Le Café du Marché, London
Renowned as an atmospheric and convivial French restaurant, Le Café du Marché has been open for three decades and is still family-run. Tucked away down a cobbled mews in historic Smithfield, it is one of the oldest restaurants in the area. Downstairs a characterful restaurant serves authentic French cuisine, while upstairs is a unique private dining room - perfect for parties, dinners, corporate events and wedding celebrations.
The regularly changing à la carte menu uses the best fresh and seasonal ingredients, features daily specials and ever popular dishes such as la cote de boeuf with sauce béarnaise; braised beef bourguignon and celeriac puree; mousse au chocolat and classic French cheese and wine.
The ground floor restaurant saw extensive renovation during 2017 to open up the previously separate café. The space retains the bare brick walls and beams of this former warehouse and coach house for neighbouring Charterhouse. The atmosphere is that of a traditional French brasserie, with live jazz in the evenings. In the summer tables spill out onto the pavement.
The high-ceilinged first-floor private dining room, Le Grenier “the attic”, has large windows and characterful oak panelling, creating a light and rustic French atmosphere in the centre of London. The room is self-contained with its own entrance, bar, toilets, and kitchen. The light and airy space seats up to 62 people for lunch or dinner and up to 120 for canapés but is also cosy enough to suit smaller groups too.
Downstairs, Le Rendezvous seats up to 35 and benefits from the background live jazz that plays in the main restaurant. The whole restaurant can be hired for parties of 150 to 300 people.
