London is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, so it’s only natural that its food scene would be a reflection of that. In this post we will take you through two of our favourite food destinations… with a twist!
1. Mercato Mayfair
Since 2019, this beautiful Grade-1 listed building has been repurposed as a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. From fresh artisan Italian pasta to vibrant Mexican nachos, there is something for everyone here. The grand wooden doors welcome all walk-ins to the huge nave of what used to be St Mark’s Church, a heritage site still beautifully preserved in all its details.
The market offers four floors of food and drink stalls, including the crypt down below and a roof-top gallery. We took our time to explore all the options and finally landed on the first floor at Club Mexicana. We loved their loaded nachos dish – a light and abundant spread of nachos, cheese, beef and jalapenos, perfect for sharing…or not!
But something else caught our attention. On the same first floor, we couldn’t resist trying the Tandoori Chicken Naan at Bindas Eatery, a delicious, bold Punjabi creation of tandoori chicken, mango & green chutneys, red onions, in a buttered open naan. Pair it with a Mango Lassi with a surprising hint of cardamon, and your life will be complete.
There is so much more to Mercato Mayfair than just food. The building has been repurposed to perfection, with even the confession booth near the entrance being transformed into a photo booth while keeping its original features. The painted glass windows and detailed floor tiles give this food court a different edge – a modern-meets-old feel, where today’s life moves on from the past in all its beauty and diversity.
Top Tip: Check out their website mercatometropolitano.com before heading there, they often have special offers including lunchtime deals!
2. Market Halls Victoria
Located right next to Victoria Station, this cleverly restored Edwardian arcade is London’s biggest standalone food hall. The buzzy, communal atmosphere gives this space a feeling of outdoor eating – with family, locals and commuters alike grabbing lunch or a drink before going back to their daily activities.
The food hall spreads across three floors, with a beautiful roof-top terrace opening up to the Victoria Skyline, the perfect spot to watch the world pass you by.
Ranging from mouth-watering Malaysian street food at Gopal’s Corner to succulent black bean burgers at Black Bear Burger, there is something for everyone at Market Halls.
Top Tip: Check out the website’s calendar on markethalls.co.uk for up-coming events, such as the latest sport events showing or a DJ night!
We hope this post has whet your appetite and given you some ideas for your upcoming London days out! For more travel tips, visit our blog at onabreak.co.uk!
