Going Undercover: The Food Markets You Can Enjoy All Year Round
From eating lobster on the side of the road to bao buns on the street, London’s street food scene has never been so good. If you thought it was just a summer trend, think again. Us Londoners go mad for a dish served on a paper plate and thankfully there’s now a whole new breed of indoor street food markets opening up that we can enjoy all year round. From Shoreditch’s hipster joint to Fulham’s posh eatery, here are our top 10 street food markets all undercover – no umbrella needed.
Market Hall
With venues in Fulham, Victoria and the West End coming November 2019, Market Hall changed the script on street food when they opened in 2018. The sites are sophisticated with serious design flare and the food stalls handpicked. Favourites include Ahi Polé at Fulham and Fanny’s Kebabs at Victoria (don’t judge on the name).
Where: Victoria, Fulham and the West End
Website: www.markethalls.co.uk
Seven Dials Market
There’s nothing like a conveyor belt of cheese to get London talking. Yep, this autumn saw the opening of Covent Garden’s Seven Dials Market – exciting given that the fact that most food markets just about scrape into Zone 2. As well as rotating raclette, expect stalls from Club Mexicana (the best vegan junk food), Monty’s Deli (NY-style sandwiches), Truffle (London’s hottest new burger) and many more. All housed under a glass roof in a plush new setting, no biggie if you forget your brolly.
Where: Earlham Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LX
Website: www.sevendialsmarket.com
Street Feast
Street Feast were prolific in changing the way London foodies ate when they opened their original site and now boast four around the capital, three of which are undercover. Head to Dinerama (Shoreditch), Hawker House (Canada Water) or Model Market (Lewisham) for a night out with a difference.
Where: Shoreditch, Canada Water and Lewisham
Website: www.streetfeast.com
Japan Centre
As well as the best place to get Asian ingredients for home cooking, Piccadilly’s Japan Centre also houses a food hall and cafeteria. The setting is simple – no hipster cocktail bars – but the food is delicious, affordable and authentic. Order everything from slippery noodle soups to moreish gyozas and bento boxes galore.
Where: 35b Panton Street, Piccadilly, SW1Y 4EA
Website: www.japancentre.com
Bang Bang Oriental
With a seating capacity of 450 and the largest offering of Asian restaurants in the UK, Bang Bang Oriental is a behemoth of street food centres. With so much on offer, the hardest part is choosing what to eat, from Japanese ramen to Taiwanese noodles.
Where: 339 Edgware Road, Colindale, NW9 0FH
Website: www.bangbangoriental.com
Boxpark
Take a bunch of shipping containers and fill each one with a cool boutique, concept store, bar or street food outlet and what do you have? The most hipster thing to ever come out of East London, otherwise known as Boxpark. Jokes aside, the food at each of their outposts is great and the majority of it undercover. Choose from everything from bao buns to cheese-oozing pasta.
Where: Wembley, Croydon and Shoreditch
Website: www.boxpark.co.uk
Mercato Metropolitano
Built on the site of a disused paper factory, Mercato Metropolitano is a 45,000 sq ft hub playing host to 40 food vendors, a micro-brewery and regular community projects. It’s a great place to pick up gifts for foodie friends as well as tuck into a wealth of dishes.
Where: Mercato Metropolitano, 2 Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR
Website: www.mercatometropolitano.com
Old Spitalfields Market
One of East London’s most iconic sites is also home to some of our favourite street food vendors in the capital. From Bleeker Burger (quite possibly the best burger we’ve tried) to classic fish ‘n’ chips from Poppies and Yum Bun, the spicy steamed buns. For pud, make sure you stop off at Crosstown Doughnuts for some doughy, sugar-coated goodness.
Where: Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, E1 6EW
Website: www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com
