London, Ontario food guide: Covent Garden Market, Richmond Row, Wortley Village and Old East Village

London sits roughly halfway between Toronto and Windsor in southwestern Ontario, and it is the region's largest city. People call it the Forest City, and it has a big university, a hospital district and a strong arts and music scene. The food reflects a mix of students, long-time locals and newcomers, and it is much less expensive than Toronto's.

What is Covent Garden Market?

Covent Garden Market is the public market in downtown London, open year-round, with food vendors and prepared meals. It is an old market with deep roots in the city. Inside you will find produce, meat, cheese, baking, coffee, and counters serving food from several cuisines. It is a good place for lunch, particularly on a rainy day. Hours vary by vendor, and some stalls are closed on Sunday and Monday, so check before you go.

Where is Richmond Row?

Richmond Row is the downtown stretch of Richmond Street, running north from the core towards Western University. It is lined with restaurants, pubs, cafés and bars, and is the busiest eating and drinking strip in the city, with a student crowd on weekend nights. Local guides recommend spending a day wandering up and down, with a meal at one of the older restaurants. The nearest food is a mix of casual and fine dining.

What is Wortley Village?

Wortley Village, south of downtown in the Old South neighbourhood, is a leafy, walkable village centre with independent shops, cafés and restaurants. It has a small-town feel inside the city. Local guides mention Japanese and Thai places and a fair-weather patio scene. It is a good place for a weekend brunch and a walk.

And Old East Village?

Old East Village, east of downtown along Dundas Street, has been revitalized over the past two decades. It has a farmers market, murals, independent cafés and restaurants, a growing brewery presence and an arts crowd. It is a good place to see what the city's younger cooks are doing, and prices are often lower than in Wortley or on Richmond.

What about farmers markets?

Besides Covent Garden, London has a weekend market at the Western Fair grounds, which sells local produce, artisan goods and prepared food, and the Old East Village market. Market days and seasons change, so check each one.

What food is typical of the region?

Southwestern Ontario is farm country, so menus often reflect it: corn, tomatoes, peaches, apples, beans and soy. Lake Erie perch and pickerel appear on menus as local fish. The city has Italian, Lebanese and Portuguese restaurants and a growing mix of Asian places, partly due to the university and a large number of newcomers.

When is the best time to go?

Summer, for patios and markets. Autumn, for harvest produce. Winter, when many restaurants are warm and easy to book. Student weekends bring crowds to Richmond Row, and university graduation weeks fill hotels and restaurants. If you want to eat at a popular place on a Friday or Saturday, book.

How much does it cost?

London is one of the cheaper cities in Ontario for eating out. HST of 13 percent is added to the menu price, and tips are 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill at table service.

How do you get there?

London is about two hours from Toronto by car, and VIA Rail and GO-style bus services run from Toronto. Within the city, buses link downtown, Old East Village, Wortley and the university. Cycling is a good option in summer.

What about arts and sports weekends?

London hosts concerts, university events and hockey and baseball games, and these affect the restaurant scene. When a big event is on, downtown restaurants fill early and parking is scarce. If you are planning dinner before a show or a game, book ahead and arrive well before the start. On quieter nights, many restaurants offer generous patios, and the Thames River pathways are a pleasant walk before or after a meal. Check the city's events calendar when you plan a weekend.

A simple plan

1. Breakfast at Covent Garden Market.
2. A walk on Richmond Row.
3. Lunch in Wortley Village.
4. An afternoon coffee in Old East Village.
5. Dinner downtown.

Heading somewhere else in Ontario? The Food in Ontario page links the rest.

How do you remember which London corner served what?

London's food sits in four small pockets, the market, Richmond Row, Wortley Village and Old East Village, and a list with one section for each keeps them straight. In the Mosey app, add a place with a note such as "soup at lunch, quiet at two" and rate the dish rather than only the room. A tag like Quick Service or Outdoor seating helps the next person choose, and a friend with the invite link can add the pocket you missed.

Answer the Top 3 question about London when it appears and you build a private ranking of your own, with up to three picks, that you can reread before a weekend visit.

More guides to read next:

• Muskoka food guide: farmers markets, butter tarts, maple and cottage-country timing
• Niagara-on-the-Lake food and wine guide: wineries, icewine, fruit stands and winery lunches
• Prince Edward County food guide: farm stands, cideries, wineries and the Taste Trail

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.

Next time you eat in London, open the Mosey app and rate the dish you would order again.