Explore London’s food market scene and sample everything from wonky carrots to emu burgers and rainbow toasties
Borough Market
The granddaddy of food markets, Borough Market has traded since around 1014. Saturday is the busiest day, so visit mid-week if you can. Go early and go hungry, as you’ll find some of the best, fresh food here. Chutney and jam and meals such as raclette or vegan burgers. Delicious.
Alexandra Palace Farmer’s Market
If you want to experience the capital like a Londoner, visit one of the capital’s 30 or so farmers’ markets. Parliament Hill (Sat 10am-2pm) and Marylebone (Sun 10am-2pm) are among the most central.
Alexandra Palace Farmer’s Market (Sun 10am-3pm) is a little further out of the city centre. It sells British cheese, savoury tarts and freshly squeezed apple juice made from apples grown in nearby Kent. Make a day of it by visiting the park’s garden centre and café, boating lake, pitch and putt or take on the treetop trail at Go Ape.
Kerb
Kerb usually holds markets across London, including Seven Dials, near the Gherkin in the City and at The National Theatre. Visit 11 traders, two bars and the pop-up club every day at Seven Dials Market. Working with the National Theatre, KERB is re-working 11 different food and drink spaces throughout the Theatre. For now, you can enjoy KERB at The Understudy, Atrium Cafe, a series of theatre bars and the terrace restaurant and bar from 5 May.
Southbank Centre Market
If you’re walking between lastminute.com London Eye and the National Theatre, Southbank Centre Food Market behind the Royal Festival Hall is a handy spot for a break (Fri-Sun and bank holidays). Munch your meal on the steps overlooking the square or on a bench lining the River Thames.
Street Feast
Street Feast knows what hipsters want: Negronis, neon and food stalls with witty names like Up In My Grill. If that scene appeals, head to Dinerama (Fri-Sat), a two-storey food hub in Shoreditch. The space has 10 traders and 10 bars, including a rooftop cocktail bar and tiki hut. Look out for Caribbean chicken wings from White Men Can’t Jerk and ice cream from Chin Chin Labs, which serves flame-grilled marshmallows, gold salt and dry ice.
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