Shopping/markets
Trading in some form for centuries near the southern end of London Bridge, Borough Market has evolved into one of the city's premier food destinations, with stalls turning out everything from fresh oysters and paella to artisan cheese and baked goods. Its perfect must-see score and strong trendy rating reflect a market that has become a genuine food-lover's pilgrimage as well as a mainstream visitor attraction, and reviewers consistently rate the range and quality of food as worth the inevitable crowds. Arriving early is a common recommendation, both to explore the layout before the lunch rush and to catch vendors before popular items sell out. It suits grazing your way through lunch as much as browsing for ingredients to take home.
✨ Reasons to go
💡 Good to know
⏱️ Typical visit
1h15
🕰️ Best time
morning, lunchtime or afternoon
🚶 Walking intensity
Easy pace
What people say
"The borough market opens at 10a but we made sure we got there early to get familiar with the market layout. We watched them cook the paella and grabbed some oysters while we wait. Darius, the oyster attendant was kind enough to let us get a few oysters while we waited. The oysters were excellent! They were cold, shucked properly, and sweet. You have to eat it naked first before you add lemon and Tabasco for me. Perfect for an appetizer. We got in the paella line and got the large paella plate. The lobster tail was cooked perfectly and sweet. The tiger prawns were massive, sweet, and juicy. The paella all in all was an excellent start to our food crawl. Next we went to the Rava Asian market for the best lime and ginger juice with sugar cane all freshly squeezed. You won't regret it."
— Rowena Dillard
