London’s best food markets
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By Charmaine Mok
Updated: Tue Sep 23 2008
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Brick Lane Sunday UpMarket
Bread of heaven at Sunday UpMarket
Put on your best rags and rub elbows with up-and-coming designers, mopey fashion students and bona fide locals at this larger-than-life Sunday market, where much-needed post-browsing sustenance comes in the form of food stalls that capitalise on cheap, delicious food. You’ll struggle to settle on just one stall – the best option is to let your hair down and graze. Most of the stalls are concentrated at the Brick Lane end of the UpMarket, where you’ll find anything from Moroccan couscous to a Thai stall where a mountain of refreshing som tham (spicy green papaya salad) is doled out to an eager crowd. Spanish tapas, Indian masala chai, Turkish sweets and Ethiopian coffee. Outside, near the car park off Dray Walk, a row of Japanese street-food stalls do a brisk trade in classics such as takoyaki (octopus pieces in ball-shaped batter) and yakisoba (fried buckwheat noodles).
BEST BUY There’s virtually nothing better on a hot summer’s day than an Alphonso mango lassi from Carrom Café.
THEN WHAT? While away the hours by traipsing up and down Brick Lane in search of a mean food or fashion bargain. By the time you work your way to the Bethnal Green Road end, it’ll be time for the obligatory snack stop at Beigel Bake (159 Brick Lane, E1 6SB; 020 7729 0616).Brick Lane Sunday UpMarket, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL (www.sundayupmarket.co.uk) Aldgate East tube or Liverpool St tube/rail. Open Sun 10am-5pm. Feature continues
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Enjoy a slice of Broadway Market if you've got a sweet tooth Broadway Market
One of London’s oldest chartered markets, this veteran has made a remarkable comeback in recent years (since 2004, to be exact) and has become a destination for fashionably attired food lovers from Hackney and beyond. Most of the food-based stalls are clustered around the Westgate Street end of the market, where hot food and fresh produce dominate; venture further out and you’re into incense, accessories and rug territory. The market benefits from a jovial, welcoming atmosphere that is helped by the community of regular stallholders who often engage in witty banter over their wares. There is no shortage of quality edibles, from moreish fish pies from Two Fishwives to hot Ghanaian food from Spinach & Agushi. Sizzling burgers from Northfield Farm are a must-try – don’t forget to bag some of their quality back bacon or meaty sirloin steaks, either.
BEST BUY Vietnamese coffee is a joy to make as well as drink, so bag yourself a stainless steel Vietnamese coffee filter and ground French beans from Cà Phê VN for a strong, rich brew at home.
THEN WHAT? Wander up Landsdowne Drive, past London Fields, and have a well-deserved afternoon pint of Deuchars IPA at The Prince Arthur (95 Forest Rd, E8 3BH; 020 7249 9996), a pleasing gastropub run by Tom and Ed Martin, the people behind the Empress of India and The Gun.
Broadway Market, London Fields, E8 (www.broadwaymarket.co.uk) Bethnal Green tube/London Fields rail/394, 388, 263, 55 253, 106, 48, 26, 277, D6 bus. Open Sat 9am-5pm.
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20 comments
dear time out,
i sell my own home pasta, pestos pasta sauces and chocolates truffles, at the alexandra palace farmers market, and i notice that many of the stall that you mention are not there anymore!!
you need an update!
all the best, nino.
cool email me a page of this
The sushi stall at greenwich has change their name its call now koyul hand made sushi specialist.delisious sushi.
The old and traditional Ridley Road market in Dalston, Hackney has not received a mention. Perhaps, because vegetables and friut bought in bowls for £1 is not trendy, there is little organic available -- usually bananas and eggs -- but there is atmosphere. Music wise it is possible to hear soul, sacred, rock and rap during the day. Towards clearing up time Arabic/Turkish sounds and the fishmonger who calls the seagulls down to eat leftovers. A diverse market selling everything from pots, material, incense and most foods. Check out the fabulous fabric cave towards the east end of the market.
I enjoy the relatively new markets and have supported Spitafields organic stalls for over 10 years but Ridley Road should not be ignored. Best days Friday and Saturday but it is open from Monday; there are more stalls later in the week.
Re North End Road: I've been going there for five years and not had that problem. Thanks for the warning though. As with most markets, it's all about being judicious and picking the best from each stall. And about getting to know the traders, I suppose. There are some stalls on the market I would definitely avoid and some which are brilliant - each to their own, I guess.
North End Road market? Only if you don't mind stuff that's a bit ropey. It's only market - at home or abroad - where I have ever actually fallen victim to that trick where you choose one and then they give you another (older) one from round the back of the stall. Don't bother. Or pay attention, one of the two.
Please do not forget Deptford market, with its amazingly fresh veg and fruit stalls, incredible fabric and bric-a-brac bargains, and of course the fabulous Housewives Cash and Carry!
Don't forget about the great market on North End Road in Fulham. It's a proper London market, none of yer fancy organic stuff, just good quality fruit and veg. I go there every week for my whole week's shop and it's brilliant. Gets a bit hectic on a Saturday though.
What about Acton Market on The Mount/King St. Acton W3 9NW? With some food stalls run by the London Farmers' Market people, the Acton Market has a great selection of hot and cold food. The Farmers' Market is open every Saturday from 9am until 1pm. (www.lfm.org.uk) and the whole Acton Market is open from 10am until 5pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. visit our website at www.actonmarket.co.uk. Why not join us for the Acton Food Festival on September 5, 6 and 7th from 12-7pm. All kinds of world food, live music and children's activities.
Thanks this is a great review but minor correction, Broadway market was researched funded and created by Broadway Market Traders (not Tenants) & Residents Association who still operate it, they work in partnership with Hackney Council in their role as Regulators...! It was the local people who wanted a farmer and Producers market along side tradition designers makers, collectors and some old time traders. This market really is for the people by the people. Ps you should check out violets new line in Little biscuits like scrummy Oero's yum
Exmouth Market Shopper - not. sadly Islington Council didn't renew the license to trade to the organiser of the new Exmouth market -one of the founders and manager of Broadway market- Exmouth was run both Friday and Saturday for a year and was building fantastically as a Broadway market did, Islington have now turned it into a hot food lunch stop. sadly the local residents and real food shoppers all have lost out.
Don't forget that there is a nifty, modest sized farmers market behind the Palmers Green train station. Excellent fish, bread and local veg, along with some stuff from further south (eg Isle of Wight Garlic and tomatoes), and more. Worth a go if you live near by! Also, I have just found out there is a farmers market Sundays at Ally Pally - haven't checked it out yet, so I don't know about variety of produce for sale. Anyone out there know about it?
Hi All, I'm visiting family and friends next month and would love to check out a farmers market. Staying near St. Pancras. Love Borough Market, is there anything else similar nearby? All info greatly received.
We’ve taken down the entry for Exmouth Market, as there seems to be some dispute at the moment about its status. Kitty, you’ll be pleased to see Broadway Market has been added. It’s in the nature of the (organic) beast that details about such things change frequently and without notice, which is why we want users of this site to let us know when things have changed, and to make constructive criticisms.
The Time Out team
How can you list the best food markets and not include Borough Market and Broadway Market in London Fields, Hackney??! The former an institution, the latter a great place for all things fresh - and the best samosas and vietnamese coffee in London!