Are there any difference in stalls open between friday or saturday?
I'll be in London for one week in december (9-16) and would like to visit Borough Market friday and Portobello saturday, any suggestions?
Thanks
Irene

There are more stalls on the saturday - and it's much more busy.

There's still plenty of them on Friday though.

Serious foodies now go on a Thursday (but don't tell anyone - keeps this between ourselves. No one reads this stuff do they?)

I only go there on Fridays as I used to work right across the bridge in the City. As Cholmondley_Warner mentioned, you'll have plenty of stalls on Fridays. Peak hours are 12:30-14:00 because it's popular among City-wallahs. Too early, some stalls are setting up, too late, some stuff gets sold out. This is applicable to hot food being cooked there (burgers, bangers et al). Other types of foods--cheese, olives, bread, baked goods, cold cuts, fruits & veggies etc, you can go as late as 3-5pm and still see good selections.

topping for me.

check out the Uber famous Neal's Yard (sp?) creamery stall - a rage in U.S. now amongst food snobs

The market is very crowded on Saturdays. I think you'd be better off on a Friday, even if there are slightly fewer stalls open.

Portobello i think is much much more vibrant IME on Saturdays though

Don't fight the crowds at Neal's Yard Dairy's market stall - go to the shop which is between Covent Garden and Seven Dials.

I would think Covent Garden would be a lot busier than Borough - still any excuse to pop into Belgo! 8-)

Not in my experience - the market can get so slammed that you literally cannot walk through. I am quite a small woman, and the last couple of times I've gone to Borough Market it was so crowded it was almost scary. Could not make my way to the front of most stalls.

Whereas - going to Neal's Yard is just a leisurely walk.

Someone on this message board recommended having a grilled cheese sandwhich at Borough Market. I got one and it was the best grilled cheese I've ever had! The same stand also sold Swiss Raclette. I wish we had gotten that too!

I was also able to buy some Hawaiian sea salt. Amazing!

i like the rather ghostly or ghastly environs of the market - lovingly (to me) set under the brick Victorian arches of rail lines.

For cheese, I'd rather go to Neal's Yard in Covent Garden or La Fromagerie in Marylebone. Marylebone itself has a smaller farmers market on Sunday mornings.

if you're at Borough Mkt, don't forget to stop by at Monmouth Coffee (on the south side, next to Neal's Yard).

Gosh yes, get the cheese sandwich!

The cheese sandwich/raclette booth is only there on Saturday.

In my experience, Friday afternoon was quite pleasant (after the lunch crowd) but no cheese sandwich We also went on Saturday morning early, which was crowded but navigable. I think later on Saturday it gets quite crazy.

Neal's Yard Dairy has a freestanding shop on a street at the edge of Borough Market. It is busy but not unmanageable at market times (it is also open on non-market days). The dairy might also have a stall in the market proper, but I'd go to the shop. Of course, there is the other shop near Covent Garden.
http://www.nealsyarddairy.co.uk/ourshops.html

Neal's Yd D site says they are also in a booth on Fri and Sat (i think) at White Cross Street Market

www.whitecrossstreetmarket.co.uk

my computer would not let me on this market site - any quick comments on this market - location and why Neal's would be there - is it a Borough type market and clientele?

thanks

It's only once a month, and wouldn't be on when the OP is here anyway.

top

Can someone tell me which stall is the one that sells the grilled cheese sandwich?

I only remember seeing one stall selling "proper" Raclette, I think it was on the outside near "Taste of Turkey".

Both Markets can be crowded on Saturdays, but Borough Market is likely to be the worst of the two. It has been so bad that I've had to leave, being jammed against other people and unable to even see the stalls yet alone get anywhere near them.

Definitely recommend Borough Market earlier on a Friday, don't be shy of tasting the samples on offer or asking to try anything you are curious about. They sell lots of stuff that way!