People used to joke about British food. Those people clearly hadn’t eaten in modern London. Thanks to centuries of immigration and a food scene that now ranks among the world’s best, you can eat your way around the entire planet here without leaving the city — and the markets are the most delicious place to start. Come hungry; here is where to point your appetite.
Borough Market
If you love food, Borough Market near London Bridge is close to a pilgrimage. One of the oldest markets in the city, its covered lanes are packed with artisan cheese, fresh bread, oysters, spices, and traders handing out samples of everything. At lunchtime the cooked-food stalls take over — sizzling chorizo rolls, gooey grilled cheese, curries, and pastries from a dozen cuisines. Go on a weekday if you can, eat standing up among the crowds, and treat it as a tasting tour rather than a sit-down meal.
Camden and the Street-Food Markets
Up north, Camden Market is the city’s street-food playground. Hundreds of stalls along the canal serve global dishes — Korean, Ethiopian, Venezuelan, you name it — usually at student-friendly prices. It is loud, chaotic, and brilliant for grazing. London is full of these food-market hubs now, from Seven Dials and Mercato Metropolitano to the weekend stalls of Southbank, so wherever you are, a great cheap meal is rarely far away.
Brick Lane and the East End
Over in the East End, Brick Lane is a feast in itself. Historically the heart of the city’s Bangladeshi community, it is lined with curry houses and famous for its 24-hour bagel shops — join the queue for a salt beef bagel and you’ll understand why locals swear by them. On Sundays the whole street becomes a market of vintage clothes, records, and yet more street food, with the smell of spices and fresh bread drifting over everything.
The British Classics to Try
Don’t leave without sampling the local staples. Fish and chips — crisp battered fish with thick-cut chips — is best from a proper “chippy.” A traditional Sunday roast, with meat, roast potatoes, and a puffy Yorkshire pudding, is a weekend ritual worth joining in a good pub. And afternoon tea — dainty sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a pot of tea — is a wonderfully indulgent treat, available everywhere from grand hotels to cozy cafes.
Eating Well Without Overspending
London can be expensive, but eating well here doesn’t have to break the bank. The markets are your best friend for a memorable meal at a fair price. Look for the lunch deals and “pre-theatre” menus that many restaurants offer, and don’t overlook the humble pub, where a hearty plate and a local ale make for a perfect, affordable evening. Above all, be adventurous — in this city, the best meal of your trip might come from a stall you stumbled on by accident.
More London guides: explore the full London Travel Guides series for landmarks, museums, neighborhoods, and nightlife.
You May Like
