London’s world famous Borough Market is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London (and, probably the world). How old? It recently celebrated its 1,000th anniversary in 2014. Borough Market is home to some of the freshest and most delicious foods that the United Kingdom has to offer.
Considering I’ve spent my summer wandering the streets of London trying to find the hippest and yummiest places to eat, I now know there’s nothing quite like getting provisions fresh from the market and enjoying them in the summer sun at the park, or, if you’re lucky enough, the beach (although cool and dimply lit restaurants are certainly fun to experience every once in awhile).
You can’t get any fresher than at Borough Market.
From my wandering around I have been able to compile a list of my favorite places that are must visits if you do get the chance to visit the traditional but bountiful Borough Market.
1. Bread Ahead
Photo by Sophia Dearie
Go for the freshest Focaccia and vanilla cream filled donuts. Their mounds of focaccia will leave your mouth watering, and your heart being torn between goats cheese and roasted tomato or caramelized onion and basil focaccia (both great choices, so why not get both?). Be sure to try the donut of the day (you’ll cry with happiness).
Photo courtesy of @luciennesimpson
2. Chegworth Valley Fresh Juice Stall
Photo by Sophia Dearie
Go for their fresh juice to start your morning before you start wandering around the market. Their juices range from 2-4 pounds and they only use the freshest fruits and vegetables in interesting combinations such as rhubarb, strawberry, pineapple and spinach. If you want to take some juice back home with you, there are plenty of flavours bottled and ready to grab and go.
3. Ted’s Veg
Photo by Sophia Dearie
Go for their super organic vegetables. They use no preservatives and their vegetables are strictly seasonal. Their curly kale is a best seller. I was told by one of the produce sellers there to try kale as a replacement for spinach in baked egg dishes such as shakshuka.
4. Ginger Pig
Photo by Sophia Dearie
Go to try their savory baked goods such as scotch eggs and pork pies. They also butcher their meat fresh in the morning, so if you are looking for a unique or specific piece of meat be sure to head there early in the morning and the guys there will be happy to help you.
5. Mountain’s Boston Sausage
Photo by Sophia Dearie
This place is my mum’s personal favorite breakfast spot when she comes to the market. The guys that run this stall are so enthusiastic about their produce that they want you to enjoy every bite. Make sure to try the breakfast bun which is compiled of sausage patties, a fried egg, spinach and hollandaise sauce. If that doesn’t make you want to wake up at 9 for the market, I’m not sure what will.
Photo courtesy of @WilcoxandCarter
6. Greedy Goat Ice Cream
Photo by Sophia Dearie
Super creamy ice cream and insane flavors that change weekly such as rum and raisin and super salted caramel. Also, since the ice cream is made from goat’s milk, those with cow milk intolerances will be able to enjoy these dairy delights. Take-away tubs are also available, and be sure to try their fabulous carrot cake flavour if it is on rotation.
Photo courtesy of Greedy Goat on Facebook
7. Comptoir Gourmand
Photo by Sophia Dearie
This is the place to go for the freshest and most buttery baked goods. Their croissants (plain, chocolate and almond) are huge in size and oh so flakey. Also, be sure to try their specialty white chocolate chip cookies which are the size of your head.
8. Balkan Bites
Photo by Sophia Dearie
This place is a good place to get a filling, yet not heavy, breakfast or lunch. There are spinach and cheese pastries, tomato and onion and ‘cheese on cheese’. You can get these light pastries on their own or served with their fresh humus and grilled halloumi. Their humus is also available to take away, and if you want to take my word, this is the best humus in London. Vegetarians and meat eaters alike will be sure to find the tastes here out of this world.
9. Flat Cap Coffee
Photo courtesy of londonsbestcoffee.com
Getting up early can be a struggle for anyone who is in holiday mode. If you are in search of your caffeine fix, look for further. The coffee here is roasted in house and I have never had coffee quite as smooth as the coffee here, which I enjoyed in the form of an iced black.
10. Cafe Brood
Photo by Sophia Dearie
After a busy morning in the market, the desire for an early cocktail or snack is totally normal and is something you should be feeling if you’ve done the market properly. Café Brood is the place to go as it offers numerous barbequed items such as hot dogs (gourmet of course), fried mac and cheese and burgers and salads. They also have pitchers of Pimm’s on offer with super fresh fruit from the market. A perfect way to end a day at Borough Market.
Regardless of what city you wind up in during the summer, make it a point to visit the market there as you will find the freshest and usually cheapest foods which is a match made in heaven for any student/traveller/foodie.