A local’s guide to the best street food in London, from focaccia to halal fried chicken and Neapolitan pizza – the best restaurants, shops and markets for all!
You can find street food all over London.
It really shows off how diverse the city is, and it is a fun way to feel like you are traveling somewhere else just for a meal.
I love a nice sit down restaurant every now and then, but today I want to focus on some of the best street food places I have found.
Whether you are looking for local markets or a place that serves amazing Neapolitan pizza, there are so many great spots here that you just have to try.
Street Food in London: 10 Best Markets, Shops & Restaurants
I have to admit one of my dreams has always been to open a street food spot; something related to French pastries, sandwiches and other crepes in a foreign country.
However, when I was living in London and became a full-time blogger, I discovered that I actually liked writing better – and eating without having to meal prep…
But don’t we all?
From street food shops in Camden Market to Covent Garden, find here amazing food vendors and restaurants to enjoy a bite on the go!
Best Street Food in London: Pizza Pilgrims, Soho
Pizza Pilgrims in Soho is one of my favorite overall restaurants.
Neapolitan pizza is something I cannot live without, even now that I am sharing my time between Rome and London.
The fluffy, chewy pizza dough at Pizza Pilgrims, combined with the rich flavors of fresh tomato and mozzarella, make it a must-try dish when in London.
The first Pizza Pilgrims I ever visited was the one on Gerrard Street, in Covent Garden, and if you’re looking for incredible cheap eats, then the Margherita is always a go-to.
Plus, for whoever would be after halal pizza, Pizza Pilgrims has rolled out the use of halal pepperoni in their pizzerie – and it’s really tasty!
Best Street Food in London: Kahaila, Brick Lane
The number of times I’ve mentioned Kahaila on Brick Lane is alarming, or would be, if it weren’t one of my favorite places to grab breakfast in East London.
In addition to fresh croissants, rainbow cake and beautiful cinnamon buns, Kahaila also sells savory options that you can eat on the go while checking out the street art on Brick Lane.
Pao de Queijo, spinach rolls, and other savory buns are all available there – and if you’d like to sit for a bit, the back room is nothing but inviting with its leather seats, wooden tables and quirky art on the walls.
Best Street Food in London: Rinkoffs Bakery, Stepney Green
Just off the bustling Mile End Road, Rinkoffs Bakery in Stepney Green is a hidden food gem you’d never suspect to find in the area.
There, you will find traditional bagels, some of the best in London.
I have to admit that my visiting the Rinkoffs Bakery is always motivated by a craving for their huge, decadent, oh-so-sweet crodoughs, a mix of doughnut and croissant – the peanut butter and jam ones are my favorites!
Rinkoffs Bakery is a fine reflection of the Jewish heritage of East London, which goes back decades, and whether you’re looking for a cool place to write or just have a bite, that’s a must-visit place for street food.
Best Street Food in London: Poppies Fish & Chips, Camden Town
Poppies Fish & Chips in Camden Town, like Pizza Pilgrims, is another one of the first street food spots I ever visited in London – it’s a huge restaurant, and you can take your fish and chips to go as well.
Which is something I love doing whenever I’m hanging out around Camden Town, as Poppies is located close to the Regent’s Canal…
And there’s nothing better than sitting down near the water on a summer evening while enjoying some freshly fried cod.
If you’re one to love classic British desserts, Poppies is a place for you – the sticky toffee pudding is to die for if you still have room!
Best Street Food in London: Beigel Bake, Brick Lane
Just a few seconds away from Bethnal Green Road, Beigel Bake Brick Lane has been an institution of Jewish-style beigels for decades – and is one of the only places open all day, all night.
There tends to be a queue inside and outside of Beigel Bake, with tourists and locals enjoying delicious salted beef, pickle and mustard beigels come rain or shine.
For just a little over 5 pounds, you can get a humongous beigel, filling enough on its own!
Best Street Food in London: Zia Lucia, Boxpark Wembley
Zia Lucia in Boxpark Wembley is a place I discovered while I was going to buy new clothes and cheap Yankee Candles at the nearby London Designer Outlet a few months ago…
And I fell in utter love with the huge Neapolitan pizza options.
I always try a new Italian place with the Margherita – I figure that if a restaurant or street food spot knows how to make incredible Margherita, the rest of the menu will also taste amazing.
Compared to Pizza Pilgrims or other cheap pizza spots like Franco Manca and Pizza Union in the Spitalfields neighborhood, Zia Lucia’s prices are set a tad higher – but worth every penny.
Best Street Food in London: Uh K Dogs n Juicy, Camden Market
While Bunsik on Charing Cross Road does make amazing Korean corn dogs, my favorite spot to get them is Uh K Dogs and Juicy inside Camden Market.
What makes this food spot interesting is that everything there is halal, whereas Bunsik also serves pork.
The hot dogs, made of sausage or mozzarella, are dipped in a thick batter, and then coated with diced potatoes or ramen noodles.
You can then choose between various toppings and sauces, from chili sauce to ketchup or classic mayonnnaise.
In any case, this is one of my ultimately favorite places for street food in London, and one I cannot recommend enough!
Best Street Food in London: Eataly Food Shop, Liverpool Street
Neighboring Liverpool Street station, Eataly is the biggest – and best Italian food shop in London, complete with a range of pistachio cream jars, Italian chocolates, cheeses, crisps, olive oils and, of course, street food.
You will find all kinds of Italian specialties to eat on the go on the lower floor, from pizza al taglio, very much reminiscent of pizza you’ll get to try in Rome, to fresh pasta, focaccie, and salads.
Every single time I’ll pop by Eataly while walking around East London, I’ll also purchase either a bottle of lemonade or chinotto of the Lurisia brand – drinks you can usually only get in Italy!
Best Street Food in London: Borough Market, London Bridge
One can simply not talk about London’s street food without mentioning Borough Market in London Bridge – there are so many great spots to eat in Borough Market!
Whether you’re looking for iconic British desserts such as crumble at Humble Crumble, sandwiches, hot sauce dishes or a slice of homemade cake, there’s everything you might need – and more – at Borough Market.
If you’re looking for really cheap things to buy in London, do get a few bits of fudge at Whirld: can’t recommend their delicious fudge enough, and it makes for a quirky souvenir to bring back home.
There are also many restaurants in London Bridge, breakfast and brunch spots – but Borough Market gives you the possibility to keep your options open, and that’s precisely what I love about markets.
When you’re done, you’ll find some really cool shops in London Bridge, from vintage to unique concept stores, and even a second hand book market higher up on Southbank!
Best Street Food in London: Good Friend Chicken, Chinatown
Good Friend Chicken in Chinatown has been one of my go-to spots for street food in London ever since, what, 2019, when I first moved there?
I love popping by Chinatown’s shops and bakeries when I have some time to kill.
I’ll usually walk down Oxford Street to Piccadilly Circus, check out the Leicester Square sculpture trail, then get a treat from Chinatown.
Good Friend Chicken is a completely halal chicken shop whose highlight is the Volcano chicken; I’ve never found such cheesy street food anywhere in the world!
As you walk around, maybe make your way to Soho’s shops and the colorful buildings of Canary Wharf, or why not check out Covent Garden’s hidden gems, just a short walk away?
And for any fandom enthusiasts, you’ll find lots of nerdy things to do in London close to Chinatown, like an Alice in Wonderland bookshop, and several memorabilia and comic book shops!
Street Food in London: 10 Best Markets, Shops & Restaurants
There you have them, my favorite places to grab street food in London – obviously, there are many more amazing restaurants in London you have to visit at some point, but these…
Unmissable.