Britain’s top city-based food markets

Britain streets are home to bustling food markets that bring a mix of flavours and local produce into the nation’s foodie mix. From deliciously matured cheeses to the sweet nectar of local honey or street food that’s bursting with flavours, here’s a round-up of places to get visitor’s taste buds tingling.

Borough Market, South London, England

A firm favourite with hungry Londoners, Borough Market is open daily to satisfy those food cravings. Hidden beneath the railway arches between Southwark Cathedral and Borough High Street, visitors can discover a labyrinth of around 150 stalls offering everything from artisan cheeses to organic beers and local produce. They can slurp down a fresh oyster, watch on as fresh pasta is carefully crafted, or just enjoy the buzz of this bustling food market.

Billingsgate Market, Canary Wharf, London

Here visitors can immerse themselves in Britain’s biggest inland fish market, joining restaurant chefs, fishmongers and seafood lovers, all picking up some of the freshest produce that the London Dockland’s has to offer. They’ll need to be prepared for an early start to bag themselves the likes of freshly caught tiger prawns and wild salmon – or visitors can join a Market Tour running from 6am-8am, which ends with a delicious fish breakfast. If they’re not an early riser, look to the Saturday’s Catch session which delves into the art of fish preparation, accompanied by tastings and wine pairings.

Broadway Market, East London, England

East London’s  Broadway Market sees trendy locals and curious visitors descend on this single street each Saturday. It’s packed with a range of stalls selling everything from fully-loaded Vietnamese Banh Mi, to sweet delights from End of the Eclair and seafood concoctions from Shrimpy. While visitors are dipping into the varied flavours of the market, they should take time to explore its buzzing vintage fashion scene, blooming flower stalls and hip record stores.

Street Food Market at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester

Pick up fresh grub from Manchester’s Food Market in Piccadilly Gardens. When the sun shines, this open-air street food market comes to life with the smells of international cuisine. Visitors can tuck into Gerry’s Chinese pancakes for a bite to eat that’s stuffed to the brim with fresh tofu, or pick up a spicy goat curry for a taste of the Caribbean in the city. Find the market in Piccadilly Gardens, every Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5.30pm.

Hatch, Manchester

For a permanent place to grab tasty food, look no further than Manchester’s Hatch. Styled based on London’s popular BOXPARK, this city-based food village is a great spot for a quick lunch, or for a lively evening. Full of independent traders, visitors will find authentic Asian street food from FUKU, wholesome feasts from Bondi Bowls and dirty vegan burgers from Herbivorous. Check out their events calendar full of live DJ and music sets that’ll leave visitors dancing into the night.

St Nicholas Markets, Bristol

Bristol’s food scene is booming and St Nicholas Markets brings local produce from independent retailers into the mix. Established in 1743, the market now boasts more than 60 stalls, offering a host of tasty delicacies. In the Glass Arcade, dive into falafel boxes from Eat a Pitta, or visitors can take their pick of blended fresh smoothies from Big Juice Bar. Discover street food hitting up Bristol’s Wine Street at lunchtimes every Tuesday and Friday, packed full of seasonal delights, internationally inspired dishes and ever-changing vendors. 

Moseley Farmers' Market, Birmingham

Expect a Brummie-based market that brings together vendors from all over the Midlands at Moseley Farmers’ Market. Selling local produce, visitors will be inundated with choice, from hearty pies to local honey and even camel’s milk! Find the market on the last Saturday of every month, from 9am-2pm.

Edinburgh Farmers’ Market, Edinburgh

Visitors couldn’t ask for a better backdrop in which to sample delicious food. Taking place every Saturday on Castle Terrace under Edinburgh’s ancient fortress, Edinburgh Farmers’ Market hosts 55 specialist producers. Find rich Scottish venison, organic mushrooms from the Highlands, handmade pies and more.

Cardiff Central Market, Cardiff

Set in a stunning Victorian building, Cardiff Central Market spans two floors and brings an abundance of traders to the heart of the city - but it’s the food that brings this market to life. Here, travellers can sample everything from traditional Welsh delicacies to freshly baked bread, delicious coffee and wood-fired pizzas from Ffwrnes Pizza’s, brimming with locally sourced toppings.

Big Feed Street Food Social, Glasgow

Fill up with the Big Feed in Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest indoor street food market. Open exclusively at weekends, visitors can expect a feast of options as chefs from a diverse set of street food stalls cook up a storm. Tuck into authentically Mexican tacos, or try loaded chilli chips from Salt n Chilli. Beyond the food, get into retro arcade games and recurring events that bring live music and drag queens to Glasgow. Or visitors can catch the Big Feed as it tours a number of festivals too.

Brighton Open Market, Brighton

Standing in the city for more than 50 years, Brighton Open Market offers more than 45 market stalls selling items from local producers. From blossoming florals to organic chocolates and vintage finds, visitors can spend their time exploring the vast array of eclectic items on offer. If they’re looking for truly local produce, head to Ovetts for creamy cheeses, or pick up some sweet honey from Green Valleys. Open daily, visitors can find Brighton Open Market in the city’s bustling London Road area.

Woodside Ferry Market, Liverpool

Look across the River Mersey from Liverpool’s waterfront to Woodside Food and Market, based in Birkenhead’s Woodside Ferry Village. Pulling together artisan makers, creators and entrepreneurs, this market is the place to be for finding artsy produce, proper tasty nosh and sweeping citywide views. Within its 20 chalets, try Japanese gyozas and sushi from Haku, or tickle your taste buds with an African-Caribbean fusion of flavours from Ena Pa. Find the market open from Wednesday to Sunday.