The top vibes, people, and foods can all be found in the best markets in London. The markets are must-dos when you visit London. Markets are the perfect places to discover the true soul of a city and luckily London has great ones! If you are wondering where to go local shopping in London – don’t you worry anymore! Here are the 9 best markets in London where you can eat great food, buy antiques, flower or simple second-hand items!
The best markets in London are kind of scattered around the whole city from Camden to Shoreditch. So in each part of the city, you have an opportunity to see another market – yay! Especially on the weekends, market visiting is a classic pass-time for locals too. You can see them having a brunch or getting a bouquet of flowers from the flower market for the family reunion. You’ll simply need decide which among this list of the best markets in London you would like to visit as they tend to sell a range of different things.
Best Markets in London #1: CAMDEN MARKET
Camden is a very authentic market if you are looking to find everything at once. The market is located right next to Regent’s Canal Path between Chalk Farm and Camden Town areas. It is possible to find many things including hand-made accessories to second-hand records, brand-new clothes to vintage decors. The food stalls are filled with a very colourful scene, there are many options from all over the world. You can eat sushi, churros, pizza or even spend your five o’clock tea time here. The setting is pretty great during spring and summer as you can enjoy the beautiful weather outside as you wander around.
Market type: Mix of food, clothes, second-hand vintage, and handmade items.
Open: Only on weekends
Address: Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AF
Best Markets in London #2: BOROUGH MARKET
Borough Market is probably one of the most famous and best markets in London – maybe even in all of Europe. The market has been serving to local people since 1014 – over a thousand years! The history of the place is very unique. It has been always an example for other kinds of the food market in the country too with its actions, take on sustainability and waste management. Above all, Borough Market makes sure that the stalls have the freshest produce, high-quality ingredients, and products for the customers. You can have a quite bite or a lunch during the day. The variety of foods is amazing and there is always something special to surprise you. Visit here if you are a foodie but also for the London’s food history.
Market type: Food
Open: Except Sundays
Address: 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL
Best Markets in London #3: GREENWICH MARKET
This beautiful cozy market is only 20 minutes away from the central London. You can reach here by train, tube, bus, DLR and even canal boat. The place is very close to the University of Greenwich. According to official dates, Greenwich Market was established in 1737 and it still continues to stand in the same place over the years. There is everything you can imagine here, the whole collection of stalls seems to be very eclectic. You can run into hidden treasures at an antique stall and eat Cuban food a few minutes late. You’ll never know what you may find! If you are lucky, you can even enjoy some live music too!
Market type: Mix of antiques, fashion, beauty products, and food.
Open: Everyday
Address: Greenwich Church Street, SE10 9HZ
Best Markets in London #4: COVENT GARDEN
Covent Garden is the highlight market for traders, local producers for artisanal goods. The market is known to famous all over the world with its fruits and vegetables. However, nowadays it is much more than that. You can go and see a show, watch a live performance, a concert and see an art exhibition. Before you do those things, you can go over and check out the stalls or mini-shops selling antiques, household items or arts and crafts items. There are many restaurants and pubs around as well or you can grab some food from the stalls and end up eating near the canal while strolling around. It is even possible to see some street performers inside the market – you’ll certainly enjoy the vibe here.
Market type: Mix of fresh produce, antiques, household items, clothing, and accessories.
Open: Everyday
Address: Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD
Best Markets in London #5: MALTBY STREET MARKET
Maltby Street Market is actually quite a new addition to the local street market scene in London in 2010. However, it gained quite a popularity quickly and now it is a destination not only for the local people but also travelers. The market is smaller compared to other popular food markets but it is possible to find every kind of food here, as it is more compact. You can grab a falafel, eat some pulled pork sandwiches or even give a break to your food tour with some gin and tonic to relax. Don’t come here when you are full, otherwise, you might regret not being able to taste all these delicious food here!
Market type: Food
Open: Only on weekends
Address:41 Maltby Street, SE1 3PA
Best Markets in London #6: POP BRIXTON
This is my personal favourite among our list of the best markets in London. Pop Brixton is a community initiative which uses a communal area and turns into an advantage for local producers, start-up companies, newbies on the industry. They create local jobs and support independent businesses under their roof. You should know that the market is a temporary project and it will remain in the place until 2021. The whole design both outside and inside is pretty intriguing, very modern and charming at the same time. There are food stalls, designers, barber shop, a youth radio station and even an urban farm inside. You can lose the time when you are going between the stalls to try the food or maybe chilling with some friends outside trying craft beers.
Market type: Mostly food and drinks but also design, tattoo, vintage shops as well.
Open: Everyday
Address: 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ
Best Markets in London #7: COLOMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET
Colombian Road Flower Market is located only a few minutes away from Golders Green stop by tube. In this marker, you can find anything about flowers, plants, seeds, planting soils, decorative gardening. It is like a small heaven, every little shop is packed with colorful displays and mesmerizing smells. Even though you are not a flower enthusiast, you should visit here for the beautiful gathering of these flower shops – it is pretty amazing. Here you can also enjoy some live jazz music while you are walking around or eat some nibbles if you get hungry too. Perfect stop for a Sunday walk!
Market type: Flower and some food.
Open: Only on Sundays
Address: Colombia Road, Hackney
One more for you…
Best Markets in London #8: MERCATO METROPOLITANO
As the name says it all, this market is the metropolitan market in London – with highly Italian vibes. The market consists of local producers, local community and small-scale producers to develop and increase the power of the local economy. You can find anything from a well-stocked wine shop to German beers and burger to cannelloni here. The options for food is very international and you can try small bites from many of them. Mercato Metropolitano is also very conscious about the food and packaging waste in the market and they have a very organized system for recycling and sustainable eating here. There are many events on this issue. For example, recently Sustainable Food Festival was held here! Keep an eye on their schedule for the upcoming event as well.
Market type: Food and drinks
Open: Everyday
Address:42 Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR
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Best Markets in London #9: BRICK LANE
Brick Lane Market is located inside Old Truman Brewery around East End London. There are five sections of the market itself: Vintage Market, Sunday upmarket, Tea Rooms, Boiler House Food Hall and the Backyard Market. The best part about this place is you can never know what kind of treasure you might end up with. There are unusual pieces of vintage items, handmade clothing and jewelry, antique accessory boxes but also a warm and filling curry and pierogi dumplings as well. The market is known to be a flea market but is pretty large and simply more than that. Come here to discover the hidden treasures of Brick Lane – and also to check out graffitis all over the walls!
Market type: Flea market with food options.
Open: Only on Sundays
Address: 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL