Where To Find The Best Street Food In London
Street food in London is not exactly the same as street food in the United States. You will not find hot dog carts on a busy street corner; instead, you will visit a fabulous market or some such place where food vendors have set up shop to take advantage of the large crowds.
Browsing through a street market can make you pretty hungry, especially as you smell all the mouth-watering flavors melting together from all the food vendors. Your tummy will definitely tell you when you need to stop for a quick snack or sit down to a full meal. Before you meander through the markets, drop large bags and shopping parcels at one of our London luggage storage lockers. Keep both hands free to eat delicious street food!
The best street food vendors in London
Each market offers a wide variety of street food vendors and there are several markets spread throughout the city. They use locally sourced ingredients to create sweet, spicy and tangy tastes that you will fall in love with.
Pleasant Lady
Address: 23 Greek Street (permanent location), Old Spitalfields Market
Pleasant Lady is best known for its crepe-like pancakes that are cooked fresh when you order and filled with savory ingredients such as chicken or pork, eggs, herbs, spring onions, and crispy wonton strips. Ask for a side of their marvelous nutty sauce so you can dip this fantastic creation and let the flavors explode in your mouth. Order one to enjoy now and one to take home for later!
Oli Baba’s
Address: Camden Market West Yard or Netil Market (only Friday through Sunday)
You will definitely want to give some of these Middle East-inspired delicacies a try; they are fantastic and will create a party in your mouth. Their specialty is halloumi fries which are Cypriot squeaky cheese cut into strips, deep fried then served with a drizzle of za’atar yogurt, pomegranate molasses, and chili honey and topped with mint, sumac, and pomegranate seeds.
La Pepia
Address: Maltby Street Market
Yes, you can get incredible Venezuelan food in London! Arepas are the favored dish at this Maltby Street Market. They're called Rainbow Arepas and for good reason. Colored with green avocado, red cabbage and colorful buns like beet infused grilled corn, these Venezuelan treats bring Londoners from all over to La Pepia every weekend.
Dumpling Shack
Address: Old Spitalfields Market
This iconic street food vendor is probably best known for the long lines every Saturday night at the Broadway Market. Now, the Dumpling Shack has moved to the Old Spitalfields Market to a larger area so it can accommodate more customers. The shengjianbaos is the signature dish here and is a pork and leek soup filled with fantastic old-world ingredients that will soothe your soul.
Mother Clucker
Address: Flat Iron Square (Monday to Saturday); Hawker House (Friday to Saturday); Truman Brewery; Exmouth Market (permanent location)
Mother Clucker is an enterprising street food vendor offering decadent treats in the form of fried chicken. This comfort food has stolen the show more than once and has people lining up for more. Their fried chicken is soaked in tea brine and dipped in buttermilk before being battered and dropped in the fryer creating a mouth-watering dish. Order a chicken sandwich or just a bucket of fried chicken.
Flank
Address: Old Spitalfields Market; Market Halls Victoria
Chef Tom Griffiths has elevated the expectations of street food here at Flank where you can order a thick juicy gourmet burger, smoked brisket on naan and served with kewpie garlic mayo and chili sauce, or even a side of short ribs. Their brisket is slow-cooked for 16 hours and is so tender it will melt in your mouth. You will definitely not walk away hungry when you stop by Flank.
Horn OK Please
Address: Borough Market (Monday through Saturday); Southbank Food Market (Friday through Sunday)
The name of this eatery is a bit unusual and definitely unique. Horn OK Please is leading the way in creating a standout vegetarian menu. When you are on the hunt for great tasting vegetarian dishes, head to the Borough Market or the Southbank Food Market. The moong dal dosa is a delightful dish made with lentil flour dosa filled with a spicy potato filling.
Kappacasein
Address: Borough Market (Monday through Saturday)
If you can imagine homemade cheese made into one of the best cheese toasties you will ever sink your teeth into, then you must be visualizing Kappacasein’s dairy-laden dish. This fantastic street food vendor also has its own dairy located south of London where they make their own cheeses. Order their specialty cheese sandwich with Montgomery cheddar cheese, garlic, onion, and leeks served on Poilane bread.
Where to find the best London street food spots
Finding the best street food throughout London is as simple as looking for one of the street food markets listed above. Unlike street food vendors in the United States, London’s street food traders set up shop in the various markets throughout the city. Find your favorite street food markets and grab a wonderful meal! Day or night, London has fabulous things in store. Shopping, Thames River cruises and ghost tours are just a few things to do at night after you've had your fill of awesome eats!
Old Spitalfields Market
Address: 16 Horner Square, London, GB E1 6EW
There are over 40 cafes and restaurants located in the Old Spitalfields Market including Ahi Poke, Bleecker Burger, and Wheelcake Island. Along with the restaurants and cafes, there are ten permanent kitchen areas for street food vendors in the middle of the market. Here is where you will find Monty’s Deli, Dumpling Shack, and Pleasant Lady.
Formerly known as the East London Market Place, the Old Spitalfields Market is filled with retailers, market stalls, restaurants, and street food traders all located in one of the most exciting neighborhoods in London. The market is open seven days a week and is the place to visit when in the area.
Camden Market
Address: 32 Camden Lock Place, London, GB NW1 8AF
Take a trip around the world when you visit Camden Market! Cuisine from every corner of the earth is represented here and you will find several amazing dishes you will want to sample. Grab a craft beer, signature cocktail, or glass of wine from one of the bars and sit down to a fragrant and flavorful meal.
Vegans love coming to Camden Market; Young Vegans offer meat-free pies and Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Restaurant offers a full menu of nothing but vegan dishes including amazing desserts. Sign up for a food tour by Vegan Food Tours and sample some of the best vegan street food found in London.
Other non-vegan street food traders have also set up shop where you can find artistic dishes that will quickly become your favorites. Camden Market is open seven days a week and is a popular spot for locals and visitors.
Vinegar Yard
Address: 72-82 St. Thomas Street, London, GB SE1 3QU (1 minute from the London Bridge Station)
This is a somewhat newer hotspot for fantastic street food. Sit and admire The Shard while enjoying a flavorful meal at one of the picnic tables. Vinegar Yard overlooks several London landmarks that lend the perfect backdrop to the market. Located next to the London Bridge Station, this market is super easy to find.
With restaurants and street food traders such as Nanny Bill’s Italian Restaurant, Baba G’s, Sugo, Up in My Grill, and Steak Slinger, you will find something delectable to dine on while browsing the other vendors at the flea market. It is open on the weekends and is a popular place to visit.
Boxpark (Shoreditch Wembley Croydon)
Address: 99 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LD
Boxpark is located in the Shoreditch and Wembley Croydon neighborhood and is home to some of the most iconic food vendors in London including Black Bear Burger, What The Pitta, Rudie’s Jerk Shack, Athenian, and Zia Lucia. Most of the vendors are indoors but there is a patio available for dining during the summer months.
This rather unique market has been created using large shipping containers that have been stacked to create interesting towers. Even if you are not searching for the best street food in the city you will still want to drop by just to see the building. But, come hungry because there will be something that makes your mouth water.
Broadway Market
Address: 52 Broadway Market, London, GB E8 4QJ
This Victorian Street market is located in the Hackney neighborhood of North London and is one of the most thriving Saturday markets in England. With over 70 cafes, restaurants, and shops to explore you can easily spend an entire day exploring all the nooks and crannies.
The street food vibe at the Broadway Market is amazing. You can sample dishes from several eateries specializing in delectable treats and snacks. Dishes from across the globe can be found and the aromas coming from the street food vendors will make your mouth water.
Broadway Market may seem familiar if you have seen the film Eastern Promises as the barbershop in the market was featured and the opening scenes of Buster, the 1988 movie, were filmed at the end of the market near the Regent’s Canal.
Boxpark (Shoreditch Wembley Croydon)
Address: 99 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LD
Boxpark is located in the Shoreditch and Wembley Croydon neighborhood and is home to some of the most iconic food vendors in London including Black Bear Burger, What The Pitta, Rudie’s Jerk Shack, Athenian, and Zia Lucia. Most of the vendors are indoors but there is a patio available for dining during the summer months.
This rather unique market has been created using large shipping containers that have been stacked to create interesting towers. Even if you are not searching for the best street food in the city you will still want to drop by just to see the building. But, come hungry because there will be something that makes your mouth water.
Broadway Market
Address: 52 Broadway Market, London, GB E8 4QJ
This Victorian Street market is located in the Hackney neighborhood of North London and is one of the most thriving Saturday markets in England. With over 70 cafes, restaurants, and shops to explore you can easily spend an entire day exploring all the nooks and crannies.
The street food vibe at the Broadway Market is amazing. You can sample dishes from several eateries specializing in delectable treats and snacks. Dishes from across the globe can be found and the aromas coming from the street food vendors will make your mouth water.
Broadway Market may seem familiar if you have seen the film Eastern Promises as the barbershop in the market was featured and the opening scenes of Buster, the 1988 movie, were filmed at the end of the market near the Regent’s Canal.
Mercato Metropolitano, Mercato Mayfair
Address: St. Mark’s, North Audley Street, London, GB W1K 6ZA
Museum lovers will adore this spot. Located in an old abandoned railroad station, the Mercato Metropolitano opened its doors in 2016 and has quickly become a favorite spot to hang out. Their second site, at the former St. Mark’s Church on Mayfair, is where you will find some of the best street food in the city.
Drop by Lala or Kalimera Leggero Okonomiyaki for something unique and innovative. With two floors of food vendors, you will definitely find exactly what you are craving. Sit on the rooftop terrace during the warmer months and enjoy a meal or head to the basement, a vaulted crypt, offering wines, craft beers, and tantalizing tapas.
All of the food vendors at Mercato Metropolitano use locally sourced, fresh ingredients. While here, be sure to check out some of these vendors:
- Spicy Lab for Malaysian food
- Santo Grill for burgers, grilled meat, and great wine
- Germankraft for authentically crafted German beer
- Badiani for Italian gelato
- Pasta Lover for authentic hand-made pasta
- Rico Coco for rotisserie chicken and cocktails
- Pad Thai House for amazing Asian fusion dishes
- Steamy & Co for dumplings, ramen, and bao
- Beyroots for spicy Middle Eastern fare
Street food festivals in London
Eat & Drink Festival
Address: Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, London, GB W14 8UX
Located within walking distance of the Kensington (Olympia) Station, the Eat & Drink Festival is held in November and is filled with street food vendors showcasing their crafts for all to taste. Live demonstrations are given throughout the festival and samples are passed out after each demo.
Listen to live music as you munch on delectable dishes made from fresh ingredients. Many of them locally sourced. Check out the Foodie Stage and line up to meet some of the celebrity chefs who visit the festival. Bring the Tums and prepare your palate for a party that never stops!
Foodies Festival, Syon Park
Address: Syon Park Road, Brentford, London, GB TW8 8JF
Held during May, the Foodies Festival transforms Syon Park into a culinary experience like no other. The highlight is watching the Bake-Off finalists create heavenly treats and visiting with famous chefs. The festival boasts over 20 different street food traders where you can take a trip around the globe without ever leaving Syon Park.
Mark your calendar and plan to spend a weekend experiencing all things culinary. Aside from great food, there are plenty of food-based workshops for you to learn more about how to prepare fresh, healthy meals for you and your family.
From yum buns to fried plantain
London is brimming with street food markets filled with street food stalls where you can find some of the best dishes outside of Michelin star restaurants. The simple fare made by vendors is usually easily eaten while on the go and bursting with amazing flavors. While there are several markets listed, there are many more, including the Berwick Street Market and Southbank Centre Food Market.
