Borough Market: A Haven For Hungry Abroad Students
Colin Nashelsky
Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the London Bridge Tube Station, the Borough Market is a paradise for both food lovers and abroad students who have neither a meal plan nor skills at cooking. As someone who fits both categories, I was intrigued by the area when I first saw it on the tour of the city and have since made it a frequent stop throughout my time here. Whether from a late breakfast or an early dinner, Borough Market is sure to have something to fill your stomach and keep you wanting to come back for more.
Open 7 days a week from 10 AM – 5 PM on weekdays, Borough Market is home to foods from all over the world so even if British cuisine isn’t what you are in the mood for, there are plenty of diverse options to choose from. The diversity does not end there, however, as even the type of food varies from a quick snack between classes to a whole meal with enough energy to power you through whatever you have to face that day. With so many options to choose from, I would be surprised if someone could go and say that can’t find something they like.
Once you have gotten the food of your choice (after most likely struggling for several minutes on what to get from the numerous choices before you) you can find a seat at the giant staircase seating in the market. You can sit on either the steps themselves or the benches on the top of the stairs and on a sunny day there is the perfect spot to enjoy your meal. There are also various tables and benches throughout the market to also sit at with covering over them in case of rainy weather. If for whatever reason the idea of being outside simply does not interest you at all, there are restaurants and pubs around the market as well.
As a personal recommendation, I recommend Porteña as their empanadas are the perfect lunch for me in between my classes. If I am lucky and it’s sunny out, I tend to sit on the steps and eat while watching everyone else go about their lives, taking in the moment of calmness and food before I continue with my day. During this time I also like to call my family back home to check in on them and ease my minor feeling of being homesick. While it may seem like a minor part of the day or even the week, for me, it’s part of my routine here in London that I absolutely would not change.
For anyone coming to London to either study for a semester or just visit for a weekend, I cannot recommend Borough Markey enough as a place to eat, relax, and get ready to tackle the rest of your day on a full and happy stomach.
