Virginie Petorin | Words by Immy Smith

Things To Do

Immy Smith 22/03/24


Victoria Park Market

Picture the scene.

It’s Sunday morning. You’re ravenous, and the stale crust of last week’s sourdough is all that’s left in the bread bin. What’s more, the fruit bowl is empty and you’re fresh out of coffee. There’s one thing for it.

Rice with mayonnaise, and an old stock cube from the back of the cupboard.

Or, take a trip down to Victoria Park Market.

Since opening in 2017, Victoria Park Market has amassed a gathering of over 60 different traders, accompanied by live musicians as they set up stall each week. Victoria Park is an idyllic setting at any time of the year with plenty of green space (ideal for picnicking), a lake with striking sculptures designed by Ernö Bartha, a wide track that runs all the way around the perimeter of the park and even a Chinese pagoda. Enough of the scenery though, you’re hungry.

victoria park

Samuel Regan-Asante/Unsplash

On the pedestrianised street known as the Nightwalk, stretching between Bonner Gate and Gore Gate, is the heart of the market with stalls selling hordes of fresh fruit and vegetables, glinting glass jars of raw honey and homemade pickles, seasonal flowers, cured meats and pungent cheeses, and a whole cornucopia of baked goods. Bingo.

Sourdough under your arm, croissant and coffee for the road plus a bunch of bananas in the bag, you have what you came for but wait, there’s so much more.

victoria park market meltsmiths

Meltsmiths

Lining ‘the meadow’, you’ll find an extensive, almost mind-boggling array of street food vendors. There’s everything from toasties oozing with cheddar, Sriracha, jalapeños and crispy fried onions from Meltsmiths; spice-packed Mauritian-inspired biryani from Lovely Bunch of Coconuts; and crispy-edged arepas teeming with Venezuelan grilled chorizo, black beans, and green herb salsa from La Pépia.

Take a deep breath, close your eyes, listen to your gut and choose your food. Whatever you settle on, we’re certain you won’t be disappointed and if you are, you can always go back to try something else when you wake up ravenous next weekend.

 

NOTE: Victoria Park Market is open from 11am-5pm every Saturday (street food only) and 10am-4pm every Sunday (street food & fresh produce). You can find out more HERE.

Victoria Park Market | Victoria Park, between Bonner Gate and Gore Gate, E2 9JW


Love street food? Check out our guide to London’s best food markets


Victoria Park Market


Victoria Park, between Bonner Gate and Gore Gate, London Fields, E2 9JW