Maltby Street Market (London)

25 May 2013

Hidden little Gem….

I love a good food market, and what I’ve found about London is that there’s a myriad of bright and fantastic food markets in the city.

I have recently discovered Maltby Street Market, located behind Tower Bridge Road, where the different vendors are tucked away in the characteristic railway arches. I discovered this place after a recommendation from @Clerkenwell_Boy – and I’m so pleased I went! The place is a foodies heaven, with a number of food stalls and eateries basically cobbled together and tucked away under railway arches behind Tower Bridge road, not far from Bermondsey.

It’s a market with a more personable touch with the stall holders more than happy to stop and talk about their produce. There’s a very ad hoc and ‘honest’ feel, with a less touristy environment (unlike Borough and Spitafields). The produce on offer is a mix between British country style food. With a deli, gin house – I loved the look of Little Bird which serves its very own London gin; French bakery and homemade cakes, freshly baked Portuguese tarts to delight and amuse. Um, hello cured meats and cheeses! It’s the perfect place for picking up some pantry staples or to craft your very own charcuterie and cheese plate.

Nigel Slater described the place perfectly in the Observer… “I have often dreamed of finding a perfect place to do my food shopping. A place far from the strip-light nightmare of the supermarket; somewhere that offers the best of a farmers’ market with a taste of something from further afield. A slightly secret and hidden place, where supply goes with the ebb and flow of the seasons, where there is a constantly evolving group of traders bringing things to tempt and delight.” – I couldn’t agree more with Nigel.

Finally, you really can’t leave without a warm drink and a little sweet snack. Kill two birds with one stone, yes? (that’s what I did :). You must visit the tasteful French bakery, Comptoir Gourmand ~ their pastries and tarts looked absolutely incredible! (and very reasonably priced too).

Maltby Street Market is a wonderful place to hang out on a Saturday.  Go on, peek through all the artisanal delights but without the pushy crowd – Missie Cindz

Maltby Street, Bermondsey, London, SE1 3PA | Nearest tube: London Bridge or Bermondsey | Twitter: @MaltbyStMkt

{Photos by Cindy Cheung and Baz Chan}

Missie Cindz