Not another bloody market kitchen

that’s a food court

I love the market kitchen idea as an affordable way for small independent businesses to set up and get footfall, but because of the small kitchen size each one can only offer a limited menu, and the moment anything big brand gets added it kills it for me. I think it's mainly for caterers who usually travel (i.e. festivals, wedding) and is a good way to get income in between. But I agree OP, sometimes you just want good, different food in a lovely restaurant where the ambiance and service is part of the experience.

"Market kitchens" as a jazzed-up version of a food court, sometimes all from the same vendor, have been around for decades...I remember being quite seduced by one as a teenager, mainly because of the plants and decoration trying to make it resemble an old-fashioned outdoor market. But eventually, I did realise that it still involved wandering around with a tray trying not to spill things, the food wasn't any better than at a regular food court, and I still had to sit at an uncomfortable table with people rushing around it in an echoey loud place where conversation was difficult. I don't mind going to a food court on occasion, but would prefer to also have options in terms of smallish restaurants with table service.

As for @likelysuspect mentioning restaurants with websites that waffle on about personal journeys and don't give the opening hours or contact information in an obvious place: I hear you! One of my neighbours has restaurants. He's a brilliant cook. But while the websites always look really slick, the communication of basic information is somewhat wanting, and seems to be focused on Instagram. It wouldn't occur to most of his target clientele to look there for restaurant opening hours; they'd want to check the website. Nothing wrong with advertising on Instagram, but the website needs to be in order first.

Food courts are fine for a casual meal/lunch, but I'd never eat in one for a proper dinner.

The first time I came across a food court was in Australia about 35 years ago and I remember being in awe of it at the time. The US has some good ones but I find the English ones really dire. Never heard them called Market Kitchens, a rebrand to make them sound healthy and upmarket I guess.

Maybe if I could sit down with kids and order on an app it would work better than standing at each outlet separately.
I also find them noisy and uncomfortable.
The Timeout Market in Lisbon is on another level though. Had to get there early for a table and guard it!

I've never heard of a market kitchen. But from your description, I have been to one when visiting Bristol. I thought it was a good idea. I have 3 towns within less than an hour drive and none of them have one.

What are you hoping for? A particular type of cuisine? A new type?

Yes! DH and i did eat there once but spent quite a bit of time dithering about where to sit down because it was all long bench table things dotted about with only one or two people on each - clearly really spread out to avoid invading each others space.

Ohhh the 'pop up' food sellers. Would have been selling out of a van in the old days but now they're in little stalls next to each other.

There's one in the town nearest to me which is inside what used to be the ground floor of a massive British Home Stores. You used to walk through it from outside to get into one end the now all but deserted shopping centre.

When ever i see it i just remember good old BHS and getting my kids uniforms in there. And i mourn the loss all over again of Debenhams up the other end 😔 ! Sorry not the point of the thread.

So this one i'm on about is very dark and grungy feeling (walls and ceilings and floor all painted black) and vendors seem to change a lot. It's never very busy. They decorate their space brightly and have obvs spent a lot on trying to attract customers but are gone again after a month.

I think they are a great idea apart from the seating.

Usually long benches and you're expected to sit next to others you don't know.

I like the idea, for a quick lunch with a group. But it’s not relaxing, or particularly sociable. Up and down separately, to different stands, then again for the bar, having to find a place to sit. The same reason I dislike a hotel buffet on holiday.

I know what you mean, but like anything it has its uses.

We just got one of these and it's great as our town has lots of smaller places difficult to get in spontaneously or in bigger groups . It has a play area and some shops too. They have also started having live music.

There'sno queue for different vendors though as it's all via a website (can order from the vendors if you want to though)

Obviously plenty of people moaning on social media that they miss the old market with it's tripe, leaky roof and pigeons

Aka, the wanky version of the Bluewater food court

Yes OP Im with you, also 'pop ups' and pubs or places where the entire website seems to be about the owners 'story' and 'journey'.

Oh fuck off and just let me know your opening times, food serving times (which are no where to be found on the website)

ah…
so a street food market type of place

We have the Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield which is brilliant especially for big groups. It means we can cater for all the different requirements and everyone will find something they like.

I think the main difference to a lot of shopping centre food courts is they are smaller independent places, rather than national chains like subway/KFC etc.

I like the concept and they can be great with big groups, but agree they feel a bit ubiquitous now rather than the novel idea they were a couple of years ago.

The term usually used is “food hall” so I can understand why some folks were confused at first. https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2025/07/03/running-the-halls-the-food-hall-sector-under-the-microscope/

I kind of know what you mean, away this weekend and while we ate very well, it was all, small plates and they’ll come out when they are ready. I think I, unusually, was hankering a bit just to have my own meal….

What kind of food experiences do you want to open in your town, @Peacemirl ?

Name three.

You often get this kind of eating experience in food courts in shopping malls - the Oasis in Meadowhall for example.

The indoor market in my local town has a market kitchen with lots of food outlets with a common eating area. They are pretty commonplace.

Sheffield has several market kitchen style food outlets.

I never heard the term market kitchen before but we have one near us and I love it! Works for us as we all have different preferences..

Would guess the OP is in London and thoroughly spoiled by the variety on offer there.

If you are outaide London, where arw you?

More of a food hall than a food court. They're like Mackie Mayor, Altrincham Market House, Kargo MKT (separate to the food court in the same mall), and Stockport Produce Hall in Greater Manchester. They do get a bit samey especially when it's tacos, pies, noodles, etc., but I like them! I've been to ones in Fremantle, Oslo (Mathallen, Bar Code, etc.), Poland (Judah, etc.), Estonia (Balti Jaama Turg), Vietnam (Ben Nghe Street Food, etc.) loads of places. They are similar to food courts, but different. More independents and fewer chains.