Duke Street Food and Drink Market

Duke Street Food and Drink Market has converted one of the old abandoned warehouses down at the bottom of Duke Street and turned it into something magnificent. It’s more of a refined, and ‘adult’ version of the street food market, and with some coffee and cakes, a bar at the back, and a florist in the front, it is a completely unique experience in this city that just keeps on delivering.

The Vibe

It is always busy in Duke Street Market, with the frisson of excitement and the buzz of people chatting about the different traders and the anticipation of trying something new. That is always the best part about any food market situation, walking round and chatting to those on the stalls, looking at all the different food on offer, and soaking up the atmosphere. Where Duke Street differs to other food markets is that it has table service. Instead of taking a buzzer and waiting to be called to collect your food, you go up to your chosen stall to order, and the waiting staff will bring it to you (most of the tables are long communal tables to bring that canteen feel). It’s a simple premise, but makes for a more sophisticated approach to the street food market concept. The tables are clean, the glassware refined, and everything is bright, clean, crisp, and elegant. Whether you are sat at the front with a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, trying out food from one of the 6 traders in the food hall, or sitting with a pint or a cocktail at the back bar, it’s a busy and entertaining experience that is unique in Liverpool. It’s also child-friendly at all times, and dog-friendly, attracting a slightly older crowd than you would expect at The Baltic Market, for a direct comparison.

The Food

The idea of Duke Street Market is to deliver some of the finest food concepts and deliver it on a plate to your table. Giving a chance for a real community to form, and for traders to build a reputation here, rather than be on a rotating cast of traders. There are 6 kitchens here (and the standalone Pilgrim restaurant on the mezzanine above). There are some truly exquisite dishes from each of the traders, such as the Neapolitan pizza sandwich from Cucina di Vincenzo, the hearty and nourishing bowls of ramen from Ginger, or the Cubano from Finca (this is the star of the whole of Duke Street Market if you ask us – a grilled sandwich made with pork shoulder, gammon, pickle, gouda cheese, and mustard).  The other traders are Indigo Greens (vegan-restaurant), Cinder (open wood fire cooking), and Bone and Block (meeeeaaaaaat).

The Price

With six different traders and plenty of dishes to choose from each, the prices can vary, but you can expect to pay between £6 to £10 per dish. Prices at the bar are a little on the expensive side for beer, lager, and spirits, but as part of a meal it isn’t unreasonable. The coffee and cake prices are great from the kiosk at the front of the venue.