As the fourth most expensive city to live in, during a time with skyrocketing food prices, London can be tough on the wallet. Budgeting on food is easier said than done; there are just so many good restaurants to try. In fact, London is ranked sixth for cities with the most Michelin stars! Thankfully, you don’t have to compromise on good taste, as long as you know where to look. London’s street markets have some of the most diverse cuisines, offering a truly satisfying bang for your buck.

Camden Market

The infamous Camden Market is open seven days a week and is buzzing with people, rain or shine. The West Yard, overlooking the Camden Lock, has over 30 independent street food vendors. From churros to fried chicken, burritos to poke bowls, there is something for everyone. I’ve personally tried the flavourful and filling Marching Box from the Colombian vendor Maize Blaze.

All the vendors are located close together, making it convenient to look at the full range of options before settling on your choice. Compared to other street markets, Camden is on the slightly pricier side, but you also get a beautiful view and a good place to sit down and enjoy your meal (as long as you can tolerate crowds).

Bloomsbury Farmers’ Market

Located near Russell Square and the intercollegiate International Hall, Bloomsbury Farmer’s Market is close to LSE and perfect for a quick Thursday lunch. Although the market isn’t large, there is a diverse set of vendors, mostly street food, but also prepared goods and produce stalls. You can get Greek moussaka from I Love Moussaka, Indian rice and salad bowls from Karuna Street Food, hot Thai meals from Yaay Yaay, and much more.

Marylebone Farmers’ Market

Want some affordable, fresh and organic produce? Or how about a bouquet of flowers? The sweetest berries in the city? What about all of that, plus delicious prepared foods and cooked meals? Look no further than Marylebone Farmers’ Market, open on Sundays from morning to early afternoon. Though it only covers a block and a half, the variety of high quality vendors for an affordable price makes it my go-to place for produce. There are also vendors for seafood, fungi, and even one that specializes in tomatoes. I’ve tried Le Petit Moulin Traiteur, a French vendor that offers a weekly updated menu of hearty plant-based and meat options.

Berwick Street Market

Nested in the heart of bustling Soho, Berwick Street Market offers a delectable selection of worldly cuisines, and also some fruit and vegetable and florist vendors. It dates back to 1778 and is open Monday through Saturday, making it perfect for lunch, an afternoon snack, or even an early dinner.

On a sunny day during lunchtime it can get busy, but thankfully the lines move quickly. Also, not every vendor comes every day, so be sure to check the list of vendors for opening times. So far, I’ve tried a chicken curry bowl from Afghan Delights (it even came topped with lao gan ma, one of my favorite Chinese chili oils) and a huge chicken and falafel salad from Miro Salads. Not only are the portions large, the prices are unbeatable at just £7-12.

Pro tip: if it’s raining, take your meal to the nearby Seven Dials Market to eat.

Leather Lane Market

The oldest street market in the borough of Camden, Leather Lane, gets busy during lunch time with longer wait lines than some of the other markets. It is open on weekdays from 10am to 3pm, so many students and office workers will stop by for a delicious meal. It’s also the top choice when it comes to cuisine diversity. When I visited, I was struck by decision paralysis and overwhelmed by all the sights and smells. It offers rarer cuisines, such as Indonesian and Argentinian, that I wouldn’t have otherwise tried. After waiting in a long queue, I got a flavorful and fresh chicken salad box from Argentalia, which was enough food that I had enough for half my dinner.

Portobello Road Market

Although farther from LSE than the other markets, a list of London’s best street food is not complete without Portobello Road. To be fair, Portobello is much more than just a street food market. There are entire blocks of vintage and antique shops, souvenir stalls, art vendors, fresh produce, and more. The street food section is in the middle, and after all that walking it’s a great pick-me-up.

In addition to the food stalls, Portobello Road also has some inexpensive street food restaurants. Some notable ones include Makan Cafe for Malaysian snacks, noodle and rice dishes, Papelón for Venezuelan cachapas and arepas, Portobello Health Foods (The Grain Shop) for vegetarian cafeteria-style takeaways and Brown Rice for an all you can eat Thai buffet.