In a multicultural, gastronomical place like London, you're always going to be spoiled for choice which it comes to street food markets. The concept has been around since the 16th century, with hawkers carrying food around in baskets and wheelbarrows, setting up stalls across the city. We've come a long way from bundles of mussels and pies, as some of the world's most talented chefs have travelled extensively and experimented with various ingredients to create dishes that push every boundary. With a conveyor belt of sandwiches and inventive pop-ups paired with the ongoing reign of Borough Market since 1756, it's never been easier to enjoy street food in London.
When you're done with street food, why not give some of London's best food halls a try?
On the edge of the Olympic Park, Hackney Bridge is a stunning canalside restaurant and bar. Perfect for soaking up the sun and views of the water, it serves up craft beer, cocktails and delicious dishes.
Its buzzing street food kitchen packs in plenty to keep you fuelled up. We're talking Japanese-inspired soul food, Filipino barbecue, Neapolitan pizza, juicy burgers and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
Nestled on London's vibrant South Bank, The Understudy is a haven for craft beer, cocktails, and top-tier street food. With a hand-picked selection of KERB traders, you can feast on everything from juicy Meltdown Cheeseburgers to soul-warming Sen Noods ramen and Sireli's Middle Eastern delights.
Whether you're sinking into a cosy indoor spot by the bar or taking in the riverside views from the terrace, expect a laid-back atmosphere with exceptional drinks from local legends like Gipsy Hill Brewing, East London Liquor Co., and Nirvana Brewing.
Mercato Metropolitano Elephant And Castle and Mayfair is London's first Sustainable Community food market, where you can discover over 40 independent food vendors offering a diverse selection of locally sourced and globally inspired cuisine. It opened its doors in 2016, housed in an abandoned former paper factory site that's been transformed into a vibrant space made from recycled materials, and packing an eclectic selection of food. On the menu? Arancini and cannoli from Little Sicily, falafels from Lebanese, and fresh pasta from Dez Amore to name a few. And that's not all – they've also got a micro-brewery on-site, a hidden music theatre, and a variety of community events to keep you entertained.
If it's street food you're after, then head to one of Market Hall London's exceptional venues across Oxford Street, Victoria and Canary Wharf where you'll find some of the best eats in the city spanning 24 kitchens and over 200 dishes. At the former, you'll find a cracking 2-for-1 cocktail happy hour between 3pm and 6pm, Monday 'til Friday, as well as vendors such as cheesecake connoisseurs Whipped, sandwich giants Sexy Buns and modern gourmet kebabs from Le Bab. Pick whatever your heart desires from a range of global cuisines and join your mates in the dining area to tuck into your scrumptious plates.
Boasting gorgeous views of the river, MMy Wood Wharf is a stunning space to enjoy a bite to eat. You'll find it on 6 George Street, fronting a light inside space with industrial-style decor, as well as plenty of outside seating, including private igloos, surrounded by lush greenery. Artisanal kitchens take over the space whipping up sustainable produce, and there's organic wine to dabble in too should you need something to wash your delicious lunch or dinner down with. Choose from a number of different traders for authentic fare, such as Fresco for Italian pizza, Dim Sum Lab if you're in the mood for Chinese street food, and Lebanese Table for some modern eats. There's also TAM: Temple of Art and Music Jazz Bar to provide some entertainment.
Located on Liverpool Street, Boxhall City is a diverse food and drink market that offers something for everyone. There are two bars and 14 different food vendors on-site, alongside a regular lineup of live entertainment.
Tuck into tasty burgers, baked goods, sushi platters and everything in between, while sipping on a cocktail or beer. Plus, there's even a gorgeous roof terrace that's perfect for the summer months.
Peckham Levels is one of those venues that just has it all. The multi-storey car park on Rye Lane has existed as a meeting place for arts and community since 2017, hosting diverse entertainment programs featuring grassroots performers, musicians and visual artists. It also happens to have a street food market on the 6th floor which you can reach by following the bright pink staircase. There's so much to choose from, whether you fancy Senegalese fare in the form of lamb or vegetable mafe from Little Baobab, Korean eats from Masta's or a good ol' Freewheelin' Pizza. Need to wash it down? The bars rustle up international beers and locally inspired cocktails too, and even has a Japanese-themed karakoe room for up to 20 people to use.
With one of the most diverse ranges of cuisines on offer, Pop Brixton is a top choice for street food if you're in South London. It's a creative spot that has repurposed shipping containers into space for local independent businesses and vendors. You'll find stalls selling Greek (Mo Suvlaki), Thai (Prad Thai) and Italian (House Of Dough) food here, as well as plenty of others, with dishes ranging from halloumi wraps to Crazy Lamb Jalfrezi burgers from Baba G's. You can even catch live music here on a regular basis, as well as cultural festivals and other entertainment such as live sports screenings.
A lush boozer to rival all the street food markets London has to offer? Count us in. The Prince is a bold and beautiful pub, with a woodland-inspired pergola adding an extra splash of colour to the space, creating a stunning environment for enjoying live bands, DJ sets and exploring street food vendors and a bustling bar. Pizza specialists Crust Bros, famous for their delicately blistered dough, have a residency here, alongside Temaki, who are serving up karaage and fries, spicy chicken bao buns and crispy chilli squid. Wash down all this tasty food with a spicy margarita, Aperol spritz or a Crodino spritz - an alcohol-free alternative.
An iconic eating and entertainment destination near the Thames, Flat Iron Square offers a selection of rotating traders, beers, sports and plenty of atmosphere every day of the week. If you're on the hunt for a night street food market in London, you'll be pleased to find that this beauty is open until 12am between Thursday and Saturday.
It boasts 18 state-of-the-art screens (including a 16ft one), plus a variety of cuisines: think delicious Neapolitan pizzas topped with nduja or candied jalapenos, crispy fried chicken burgers with ranch mayo or authentic Greek souvlaki wraps.
Vinegar Yard is an effortlessly cool drinking and dining hotspot in London Bridge, located right by The Shard. There's always something going on underneath the pergolas, from flea markets on the weekend to art fairs. In the summer it comes alive with pop-ups on bright Astroturf, then in the winter, it gets a whole lot more cosy as tents pop up. Grab a pew on one of the indoor sofas or outdoor tables and take your pick from a number of street food vendors: Nanny Bill's is there to provided hand-pressed burgers and croquettes, while Nik's Kitchen is slinging out Asian-inspired fare and Bad Boy Pizza Society is firing up its oven to deliver the perfect slice to you and your mates.
This outdoor venue will have you spoilt for choice when it comes to delicious grub paired with a buzzing atmosphere. The Garden Vauxhall can be found on South Lambeth Place fronting dangling foliage, long benches perfect for socialising and an arched, blue roof ideal for keeping the vibes going no matter what the weather. Talented chefs frequent the kitchen as the space is home to Eat Meat Cheese Repeat, Indies Jerk, Fire & Spice Wok and French Tacos to name a few. On Sundays, SABOR takes over bringing Spanish and Latin culture to the streets of South London thanks to live music and plenty of authentic street food.
Boasting six independent micro kitchens serving all sorts of mouthwatering street food, Canteen Food Hall & Bar is a lively space on the Greenwich Peninsula that's ideal for group outings or casual dates. It's only a 30-second walk from the station, boasting a dazzling see-through arched exterior laced with fairy lights. While you're tucking into freshly made South East Asian noodles from Choy House, or paella from Tapas Bravas, you can also sip on hand-shaken cocktails or refreshing craft beer from the bar, with seating space both indoors and on the sunny terrace.
Located in Canary Wharf as well as being sat atop Brixton Market, Pergola Brixton is a lush rooftop space which offers patrons the chance to order tasty favourites from street food vendors. It is a gorgeous space with blossoming vines wrapped around beams, sets of wooden benches and pretty pastel illustrations across the walls, not to mention its very own disco ball. If you're looking for DJ sets, this spot has got them. £5 margaritas on Thursdays? No problem. Oh, and feast on rigatoni cacio e pepe from La Nonna, frijoles Mexicanos tacos courtesy of Jalisco and more while sipping on cocktails in gorgeous plant-adorned surroundings.
Situated on New Oxford Street, Covent Garden and in the heart of the Battersea Power Station, Arcade Food Hall is chock-full of food vendors sure to please your taste buds. The latter features glowing neon signage, geometric carpets and retro furnishings, and offers space for up to 500 diners, with 13 cuisines, two bars and three restaurants to choose from. The Tap Room bar boasts 36 varieties of beers from international and London breweries, whereas the ABC nods to classic cocktail culture. Food-wise, you can expect to get your chops around everything from US-style smash burgers and fried chicken courtesy of Manna to fluffy Taiwanese buns from BAO.
BOXPARK Wembley and Croydon are home to a deliciously diverse selection of street food, with a range of vendors slinging out international eats. The former launched in 2018 with its own 'play' zone where visitors can partake in a range of activities such as mini golf and VR experiences. Situated right next to the arena and stadium, it's the ideal spot to grab a bite to eat before watching a match, a gig or even catch some live sports in the 20,000-square-foot space itself. On the menu? Expect mouthwatering Mexican munch from Hola Guacamole, Nanny Bill's Burgers, hearty, gravy-drenched wraps from Yorkshire Burrito, German Doner Kebab and so much more.
Brought to you by the same team behind KERB, Seven Dials Market is located just around the corner from Covent Garden, fronting 20 street food traders, two bars and event spaces to hire, seven days a week. It's housed in an ex-banana warehouse, sporting a gorgeous glass ceiling and social seating areas. Split up into four sections, you'll find Bar Nana, Banana Warehouse, Cucumber Alley and the Warehouse bar, alongside the Pink Stage where entertainment takes place. You'll discover a number of food entrepreneurs here, such as Pick & Cheese's word-first cheese conveyor belt, delicious bao from Yum Bun and slow-cooked shredded beef marinated in beer, scooped up into a taco, courtesy of Los Gordos.
Located in Covent Garden, ADOH! is a vibrant Sri Lankan restaurant from the team behind Kolamba. The colourful interiors feature patterned walls, wooden bench seating and warm lighting, with a casual feel to it.
They've got a wide variety of cocktails to choose from, as well as a scrumptious street food menu. Think crab kothu, fried chicken and curry leaf waffles, masala curry dosa and more.
If you're on the lookout for sensational street food in the heart of the city, get on down to Borough Market. Its stalls are packed with gourmet dishes and fine seasonal produce, from Middle Eastern and Greek to Malaysian and Venezuelan.
With a history dating back over 1,000 years, it's got a long-standing reputation for high quality, attracting both locals and tourists from around the globe. Be sure to take something to go as well, whether it's artisanal cheese, fresh veg or exotic spices.
Eataly London is the UK's largest Italian food market, just steps from Liverpool Street. This vibrant, multi-level destination is a feast for the senses, with over 6,000 Italian products, artisan counters, open kitchens, and bustling market stalls that transport you straight to a piazza in Rome.
Whether you're shopping for fresh pasta, sipping espresso at Illy Caffè, or sampling cheeses and cured meats, Eataly is a must-visit for food lovers and culinary explorers alike.
Nestled in the heart of Hackney, Broadway Market is an East London favourite that has been serving the local community since the 1880s. With more than 100 stalls, you'll find everything you could ask for here.
Each weekend, the roads are lined with street food vendors, selling the likes of Ethiopian platters, jerk chicken, curries and more. Plus, you'll find handmade good like jewellery and clothing.
When it comes down to the best street food markets London's got to show for itself, Market Place Peckham, Harrow and Vauxhall are top choices. Not only will you get to dig into eats from big-name traders, such as Little Tokyo (think salmon avocado rolls and tuna sashimi), Los Tacos (quesadillas, anyone?), Mr Shawarma and Noodle Corner, but there's also live entertainment. Adorned with hanging plants and pretty, thatched lamp shades, it's an elegant spot to dine as well as fun, thanks to pool tables, a photo booth and its £4 draught pint Sundays. It's also dog-friendly, so you can bring your pooch for a great day out too.
Roof East in Stratford is a venue that refuses to sit still. Fidgeting with energy and always looking to try new things, the venue plays host to some of the capital's quirkiest pop-up events and street food restaurants. Grab a drink at the bar, enjoy the outdoor cinema, try your hand at baseball and munch on dishes from vendors such as Chick'n'Sours, Cheeky Burger and Piddajii, all the while watching the sun set behind the jagged skyline. There's also a selection of games to get stuck into, such as Birdies crazy golf, archery from Arrows and Glitter Bowls, which is basically bowls but with a disco twist.
