Best Food in London Markets: Borough, Camden & Portobello | Homejourney

Best Food and Restaurants in London Markets: Quick Answer

If you only have a few days in London, the Best Food and Restaurants in London Markets: Borough, Camden and Portobello are clustered around three iconic spots: Borough Market for gourmet produce and famous street food, Camden Market for edgy global bites and vegan options, and Portobello Road Market for relaxed brunches, classic British fare and cozy neighborhood restaurants. Together, they offer one of the most concentrated street food London experiences in the city, ideal for Singapore travelers planning both holidays and longer-term London–Singapore lifestyle or property moves.

This guide is a focused cluster article under Homejourney’s main London markets pillar, London Markets Guide: Borough, Camden & Portobello | Homejourney London Markets Guide: Borough, Camden & Portobello | Homejourney . Here we go deep specifically into where to eat, what to order, and how Singaporeans and international visitors can plan safe, value-for-money visits while also thinking ahead about lifestyle and property investment choices in Asia, especially Singapore.

Why Singapore Travelers Love These London Markets

Having visited London frequently from Singapore, I’ve learned that Borough, Camden and Portobello feel a little like combining Tiong Bahru Bakery, Lau Pa Sat and Haji Lane into three distinct neighborhoods. Each market has its own character, price point and crowd profile, which matters if you’re traveling with young kids, elderly parents, or scouting London as a potential base before investing back in Singapore via Homejourney.

From Singapore, most visitors fly into Heathrow or Gatwick, then take the Tube or train into central London. The good news: all three markets are easily reachable by public transport and walkable once you’re there, similar to planning a food-hopping day around Orchard, Chinatown and Tiong Bahru.

Borough Market: Gourmet Street Food London for Serious Foodies

Borough Market, beside London Bridge station, is one of London’s oldest and most famous food markets, packed with over 100 stalls, artisan producers, and cooked-food vendors across its historic halls and nearby streets.[6][7] For Singaporeans, think of it as a curated, high-end version of a hawker centre plus specialty grocers – you can snack as you go, or sit down in proper restaurants around the edges.

Must-Try Food Stalls at Borough Market

You can comfortably sample 3–4 items with a budget of about £20–£30 per person (roughly S$35–S$55, depending on FX), similar to a splurgey night at a popular Singapore restaurant.[2]

Brindisa Chorizo Grill – Legendary chorizo roll packed with smoky Spanish sausage, sweet peppers and rocket, one of the market’s most famous bites.[2] Go early; they close when they sell out.
Kappacasein – Famous for its molten cheese toastie made with Montgomery cheddar and onions; expect a queue, like at a top Singapore bubble tea launch.[2]
Bread Ahead – Vanilla custard doughnuts that often sell out before lunch, perfect if you land early into London and head straight here for breakfast.[2]
The Black Pig – Newer favourite known for slow-roasted pork sandwiches with apple slaw, great if you like robust, roast-meat flavours.[1][2]
Juma Kitchen – Iraqi-inspired street food, including vegetarian and vegan-friendly bites like kubba and dolma.[1][2]
The Ginger Pig – Rich sausage rolls and meat pies, good for a quick, hearty snack on colder days.[2]
Monmouth Coffee – A London coffee institution; grab a flat white to walk the market, much like your go-to kopi or specialty brew in Singapore.[2]

Sit-Down Restaurants Around Borough Market

Around the perimeter, you’ll find a cluster of restaurants ranging from casual pasta to refined small plates, many recognised by reviewers and guides.[3][4][5]

Bancone Borough Yards – Fresh, modern pasta in a sleek space, good for a proper lunch after grazing the market.[3]
Honest Burgers Borough – Reliable burger chain with British beef; good option for teens and fussier eaters.[3]
Various Michelin-recommended spots – Several modern European restaurants have opened around the market, offering refined takes on seasonal British produce.[5]

Borough Market Practical Tips for Singapore Visitors

Best time to go: Weekday mornings (10am–12pm) for lighter crowds. Saturdays are the busiest but most atmospheric.[7]
How to get there: Tube to London Bridge station; Borough Market is a 2–3 minute walk, well-signposted.[7]
Budgeting: Plan £15–£20 per meal if sharing plates; bring contactless cards (similar to PayWave) – cashless is widely accepted.
Food safety: Borough Market traders are regulated and inspected; still, follow common sense: eat freshly cooked food hot, avoid anything sitting out too long.

Camden Market: Global Street Food London and Youthful Energy

Camden Market, near Camden Town station, offers one of the widest selections of street food London options in a single area – from Korean fried chicken and bao buns to Venezuelan arepas and vegan burgers. For Singaporeans familiar with Bugis Street or Scape, imagine that scale multiplied, with more vintage shops and canalside walks.

Prices are competitive: most mains fall between £8–£12, similar to a mid-range restaurant in Singapore. Portions tend to be generous, so couples and families can share a few dishes and explore more stalls.

What to Eat in Camden Market

Asian street food stalls – Look out for stalls selling bao, gyoza, Thai grilled meats and bubble tea; this is where many Singaporeans feel instantly at home.
Vegan and vegetarian options – Camden is known for plant-based concepts, including vegan burgers, curries and desserts, ideal if you’re traveling with mixed dietary needs.
Latin American and Mediterranean stalls – Arepas, falafel, halloumi wraps and more, perfect hand-held food while browsing.

Camden Vibe, Safety and Crowd Management

Camden can get extremely crowded on weekends and evenings, with louder music and a more alternative nightlife scene. If you’re used to Singapore’s generally low crime and highly ordered public spaces, keep a closer eye on bags and phones in tight lanes and around the canal. London remains relatively safe in the daytime, but pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist zones.

Best time for families: Late morning to early afternoon on weekdays.
Access: Tube to Camden Town, then a short walk; follow signs to the markets.
Payment: Contactless cards or phones work almost everywhere; some smaller stalls may prefer cash, so a small amount in pounds is useful.

Portobello Road: Relaxed Eats in Notting Hill

Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is best known for antiques and pastel houses, but its food scene has quietly improved over the past decade. Compared with Borough’s intensity and Camden’s energy, Portobello feels more like a Saturday at Tiong Bahru – slower, more residential, ideal if you’re staying nearby or traveling with older parents.

Best Food and Restaurants Around Portobello Road

Brunch cafés – Independent cafés serving avocado toast, shakshuka and specialty coffee, ideal if you’re jet-lagged from Singapore and easing into London time.
Traditional British pubs – Look for pubs with Sunday roast (beef, lamb or chicken with Yorkshire pudding); it’s a good one-meal introduction to British comfort food.
Market food stalls – On busy market days (especially Saturdays), you’ll find crepes, paella pans, Caribbean jerk, and more along the street.