Broadway Market E8 London Fields

Cries of ‘apples and pears, two bob a pound’ once echoed down the aisles at this East End fruit and veg market. Founded on an old drovers’ route into the city, its roots remain strong. Ted’s Veg, The Tomato Stall and Chegworth Valley Fruit have been mainstays and shepherded its evolution as community efforts to resurrect it succeeded after the 1980s recession. In 2004, a total of 40 stalls ran between the Regent’s Canal and London Fields. Today, there are 135. Expect an array of ingredients and food trucks that provide a snapshot of Hackney’s colourful local food scene. Fragrant spices, cuts of rare meat, smoked fish and preserves are all present, but the range of baked goods is hard to beat. Try Casa Cannoli for ricotta-filled Sicilian delicacies, whoopie pies at the Royals’ favourite, Violet Cakes, and chewy canelés from Bordeaux lined up like soldiers at Babelle.

Bloomsbury Farmers Market WC1 Russell Square

Bang in the centre of the city, but a world away from its grit, this midweek market held in a square behind the Senate House Library offers a taste of the countryside. Popular with local workers, students and visitors alike, a tempting mélange of ingredients awaits. Great year-round but particularly strong in autumn, top-drawer meat, game and free-range poultry are a pull. Regular stalls include a Best-of-British roll call of Fosse Meadows, Grasmere Farm, Priors Hall Farm and Winterbourne Game. Bolster your weekly shop with the likes of plump gourds, mustard greens, fennel and chard (all in season this month) from Wild Country Organics. Buy crunchy loaves at Clapham’s Old Post Office Bakery – best slathered with raw butter from Hook & Son – and sample Quicke’s Traditional cheese truckles with zingy pickles from Hackney-based Vadasz Deli.

MALTBY STREET MARKET SE1 Ropewalk

This Lilliputian market lining a narrow slip of a street under Bermondsey’s railway arches might be small, but it’s perfectly formed. Since its 2010 launch, it has helped revitalise the unlikely backwater into a hub of activity. Follow your nose towards the tantalising scent of its street-food stalls before embarking on some proper pantry prep. Our go-to is stalwart The Cheese Truck, whose warm, oozy upgrade on the humble toastie features all-British cheese. Sated, flit between the 31 stands for larder staples: European specialities are the draw. Stock up on sweet red pepper pâté, wild capers from Santorini and vine leaves at the purveyors of great Grecian produce, Maltby & Greek. And, seeing as it’s the weekend, replenish your drinks cabinet with Peckham’s Little Bird Gin and toast a successful shop with a beer by Hiver, made with London honey.

BILLINGSGATE FISH MARKET E14 Trafalgar Way

The country’s most famous seafood market isn’t just for traders. If you’re feeding a crowd, or just concerned about quality and sustainability, there’s little better in terms of choice and price than this. Before the neighbouring traders of Canary Wharf are even stirring, the daily catch arrives at around 3am. Close to 25,000 tonnes of fish is sold annually from Billingsgate’s halls; much makes its way to London’s restaurants and has done since 1876. With over 140 varieties of fish and shellfish across more than 100 stands, whatever recipe you have in mind, Billingsgate has you covered. Avoid the 4am wholesale rush and aim to arrive around 5.30am for the likes of scallops, bright-eyed rainbow trout, monkfish, haddock and halibut at a snip of the price found elsewhere. There’s cheap on-site parking if you’re netting a haul, and you can even pick up rich stocks, roe and cured fish.

MERCATO METROPOLITANO SE1 Newington Causeway

A newbie to the scene, Mercato Metropolitano launched in 2016. Part of Elephant and Castle’s regeneration project, the Milan export is found in a disused paper factory. Its focus is on sustainability, small-scale production and local craftsmanship. Italy is well represented with excellent panini, pasta and prosecco provided by Antico Noè, Leggero and Little Sicily respectively. Outside, you’ll find vendors championing modern growing systems. Pick you own fruit and herbs from hi-tech Rootlabs. Housed in an old double-decker, they utilise soilless cultivation methods. The mineralised beer at on-site brewery German Kraft is made from hydroponic hops grown on the bus. At this time of year, don’t miss the chance to plunder Article No.25 for mushrooms grown from waste coffee grounds. This forward-thinking, modern day market is one to watch.

KING’S CROSS REAL FOOD MARKET N1 Euston Road

A prime example of the new wave of London markets, this well-positioned set-up outside King’s Cross Station has all the big city vendors. Drop by on the commute home to gather pantry picks from The Borough Cheese Company, Bread Ahead, Cannon & Cannon and Limpopo, whose paleo-friendly biltong and boerewors are made using owner Francois Van Der Zee’s family recipes. Elsewhere, The Polish Deli is a similarly familial affair, with pierogi (dumplings) and pastries at the fore. Got a train to catch? Hartland Pies and Scotch Eggs will furnish you with a train picnic, while Nomades Moroccan is our top choice for something more substantial like tagine. Don’t worry if you forgot to bring back gifts from a train trip to Edinburgh: The Scottish Kitchen’s square Lorne sausages, Stornoway black pudding, rowan jelly and oatcakes will cover your back, for sure.

PARTRIDGES FOOD MARKET SW3

Launched in 2005 by family-run food emporium Patridges, the ethos here is to provide small farms, start-ups and artisans with a leg up. Extending a colourful canopy of stands from its store onto Duke of York Square, off the Kings Road, it’s gone from strength to strength, with the 15 original stalls growing to 70. The quality of what’s sold befits the Chelsea postcode, making it great for unique add-ons to a regular shop. Whether you’re after British meat, Sardinian specialities or simply a wide selection of marinated olives, you’ll find it all here. Pick up a Partridges Chelsea bun to nibble on as you pootle, then hit up the likes of Nut Blend for sugar-free almond butter with cacao and coconut, or the more indulgent English fudge found at Cookies and Cream. Savoury saviours come by way of Maldon Oyster Company’s shellfish from the River Blackwater, and Bath Soft Cheese Company’s award-winning Gouda-like Wyfe of Bath.

CRYSTAL PALACE FOOD MARKET SE19

This is the kind of market everyone wants on their doorstep. The stalls are all arbiters of organic or biodynamic practices, which means flavour and quality in spades. From larder basics to cakes via all the fresh essentials in between, you’re guaranteed to leave with groaning bags. We love it for a weekly shop using Wild Country Organics and Brockmans for fresh fruit and vegetables. Particularly rated, too, is The Grain Grocer, which sells sustainable store-cupboard refillables like herbs, tea, flour, rice, nuts and oil, and Veasey & Sons Fishmongers, who hook the catch themselves. Many stallholders, including Gill Wing Farm butchery and London smokehouse Smoke & Cure, will take pre-orders, so everything is parcelled up ready for collection. A delicious weekend spread of Capo Caccia’s cheese and salami paired with The Wine Scouts’ natural wines is a must.

BOROUGH MARKET SE1

Welcome to food mecca. Taste bud-tickling Borough is the most well known and best-loved market on our list, and with good reason: it has served Southwark for over 1,000 years. Knowing where to start can be tough. Our suggestion is to dive right in and sample your way, flâneur-style. Fancy cheese? There are 31 fromageries, but we’re rather partial to The French Comté’s range of 12-, 18- and 24-month-aged wheels. Need seasoning? Spice Mountain’s panoply of herbs, spices and blends is wide-ranging with combinations from Africa to Asia. On chilly days, sip a mulled cider from The Cider House as you select a choice cut for your roast from The Ginger Pig. Pillage Fitz Fine Foods for foraged ingredients, or head straight to Olivier’s for baked goods. Go for something specific, go to be inspired; just make sure you go – you really won’t find better in the capital.

ALEXANDRA PALACE FARMERS’ MARKET N8

One of North London’s top markets boasts a bucolic setting amid Ally Pally’s pretty parkland. The leafy, 30-stall strip is less crowded than most on our list – ideal for a slow Sunday pace. While 3,000 people attend, the sprawling stands give space to ponder. Arrive early to get the best; by mid-afternoon you’ll be battling yummy mummies for your Kentish carrots. Indeed, the Home Counties are well represented, with stalls including Perry Court Farm’s piled high. Comforting cups of chai latte herald the arrival of autumn, as does the Mushroom Man. Elsewhere, you’ll find bakes by ex-Tom Aikens chef Emma Du Croz at The Life of Pie (go for the pear and pistachio tart), rare-breed pork, smoked fish, sauces and even natural dog food courtesy of Esmae’s Pantry, while the crockery at Maria Cabrera Ceramics will help with the art of serving when hosting guests.

BEST OF THE REST

BERWICK STREET MARKET W1

One of London’s oldest: grab lunch at the street-food stalls then stock up on fruit and veg. Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm. Berwick Street. thisissoho.co.uk

BLACKHEATH FARMERS’ MARKET SE3

Super seasonal: expect pumpkins and game in October. Strong on meat, dairy, local honey, herbs and plants. Sundays, 10am-2pm. Blackheath Station. lfm.org.uk

BROCKLEY MARKET SE4

Gather everything from jam, coffee and craft beer to fresh meat at this award-winner. Saturdays, 10am-2pm. LeSoCo car park (formerly Lewisham College). brockleymarket.com

HERNE HILL MARKET SE24

Cosy, village-style market with great breads, bakes, cheese and crafts. It’d be criminal to miss the tartiflette stand. Sundays, 10am-3pm. Railton Road. weareccfm.com

OVAL FARMERS’ MARKET SE11

Come for first-rate larder staples, fresh ingredients and booze. Good for charcuterie. Saturdays, 10am-3pm. St Mark’s Church, Kennington Road. weareccfm.com