must-see markets in London!

One of my favorite things to do when visiting a city is to experience their local markets and food halls. My friends and I went to London for spring break and even though we had all been to London a few times before, we discovered a newfound appreciation in this city: London markets. Now I’m sure there are plenty more markets that London has to offer, but I’m going to highlight a few of the well-known and maybe not so well-known markets/food halls for you to visit next time you find yourself in London.

First on our list is one you’ve definitely heard of before: Camden Market

Camden Market is in Northern London, above Regents Park, which is a ways away from Central London but totally worth the trek. When you come to Camden Market, come HUNGRY. Their food stall selection is anything but ordinary, featuring delicacies from all over the world like Indian curries, Vietnamese pho and Venezuelan arepas. I opted for pasta prepared in a cheese wheel, while my friends ordered a French burger and wok noodles. But, the fun doesn’t have to end at the food. After you’re dong stuffing your face, take a look inside at the multitude of artists and vendors selling their work. Camden Market is a treasure trove of local artistry, good eats and nestled right next to Primrose Hill for you to take a stroll after you feast and shop.

Next on the list is another one you’ve probably heard of: Portobello Road Market

I think this was my favorite markets out of all of the markets we visited because it was all outdoors and went on as far as the eye could see. Every day except Sunday, Portobello Road is home to the Portobello Road Market, which (based on the day) has antiques, food, vintage jewelry and clothing, to name a few. As we walked through the market, there was so much to take it that we never actually finished the market because it went on for so long. This is the perfect Saturday afternoon activity, since that is their biggest day and all of the stalls are open. It’s situated in Notting Hill, which is a picturesque area with vibrantly colored houses and also the set of the movie, Notting Hill , for all you romantics out there.

The next crowd favorite: Borough Market

This is every foodie’s heaven. When we went, it wasn’t quite as crowded and congested as the other markets, so if you get easily overwhelmed by crowds, this is the outdoor market for you. My friends and I decided to share our meals since it all looked divine and opted to split fish and chips, focaccia and paella. I’m still dreaming about that paella weeks later. This is also the perfect place to shop for fresh bakery goods, oils and jams. After visiting Borough Market, I suggest taking a short 10-minute walk to the Tate Modern, a free modern art museum just off the Thames River. A perfect afternoon well-spent!

My next recommendation is a fairly new market, called the Seven Dials Market.

This market opened in September 2019 and has been bustling ever since. My friends and I knew nothing about it and simply stumbled upon it while walking aimlessly around Covent Garden. We were intrigued by the large cartoon bananas on the outside of the building, learning later that it used to be a banana warehouse! This indoor food hall/market is on the smaller side, but still is worth a visit just to see the cheese conveyer belt and try their fish and chips!

Last but not least, I want to highlight a food hall/independent shopping area, BOXPARK.

Located in Shoreditch, BOXPARK offers a row of independent retailers below a bustling indoor food hall created out of repurposed shipping containers. If you’re looking for a contemporary shopping experience to buy unique gifts and clothing instead of antiques and olive oils, this is the place for you. It still gives you a market feel with a more modern take on it. Although I didn’t eat here, we shopped during the day and then came back at night for some drinks. Side note: whenever you’re in London, I highly recommend trying a fruit cider wherever you go! They just don’t do cider in Chapel Hill like they do in London.

Photo taken from: Time Out

I hope that next time you find yourself in London, you visit some of these markets and food halls. Your waist may not thank you but your taste buds will.

I hope you all stay well, healthy and safe!

xx