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Borough Market is having a renaissance. Thanks to Instagram, TikTok and the general rise of “food tourism,” the once humble vegetable market has become a global sensation. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, TikTok has made the chocolate-covered strawberries a borderline pilgrimage site. But even with the lines, Borough Market should be on every London itinerary, especially for first timers. Its history alone is impressive, and the food stalls make it a true must-visit. Read on for where to eat at Borough Market in London.
About Borough Market
The roots of Borough Market stretch all the way back to 1017, when it operated just outside London’s city walls in Southwark, an area historically known for being a little looser, a little rowdier and a little less uptight than the City proper.
By 1756, the Borough Market Act moved it off the high street to manage the crowds. In the 19th century, it relocated once more into the iron-and-glass structure it lives in today. This location became a meeting point between rural growers and city dwellers, bolstered by nearby rail networks that allowed farmers to bring fresh goods straight to London.
Over the centuries, the market transformed from a practical trade hub into the bustling foodie paradise you see now, but it still carries that lively “London meets countryside” character.
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Must-Visit Stalls at Borough Market
I try to visit Borough Market every time I’m in London. I have a few places I want to hit and one place I absolutely cannot miss. Below are the iconic spots, the viral hits and my very honest opinions about what you should try and eat and what is worth skipping.
Bread Ahead
Key Details:
- Type: Bakery
- Known For: Donuts (the famous, goo-filled ones), but don’t miss their breads and pastries
- Good To Know: They stay fresh for hours, ideal to take back to your hotel or Airbnb
Bread Ahead is one hundred percent worth a stop. Their menu is full of classics, sourdough loaves, hot cross buns, cookies, but everyone comes here for the donuts. The sugar-crusted, goo-filled, cloud-soft donuts.
Flavors rotate, but expect the classics like vanilla cream or chocolate, plus seasonal ones such as pear-maple-pecan or a crème brûlée donut with a crackable top. They are indulgent in the best way and somehow still perfect hours later, so grab a box on your way out.
Ginger Pig
Key Details:
- Type: Butcher stall + hot savory pastries
- Known For: The sausage roll
- Good To Know: Ethically sourced meat from animal-welfare-focused farms
Ginger Pig is technically a butcher… but the real reason you’re here is the sausage roll. The sausage roll to end all sausage rolls. The sausage roll that haunts your dreams.
This is the first thing I eat when I land in London. I’ve literally gotten off a flight, dropped my bags and gone straight to Borough Market specifically for this.
The roll is big, thick and juicy (cue Sir Mix-a-Lot), with a pastry crust that is buttery, crumbly and perfect. The sausage inside? Flavorful, rich and seasoned like it has something to prove. This is a 10/10, no-notes sausage roll that will ruin lesser sausage rolls for you forever. If you want stick to your ribs type food that will keep you full for hours, this is a perfect place to start.
Humble Crumble
Key Details:
- Type: Dessert stall
- Known For: Aesthetic, hyper-viral fruit crumbles
- Good To Know: Great for content, not necessarily the best crumble of your life
I am filing this under “cute, fun, but skippable.”
They blew up during Taylor Swift’s London shows with their Eras Tour–themed crumble, topped with pastel whipped cream, star sprinkles and a fondant heart reading “it’s been a long time crumbin’.” As a Swiftie, I had no choice but to try it.
It was good. It was cute. It was… not the best crumble I’ve ever had. I respect the theme game, but if I’m craving crumble, I would rather bake one myself.
The Black Pig
Key Details:
- Type: Sandwich stall
- Known For: Slow-roasted pork ciabatta sandwiches
- Good To Know: Uses Bread Ahead ciabatta + market-sourced cheese for full Borough Market synergy
This is one of the viral spots that actually lives up to the hype. Not to be confused with Ginger Pig (theres a lotta pigs around here), The Black Pig focuses on slow-roasted pork sandwiches that are every bit as good as their millions of views suggest.
Their ciabatta comes from Bread Ahead, and their cheese comes from the Parma Ham & Mozzarella stall, making this sandwich the most Borough Market–incepted dish possible.
Order the original:
- slow-roasted pork
- honey truffle parm mayo
- fennel-apple slaw
- peperoncini sott’olio
- salsa verde
- aged Parm
It sounds like a lot, but it is perfectly balanced. A must-try.
London Cider House
Key Details:
- Type: Cider bar
- Best For: A refreshing break between heavy foods
- Good To Know: The cider slushie is the correct choice
This was a mixed one for me. Their lineup is solid, and the staff were friendly, but nothing knocked my socks off. I was fully prepared to buy bottles to take back to my Airbnb, but after tasting a few, I passed.
The cider slushie, however? That was delicious and absolutely the right move. If you want a drink while wandering, the slushie or an Aperol spritz to go is the perfect walk and sip.
Bao Borough
Key Details:
- Type: Bao & small plates
- Known For: Fried chicken, bao, creative flavors
- Good To Know: Good, but not essential if you’re limited on stomach space
I hate criticizing food stalls, but honesty matters: Bao Borough is fine, good even, but not great. The fried chicken was tasty, the baos were cute and creative, but if you only have so much tummy space (and you do), this is one I’d skip.
If you love bao, go to one of their standalone locations where the menu is bigger and more impressive. But while at the market save room for the classics and must hit spots.
Turnips (Chocolate-Covered Strawberries)
Key Details:
- Type: Produce stall + chocolate-dipped strawberries
- Known For: Going viral on TikTok
- Good To Know: Pricey, lines can be long, quality depends on what you like
Turnips is the great divider of Borough Market. Some people worship the chocolate strawberries. Others refuse to pay the price or wait in the line for something they insist is “overpriced milk chocolate on mediocre berries.”
Here is the truth: if you like chocolate (hi, me) and you like strawberries (also me), you will like these. Are they expensive? Yes. Are they a necessary part of the Borough Market experience? Also yes, if you are the type who likes “doing the thing, in the place.”
If you’re on a budget, skip it. But if you want the full experience, get them.
The Bottom Line
If you haven’t booked your flight to London after reading this, I suggest scrolling back to the top and trying again. Borough Market is a must for any first-timer and still fun even on your tenth visit. Go hungry, prepare for lines and crowds and then leave with a very full belly and no regrets.
And when that Ginger Pig sausage roll changes your life, feel free to send your gratitude my way.
