For a while now, we’ve been keeping an eye on Maltby Street, where a handful of food producers with premises in Bermondsey railway arches began trading on Saturdays a few years ago. Before word got out, it was nothing but a sideline to their regular daily work, with chefs and other industry people chatting on folding chairs outside Monmouth Coffee Co or popping into Tony Booth’s, aka Tayshaw, for some seasonal veg.
But what a difference a year makes. Maltby Street, Stanworth Street and Druid Street have developed into a formidable community of artisan food and drink producers, all selling produce of outstanding quality. From Norwegian smoked salmon to Polish sausage, St John custard doughnuts to Catalan-style cod doughnuts, this corner of SE1 has a little bit of everything for the discerning food shopper.
And forget Borough-style hustle and bustle. The charm of Maltby Street lies in its laidback, leisurely pace. You can sample delicious produce and chat to the traders as you shop. But good luck getting a seat at 40 Maltby Street, the wine bar attached to Gergovie Wines – it doesn’t take reservations, and its reputation is bigger than its floorspace
Trading takes place Saturday mornings, 9am–2pm.
Top traders to try:
Monmouth Coffee
Monmouth Coffee Company, 34 Maltby Street
The London coffee firm’s training and production HQ, 34-36 Maltby Street, where you can kick off your outing with a damn fine cappuccino.
St John Bakery
St John Bakery, 72 Druid Street
Enjoy a custard-filled doughnut, pick up some majestic sourdough or mini Eccles, and peep into one of the best bakeries in the world, at Arch 72, Druid Street.
The Butchery
The Butchery Ltd, 1 Rope Walk
Buy truly remarkable free-range meats from Nathan Mills.
Kernel Brewery
The Kernel Brewery, 1 Rope Walk
Superb pale ales, India pale ales and London porters and stouts, hand-made on the premises at 1 Ropewalk. See our Kernel feature here.
Topolski, Kase Swiss, Boerenkaas, Jacob’s Ladder Farms
Topolski, Kase Swiss, Boerenkaas, Jacob’s Ladder Farms, 104 Druid Street
Serious cheese from Switzerland, at 104 Druid Street, a space they share with Topolski Polish goods, Boerenkaas Dutch cheese and Jacob’s Ladder Farms quality meat and eggs.
