For Foodies Only – The Markets of London

There are plenty of supermarkets around London, with plenty of offers, but sometimes you may find yourself bored of mundane food shopping – even in organic shops. I found myself in that position, so I began looking for food markets around London, which isn’t just a lovely outing for the weekends, it is therapeutic, tastes good – and fresh too. You don’t even have to buy anything (although it will be hard to resist), just try the samples if you’re on a budget!

Sloane Square – Duke of York Square (by Saatchi Gallery)
Every Saturday, 10 – 4p.m.
This farmer’s market is fairly small, but very cute and quaint. The stalls sell almost everything you could imagine, from fresh fruit juices to delicious pastries and fresh meats. If you fancy a small bite to eat there are all sorts of ready made foods – sandwiches, salads, curries, etc. which you can also take home and serve up for dinner (impress your friends & all the rest!). It is a tad bit posh, (it is in the West end of London after all) but the prices aren’t too bad. Also, if you stay long enough, prices will most likely be reduced, as they all want to (ideally) sell all their produce before they leave.

Real Food Market – Southbank
Every Friday from 12-8pm, Saturday 11-8pm and Sunday 12-6pm.
Here is where food is art on a plate. Served up behind the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre, South London, there are an array of food stalls with every kind of culinary art you could possibly imagine. Designed to give ‘Street food’ more credits than your local hot dog stand after a night out, you can have starters, mains and desserts from different stalls, from all over the world.

Flower Market – Columbia Road
So it’s not food, but it’s still somewhere you should go on a Sunday morning. Buy your flowers, plants and seeds to grow a banana tree(?!) on Columbia Road in East London from 9am until 2p.m, every Sunday. It really is worth going, the atmosphere is so pleasant, even to take photographs of the rainbow-coloured stalls filled with all sorts of flowers, which complement the picturesque shops in the background.

Borough Market – Southwark
Every Thursday, 11-5pm, Friday 12-6pm, and Saturday 8-5pm, South London.
The biggest, most renowned farmer’s market in London, that began back in the 13^th century for traders. This market is incredibly large, and busy, with every type of food, fruit, vegetable, herb, meat, fish, booze, and other bites to eat. Perfect for chefs, or experimental cooks who like to try different things and need ingredients which are harder to get at supermarkets. Get there early to avoid the crowds – although it gets busy ridiculously quick!

Brixton Market – Brixton
Every day, 8-6pm, Wednesdays 8-3p.m,South London.
You can smell the foods from the tube station – this market has everything tropical, as well as the ‘normal’ foods you would find at markets. This is probably the cheapest of all the markets, and you definitely do not feel like you are in London when you go, the worldwide produce is so vast that you forget where you are. There are some amazing spice shops, and the market is indoors as well as outdoors. The stalls mostly sell food, but you will come across clothing and electronics too.

The market is not open on Sundays, but there is a Farmer’s Market from 10 – 2p.m. every Sunday, as well as a flea market on the first Saturday of every month.

Chatsworth Road Market – Hackney [editor's addition]
Every Sunday, 11am-4pm
Had enough of Broadway Market’s catwalk-ready yummy parents, Japanese streetstyle photographers and sandwiches that cost 8 quid? Get yourself further into Hackney proper with this lovely local market in Clapton. With stalls ranging from upcycled baby clothes, delish Korean takeaway and bookstalls, it’s a pleasant wandering environment bordered by reasonably-priced and not-rammed cafes, pubs and greengrocers. Get up there while it’s still a hidden gem.

- Nina Hoogstraate