Mercato Mayfair: The Market Hiddden Within a Church (Full Review)

Last Updated on 24th September 2026 by Charlotte Nadeau

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Tucked away in the heart of Mayfair and housed within the former St Mark’s Church, you’ll find one of London’s busiest and most buzzing food halls. Mercato Mayfair is a collection of independent food and drink vendors all under the roof of a 19th-century Grade I-listed deconsecrated building, drawing in tourists and locals alike for its unique setting and vibrant atmosphere. But as with everything in London, a visit here doesn’t come cheap. So, you’ll probably be wondering whether or not it’s worth the hype?

What is Mercato Mayfair?

Mercato Mayfair is located in one of London’s (and in the world, for that matter) most affluent and expensive districts. Mayfair’s position in the city is in West Central London, within the City of Westminster. The two closest tube stops to Mercato Mayfair are Bond Street and Marble Arch, both of which are a 5-minute walk away.

Mercato Mayfair is one of London’s best markets for food, hailed for its unique architectural setting. Inside, you’ll find around 15 to 20 independent food and drink vendors, selling food from all corners of the world. Much like a traditional food hall setting, the idea is that you pick and choose from whichever stall you fancy, whenever, and take a seat and enjoy the convivial atmosphere.

Practical information

Mercato Mayfair is open seven days a week (including bank holidays), and it’s completely free to enter and wander around. You do not need to book in advance, though it’s worth knowing that at peak times it can be extremely busy and seating is sparse. Peak times tend to be Friday evenings, all weekend, and you’ll even find office workers flocking here for lunch breaks during the week days.

Once you head inside Mercato Mayfair, you’ll quickly realise there are many different entryways; this is because the market is set over four levels: the basement (super cosy), the ground floor (busiest area, where you can see the former altar), upper floor (balconies overlooking the church), and exterior terrace on the top floor.

I recommend heading into the main area on the ground floor first to get a feel for what’s on offer, as this is where you’ll find the main food vendors. However, I would then suggest having a look at the upper level before deciding, as there are a handful of food stalls there too. Essentially, have a good look around before making your final decision – I always find the smells and look of other people’s food helpful in choosing.

In terms of seating, it really is first come, first served. If you’re with people, it’s always helpful to take it in turns to get food so that you can secure a space. But, to be honest, no one stays here that long, so a seat will become available quite quickly (you just have to consider it like a busy car park sort of style).

Once you pick the place to eat, you go to order and pay at the individual vendor. Depending on how they do it, you’ll either be asked to wait there until they call your number, or receive a small buzzer which will go off once your food is ready to be collected.

Is Mercato Mayfair actually worth visiting?

So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of it: Is Mercato Mayfair actually worth visiting? To summarise what I’m going to say in short: yes and no. But I have good reasoning for both, and I will say I’ve been there twice now and haven’t had a bad time.

The first thing which is probably already apparent due to its location is that nothing in Mercato Mayfair comes cheap. Indeed, the food vendors and drinks here are at the higher end of prices. To put it into perspective for those who measure prices by pints, a typical pint of beer here costs somewhere between £6.60 and £7.00 – so, not cheap!

The food itself is tasty, but it’s definitely not the most authentic. Think of it more as street food; the portions are made for quick bites to eat, and I feel like that’s reflected in the quality you receive too.

However, with all that said, there are many reasons that make Mercato Mayfair worth visiting. The overall experience is really fun; if you visit during a slightly quieter time, it’s really nice to enjoy the atmosphere and unique architectural setting of this London market.

One of my favourite aspects of a visit here is to head to the bar near the altar area and order a beer, of which they serve in giant tankards! Then, you can sit and enjoy food or drinks in a very communal setting, while admiring stunning frescoes and stained glass details of the former church.

There’s a wide range of foods, from bao buns, pasta, fresh oysters, to tapas, Thai food and plenty more. And so, it makes for a great place to head with friends if you all have different food interests or dietary requirements.