Borough Market is a year-round food market in Southwark, London, open Tuesday through Saturday near London Bridge. Plan to spend at least 90 minutes, arrive right when it opens to beat the crowds, and come hungry. The oysters, the chocolate-covered strawberries, and the seafood vendors alone are worth the trip.
If you go to London and skip Borough Market, I will be personally upset with you.
I know that is a strong take. I stand by it. Borough Market is one of those places that sounds like a tourist trap, looks nothing like a tourist trap, and ends up being the kind of morning you still talk about weeks later. We went as a family and I would send absolutely anyone there. Solo, couples, families, whatever. It does not matter. You will eat well and you will not want to leave.
Get There Right When It Opens
This is the single most important thing I can tell you. Borough Market opens at 10am on weekdays. Get there at 10am. We arrived right at opening and it was calm, unhurried, and magical. The vendors were still setting up in some places. We had space to wander and look and actually talk to people. By the time we were wrapping up, the crowds had arrived and it was a completely different vibe.
Go early. You will thank yourself.
What We Ate (In Order, More or Less)
We started with a wander through the meat and cheese section because I cannot help myself. My husband gravitated immediately toward the tinned fish vendors (he came home with an embarrassing number of tins) and my son became very interested in all the produce he had never seen before, so we did an informal exotic fruit tour while we made our way around.
Then: oysters. It was his birthday, and if you know anything about my husband, you know that the man grew up in Washington state and has opinions about oysters. Like, real, informed, PNW-native opinions. The oyster stall at Borough Market had multiple varieties (sweeter, saltier, different regions) and he was in his element comparing and discussing. They had a mignonette and a balsamic apple topping option, both were very good. We got a half dozen to start. We came back for more later.
In between, we sampled the paella (very good), got a spritz drink, and my son discovered the chocolate-covered strawberry stall. I say “discovered”… he spotted it immediately because it is impossible to miss. It sits in the middle of everything, there are hundreds of cups of beautiful strawberries, and there is a person pouring hot melted chocolate over them in front of you. That is the whole stall. Just strawberries and chocolate. It sounds simple. It was the best chocolate-covered strawberry I have ever had. One cup was more than enough for all three of us to share.
My son also spotted a pretzel approximately the size of his torso and negotiated very successfully for it. He ate that pretzel for the rest of the day.
We found a second seafood vendor and got a scallop dish and a salmon tartare situation that was excellent. Then we went back to the original oyster stall because, again, birthday, and he was not done.
On the way out we grabbed some salami for hotel room snacking, which ended up being a great call.
What We Skipped (And Why)
There is an infamous sandwich at Borough Market (shaved parmesan, apple slaw, some kind of roast situation) that gets talked about constantly, and we did not get it. I am a little sad about this. We had Punk Royale that evening (read more about that mind blowing experience here) and we did not want to show up completely stuffed. We also sampled a truffle mac and cheese and a few other things and exercised real restraint.
If you have no dinner plans, do not exercise restraint. Get the sandwich.
Borough Market With a Kid
Completely doable and genuinely fun. There is so much to look at that kids stay engaged, and the variety means there is almost certainly something they will want to eat. My son loved it. The pretzel is a rite of passage. The fruit you’ve never seen before is a built-in learning moment. And the energy of the market is exciting without being overwhelming, especially if you go early.
Borough Market is one of the best mornings we had in London. Go hungry, go early, and save room for just one more oyster on the way out.
Cheers to the markets that ruin you for regular grocery shopping. Ready to plan your food forward family adventure? That happens to be my specialty.
Borough Market FAQ
When is Borough Market open?
Borough Market is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10am–5pm, Friday from 10am–6pm, and Saturday from 8am–5pm. It is closed Sundays and Mondays. Arrive right at opening to avoid crowds and get the best access to vendors.
Where is Borough Market in London?
Borough Market is located at 8 Southwark Street, London, near London Bridge station. It is easy to reach by tube on the Jubilee or Northern line. From central London, it is a short ride or a scenic walk across the Thames.
Is Borough Market free to enter?
Yes, Borough Market is free to enter. You only pay for what you eat and buy. Budget anywhere from £10 to £40+ depending on how hungry you are and whether you pick up items to take home.
Is Borough Market good for families with kids?
Absolutely. Borough Market is one of the most family-friendly food experiences in London. The variety keeps kids engaged, there is plenty to look at and sample, and the atmosphere is lively without being chaotic, especially if you arrive early.
What should I not miss at Borough Market?
The oyster stalls are a must, especially if you have a shellfish lover in your group. The chocolate-covered strawberry stand in the center of the market is iconic and worth every penny. If you have room, the roast sandwich with apple slaw and parmesan is one of the most talked-about items in the market. Do not skip it the way we did.
Becca Marsh is a certified travel advisor affiliated with Fora Travel and the voice behind Wanders & Wink, based in Grants Pass, Oregon. A lifelong traveler who has explored every U.S. state and dozens of countries from the street food stalls of Vietnam to the Michelin-starred restaurants of Paris, she specializes in food-forward family travel that actually delivers on the fantasy. She takes her own family on at least six trips a year (research, she calls it…) and brings that firsthand experience to every itinerary she builds for her clients. She believes great travel is accessible to everyone and will always tell you exactly where to go and what to order.
