Mercato Metropolitano is one of the most recognisable names in the London market game, with spots in Elephant and Castle, Mayfair, and Canary Wharf that have consistently made for popular food and drink havens.
Now, they’ve ventured further east to present their latest spot in Ilford, which opened last week in a disused car park, and has wasted no time in getting people to flock in, having already shown the finals of both Wimbledon and the Euros (less said about that last one, the better).
There are more than 20 new food traders, spanning a variety of different cuisines and each offering a halal option. Highlights include delightful Ethiopian and Eritrean food from Injera Hub; a brilliant Mexican feed from Birria Taco; a spread of fried fish, squid and nibbles from Ink; and sweet heaven in the form of Baklava and Turkish Pastries from Bebek Baklava. Oh, and you’ll also find the MM Bar serving up a variety of beers, ciders and mixers to swig alongside your portions of food from the market.
It’s hailed as a brilliant initiative for the local community, with over 100 new jobs created in Ilford as part of the ‘Spark Ilford’ regeneration project to help drive interest in the area through arts entertainment, and food.
Plus, it’s conveniently placed just a few minutes from the Elizabeth line station in Ilford, meaning you won’t have to add to your hunger once you arrive as the servings will be right in front of you! It’s also right beside the Art gallery SPACE, Kenneth More Theatre and Redbridge Central Library Museum in the Cultural Quarter meaning you can stroll in to check one of them out after a feed.
Mercato Metropolitano Ilford is open now, and you can find it over at 3 Chadwick Road, Ilford, IG1 1EQ (nearest station is Ilford). Find out more about the new market at the Mercato Metropolitano website.