Because there’s more to life than Camden and Borough Market!

As a super indecisive person, I love food markets and food halls. There’s no better way to sniff around London’s amazing food scene without committing to a more expensive table-service restaurant. There are the really famous ones, like Borough Market or Camden, but these can get very crowded and chaotic. Thankfully, yours truly has sniffed around and found some places close to LSE Halls, where you can get good, diverse street food without fighting off an ocean of people!

Also, full disclosure, most of these are on the South Bank. As a Robeson lad, I am biased.

Maltby Street Market

My personal favourite (and the one that prompted this article)! Every week-end, in a tiny street underneath train tracks, stalls pop up and cook up treats from all over the world. This market has such great vibes, with the flags decorating the street and the Jamaican food truck blasting music! From crullers, to banh mi, to tartiflette, empanadas and duck fat chips… I just want to go back every weekend to try every stall. You can also check out the permanent shops while you’re there, for some coffee or fun trinkets.

Closest hall: 8-minute walk from Butler’s Wharf, 10-minute bike ride from Robeson House

Where and when: Maltby Street Arch 46, Saturday 10am - 5pm and Sunday 11am - 4pm

[Flags photo here]

Seven Dials Market

With the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden, this one is often crowded, but worth mentioning in my opinion for the sheer diversity of options. The food hall is spread over two floors, so you’re absolutely sure to find something that suits your fancy. And what makes it unique, in my opinion, is that there’s a good range of very fun drinks (what can I say, I love a fun drink). Fair warning though, as it is super central, it can be a little bit more expensive than other options.

Closest hall: a six-minute walk from High Holborn (and super close to campus as well). 

Where and when: Earlham Street, open everyday until 9 or 11pm

Rye Lane Market

This market is a hidden gem for anyone who has never been to Peckham! In the food court, a handful of mom and pop shops offer a range of Latin American and Caribbean food. As it’s super local, it’s usually not very crowded, and the best part: you can find some truly excellent Mexican food: best tacos in London, according to some sources! Trust me, you will want to try those (and the guacamole as well, of course).

Closest hall: 20 minute walk from Robeson House (or 15 minutes on bus 78/63)

Where and when: 48 Rye Lane. The market itself is open from 9am to 9pm, but individual shops inside have individual opening times.

Boxpark Shoreditch

Let’s go to the other side of the river for a spot in Shoreditch! The cool thing about this place is that aside from a nice variety of stalls (I so want to try the gelato spot this summer), it also houses a bunch of unique shops (there’s even a jewelry making workshop). And the place also serves as an event space, to watch sports with some better food that what you would get at the pub, or take in some live music! 

Closest hall: a 10-minute walk from Lilian Knowles and a 15-minute bike ride from Rosebery Hall.

Where and when: 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, 11am - 11:00pm on weekdays, 11:45pm on Friday and Saturday.

Vinegar Yard

This eclectic open air space is a food market, flea market, art space and event venue all in one! Though the food options are a little bit more limited here, they make up for it with their variety of events. Think sports screenings on the big screen, or you can even try your hand at curling if the Olympics have piqued your interest. All with the Shard looming over you for that ‘heart of London’ vibe that I personally love.

Closest hall: a 13-minute walk from Sidney Webb, 11 minutes from Butler’s Wharf.

Where and when: open Wednesday-Saturday until 10:30pm.

Tower Bridge Collective

If you’ve ever wondered if you could eat injera while looking at one of London’s most iconic landmarks, look no further.  The selection is so diverse, it’s the perfect spot to bring your group of friends if none of you can ever agree on Tex-Mex, sushi or Italian on a day-out. But my favourite thing I’ve tried here is the hot chocolate, with a tiny bit of chili in it… delish.

Closest hall: a 5-minute walk from Butler’s Wharf.

Where and when: 1 Horselydown Lane, open everyday 8am-10:30pm.