Trixie T.
Yelp
I wanted to experience Borough Market because it's ranked as one of the must-see sights of London. It's known for being one of the oldest markets, so I figured, why not give it a go? We arrived later in the afternoon, after a long flight, probably around 2 PM local time. Unsurprisingly, it was packed. It was so crowded that it felt like we were waddling through shoulder to shoulder, like a bunch of penguins. At one point, I was worried the food I was holding might get knocked over onto someone's back! It might be a good idea to visit the market when it first opens to avoid the rush.
There were many food options, and I'm glad we had the chance to explore different items. However, the prices were quite steep for small portions. For example, £5 for a single sea urchin felt excessive. I could understand paying £10 for a plate of paella because of the flavor, but even then, it seemed too high for the portion size. Most of the items we tried were hit or miss. Given the high prices, we had higher expectations for the taste, and I must admit, it was a bit disappointing. I'll post all the items we tried below (though I've forgotten the names of some stalls).
I would give the market 3 stars because the overall ambiance was lovely. It was fairly clean, considering the large crowds. There were also plenty of market choices beyond the food stalls, including live entertainment, seating areas, and a range of small businesses. What I enjoyed most was the openness of the market itself.
Although the food quality didn't meet my expectations, I might come back on my next trip--hopefully earlier in the day to avoid the afternoon crowds and better food choices.