It’s a historical market in a charming Victorian setting that dates back to the 17th century. The buildings and the market hall have been restored to their former glory. The market is covered, making it a nice place to visit even when the weather is not the best, allowing you to browse while protected from the rain and the wind and sit down for a quick meal or coffee while shopping.
Shopping
The market is a popular destination and can get packed over the weekend. Many people come to the market to find something unique from the vendors in stalls and permanent stores. Many kinds of products are available, from T-shirts to high-quality clothing for men and women, homeware to cosmetics, and prints and designs for the home. There are some great vintage clothes, for example, from Walconcept, who specialise in vintage ties, scarves, and designer pieces. The shops are mainly independent vendors, and you won’t be able to find many of the stores elsewhere.
Events
There are also events at the market. The Antiques Market on Thursdays is very popular, and many people come in to try to find unique pieces, sometimes for their homes and other times for the set of a movie or a TV show. Over 80 stalls sell vintage art, fashion, furniture, and maps. The Antiques Market has been open since 2003.
Urban Makers Wednesdays are packed with independent makes selling their products, so you can be sure to find something special.
Every other Friday, there’s the Vinyl Market, where you can find rare and collectable vintage vinyl and some new albums.
There are also many other events, and you should check the schedule and the details on the Old Spitalfields Market website.
Food and Drinks
One of the reasons the market is so popular is the wide range of food and drink options available. Cuisine from all over the world can be found there, from Japanese curry boxes to dumplings to Turkish wraps. Get one of the best burgers in London from Bleecker Burger, or grilled cheese, bagels, hot dogs, or burritos. You get the idea. There are handmade doughnuts, Taiwanese pancakes, and Vegan and gluten-free baked treats. There are also some very good drink options, for example, one of our favourite coffee places % Arabica, Chai Guys, for some authentic Chai and Yi Fang for Taiwanese fruit tea.
