Street food around London
“>Summer has arrived in London and with better weather and longer days comes more times out and about in the city.
When exploring London’s best-known sights, food on the go is often the best way to maximise the time you have and find new favourites.
London has some of the best street food stalls and food markets which are definitely worth planning a trip to. It’s no secret that London has some incredible restaurants that have been borne out of a street food stall; Bao, for instance, which started in a shack in an East London car park back in 2012 and now has seven locations all across the city.
Pizza Pilgrims is another street food stall turned restaurant after two brothers bought a classic three-wheel Piaggio Ape van, driving it back from Italy to London to sell pizzas at Berwick Street Market.
No matter what type of cuisine you’re looking for; the London street food scene will probably have it and we know it’ll taste amazing.
Wandering around these markets will give you an insight into London’s foodie scene, enrich your senses and make all your friends and family jealous!
Borough Market
8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL
For the Tube journey, head to Pimlico station and get a Victoria Line tube towards Brixton. Get off at Stockwell and then jump on a Northern Line to Edgware via Bank tube. Get off at London Bridge and Exit via Borough High Street (west side) following signs towards Borough Market.
The original food market of the city, Borough Market has a history that dates back to the 1200s, with a permanent market on this site since the 18th century. With hundreds of traders, it has a rich history and you’ll see it as you wander around. It used to be a greengrocer’s wholesale market and is now a place where sustainable production, short supply chain and social connection are very much at the forefront of the market’s ethos.
There are three sections to the market; Three Crown Square, which is for larger producers and merchant traders; Green Market, which is for smaller, specialist produce traders and Borough Market Kitchen which is where the street food traders are housed. All three are open to the public.
Based on Southwark Street, it is right next to the London Bridge underground station and is open 7 days a week.
Mercato Mayfair
St. Mark’s Church, 13A N Audley St, London W1K 6ZA
For the Tube journey, head to Pimlico station and get a Victoria Line tube towards Walthamstow Central. Get off at Oxford Circus and head towards Exit 3 and then walk towards Mercato Mayfair
A stunning market that does so much more than food. Mercato Metropolitano Mayfair is one of London’s largest sustainable community food markets and has around 20 traders that make a range of different international cuisines over three floors.
In this market, you have the main floor, along with a rooftop terrace, the crypt and an art gallery that are all full of restaurants, bars and seating areas. You can also book a private space for an event. It is recommended to book a table for 6 or more people to make sure you can get a spot, walk-ins are welcome, but there may be a wait before you’re seated.
The Mercato Metropolitano Mayfair is open 7 days a week, including bank holidays and it is open until 11pm Monday to Thursday, midnight on Friday and Saturday and until 10:30pm on a Sunday. You can get the tube to Oxford Circus, Marble Arch, Bond Street and it’s less than a 10 minute walk.
Old Spitalfields Market
16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW
For the Tube journey, head to Pimlico station and get a Victoria Line tube towards Walthamstow Central. Get off at King’s Cross St. Pancras and then jump on a Hammersmith & City/Circle/Metropolitain Line to Eastbound. Get off at Liverpool Street and head towards Exit 2 and then walk towards Old Spitalfields Market.
Another historic market, this one home to more than just food with craftsmen, artisans and artists all in one place to give you the ultimate London Market experience.
Old Spitalfields Market has been a part of the London food scene since the 1800s and after nearly 200 years, it went through a large refurbishment project in the 2000s which breathed new life into this beautiful old warehouse.
In the middle of the market you’ll find the food stall vendors with seating so you can take a moment to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the surroundings. Around the outer walls are more restaurants, shops and trader stalls, so you can find some treats to take home to friends and family.
Open 7 days a week (but check individual stores opening times), including bank holidays. Get the tube to Aldgate, Aldgate East, Liverpool Street or Shoreditch High Street and it’s a short walk to the market.
Market Halls – Victoria
191 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5NE
A 15-minute walk (recommended) or a 10-minute tube journey 1 stop on the Victoria Line from Pimlico Station
An old dance hall that has been transformed into one of London’s iconic food and drink markets, Market Halls – Victoria is definitely a place to visit after a long day of sightseeing. It has 9 kitchens, a rooftop bar overseeing the city and some of the best street food franchises in London.
The Market Hall often has events throughout the year which you can book tables for or host your own private events. It’s ideally situated near The Belgrave Hotel so it is perfect for when you want to be nearby to get back to your room in the evening.
Market Halls – Victoria is open 7 days a week and is open until 11pm Wednesday through to Saturday. It is walkable from The Belgrave Hotel or get the tube to Victoria and it’s opposite the station.
Pop Brixton
49 Brixton Station Road, London SW9 8PQ
For the Tube journey, head to Pimlico station and get a Victoria Line tube towards Brixton. Get off at Brixton Station and head towards Pop Brixton.
One of the newest additions to the street food market scene, Pop Brixton is a creative space making use of old shipping containers on the site of an old ice-rink.
Head down for some amazing food, stay for an event or be there for the atmosphere on a Saturday night. Pop Brixton is home to some exciting start-ups in food, drink, music, film, education and mental health. It’s an eclectic mix, but that is what makes it so brilliant and vibrant. Something different is always happening and many people flock there to find the next latest trend.
Pop Brixton is due to close in December 2026 so make sure if it’s on your list, you get there as soon as you can. Currently, it is only open Wednesday through to Sunday, but is open until midnight (except for Sunday when it closes at 11pm). The nearest tube station is Brixton and it is opposite the station.
Maltby Street Market
Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby Street, SE1 3PA
For the Tube journey, head to Pimlico station and get a Victoria Line tube towards Walthamstow Central. Get off at Green Park and then jump on a Jubilee Line towards Stratford. Get off at Bermondsey and head towards Maltby Street Market.
This hidden gem is an absolute must for foodies, tucked away beneath the railway arches of Bermondsey, Maltby Street Market is a collision of old London and modern street food.
Open since 2010, the market is now one of the city’s best-loved markets, with many heading down on the weekend to see sizzling grills and global chefs working to make their customers happy and full.
It’s a charming little alleyway, with flags all over it and plenty to eat! This market is perfect for the weekend trips as it’s only open Friday to Sunday. It does close early, so make sure you get there and sample some of the best culinary fare in London. Both Bermondsey and London Bridge tube stations are about a 10-minute walk away from the market.
Whitecross Street Market
Whitecross Street, London EC1Y 8JL
For the Tube journey, head to Pimlico station and get a Victoria Line tube towards Brixton. Get off at Stockwell and then jump on a Northern Line Northbound. Get off at Old Street and head towards Old Street (west) exit and then walk towards Whitecross Street Market.
A truly authentic street market dating back to at least Queen Victoria’s reign, Whitecross Street Market is the oldest surviving one in London. It has some delightful food from all over the world, Mediterranean, Africa, Americas, Asia, Turkish and Middle Eastern and, of course, Britain.
This market is where Harrods was started back in 1824, before moving into premises in South Kensington. Now a pure food market, it is a welcome sight for weary explorers who have travelled throughout London looking for a great meal at a decent price.
The market is only open on weekdays between 11am and 3pm, its main trade is lunch for the local office workers and tourists who happen upon it. Barbican, Old Street and Moorgate are the closest tube stations, each about a 10-15 minute walk away.