Grocery Stores/ Markets

The closest superkarket would be the Sainsbury's located at the Victoria Place Shopping center: 115 Buckingham Palace Rd. It's connected to Victoria Station.

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Also at Victoria Station is a Marks & Spencer food express store.

Just ask at your hotel. There is a Sainsbury's across the street from Victoria Station and a Marks and Spencer Simply Food at Victoria Station. Another easy place to get to is the Waitrose right at the Gloucester Road tube station (a couple of stops away on circle line).

Sainsbury and Marks and Spencer: think high end Publix and more. You will love them!

In addition to the Sainsbury and the M&S Food, there is a Whistlestop inside Victoria station. We use all of these when we stay in London. My husband especially likes the Sainsbury muffins. They have lots of good choices in fresh food and snacks- and lots of choices in sodas, juices, etc.

Becky's question about markets reminded me of the time we were staying with my husband's sister in High Barnet, at the end of the Northern tube line. One morning I went for an early morning walk and when I returned to the house my brother-in-law asked if I had seen anything interesting. I told him I had discovered a wonderful outdoor market, to which he dryly replied, "Well, it's been there for 900 years."

Thanks everyone!!!! I know we won' go hungry!!!

I think that particular Sainsbury is a bit dodgy. The Marks and Spencer is better, but I agree that you might enjoy the Waitrose experience a little more. Waitrose is owned by John Lewis - so pretty much wherever you find a John Lewis you should find a Waitrose in the basement. The Gloucester one is nice, and if you are over at Canary Wharf, that one is really nice and the tube literally stops right in the mall so its not a hassle to schlep groceries or anything else. Another thing about that area is there a ton of little corner type stores so you won't have any trouble at all finding something to eat takeout or supplies to take back to your hotel.

Hi Becky,
I don't know if you've gone or are there yet. I recommend M&S they have nice sandwiches and big salads that you can share. When I go to London I stop by there and buy the sandwiches and a salad and put them in my bag so whenever I get hungry I can stop off at the nearest bench or park and have my lunch. I was able to buy 1 big salad and my Mum and I were able to make it serve 2, it was huge and we still had some left over.

Cheers,

Elaine

There's a delicious doner place right by the bus station and right by Lime Tree hotel. It's a hole in the wall, but always crowded. I ate there three times and it was killer good! And cheap.

There's a delicious doner place right by the bus station and right by Lime Tree hotel. It's a hole in the wall, but always crowded. I ate there three times and it was killer good! And cheap.

Thanks a bunch Elaine. We're going in December and I've rceived a lot of responses on groceries. I don't think we'll be going hungry!!! :o)

Not only markets, but London is king when it comes to takeaway (what we call "to-go"). One chain you rarely hear mentioned here is "Pret A Manger." They are all over London (and New York as well) and sell pre-made sandwiches, baguettes and soups. Many with unique combinations. Very popular with London office workers. Also great if you want to "picnic" but not hassle with buying all the ingredients yourself and making up the sandwiches.

I'd just like to add a little language trivia. We don't really use the word "market" to refer to supermarkets or grocery stores (even though it's obviously the route of "supermarket".) Markets are a collection of individual stalls to us.

It's not really important but may help if you are asking directions. If you ask the hotel desk for directions to the nearest market chances are they'll ignore the dozen nearby grocery stores...

Thanks Peter. I've visited several London websites and looked into the market scene. I imagine I'll visit a BUNCH while we're there. It's funny though, the stall markets you talk about are called "flea markets" here. HaHa

We use "flea market" too - generally for a market full of stalls that sell bric-a-brac or cheap things. Borough Market, for instance, probably wouldn't fit in with either definition of a flea market.

I also just noticed Frank II's mention of "takeaway". Now, to me, takeaway is the English term, "to-go" sounds very American (along with "take-out.") I'm sure I've had blank looks from fast-food workers in the US asking for takeaway food, an indication of how regional American-English can be perhaps?

And while you are in M&S, pick up a package or two of their refrigerated Custard Tarts. Yum. And very inexpensive. I got the notion to try custard tarts after watching "As Time Goes By," the BBC sit-com. Lionel always goes for a custard tart when he is stressed.

Yes, as Peter says, the term "takeaway" is very British and I think "to-go" would be met with puzzled looks.

I used the word "takeaway" because it is the proper British term. "To-Go" is the American term. I use British English in Britain, American English in America, and find it easier just to drink beer in Australia.

And yes, the term "market" in America is the same as a "grocer" in the UK.

A few other food related:

Laundrette (UK)--Laundromats (US)
Chips (UK)--Fries (US)
Crisps (UK)--Chips (US)
Jacket Potato (UK)--Baked Potato (US)
cuppa (UK)--cup of tea (US)
Bangers (UK)--Sausages (US)
Full English (UK)--Heart Attack in the Making (US)
Real Ale (UK)--Virtually impossible to find in the (US)
Lager (UK)--similar to a typical (US) beer

And many more.....

HaHa...Frank sounds like te guy to travel with!! I'm expecting to make many mistakes in my language while in London. I'll make due and enjoy whatever turns up on my plate by accident!! Oh..but I do know I'm supposed to refrain from asking about,talkng about or pointing out anyone's fannypack!!!

I think I slightly mis-read Franks post to mean he was saying to-go is what we call a takeaway "takeaway (what they call "to-go")."

One thing that always worries me with English to American vocab lists is they often mix slang and real words too indiscriminately, the lists only translate one way. For instance the English word for a laundromat is a laundrette. The English word for sausage is sausage.

Peter makes me laugh! We are leaving in a couple of
weeks and I can hardly wait - we will be in the lake
district and cornwall but finishing up in London - my
favorite city in the world!

If you want to have a belly laugh about "English" English- check out the Effingpot site (http://www.effingpot.com/). It has wonderful English slang and expressions- explained as well as some can be. Very funny! I check it out when I am homesick for the UK.

Yes, Peter, I did have it wrong...I've fixed it. That's what I get for trying to respond with three hours sleep and not proff, oops, proof, reading.

No criticism was intended, let's all play nice...

"And while you are in M&S, pick up a package or two of their refrigerated Custard Tarts. Yum. And very inexpensive. I got the notion to try custard tarts after watching "As Time Goes By," the BBC sit-com. Lionel always goes for a custard tart when he is stressed."

I admit to doing this, after watching the first few seasons (for the umpteenth time) while I was over there. Yet another thing I'm desperately missing.

Anyone going soon, please eat plenty of cheese, curry sauce, crisps in tasty flavours, custard tarts, trifles, and clotted cream for me.

Yeah, and then see your doctor about your cholesterol count.

The rule, Norma, is that there is no cholesterol on vacation. It doesn't count.