Old Spitalfields Market

london, UK

Once a Victorian wholesale market, Spitalfields is a must for street food lovers, as well as a vibrant shopping destination. On the verge of London’s hip East end and the City, this spot is busiest at lunch time, when office workers stop by to munch on the fly or purchase that last minute gift.

The Trader’s Market is open everyday, with up to a hundred independent vendors offering an eclectic variety of goods for all budgets.

There are also plenty of boutique-style shops in which to browse - Diptyque, Cutler and Gross, Chanel London Studio, Hackett, & Other Stories to name a few.

However, for a foodie like myself the real highlight is the immense variety of street food on display! With stalls ranging from Ethiopian food to West African, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, British, Chinese, Burmese- and many more - Spitalfields offers an endless variety. Some more established names occupy the centre stalls (aka The Kitchens), while other vendors reshuffle throughout the year to keep the offering fresh.

Easily one of the best pizzas in East London, Sud Italia’s chefs (or pizzaioli) cook up Naples traditional sourdough pizza in a fire-oven equipped van. Needless to say it is simply delicious!!

Jollof Box is another favourite: head there between 12:00 and 14:00 to enjoy this West African classic, served in all its varieties and with a choice of tasty sides - sweet plantains being my fav. It is worth mentioning that their menu offers quite a number of vegan options.

In their own words, Thousand Knifes serves up “nutritious Japanese food cooked with traditional techniques”. Their chicken katsu is light and flavoursome and the chicken skewers are just 👌.

If you’ve never had Taiwanese food before, plan a pit-stop at JIABA (“Have you eaten”) for their famous JIABA SET: a combo of beef noodle + Taiwanese sausage. Alternatively, the YANSUJI BOX katers for chicken lovers (yansuji + baby corn + homemade sauce + Bong-Mi-Pan).

Another Taiwanese spot is Wheelcake Island, my latest addiction! Wheelcakes are soft, moist, fluffy Taiwanese pancakes filled with cream. There are several flavours available, matcha and custard…my favourite being chocolate, of course!

Canelé Canelé Canelé 🤤. This traditional Bordeaux pastry is dangerously addictive! With a caramelised crust and soft, creamy heart, Babelle brings a (sweet) taste of France to London. My favourite flavours: pistacchio, nutella and dulce de leche. Oh, and these guys offer private catering too.

Address: 16 Horner Square, London, E1 6EW

Website: www.spitalfields.co.uk