Welcome to Borough Market, the ultimate foodie paradise in the heart of London. With its vibrant atmosphere, diverse array of culinary delights, and rich history dating back to the 12th century, this iconic outdoor market is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable gastronomic adventure.
Borough Market is renowned for its exceptional selection of fresh and local produce, artisanal baked goods, and freshly prepared street food. As you wander through its bustling stalls, you’ll pass by over 100 traders and vendors offering everything from traditional British favorites to countless international delicacies. It’s a feast for your belly and your senses. As you explore, you’ll smell the aromas of sizzling street food and worldly spices in the air.
But Borough Market isn’t just sensory overload – it’s also a hub of cultural exchange and community spirit. You’ll find passionate traders, artisans, and local entrepreneurs who are eager to share their stories, craft, and expertise with you. Take the opportunity to chat with them, sample their dishes, and hear the fascinating tales behind each mouthwatering creation.
Whether you’re a devoted food enthusiast, an intrepid traveler, or simply seeking an authentic London experience, Borough Market is sure to leave a lasting impression. So come on a culinary journey like no other in Southwark, London, England. This is everything you should eat in Borough Market!
Borough Market is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, located at 8 Southwark Street. Though it has a 1,000-year history, its current location isn’t quite that old. The current market, located under the London Bridge, dates back to 1756.
The present buildings were built roughly a century later in the 1850s. The market is a hotspot for local and tourists alike. It attracts over four million visitors every year and attracts renowned chefs in search of local and international ingredients. Keep in mind that if you want to film or take photos at the market, you must fill out a form before your visit.
NOTE: Most vendors do not accept cash due to the pandemic. A handful may accept cash, but most only accept credit and debit cards. You’ll find ATMs in the market in case you need them.
Borough Market is open six days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. The market’s hours change depending on the day. That changes in December, when the market is open seven days a week for the holidays. Keep in mind that some vendors aren’t present every day, so check their individual trader pages beforehand to see their schedules. The market’s hours are as follows:
As I mentioned earlier, Borough is a haven for food lovers. I went on a tour of the market in the winter of 2023. I’ve explored markets all over the world, from India to South Korea to Armenia to Jamaica.
But Borough Market is easily one of my favorites because of the sheer amount of diversity there. Whether you’re in the mood for Spanish, Greek, Lebanese, Thai, Italian, Indian, vegan/vegetarian, or something else, it’s all there.
You can take a guided tour of the market, as it can be quite busy and overwhelming to navigate. I have to thank my guide, Neema, who gave me one of the best market experiences I’ve had in over 15 years of traveling! Here are my favorite vendors in the market!
At this popular Borough Market spot, the traders make a delicious wild mushroom risotto with spelt. They also give out free samples of their stir-fried wild mushrooms, which I highly recommend. The cooks use 12 different types of mushrooms, all grilled with a savory blend of spices. They have an earthy and meaty feel. The vendors are extremely friendly and from all over the world! One is half-English, half-Brazilian, another is Ethiopian, and another is Pakistani!
DAYS OPEN: Unknown
Borough Wines offers a variety of wines from small, independent winemakers. Many of them are vegan and organic. You can even enjoy wine on tap, straight from the barrel. During my visit to Borough Market, I tried their hot mulled wine. This special drink contains a blend of 17 herbs and spices, including cinnamon, coriander, ginger, allspice, lavender, rose petal, and vanilla. It’s similar to a drink I had in Poland and is the perfect adult beverage to keep you warm on a cold day. Keep in mind that it’s also expensive at seven pounds for a small cup!
DAYS OPEN: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
This trader in Borough Market specializes in food and wine from France. It’s a family business from southwestern France, and it sources high quality food and wine from small French suppliers. They offer goose fat and garlic, confit and cossoulet, poulet de bresse chickens, an array of French cheeses, and even fresh truffles from Perigord during truffle season!
I ordered a duck confit wrap with gruyere cheese. It contained shredded duck, a delicious chutney, and a bit of vegetables. It’s one of my favorite dishes at the market, but I suggest splitting its cost with a friend—it costs a whopping $20!
DAYS OPEN: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
If you love authentic Indian food, you can’t miss Gujarati Rasoi in Borough Market. The vendors at this small cart specialize in vegetarian food from the Indian state of Gujarat. Urvesh Parvais and his mother, Lalita, founded the cart to share their passion for their culture through traditional street foods and curries.
Urvesh and Lalita also run a kulfi cart in the Green Market during the summer! I ordered a bhajiya, a fritter similar to an onion pakora, with tamarind sauce. It was like a blooming onion but with Indian spices. It’s crispy and oily on the outside, and fluffy and savory on the inside. The tamarind added a tangy sweetness that boosts the dish!
DAYS OPEN: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Another great Indian trader in Borough Market is Horn OK Please. Its name comes from a popular slogan often found on the backs of vehicles in India. The stall, started by Gaurav and Sandhya, was inspired by the vibrant aromas, sights, and sounds on the streets of India.
They specialize in Indian vegetarian street food including moong dal dosa, egg kati roll, bhel puri, and dosa chaat. I went with the bhel puri, a popular chaat that contains puffed rice, pomegranate, chilies, onions, coriander, and sev. It’s crunchy and sweet and has a nice amount of spice. It’s been my favorite chaat ever since I tried it in Mumbai in 2018!
DAYS OPEN: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Next, I went for some authentic Thai street food at Khanom Krok, run by Worawan and Michael, a husband-and-wife team. Their specialty is a dish called khanom krok, which are small, Thai coconut pancakes that Worawan’s family has made for years. They also offer laab, lots of different curries, and noodle dishes. It’s like getting a taste of Bangkok. The khanom krok are fluffy and creamy and bursting with coconut flavor. They also come topped with black sesame seeds, which add a nuttiness I really enjoyed!
DAYS OPEN: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
I’ve loved Middle Eastern food my entire life, so if you’re like me, you’re in for a treat. In Borough Market, you’ll find Arabica, a Middle Eastern vendor that’s been there for over 20 years. They offer Middle Eastern mezze, falafel wraps, halal chicken shawarma, Lebanese street food, salads, Mediterranean pastries, Turkish delights, baklava, and more!
I got the halal chicken shawarma, to which they added lettuce, tomatoes, tarator (garlic sauce), and a pepper. The tarator is pungent and heavy on garlic, just like in Lebanon! It’s very strong, so I wouldn’t recommend kissing someone after having it!
DAYS OPEN: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
My mom’s family is from Italy, so of course I had to check out the Italian offerings in Borough Market! A man named Marco Vineis founded Gastronomica Market, which has been in Borough Market since 2000. They use only the finest quality produce from Italy and offer pulses, jams, sauces, vinegars, and mustards from small, artisan producers in Italy.
They also have Italian charcuterie and cheeses, as well as sandwiches and cannoli! Their cannoli flavors include coffee, blood orange, vanilla, pistachio, chocolate, and lemon. I’m not a huge sweets person, but I went with two cannoli. One had a dollop of jelly on it and another had bits of chocolate. They’re excellent, but they’re also a bit of a sugar rush!
DAYS OPEN: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
I spent hours exploring Borough Market, but I barely scratched the surface. I saw many other vendors during my time there, from Greek to Spanish, from fruit vendors to those selling fresh juices. It’s a lot to take in, and there’s something for everyone. Unfortunately, I only have one stomach, and it was packed to capacity by the time I left! Whatever you choose to try, I’d be shocked if it wasn’t exceptional.
Yes, prices in the market can be pretty steep, so choose your food wisely. You can easily drop over a hundred pounds there on just a handful of dishes. Also, pace yourself and share dishes with friends and family so you don’t fill up on one thing, especially if you want to visit multiple vendors. But most importantly, have fun, be friendly, and enjoy yourself. Book a trip to London today to experience Borough Market for yourself!
NOTE: Need information about which travel documents you need for your next international trip? Check out my essential travel documents guide!
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