Quick Facts
Borough Market has operated near London Bridge for nearly 1,000 years — first recorded in 1014. Today, it's London's premier food market with 100+ traders selling artisan British and international food. Free to enter, made for grazing.
- Address: 8 Southwark St, SE1 1TL
- Nearest Tube/Rail: London Bridge (3 min walk)
- Open: Tue 10am-5pm, Wed-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun closed
- Cost: Free entry · Food £4-£15
Top Stalls to Try
- Kappacasein cheese toastie (£8.50) — three-cheese Comté + Ogleshield + Montgomery toasted on sourdough. Iconic. Queue 20-40 min.
- Bread Ahead doughnuts (£4.50) — vanilla custard or salted caramel. Best in London.
- Wright Brothers oysters (£2-£3 each) — best oyster bar in central London
- The Padella pasta queue — actually next door, but the £8 pici cacio e pepe is essential
- Sergio's Greek — gyros wraps £8
- Boqueria paella — Spanish from a giant pan, £9-£12
- Roast Hog at Roast — Sunday roast pork sandwiches £8
- Fitz Fine Foods — terrines, charcuterie, scotch eggs
- Spice Mountain — 200+ spices, take-home gift
- Comptoir Gourmand — French baked goods, £4-£8
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed (or wholesale only) | Skip |
| Tuesday | 10am-5pm | Limited stalls |
| Wednesday | 10am-6pm | Full market |
| Thursday | 10am-6pm | Full market |
| Friday | 10am-6pm | Full market — busy lunch |
| Saturday | 9am-5pm | Peak day, very busy 12-3pm |
| Sunday | Closed | Skip — go Monteagle Market across river instead |
Best Time to Visit
- Wednesday-Thursday 10:30am-12pm — full market, beat the lunch crowd
- Friday 5-6pm — quieter than midday, traders discount unsold items
- Saturday 9am opening — full market, fewest crowds
- Avoid: Saturday 12-3pm (impossible to move)
💡 Free samples strategy: Most stalls offer tastings — cheese, bread, olive oil, charcuterie, cake. You can effectively eat lunch for £0 by sampling generously, then buying one main dish.
Tips & Etiquette
- Bring cash for some stalls — most accept contactless but a few don't
- No tables — eat standing or sit on the church steps next door
- Use Southwark Cathedral grounds for picnic seating
- Don't take samples and walk away — buy something or thank
- Bins are limited — bring napkins
- Combine with Tate Modern (10 min walk) + Shakespeare's Globe
- Roast (above the market) is a proper restaurant if you want sit-down — book ahead
🌧️ All weather: Most of the market is covered (under the railway arches), but some traders are uncovered. Bring a light raincoat.