Tuesday, November 26, 2024

UK city named Europe’s best and cheapest location for delicious food markets

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London has been voted the best city for food markets in Europe as well as gaining five out of the top 10 places for Europe’s cheapest food markets

London has been voted the best city for food markets in Europe(Getty Images)

Hungry holidaymakers should head to London for the best food markets in Europe.

The English capital has been voted the best city for food markets anywhere in the Continent, as well as being praised for having some of the cheapest stalls around.



London has 33 markets which have an average rating of 4.5 stars among online reviewers. The city’s vast array of food destinations play host to delicious treats from across the globe, which makes the city the ideal location for food lovers. From trendy Camden food market to the city’s oldest space, Borough Market, each offers different cuisines.

Borough Market is a great example of how London’s food market pedigree is not just based on past successes, but on how it has adapted and changed over the years to become a big hit on the modern foody scene.

“Dating back to the thirteenth century, this historic institution is now regarded as the mother of all artisan foodie markets in London – a sprawling cornucopia of home-grown producers and gourmet goodies from across the globe,” Time Out writes of the market.

Valencia’s Mercat Central in Spain was rated top as the cheapest major market(Getty Images/Flickr RF)

“Wedged in among the butchers, bakers and cheesemakers, you’ll find a host of street-food stalls selling everything from French confit duck sandwiches to aromatic Ethiopian stews, Spanish chorizo sarnies and gourmet cheese toasties.” Islington’s Junction Market and Southwark’s Tabard Street Market are also both rated particularly highly.

Food markets and dining halls have been a staple of European culture for centuries. Every country has food it is known for and markets offer the best place to try different foods from different places.

Research conducted by travel analysts at Radical Storage has revealed the best food markets in Europe, with London gaining first place in the city with the best food markets category. The team at Radical Storage scoured Google Maps data to find the ratings for each market. Only markets with 100 or more reviews were included in the lists.

Cologne home to Europe’s best food market

When it comes to market food itself, Cologne in Germany secured the top spot. Currywurst, Döner Kebabs, Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) are all delicious staples of German food culture. Cologne’s Markthalle Körnerstraße, an independent street food market located in the lively Ehrenfeld suburb of the city, is the highest-rated food market with an average rating of 4.9 stars.

Körnerstraße is famed for its kebab Wednesdays, which regularly see locals queuing around the block for its rotisserie meat. In fact, Radical Storage found that Cologne home to six of Europe’s 20 highest-rated food markets.

Valencia’s highly-rated Mercat Central is Europe’s cheapest major market


Valencia’s Mercat Central in Spain is one of the five best markets in Europe, but was rated top as the cheapest major market. The average dining experience will cost just €8.42 (£7.17) – a fraction of the price of Europe’s more expensive markets. The market’s iconic early 20th-century Art Noveau canopy covers the market, which is renowned for its fresh food and produce.

Five UK markets also feature among the 10 cheapest in Europe. Glasgow’s Dockyard Social offers high value for money, with its 4.6-star rating making it one of the UK’s best. A meal there will cost an average of just €14.03 (£11.95).

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