Best street food markets 

The street food scene has taken the UK by storm, with an explosion of pop-up restaurants tempting foodies to these flavoursome markets. Say goodbye to grey kebab meat and greasy fried chicken, street food just hit a whole new level of deliciousness.

Maltby Street Market

London
Check out south-east London’s most scrumptious street food market. Maltby Street Market is full of character, with its railway arches, exposed brick exterior, decorative flag bunting and smoky food haze.

Open every Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, this market attracts big crowds. But don’t let that put you off – the grub here is exceptional.

Each weekend can see different vendors pitching up a tent to serve delicious menus including meaty curries, vegetarian wraps, mouth-watering gyoza, grilled cheese sandwiches, cocktails, cakes and loads more.

Regular vendors include Shoal Food (seafood truck), Waffle On (sweet and savoury waffles), Devi’s (plant-based food), The Beefsteaks (you guessed it…).

This gem of a market is well worth a visit.

St Nicholas Market

Bristol
From Caribbean wraps to award-winning sausage and mash, homemade Portuguese custard tarts to show-stopping vegan cakes, St Nicholas Market in Bristol’s Georgian Glass Arcade boasts 15 food stalls, each serving up top quality nosh to suit every taste.

Most of the stalls in the Glass Arcade are open Monday to Saturday. On Tuesday’s and Fridays, you’ll find street food guest stalls dishing out culinary delights on Wine Street between 11am and 2:30pm. Cheese lovers won’t be able to resist Raclette Raclette with their grilled raclette cheese (a bit like fondue) and tartiflette (a potato gratin).

Bitten Street

Oxford
On the first Saturday of every month, Bitten Street, Oxford’s street food market, pops up in the Oxford Castle Quarter. Each market is unique with a host of regular vendors alongside brand-new traders at each event.

Expect delicious food and drink and the thrum of music to liven up a hungry crowd. Eat to your heart’s content and enjoy everything from Italian gelato to sumptuous slices of steak.

Blue Collar Food Market

Reading
This awesome lunchtime street food market has become a hit in Reading. Open from 10am to 4pm in Market Place Square every Wednesday, there’s a meal to suit all types of foodies, whether you’re a meat lover, a veggie, a vegan or a cheese fiend.

For those looking to spice up their lunch, The Curry Man serves authentic Indian curries and snacks and is well worth trying.

Street Diner

Brighton
There are so many tasty street food market stalls to choose from at the Street Diner in Brighton. With everything from Middle Eastern meze from Brighton-based Sultan’s Delights to homemade Mexican from Dead Good Burrito, you’ll be tempted to return to this street food bonanza every Friday on Queens Road.

Paella, sea food, burgers, Vietnamese, you name it, this outdoor market is showcasing some of the best emerging street food traders from the Sussex area.

Boxpark Shoreditch

London
Boxpark in Shoreditch has been running for seven years now and offers a unique shopping and dining experience. The grub is great – a modern street food market serving affordable, instagrammable delights.

For grilled halloumi and chicken flatbreads, head to The Athenian. Got a craving for chips with a twist? Then Poptata is a must. Fancy some jerk chicken and a rum cocktail? Rudie’s is the place to go. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 8am to 11pm.