Whitecross Street
Open for business since the 17th century, Whitecross Street Market is one of London’s oldest. With stalls selling everything from Fairtrade coffee and cheeses to gut-busting sandwiches and eye-watering curries, it’s become a foodie heaven for locals and visitors alike.
There’s also an eclectic range of shops with an independent feel sorely missing from many of the capital’s high streets, but it’s the street food that’s put it firmly on the map. Favourites include the Roast of Sharwood, serving hearty ‘manwiches’ (ciabatta stuffed with herby hog roast) and Hoxton Beach where staff roll up fiery falafel wraps.
For our money, Sunny’s Olive Tree steals the show, offering the tastiest salad boxes in town. Owner Serpil Erce was crowned Islington’s ‘Market Trader of the Year’ in 2009 and serves a whopping 200 salad boxes a day.
Most stalls pack up soon after lunchtime, so be there by 2pm for the best food.
Road distances to London are measured from Trafalgar Square, where you can find a brass plaque marking the "centre of London" near the statue of Charles I.
