Berwick Street Market is one of London’s oldest markets, dating back to 1778.
Back then, the sights, smells and sounds would’ve been quite different. Picture cries of ‘tripe or trotters ho’ from the butcher, a fishmonger flogging the freshest catches, an ironmonger jangling and clanking with every step and the whiff of sewage momentarily overpowered by the scent of fresh-from-the-oven bread made so dense it could break a window.
Today, the fundamentals of the market remain with a handful of fresh produce stalls, but our ancestors would’ve tripped over their petticoats at the sight of the street food on offer. Simply put, there are more options than you can shake a stick at. From Mexican-inspired burritos gilded with jalapeños and jaunty-edged samosas stuffed with spiced Afghan curry, to pita bread pockets teaming with herby falafels and steaming pots of goat curry served with mounds of fluffy rice and peas.
Lime Hut
Sandwiched in the heart of Soho, Berwick Street provides a cut through from Oxford Street to Piccadilly. You could say it forms the backbone of the area, flanked with trendy shops, a tattoo parlour, restaurants and one or two record stores. In fact, during the 90s, Berwick Street Market was once recognised as the “Golden Mile” of vinyl and the number one spot in London for record dealing.
In its long-spanning history, the street has undoubtedly modernised and despite the challenges of the last couple of years, the market still prevails. It’s now a serious destination for truly delicious street food, ideal for the lunch break crowd who pour out of nearby offices in search of more than just a shop-bought sarnie.
NOTE: Berwick Street Market is open for business from 8am-6pm, Mon-Sat. You can find out more HERE.
Berwick Street Market | Berwick Street, Soho, W1F 0QD
Love street food? Check out our guide to London’s best food markets