London food markets: Best stalls, hidden gems, and what to eat

When you think of London food markets, vibrant, open-air hubs where local producers, immigrant chefs, and street vendors sell fresh, bold, and affordable food. Also known as food halls, these markets are where the city’s real eating culture lives—not in fancy restaurants, but in steaming stalls, handwritten signs, and queues that twist around corners. This isn’t just about buying groceries. It’s about tasting the city’s history, its migrations, and its hunger for flavor.

At the heart of it all is Borough Market, a 1,000-year-old trading site turned global food destination. Here, you’ll find British cheese that tastes like the countryside, Spanish jamón hanging by the slice, and sourdough baked that morning. But don’t stop there. Camden Market is where global street food meets punk energy. Grab a Vietnamese pho next to a Nigerian jollof rice bowl, then chase it with a vegan donut from a tiny cart tucked under the railway arches. These aren’t gimmicks—they’re daily meals for people who live here. Then there’s Brockley Market, a quiet Sunday spot in South London where locals stock up on fresh fruit, handmade dumplings, and organic eggs. No crowds. No Instagram filters. Just good food at fair prices. You’ll find Polish pierogi at New Cross Market, Ethiopian coffee roasted on the spot in Peckham, and Thai mango sticky rice tucked into a corner of Brick Lane’s Sunday bazaar.

What makes these markets work isn’t the decor or the neon signs—it’s the people behind the counters. The woman who’s been selling hand-pulled noodles for 30 years. The guy who brings in fresh oysters from Cornwall every morning. The bakery that only opens on Saturdays because they bake everything by hand. These aren’t tourist traps. They’re survival stories, family businesses, and quiet acts of resistance against chain restaurants and delivery apps.

And the best part? You don’t need a budget to eat well here. A £3 dumpling can be more satisfying than a £25 plated meal. A £1.50 pastry from a Polish baker beats any hotel breakfast. You can walk in with no plan, follow your nose, and leave full, happy, and with a few new favorite spots.

Below, you’ll find real guides to the best spots, the cheapest bites, the hidden stalls tourists miss, and the times to go so you don’t wait an hour just to taste a taco. Whether you’re here for a weekend or you’ve lived here for years, these markets hold the true flavor of London—no filter, no fuss, just food that matters.