New data from Betway unveils the best food halls and markets in the UK for street food lovers.
With half of the UK buying from a street food van at least once a week, and the Instagram hashtag #streetfood reaching 17.2 million posts, it’s clear that we are a nation obsessed with casual, flavour-packed dining. That appetite has fuelled a boom in food halls and markets, but where will you find the best spots in the UK?
To find out, the team at Betway online casino has measured the social media popularity of 40 UK food halls and markets, as well as their Google rating and how many times they are being searched online, to determine which food hall is the nation’s favourite.
Here are some of the key findings at a glance:
London’s Borough Market is the most popular food hall in the UK, with over 28,400 TikTok posts, over 580,000 Instagram posts under #BoroughMarket, and over 480,000 annual Google searches.
GRUB in Manchester is the third most popular spot for foodies, and the most popular outside of London, with an impressive 4.7 out of 5 review rating.
Manchester is the second-best city for food markets overall, with two entries in the top 10 best spots in the UK.
The Top 10 Most Popular Food Halls in the UK
From Korean fried chicken to Neapolitan pizza, the UK’s most popular food halls and markets serve up a world of flavours under one roof. Social media has made it easier than ever to discover the must-try spots, but which ones are the most popular right now?
Rank | Food Hall | City | Instagram # volume | TikTok video volume | Google review rating / 5 | Annual UK Google Search Volume |
1 | Borough Market | London | 588,000 | 28,400 | 4.6 | 9,876,000 |
2 | Seven Dials Market | London | 12,300 | 2,093 | 4.5 | 1,980,000 |
3 | GRUB MCR | Manchester | 12,700 | 18 | 4.7 | 22,800 |
4 | Maltby Street Market | London | 27,800 | 260 | 4.6 | 594,000 |
5 | Temple Quay Market | Bristol | 1,029 | 7 | 4.7 | 10,560 |
6 | SPARK | York | 7,662 | 160 | 4.6 | 145,200 |
7 | Herbert’s Yard | Birmingham | 1,876 | 93 | 4.6 | 177,600 |
8 | The Dockyard Social | Glasgow | 205 | 18 | 4.6 | 118,800 |
9 | Mackie Mayor | Manchester | 13,700 | 229 | 4.5 | 726,000 |
10 | Shelter Hall | Brighton | 1,962 | 73 | 4.5 |
217,200 |
1. Borough Market, London
With a history dating back over 1,000 years, Borough Market is not only London’s oldest food market, but it’s also its most iconic. Whether you’re grabbing a salt beef sandwich or slurping fresh oysters, this riverside market blends heritage with foodie innovation.
It’s a hit online too, with 588,000 Instagram hashtags and over 28,000 TikTok mentions, proving its global appeal for tourists. With a 4.6-star Google rating and nearly 10 million annual searches, it’s no surprise this market tops the list.
2. Seven Dials Market, London
In the heart of Covent Garden, you’ll find the iconic Seven Dials Market, which comes in second place in our ranking of best food markets. Home to over 20 independent vendors, you’ll be spoilt for choice, whether you’re on the lookout for a simple sweet street, a hearty meal, or even just some artisan cheese.
With over 12,000 posts on Instagram and over 2,000 posts on TikTok, it might not have as strong a social media presence as Borough Market, however with almost two million searches per year, it certainly is one of the most well-known.
3. GRUB, Manchester
GRUB is one of Manchester’s biggest street food venues with two floors of outdoor seating, event space and even a secret garden. From sweet treats to pizza, burgers to tacos, there’s plenty to choose from for a range of dietary requirements and preferences. If you’re looking for a place to meet with friends that doesn’t require eating, there are also regular events to enjoy, including quizzes and group painting.
With an impressive 4.7 rating on Google and 12,700 Instagram posts, GRUB is a highly loved venue amongst Manchester locals and visitors alike
The Top 10 Most Popular Food Halls Outside of London
With millions of tourists flocking to London every year, it might not come as a surprise that three of the top five foodie spots are found in the capital. However, that’s not to say that the rest of the UK is lacking when it comes to creating lively spots for food lovers to come together and enjoy a delicious bite to eat. So, where will you find the best street food hotspots outside of London?
Rank | Food Hall | City | Instagram # volume | TikTok video volume | Google review rating / 5 | Annual UK Google Search Volume |
1 | GRUB MCR | Manchester | 12,700 | 18 | 4.7 | 22,800 |
2 | Temple Quay Market | Bristol | 1,029 | 7 | 4.7 | 10,560 |
3 | SPARK | York | 7,662 | 160 | 4.6 | 145,200 |
4 | Herbert’s Yard | Birmingham | 1,876 | 93 | 4.6 | 177,600 |
5 | The Dockyard Social | Glasgow | 205 | 18 | 4.6 | 118,800 |
6 | Mackie Mayor | Manchester | 13,700 | 229 | 4.5 | 726,000 |
7 | Shelter Hall | Brighton | 1,962 | 73 | 4.5 | 217,200 |
8 | New Century | Manchester | 278 | 11 | 4.5 | 217,200 |
9 | Duke Street Market | Liverpool | 3,002 | 206 | 4.5 | 97,200 |
10 | Peddler Market | Sheffield | 5,053 | 93 | 4.5 | 52,800 |
1. GRUB, Manchester
GRUB comes in third place overall and first place outside of London. Manchester also has two other entries in the top 10 spots outside of London – the legendary Mackie Mayor (also ninth place overall), and New Century – solidifying it as one of the best spots for street food in the country.
2. Temple Quay Market, Bristol
Located just outside Bristol Temple Meads station in the heart of Temple Quarter, Temple Quay Market runs twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, selling a range of international cuisines and British comfort foods. Many traders have been coming to this market for years, giving it a familiar and strong community feel, helping it secure second place in the ranking of best food markets outside of London.
Temple Quay Market has an impressive 4.7 out of 5 review rating, however, it has a quieter presence on social media than some of the other entries in the top 10 with just
3. SPARK, York
SPARK in York takes third place. Found in the city centre in upcycled shipping containers, SPARK features a diverse range of independent food and drink sellers, promising something for everyone. Events are also regularly held here, from outdoor film screenings to book clubs, solidifying it as a real hotspot for the local community.
The northern food market has a respectable 7,662 posts on Instagram and a strong 4.6 out of 5 Google review rating, as well as 145,200 annual searches.
Have you ever visited any of these food markets or halls, and has our list inspired you to try out somewhere new this summer?
Methodology & Sources
Betway pulled together a seedlist of 40 food halls and markets across the UK and ranked them against a series of metrics. Each metric received a score out of 10 to create a final index.
These venues were then ranked according to the following metrics:
TikTok posts – Number of views for relevant hashtags
Instagram hashtag use – Number of pictures posted under relevant hashtag
Average annual search volume – Average monthly search volume (using Google Keyword planner) was found and multiplied by 12 to calculate the annual search volume
Google review rating – The average rating out of 5 was taken for the food hall or market from Google Maps.
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