Famous Notting Hill market known for antiques also features excellent street food on weekends. International vendors line the street offering everything from crepes to jerk chicken.
Portobello Road Market is a long-established street market on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, London W11, best known for antiques, vintage clothing and bric-a-brac, but also home to a wide range of food stalls. The market stretches for roughly a mile along the road, passing through different zones: antiques and collectables near Notting Hill Gate, fruit and vegetable stalls in the middle section, and fashion, crafts and street food towards the Westway. The street food area makes it a useful lunch stop for visitors exploring Notting Hill, and the market as a whole is one of the best-known in the United Kingdom.
The signature food items listed are Caribbean jerk chicken and crepes. Stalls also sell paella, falafel, Thai curries, burgers, wood-fired pizza, Indian street food, churros, fresh juices and coffee, as well as fruit, bread and cheese from the produce traders. The mix reflects Notting Hill's cultural diversity and its Caribbean heritage, which is celebrated each August at the Notting Hill Carnival. The food on offer changes by day and trader, so the lineup should be treated as typical rather than fixed.
The atmosphere is lively, crowded and cosmopolitan, with tourists, locals and collectors mixing along the colourful pastel-fronted terraces. On Saturdays the road is packed and noise is high, with music from stalls and buskers. There is no dress code, and the experience is an open-air walk-and-eat. Drinks are mostly coffee, juices, soft drinks and beer from nearby pubs and bars.
No reservations are needed for market food. The main antiques day is Saturday, listed here from 09:00 to 19:00, while food and general stalls operate on other days with reduced hours, and Sundays are generally quieter with fewer traders. Prices are moderate, with a street food dish costing a few pounds sterling to the lower end of the teens. Nearby stations include Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park, and visitors can combine the market with a walk through the surrounding streets of west London.
| Price | $ |
|---|---|
| Hours | Saturday 09:00-19:00 (antiques), daily food stalls |
| Reservations | Walk-up |
| Address | Portobello Road, London W11 |
Signature dishes
- Caribbean jerk chicken — $8
- Crepes — $6
Location
Portobello Road, London W11
51.5153, -0.2050 View on map
Highlights
- Mile-long Notting Hill market famous for antiques and vintage finds
- Caribbean jerk chicken, crepes and international street food
- Pastel-fronted townhouses and lively Saturday atmosphere
- Fruit, vegetable and bread stalls along the central stretch
- Easy access from Notting Hill Gate and Ladbroke Grove stations
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 10:00 on Saturday to avoid the thickest crowds
- Walk north past the antiques section to reach the larger food area
- Keep valuables secure, as the market is crowded
- Bring cash for small stalls, though many accept cards
- Visit on a weekday for a quieter, more local experience
When to visit
Early Saturday morning for antiques and choice, or a weekday for a calmer visit; dry weather suits the open-air layout.
Accessibility
The road is mostly paved and level in places, but the Saturday crowds can make it difficult for wheelchair users, and some side areas and nearby shops have steps. Weekdays are easier to navigate.
Frequently asked questions
When is Portobello Road Market busiest?
Saturday is the main market day, with antiques stalls at their fullest and the heaviest crowds.
Is food available on days other than Saturday?
Yes. Food stalls operate on other days too, though with fewer traders and shorter hours than on Saturday.
Are reservations needed?
No. Market stalls are walk-up only.