This post is sponsored by London Serviced Apartments
Food markets – street food, real food, slow food or farmers’ markets – are enjoying boom time right now.
The capital boasts dozens of food markets, from newbies to the well-established, meaning you can barely make it through a weekend without sipping a craft beer while wolfing down a grass-fed lamb burger with truffle coated fries ‘on the go’.
Here’s our pick of London’s food markets to try in one weekend:
Friday lunchtime
KERB – A favourite with office workers in its regular locations of Spitalfields and at The Gerkin in the City. But it’s at Cubbit Square, King’s Cross, where you can find KERB 12-3pm every weekday including Friday. From the regularly changing line-up of stallholders, you could be grabbing lunch from Spit & Roast, Fundi Pizza, Club Mexicana, Oli Baba’s, Moto Yogo, Original Fry-Up Material, Vinn Goute, Horn OK Please, and many, many more! An outdoor swimming pool is also promised to accompany KERB at this location….!
Friday evening
Summer Tales – The tropical pop-up from the Night Tales crew, Old’s Street’s Summer Tales runs throughout summer with street food, five bars and renowned DJs. Enjoy the jungle surroundings featuring hammocks, rope swings and a large sun terrace. Sample the cocktails at the Lazy Flamingo Bar before feasting on fare from Burger & Lobster, Forza Win, Bonnie Gull and Morty & Bob’s.
Saturday morning
Broadway Market – A favourite with London’s Field’s residents, this lively market can get crowded but it’s more than worth a visit. Buy organic fruit, veg, eggs, meat and more from local producers, take away delicious homemade cakes and pastries, and snap up one-offs from clothing and gift stalls. Artisan street food vendors cover everything from Scotch eggs to Persian tagines, and don’t miss ordering a Vietnamese coffee from Ca Phe VN. The market is also home to a host of cool indie shops, cafes and the infamous Cat & Mutton pub.
Saturday afternoon (from 5pm)
Street Feast – The mighty Street Feast is going from strength to strength. With ‘Feasts’ in Lewisham, Dalston, and the brand new 1,000 capacity Dinerama in Shoreditch, this is one hip street food happening you really need to experience! Depending on the market you plump for, you’ll have around 20-50 street food vendors to work your way around including Mother Clucker, Yum Bun, Up In My Grill, Crabbieshack, Meringue Girls, Killer Tomato, Som Saa, Luardos, Mama Wang’s Kitchen, and dozens more. The plentiful bars serving crafts beers and cocktails and the “vinyl gooves” keep up the good vibes.
Saturday evening
Urban Food Fest – If you’re not staying at Street Feast into the evening (and you can if you haven’t had your fill), hot foot it to Shoreditch for the Urban Food Fest until midnight. Described as “achingly cool” and an “amazing street food party” in the press, this Shoreditch night market boasts free entry and plenty of amazing global gastronomy to feast on. Chow down on Chinese jian bing crepes, pulled pork burgers, Austrian specknoedel, Mexican tacos, Portuguese desserts, fresh gyoza, Spanish tapas and much more… Live music and entertainment accompanies the feasting.
Sunday morning
It’s Sunday so let’s bring the pace down a bit…
Alexandra Palace Farmers’ Market – What better way to spend a lazy Sunday morning than by strolling along to your local farmers’ market for a great coffee and to pick up some local outdoor-bred pork sausages for brunch? This lovely market is full of local stallholders meaning you get to grab fresh veg, meat and fish to take home, or sample delicious treats from small artisan food producers – homemade granola and local honey anyone?
Most areas of London, particularly in the suburbs, will have a small farmers’ market so check your council website for details.
Sunday afternoon
Slow Food & Living Market – This new market in the serine courtyard of the Rosewood Hotel is an absolute gem. The organisers aim to recreate the sense of community that a local market brings by featuring local producers and artisans selling top quality, fresh produce that is in-season, free from GMOs, responsibly farmed or caught, and grown to high environmental standards. Sustainable gifts are also on sale, and a children’s area keeps little ones entertained. Shop from stalls including Oliver’s Bakery, Moonroast Coffee, Seaforth Chocolate Co., Greedy Goat, Chef & Butcher, Petersham Cellar, Wild Country Organics and Being Sophie.
If you eat like a local, why not live like a local? If you’re visiting London book yourself a stay at an apartment through London Serviced Apartments and really make a weekend of it. With access to over 1,400 luxury private homes, serviced like a hotel, you can rest any full stomachs in real comfort!