Le Cafe du Marche

4.8

1433 Reviews

£41 and over

French

22 Charterhouse Square, Charterhouse Mews, London, EC1M 6DX

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 24, 2025

April 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 33 times today

About this restaurant

Charming
Good for special occasions
Neighbourhood gem

Open for over three decades, Le Cafe du Marche remains a family run, independent French restaurant. Tucked down a cobbled mews on the corner of historic Charterhouse Square and a stones throw from the Elizabeth Line & Farringdon Stations, we offer honest French food in a convivial and characterful setting. Crossing the threshold, guests feel they escape the hustle and bustle of the Square Mile and instead are transported to the south of France. We have live jazz in the evenings

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
£41 and over
Cuisines
French, Contemporary French, European
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–2:15 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 6:00 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
020 7608 1609
Website
http://www.cafedumarche.co.uk/
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Antonio Pineda
Catering
Our two or three course menu is changed daily, based on seasonal ingredients and produce. Menu displayed is sample only.
Private party facilities
Le Cafe du Marche, open for nearly 30 years, is an independent, family run restaurant located down the end of a cobbled mews near Smithfield meat market. Renowned for it's ‘bonhomie’ and relaxed atmosphere, Le Cafe du Marche serves up formal dining in beautiful surrounds.

Location
22 Charterhouse Square, Charterhouse Mews, London, EC1M 6DX
Neighbourhood
Barbican
Parking details
<br><br />There are 'pay and display' places in the NCP car park in the square next to the restaurant. In the evenings, you can park in the nearby streets (single yellow lines).
Public transit
The nearest tubes are Farringdon and Barbican with the Elizabeth Line a 5 minute walk away. Overground: Farringdon Thameslink.
Entertainment
Piano and double bass, or solo pianist, play jazz music every evening in the Café.
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

La soupe du jour
La Soupe de Poisson
gruyère, croutons and rouille
Grilled octopus and chorizo with brandade
Sweet cured herring fillet, potato and egg salad with dill crème fraiche
Confit duck leg and gizzards with French beans, radishes and dandelion, sherry dressing
Toasted crumpet with grilled haloumi, avocado and poached egg, harissa dressing
Purple truffle potato and broccoli salad with orange, cashew nut cream, toasted hazelnuts

Les Plats

Le Plat du Jour
Le Poisson selon le Marche
La Cote de Boeuf, sauce béarnaise (for two persons, £19 supplement)
- For two people£12.00
Fillet of lamb neck, smoked hummus, tzatziki, roasted tomato and olives
Grilled sea trout fillet, salad Nicoise
Butter beans, fennel and tomato served with mixed leaves and toasted sourdough
Rack of lamb, wild mushrooms, dauphinoise potatoes, madeira sauce (for two persons - £18 supp)

Les Desserts

Le tarte du jour
Les desserts du jour
Les Fromages
- Supplement£6.00
Sorbet Ou Glace
Le bavarois du jour

What 1,433 people are saying

Le Cafe du Marche reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

City
Best Service
City
Best Ambience
City
French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Le Cafe du Marche is a hidden gem in Smithfield, offering a "classy and atmospheric" dining experience. Guests rave about the "wonderful ambience," "delicious food," and "excellent service." The restaurant features live music, creating a "romantic and special" setting. It's perfect for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings.

1,433 Reviews

C
Chris
Kent1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Cafe du Marche is a very good restaurant, I’ve been many times and always been pleased. The food is excellent, good brasserie fare, well cooked, changes with the seasons and good proportions. Decent wine list that is reasonably priced.
Is this helpful?
A
Adrian
London2 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely experience and food - thank you. Great choice of dishes and a splendid wine list
Is this helpful?
M
Marion
London2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely tucked away location, delicious food and excellent pianist. Classy and atmospheric.
Is this helpful?
R
Richard
London2 reviews
3.0
Dined on April 10, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
A nice lunchtime atmosphere in the restaurant. The first course, crumpet, etc was ok. The lamb cutlets were underdone and so tough I couldn’t chew them. I got halfway through and discarded the chewed bits on the sides of my plate. The waiter took it back to the kitchen and the second offering was better but still tough. The dessert was alright but considering the price of the meal it was not value for money. I rarely complain but feel it is justified on this occasion.
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G
George
Berkshire3 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 10, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The food (octopus and trout) was excellent and well served. However, on two occasions we had to call the server to place our order (first for the starter and main, and then for the dessert). Otherwise there was nothing to complain about, though I did feel surprised that the lunch menu is the same price as teh evening one. But that may be because it serves mainly city workers and fewer come in the evening.
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A
Alistair
London11 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A great French restaurant in the heart of Smithfield. The food, wine and service combination made for an excellent dinner.
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J
Jane
London1 review
5.0
Dined on April 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent quality restaurant, we went for our anniversary - good place for romantic and/or special occasions. Food was fantastic and location is very special.
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G
Gillian
London12 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 2, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Pleasant restaurant with attentive staff but rather uninteresting food
Is this helpful?
j
john
London1 review
5.0
Dined on April 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Really good French food and wine. And a really good live jazz duo.
Is this helpful?
P
Polly
London1 review
5.0
Dined on April 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
lovely restaurant! great food and lovely live music
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Le Cafe du Marche is rated 4.8 stars by 1433 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Home
United Kingdom
London
City
Barbican

Make a reservation

Booked 33 times today

22 Charterhouse Square, Charterhouse Mews, London, EC1M 6DX

Additional information

Neighbourhood
Barbican
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–2:15 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 6:00 pm–9:30 pm
Price
£41 and over
Cuisines
French, Contemporary French, European
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
<br><br />There are 'pay and display' places in the NCP car park in the square next to the restaurant. In the evenings, you can park in the nearby streets (single yellow lines).
Public transit
The nearest tubes are Farringdon and Barbican with the Elizabeth Line a 5 minute walk away. Overground: Farringdon Thameslink.
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Antonio Pineda
Entertainment
Piano and double bass, or solo pianist, play jazz music every evening in the Café.
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

Website
http://www.cafedumarche.co.uk/
Phone number
020 7608 1609
Catering
Our two or three course menu is changed daily, based on seasonal ingredients and produce. Menu displayed is sample only.
Private party facilities
Le Cafe du Marche, open for nearly 30 years, is an independent, family run restaurant located down the end of a cobbled mews near Smithfield meat market. Renowned for it's ‘bonhomie’ and relaxed atmosphere, Le Cafe du Marche serves up formal dining in beautiful surrounds.

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat

Le Cafe du Marche

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Menu

Two courses £46 and three courses £55

Les Entrées

La soupe du jour

La Soupe de Poisson

Grilled octopus and chorizo with brandade

Sweet cured herring fillet, potato and egg salad with dill crème fraiche

Confit duck leg and gizzards with French beans, radishes and dandelion, sherry dressing

Toasted crumpet with grilled haloumi, avocado and poached egg, harissa dressing

Purple truffle potato and broccoli salad with orange, cashew nut cream, toasted hazelnuts

Les Plats

Le Plat du Jour

Le Poisson selon le Marche

La Cote de Boeuf, sauce béarnaise (for two persons, £19 supplement)

Fillet of lamb neck, smoked hummus, tzatziki, roasted tomato and olives

Grilled sea trout fillet, salad Nicoise

Butter beans, fennel and tomato served with mixed leaves and toasted sourdough

Rack of lamb, wild mushrooms, dauphinoise potatoes, madeira sauce (for two persons - £18 supp)

Les Desserts

Le tarte du jour

Les desserts du jour

Les Fromages

Sorbet Ou Glace

Le bavarois du jour

What 1,433 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Le Cafe du Marche restaurant rated?

Is Le Cafe du Marche currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information