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Market Halls Canary Wharf

restaurants•
London
London

Market Halls Canary Wharf

25 North Colonnade, London E14 5HD, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked into the heart of Canary Wharf's gleaming towers, Market Halls promises 'London's best food scene under one roof' with its industrial-chic food hall housing 8-11 rotating street food traders. With canal views, craft beer bars, and a claim to affordable dining in one of London's priciest postcodes, it's positioning itself as the antidote to corporate lunch monotony.

Market Halls Canary Wharf: Where Street Food Chaos Meets Canal-Side Charm

A sophisticated insider's take on London's buzzing food hall phenomenon

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The space strikes an interesting balance between industrial grit and Instagram-ready polish. The modern-rustic design features marble bars and leather seating that somehow works in this buzzy, high-energy environment that scores an impressive 8.5 out of 10 for liveliness. The real star is the large outdoor canal-side terrace offering views directly opposite the Elizabeth Line station - perfect for those sunset drinks and group photos the venue clearly courts. Inside, the spacious hall maintains that coveted industrial-style aesthetic with Instagram-worthy decor that justifies its 7.5 trendy factor score. Live music and sports screenings add to the atmosphere, though be warned - this place transforms after 6pm when the after-work crowd descends and things get genuinely hectic. The energy is infectious, but with a social group size score of 9.0, this is decidedly not an intimate dining experience.

Food & Drink

The food offering spans an impressive range with traders including BaoziInn, Pastaio, Le Bab, Black Bear Burger, Juk Pou, Nice Burger, Chick 'n' Sours, and Gopal's Corner. You'll find everything from burgers and tacos to Malaysian cuisine, fried chicken, dumplings, sushi, and kebabs, with thoughtful inclusion of vegan, vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free options. However, the self-service food court style comes with trade-offs - you order directly from vendors using buzzers for collection, which can mean 20-minute waits and the dreaded cold food during peak times. The rotating nature of traders keeps things fresh, but consistency can be a gamble. Mixed reviews highlight this tension between variety and execution, with the buzzy atmosphere sometimes coming at the expense of food temperature and timing.

Service & Experience

Service here is entirely self-service, which is both liberating and potentially frustrating depending on your expectations. You're navigating between multiple vendors for food and three separate bars for drinks - craft beer, cocktails, wine, and coffee are all available, but from different points. The buzzer system for food collection adds a gaming element that some find charming and others chaotic. Staff quality varies by trader, and during the post-6pm rush, the system can buckle under pressure. The venue is wheelchair accessible and allows pets, showing thoughtful consideration for diverse needs, though the hectic nature during peak times might challenge both accessibility and pet comfort.

Value for Money

With average spend under £30 per person, Market Halls delivers on its promise of being 'affordable for Canary Wharf' - no small feat in this expensive postcode. The venue scores well on group budget-friendliness and good value for money, though some note spending £40 for two burgers and fries, suggesting costs can creep up. The price level sits at 2 out of 4, positioning it as reasonably accessible. When you factor in the canal-side terrace, variety of options, and the convenience of having multiple cuisines under one roof, the value proposition makes sense for groups and casual dining. However, the potential for cold food and service hiccups means you're not always getting premium quality for your spend.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Arrive at 5:30pm to beat the dinner rush and secure coveted terrace seating - after 6pm, the place becomes genuinely hectic. Weekday lunchtimes offer a calmer experience, while Thursday through Saturday evenings (open until 11pm) provide the full buzzy atmosphere. Sunday closes earliest at 9pm, making it ideal for a more relaxed visit.

What to Focus On

With 8-11 rotating traders, focus on whatever's freshest and has the shortest queue. The dumplings from BaoziInn and Korean fried chicken from Juk Pou tend to be crowd favorites. For drinks, explore the three separate bars - the craft beer selection is particularly noted.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Your buzzer becomes your 'mini-map to food glory' - treat the collection process like a game rather than a choreThe canal-side terrace fills up fast during sunset hours, so scout your spot before orderingPrivate hire is available for events, making it an unconventional but memorable corporate venue option

The Final Verdict

Market Halls Canary Wharf succeeds as a vibrant social dining destination that brings genuine energy and variety to the often sterile Canary Wharf dining scene. The canal-side terrace and industrial-chic design create an appealing backdrop, while the rotating street food traders ensure there's something for everyone. However, the self-service chaos and potential for cold food during peak times prevent it from achieving dining excellence. It's best appreciated as a social experience rather than a culinary destination - the 4.0 experience depth score reflects this surface-level but undeniably fun approach to group dining.

Christoff's Rating:
6.8/10

Perfect For:

After-work groups seeking variety and buzzBudget-conscious diners wanting affordable Canary Wharf optionsSocial media enthusiasts hunting Instagram-worthy canal views

Quick Details

1

Market Halls Canary Wharf

⭐️ Street food market
⭐️ Group dining
⭐️ Canal views
⭐️ Instagram worthy

Eleven rotating street food traders create a culinary playground where Malaysian dumplings from BaoziInn compete with Korean fried chicken from Chick 'n' Sours under one industrial-chic roof. The self-service format with buzzer collection systems turns dining into an adventure,order from multiple vendors, grab craft cocktails from three separate bars, then claim your spot on the canal-side terrace with Elizabeth Line views. The modern-rustic design features marble bars and leather seating that photograph beautifully, while live music and sports screenings create a buzzy atmosphere perfect for group celebrations. Instagram-worthy moments happen naturally here, from sunset drinks on the outdoor terrace to the satisfying buzz of collecting your perfectly timed orders. The variety means everyone finds their perfect meal, whether craving Le Bab's kebabs or Pastaio's fresh pasta.

What's Great

✓ Eleven rotating traders offer incredible variety under one roof

✓ Canal-side terrace provides stunning Elizabeth Line and water views

Keep in Mind

× Self-service chaos during 6pm rush means cold food and 20-minute waits

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Arrive at 5:30pm to beat dinner rush and secure prime terrace seating for sunset views

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Wed: 12pm-10pm\nThu-Sat: 12pm-11pm\nSun: 12pm-9pm"
📍25 North Colonnade, London E14 5HD, United Kingdom
💷£££
📞+44 20 3931 0000
🌐Website

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Market Halls Canary Wharf has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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Aug 21, 2025
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