Street Food and Markets Tour

A 2-hour guided tour of Nottingham's street food scene and active food markets in the city centre. The route covers Old Market Square, weekday market stalls, and casual street food vendors selling everything from kebabs to Indian street snacks to pizza. You'll taste food directly from vendor stalls and learn about the informal food economy that makes up Nottingham's lunch scene. This tour works best on market days - Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday - when vendor numbers are highest and variety greatest. Budget-friendly with the possibility to try multiple vendors for under £30 total. Best for budget-conscious foodies and casual eaters. This is a easy activity lasting 2 hours. Group size: max 18. You meet at Old Market Square. Key highlights: Visit to Old Market Square and active market stalls, Four to five street food vendor tastings, International food options: Indian, Turkish, Italian, Caribbean, Chinese.

Price: £25

Duration: 2 hours

Difficulty: easy

Group size: max 18

Best for: budget-conscious foodies and casual eaters

Best time: Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday mornings or early afternoons when market activity peaks; spring through autumn for best vendor variety

Meeting point: Old Market Square

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

11:00am Meet at Old Market Square fountain - Guide provides overview of Nottingham's informal street food economy and the vendors you'll encounter.

11:15am First vendor stop: established stall or cart - Sample an item from a long-running vendor; guide explains their history and customer base.

11:35am Walk through market stalls section - Browse permanent and seasonal market vendors selling ingredients, ready-made foods, and specialities.

12:00pm Second and third street food stops - Taste kebab, curry, pizza, or other casual food from different vendors; guide shares cultural background.

12:30pm Final vendor or independent tasting - Last stop for a sweet item or final savoury snack depending on the vendors present that day.

1:00pm Tour concludes at market area - Guide points out other vendors for independent exploration and suggests best value-for-money stalls.

The whole experience takes 2 hours. Difficulty: easy. You meet at Old Market Square.

• Visit to Old Market Square and active market stalls
• Four to five street food vendor tastings
• International food options: Indian, Turkish, Italian, Caribbean, Chinese
• Opportunity to see informal food economy in action
• Best on Tuesdays, Fridays, or Saturdays when markets are busiest
• Accessibility: Flat paved surfaces; Old Market Square is wheelchair accessible; some market stalls may have tight spacing; guide accommodates slower pace

What is included: Guided 2-hour walking tour, Four to five street food tastings from different vendors, Information about vendors' backgrounds and food traditions, Recommendations for lunch purchases after tour.

Not included: Full meals, Seating or eating areas, Transport between vendors, Entrance fees to other attractions. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Cash (limited card payments at some stalls), Comfortable walking shoes, Water bottle, Appetite for multiple small tastings, Napkins or wet wipes. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday mornings or early afternoons when market activity peaks; spring through autumn for best vendor variety.

Tip: Best on market days (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday)

Tip: Bring appetite and cash

Accessibility: Flat paved surfaces; Old Market Square is wheelchair accessible; some market stalls may have tight spacing; guide accommodates slower pace.

Operator: Nottingham Food Walks

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Nottingham Castle (12 min walk)
• The Caves of Nottingham (10 min walk)
• National Videogame Museum (15 min walk)

This activity is run by Nottingham Food Walks.

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 24 hours before; non-refundable within 24 hours of tour start.

Accessibility: Flat paved surfaces; Old Market Square is wheelchair accessible; some market stalls may have tight spacing; guide accommodates slower pace.

Best time to go: Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday mornings or early afternoons when market activity peaks; spring through autumn for best vendor variety.

Why is this tour only on market days?

Old Market Square and the city-centre food markets operate primarily on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On other days, vendor numbers drop significantly and the variety of food options reduces substantially, making those days unsuitable for this tour.

Do I need cash for this tour?

Most street vendors operate primarily on cash, though some have card readers. Bring cash and plan for an extra £10-15 if you want to buy additional food beyond the tastings. ATMs are available near Old Market Square.

What type of food can I expect on this tour?

Expect international street food: Turkish kebabs, Indian samosas and curries, Italian pizza, Caribbean patties, Chinese noodles, and British staples. The exact vendors vary depending on the day and season, so the menu changes tour to tour.