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Le Cafe du Marche (∗)

Address:22 Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6AH
Tel:020 7608 1609
Website: Visit Le Cafe du Marche website
Price: £53.00Wine: £14.95 Champagne: £36.00
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri 12N-2.30pm Mon-Sat 6-10pm

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A perilously narrow cobblestone mews transports you to a vision of the French countryside, courtesy of the exquisite Café du Marché. This much-loved Smithfield retreat calls itself a ‘café’ & others have described it as a bistro or brasserie, but the feel is more that of a rustic auberge. The three-course, classic French prix fixe menu (£33.85 for three courses) changes often, though the fish soup & côte de boeuf for two are as permanent as the brickwork & wood-beamed ceiling. Live piano fills the air with romance & even if the tables are a little too closely set, most agree that helpful staff make them feel special. For a more casual experience, grab a caned chair at Le Rendezvous (020 7336 8836), which features similar food in a more casual setting just outside of the mews.

Le Cafe du Marche Location:

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Reader reviews of Le Cafe du Marche:

Chris C.
Gold Reviewer

Chris C. ( 30s, Male, London )

Just looking at their web site, it looks like we ate in the café section, although I didn’t know that there were different sections. Something you’d think they’d ask when you book.

The menu is in French, so for those of us lacking our French O-level it makes ordering a little tricky. Fortunately with my fake Allo Allo style French accent I bluffed my way through.

For starters I had Jambon cru, figues et gorgonzola, which sounded much more exciting in French than it looked on the plate, but as ham and cheese go, it was quite good. For main I had one of the specials, cod in a prawn and seafood sauce/ broth. A passion fruit sabayon finish me off. All in all very good food, and pretty reasonable at £33.85 for the 3 courses.

2 October 2009
Overall:8
Food and Drink:8
Service:8
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:9
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Claire H.

Claire H. ( )

Editor's pick

This is one of my all time favourite restaurants. Every time I've visited, it's been a lovely experience all round. Everything about it, from the rustic charm of the interior and the cobbled street leading up to it, to the lighting and gentle piano playing in the background, makes an evening feel special. The côte de boeuf is consistently good and always cooked exactly as requested, and the accompanying potato dishes and vegetables or salad of the day are always of optimum freshness and quality, and cooked or dressed to perfection. Other dishes I have eaten there, including the fish soup, chick pea salad and fish of the day have been good, if not excellent. They have a fantastic and extensive wine list, and the sommelier recommends well. The waiting staff are always pleasant and helpful, and I like the nack they seem to have of judging when you need attending to and when you want to be left alone. I also like the way they care to state that they do not use GM ingredients on their menu. I could nit-pick about the food being a little too salty for my taste or about the service on the odd occasion, but essentially it's a trusty place that never lets me down.

2 June 2009
Overall:10
Food and Drink:8
Service:9
Atmosphere:10
Value for Money:8
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Robert B.
Gold Reviewer

Robert B. ( 40s, Male, United Kingdom )

Service is very erratic and sometimes typically French. I am not a fan of the set dinner menu, which I think is too limited and not very good value. Lunch offers a better experience.

September 2008
Overall:6
Food and Drink:7
Service:6
Atmosphere:7
Value for Money:6
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