicky is the bigger sister, with space for eight food food traders, three bars, and even a smart roof terrace – fancyyyyy.
📍You’ll find Market Hall at 191 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5NE.
🚇 Nearest station is Victoria.
20. Market Hall Cargo, Canary Wharf
Market Hall Cargo opened earlier last Summer and is here to join the ranks of London’s best food halls, this time gracing London’s glistening financial district. They’ve got everything here from Pasta Evangelists and Chick Chick Crew to DF Tacos and BaoziInn. All this coupled with two bars, and views over the canal, are sure to find you racing to Canary Wharf.
📍You’ll find Market Hall Cargo at 1 Canada Square, London, E14 5HS.
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
21. Market Hall, West End
Sensing a theme yet? The third and final Market Hall is the UK’s biggest food market, with space for 700 diners. Located right off Oxford Street, they’ve got everything here from Le Bab – the cherished kebab restaurant – to delicious Malaysian street food at Gopal’s Corner.
📍You’ll find Market Hall at 9 Holles Street, London, W1G 0BD.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Street.
22. Pergola on the Wharf, Canary Wharf
Another Canary Wharf spot here. Pergola’s first outpost in the financial district opened last June, with no fewer than three separate bars, and a food menu that’s inspired by earth, land, and sea. There’s an outdoor terrace wrapped around the building that’ll prove popular on sunny days, and you can always wander into the adjoining attractive roof garden to go exploring! They’ve also got a sister site in Paddington which often transforms into a Winter wonderland during the chilly months.
📍You’ll find Pergola on the Wharf at Crossrail Place, London, E14 5AR.
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
23. Maltby Street Market, Bermondsey
Maltby Street Market opened back in 2010 and has since made a name for itself as one of London’s most popular weekend markets. It’s a haven for foodies; with everything from award-winning sausage sandwiches from BANGERS and rich lentil wat from Amen Ethiopian Cuisine, to innovative duck dishes from Duck Frites and tasty dumplings from the Gyoza Guys. They’ve even got oysters here! Winner, winner.
📍You’ll find Maltby Street Market at Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby Street, London, SE1 3PA.
🚇 Nearest stations are London Bridge and Bermondsey.
So there you have it – a rundown of the best places for street food in London. So what are you waiting for? Better get cracking and tick some of them off the list!
Also published on Medium.