A BOUNTIFUL Season

genetically modified fruit and vegetables, poor cuts of meat, and discounted ‘basics’ food, prompt us all to want a richer, more nutritious diet. This would be difficult were it not for the hidden gems scattered around central London supplying fascinating food: markets brimming with the choicest meats, spiciest of pickles and chutneys, and the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Borough Market is often the first to come to mind, but if you find that its popularity has made it too crowded for you, then look no further than Lewisham’s Brockley Market. It was shortlisted for the ‘Best Food Market’ category of the 2012 BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards and is in the running again this year, the results of which will be announced on Friday 9th May. Fully supporting nearby farmers and traders, the market is bristling with locally sourced produce, ranging from the tastiest fish and poultry to delicious ice cream and award- winning coffee. With its relaxed, friendly atmosphere and open spaces, Brockley Market is the perfect weekend destination.

“encapsulating the exceptional textures and flavours of Levantine cuisine

If you prefer somewhere closer to Waterloo however, then just around the corner from the London Eye and tucked behind the Royal Festival Hall is Southbank Centre Square’s Real Food Market. When I first discovered this little market, it was not a map that led me there but the amazing aroma. All kinds of delicious street foods are on offer; the Arabica Food & Spice Company for example, whose stall is bursting with delicacies – tabbouleh, baba ghanoush and baklava – that encapsulate the exceptional textures and flavours of Levantine cuisine. Further west along the river and just off the King’s Road, is Partridges Food Market. Having opened in October 2005 with only fifteen sellers, it has now flourished into a market of over seventy diverse stalls, where you can find anything from cheeses made by The Somerset Ploughman to speciality organic bread from the Wapping Sourdough Bakery.

North-east of Partridges lies Soho’s Berwick Street, home to one of the Capital’s oldest markets. Tracing its heritage back to the late 1770s, this street-side market has become a much loved destination for foodies. With a varied selection of seafood from Anthony Holmes, aka The Fishman, and the highest quality groceries from traditional stalls such as Mr L Walsh, Berwick Street has something for everyone – even the most adventurous of palates, with Alfred Johnson selling the world’s hottest chilli, the infamous Naga.

London’s colourful markets not only offer fresh British produce and exotic foreign flavours, but are also an escape from the monotony of the supermarket shop and a wholesome weekend destination, from which you can walk away with beautiful food and a wonderful experience!

Borough Market
Monday to Thursday 10am-5pm
Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday 8am-5pm
8 Southwark St
SE1 1TL
t: 020 7407 1002
w: www.boroughmarket.org.uk

Brockley Market
Saturday 10am-2pm
Lewisham Way
SE4 1UT
w: www.brockleymarket.com

Real Food Market
Friday and Saturday 11am- 8pm
Sunday 12pm-6pm
Southbank Centre Belvedere Rd
SE1 8XX
t: 020 7370 8624
w: www.realfoodfestival.co.uk/market

Partridges Food Market
Monday to Sunday 8am-10pm
2-5, Duke of York Square King’s Rd
SW3 4LY
t: 020 7730 0651
w: www.partridges.co.uk

Berwick Street Market
Monday to Saturday 9am-6pm
Berwick Street and Rupert Street
Soho
W1F 8TW
w: www.berwickstreetlondon.co.uk

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