One of the things that sets London apart from other world cities is its endless offering of street markets. No matter where you stand, you’re never too far from a cluster of stalls offering delicious street food or goodies you’d struggle to find anywhere else. Here are the most popular ones you’ve got to check out, along with the when, why, and what.

Borough Market

Borough Market is London’s oldest and arguably most famous food market, tucked under the railway arches near London Bridge. The only way to visit Borough Market is on an empty stomach so you have room for the variety of food on offer: artisan cheese, freshly baked bread and pastries, cured meat, salty French confit duck sandwiches, classic scotch egg and so much more.

👍 Best for: Gourmet treats, seasonal produce, niche ingredients, and top-notch street eats. Plenty of free samples, too.

💡 Local tip: The market can get extremely cramped and chaotically busy, especially on Saturdays. Arrive early to avoid the biggest crowds and head down to bankside for a riverside picnic or to the small garden near King's College to enjoy your lunch in peace.

🕒 Open: Tuesday to Sunday, with the full market in swing Wednesday through Saturday. The market is closed on Mondays, except during December when it’s open 7 days a week for Christmas shopping.

Camden Market

Camden Market is a highly popular cluster of multiple markets in Camden Town. Camden Lock Market by Regent’s Canal offers arts, crafts, and diverse street food, while Buck Street Market provides an indoor space for T-shirts, jewellery, and vintage finds. The trendier Stables Market, housed in a former horse hospital, features quirky furniture, edgy gifts, and alternative fashion like goth and punk wear.

👍 Best for: Alternative fashion, jewelry, global street food, vinyl records, and quirky home décor.

💡 Local tip: Visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid the masses.

🕒 Open: Seven days a week. Weekends are the liveliest but also the most crowded.

Portobello Road Market

Portobello Road Market is a long, famous street market stretching through Notting Hill, best known for its antiques and the iconic pastel-hued houses.

👍 Best for: Antiques (especially on Saturdays), vintage clothes, collectibles, funky one-off finds, plus fresh produce and street food at the far end of the market.

💡 Local tip: Saturday crowds can be a crush, get in early or prepare to elbow your way through

🕒 Open: The market is technically open Monday to Saturday, but Saturday is the main antiques day. Limited stalls on weekdays, but still worth a wander.

Covent Garden Market

Once a humble fruit and veg market, Covent Garden Market has evolved into a polished spot blending high-end boutiques (like Mulberry and Tom Ford) and historic architecture with artisan stalls. Most Londoners try to avoid the bustle of the area but the market is a hotspot beloved by tourists.

👍 Best for: Crafts, handmade jewelry, specialty foods, quirky souvenirs, and an array of stylish boutiques and restaurants. The Apple Market area is a favorite for unique gifts.

💡 Local tip: When crowds become a bit too much, venture into the small neighbouring streets such as Floral Street or the area around Seven Dials where you'll find Neal's Yard. You can also take a breather and sit on a bench in peace in the small garden behind St Paul's Church that faces the market.

🕒 Open: Seven days a week, typically from about 10am until early evening, though individual shops and stalls may vary.

Old Spitalfields Market

Old Spitalfields Market is a covered Victorian market hall, more polished than some other markets, and offers a rotating schedule of themed markets (antiques on Thursdays, fashion on Fridays, and so forth). The food stalls are excellent, and you’re steps away from Brick Lane markets.

👍 Best for: Antiques, contemporary art, handmade jewelry, independent fashion, street food, and coffee shops.

💡 Local tip: On the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month, Old Spitalfields hosts the Vinyl Market, where you can flick through old collectable records from obscure psychedelic 60’s to 90’s New York hip hop.

🕒 Open: Seven days a week, with special themed markets on certain days (check the schedule online). Saturdays and Sundays are busiest, but weekdays can be pleasant for a quieter browse.

Brick Lane Market

Brick Lane Market is an institution in East London and is actually multiple markets rolled into one known as the Truman Markets. The main market on Brick Lane is lined with stalls selling anything and everything, from street food, fruit and veg, to furniture and clothes. The Sunday Upmarket is a food hall brimming with international street food vendors while Backyard Market is filled with stalls focused on arts and crafts. You'll also find the UK's largest collection of independent vintage specialists at the Vintage Market.

👍 Best for: Vintage clothing by the bucketload, unique furniture, handmade crafts, records, street food (from Ethiopian to Latin American).

💡 Local tip: On Brick Lane, you'll find the famous Beigel Bake, a shop serving freshly made bagels and open 24/7.

🕒 Open: Mainly Sunday for the full street market experience. The area’s still fun midweek, but Sundays are when it truly comes alive.

Greenwich Market

Tucked behind a row of shops near the Cutty Sark, Greenwich Market is a small but charming indoor market known for crafts, art, and street food. Go on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for a greater number of antiques stalls, or any other day for an arts and crafts focus.

👍 Best for: Handmade crafts, vintage bits, designer-makers selling original art, plus international food stalls and baked treats.

💡 Local tip: Greenwich is a charming day out away from the bustle of central London. After popping into the market, you can head up the hill to the Observatory or explore the Maritime Museum. It’s got a village-y feel that’s rare this close to London.

🕒 Open: Open seven days a week, with more stalls and activity on weekends.

Columbia Road Flower Market

Columbia Road Flower Market is a Sunday-only flower market that transforms a little East London street into a parade of blooms, from English roses to exotic orchids. It's one of the cheapest place to buy bulbs, herbs, shrubs, cut flowers and pots in London. The street is also flanked with independent shops and cafés, perfect for lunch after your shopping session.

👍 Best for: Fresh flowers, potted plants, succulents, herbs, and some charming boutiques selling art, homeware, and coffee.

💡 Local tip: Arrive super-early for the best selection of flowers, or as the market’s winding down to bag a bargain.

🕒 Open: Sunday only, from around 8am to mid-afternoon.