During the summer I was running a market stall in need of a steady supply of fruit and veg and New…read moreSpitalfields became one of my regular ports of call. This is the UK's biggest horticultural market, and Europe's largest retailer of exotic fruit and vegetables ie. what Spitalfields proper used to sell before degradation (1970s), heroin (1980s) and twatification (2000s) kicked in. Its got little of the spectacle that Billingsgate offers, unless of course you get a kick out of watching tons of rucola being unloaded from Dutch juggernauts and then being continually threatened with death-by-speeding-forklift. You want to be in the market for a good load of produce before the trip out to beside the new Olympics site at some unholy hour is justified. A few times I would fail to find what I needed here, only to get something of equal quality for the same price in Tesco - just goes to show how hard the Every Little Helps crew must push their suppliers.

During Christmas time, Convent Garden's Food Market is decorated beautifully and such a sight to…read moresee! The cute decor attracts tourists for a picture inside or outside of the market or at one of the red telephone booths located nearby! The market area is mostly covered by tall ceiling structures, giving a small reprieve if it's raining, but it has an open air feel. What's funny about this market is that you can find local options or favorites from back home. There's a shake shack right in the center of the market, but you can find smaller craft eateries spread around. There are also different places to get a cup of hot mulled wine or hot chocolate and you'll find the long lines for Ben's cookies nearby! If you are coming to Covent Garden via the tube, know that this tube station is a wreck! It's incredibly busy and unless you want to walk up an endless flight of stairs, you'll need to wait and pack in like sardines into the elevator.

We stopped by the market for a quick Sunday visit while weaving our way through the neighborhood…read more The market was lively with street performers, stalls selling trinkets, beautiful bars and restaurants alongside more permanent shops selling Belgian chocolates and more. It's a fun spot to peruse if you find yourself in the neighborhood.

You're visiting the world when you visit this market! Communities from all over the world have…read morestalls and shops in the market, from Colombia to Iran; Ghana to Jamaica. I lived in Colombia for 6 months a few years ago and this is not just the closest I've been since I'd say I'm pretty much there when I have a set meal - almuerzo at the back of the market. It has a great family atmosphere and some interesting stalls. It is under immediate threat of demolition at the moment. To be replaced by chain stores and luxury flats. But a major campaign is underway. Check out this site for more information: wardscornercommunity.org.uk

The market is just amazing it has over 50 stalls but you could walk right past it. It is such one…read moreof those hidden London gems that you have to be in the know to find. The first time I went past Sven Sisters underground station I walk ed right past it. If fact I only found it walking in to a cafe only to find it had a door at the back into this hidden Latino world. There was music playing sunny tunes, with children dancing around, old people just chatting away in Spanish. The place seems more on eone gaint social club than a load of shops. Had a huge meal with fresh juice, followed by a Colombain strong coffee. Than just enjoyed the vibe. Often pop in when passing. Top tip go on saturday for a hair cut, a meal, stock up on books, dvds, music for learning the language. Or just pop into for a coffee or frozen juice on a stick. And if all this eating and drinking gets too much there is always the suit and corset maker to hide the sins.

Supercozy gourmet food (Italian) shop in Finsbury park…read more They offer a wide selection of cheese, charcuterie and other typical Italian products, sourced carefully from the best producers. Prices are okay though. In the evening they offer the possibility to have a very nice "aperitivo", with a selection of the products. The staff is really friendly and nice If it wasn't so far from my office and home I would be there every day!

Visit to the Italian deli Italian Farmers made my weekday. Numerous ham & cheese samples, friendly…read moreservice, a lovely cosy interior (with a little garden bit on street too) and a really good espresso to warm me up. A little bit of Italy in North London is always welcome by me. Salami and some Parma ham from Italian Farmers. I couldn't resist getting. Really good produce here. Defo one to check out on a lovely stretch of road that has a few other hidden gems. My fav of Cremasco cheese and some hams are certainly the highlight that I will alway be getting. There's also an amazing chocolate and a Pistachio pastry that is light crispy and sweet. And a £1 each it's so worth getting, esp the latter. Always good to support local independent places too and I certainly will with this one.

Walthamstow Farmers Market is a small but quite charming market that is open every Sunday from 10am…read moreto 2pm. It's located in the Town Square just off High Street near the Walthamstow bus station. It's a pretty basic Farmer's Market with produce from various local farmers and producers for example from Giggly Pig who farms free range pigs, Wild Country Organics that grow a variety of organic vegetables, free range eggs and other poultry products from Pastures Farm Poultry and a wide array of breads and other treats from Astons Bakery etc. I didn't see any fish at the market though, but maybe I just came in too late. Like with all farmer's markets try to go as early as possible to get your hands on the best products! Nice market but really nothing too special.

From the owner: Running farmers marketsread more

Maybe I'm down on Roman Road, because I remember what it used to be like. At that is, much better…read morethan this. While there still is some of the fashion that made this market famous, and one or two of the old timers stalls, most of the market is shoddy stuff, second rate and tawdry. Chatting to some of the stall holders, it seems that most of the people who could have packed up and moved out to Essex. The pie and mash shop is still there. Maybe I'd feel different about it if I was younger and looking for clothes, but these days I avoid it.

Roman Road Market is my favourite market of all time!…read more It may only be small but there is always such a variety of stalls it is difficult to walk around it and not buy anything. Nearly all my clothes, bags, make up and even some of my household items have come from Roman Road market. Due to them being so cheap but such good quality. My favourite stalls are the make up stall which stocks brand name make up at low prices. The designer clothes stall which stocks all designer clothes that are left over stock at heavily reduced prices, and the argos returns stall which can get hold of pretty much anything you want from the argos catalogue. Open 3 days a week, the only reason you would need to go anywhere other than Roman Road market is to do your food shopping but dont forget to buy your fresh fruit and veg whilst you are there!

I remember way back when I was a little child I would always look forward to Saturdays because…read moreSaturdays was shopping day! Me and mum would walk around the market hand in hand. The guys at the veg stalls shouting 'PAND A BANANAS' with their cockney accents, the vibrant global stores selling tropical food and fresh spices . Those were the days when Queens Market use to be eclectic and full life. 18 years later and Queens Market is now Queens Ghetto. I feel let down =( She has lost her charm and I've lost a part of my childhood. Right at the front of the market you're greeted with one BIG massive stall that sells S & M lingerie. I remembered walking past there once and witnessed a poor little boy ogling at the mannequins goodies. There are stores in there that you would find at any high street and there's tons of pounds shops (most probably to fill in the spaces). Queens Market only has a few good stores left like the Asian, African, Caribbean and the fish and chip shop. The awkward scent of rotten fish & meat will stick to your nasal passage for awhile. She has lost her unique east London edge. I'm sure many have fond childhood memories at Queens..have you seen our childhood?

Excellent market - often selling exotic fruits only available in high end shops including Fortnums…read more I have seen the lingerie stall and it doesn't use mannequins and certainly isn't sexual by any stretch of the imagination. Goodies include the haberdashery stall - highly competitive prices and very valuable with the increased interest recently in dress making. There are numerous fabric stalls and a first rate curtain shop with some very good quality fabrics, tracks, swags and rails. The weekly vegetable shopping is economical with an excellent selection of fruit. It certainly isn't littered with pound stalls but there is a range of hairdressing and cosmetic shops selling very reasonably priced human hair extensions and accessories. The market and Green Street is the only place in Newham that we still shop. It has a unique charm without hordes of dreary clone shops.

Fifth time visitor from the US to London and first time in the Hackney area! It feels very much…read morelike a hip/up and coming area, which celebrates inclusivity. The market itself is wonderful! Even midday on the weekend, it was much less busy than some of the more popular/tourist markets in London. The food!! So much variety with interesting local and international flavors. Really something for everyone. And the wares were actually good and shoppable. I really liked the colors and quality of the clothing, pottery, accessories etc that I was seeing. Sometimes I feel like market wares are kind of just souvenir-ish or cheaper looking, but this is stuff I would actually shop and buy because I really like it, not just for the novelty of shopping a market. The streets along the market are adorned with cute cafes and shops as well. Dog friendly, bike friendly. And a fun little canal walk nearby. In terms of getting here from Central London - I found the most convenient way to get here was via city bus, and navigating that was super easy. I just found the best bus number and route via Google Maps (though I know there's a more accurate city app of some sort), and you can tap to pay when you board using credit card, Apple Pay etc. I boarded at London Bridge so there were a ton of people, but the tip if you're at a bus stop alone is to make sure to stick an arm out to indicate to the bus driver that you want to board so they stop. Then before getting to your stop, there's a "stop" button you can push from your seat to indicate you want the bus to stop so you can get off. And then just walk off. Easy!

Personally I rate Broadway market over all the other more famous/bigger markets I've been. Why? For…read moreone simple reason, it's friendlier for a hungry person! It's got less people, more types of food, more reasonable pricing, and, actually have room for you to stand and eat! Yes it's a lot smaller but it is awesome! Must try: - tuna steak sandwich - the butter chicken brioche - ginger beer - coffee - blondie

The Turkish Food Centre is a large supermarket where you can find cheap imports form turkey, and…read moreother Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. It is a joy to live near by, open 365 days of the year, 8am to 10pm without fail. Organic vegetables, tomatoes bursting with colour and flavour. They have a large delicatessen where they have a large selection of olives, Halal meats and cheeses , and make their own Turkish bread on site too. It all has a lovely smell of when you walk in. They have absolutely everything that a Turksih Chef would need. My family shop here virtually everyday to get bread and other certain thing they might need for whatever is being cooked. For quantity, it is by no means competition for any large supermarket chains, but as for quality, it definitely is. It is a regular for me.

It's quite unfair for me to be reviewing the 'Farmers Market' as I was there on a Saturday when…read morereally the Farmer's Market take place on a Sunday. It was pretty much dead around 3pm on a Saturday. Most of the stalls had already shut or was beginning to shut so we didn't get to see the full picture. But we were pretty glad to get out of the crowd of Broadway Market and actually find a place to sit down with food that actually attracted our eye And that was when we discovered The Frenchie and Mr Musubi. I also think I spotted Bad Brownie on the corner too along with a Spanish Paella stall and a few others I can't really recall. As The Frenchie is too awesome to be missed I have created a separate detailed review here: http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/the-frenchie-london-3?hrid=gKCsmhJcrNc8ihLHE-Vpnw I can imagine the place to be busier early in the day. It was nice little area when it wasn't so crowded as tables and seats were available for seat down. However I can imagine it to be too small of a place to even get around if it got any busier as it was just a playground of a school. Would love to see what the Farmer's market look like though. Mr Musubi although looked great was sadly quite disappointing. They specialised in onigiris with three different filling, salmon, beef and a vegetarian variety. The ones we received were already pre-molded and was just seared with a flame torched to hold things together and for a crispy edge finish. However I found the rice too hard, cooked with too little water which really ruin the fluffy stick onigiris I'm used to, It could have just been a bad day for them. Still it was a refreshing alternative to all the other burger street vendors. I would suggest you pop your head in if you are in the Broadway market area and then maybe Netil market next door for a more busier street food scene.