Maltby Street Market may be small but don’t underestimate how much food there is to be found here. You will absolutely need to make multiple trips here to try everything, or just bring a lot of friends to share with!

There’s food, drinks, and even groceries on sale, so you’ll need to pick your stalls wisely if you’ve only got one day to explore. The market, open only Saturday and Sunday, is along no more than a narrow street, known as the Ropewalk, with stand alone stalls on one side and businesses under the railway arches on the other. However, there are a lot of options packed into this street.

Let me give you a little taster of what’s on offer (some of my favourites) and see if anything grabs you or tickles your fancy.  Although, to be honest, any decision is a good one here.

For me, every trip to Maltby Street brings me to two places. ‘The Cheese Truck‘ and ‘St. John Maltby‘.

Firstly ‘The Cheese Truck’. These guys don’t actually have a truck at this particular market, as it wouldn’t really fit, but they still serve up their magic cheese toasties filled with melting cheese and their various accompaniments.

My favourite is the cheddar, ogleshield (also a cheese) and onion sandwich. It’s a classic combo but a good one. You can have it with bacon for an extra £1 if you want to be extra naughty, but it’s also fabulous without.

‘St. John’ restaurant is a London institution, but it’s their bakery that makes the incredible doughnuts. At their St. John Maltby branch, they serve up their Druid St bakery‘s incredible doughnuts. Get there early so as not to miss out, they sell quickly!

There are a number of different fillings so there’s no telling what you might find. But the chocolate is an absolute winner for me. They’re heavily dusted with sugar so good luck finishing it without getting it all over your face! It’s so worth it though, trust me.

If you prefer something more than a doughnut, the restaurant has seating so you can sit down for sharing plates, wine and/or a meal. Plus, they’re actually open from Wednesday evening so you could head down when the market isn’t on for a more relaxed vibe, but unfortunately no doughnuts, as they’re only available on market days.

Another London wide favourite is ‘Bad Brownie‘. Their salted caramel brownies are absolutely amazing (although maybe not as amazing as my brownies….) and I highly recommend a visit to their stall.

If you feel like you’ve eaten a bit too much and are in need of a libation, then look no further than ‘Little Bird Gin‘. This small batch London distillery has an outpost here and they put their gin into beautiful cocktails in a rustic, vintage setting, right in the middle of the market. Sit down, relax and have a chilled moment, before heading back out for some more nourishment!

If beer is more your thing, then definitely check out ‘Hiver‘, the honey beer. These guys mix craft beer with local urban beekeeper’s honey. It’s absolutely delicious and super refreshing.

For something to take away with you, there’s a peanut butter stall from Kiwi traders ‘Pic’s‘. I’m sure they would be kind enough to give you a little taster too!

‘Finest Fayre‘ sells scrumptious versions of Britain’s favourite picnic food; the scotch egg. From the classic pork covered egg to black pudding and even a vegetarian mushroom and lentil one, there’s a variety to choose from. They also do croquettes and pies, if scotch eggs aren’t your kind of thing.

And, you can always pick up a few groceries to take home with you, from wine and mead, to veggies, eggs, bread and focaccia. I’m pretty sure I could eat a whole one of those focaccia in one sitting!

There are so many other great options that I haven’t personally tried, but have definitely seen and smelled them all; cookies from Comptoir Gourmand, cheese covered potatoes, steak and fries, fancy hot dogs and even egg waffles.

Lastly, if you fancy a stop on your way back to Bermondsey tube station (the nearest tube to the market), Anspach & Hobday (118 Druid St) have their brewery on the other side of the railway arches to Maltby Street. Stop in for a little taster to finish your trip. Their taproom is only open on weekends too, and therefore it perfectly coincides with a market visit!

You will definitely find something you love at Maltby Street market, whatever your taste, so take a trip south of the river to this small but perfectly formed food market on your next visit to London.

41 Maltby Street, Ropewalk, Southwark, London, SE1 3PA

(Nearest tube station – Bermondsey or London Bridge, Nearest rail station – London Bridge) 

Map here