A Food Lover’s Guide to the Borough Market

One of my favourite places to visit in London is the Borough Market. What a fabulous selection of mouthwateringly delicious food all under one roof at this famous London food market!

Hot and steaming roasted pork belly sandwiches, homemade venison scotch eggs, enormous pans of seafood-laden paella, large vats of bubbling Malaysian curry, piles of oozing fragrant soft cheeses, fruits, vegetables, spices, sausages, salami, croissants, chutneys…

It’s a complete assault on the senses and a wonderful place to take a wander – particularly if you are hungry.

The Borough Market is renowned as one of the best food markets in London, and has existed here in some form or another since the 13^th Century.

Over 100 individual stalls are still based here today, dishing up a vast array of British and International produce, with the majority of stall owners making, growing or rearing the produce they sell themselves.

The market employs a ‘food quality panel’ of impartial experts whose job it is to ensure the quality of taste, provenance and quality of the food on offer at the Borough Market food stalls meets the market’s high standards.

Plus, competition is fierce, so you can be sure you won’t leave here disappointed.

There are so many delicious smells and enticing sights to take in that it can be completely overwhelming for a newcomer, particularly if like me you suffer from a fear of missing out on the best Borough Market stalls.

We always make sure to save time for a visit to this London Bridge market and have had had plenty of opportunity to check out where to eat and what to eat at Borough Market.

The Best Borough Market Food

Here we highlight what we think the best places to eat at Borough Market. Bear in mind though that with its reputation as one of the best markets in London for food, it is also hugely popular – so be prepared to queue for your meal if you are here for a Borough Market lunch.

Chorizo Sandwich at Brindisa

The Brindisa Borough Market shop is packed full with a delicious range of Spanish food, including hand-carved Jamon Serrano, chorizo, olive oil, boqerones and Manchego cheese. Outside the front doors is where the real magic happens though – at the Chorizo Grill.

It might just be a roadside barbecue, but in my opinion, this is one of the best places to eat in Borough Market.

The Chorizo sandwich here is definitely a Borough Market must eat. Hot sizzling paprika-fuelled chorizo is plucked from the grill and plunged into a chewy ciabatta roll alongside sweet, slow-roasted piquillo peppers and fresh peppery rocket, before being finished with a drizzle of fruity olive oil. Heavenly.

Roasted Pork Belly and Bramley Apple Sauce Sandwich at Roast

Roast Borough Market is renowned as one of the best Borough Market places to eat. Known for its classical British cooking, it uses fresh seasonal ingredients from Britain’s farmers and local producers.

The Roast Restaurant Borough Market is where to go for a sit down meal, but if you don’t have time for that, then their Roast to Go stall downstairs rustles up sandwiches made from their famous roast meats, to a line of hungry fans.

While wandering past, I took one look at the knife slicing through the crispy crackling on a large slab of pork belly and knew that I had to indulge my tastebuds.

A soft floury bun was crammed full with succulent pork belly and bubbly salty crackling, then slathered with sweet Bramley apple sauce to give a sensational explosion of soft and crunchy, salty and sweet.

Toasted Cheese Sandwich at Kappacasein

You may think it’s a waste to come all the way to the Borough Market and settle for a cheese sandwich for lunch – but let me tell you, this Borough Market grilled cheese is no ordinary cheese sandwich.

The Kappacasein Toasted Cheese Sandwich is made using three types of cheese – Montgomery Cheddar, Ogleshield and Comte – and five types of onion, all mixed together and pressed between slices of Poilane sourdough bread before being grilled to perfection.

Voted by my children as the “Best Cheese Toastie Ever”, and I now have a lot to live up to at home.

Bomba Paella at Furness Food Hut

It’s hard to walk past and not be impressed by the enormous paella pan at the Furness Food Hut. Tubs of piping hot, perfectly cooked Bomba paella rice steeped in seafood stock and topped with a generous portion of chicken and seafood are served up here.

I can’t imagine anything more perfect on a cold winter’s day.

Also on offer at this popular Borough Market street food stall – Shetlands Salt & Pepper Squid, Wild Highland Venison Steak Burgers and Traditional Malaysian Chicken Curry.

Cheese from Une Normande a Londres

There are several cheese shops scattered around the market, but one of the most impressive selections of Borough Market cheese I have come across is at Une Normande a Londres.

Their beautiful display includes an incredible variation of French cheeses, including old favourites such as Brie de Meaux and Reblochon, as well as some more unusual cheeses sourced from obscure French villages.

There’s a fabulous selection of cured meats, saucisson, pates, terrines and jams on offer too. A cheese lover’s dream, come true.

Coffee at Monmouth Coffee Company

This coffee shop in Borough Market has people queuing round the corner to get their hands on a great cup of Borough Market coffee.

Renowned throughout London, Monmouth Coffee Company sources their beans from single-farm estates and co-operatives throughout the world, and roasts them at their premises in Bermondsey.

Their highly trained baristas whip up some of the best coffee you will find anywhere in London, making this the perfect end to your lunchtime binge.

Borough Market Opening Hours

The Borough Market is fully open Wednesday – Saturday. Some stalls are also open for lunch on a Monday/Tuesday. Borough Market is not open on a Sunday.

If you are coming for something specific, then check the Borough Market opening times on the Borough Market website as all the stalls have different opening days and hours.

Where is Borough Market?

Borough Market is near London Bridge station, which is serviced by the Jubilee and Northern Lines on the London Underground, as well as mainline trains. The market is signposted from the station.

Looking for ideas of things to do in London? Read our Things to do in London with Kids article here.

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