As with the Edwardian booking hall that became Market Hall Fulham, a shopping arcade of similar vintage at Victoria has been repurposed as a buzzy food court. Go for coffee and cake at Press, or on a stronger tip, lager-ale hybrid Thornbridge Tzara and Cornish brewer Harbour's Helles in the ground-floor bar that champions British beers and spirits.
Handsomely converted on a shabby post-industrial theme, the building is home to 11 kitchens with broad appeal: smart noodles will dig Koya Ko, Baozi Inn's dim sum and Nonna Tonda's pasta plates; Gopal’s Corner by Roti King riffs on Malaysian tradition; Kerbisher & Malt offers a modern slant on fish & chips; veggies and vegans go nuts for Squirrel while on dank winter days, zingy Super Tacos by the Breddos boys and Flank’s nose-to-tail meaty feasts are just the ticket.
We were most impressed by the savoury umami hit of dan-dan noodles and the garlic-heavy Chengdu dumplings at Baozi Inn, and we also enjoyed a Desperate Dan-sized portion of beef short-rib cheeseburger from Flank, although the accompanying double-cooked chips were sliced so thickly they may as well have been sautéed potatoes.
In the upstairs lounge and, in fine weather, a new roof terrace bar, you can sip Serafin, a Tequila and pear mule, or Haibisukasu, a subtly spiced vodka and plum, East-meets-West sling from an adventurous cocktail list.
Along with the the new Nova development, Market Hall has transformed eating-out near Victoria station, with the added bonus of being affordable and approachable. If you’re after a cheap and casual eat before catching the train home or going to the theatre, you won’t go wrong here.