SL Reviews: Market Hall Fulham

The concept…

Market Halls – a group of UK-based, community-minded property investors and restaurateurs – had just one aim when it decided to open Fulham’s newest dining destination: to redefine the concept of British food halls by turning unloved public spaces with historic interest back into communal places once more. In this case, it’s Fulham Broadway’s former ticketing hall that’s been given a makeover from derelict site to buzzing food hall, crammed with street-food vendors and bars.

With a 200-seat capacity, the concept allows guests to take their pick of the wares, mixing and matching meals as they go, before grabbing a spot at one of the communal tables. Soon there’ll be an app to make the stall-to-seat experience even more seamless – which means no more queues.

The setting…

Dating back to 1880, the venue offers plenty of Edwardian splendour as you tuck into your dish of choice – you don’t get that in Westfield’s food court. The original brickwork has been given a polish, the wood-panelled ticket booths have been transformed into a lengthy bar, while a deli and ice-cream seller are housed behind the building’s vintage-tiled shopfronts.

It’s not just a spot for lunch and dinner – this all-day dining destination also has a children’s play area, and plenty of conveniently placed plug sockets for anyone looking to combine work with a coffee and doughnut from Press Coffee.

It’s open until 11pm seven days a week, making it a great place for after-work drinks and weekend birthday gatherings.

The food…                       

Market Hall is definitely a place that demands repeat visits. That’s not just down to the bustling atmosphere, but the fact that there are nine tempting traders and it’s extremely hard to pick what to order.

A few recommendations to help you along: Thima by Farang’s ‘Crying tiger with chilli beef noodles’ (a cold noodle salad with bags of heat and flavour); Yard Sale Pizza’s Salsiccia e Friarielli (wild Italian broccoli with fennel sausage and chilli flakes); and the punchy Tangra garlic and chilli prawns from Calcutta Canteen. Then there’s Soft Serve Society – the place to head for picture-perfect sundaes and Swiss rolls. (Our pick? Charcoal vanilla with Earl Grey.)

The drinks…

This is a great spot to try a new tipple, as the team has decided against selling big-brand drinks, instead opting for small-batch, independent British producers. Take the beer, for example, where North Cornwall brewers Harbour have created house lager ‘Market Helles’ just for this venue.

Its signature cocktail, the Fulham Spritz, is a riff on a more traditional Aperol spritz, but uses local craft spirits. Elsewhere, free water refilling stations throughout keep everyone hydrated, and aims to keep the plastic count low.

The verdict…

This is definitely ideal for group gatherings – commandeering a number of feasting tables made for a lively night out for the SL team, especially as we decided to share our wares and try as much different food as possible. And it’s true – there really is something for everyone here. In our group, those who wanted to go healthy opted for quinoa and salmon bowls at Ahi Poke, while those who needed to negate the next day’s impending hangovers cushioned the blow with fried buttermilk chicken sandwiches from Butchies and halloumi and aubergine kebabs from Fanny’s.

And with the news that another hall is opening in Victoria this summer, followed by its biggest site yet in Oxford Circus in the winter, we’re predicting something of a dining revolution.

To celebrate the opening, SL VIPs can claim an exclusive 2 for 1 drinks on either the Market Helles Lager, created by Cornish brewers Harbour or the Fulham Spritz, using Kamm & Sons, St Germain, fizz and hop tonic.

Visit SheerluxeVIP.com to become a member today and redeem this offer.

472 Fulham Road, Fulham SW6 1BY