About us & Frequently asked questions

WHO ARE THE OWNERS OF THE MARKET COFFEE HOUSE?

Peter and Kay Sinden. Peter is a builder, and Kay is formerly an economist in the City.
They have owned the premises since 1995.

HOW OLD IS THE MARKET COFFEE HOUSE?

The business began trading on 10th September, 2001.

HOW OLD IS YOUR BUILDING?

1670 seems a probable date for the oldest part of the building. It is listed, mainly for the raised and fielded panelling on the first floor. Until the demise of the wholesale fruit and vegetable market (in May 1991), it was used as a trader's warehouse and store. For many years it was famous as the Percy Dalton building. The coffee house was made with the salvaged interior of The Bell public house, Carter Lane (demolished 1999). The restaurant interior utilises, on the ground floor, salvaged oak from Christchurch, Spitalfields (by Nicolas Hawksmoor ,1720's).

DO YOU HAVE TOILETS?

Yes, for customers' use only.

ARE YOU ORGANIC?

No, but we make every effort to source the very best ingredients for all our products. Our eggs are free range. Our drinking chocolate is real, shaved chocolate, not powder. Our coffee is roasted just outside London. Our teas are best quality, loose leaf. Our food is fresh, local and English.

DO YOU RECYCLE?

Yes. We recycle all paper, cardboard, metal, glass and plastic. We use crockery for all food service except takeaway. We are committed to energy conservation, cutting packaging and reducing waste. Our building project is an exercise in repair and re-use of historic fabric.

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE RESTAURANT?

We have expanded the Coffee House to make a restaurant, with dining on the ground floor and a modern kitchen in a new purpose-built cellar. Soon we will extend the dining area to the whole of the first floor, to include private dining in a fully panelled room.

WHAT DO YOU SERVE?

We are offering cooked breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner menus. A licensed bar is available.

ARE YOU LICENSED?

Yes. The restaurant now serves mainly French wines by the bottle and glass. We will shortly be serving table wine (Macon Rouge) in carafes. Regular deliveries of bottled wine come from our City wine merchants. We also offer an exceptional fine wine list of Clarets, Burgundies and French country wines aged in our own cellar. Bottled beer, spirits and cocktails are also be available.

WHY HAVE A WEBSITE?

To reach out, explain, inform and respond to our customers' needs. Please get in touch.