Feature Image: Borough Market Mural
Whether I’m having an extended trip to London, or just there for a layover between flights, I always make time for a trip to Borough Market. I discovered this foodie mecca during a business trip when I was still working at my corporate job. I was living in a service apartment just across the River Thames and didn’t miss a chance to pay a visit. Walking around this market remains one of my favorite sightseeing opportunities.
Borough Market is London’s oldest food market, and has been serving the Southwark area for over a thousand years. Its neighbor is Southwark Cathedral which is the oldest gothic building in London. It started life as convent in AD 606, became a priory in 1106, and a parish church in 1540. It finally became a cathedral in 1905. It’s a small building, with some colorful stained glass windows, and feels very much like a church than a cathedral.
Whatever food you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it at Borough Market. It’s a collection of food stalls and food trucks, offering a choice of snacks or full meals. Years ago, on one of my first visits I discovered a vegetarian food stall selling vegan burgers. These are open-wide, in-your-face, burger that are full of flavor. They’re made with Facon with is substitute bacon. I’m not usually a fan of substitute meat, but these burgers will rock your world.
Many of the stall-holders are also the food producers. Fish stalls are run by fisherman who caught the fish; cheese stalls are run by farmers who raised the sheep and goats who provide the milk; and there’s even an ostrich egg stall run by the farmer who runs the ostrich farm.
There’s also stall holders who seek out small-scale artisan food producers from around the British Isles and represent them at the market. Nowadays there’s a global feel to the vendors and food trucks, and you can eat your way around the world
Borough Market flower stall 
Bakery at Borough Market 
Borough Market flower stall 
Borough Market Spice Market
One of my favorite shops is Spice Mountain, which sells over 100 herbs and spices. The owner Magali Russie sources her products from global locations, and works directly with the farmers and producers in places like Goa, Kerala, Mauritius, Spain, and Kashmir. She creates custom spice blends to sell in the shop, and I bought an exciting collection of Cambodia, Spanish and Indian spice blends, which make great presents (but I kept these all for myself!)
Step into the past in Borough Market 
Busker at Borough Market 
Award winning fish and chips at Borough Market
What all the market traders have in common is a passion for their produce and a vast culinary knowledge, and they’re happy to share their knowledge with their customers—as long as there’s not a crush of customers clustered around their stall. Saturday attracts a crush of visitors, and lunch time can become overwhelming.
The market attracts a steady stream of tourists on a daily basis, but it’s still a magnet for locals and Londoners in search of a hearty meal of crispy and juicy BBQ pork, or a gut-busting plate of paella.
Borough Market’s heritage is as a wholesale provider market, serving businesses, restaurants and hotels. But in the nineties, the fruit and vegetable seller Turnips and the dairy stall, Neale’s Yard started selling food directly to the public.
It wasn’t long before the market’s first Food Lover’s Fair was held, and this changed the future of Borough Market forever. Now the stalls, shops, and restaurants are now open six day a week to the public and you can also attend cookery demonstrations and educational culinary events.
One of the challenges of buying food from the stalls is that there’s a distinct lack of seating available. So at busy times you’ll find rows of diners perched on the curb on the outskirts of the market. Other seating options are in the small dining area, or the cathedral graveyard.
Eating on the curb at Borough Market 
Eating on the curb at Borough Market
Click here to find out what traders, cafes, or restaurants you’ll find at Borough Market
Location of Borough Market
- Address: 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL
- Closest Tube: London Bridge
- Website: https://boroughmarket.org.uk
- Closed Sunday
Oh no, I think I’ve missing out – never been to this market on my London visits..didn’t even know about it. It’s on my list now. Local spots are the best when you visit somewhere new.
That’s what makes a return visit to a capital city so appealing. There’s always something new to discover. I’d much rather visit a few places and vow to return, and then there’s something to look forward to on each trip.
One of my favourite spots in London. I sometimes just get the train up there to have my fill of the mushroom risotto at Turnips! You can always be guaranteed of fresh food and a great atmosphere at Borough Market. I always grab a coffee from Monmouth and then go for a wander along the Thames – a great way to see and “taste” the real London.
We always walk there because it’s an interesting part of town. There’s so much nearby, even though it’s over the other side of a river that lots of tourists and visitors don’t venture over.
This is making me realise how sad it is that I live 30 minutes away from London but I’ve never been to Borough Market. I must find the time to go!
It’s a destination for sure. And a good reason to make a special trip to London just to explore. If you can, go during the week when it’s not so busy and lots of Londoners are at work.
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This market looks fantastic! We love visiting spots like this when we travel because we don’t have anything like this back home. I would gladly stop here every day if I could!!
It’s one of the most diverse foodie markets we’ve visited in the world. Such a broad selection of local produce and international food options. Good coffee too!
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This sure looks like a place I would enjoy taking a sstroll around 🙂
There are all kinds of food there, not like you typical local markets where theres only a feel bits and pieces, I like it!
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You can spend a good couple of hours here, especially if you take the time to talk to the stall holders about their locally sourced products. I’d like to be able to time my next visit when they have a cooking demonstration or event going on.
How have I never been here? I know I haven’t lived in London or the UK forever and this part of London used to be considered a bit rough, but it looks amazing and exactly the sort of place I would visit in any other country so I’m wondering why I’ve never been. Oh well, have added to list but no immediate plans to return to Blighty for a while 🙂
It’s definitely a bit gentrified now! I stayed in the Elephant and Castle area in a service apartment through my job when I was on assignment in London, and I was nervous about living in this area … but it was fab. So many small cafes, restaurants and bars, and it was only a short (but brisk) walk from where I was staying to Borough Market.
I really love Borough Market – it’s not exactly cheap, but the quality is excellent and lots of foods ‘with a twist’. Also, it’s not surprising that lots of stands offer French-infused delicacies. When travelling, I love this kind of high quality fast food.
You’re right .. it’s not super cheap. But it’s good! And you can always find something different that you wouldn’t be able to find easily elsewhere. Ostrich eggs anyone?
Gorgeous photos! Borough Market by far IS THE BEST in town! The choices from veal burgers to chicken burgers and all kinds of street food. This is one place not to be missed. You have captured the vibes so well.
The real draw for me is the street food … there are international cuisine like paella, curry and good old fish and chips. And dietary preferences ranging from juicy BBQ pork to substitute bacon on the vegan burgers. I defy anyone to go there and not find something to eat.
I love to visit authentic markets and therefore Borough market in London tempts me. Being a vegetarian, I would soon grab those vegan burgers at this market. This market is really like walking into past. And as I use many spices in cooking, then picking up spices from spice shop here would be my another pick. Even eating at this market by sitting on ground reminds me my college days in India. I loved the vibes of this market as it looks very natural and friendly.
I can spend hours just in the spice shop, they have such a broad collection of spices, and I can never visit the market without buying at least one list jar from that shop. Last time I bought Cambodia spices … next time I think I’m going to try something different. Maybe one of their home made blends.
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We have been to London several times and have never yet visited the London Borough Market. I like the idea of food stalls and food trucks to offer more variety in the food offerings. How great that the people running the stalls are also food producers. So much better to get your questions answered. And sure to be fresh! I do love that markets are a draw for both locals and tourists. We will have to visit the Borough Market on our next trip to London.
Years ago there was the move away from small producers and towards mass purchasing in supermarkets, but slowly but surely more shoppers are taking more interest in the source of the ingredients they’re cooking with, and the welfare and sustainability of the meat and fish.
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It’s hard to pick a favorite! As a vegetarian, I was going to pass on the burgers until I saw they were meat-free. I love that! I’m a cheese addict, and those desserts look so amazing. I’d definitely leave there full – it would be a shame to leave hungry in the least! 🙂
Every now and then it’s good to wrap you mouth around a hearty burger … and knowing that you can have that same burger experience, but with a vegan option, its brilliant. I took my husband there, when he ate meat, and he fell in love with these burgers.
This looks like so much fun! Markets are one of my favorite things to do and one of the best ways to experience the area like the locals. The treats at the Borough Market bakery look delicious, I wouldn’t know which one to start with! I might have to get one of each to take with me! And the spice stand would be a must for me! The Cambodia, Spanish and Indian spice blends sounds lovely! Such a great way to experience a destination!
When we travel I love buying the locals spices so we can recreate the national dishes when we get back home. We did that in Cambodia and I had a spate of cooking Vegetable Amok, and I was so disappointed when they ran out. So I was really excited to see all the Cambodian spices at the market.
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I love the little history that you narrated . About how it worked for the public first before becoming a wholesale market. I did miss this on my visit to London but now that I know it, will mark it for a future trip. I am definitely up for that bakery – can almost smell it here. And the spice market sounds like a good place too.
I love learning a little bit of history about a place. It really helps to put them into perspective, when you understand how it morphed into the destination it is today. It still surprises me that many Londoners haven’t been to this market, and when I was working in London for 3 months I visited often, but there were some people at work that hadn’t even heard of it – even though it’s been there for centuries.
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London is always my go-to for my well needed foodie trips. We were supposed to be there in March but got cancelled due to the Covid situation. Coming across your recommendation of Borough Market , is so great. I will definitely add it to my list for when I successfully go there again.
Yes we had to cancel our April trip – which would definitely have included a visit to Borough market … again!
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This looks like a happening place. I am so impressed with the offers and choices it makes. I am gong to visit it on my next trip to London and I will for sure grab the vegan burger. It looks exquisite. I haven’t tasted facon ever and that’s the attraction to try it too. The fact that the producers are the sellers makes it even more reason enough to visit
It’s a bustling and busy market … especially at the weekend. That’s why I prefer going during the week, so that the vendors have more time to chat and interact.
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Wow, this definitely looks like an exciting market. The feature image hooked me and then of course the other vibrant pictures tell their own story. I love exploring such local food markets and when there is history and culture related to it, it definitely becomes a must visit. The vegan burger got my eye. Thanks for taking on a virtual trip to Borough Market.
We’ve all got to eat when we travel … and I’d much rather explore a food market and snack off different stalls and food trucks, that shut myself away in a little restaurant and be restricted by a menu.
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I love London’s Borough Market, so many good eats. Reading this made me want to visit again (and really hungry :P)
I never get fed up visiting here. There’s always a new stall you haven’t seen before or one you missed during a previous trip.
Borough Market looks phenomenal! I’ve been to London so many times but never visited…I’m not sure how I’ve missed it! That cheese stall looks amazing…you know where you’ll find me! Thanks for the great guide!
There’s lots of different cheese stalls at the market, which feature a broad variety of soft, hard, and blue cheese from all around the country – I love the selection you get from these small producers who nurture there herds and then pour all their effort and love into creating high quality cheese.
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Wahh this is amazing!!!! So funny I stumbled across this post – I just reminisced about my most recent trip to London and we walked through the Borough Market but were an hour too early for anything to be open! I was really eyeing the French Cheese stall…can’t wait to go back!
I visited on a Sunday once, really looking forward to enjoying Sunday Bruch snacks and a coffee from one of the stalls that roasts their own beans – but this is the one day of the week the market is closed. Although some of the cafes and restaurants on the periphery are still open. Not quite the same though!
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I am a big fan of food markets because I am a foodie and especially when I travel because I love to try local cuisines and specialties. London’s Borough Market would be the perfect addition to my itinerary! I would be one of those people sitting on the curb and eating something. I didn’t know about this market so I am glad to have come across it. I’m planning a trip to London next year so I’ll add this to my list.
I usually prefer to find a patch of grass in the cemetery .. but the last time I went it was locked, so I had to settle for the curb. But it didn’t matter, there was a busker nearby, and a real feeling of community at the side of the road!
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What a great insider tip! I’m meant to go to London at some point this year (assuming it’s eventually safe to fly again). I’m adding Borough market to my list of must-dos. I’d love to pick up some goodies from the bakery!
There’s so many amazing markets in London, and it’s a tough choice to figure out which ones to see and which ones to skip .. but I’d definitely recommend Borough Market. Not only because of the food there, but it’ll take you to a different area of town that tourists don’t always venture towards.
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Lived near London for years but somehow never made it here which is weird because if I visited London as a tourist, I would definitely go here. I love markets like this – I just never visit whats on my doorstep !
That’s always the way … familiarity breeds contempt. I can’t believe I lived in Los Angeles for two decades as an expat, and missed out on visiting and writing about places that were on my doorstep.