Things to do in Bermondsey: art and food from Maltby Street Market to the White Cube
Bermondsey is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in London. Bermondsey’s food scene is impeccable, and there are several top notch art galleries on Bermondsey Street well worth a visit. A day out in this area is one of my favourite ways to spend a Saturday, so here’s my guide to the best things to do in Bermondsey.
While best known for Tower Bridge and Borough Market, there are many more hidden gems to discover in Bermondsey. For me personally, the area is exciting because of the intersection between art and food, from Maltby Street Market to the White Cube gallery.
I love exploring the streets here—the industrial buildings have a very London vibe that is different from central. Focusing on the area surrounding London Bridge station, this walk will guide you through the best quick eats and art galleries, so is the perfect Bermondsey area guide.
I usually head to Bermondsey because there are exhibitions I’m keen to see, and I make a point of eating as much as I can on the way. And there is A LOT to eat on the way. My suggestion would be to go with a group of people, and sample lots of things in small bites. Pace yourself!
Don’t miss the map at the end of the post for a visual area guide to Bermondsey through my favourite specific locations.
Bermondsey area
Bermondsey is located just south of the Thames riverside, in Southwark borough. It’s bordered by London Bridge and Rotherhithe, and is extremely well connected by public transport, so it’s very easy to get to Bermondsey via tube, train or bus.
Bermondsey is an industrial area which was known for leather and tanning in the 19th century. Known for it’s diverse community, thriving arts scene, and landmarks like the Shard, Bermondsey is a unique and interesting neighbourhood well worth spending time in.
Start the day at Spa Terminus food market
Located near Maltby Street Market, Spa Terminus is a collection of independent food and drink producers. The market features a range of vendors selling everything from artisanal bread to craft spirits, and visitors can sample and purchase products directly from the makers. The market is open on Saturdays, and offers a unique opportunity to meet and support local food entrepreneurs.
Many are housed in the railway arches, such as the beloved Flor Bakery (RIP! But thankfully Helen Evans has recently opened Eric’s in Dulwich). You’re already spoilt for choice by the time you’re here.
Here are some highlights:
The Ham and Cheese Company:
This family-run business offers a range of artisanal cured meats, including prosciutto, chorizo, and salami. The meats are made using traditional methods, with no artificial preservatives or additives.
Little Bread Pedlar:
This bakery specialises in sourdough bread, made using organic flour and a long fermentation process. The breads come in a range of flavors, from classic white to rye and caraway.
Mons Cheesemongers:
This French-inspired cheese shop offers a range of artisanal cheeses from around Europe, including Comté, Roquefort, and Tomme de Savoie. They also offer a selection of charcuterie and other accompaniments.
The Kernel Brewery:
This microbrewery produces a range of craft beers, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts. They use traditional methods and natural ingredients, and their beers are often available in limited batches.
Neal’s Yard Dairy:
This cheese shop is one of the most well-known in London, and offers a range of British and Irish cheeses, including Stilton, Cheddar, and Red Leicester. They also offer cheese accompaniments such as crackers, chutneys, and pickles.
Make your way towards Maltby St. Market
And on the way, don’t forget to stop at Watch House Roastery. It has blown up in London recently, and the location at the end of Maltby St. Market is such a good aesthetic.
Now, I don’t know if we can call Maltby St. Market a ‘hidden gem’ per se, but it is definitely secondary to the tourist’s main agenda (Borough Market) so filled with a more clued-in crowd. It’s tucked away under the railway arches and features a range of artisanal food stalls. Visitors can sample everything from fresh oysters to gourmet burgers, and can wash it all down with craft beers or artisanal cocktails.
Maltby Street Market is small but mighty. I love wandering down here and having a peek in all the homewares and design shops, punctuated with tasty bites from the range of food vendors.
Maltby St. Market is adorned with flags from all over the world, emphasising the global offerings of its food vendors. From Duck Frites to gyoza to a vegan bakery stall, this is a place you can stay a while.
Here are some highlights:
La Pepia:
La Pepia serves up the only rainbow arepas in London and they’re known for what they call the ‘cheese blanket’ — meaning a crispy caramelised slab of cheese inside an arepa and filled with lots of other goodies!
Duck Frites:
Duck confit is one of my favourite foods of all time, so this stall is made for me. It’s one of my all-time favourite stalls in London and I always get the duck arancini, but they also have duck + frites (of course!) which is incredible.
Gyoza Guys:
With lots of delicious flavours of Gyoza, you can’t go wrong at Gyoza Guys. It’s great as a first snack to share before deciding on what else to get at the market.
Moon Cheese Toasties:
Moon Cheese toasties are absolutely oozing with cheese, plus lots of other bits to create tasty sandwiches. They also do mac & cheese, my favourite.
The Beefsteaks:
The Beefsteaks aims to serve the best steak in London, but at an affordable and accessible level. They use hanger steaks and make delicious baguette sandwiches at their stall, alongside triple cooked chips.
St. John’s Bakery:
So this is technically not on Maltby Street but I need to make a note of it because it is top notch. They make traditional baked goods, such as Eccles cakes and sourdough bread. They are associated with the iconic St John’s restaurant and the reason you need to pop in is for a donut. Located in the arches on the opposite side of Maltby Street, don’t miss your chance to try the best donut in London! It’s my controversial opinion that these donuts beat out Bread Ahead by a mile.
Head to Bermondsey Street for art galleries… and more food
Bermondsey Street is one of the most wonderful streets in London. From top to bottom it is home to dozens of amazing shops, restaurants, bakeries, cafes and art galleries. The vibes are impeccable here, so it’s well worth spending a bit of time exploring.
If it is at all possible that you haven’t eaten enough already, Bermondsey Street has got more gems up its sleeve.
Some highlights:
Giddy Grocer:
Giddy Grocer is a specialty food store offers a range of fresh produce, cheeses, and charcuterie, as well as a selection of wines and craft beers. They also have a cafe serving coffee and light bites.
Bermondsey Corner:
Bermondsey Corner is a cute restaurant and bar that offers modern British cuisine, with a focus on seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. They also have a selection of craft beers and cocktails.
Flour & Grape:
Flour & Grape is an Italian-inspired restaurant and wine bar serves up delicious homemade pasta dishes, alongside a carefully curated selection of Italian wines.
Comptoir Gourmand
Comptoir Gourmand is a French patisserie offers a range of beautiful and delicious pastries, cakes, and desserts. Their macarons are especially popular.
Fuckoffee
Fuckoffee is a quirky coffee shop offers a range of specialty coffees, teas, and cakes, as well as a unique and colorful interior.
José
José is a tapas bar is a favorite among locals, offering a range of traditional Spanish dishes such as jamón ibérico, tortilla española, and croquetas. They also have a selection of Spanish wines and sherries.
And now the art: White Cube Mason’s Yard
The White Cube’s outpost in Bermondsey is astoundingly cavernous, and does what it says on the tin: provides a blank canvas for contemporary art. Exhibitions are frequently changing, so there is always something new and interesting to see.
The White Cube is criticised for its clinical approach to art viewing and the commercialisation of the work shown. That said, I personally think it’s one of the best commercial galleries in London in terms of the exhibitions it puts on.
Exhibitions here are comprehensive and museum-quality, but free for visitors, offering an accessible insight into the contemporary art world. White Cube represents a slate of incredible contemprorary artists. For example, Julie Mehretu has an upcoming art exhibition this autumn at the White Cube.
Fashion and Textile Museum
The Fashion and Textile Museum was founded in 2003 by fashion designer Zandra Rhodes and has since become a major destination for fashion enthusiasts and students.
The museum's permanent collection features a range of clothing, accessories, and textiles from the 20th and 21st centuries, showcasing the development of fashion and textile design over the past century. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts a range of temporary exhibitions, which explore specific themes, designers, or historical periods.
The space is small but carefully curated with its changing exhibitions, and has a distinctly human touch (which is why I find it an interesting contrast with the White Cube).
It’s also a bright spot in grey London with its tropical orange facade that stands out on Bermondsey Street.
Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery
The Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery is a small but impressive gallery space in Bermondsey (with several other locations in London and abroad). Founded by Norwegian gallerist Kristin Hjellegjerde in 2012, the gallery showcases the work of emerging and established contemporary artists from around the world. I like this gallery because the artists represented are often emerging but genuinely interesting; the art has soul here. There’s always interesting combinations of artists and artworks as well.
The exhibition space in Bermondsey is great; there is an upstairs atrium filled with natural light and it feels like a secret hidden space to explore. There are a lot of galleries in London that can feel quite intimidating and unwelcoming to the casual viewer (not buyer) but this is a welcoming place. There’s even a cat that lives inside!
Hungry yet? Walk to Borough Market
I’m hoping that the art helped you work up an appetite because we’re not done eating today. Borough Market is an iconic London spot with endless eating opportunities. However, there are only a few that are must-eats in my opinion.
A plus for film lovers is the fact that Borough Market was used as a location in the Harry Potter films.
First and foremost is The Black Pig. They make toasted ciabatta sandwiches with pulled pork and apple-fennel slaw that I literally dream about. I go all the way to Borough Market just for this on a regular basis. The sandwiches are big, and messy, so get one to share.
A few other highlights:
Bread Ahead bakery: famous for its doughnuts, there will be a queue.
Rambutan: in the warm months they sell amazing soft-serve from a window.
Bao: just yummy bao buns!
Kappacasein: over the top grilled cheese sandwiches.
Padella: extremely popular small plates pasta
The market is fun to explore but also very busy and a little overwhelming. The Black Pig makes it worth it, but other than that I think the previous food recommendations in this post are a better shout.
Further things to do in Bermondsey area
There’s still several major things to see in the area that don’t need much of an introduction for me. Add these on for more variety and a bit of exercise between food stops.
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is a major art museum in a former power station on the Thames Riverbank. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in London with millions of visitors each year.
The Tate Modern presents modern and contemporary art in a industrial space. It has some incredible art exhibitions currently on display, from Hilma af Klint to African photography.
Shakespeare’s Globe
A reconstruction of Shakespeare’s famous Globe theatre from the 1600s, where riotous performances of his masterpieces would be staged. Viewers can experience modern restagings of Shakespeare plays in period conditions.
Tower Bridge
The iconic London bridge, but not ‘London Bridge’ — tourists often get this confused! The amazing architecture was created in the 19th century. It’s possible to go to the top of the towers and walk across the walkway with a glass floor and an amazing view below.
The George Inn
17th C pub near Borough Market with a rich history and under care of National Trust.
Vinegar Yard
Vinegar Yard is a market filled with handmade and vintage goods. Full of cute and unique items, it’s a great place to stop for a mosey and is very near London Bridge station.
Walk around Rotherhithe
Rotherhithe is a historic neighbourhood with docklands buildings and heritage sites like the Mayflower Pub and Brunel Museum.
Final thoughts on visiting Bermondsey
Many visitors to London come near the area of Bermondsey while visiting the Tate Modern or Borough Market, but aren’t aware of all the amazing things to do in Bermondsey beyond these two landmarks.
A hub for art and food, Bermondsey is the perfect area for a full day out and I hope you take advantage of it with this guide. Below is a map to help guide you around the area!
Please let me know the best thing you’ve eaten in the area in the comments!
