Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant & Castle, London, was originally a derelict, former paper-making factory before being transformed into a sustainable Italian-focused food hall in 2016. It was repurposed as a community-focused market and food hub, pioneering the use of industrial spaces for artisanal food production and local community events.
The group's beloved Elephant and Castle location is set to be closed down and bulldozed to make room for a pair of new skyscrapers. The closure and redevelopment are part of the Borough Triangle development, which was approved this week.
Our founder Andrea Rasca opened up a sustainable community market in the forgotten corners of Milan and it was here that Mercato Metropolitano and our wider regenerative movement Movimento Metropolitano were born.
Today Fortune meets Andrea Rasca the founder and CEO of London's hottest hang-out spot right now, Mercato Metropolitano. The 58-year-old Italian entrepreneur has worked in the food and sustainability sector for the last 35 years.
Yes, Benares in London's Mayfair still holds its Michelin star, having retained it for its modern Indian cuisine, showcasing confidence, freshness, and high-quality ingredients. They celebrate this recognition, with the latest announcement acknowledging the award for 2025, crediting their team and suppliers.
Algerian-born Mourad Mazouz is passionate about North African food and cooking. He has created several phenomenally successful Moroccan restaurants, including Momo and Momo Restaurant Familial in London and 404 and Andy Wahloo in Paris. He is also one of the owners of the fashionable Club Gascon.
Not only is the food at Blue Elephant Bangkok renowned but the restaurant and its Master Chef Nooror are noted for the famous cooking school, attracting thousands of visitors each year, eager to try out time tested authentic royal Thai recipes.
Is Mercato Mayfair the same as Mercato Metropolitano?
Mercato Mayfair, located just off Oxford Street in Mayfair, is the second sustainable community market by Mercato Metropolitano. Focused on revitalising neighbourhoods and sustainability, MM has incubated more than 40 food and beverage businesses to date.
Land in European cities is scarce and tends to be more expensive than in other parts of the world. The urban heartlands of London, Paris and Berlin have some of the highest property rates. Coupled with stringent building regulations, it has made it challenging to construct skyscrapers in many European cities.
Over in the City of London, you'll find Watling Street. Connecting Queen Victoria Street to St Paul's Cathedral (and offering a pretty gorgeous view in the process), Watling Street puts forward a fairly convincing case as the oldest street in London.
The first historical record of Covent Garden dates back to 1200, when it consisted of fields. Owned by Westminster Abbey, the land where the Market Building and the Piazza now stand was referred to as 'the garden of the Abbey and Convent', hence its name.
Taking over the old Rainforest Café site on Shaftesbury Avenue (currently known as the Jungle Cave), which is part of the legendary Trocadero complex, Albert's Schloss is set to open in spring 2024.
Rainforest Cafe locations have closed due to a combination of factors, including the rising costs of high-maintenance themed dining, changing consumer interest away from novelty restaurants, lease non-renewals, and the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated closures, though specific incidents like severe food allergy failures also contributed to the demise of some locations, like the London branch.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced in March 2024 that she was diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January of that year; tests revealed the presence of cancer, leading her to begin preventative chemotherapy, which she completed in the summer of 2024, and she has since been focusing on recovery and gradually returning to public duties, though the specific type and stage of cancer remain private.
Kate and Prince William eat breakfast separately on Christmas Day due to a long-standing royal tradition where the men have a hearty breakfast downstairs while the women eat lighter meals in their rooms to allow more time for hair and makeup before the heavily photographed church service, a custom revealed by former royal chef Darren McGrady, though they dine together for other meals.
