Eat · St Paul's and the City
Borough Market
London's best-known food market on the south bank: go on a weekday at 11:30 or after 14:00 with an empty stomach, graze from the stalls and avoid the Saturday lunch crush.London's best-known food market on the south bank: go on a weekday at 11:30 AM or after 2:00 PM with an empty stomach, graze from the stalls and avoid the Saturday lunch crush.
Key facts
- Per person
- £6–15 (≈ US$8–20)
- 2026 estimate
- Hours
- unknown
- Walk in
- 10:30–12:00 on a weekday
- easiest window
- Seating
- mixed
- 28″ bags
- Yes
- St Paul's and the City
- Getting there
- London Bridge station, or a walk from Tate Modern along the river
- 12 min walk
Go now?
Open?
Hours not published
Easiest walk-in
10:30–12:00 on a weekday
Reservations
Walk-in, no reservation
Per person
£6–15 (≈ US$8–20)2026 estimate · check
- Weekdays, not Saturday lunch
- Graze from several stalls
- Reduced hours Monday and Tuesday
- Order: Stall food
- Tables and stools
- Walk-in window: 10:30–12:00 on a weekday
- Queue risk: 12:30–14:30
- Vegetarian options
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 11Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…The tube has steps and crowds
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
- London and the South East ↗Check the last train home before you book a late dinner outside London; services thin after 22:00 and strikes can remove them.
- London ↗The tube has steps and crowds: two large bags go by taxi or the Elizabeth line, not on a rush-hour tube.
- London ↗Traffic drives on the left: look right first when you cross, and use the signal at crossings.
Map & directions
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Plan
When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay
Walk-in windows
A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.
How to order here
The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.
- 1Order one item at three stalls rather than a big meal at one.
No shared language? Point at the dish or a photo of it. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.
What to say
| In English | Say or show | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| The bill, please | Could we have the bill, please? | kud wee hav the bil pleez |
| I am vegetarian | I'm vegetarian | ime vej-eh-tair-ee-an |
| Hello | Hello | heh-loh |
| Thank you | Cheers | cheerz |
| Excuse me | Excuse me | ex-kyooz mee |
Extras, condiments and what costs extra
- Card or service charges: Rare at stalls; some restaurants add 12.5% — Check the bill for 'service'.
Paying and tipping
Sit-down restaurants: about 10–12.5%, less than the 15–20% US norm.
- Pay by card or phone; most stalls take contactless.
- Check the price board before you order; ask whether a drink is included.
- Tipping: Check the bill for a 12.5% service charge; tip 10–12.5% if it is not included, and round up for a taxi.
- A 12.5% service charge is often added to the bill; check before you tip again.
At the table
- Walk the whole market once before you buy; prices and queues differ by stall.
- Pubs stop serving food around 21:00; check the kitchen's last orders.Pubs stop serving food around 9:00 PM; check the kitchen's last orders.
- Book popular restaurants a few days ahead; Dishoom and pubs have walk-in windows.
Price and paying
- Typical spend
- About £6–15 (≈ US$8–20) per stall item (2026 estimate)
Diet and allergies
Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.
- Vegetarianyes
Easy: many stalls have vegetarian or vegan food.
Show: Is this vegetarian?
- Halalask
Limited; ask at each stall (check).
Show: Is this halal?
- Gluten-freeask
Available at some stalls; ask about cross-contact.
Show: Is this gluten-free?
- Nut allergynot on file
Stalls can advise; shared kitchens carry cross-contact risk.
Show: I have a nut allergy.
On the ground
Hygiene and comfort
- Restrooms
- Restroom on site · accessible restroom: check
- Seating
- Standing or a shelf: no proper seats
- Kids
- kids' menu: no · stroller: caution · Crowded at weekends; go on a weekday with a carrier
- Access
- step-free: yes · Flat, but narrow alleys are crowded at weekends
Hygiene
- Choose stalls that cook to order and have a queue.
- Wash your hands or use gel before you eat; there are few sinks.
Facts
- Reservations
- Not taken — Walk-in stalls; some market restaurants take bookings (check).
- Capabilities
- food · toilet
- Diet
- vegetarian: yes · gluten free: yes · halal: limited
- Getting there
- London Bridge station, or a walk from Tate Modern along the river · ~12 min walk
Cons
- Very crowded at weekends and on Saturday afternoons.
- Stall food is priced for visitors; a lunch can reach £15–20.
- Few seats; you often eat standing or on a step.
- Reduced hours on Monday and Tuesday; check before you go.
Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check
Dish glossary
| On the menu | What it is | Order it how |
|---|---|---|
| Stall | A trader's counter, selling one or two dishes. | Look at the queue and the price board first. |
| Cheese toastie | A grilled cheese sandwich, a market favourite. | Expect a queue at the best-known stall. |
| Scotch egg | A boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs. | Ask for one warm. |
Price check
- locals pay
- A main from a stall is about £8–13 (≈ US$11–18) and a coffee about £3–4 (≈ US$4–6) (2026 estimate).
- tourist price
- Stalls at the main entrances can charge more than those inside.
- rule
- Check the price board before you order; ask whether a drink is included.
| Extra on the table | Typical charge | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Card or service charges | Rare at stalls; some restaurants add 12.5% | Check the bill for 'service'. |
Deep dive
Questions, nearby food and sources
Questions and answers
When is it open?
Full hours from Wednesday to Sunday; limited on Monday and Tuesday. Check the official site for your day.
Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk
How much should I budget?
About £15–25 (≈ US$20–35) to graze at three stalls, more with a drink.
Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk
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Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
Used as a seated rest node in London in 4 days.
Sources
- officialBorough Market (official)