Chapel Market

Between Liverpool Road and Baron Street, N1 9EX
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 8.30am-4pm (Farmers' Market)
Tube: Angel

There's been a market on this pedestrian street in Islington since around 1870 and although the area has been transformed into an expensive and upmarket part of London, this market remains a throwback to the old, working-class borough that has largely been forgotten.  

As soon as you walk into the market from Liverpool Road you enter a very different world from that of Islington High Street, with stall holders chatting with their regular customers and a clear sense of community.  

It's really possible to do your entire weekly shop at Chapel Market with great fruit and veg stalls, a small deli van selling fine cheese and cold meats, fresh flowers, haberdashery and fabrics, fresh meat and fish as well as stalls selling beds, carpets, cards and of course phone accessories.  Another great addition to the market is the cycle stall which sells great value bike parts and accessories as well as offering a full service for just £30.

You don't have to spend very much time here to see that this market has an atmosphere and sense of place that is increasingly rare.  Barry, the friendly fishmonger, has been trading here for over 30 years and is always busy offering advice and recommending a particularly good catch, even keeping customers produce until they've finished shopping.  Fruit and veg seller John,  is one of the markets characters, having started here as a fresh faced kid back in 1974.  In the intervening years he has lost none of his cheek.  When one of his Turkish customers raves about her dish using his garlic and courgettes, he says:

'I don't like courgettes, I don't like garlic,
I won't be coming round yours for tea!'

 

It's this unique character that makes this one of the best market experiences to be had in the capital.  Bring a big basket or trolley and fill your boots.