Good food, great company, and a little London exploring discover the food markets that can make your next girls’ day out one to remember.
Planning a Girls’ Day Out in London? Skip the usual restaurant booking and make food the centre of the day. London’s food markets are ideal for groups because everyone can choose something different, share dishes, browse stalls and keep the day moving at their own pace.
From the historic Borough Market to the lively stalls of Broadway Market and the cosy railway arches of Maltby Street Market, there is a food market to suit almost every mood.
Which London Food Markets Are Best for a Girls’ Day Out?
For a Girls’ Day Out, the best London Food Markets combine variety, atmosphere and plenty of nearby things to do. Borough Market, Broadway Market, Maltby Street Market, Seven Dials Market and Camden Market are among the most useful options to consider.
The right choice depends on the kind of day you want. If food is the main event, choose Borough or Maltby Street. If you want food mixed with shopping and wandering, Broadway or Camden can work well. For a central option with lots of food choices, Seven Dials Market is worth considering.
Borough Market: Best for Food Lovers
Borough Market is a great place to spend a few hours with friends, especially if food is at the heart of your day out. Located near London Bridge, the market is filled with fresh produce, speciality foods, baked treats and flavours from around the world. You can take your time walking through the stalls, picking up something that catches your eye or finding a spot to enjoy a meal together. With so much variety, everyone can choose something different without having to compromise. The lively setting also makes it a fun stop for chatting, exploring and enjoying a taste of London.
What to do with your friends
Arrive hungry and make the first part of the day a slow wander around the stalls. Rather than everyone choosing the same meal, pick different dishes and share them.
You can browse everything from British produce to international dishes, then continue towards the surrounding Southwark area for coffee, drinks or more sightseeing.
Borough Market is also close to London Bridge, making it easy to include in a wider central London itinerary. The market is closed on Mondays, while regular opening times vary through the week.
Best for: Foodies, first-time visitors and groups who want lots of choice.
Broadway Market: Best for a Relaxed Weekend
Located in Hackney, Broadway Market has a warm neighbourhood feel that makes it a lovely choice for a relaxed weekend with friends. The market is filled with food stalls, cafés, independent shops and places to stop for a drink or bite to eat. It is easy to spend a few hours here without feeling rushed, moving between the stalls and nearby streets at your own pace. Saturday is the main market day, running from 9am to 5pm, while Sunday runs from 10am to 4pm. For a girls’ day out, it offers a nice balance of good food, browsing and easy conversation.
Why it works for a girls’ day
This is a good pick when you do not want the day to feel too planned. Walk between the stalls, stop for pastries or street food, look through independent shops and find a café when you fancy a longer chat.
Food choices include bread and pastries, Persian dishes, Japanese street food, fresh oysters and more. The market is also surrounded by cafés, shops and restaurants.
Best for: A laid-back Saturday, casual shopping and long catch-ups.
Maltby Street Market: Best for a Food-Focused Day
Tucked beneath the railway arches in Bermondsey, Maltby Street Market has a cosy and characterful feel. Its smaller setting makes it easy to explore without the crowds and scale of some of London’s bigger markets. Food is the main attraction here, with independent traders serving everything from savoury bites to sweet treats. It is a lovely spot to wander, pick a few things to share and discover something new together. For a girls’ day out, it works especially well when the plan is simple: good food, good company and a relaxed afternoon.
What makes it different
The market is particularly suited to friends who plan their day around eating. You can find dishes ranging from Venezuelan arepas and sausage sandwiches to sweet treats, with permanent shops and restaurants also occupying the arches.
Maltby Street Market currently opens on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 11am to 4pm.
Best for: Food-first plans, smaller groups and exploring Bermondsey.
Seven Dials Market: Best for Central London
If you want to keep your girls’ day out right in the heart of London, Seven Dials Market is an easy and enjoyable choice. Located in Covent Garden, it brings together a wide range of food stalls, drinks and communal seating under one roof. There is plenty of choice, so everyone can pick something different without having to agree on one restaurant. Once you have your food, the shared seating makes it easy to sit together, chat and enjoy the atmosphere. It is also a handy stop if you want to combine lunch with a little shopping and exploring around Covent Garden.
Why groups like this format
Communal tables make it simple to meet as a group without having to agree on one restaurant. Food options include Indian, Thai, burgers, Japanese dishes and desserts.
It is also useful when your Girls’ Day Out includes other central London plans, such as shopping or exploring Covent Garden.
Best for: Groups with different tastes and central London itineraries.
Camden Market: Best for Food and Shopping
Camden Market is a natural choice when your group wants more than food. You can combine browsing market stalls with an informal food stop, making it easy to spend several hours in the area.
Food options cover a wide range of international cuisines, while the wider market is known for fashion, jewellery, gifts and other independent finds.
Make it a full afternoon
Start with a wander around the market, stop for food when something catches your eye, then continue browsing rather than rushing to the next booking.
Best for: Shopping, street food and a lively afternoon with friends.
How to Plan the Perfect London Food Market Day
A little planning can make a market outing much more enjoyable.
Pick one main market – Trying to visit several markets in one day can turn a relaxed outing into a race across London. Choose one main market and build the rest of the day around it.
Go with an open-minded appetite – Food markets are at their best when everyone orders something different. Sharing a few dishes means you can try more without committing to one large meal.
Check opening times – Market schedules can change, and individual traders may not operate every day. Check the market’s current information before travelling, especially around bank holidays.
Leave room for a second stop – Coffee, cake or drinks can be part of the plan. A food market does not need to be the entire itinerary; it can be the starting point for a longer afternoon.
Good to Know
Planning a girls’ day out around London’s food markets is fairly easy, as each market offers something a little different. Borough Market is a great choice for first-time visitors who want plenty of food options and a classic London market experience. For a weekend outing, Broadway Market offers a more relaxed neighbourhood setting, while Maltby Street Market is well suited to a smaller, food-focused afternoon. If staying in central London is important, Seven Dials Market makes a convenient stop in Covent Garden. Before heading out, it is worth checking the market’s opening days and individual trader hours, as these can vary.
Your London Market Day
London Food Markets offer an easy way to turn an ordinary catch-up into a proper day out. You can eat something new, browse independent stalls, discover different neighbourhoods and enjoy plenty of time to talk without the formality of a traditional restaurant booking.
Choose Borough Market for variety, Broadway Market for a relaxed weekend, Maltby Street Market for food-focused exploring, Seven Dials Market for central convenience or Camden Market when shopping is part of the plan.
The best Girls’ Day Out does not need a packed schedule. Pick a market, arrive hungry and let the day unfold from there.
Ready to Plan Your Next Girls’ Day Out?
Pick the London food market that matches your group’s mood, check the latest opening information and build the rest of your day around good food, good company and a little wandering.
