There’s been a market on the south side of London Bridge for over a thousand years, and in the past 20 years it’s become known not just as London’s larder, but as a great place to eat out too.
It’s this popularity that perhaps made it a target for those that hate. To open a restaurant door is to invite guests into your company, to feed and look after them. That people were killed and injured doing just that is truly sickening. There’s no better way to show terrorists you’re not #reeling than by eating out and supporting the market and these businesses – they’ve been through a lot, they need our support.
If you can’t get to London anytime soon, the British Red Cross have set up a fund to help those affected by the recent terror attacks, both in London and Manchester, visit www.redcross.org.uk/unity for more information.
Here then, are 20 of the best restaurants and stalls surrounding the market you can visit once the police cordon is lifted.
Easy-going pasta place offering small plates of thick ribbony pasta from the team behind Islington’s Trullo. Their pici cacio e pepe was the dish of 2016, and it’s still just as brilliant today. Made by hand from just flour, water and olive oil, this thick pasta comes with a sauce of butter, cheese and pepper. There’s no reservations given the size of the place, so go early or late, and enjoy the best pasta in London.
Hawksmoor Borough
Restaurant, British
The best steaks in London and Hawksmoor’s first outpost south of the river. With meat from the Ginger Pig farms (see below) you can be assured of beautiful, grass fed, dry-aged beef. If you’re keeping an eye on the wallet, look out for the set menus and Bring Your Own Wine Mondays.
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Richard Haward Oysters
Bar, Restaurant, Seafood, Gluten-free
When in season (there’s normally an R in the month) buy a half dozen of these beautiful bivalves and slurp down near the river while the sun sets for a real London experience. These native oysters come from Colchester and are farmed by ‘7th generation oysterman,’ Richard Haward.
Mexican food was rubbish in London up until just a few years ago. Then along came Tacos el Pastor (from Sam and Eddie Hart who also gave us great tapas in the form of Barrafina) to do something about it. The corn, rather than wheat, tacos are made fresh each day. They come with a range of fillings, though our current favourite is the carnitas, made with confit pork, cuerito, chicharron and salsa especial.
Elliot’s
Cafe, Market, British, Vegetarian
Modern, seasonal, European cooking with strong British elements and ingredients, many of which come directly from businesses in the market. This time of year the menu’s all about spring – think poached chicken and summer vegetables, or asparagus with Cambridge sauce. The wine list is entirely natural, either organic or bio-dynamic. Thank you @MatthewMiles_ for sharing this. Staff at all the restaurants were amazing and so brave. Hospo workers you are all the best! pic.twitter.com/Vm69J68ymQ — Elliot’s (@elliotscafe) June 5, 2017
Arabica Bar & Kitchen
Restaurant, Bar, Diner, Middle Eastern, Turkish
Courtesy of Arabica Bar & Kitchen
Specialising in Middle Eastern dishes and food from the Levant such as mezza, flatbreads and spiced, grilled meats. Of particular note is their falafel, and the chicken shawarma wraps are pretty good too. It was to this restaurant that diner Richard Angell returned the day after the attack to pay his bill.
Brindisa
Deli, Market, European
Beautiful Spanish deli in the heart of the market that only does one thing to takeaway, chorizo and rocket rolls. Get one of these and stock up on other great products to take home later like Spanish olive oils, saffron and pimento.
Mrs King’s Pork Pies
Dessert Shop, European
A little bit of Leicestershire in the capital (aside from Leicester Square), these are genuine Melton Mowbray pork pies, which have to be made by hand to a specific recipe in or around the town of Melton Mowbray.
Applebee’s Fish
Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Seafood
Fish and seafood restaurant with a broad, easy pleasing menu. Start with dishes such as fried whitebait, mussels or the oyster shooters ( Bloody Mary, Champagne with shallots and Gin with chilli, lime and ginger) or skip straight to mains such as delicately cooked fish as well as that British classic, fish and chips. Wash down with a cocktail or a glass of champagne for something special.
Roast
Bar, Market, Restaurant, British
Upstairs from the market, Roast offers classic cooking that celebrates the best of British, offering everything from a bar snack, to afternoon tea to the full Sunday roast. It’s not all meats though, there’s also a vegetarian menu. A great one if you have kids too, as there’s a choice of super milkshakes.
The Ginger Pig
Butcher, Market, European
With seven shops, The Ginger Pig can lay claim to being London’s butcher. It’s also home to the capital’s finest sausage rolls. There’s a range of meaty sandwich options that changes daily if you want something more substantial. Needless to say, they specialise in piggy things. If you’re having a barbecue, this is where to get your meat.
The Market Porter
Craft Ale Bar, Market, Pub, British
One of the classic boozers of the old market, and named after the porters that moved the produce. It’s also featured in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as the Third Hand Book. Pop in for a pint of real ale or craft beer.
Wokit
Restaurant, Food Court, Fast Food
Wokit offer a base bowl of rice and noodles, topped with a wide choice of meat, fish or vegetables and finished with homemade Asian sauces. You build your own dishes depending on what you fancy and it’s all prepared fresh in front of you while you wait. Many ingredients are supplied by other businesses in the market, such as Ted’s Veg next door. Wokit’s ethos is fresh, fun and wholesome, and with an eye on sustainability, all their packaging is biodegradable too.
The Rake
Bar, Pub, Market, Pub Grub
Speciality beer bar on the site of a former greasy spoon from ‘beermongers’ Richard Dinwoodie and Mike Hill of Utobeer. There’s a huge range of beers (over 130) from all over the world – the furthest coming from Tasmania – as well as local London brewers. On draught there’s seven kegs and three casks to choose from. Staff are super knowledgeable and there to help guide you depending on what you fancy, so do ask if you’re not sure.
Feng Sushi
Market, Sushi
Traditional handmade sushi using seasonal ingredients to produce a Japanese menu with occasional British influences such as the Japanese fish and chips – tempura hake with hand-cut potato chips, remoulade and a sweet chilli sauce. There’s also brown rice options, and a vegan menu.
Bedales of Borough
Bar, Wine Bar, Market, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
Large selection of wines with particular attention paid to lesser known countries and regions such as Lebanon. As well as dropping in for a glass there’s also a selection of small-plate dishes and nibbles to accompany the wine. Check their website for regular workshops, events and tasting classes.
Maria’s Market Cafe
Cafe, Market, British
A market stalwart, Maria began working at the Borough Cafe owned by her parents when she was just seven, so she’s knows the market like the back of her hand. Now with a place of her own, she serves up the classic full English washed down with plenty of strong tea. Her bubble and squeak is something rather special too.
The Globe Tavern
Bar, Gastropub, Restaurant, Pub Grub, Vegetarian
Modern British gastropub set over two floors. Downstairs is aimed at drinkers with a light bites bar menu, while upstairs the restaurant has a more substantial offering such as beef, beer-pickled onions and savoy cabbage accompanied by sourdough bread and beer sauce.
Rabot 1745
Bar, Diner, Restaurant, Cafe, European, British
A shop, restaurant and bar dedicated to all things cocoa and chocolate, with beans coming from the Rabot plantation on the island of St Lucia. In store you can experience the production process, as well enjoying the innovative dining in the restaurant, where both savoury and sweet dishes feature cocoa.
Black and Blue
Butcher, Restaurant, Steakhouse
Steaks, burgers and grilled meats sourced from their own butchers in Kingston, Surrey. The set lunch menu is particularly good value at £16 for two courses, while the Sunday roast at £23.50 per person centres on a 600g hunk of côte de boeuf (bone in forerib of beef) and comes with unlimited mimosas.
Born in the Midlands and raised in the North West of England, Andrew came to London to attend St Martin's College of Art. After ten years working for the BBC and Channel 4, he set off on an eight month food tour of Britain, which led him to write his award-winning book, Food Britannia. He was previously the Editor of Lovefood.com and also produced and hosted delicious magazine's podcast. Responsible for the Culture Trip's food and drink content, he is interested in hearing about food events, product launches and potential interviews with chefs and food producers. He's also judged the British Pie Awards, reviewed restaurants, and spoken at food festivals, and so knows a good plate of food when he sees it. He can be found tweeting here @foodjournalist
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