The Best Street Food Markets in London for 2026

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

If you want to eat like a Londoner without spending a fortune, the city’s street food markets are the answer. They are where the best young cooks start out, where a dozen cuisines sit side by side, and where a brilliant lunch costs less than a sandwich in a tourist cafe. For an American visitor, this is a cheaper, tastier and more local way to eat than a sit-down restaurant, and a fine morning out on its own. This guide names the markets worth your time, tells you what to eat and what it costs in pounds and dollars, and explains which days they open.

Why London’s Street Food Markets Are Worth Your Time

London’s markets are a living map of the city’s food. At one stall you might eat Ethiopian, at the next Vietnamese, then a proper British pie or a fresh-shucked oyster. Many of London’s best restaurants began as a market stall, so the cooking is ambitious and the prices are low. The markets are also some of the most atmospheric places in the city, from Victorian railway arches to canal-side yards. For indoor options in bad weather, see our guide to the best food courts in London, and for guided tastings, our London food tours.

The Best Street Food Markets in London

Borough Market

Southwark, near London Bridge · open most days, fullest Wednesday to Saturday

London’s most famous food market and a thousand years old in spirit. Borough is a mix of gourmet produce, cheese, bread and charcuterie stalls and outstanding hot street food. Come hungry, try a grilled cheese, a salt-beef sandwich or fresh oysters, and expect crowds at lunch. Dishes around £7 to £12 (about $9 to $16).

Camden Market

Camden, by the canal · open daily

The best place in London for global street food under one roof. Camden’s food stalls run from Korean and Chinese to Venezuelan arepas and vegan comfort food, spread across the Lock and Stables markets by Regent’s Canal. A lively, all-day scene that pairs well with the market’s vintage shopping. Dishes around £7 to £11 (about $9 to $15).

Maltby Street Market

Bermondsey · weekends

A weekend favourite tucked under the railway arches along Rope Walk. Smaller and more local than Borough, with excellent hot food, natural wine and a relaxed, in-the-know feel. Great for a Saturday brunch. Dishes around £7 to £13 (about $9 to $17).

Broadway Market

Hackney, East London · Saturdays

The classic East London Saturday market, running down to the canal at London Fields. A tight, high-quality mix of street food, bakers and producers, loved by locals. Perfect paired with a walk along the towpath. Dishes around £6 to £11 (about $8 to $15).

Brick Lane and the Sunday Markets

East London · Sundays

On Sundays, the area around Brick Lane and the Old Truman Brewery fills with street food, vintage stalls and the famous salt-beef and cream-cheese bagels from the 24-hour bagel shops. Chaotic, cheap and full of character. Dishes around £6 to £10 (about $8 to $13).

Southbank Centre Food Market

South Bank, behind the Royal Festival Hall · weekends and often more

The most convenient market for first-time visitors, steps from the London Eye and the river. A compact run of hot-food stalls, from duck-fat chips to global curries, ideal to combine with a walk along the South Bank. Dishes around £8 to £12 (about $11 to $16).

Mercato Metropolitano

Elephant and Castle · open daily

A sprawling Italian-led food market in a former paper factory, with pizza, pasta, and stalls from around the world, plus bars and a garden. Covered and open daily, so a strong wet-weather choice. Dishes around £8 to £14 (about $11 to $19).

Book a Borough Market or London food tourBrowse London food experiences on Viator

What Street Food Costs in London

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

How to Do the Markets Right

• Check the days. Some markets are weekend-only (Maltby Street, Broadway, Brick Lane), while Borough, Camden and Mercato Metropolitano open most or all days. Confirm before you go.
• Go hungry and graze. The joy is trying several small things from different stalls rather than one big plate.
• Arrive around midday. Stalls are fully set up, the food is fresh, and you beat the worst of the afternoon crush.
• Pair it with a walk. Borough with London Bridge, Southbank with the London Eye, Broadway with the canal, Camden with Regent’s Park.
• Bring a card and a little cash. Contactless is everywhere, but a few traders are cash-only.

Keep Exploring London

The Bottom Line

For a first visit, Borough Market is the must-see and the Southbank Centre market the most convenient. For a more local day, head east to Broadway Market or Maltby Street at the weekend. Wherever you go, arrive hungry, graze widely and you will eat some of the best-value food in London.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best street food market in London?

Borough Market near London Bridge is the most famous and the best all-rounder, mixing gourmet produce with excellent hot street food. Camden Market has the widest range of global street food, and for a more local weekend feel, Broadway Market in Hackney and Maltby Street in Bermondsey are hard to beat.

How much does street food cost in London?

A hot street food dish usually costs around 7 to 12 pounds (about 9 to 16 dollars), a famous Brick Lane salt-beef bagel around 6 to 8 pounds, and a full market lunch for two around 25 to 35 pounds. It is some of the best-value eating in the city.

Which London food markets are open on weekdays?

Borough Market opens most days and is fullest from Wednesday to Saturday, while Camden Market and Mercato Metropolitano open daily. Many of the best local markets, including Maltby Street, Broadway Market and the Brick Lane Sunday markets, are weekend-only, so check the days before you go.

Is Borough Market worth visiting?

Yes. Borough Market is London’s most famous food market, a mix of produce stalls, cheese, bread and outstanding hot street food near London Bridge. It is busy at lunch, so arrive around midday or slightly before, come hungry, and try a grilled cheese, salt-beef sandwich or fresh oysters.

Do London street food markets take cards?

Most stalls take contactless cards and phone payments, and many are card-only. A few small traders are still cash-only, so it is worth carrying a little cash. Tipping is not expected at a street food stall.

What should I eat at a London street food market?

Graze rather than commit to one plate. Look for what has a queue of locals, and try British classics such as a salt-beef bagel, oysters or a proper pie alongside the global stalls. The pleasure is sampling several small dishes from different cuisines.

Are London food markets good for vegetarians and vegans?

Very. London’s markets are among the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly places to eat in the city, with dedicated plant-based stalls at Camden, Borough and most weekend markets, clearly labelled and often excellent.

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