Things to Do in London – Shopping Borough Market

Shop Gourmet Food, Fresh Produce, and Other Specialty Foods

Aug 20, 2009

A foodie paradise, Borough Market is a public market located near London Bridge offering gourmet and specialty foods.

A classic culinary destination for foodies and non-foodies alike, Borough Market is a farmers market boasting culinary excellence. The public market showcases a wide range of locally produced meats, cheeses, vegetables, baked goods and confections from over 160 vendors.

Shopping bags and trolleys are encouraged and necessary to carry grocery purchases. Open from Thursday to Saturday, the Borough Market is busiest during mid-day, filling with both locals and tourists jockeying to buy gourmet treats.

London Bridge and Borough Market History

A public market is referenced as existing in London as early as 1014AD, although it’s like to have existed in some form since the Romans built the first London Bridge over the Thames. As the bridge was the only link between London and southern England at the time, traders would gather on or near the bridge to sell grain, livestock and fresh produce.

While the public market has moved and changed hands over time, Borough Market has been in its current location for the past 250 years. Run as a charity with a Board of Trustees, the market now boasts over 4.6 million consumers each year. Fodor’s travel website notes that, “Post-millennium, it has been transformed from a noisy collection of local stalls to a trendy foodie center.”

London’s Gourmet Food and Specialty Food Market

The winding market aisles unfold to display an array of tender mushrooms, tart yogurt, crusty breads, neatly stacked piles of baklava, cured meats, and freshly made baked goods. Free samples are common in many stands, and trying before buying is encouraged. Vendors are equally well-versed in the items they sell and questions regarding an item’s origin or cooking suggestions are welcomed.

Many vendors specialize in prepared food, from Damascean falafel to Thai seafood soup, so visiting with an empty stomach is important. The public market is busy during lunch and all visitors should be prepared to rub elbows with locals on their lunch hours. Many people congregate behind the Green Market building in a church courtyard turned casual al fresco dining destination.

Stands with long lines are a clear indication of must-try foods. The raclette stand is always popular and is where wheels of cheese are melted beneath a hot flame. The melted cheese is then scraped onto plates of pickles, onions and boiled potatoes. The market is also a great place to purchase a few pieces of Turkish delight or baklava for a late-night snack.

Specialty Food Market Awards and Recognition

Borough Market’s notoriety is growing and is becoming known as one of the best public markets for finding specialty goods. It proudly celebrates the following awards:

With its culinary acclaim as one of the best specialty markets, Borough Market is one of the top foodie things to do in London. From shopping for gourmet foods to visiting specialty food vendors, Borough Market provides a leisurely activity filled with local history.

Located near Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL, Borough Market can be easily reached using the Jubilee or Northern Tube lines and exiting at the London Bridge stop. The market is open to the public Thursday (11am-5pm), Friday (12pm-6pm) and Saturday (8am-5pm).

The copyright of the article Things to Do in London – Shopping Borough Market in European Culinary Travel is owned by Allen Williams. Permission to republish Things to Do in London – Shopping Borough Market in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.