- Caterina Mirra
- Updated:
Looking for something tasty and cheap in London is becoming easier than ever. Street food is experiencing its golden age and the variety offered seems to catch both Londoners and foreigners. If you are looking for something to eat on-the-go or taste different flavours, the East London food markets are the best way to enjoy that. We are going to give a rundown of the most interesting 10 to make your choice effortless.
Exmouth Market
This weekday small market provides around 20 artisan street food stalls, selling a variety of international dishes. Based in a business area, workers could enjoy their lunchtime tasting traditional French crepes, red and green Thai curry chicken and also traditional Indian flavours from the Gujariti Rasoi trader. You can’t miss the Ion Patisserie cakes and the jollof rice and stews box proposed from Spinach & Agushi (Ghanaian food), rated as one of the most popular stalls of the market.
Kerb at Spitalfields
The one-day market has officially moved to Fridays. Six or seven traders rotating every week cater food for everyone’s needs. You can find the organic frozen yogurt at Moto Yogo, taste the traditional paella valenciana from Jamon Jamon and also smell summer vibes when you pass by the Grilling Greek truck. Every stall is placed in one of London’s oldest market – The Old Spitalfields – and if you prefer, the Fridays traders’ rota is available to check on the website.
Leather Lane Market
On weekday lunchtime, the Clerkenwell market offers international specialities with the option to get also fruit and vegetables. Placed in a business area, it is the ideal venue for a lunch between colleagues. You should stop by Daddy Donkey’s stall and get one of its burritos or taste Grill my Cheese’s sandwich filled with farmhouse cheddar and Gruyère.
St Katharine Docks Good Food Market
The most incredible waterside market of the city hosts around 20 stalls recently awarded by Food for Health Awards run by Tower Hamlets. Since 2010, the market gave to the nautical community regular tasty food lunch options in this romantic gateway closed to the Tower Bridge. And plus, if you are a member of the Berth Holder Association of St Kat Docks, you can enjoy a 10 per cent discount.
Whitecross Street Market
Placed between Old Street and Fortune Street, this food market is one of the oldest in London. You can find different types of products that include exotic meats, falafel, salad, hot roast plus Indian, Moroccan and Turkish fare. It runs in weekdays and ideally reachable from Old Street, Barbican and The City.
Broadway Market
The market between Regent’s Canal and London Fields provides a huge selection of artisan food. Every Saturday you can taste delicious bread, cakes and assortments of cheese. Not only high quality street food, you can shop fresh fish, organic meat, fruit and vegetables at special prices.
Chatsworth Market
This Sunday market has been running since 2011. Offering handmade pies, Italian salami and vegan sweets, its long-term plan includes growing the number of stalls to around 80. As one of London’s friendliest market, it is also good for families and entertains children. Vietnamese food lovers should not miss the Hanoi Kitchen dishes.
Urban Food Fest – Shoreditch
This food and bar market, placed in Shoreditch Euro Car Park, is ideal for a Saturday afternoon drink or a cheap and tasty dinner. With a seating area and live music, you can enjoy a proper east London night choosing international dishes alongside 15 stalls.
Dalston Yard – Street Feast Market
Street Feast in Dalston has been the most attractive night market of summer. Known as a party market, it offers around 20 different food stalls, including lobster rolls from B.O.B’s Lobster, and eight bars, including The Gin Store and the Tequila Treehouse, which run until midnight.
Brick Lane
One of the best ways to spend your Sunday is to visit East London’s most renowned street food market. You can find everything and experience exciting tastes from all over the world. The list is long and some traders change every week. Walking through the vintage market, you can’t miss the Venezuelan cachapa, the Ethiopian wrap and the delicious international sweets from Nina’s Bakes stall.
Pad Thai at Brick Lane Market | © eGuide Travel / flickr