One of the greatest benefits of staying in a serviced apartment is having the flexibility of a fully equipped kitchen at your disposal. If you’re a bit of a foodie and like to source your ingredients from the local area rather than the Sainbury’s Local, then here’s our picks of the best food markets to visit whilst you’re staying in London.
Borough market
In at first place it had to be Borough market, London’s most renowned food market. Nestled under London Bridge, butchers, bakers, grocers, chocolatiers and chefs offer an array of foods from all over the world that can be taken home or eaten right there and then on the bank of the Thames. Over 100 individual stalls make up this food haven which has stood in the same place since the 13th century. The market only has the absolute best produce on offer with a panel of impartial experts monitoring the quality of the stalls. Only the food stalls are open for lunch on Monday and Tuesday, but there’s a full market open Wednesday to Saturday. The market is perfect if you’re working in nearby London Bridge and fancy a change from Pret A Manger.
Smithfield
For those staying in a London serviced apartment looking to cook up some authentic, British cuisine with the very best local produce, head to Smithfield market in the Square Mile. Smithfield market is the largest wholesale meat market in London and one of the largest in Europe. The grade II listed building houses state of the art facilities for the butchering and selling of meat to both the trade and the casual passer-by. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in, shop around for the best deal of the day and ask the butchers lots of questions. The market is conveniently located close to both Farringdon and Barbican tube stations, but get here before 7:00 in the morning to ensure the best meat is still up for grabs or for the early risers (or night owls) the market does open at 2:00…am!
Southbank, the Real Food market
The Real Food market is great for those looking to potter around and try before they buy. The market is held here most weekends with plenty of local produce and tasty street food for you to try – definitely turn up hungry for this one! Located within a few minutes’ walk of Waterloo station, and with views across the Thames to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London eye, it’s the perfect setting for a stroll at the weekend.
Brixton Station Road
Another great market to browse at the weekend is Brixton Station Road market in Brixton Village. There’s more of an alternative vibe in Brixton to that of the more touristy Southbank, so if you’d rather live like a local then head to Brixton on your day off. The food market runs throughout the week and there’s a farmer’s market on Sundays. You really can find just about anything in this eclectic market, from charcuterie and cheese to traditional Chinese medicine and there’s always a huge choice of street food to choose from.
Greenwich market
For a welcome break from the City, catch the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) to Greenwich a World Heritage Site to the east of London. This is where all time is measured from and is home to the Cutty Sark, a beautiful royal park and a historic market. The market boasts a number of delis, bakeries and cafes as well as an extraordinary array of street food which changes daily. The market is open from 10:00 to 17:30 (Greenwich Mean Time!) Tuesday to Sunday.
There’s countless food markets in London so get exploring your local area and take your treats and fresh produce back to your serviced apartment to make a proper meal that can be eaten sat at a proper dining table.
