I had a very disappointing experience at Market Hall in Canary Wharf. My husband and I went to the bar to order drinks. I was undecided and asked to try the stout that was on tap. To my surprise, it was poured into a martini glass and tasted like waterâthere was no real flavour of beer at all. When I pointed this out, the young woman behind the bar dismissively told me it was âjust foam.â Her whole demeanour was unwelcoming, impatient, and dismissive.
While I was still deciding, two other customers approached the bar and she simply walked off to serve them without saying anything. When I asked whether she was serving us or them, she replied, âYou were deciding what to drink.â That may be true, but good customer service requires signpostingâletting customers know you are moving on and will come back to them. Instead, I was left feeling ignored and brushed aside.
When I raised my concerns, her supervisor Craig came over. Unfortunately, his approach only made the situation worse. Instead of listening, he accused me of shouting at his staff (completely untrue). As a manager, there are some basic steps to dealing with customers: Listen attentively without interruption. Acknowledge the customerâs concern. Apologise sincerely if service has fallen short. Offer a practical solution or alternative. Maintain a respectful and professional tone throughout.
Craig did none of these. At that point, I had lost all willingness to communicate further with someone who clearly lacked the skills to be a supervisor.
The one positive note was Paulo, the security guard, who handled the situation with calmness, professionalism, and respect everything that Craig failed to do. Honestly, Paulo demonstrated the qualities of a true supervisor and would be a much better fit for that role.
Overall, what should have been a simple and pleasant experience was made unnecessarily stressful by poor service, lack of professionalism, and dismissive attitudes. Market Hall Canary Wharf seriously needs to rethink its training and leadership if it wants to deliver even a basic standard of...
   Read moreMarket Halls Canary Wharf is a lively food hall offering a diverse range of cuisines under one roof. Located in the heart of Canary Wharf, it provides a refreshing alternative to the areaâs usual high-end restaurants and chain eateries. The venue has a modern, industrial-chic design with plenty of communal seating, making it ideal for casual dining, group outings, or even solo visits.
One of the standout features is the variety of food vendors, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences. Whether youâre in the mood for Asian street food, gourmet burgers, Italian pasta, or fresh seafood, thereâs something for everyone. Some notable stalls include BaoziInn for delicious Chinese dumplings, Gopalâs Corner for Malaysian flavors, and Le Bab for high-quality kebabs. The portions are generous, and the pricing is reasonable for Canary Wharf standards.
The bar selection is also impressive, offering a wide range of craft beers, cocktails, and wines. The atmosphere is vibrant, especially during weekday lunch hours and after-work evenings when professionals gather for food and drinks. However, it can get quite busy, leading to longer wait times, particularly at peak hours.
One minor downside is that seating can be challenging to find when itâs crowded. Additionally, while the food is generally good, some vendors may be inconsistent in quality. Despite this, Market Halls Canary Wharf remains a fantastic spot for an informal yet high-quality dining experience. Itâs a great place to explore different cuisines in one sitting, and the energetic ambiance makes it a fun spot to visit. Pros: Wide variety of food options, lively atmosphere, good drinks selection. Cons: Can get crowded, occasional inconsistencies in...
   Read moreNot a great experience at all. Most of the stalls had run out of almost every option on their menu (which begs the question why were they remaining open ?), DF tacos had a âsorry weâre closed for nowâ sign up so we went to Chick Chick. The man serving had a serious attitude issue, served us the wrong loaded fries, when asked about this he dumped the sauce on top and said we shouldâve asked (if itâs listed on the menu, surely it ought to be served as such?).
Could not find a fork or cutlery for love nor money, Chick Chick had a singular fork and anybody wouldâve thought weâd asked for the money in the till by the servers reaction when we asked for one.
Overall, overpriced and average food, Chick Chick in particular was a waste of money at ÂŁ16 for some tiny chicken strips (closer to the size of chicken wings), frozen fries smothered in sauce and a few bits of spring onion. Disappointing given the location in Canary Wharf!
Avoid, and go elsewhere, there are plenty of other great eateries including outside Canary Wharf station.
Update: The owners said they would âtry to rectify the situationâ - months later, no response on my Instagram message and nothing has been rectified....
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