Where to Find the Best Food
Camden Market is one of London's most exciting places to eat, with food stalls packed into every corner of its interconnected market spaces. The sheer variety is staggering. You can walk past a stall serving Ethiopian injera, turn a corner and find yourself watching fresh pasta being rolled out, then catch the smell of jerk chicken drifting from a few stalls further along.
The two main areas for food are Camden Lock Market and Kerb. Camden Lock Market sits right beside the Regent's Canal and houses dozens of permanent food traders in a covered hall. This is where you will find many of the market's longest-running stalls, including vendors who have been cooking here for years and built strong followings.
Kerb, located in the West Yard, is a curated collection of street food traders known for quality. The operators here are selected through a competitive process, so the standard tends to be consistently high. Expect to find inventive dishes that go beyond the usual market fare.
Cuisines You Should Try
The international range at Camden Market is genuinely impressive. Japanese food is well represented, with multiple stalls offering gyoza, katsu curry and ramen. The Thai stalls do a brisk trade in pad thai and green curry, while several Middle Eastern vendors serve shawarma wraps and falafel plates that rival anything you would find in their home countries.
South American food has a strong presence too. Venezuelan arepas stuffed with black beans and cheese are a favourite, and you will often see queues forming at the Argentinian empanada stalls. Indian street food, from dosas to chaat, adds another layer to the mix.
For something distinctly British, look out for the stalls selling mac and cheese, pie and mash, or fish and chips. These sit comfortably alongside the global offerings and provide a good option if you want something familiar.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
The best approach to eating at Camden Market is to arrive hungry and share dishes. Portions are generally generous for the price, but trying to sample everything in one visit is impossible. Many regular visitors make a point of trying one or two new stalls each time they come.
Weekday lunchtimes tend to be less crowded, which means shorter queues and more room to sit and eat. At weekends the market fills up quickly, especially during the early afternoon. If you are visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, arriving before noon gives you first pick of the food without the worst of the crowds.
Beyond the Main Food Areas
While Camden Lock Market and Kerb get the most attention, food stalls are scattered throughout the wider market complex. The Stables Market has a handful of excellent vendors tucked away among the vintage shops and alternative fashion boutiques. With over 1,000 stalls spread across several interconnected markets, there is always something new to find. Buck Street Market also has food options, though on a smaller scale.
The streets immediately surrounding the market have their own food scene too. Camden High Street and Chalk Farm Road are lined with restaurants, cafes and takeaway spots that benefit from the market's foot traffic. But for the authentic Camden experience, eating at the market stalls themselves is hard to beat.
