For those days when you're in a rush and want something quick and super filling to go, a classic London food truck is always a winner!
South Bank's street food scene offers a huge variety of delicious dishes, from classics like fish and chips to unique flavours from far-flung corners of the world. Whether you're eager to try a new cuisine or simply want a no-nonsense, quick and tasty hot meal made while you wait, South Bank has the answers.
Located next to Waterloo Bridge, Wahaca's colourful Mexican Street Kitchen truck is located just below their two-storey restaurant at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. There's a choice of burritos made fresh while you wait, and a bright pink picnic table right by the Thames where you can sit and take in the surroundings.
Open: Mon–Thu 11:30am–10pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am–11pm, Sun 11:30am–9pm
Enjoy a taste of London’s diverse street food flavours at National Theatre's bustling ground floor bar The Understudy, where the food comes courtesy of London street food brand incubator KERB. Year-round, choose from three different indie street foods (currently Meltdown cheeseburgers, Middle Eastern falafel and flatbreads by Sireli and MexClub tacos), and in summer even more food trucks join the scene for KERB's summer pop-up on the terrace.
Open: Mon–Sat 12pm–10pm, Sun 12pm–9pm
Boasting 40+ stalls, this lively weekend food market behind Royal Festival Hall is a must-visit for street food aficionados. There is an impressive variety of cuisine from every corner of the world on offer. Rich Caribbean curries, Venezuelan arepas, Korean bimibimbap, Nigerian jollof, smashburgers, savoury crepes, Ethiopian injeera, Indian dosas, Polish kolbasa, Vietnamese banh mi, wood-fired pizzas... you name it, they've got it! Whatever you are craving, you are sure to find the flavours to match.
Open: Fri 12pm–9pm, Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 12pm–6pm (until 8pm in winter)
This huge venue is a vibrant pop-up beer garden nestled between the London Eye and Hungerford Bridge. Known for its lively programme of events such as bingo parties and drag brunches, with plenty of indoor and outdoor space and a big screen showing sports, it's an all-day destination with plenty happening. On the food side of things, there's a wide choice of food trucks, curated in partnership with Time Out. Options include Patty & Bun (burgers), CDMX Tacos, Sen Noods Singaporean noodles and east London's infamous Rogue Sarnies.
Open: Mon–Thu 12pm–11pm, Fri 12pm–12am, Sat 11am–12am, Sun 11am–11pm
Neds Noodle Bar specialises in customisable Asian noodle and rice boxes to go, served from their friendly little spot right behind County Hall and the London Eye. There are plenty of options for building your own box. Choose your base (such as noodles or rice), choose a sauce and then add on all the fillings you want, and it gets cooked up for you on the spot.
Open: Daily 11am–10:30pm
This small and friendly street food market in front of the St John's Waterloo Church (opposite Waterloo Station), presents a choice of four authentic street food stalls. What it lacks in size, the market makes up for in charm and authenticity. Choose from otsumai's Japanese katsu dishes, Uzbek palav and dumplings, Lebanese falafel or Thai stir fries. In summer, the chance to sit among the wild flowers in the St John's Churchyard garden makes this even more inviting.
Open: Mon–Fri 10:30am–3:30pm
Craving Pizza? Head to the Mr Pizza Baby truck parked up outside the Big Belly Bar, for some freshly-made, wood-fired pizza goodness. There's a choice of classic pizzas such as margherita, marinara and pepperoni, and with these pizzas made from a wood-fired mini-oven, the pizzas come out in a flash, making this a great option if you're in a hurry!
Open: Mon, Tue, Fri 4pm–10pm, Wed & Thu 1pm–10pm, Sat 12:30–9pm
This quirky spot is said to be London's first Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki restaurant. Located inside the historic County Hall (just around the corner from the London Eye), sit in or get your Japanese savoury 'pancake' (cabbage, yakisoba noodles, fried egg and various toppings cooked up on a hot griddle) to go and enjoy it out in the Jubilee Gardens with a view of the river.
Open: Daily 12pm–9pm
Hot Mess Toasties Indulge in oozy, gooey grilled cheese toasties from this popular little spot in the Gabriel's Wharf courtyard. Open: daily 11am–5pm
HolaGuacamole A fresh and flavourful Mexican street food spot serving freshly made burritos, quesadillas, nachos and tacos to go. Open: Wed, Thu & Sun 12pm–7pm, Fri & Sat 12pm–9pm.
Pick up a delicious lunch on the go at this weekly London Farmers Market, held every Thursday lunchtime in the garden in front of St Thomas' hospital. There's a surprisingly large variety of options, including Alpine potatoes and stews, Afghan wraps, Turkish flatbreads, roast pork sandwiches, Sri Lankan kotthu and Thai stir fries. The sunny hospital gardens with their stunning views of Big Ben make for an ideal spot to sit outside and enjoy your lunch.
Open: Thursdays 12pm–3pm
You can't go wrong with this classic spot, located right below the London Eye. They serve all the traditional favourites like battered fish, chicken nuggets, smoked sausages and mushy peas, in substantial portions that will keep you going for the rest of the day! If you fancy something sweet, they also have soft-serve ice creams.
Open: Sun–Fri 10am–7pm, Sat 10am–8pm
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
