Roll up, roll up: discover London’s best markets

Date post added: 11th June 2025

No London weekend is complete without a market stroll (artisan coffee in hand), some adventurous food choices, and the inevitable purchase of a scented candle you definitely didn’t need. It’s one of the best things to do on a relaxed day in London.

Dating back to Medieval times, London’s markets are more than just fruit and veg shopping. These days, they’re a full-on cultural experience. They’re part bric-a-brac treasure hunt and part global, social experience. Whether you want an organic farmers’ market, vintage clothes stalls, an array of antiques and collectables or the best street food around, there’s a London market for you.

Here’s our guide to the best markets in London. Grab your tote bag and let’s go shopping.

1. Borough Market: For foodies who know their matcha from their manchego

The king of gourmet food markets, Borough Market’s an absolute must-visit for foodies. Expect food vendors selling artisanal sourdough, truffle oil you can’t afford, and at least three types of olives you didn’t know existed.

Is Borough Market worth it? Some places don’t live up to the hype. Borough Market does. The queues are long, but that toasted cheese sandwich is worth every second.

Borough Market’s been a trading hub on the south bank of the Thames since 1014. Located smack bang next to London Bridge and beneath striking Victorian railway arches, you must take a moment to drink in the remarkable architecture as well as the locally-roasted coffee. You may recognise it as the backdrop for iconic films including the Harry Potter and Bridget Jones franchises.

Discover the delights of Borough Market and more on our Epicurean, Gourmets’, Foodies’ London walk.

2. Columbia Road Flower Market: For budding botanists

Amongst the grey, concrete, East End streets of Hackney, Columbia Road Flower Market brings a blooming lovely burst of colour and floral scents. Every Sunday, Columbia Road’s lined with market stalls bursting with cut flowers, houseplants, shrubs and more.

You’ll walk in looking for a simple bouquet and leave with a jungle that you struggle to get home on the tube. Talking of which, the market’s well signposted from Shoreditch tube station which opens specially on Sundays. But you can also follow the dulcet tones of Cockney traders yelling, “Three for a tenner!”

3. Portobello Road Market: For vintage culture vultures

Amongst a colourful, vibrant stretch of Notting Hill nestles Portobello Road market – a vintage lover’s paradise. Since the 1950s, it’s been the place to hunt for antiques. Remember Mr. Gruber’s antique shop from the Paddington films? That’s there at number 86, and is actually called Alice’s.

There’s been a market here since the 1800s. Today, it’s grown into one of the largest London markets with over 1500 market stalls some Saturdays. Call it what you will – pre-loved, vintage, retro or second hand – Portobello Road Market is the place to rifle through market stalls to see if someone else’s trash is your treasure. You can find everything from vintage clothes and bric-a-brac to second hand maps, jewellery, coins and antique furniture.

Join us there every Saturday morning to discover the sights, sounds and stories of Notting Hill and Portobello Road.

4. Broadway Market: For the East London cool crowd

Grab your tote bag and join the hipsters at Broadway Market in Hackney.

Artisanal donuts? Tick. Organic kimchi? Of course. Handmade jewellery created from recycled skateboard decks? Oh yes. Ironic indie T-shirts? Naturally. This Hackney gem is peak East London in market form.

Like much of Hackney, it’s risen from the dark days of the 1980s to flourish in the 2000s. Broadway Market runs every Saturday and you’ll need to sharpen your elbows to make your way through the crowds of creatives. But any day of the week, you can enjoy a cold-pressed coffee in a chic cafe round here.

5. Greenwich Market: For nautical treasure hunters

Hidden between maritime museums and observatories, Greenwich Market is where you find handmade goods, art, and crafts – all with a slightly nautical flair. It’s open every day of the week, but the offering changes all the time. The indoor market’s been going since the 18th century.

Greenwich is such a great place to potter around on a weekend, taking in the history, the panoramic views and all things maritime. Where else could you grab some global street food and eat it with a view of the Cutty Sark?

6. Camden Market: For rockers and rollers

Camden’s a glorious chaos of food stalls, vintage shops, tattoo parlours, and more fake band tees than you can shake a glow stick at. You might get lost. You might find yourself buying platform boots. You will definitely eat something on a stick.

Punk rock meets street food in Camden. As you wander round the market, you’ll take in eclectic food stall fragrances with live music and street art adding to the edgy vibe.

You get bang for your buck here. Camden Market’s not one but six separate markets – Buck Street Market, Camden Stables Market, Camden Lock Market, Hawley Wharf, Electric Ballroom and Inverness Street Market.

We walk here every Saturday morning. Join us to uncover Camden Town’s alternative London

7. Covent Garden Markets: For tourists and talent spotters

Covent Garden’s busy, it’s beautiful, and it’s buzzing with street performers, pop-ups, and plenty of charm. Nab a seat in the sun and people-watch to your heart’s content. Even if it’s your 100th visit, you’ll still stop to watch a street performer. It could be anything from a magician to a musician or even a fire-eater.

Covent Garden’s Apple Market – a former world-famous fruit market – is brimming with eclectic artworks, design goods, bespoke jewellery and more. Across the piazza, Jubilee Market (an indoor market) has all sorts of gifts, nik-naks and trinkets.

8. Old Spitalfields Market: For the arty and artisanal

Just a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street and its city slickers, Old Spitalfields Market is a major shopping and eating destination. The bustling East End market is a testament to the city’s ability to reinvent itself. The market’s been going since 1600, but they certainly weren’t serving up sublime soupy dumplings and organic cotton jumpsuits then.

This covered market in East London has everything from designer labels and indie boutiques, to handmade crafts, and next-level street food. It’s stylish without trying too hard.

9. Alfie’s Antiques Market: For stylish scavengers

Alfie’s is a retro rabbit-hole of art deco delights, mid-century madness, and treasures you didn’t know you needed. It’s chic, low-key, and you can lose hours of your life browsing the incredible antiques.

The market’s located in an Egyptian-style art deco building in Marylebone. That’s quite something in itself. Definitely worth a visit, it has a rooftop café for when you need to sit down and think about whether you really need that porcelain tiger.

10. Brixton Market: For culture cravers

Brixton Market packs a punch. Expect a full sensory overload – in the best way. Caribbean flavours, Afrobeat rhythms, vintage finds, and bold street art collide in Brixton Village. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s properly authentic.

Stock up on exotic ingredients and beautiful fresh produce. The scents are mesmerising, and the Jerk chicken is absolutely legendary. You can also pick up the homewares to serve it all up in.

11. Maltby Street Market: For foodies wanting an alternative to Borough

Maltby Street market’s smaller, trendier, and less full on than Borough. It’s a relative newcomer, opening in 2010. The crowds haven’t totally clocked this hidden gem in South East London.

Tucked under railway arches, this Bermondsey market serves up craft beer, truffle burgers, and sensational small plates. Locals love it, and it’s fast becoming a foodie favourite. Once you’ve discovered this boutique shopping destination on Rope Walk, you’ll be back for more.

12. Brick Lane Market: For eclectic explorers

Part vintage fair, part street food haven, part bargain-hunter’s paradise. Brick Lane’s where old meets new, chaos meets creativity, and your senses come alive.

This East End stalwart is a Sunday tradition (although there are some stalls all week). Explore a rambling flea market of stalls selling bargain bric-a-brac. Or sample exotic flavours and stock up on spices. Colourful saris abound to elevate the vibrancy.

Turn into The Old Truman Brewery for the under-cover Upmarket with around 200 stalls to browse.

But you can’t visit Brick Lane without bagging yourself a bagel. Open 24/7, they’re basically a rite of passage.

What is the best day to go to the London markets?

• Alfie’s Antiques Market: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-6pm.
• Borough Market: Weekdays from 10am-5pm, Saturdays from 8am, and 10am-3pm on Sundays.
• Brick Lane Market: Mondays to Saturdays, 11am-6:30pm. Sundays, 10am-6pm.
• Brixton Village and Market Row: Daily, 8am to 11.30pm except for Mondays when they close at 6pm.
• Broadway Market: Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. Limited market stalls on Sundays, 10am-5pm.
• Camden Market: Daily from 10am til late.
• Columbia Road Flower Market: Sundays 9am to 12pm.
• Covent Garden Market: Mondays to Saturdays, 8am-6pm. Sundays, 11am-4pm.
• Greenwich Market: Tuesdays to Sundays ,10am to 5.30pm in winter months. Seven days a week during the summer.
• Maltby Street Market: Saturdays, 10am-5pm. Sundays, 11am-4pm.
• Old Spitalfields Market: Mondays to Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-8pm. Thursdays, 8am-6pm. Saturdays, 10am-6pm. Sundays, 10am-5pm.
• Portobello Road Market: Mondays to Wednesdays, 9am-6pm. Thursdays 9am-1pm. Fridays and Saturdays, 9am-7pm. Closed on Sundays.

Explore London markets with us

London’s markets are chaotic, charming, and sometimes completely bonkers. They’re also packed with character, creativity, and some of the best eats you’ll find in the city. Whether you’re hunting for hidden gems or just out for a really good snack, there’s a market here for you. And if you’re visiting London, it gives you a real insight into the city’s diverse and unique blend.

Discover the rich history of Foodie London with our epicurean expert.