Ropewalk
It's easy to see why London is so popular with backpackers and foodies.
With a rich variety of street food stalls cropping up in every corner, visitors to the city are spoilt for choice.
Discerning travelers who want to go local should check out the city’s quieter food markets.
Save a small fortune on holiday and experience London’s food markets while avoiding all the tourists.
Maltby Street Market: Ropewalk
Business hours: Saturday 9 am-4 pm, Sunday 11 am-4 pm
Most new backpackers arriving in London won’t know anything about Ropewalk at Maltby Street Market.
Discreetly hidden in the back streets of South East London, the local food market trades underneath a railway arch in Bermondsey.
Situated only a short walk from the nearby Jubilee Line and close to London’s most popular hostels.
The Ropewalk’s street food displays will do wonders for your Instagram collection.
Perfect for backpackers wanting to eat posh food without going over budget, Ropewalk serves everything from homemade ginger beer to oysters to Argentinian steak burgers.
Maltby Street Market is a refreshingly quiet food destination and unlike many of its mainstream rivals, it’s not overwhelmed by tourists.
Brixton Village Market
Brixton Village Market
Business hours: 8 am – 11.30 pm daily, except Monday, when they close at 6 pm
Brixton Village Market is an increasingly popular destination for backpackers looking for a hungry fix in South London.
Serving freshly cooked meals with a distinctive Caribbean flavor, the street food market is bustling with Afro-Caribbean street stalls.
If you’re looking for a spicy hot lunch simmering with fresh organic flavors, then jump on the Victoria Line and go to Brixton.
Offering travelers a charming and budget place to eat out in London. The former Victorian arcade is home to over 20 cafes, restaurants, and street stalls.
Opening late on Thursday and Friday nights, the market has live music and serves a global range of international cuisine in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
KERB
KERB and Street Feast
Business hours: 12 pm-2 pm, daily
Perfect for backpackers staying close to Kings Cross Station, the newly established KERB is a super trendy food market.
Serving locals and visitors freshly prepared street food, it’s a brilliant place to grab a bite to eat.
While KERB is a daytime affair, all good Londoners know that its sister brand Street Feast is the best place for late night eating.
Offering hungry travelers an evolving cast of mobile food traders, you can eat gorgeous pizzas, Korean American burgers and paella dishes for under $10.
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This post was brought to you by Hostelsclub.
Photos: Ropewalk – David Goymer, Brixton – Visit London
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Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours.
- World Nomads for travel insurance.
- Hostelworld for booking hostels.
- Rail Europe for train passes.
Martin Mclean
Tuesday 27th of January 2015
I've always like exploring the many hidden secrets of cities and London is no exception. Hopping-aboard an open top sightseeing bus is sometimes the best and even cost effective way to see London from a different perspective and even travelling on a shoestring they have student ticket options too.
De'Jav
Thursday 15th of January 2015
Well I know where I'm heading when I make it to London. Thanks for pointing out the hidden treasures.
Katie @ Second-Hand Hedgehog
Wednesday 14th of January 2015
Great post! Definitely need to check these out next time I'm in London. I've only ever really been to Borough Market on the Southbank. (Have you been there? Definitely one to explore, though slightly pricey because of its popularity and where it is.) KERB / Street Feast sound amazing. Ok, actually drooling slightly right now... *awkward*
Semi
Tuesday 13th of January 2015
I lived in London for four years, for one-and-a-half of those years about a 10-minute cycle ride from Bermondsey, and I've never heard of the Ropewalk market! Tired of London, tired of life, as they say....