Best markets in London

First and quite possibly foremost, we kick off with the daddy, the boss, the big kahuna (and whatever other hyperbolic superlatives you can think of). Yes, it’s the quite brilliant Borough Market, which has been a feature of this part of town (Borough, that is) for around 1,000 years. Quite the pedigree, then. And there’s really no better way to start your London morning than among its labyrinth of stalls, steaming Monmouth Coffee brew in one hand, face-sized Bread Ahead donut in the other, and the rumble of trains passing overhead. 

Suitably fortified, shop, graze and Insta post your way through this sensory fiesta of a place, where you can pick up anything from fine wines to even finer British cheeses (hello, Neal’s Yard Dairy!); zingy Korean fried chicken to piquant olive tapenades. And, once you’re all shopped out and/or couldn’t possibly eat another delicious bite, repair to the Market Porter alehouse for a frothing half of London Pride or catch breath in the leafy grounds of medieval Southwark Cathedral just the other side of the market.

What’s next?

• The View from The Shard, just across the street in London Bridge.
• Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, a short and scenic stroll west along the banks of the Thames.
• Southwark Cathedral, final resting place of Shakespeare’s little bro Edmund.

Another gourmand go-to, the Southbank Centre Market sits right behind Royal Festival Hall and a stone's throw from Waterloo Station. The Southbank Centre is a cultural mecca in itself, all brutalist architecture, skateboarding cool kids and performance venues that promise everything from cutting-edge theater to established musicians and avant-garde performance art. And the market is similarly multi-faceted, with foodie options that run the gamut from vegan Ethiopian curries to Italian cannoli, Indian street snacks and New Orleans soul food.

Bonus market alert! Just round the other side of the Southbank Centre, in front of the BFI Cinema and beneath Waterloo Bridge, you’ll find another li’l market, this one a treasure trove of second-hand book stalls. Pick up a literary classic, a cool old-school Penguin edition, graphic novel or modern detective tale to dip into as you chow down on your foodie quarry. Truly the best of both worlds.

What’s next?

• A spin on The London Eye, a very short amble west along the Thames.
• The Tate Modern for some of the 20th Century’s most eye-popping art.
• A wander across Westminster Bridge to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

On the colder, wetter days – for which all visitors to the capital should inevitably brace (or, y’know, just carry an umbrella) – we find ourselves drawn almost inexorably to the fully covered joy of Old Spitalfields Market, located just a short (albeit potentially rather damp) walk from Liverpool Street Station. 

Along with a wide variety of gourmet food trucks and pop-ups, toting everything from donuts to Asian cuisine, there are also plenty of cool stalls hawking treats like indie-designer clothes and totes, won’t-find-them-anywhere-else jewelry pieces and various other unique novelty items. You'll also find various other pop-up markets down there at certain times of the week, specializing in the likes of antiques, plants and vinyl records.

What’s next?

• Delve into London’s darker corners on a Jack the Ripper tour.
• A spot of bowling or karaoke on nearby Brick Lane.
• You’re also only about a mile from the Tower of London here.

Home of the famous Electric Avenue from the famous '80s song, Brixton is one of the most diverse districts in London. Ergo, you can expect an equally diverse collection of world foods to be on offer. You're bound to find some delectable Caribbean jerk chicken, Italian bites, and fish dishes all over the place. And, on top of all that, you'll discover arcades full of craft jewellery, amateur art, household goods and so much more. Hungry? Take your pick from artisan pizza, belly-busting burritos, smash burgers, Vietnamese street food and more. But vibrant Afro-Caribbean flavors is really what it’s all about here – cod fish fritters, curried mutton roti, fried plantain and spicy rice. If you like your food spiced and your shopping unpredictable, it's easily one of the best markets in London! And don’t forget to pay homage at the shrine to Brixton boy (and starman) David Bowie – it’s just across the street from Brixton Village on the side of Morleys department store

What’s next?

• Take a wander to the walled English garden in Brockwell Park.
• Catch a show at the legendary O2 Academy Brixton.
• Watch the latest blockbusters at Brixton’s iconic Ritzy cinema.

Nestled in the famous Notting Hill, an upscale west London enclave best known for the movie of the same name and a carnival as colorful as a rainbow caught in a kaleidoscope, Portobello Road Market is London’s premier antique and bric-a-crac mecca. Well over 200 years old, it's one of the city's largest and longest-running markets. And, here, you don't just get one or two markets; you get five whole markets for the price of one! Whether you're looking for fresh food, vintage garments, second-hand knick-knacks, or the aforementioned antiques, Portobello Road Market's got you covered. It's a shopper's paradise. 

And, once you've perused and purchased to your heart's content, papped the area’s candy-colored townhouses and nabbed a selfie outside Alice Antiques – Mr Gruber’s emporium from the ‘Paddington’ films – there are absolutely loads of cool local bars and restaurants begging to be checked out. After all, you’ll deserve a rest after all that bargain hunting.

What’s next?

• Take a guided walking tour of Notting Hill and Kensington Gardens.
• Go ice-skating at the nearby QUEENS rink.
• Dive into royal history at the Jacobean confection that is Kensington Palace.

Next is a market that requires no introduction. But we’re going to give it one anyway. Camden Market is well-known around the country as one of the biggest and busiest markets in the country. Every weekend, thousands of people travel there to buy odds and ends, mixtapes, vintage offerings, tie-dye tees and everything in-between. But, much like Portobello Road, Camden Market is actually a collection of smaller markets that intersect with one another. Head down to the market in Camden Lock, for instance, and you're likely to find higher-end boutique offerings from designers and artists, whereas other avenues will offer their own unique shopping possibilities – second-hand vinyl records, steampunk jewelry, mobile phone accessories; you name it.

Come for the browsing, stay for the banter; you’re almost guaranteed to go home with a few items you didn’t know you needed – a wicker basket in the shape of a skull, a working Nokia 6110 with Snake on it, a porcelain pug – but will soon wonder how you ever lived without them.

What’s next?

• A Camden walking tour that includes the market and more.
• Hotfoot it down to London Zoo at the northern end of Regent’s Park.
• Traverse Regent’s Park to ogle the latest wax A-listers at Madame Tussauds.

Tucked away between Shoreditch and Bethnal Green in London’s East End, Columbia Road Flower Market turns an otherwise peaceful Victorian street into one of the city’s most lively weekend events. This blooming marvelous market bursts into vibrant color every Sunday morning at 10AM, filling the air with sweet perfumes and cries of “three for a pound!” Arrive early for the best Insta action, or get there near packing up time (around 3PM) if you want to bag a last-minute bargain on those leftover tulips, peonies, roses, monsteras, succulents and so on.

And, should you tire of smelling the roses, there are also plenty of cute little independent shops, galleries, bakeries and delis along Columbia Road, many of them open on Sunday to catch trade from the floral fiesta on their doorsteps. In short: perfect Sunday morning vibes.

What’s next?

• You’re just north of Brick Lane, for further Sunday market fun.
• Kids in tow? Head a mile or so east to the Young V&A – it’s free to visit!
• This Jack the Ripper Whitechapel walking tour also runs on Sundays.

Victoria Park may be best known for its music festivals, being the site of All Points East, Lido and (previously) Field Day. However, it's also home to a lovely market that comes out every Sunday. Here, backed by trees and other flora, you'll find plenty of stalls with fresh fruit and veg, and maybe even some tasty exotic treats you won't find at your local supermarket! On top of all that, you can expect plenty of interesting craft beverages from local creators, and cakes and other sweet treats to nibble on. And, since the park's right there, it would be rude not to go and eat them on the grass.

What’s next?

• Try this duo of unusual museums just west of the park: the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and – no need to blush – the Vagina Museum.
• Rent a bike and whiz south along the canal through Mile End Park and beyond.
• The various attractions of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, built for the 2012 games, are just a little way east of Victoria Park.

Arguably the baby on this list, Bermondsey’s Maltby Street Market has been around for less than 20 years. But don't let that put you off, because it's already one of the best in London. Featuring a curated list of vendors, you'll find plenty of ingredients to buy and loads of street food to try besides. With the likes of Duck Frites, who fuse duck with other interesting cuisines, and Bangers, who make what is quite probably the best sausage sandwich you've ever tasted, it's no wonder this place has become such a popular weekend hangout for in-the-know Londoners.

The whole thing plays out beneath soaring Victorian railway arches, meaning you also get a ready-made Insta backdrop for all those sourdough cheese toasties, Venezuelan rainbow arepas and black pudding scotch eggs that you’ll no doubt be snapping before scoffing. Afterwards, wash it all down along Bermondsey’s nearby ‘beer mile’, where you can try some of the hippest craft brews in town, straight from the taprooms.

What’s next?

• Brave the sky-high glass-floored walkway at the iconic Tower Bridge, a short stroll from the market.
• Board the epic floating museum that is the mighty HMS Belfast.
• Want more skyline panoramas? It’s a 20-minute walk to The View from The Shard.

Finally, we arrive at Covent Garden Market. This covered market in central London is one of the city's most famous, with its distinct Victorian architecture, glass roof, and curved green supports. A fruit’n’veg market in days gone by, it’s now a haven for craft accessories, art, sculptures, bars, restaurants and much more. You’ll even find quirky one-offs like The Moomin Shop, a store that’s wholly dedicated to those funny little Scandinavian trolls. 

Battle your way through street performers and tourists to reach the outer edge of the cobbled piazza where, as well as a number of high-street stores, there’s yet another market. Opened in 1904, the Jubilee Hall Market is a bit more of a mish-mash, with antiques on Mondays, arts and crafts on weekends and all manner of trinkets, treasures and trash in between.

What’s next?

• Also on Covent Garden’s main piazza, London Transport Museum is a treasure trove of buses, trains and horse-drawn carriages of yore.
• Get to know the area on a foodie tour of Covent Garden and Soho.
• Ogle Cézannes, Manets, van Goghs and more at the stunning Courtauld Gallery in nearby Somerset House.
• Experience the glitzy side of the West End on a guided tour of London’s celebrated theater district.