It appears that this place was much better a few years ago. We were surprised to find the restaurant totally empty upon arrival. We had the potato soup for starters which was cold and needed some salt. The mussels dish was good and so was the pan fried sea bass. The steak was below average. We then had the chocolate cake(average) and cream brûlée(below average).
Tom V.
Rating des Ortes: 2 San Francisco, CA
The reviews seemed so promising, and some aspects of them were correct in my experience — the wait staff was friendly, and the place was cute. The food and wine left something to be desired, though. The wine was a bottle with a message in it, and the message was«beware». The proprietor seems to be French, so it is confusing why the wine choices were so limited. Then again, perhaps my expectations were too high for a French restaurant in London — let alone Soho. I ordered the frog legs appetizer, but received the mussels instead. They brought the frog legs long after the rest of my table had finished their foix gras(which, they said, was passable). For the main course, most of us ordered the Pièce du boucher sauce béarnaise. The meat was overcooked. The fries and sauce were OK. Overall it was kind of meh… Also worth saying, even though it was Monday night, we were the only customers the entire night, except for a staggering drunk who fell over a table outside.
Leoinc
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Went here last night and had an enjoyable meal. I had the toulouse sausage with dauphinoise potatoes and vegetables while my partner had moules frites. The toulouse sausages were excellent, and the portion so large that I couldn’t finish the meal, I had to leave over half the potato and vegetables. My partner thought her moules were great as well. We also had a side dish of green beans which were lovely, butvery heavy on the butter(some would say that is a good thing). The only downside would be the lack of space. We were at the front of the restaurant, and very close to two other tables. This made it a bit difficult to carry on a private conversation and we could hear everyone else’s conversations too.
Mikebu
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
Great place.
RogerM
Rating des Ortes: 1 London, United Kingdom
This place is rubbish now. Really awful vinaigrette with the goats cheese salad. Far too strong and the veg a day old after the cutting. Really soft tomatoes, but in a bad way. Cheese served on little bits of soggy bread, which is not advertised.
Marisa F.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Denver, CO
I had high hopes for Bar Du Marche and ended up disappointed. First we ordered a carafe of white wine, and we were brought red. Then, my lasagne which came out ice cold. Instead of discounting the poor food I was offered coffee or cognac –which I was not interested in. The atmosphere of this place is really great, it is a very cute place but overpriced considering the quality of food. I think it would be a nice place to sit down for a glass of wine and appetizers but my overall experience was not good. I’m afraid I will not be going back to Bar Du Marche.
Garygi
Rating des Ortes: 4 Londres, Royaume-Uni
Un bistro excellent. La rue n’est pas tres chic mais l’ambience et la cuisine du restaurant est vraiment francaise. Le chef patron discute avec les clients, et le montant est assez petit pour Londres. Comment ameliorer?
Caren H.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
This place has classic unprentious French charm written all over it. Small and cozy there is just something very Parisian about it. We strolled in there on a quiet afternoon(Boxing Day) and were delighted with our carafe of wine, French onion soup(that was fantastic!), caesar salad and baguette. The menu is typical French fare and they seem to do it well. The chef popped out to say hello and was very charming and of course we adored the French accent. Definitely a nice change of pace for a decent and affordable meal in Soho.
Chieh T.
Rating des Ortes: 3 San Francisco, CA
I went there because of all the raving reviews on qype, and while I like the place fine, I’m definitely not raving about it. I lived in France for four months, so I was really looking forward to having some good classic French dishes like steak/mussel and fries. The place itself is cool, very family/casual-like, filled with drunken, merry regulars at the bar shooting the shit with the owner. But I really wasn’t impressed with the food. The mussels really didn’t seem to absorb that much of the white wine broth and were mediocre in flavor. The steak and fries was probably the most disappointing, as it is one of the most simple yet satisfying French foods — the steak was too thin and the sauce not up to par. Or maybe I’m being snobby by expecting to have an experience similar to that in Paris… but that’s not unreasonable given that everyone apparently loves this place. I really, really wanted to like this place, but I can’t give it more than 3 stars.
Na
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
A little gem in Soho — a bit away from the main bit and quite easy to walk past. This place actually feels like you’re in France, a lovely, relaxed café style place. Walls are covered in art and bits and pieces, all a bit mish mash which adds to the cool feel. They have a set menu which is not much cheaper than eating a la carte. Well, interestingly the first page of the menu is a range of starters and mains which are pretty cheap — and then the rest of the menu has more choices at slightly higher prices. And the wines are good and inexpensive — I like that this place is clearly proud of all its food and doesn’t try to sell you the priciest stuff. Stuffed mussels were huge and buttery and flavoursome and the foie gras in thin slices was lovely(apparently). Steak frites, signature dish, was perfect and they served it bloody. Rabbit stew was simple and generous in size. All the staff are French, of course, and very relaxed. It’s intimate, simple, delicious and I can’t recommend highly enough. In fact I’ve already booked to go again. No need to reserve during the week.
Evelyn M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Islington, United Kingdom
Now I know about Bar du Marche I kick myself for having walked past it so many times without going in. I would honestly say it is one of the best restaurants in London offering great french fair for very reasonable prices. The steak frites here are incredible and their daily specials read just as though this was a café in the centre of Paris. Uncomplicated classics at their best. Don’t be put off if you walk place this place and it looks full. There is another room downstairs which always seems to have a couple of tables. The staff all speak French and seem to switch between languages effortlessly. I am always impressed with the wine here and again amazed at the value for money. Given how many rip off restaurants lurk around the streets of Soho it’s nice to know that this one really is value for money. For anyone who fancies a taste of France, a visit to Bar du Marche is a must!
Mclal
Rating des Ortes: 5 Folkestone, United Kingdom
A great place to sample French food, the staff are superb and Patrique is a wonderful host. I would highly recomend this palce for good food, wine and atmophere!
Typho
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
My girlfriend’s favourite restaurant! This is a great french restaurant on Berwick street in Soho, selling reasonably priced and tasty French food(£7-£10 main courses). I recommend the steak and chips or moules et frites, and my girlfriend has a large goats cheese salad. The cook and manager are friendly, and are amused and not snooty about our questionable attempts at French. Its a small place, but there is extra room downstairs and you can normally get a table, and in summer its very pleasant to sit outside watching soho go past over a glass of vin rouge!
Norths
Rating des Ortes: 3 Glasgow, United Kingdom
I went to this restaurant the other week with work colleagues and I was there from 2pm till 9pm, and definitely wasn’t the last to leave! The food was pretty basic French fare, but authentic and reasonably priced. We were seated downstairs as the party was pretty large, which meant it was sometimes difficult to get hold of waiting staff when you needed them. This is however a minor quibble, for the location the price was fair, though my favourite chippy in London is located next door if you’re looking for really good value!
Kevinc
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Have been going to this great little French bistro in Soho for years. It feels like you have stepped into a Paris back street when you walk in. Very narrow ground floor bar and restaurant area can make it quite cosy, so if you are looking for somwhere you won’t be overheard this might not be the place. Having said that there is a bigger restaurant downstairs. The food is pretty decent, but don’t expect michellin star quality here. It does do a fairly decent steak et frites. It has a prix fix menu which is great value along with some slightly more expensive dishes. You can get a starter and a main, and half a bottle of house wine for about 20 quid — pretty good for Central London. Is owned by a great french guy(so pretty authentic!) who is very friendly and charismatic. It is right on Berwick St. Market and has tables on the street in the summer, so is great for people watching with a glass of wine. would definately recommend this place, loads of charm!
Martina O.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Hackney Wick, United Kingdom
Bar du Marche is a hidden gem. Been here a few times now on dates and the food has always been top class! It has an unpretentious air and is a great place to watch interesting characters. The place oozes rustic French charm, all of the staff are French and very efficient! the menu is in french and English which is very helpful if one’s French is a bit rusty.
BearBe
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
Excellent value food with a decent wine list. It’s a favourite place to eat on a Friday evening after work. The menu is simple and the service from the mostly French staff is friendly and swift. The steak and chips is hugely popular and is great when washed down with some wine. If you like the pictures on the wall you may even be able to take one home. Many of them are for sale.
Meike B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
I always go here with my French friends I think this is the best compliment a French restaurant outside France could wish for. The menu hasn’t changed in a decade, if not longer, and neigher have the prices. A real gem. No better place to watch the world go by while — it may not be the South of France, but Berwick Street has its fair share of characters.
Jquint
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
This place is amazing. The food is really well cooked, perfect flavor and served hot. The service is really friendly. The atmosphere of the place is nice, very french but when you’re there, you feel like you’re part of their family. Its really nice. I’m quickly becoming addicted to this place. A true hidden gem in the heart of SOHO.
Sar23
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
This is a really lovely restaurant. the food is delicious, portions are a perfect size, not too big and not too small. all the waiters are really friendly and polite and really helpfull. was a little disapointed with the wine, i thought it tasted quite cheap and didn’t fit with the food properly. generally, it is a really nice atmosphere and always a good experience.
Marmit
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
Bar du Marche is a hidden gem. Been here a few times now on dates and the food has always been top class! It has an unpretentious air, and is a great place to watch interesting characters. The place oozes rustic French charm, all of the staff are French and very efficient! the menu is in french and english. Bön appetit.