Best Place To Eat In London: Borough Market

Eating in bustling markets is one of our favorite things to do when we travel. Not only do they generally have good food with high turn over meaning it’s fresh, but there is always a variety so everyone in the family can walk away well-fed and happy. Rice for my husband, fruit for the kiddo, and more.

Whether you’re a foodie or a family looking to get everyone something to eat, Borough Market makes for a fun and vibrant stop. Choose from the various stalls inside and do a hop around to get your meal, or take a seat in one of the restaurants for a calmer experience after walking through the busy food-covered alleys. Either way, if you’re looking for where to eat in London, it’s Borough Market.

Borough Market, London, England: Where to eat in London

You’ve seen Borough Market in movies, now it’s time to go to one of the best places to eat in London:

Basic Info
The History of Borough Market
Where You’ve Seen Borough Market Before
What To Know Before You Go
What To Eat

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Basic Info

Address: 8 Southwark Street, London, England

Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm; Sunday: 10:00am ~ 4:00pm

Website: https://boroughmarket.org.uk/

The History of Borough Market

Burough Market has a history that goes back more than 1,000 years when merchants first started trading fish, grains, and vegetables near the riverside. It was a thriving and bustling wholesale market until 1775 when all of that activity led to logistical issues and so Parliament shut it down. Their decision didn’t last long though as local residents reopened the market just two years later.

At the end of the 20th century new life was breathed into the market thanks to the construction of the 1862 railway viaduct. In the 21st century, there was a revival and the market transitioned to a gourmet and specialty food market.

Today, there are more than 100 stalls with top-quality food for sale and it welcome both locals and tourists for good food. While the food is what draws everyone, be sure to take the time to step back and look up at the beautiful architecture and remnants of history that you can see here.

Where You’ve Seen Borough Market Before

Having such a vast history, it should come as no surprise, that you may have glimpsed this historic market in south London before. Where? It’s been in films like ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’, ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, and ‘What a Girl Wants’.

What To Know Before You Go

There are three parts to the Borough Market, the Three Crown Square, with larger producers and merchants, the Green Market, with small specialist produce traders, and Borough Market Kitchen, street food traders. In the street surrounding the market are restaurants and bars with people that spill into the streets.

The market is designed to be supportive of traders, producers, shoppers, cooks, residents, and visitors simultaneously. Traders are encouraged to share their passion for their produce with visitors so when there isn’t a line, feel free to ask questions and learn.

On top of creating an atmosphere of open communication and education, all traders at the market must be able to show a short and transparent supply chain supporting the market’s goal for sustainability and ethical practices.

What To Eat

There is a ton of food to eat at Borough Market. First walk around, be overwhelmed by all of the goodness. Then, after taking a step back to converse about what everyone wants, jump in a line so you can get all of the goods.

There is so much to savor in the market. We decided to start the meal with an oyster appetizer from the Oyster Bar. I can’t pass up oysters when I see them.

If bread is your jam for a starter, look for Bread Ahead, a popular spot to get sourdough bread and pastries. Or maybe cheese is a better appetizer for you? Look for Neal’s Yard or Kappacasein Dairy where you can get cheese or raclettes. Or perhaps you’d rather charcuterie, then look for Brindisa for Iberico ham and cured meats.

Traveling with Koreans means that no meal is complete if there isn’t something with rice, so for our main, we opted for some paella from Bomba Paella and continued our seafood meal in the market.

You won’t be able to pass by the stall with enormous pans full of paella and a line of foodies ready to devour it. Check out the simmering goodness and then jump in the line. It’s equal parts vibrantly colorful and fun to look at and deliciously savory. Be prepared for a generous portion perfect for sharing.

You could absolutely go more traditional British though and get sausage rolls from The Ginger Pig which has been in Borough Market since 1998 or fish and chips from Fish Kitchen.

Burough Market is London’s oldest fruit and vegetable market, so don’t leave without eating some of that delectable fruit. We enjoyed some chocolate covered strawberries for dessert after our deliciously savory meals. It was the perfect way to complete our meal as we perused everything else we wish we could eat.