London has some truly amazing markets, where you can unleash the shopaholic in you and bring home basically anything that the world has ever offered. You can find food, second-hand, vintage, antiques, such as up-end, independent stores for clothing, furniture, trinkets of sorts, not to mention the books and art. Trust, you will not leave empty-handed.
Let’s go in order, so that you know where to start on the map, shall we?
Let’s start with the Central London Markets
- Borough Market:
covered by one of our tours, the Borough market is mainly a food market, dating back to the 1300, and it’s the best place to pick and nibble among grocers, butchers, fishmongers, cheesemongers and delicatessens from all over the world. Come hungry, and you will be fed like Royalty with organic produce and tasty, delicious recipes at the Borough Market Kitchen, at the back of the market. You definitely need to stop by. - Southbank Centre Food and Book Market:
Find the tasty treats on offer at this market housed in Southbank Centre Square right behind the Royal Festival Hall! Come up on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holiday Mondays. The street food vendors are specifically chosen for their dedication to delicious, sustainable and ethical food and drink.
You can also peruse paperbacks and hunt for hardcovers at the Southbank Centre Book Market each day under Waterloo Bridge, find the quirky, the old, the unexpected! - Seven Dials Market (Yes, it’s food again):
This place is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Head to Seven Dials to get to the homonymous Seven Dials market. Can’t avoid the pun with this ex-banana warehouse now turned into a glass-roofed chillout spot, full of delicious food on every corner. Go downstairs if you’re starving for a bite of street food, or upstairs for the elegant terrazzo countertop cafes. Get more goodies at Cucumber Alley: we mentioned it last, but it’s just as impressive as the rest.
Next, North London Markets
- Camden Markets:
This is a very popular spot offering all you might need, it is actually composed of five markets, all bunched up between Camden Town and Chalk Farm. Browse among more than 1,000 shops, stalls, cafes and bars near the canals. The main ones are The Lock Market, the center of it all, hosting cool independent makers together with a tiny but very attention-worthy street food market on the water (which makes it really pretty), and the Stables Market we know by fame, with its much more alternative style. Here, you’ll find plenty of goods from Camden’s punk scene, designer clothes, vintage garments and one-off artworks, alongside workshops and restaurants.
On the opposite side, let’s give a look at the South London Markets
- Greenwich Market
Just like the Borough and Coven markets, this is an indoor market with a bit of everything, and it’s a good way to spend a few hours on a rainy day. Wondering what to do in London when it rains? Find it here!
Pick up some wonderful products from artisans and small cottage industries every day here. Weekends are busiest, with about 150 stalls selling an enticing range of jewellery, pictures, clothes, accessories and unique gifts. Once you’ve explored the market, grab a bite at the food court then head to the local shops selling even more goodies. - Mercato Metropolitano
Choose from mouth watering bites from a bit more than 40 vendors, browse stalls full of artisan produce and soak up the chilled vibes in the indoor and outdoor seating areas at Elephant and Castle’s Mercato Metropolitano. If you’re keen for more, check out its sister venue, Mercato Mayfair, sitting within an 18th-century St Mark’s Church, now a hub of international and sustainable dining.
Let’s get fancy with the West London markets:
- Portobello Market
Soak up the atmosphere at one of the oldest markets in London, on Portobello Road. The market here has existed since the 1800s, but it became particularly famous for its antiques only around the 1950s (maybe it was still selling the 1800 stuff? Who knows) Nowadays, you can also find everything from vintage clothes and pretty trinkets to music. Find the Portobello market in full swing on Saturdays. - Alfies Antique Market
If you like antiques, this is a must-visit for you: it’s one of the largest indoor antiques markets in London. This charming Marylebone destination specialises in vintage clothes from the 1930s and 1940s, alongside other collectables and design pieces. Make sure to head to its rooftop kitchen for views over west London.
Now, it’s the turn of East London Markets
- Broadway Market
Chat to the local farmers, artists and craftspeople who will be displaying their work at Broadway Market in Hackney. Shop here if you are looking for delicious ingredients, tasty ready-made food, unique, quite unusual clothes and gifts, as well as vintage furniture, lighting and more. Also you should check out nearby Netil Market, which is a smaller market focused on art and food (just a friendly little tip). - Old Spitalfields Market
Take time to explore this covered market in east London, offering everything from clothes to food and artwork. Old Spitalfields Market is all about cutting-edge fashion and accessories, whether coming from designer brands or independent boutiques. You can also find specialized shops, as well as street food and restaurants right nearby. Come down for the different events: Antiques Market every Thursday, Urban Makers Market the last weekend of each month, and Vinyl Market every other Friday.
Enjoy your browsing and shopping!