The Best Food Halls and Food Courts in London for 2026

Updated and fact-checked: September 2026 · Written by Clara Whitby, The Londonologist.

Traveling with a group where one person wants sushi, another wants pizza and a third just wants a good burger? London’s food halls solve that. These are big indoor spaces where a dozen or more independent kitchens share communal seating and a bar, so everyone eats what they like and you all sit together. They are casual, quick, open late and usually cheaper than a restaurant, which makes them ideal for families and friends. This guide names the best food halls in central London, tells you what they cost in pounds and dollars, and explains how they work.

How London Food Halls Work

A food hall is a permanent, indoor version of a street food market. You grab a table, then order from whichever independent stalls you fancy, paying each one separately, usually by card or phone. There is almost always a central bar for drinks. Unlike an American mall food court, London’s halls are built around small, high-quality independent traders rather than chains, so the food is genuinely good. They are covered and open in all weather, which makes them a reliable choice on a rainy day. For the open-air version, see our guide to London street food markets.

The Best Food Halls in London

Seven Dials Market

Covent Garden · open daily

The most central and most fun food hall in London, set in a restored banana warehouse between Covent Garden and Soho. Around two dozen traders serve everything from dumplings to pasta to pizza, with a famous cheese-focused counter and a couple of bars. Perfect before a West End show. Dishes around £9 to £15 (about $12 to $20).

Arcade Food Hall

Centre Point, Tottenham Court Road · open daily

A slick, modern hall from a serious restaurant group, with ambitious kitchens spanning Thai, Indian, Chinese and more, plus proper cocktails. A step up in polish and price, and one of the best all-round eating experiences in the centre. Dishes around £10 to £18 (about $13 to $24).

Kingly Court

Soho, off Carnaby Street · open daily

A charming three-storey courtyard of small restaurants and bars just off Carnaby Street, with heated, partly covered terraces. More a cluster of sit-down spots than a stall hall, ideal for a relaxed lunch or evening drinks in the heart of Soho. Dishes around £10 to £18 (about $13 to $24).

Market Halls

Victoria and other locations · open daily

A growing group of stylish food halls, with the Victoria branch handy for the station and for Buckingham Palace. Independent kitchens, a central bar and comfortable seating make it a dependable, well-run choice. Dishes around £9 to £15 (about $12 to $20).

Eataly London

Liverpool Street, near Bishopsgate · open daily

A vast Italian food emporium with restaurants, counters, a bakery and a market to shop. Part food hall, part grocery, it is the place for pizza, pasta and Italian produce in the City. Dishes around £10 to £18 (about $13 to $24).

Mercato Mayfair

Mayfair, in a converted church · open daily

A striking food hall inside a deconsecrated Mayfair church, with global stalls arranged over several levels and a beautiful setting. Worth visiting for the room alone. Dishes around £9 to £16 (about $12 to $21).

BOXPARK Shoreditch

Shoreditch, by the station · open daily

The original shipping-container food and drink hall, buzzy in the evenings with street food, bars and often live sport and events. A younger, louder scene in the heart of the East End. Dishes around £8 to £14 (about $11 to $19).

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What Food Halls Cost in London

Indicative prices at the time of writing; they change, and dollar figures use a rate of about $1.34 to the pound.

How to Make the Most of a Food Hall

• Grab a table first at peak times. Send one of your group to hold seats while the others order, especially at weekend lunch and Friday evenings.
• Split up and share. The point is variety, so order from several kitchens and share plates across the table.
• Go off-peak for space. Mid-afternoon or early evening is calmer than the lunch and dinner rushes.
• Great for families and mixed groups. Everyone gets what they want, and there is always something for children and for vegetarians.
• Check closing times. Some halls run late with a bar scene, others wind down after dinner, so confirm if you are arriving late.

Keep Exploring London

The Bottom Line

For a first visit, Seven Dials Market is the most central and the most fun, and Arcade Food Hall the most polished. If you are staying near Victoria or the City, Market Halls and Eataly are easy wins. Food halls are the smart choice for groups, families and rainy days, and you will eat well without booking or breaking the budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best food hall in London?

Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden is the best all-rounder, central, lively and full of quality independent traders. Arcade Food Hall near Tottenham Court Road is the most polished, and Kingly Court in Soho is the prettiest. The best one for you depends on where you are staying and the mood you want.

What is the difference between a food hall and a street food market?

A food hall is a permanent, indoor space with communal seating and a bar, open in all weather, while a street food market is usually open-air and often only on certain days. Both feature independent kitchens rather than chains, so the food quality is high in both.

How much does it cost to eat at a London food hall?

A main dish from a stall usually costs around 9 to 16 pounds (about 12 to 21 dollars), a cocktail or craft beer around 7 to 12 pounds, and lunch for a family of four roughly 50 to 75 pounds. It is cheaper and more flexible than a restaurant.

Are London food halls good for families and groups?

Yes, they are ideal. Everyone orders what they like from different kitchens and sits together, there is always something for children and for vegetarians, and there is no need to book. Send one person to hold a table at busy times while the others order.

Do you tip at food halls in London?

No, tipping is not expected at a food hall. You order and pay at each stall directly, usually by card or phone, and there is no table service, which keeps the whole experience quick and the bill simple.

Are London food halls open in the evening?

Most are open through lunch and dinner, and several, such as BOXPARK Shoreditch and parts of Seven Dials Market, run late with a bar scene. A few wind down after dinner, so check the closing time if you are planning a late meal.

Which London food hall is best near the main sights?

Seven Dials Market and Kingly Court are in the heart of the West End near Covent Garden and Soho, Market Halls Victoria is handy for Buckingham Palace and the station, and the Southbank area markets are close to the London Eye. All are easy to combine with sightseeing.

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