London's Mercato Mayfair: A Foodie’s Paradise In A Historic Church

If you are looking for a unique and delicious experience in London, you might want to visit Mercato Mayfair, a food hall that occupies a former church in the city's heart. Mercato Mayfair is not just a place to eat but also to explore, learn, and enjoy.

The food hall is located in St. Mark’s Church, a Grade-I listed building from 1828. The church was deconsecrated in 1974 and was used as an antiques market until 2015. In 2019, it reopened as Mercato Mayfair after a £5 million restoration that preserved the church's original features, such as the stained-glass windows, the organ, and the altar.

The Mercato Metropolitano Group

Mercato Metropolitano was founded by Andrea Rasca, a former vice-president of the Italian food hall brand Eataly, in Milan in 2015. He wanted to create a place where people could connect with each other and with the producers of their food, while also supporting local economies and the environment.

In 2016, Mercato Metropolitano opened its first London food hall in Elephant & Castle, a former paper factory that was transformed into a vibrant space with more than 40 food stalls, a cinema, a brewery, a bakery, and a cooking school. In 2019, it opened another London food hall in a former Mayfair church, which features a rooftop garden, a cocktail bar, and an art gallery.

A Community Effort Towards Sustainability

Mercato Metropolitano is not just a food market, but also a social enterprise that aims to revitalise neighbourhoods and promote sustainability. It has incubated more than 40 food and beverage businesses to date, providing them with training, mentoring, and customer access. It also organises events and workshops on topics such as urban farming, healthy eating, and waste reduction.

Mercato Metropolitano also publishes annual reports that showcase its financial performance, social impact, and environmental initiatives. For example, in 2019, its total revenues were 53 per cent up on 2018, making the MM Group's growth rate almost 14 times higher than the industry average. It also achieved a positive social return on investment of £4.63 for every £1 spent and reduced its carbon footprint by 23 per cent per visitor compared to 2018.

Mercato Mayfair is part of the Mercato Metropolitano group, London’s first sustainable community market. The group aims to promote social inclusion, environmental awareness, and local economy through food and culture. Mercato Mayfair follows this vision by offering a range of street food, drinks, events, and more.

Eat To Your Heart's Content

The market has two floors of food stalls that serve dishes from around the world, such as Italian pizza, Japanese ramen, Turkish kebabs, Indian curry, and Mexican tacos. All the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced; some are even grown on-site in the rooftop garden. You can also find a grocery shop that sells organic produce, artisan cheese, bread, and wine.

If you are thirsty, you can choose from various drinks at Mercato Mayfair. There is a wine-vaulted cellar that houses a brewery and a cocktail bar. A coffee shop also serves breakfast from 10 am to 12 noon every day. And if you want to enjoy the view, you can head to the rooftop terrace overlooking the city skyline.

Mercato Mayfair is not only about food and drink, but also about community and culture. The market hosts regular events such as live music, art exhibitions, workshops, and talks. A community centre also offers free activities and services for the local residents. Mercato Mayfair aims to be a place where people can meet, share, and learn from each other.

Things To Do Nearby

If you are a fan of Harry Potter, you can join the Original Harry Potter Locations Tour - London, which will take you to some of the iconic locations from the movies, such as Diagon Alley, Platform 9 3/4, and the Ministry of Magic. You can also see other famous landmarks along the way, such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square.

If you have a sweet tooth, you can treat yourself to the Private Mayfair Chocolate Ecstasy Tour for 2, which will take you to some of the best chocolate shops in London. You will sample a variety of chocolates, from truffles to hot chocolate, and learn about the history and production of this delicious treat.

If you are interested in history and culture, you can visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, which is located in Grosvenor Square. This memorial commemorates the friendship between the US and the UK during World War II, and features a bronze statue of the former president sitting on a wheelchair. You can also see other memorials in the square, such as the Ronald Reagan Statue and the 11 September 2001 Memorial Gardens.

If you are looking for some shopping and entertainment, you can head to Bond Street, one of London's most prestigious and expensive streets. You can find luxury brands, art galleries, jewellery shops, and auction houses here. You can also catch a movie at The Cinema at Selfridges, which is located inside the famous department store.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can hop on a speedboat and enjoy the Ultimate Tower Blast from Tower Millennium Pier. This thrilling ride, which lasts 40 minutes, will take you along the Thames River at high speed, passing by landmarks such as Tower Bridge, The Shard, and The London Eye. You will also hear some fun facts and stories from your guide.

Getting There

You can reach Mercato Mayfair by tube (Bond Street or Marble Arch stations), bus (6, 7, 10, 13, 23, 73, 94, 98), or bike (Santander Cycles docking stations nearby). The market is located at St. Mark’s Church, North Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1K 6ZA.

Opening Hours

Mercato Mayfair is open seven days a week, including bank holidays. The opening hours are as follows:

Monday–Thursday: 12–11 pm

Friday-Saturday: 12–12 am

Sun: 12–10 pm.