It’s way off the tourist path. At the end of the Victoria tube line, you gotta work to get to Brixton Market. For us, it’s a 45 minute trek of walking and tube-ing and walking some more. The mystique does add to the appeal, not gonna lie.

It’s a bit dodgy. That Britishism just fits Brixton so well, I can’t help myself. In addition to the many outdoor stalls selling veggies, fish and meat, you find shops selling off-market fedoras, fuzzy posters of cats, batteries, or random fancy salami.  The melting pot of London collides here.

A Gluten-free restaurant. Gotta love a restaurant where every item is proudly gluten free, and whose menu is filled with burgers and baked goods. Drew had his first chicken sandwich in over six months and we finished up with a take home treat. Side note: why haven’t Victoria sponge cakes found their foothold in the American dessert repertoire? They’re freaking delicious.

We can spend less cash. As is typical of any city, the further we get from the center the cheaper the goods. Get some fresh baked focaccia for just £1 per slice. Stock up on your weekly fish and meat for a fraction of city centre prices. Or, you know, why not invest in some fishnets?

It’s inside AND outside.  Brixton Market is officially indoors, but in reality it’s more like a covered walkway with multiple wide open exits. During the summer, it can be difficult to find seats at the many tiny restaurants, as people come here to while away the day in the sun and warmth. But in the winter the slight chill of the entire market gives us our pick of food options with lots of seating. Which makes ‘available seating in Brixton Market’ the sole item on my mental list of reasons to appreciate winter.