If there’s one thing that makes me happy, it’s food. It’s what I spend most of my money on, and when I’m not eating it, I’m either thinking, reading, or talking about it.
To feed my insatiable gluttony for anything edible I’ve been scouring the food markets of London, and can say without hesitation that Borough Market, one of London’s oldest running food markets, presides over them all like an almighty king.
If you can imagine a melting pot of food taken from all corners of the globe setting up a stall and offering their signature dish, then it would probably look something like Borough Market. However, at its heart is fresh and local produce which has played a key ingredient to its success.
Inside Borough Market
I don’t usually subscribe to the ‘bigger is better’ rule, but the size of Borough Market when its in full swing is impressive. Though of course, it’s the quality of the food that makes people return time after time.
As you walk under the roof of the Victorian wrought-iron building, you’re immediately brought into a world of freshly baked bread, perfectly decorated cakes, farm-grown vegetables, exotic seafood, and more varieties of chocolate truffles than you knew ever existed.
With over one hundred stalls, you’re constantly breathing in a new and enticing smell with every footstep. But no matter how tempted you are to stop at the first thing you clap your eyes on, you should at least do one round before decided on the stall that takes your fancy and parting with your money. After all, there’s usually no winning in rushing!
Foodie highlights at Borough Market
The traders in Borough Market have all been carefully selected to maintain the high quality of goods available to buy. Due to this rigorous selection of only allowing the best, stall owners are incredibly fastidious chefs, pâtissiers, mixologists or butchers who care not only what their produces taste and look like, but where their ingredients are sourced.
Singing true to this is Chocolicious, a scrumptious little chocolate stall that sources its chocolate from Ghana, where cocoa has been grown since the mid-19th century, and for the all-important filling, Chocolicious seeks inspiration in its fellow traders at the market – Cream from Neal’s Yard, China tea from Ceylon One and British seasonal fruits from the fruiterers at the market are incorporated into the ingredient list.
Where to go walk off your meal
What’s the ideal post-indulgent activity after a trip to Borough Market, I hear you ask? I have the perfect answer. Take a stroll along the River Thames where you pass by a variety of London’s most iconic landmarks and most well-loved street performers.
If you have a penchant for modern art then it doesn’t get any better than the Tate Modern, only twenty-minutes walk away.
Seriously, what’s better than hunting around London’s best food market followed by a leisurely walk to lose yourself in the work of Mark Rothko and Francis Bacon? Oh, speaking of bacon… guess where does the best bacon butties…?
9 Responses
That’s amazing because I read the bolded introduction under the header pic to the post and literally said out loud, “Oh my gawd! That describes me to a T!” I’m a total foodie and put up lots of savory, often fattening food posts. But, what folks don’t see is all of the fruit, veggies and salads I eat the other 6 days/week to afford that luxury lol! Your pictures have my mouth watering, Shing! I have never had Paella (that’s what that one dish is, right?) and soooo want to try that soon! The lentil and potato curry sounds and looks yummy! And you mentioned bacon. Bacon….oh yes, please. The walk along the Thames sounds delightful too. Wonderful post, our friend! 🙂
Fruit and veg 6 days a week and sheer gluttony 1 day of the week – you have the perfect balance Mike!!
Oh you must try Paella Mike, but it can be one of those dishes which is hit or miss – when it’s good it’s beautiful, but when it’s overcooked and under seasoned it’s just a sloppy, mushy mess! Mmmm seafood paella with chorizo and saffron is truly divine!
The Borough Market has got to be one of the best places to eat and shop for food in the entire UK. I’d never get tired of that place.
Doubt I’ll never tire of it too! In times like visiting food markets I wish I had more than one stomach!
I love exploring local markets. That is seriously one of my favourite things when visiting Asia or Europe. I always try some freshly baked bread, perfectly decorated cakes, farm-grown vegetables and exotic seafood. The chocolate truffles look so delicious :)!
My favourite markets are in Asia! I can spend hours and hours walking around, staring wide-eyed at all the locals food and trinkets! Mmm yes, when you’re next in London you’ll have to visit Borough Market – the main days are Friday and Saturday!
Mmmm….I love food markets! My fav are the night markets in Beijing and the one in Barcelona! I have such a weak spot for sweets though….those macrons look so good! 😀
Hi Michelle! La Boqueria in Barcelona is my favourite too! Mmmm I can imagine the night markets in Beijing are a taste and smell to experience – I love the night markets in Malaysia, they have so much atmosphere, and are so cheap! Thanks for visiting!
Oh my godddd my sister brought me a £10 bag of handmade fudge from the Borough Market when she came back from London (her first solo trip ever) in October. The bag didn’t even last 24 hours.