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You are here: Backpacker Resources > Travel Tips > Ethical Travel - Eating in London

Ethical Travel - Eating in London

Clubbers and pubbers, drama queens and art tarts, shop‐a‐holics and nifty thrifties ‐ London is your oyster! With pubs, clubs and galleries galore, there’s always something fun going on at a London Market near you. Now as every backpacker knows, you can sleep when you're dead and if you want to tackle the Big Smoke, you need fuel. But if the thought of London’s culinary prices makes you clutch your wallet and heave, settle your stomach with this sage advice. Eating in the British capital doesn't have to consume your cash. If you're ready to make for the markets, you can grab great grub for a good price and support local businesses along the way. A full belly for a few quid ‐ now that’s fair trade indeed!

What To Eat

It used to be a culinary pariah but these days English food is enjoying a resurgence and the London markets are a great way to take a bite out of old ‘Blighty’. Sample fancy cheeses and chutneys at Borough Market, try London fare ‐ like jellied eels or munch on sausage and mash in the East End. There’s so much to choose from and there’s a great selection from outside of the city too, giving your taste buds the chance to travel all the way to pasties of Cornish origin and sausages hailing from Lincolnshire.

If however you fancy going global then sample Caribbean delicacies like patties in Brixton or try Thai in Camden. Check out Southall Market for Samosas or Surrey Street Market in Croydon for the best fruit and veg around.

North, South, East and West

Camden, Portobello Road and Borough Markets ‐ they're great! But because of this they are also very, very popular which drives up the price of everything. In the name of bargain hunting you shouldn’t be afraid to go off the tourist path and follow the locals. Here's what's where in the four quarters of London!

• North: Camden (NW1) and Chapel (N1) Markets
• South: Borough (SE1), Brixton (SW9), East Street (SE17) and South Bank Book (SE1) Markets
• East: Spitalfields (E1), Petticoat Lane (E1) and Walthamstow (E17) Markets
• West: Portobello Road (W11) Market
• Greater London: Southall (UB1) and Surrey Street (CR0) Markets

Mind Your Manners

Before you hit the stalls here are a few pointers. If you’re unfamiliar with the market in question, watch what the locals do. These guys'll show you just how it's done. Some stallholders let you pick your own produce, however others prefer you to ask first. If the stall looks especially tidy, then don't touch anything. Make sure you have change or smaller notes handy and as for carrier bags ‐ always try and bring your own.

Finally as much as we like perfectly formed produce, don't walk away if the goods don't meet food mile criteria. Remember a stall is a trader's livelihood and his home grown goods aren’t an easier achievement in today’s age of global trading. In other words ‐ give him some support if you can.

Freaks, Geeks and Antiques

Once you've satisfied your blood sugar craving, you'll have the strength to indulge in other fun stuff and as your wallet’s already out you might as well! Beyond the food stalls, you’ll find something to appeal to everyone. If you fly on the slightly freakish side then it’s up to Camden with you. Are you a self confessed Geek? Then check out the South Bank Book Market. Into antiques? Try Portobello Road. Music man? Have a look at the Brixton or East Street Markets. Need a fashion fix? Then it’s Spitalfields for you.

Finally if you want to shop around before you pick your market then check out the London tourism guide at londontourist.org/markets.html ‐ for independent and honest reviews of London's many markets. Remember ‐ no matter who you are or what you like, you'll love London. Just remember to live in it like a local and you’ll get the best of what she has to offer ‐ in return.

‐ Jackie Reddy