The Bottom Line
Take a photo tour of Borough Market.
Pros
- More than just beautiful produce, a great sampling of London’s diverse food scene.
- Two prime market days, Friday and Saturday.
- Vendors tend to be very friendly and many offer samples of their wares.
- There’s plenty of prepared food to purchase.
- Perfect for those who enjoy the “wander n’ nibble” approach to a market.
Cons
- Borough Market is big enough to be overwhelming, and can be quite crowded.
- There aren’t many inviting places inside the market to sit down and take a break.
- Some may be upset by displays of game birds with their necks wrung, rabbits strung by their feet.
Description
- Location: Across the street from the London Bridge Underground Station, in the Southwark neighborhood.
- Phone: +44 (0) 20 7407 1002
- Hours: Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Holiday hours vary.
- Vendors: over 100 vendors including: baked goods; cheeses; candies; seafood; herbs & spices; preserves & chutneys; produce.
- Market map: Download PDF here.
- Tip: Meat, game and poultry stalls tend to be at the center of the market.
Guide Review - Review of Borough Market in London
This is a great place to get to know traditional British food. Head over to the Furness Fish stall, near Middle Road, and pick up a container of potted shrimp. Small shrimp are packed into containers (“pots”) surrounded by butter, which creates an air barrier and preserves the shrimp.
Not far away is Mrs. King’s Pies stall. Here you’ll find “Melton Mowbray” pork pies, named for the Leicestershire town they originate from. These pies are filled with roughly-cut fresh pork and pork jelly, and sealed in a hot water crust pastry. Melton Mowbray Pork Pies are a “protected designation of origin” product -- only pork pies made in Melton Mowbray can claim that title.
Neal's Yard Dairy on Stoney Street, specializes in handmade artisan cheese. Neal’s Yard sells to retailers in the United States, but the FDA only allows the import of unpasteurized cheese if it’s aged for at least 60 days -- so ask to sample varieties that are younger.
Plan ahead! Neal’s Yard also offers two-hour long “tutored tastings” on various cheese topics, focusing on a region, or on a particular aspect of cheese tasting. They sell out quickly, so be sure to book early.
Beyond the foods of the British Isles, there are plenty of international specialties at the market too. Do not miss Brindisa Chorizo -- considered London’s standard bearer in sausage sandwiches.
One of the most photographed stalls in the market is Flour Power City Bakery. Because really, what could be more beautiful than their mountain of thick dark chocolate brownies piled high? Chocolate lovers will find these are simply impossible to resist. Also try their twice-baked banana cake, made with almonds and buttermilk.
