When you want a chilled lunch, Mare Street Market in Kings Cross delivers. I was meeting two friends for a Thursday get-together at this branch of the original Hackney hangout. Their winning combination of flavour-packed food, no faff, and decent prices made this an easy recommendation for our catch-up. Busy enough to buzz but relaxed enough that we could hear ourselves think. If you’re looking for easy-going lunch spots near King’s Cross or wondering where to eat in Lewis Cubitt Square, Mare Street Market is worth considering.
“Tasty, no-nonsense food in buzzy surroundings, this place gets the balance just right,” Homegirl London.
Mare Street Market Kings Cross Lunch Menu
We skipped starters, but not for lack of temptation. Korean cauliflower wings with chilli sesame ranch and the four-cheese arancini with truffle mayo and parmesan sounded enticing. If you’re interested, these small plates are priced from £8 to £ 14.
I was eyeing up three dishes: the vegan courgette pizza with roasted garlic, the vegan burger, and the daal with soft egg, crispy shallots, and buttered flatbread. The daal won. And honestly? I have no regrets because it was rich, warmly spiced, and comforting.
The two friends were being super healthy; one opted for the beetroot and ricotta salad with pink grapefruit and candied pecans, while the other had the grilled chicken Caesar with anchovy dressing and crispy shallots.
If you’re not being virtuous, go for the buttermilk fried chicken burger, double-smash cheeseburger, Korean wings, or steak and chips instead. I admit to ordering the fries below! Mains cost £12.50–£ 22.50.
Then there’s the pizza menu, which is bold, brilliant, and a little bit bonkers. Think truffle and burrata, pepperoni with hot honey, beef birria with salsa verde, or jerk chicken with scotch bonnet cream. It starts simple (hello, Margherita, at £7.50), but you can be extravagant at £15 if you’re feeling fancy.
Dessert was a no-brainer for me. Chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream and wild berries, please. It had that dreamy gooey middle, and yes, I ate every last bit. Other puddings might include sticky toffee, apple crumble, or a banana split with chocolate ice cream and peanut brittle. Desserts are £8.
Helpful Information About Mare Street Market Kings Cross
Along one wall, there’s a run of small indie shops worth a nose around, these include Plantfull (plants), The Great Frog (rock ‘n’ roll jewellery), Nobody’s Business (tattoos), They Made This (art prints), Magma (design books and gifts), and Pure White Lines (vintage lighting and furniture).
The interiors are expansive in an industrial-chic style with striking lighting. It’s got that cool, unbothered energy that makes you want to linger. You’ll find Mare Street Market at Lewis Cubitt Square, London N1C 4DY, just a couple of minutes’ walk from Kings Cross Station, Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard. There’s also the Chandelier Room upstairs if you’re looking for something more secluded. For opening times, brunch menus, and Sunday roasts, visit the Mare Street Market website.
If you want to explore the area, you may find these articles of interest:
Kings Cross London N1C Helpful Area Guide
Ten Things To Do In Kings Cross London N1C
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about eateries where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research as standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the establishment is still in business and what the opening times are before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.