Columbia Road Flower Market
It is Sunday morning and Londoners flock to the bustling flower market on Columbia Road. The narrow street lined with Victorian houses is transformed into a sea of colorful and fragrant flowers in no time. It is quite crowded, which is very much to the liking of local shopkeepers and restaurants. Columbia Road has plenty to offer besides the countless stalls of flowers and plants. Here's a pick of my favorite places.
The coolest shops
Hackney Essentials
At the gourmet store Hackney Essentials, you'll find artisan delicacies, fun household items and a nice range of ceramics, in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Pink Sheep
No, this quaint store does not sell sheepskin items. This is the home of Dog Walk Style, the accessories brand for trendy dogs. Pick out a new winter jacket, leash, carrier bag, toy or some treats for your pet. After all, a trendy dog is a happy dog or at least that's what the shopkeepers claim.
In Habit
If you're looking for candles, holders or vases, then you've come to the right place at In Habit. The articles come in all colors, shapes and sizes. The only difficulty is choosing.
For the gardener
If you have green fingers, then you’ll have a blast at In Bloom or at The Garden Shop. Next to plants and flowerpots, you will find the coolest tools for your garden or that perfect gift for the garden lover in your family.
Nom
Nom's handcrafted white ceramics turn any table into a fancy feast. The plates, bowls, cups and accessories are created for Nom in Vietnam and Cambodia. The cutlery and utensils are made from coconut wood. There is also the Cinnamon Collection with storage boxes and fragrant incense made from bark of the Cassia cinnamon tree.
Time for coffee
For a delicious, aroma-rich coffee, be sure to stop by Hermanos. The two Columbian brothers import coffee directly from Columbia's plantations and roast the beans on site.
Monmouth Coffee sells hot drinks and heavenly homemade pastries at a large, open window. The cinnamon rolls are mouthwatering!
Pavillion Bakery
Deliciously crisp sourdough bread is Pavillion Bakery's specialty. You'll also find a nice range of jams, honey and ceramic cups.
Café Columbia
Café Columbia is the place-to-be for the perfect, homemade bagel. Toppings include smoked salmon with cream cheese, crab mayo with cucumber and lettuce or go for the super filled breakfast bagel with bacon, apple and egg salad.
Are you hungry yet?
In the vicinity of the flower market, you will find numerous pubs and trendy restaurants. We fancy some mediterranean cooking and decide to go to Campania, a bistro known for its southern Italian specialties. The place is full of charm, but seating is limited. We arrive too late for a table and walk down the street to another local hotspot: Morito.
Morito Hackney Road
The trendy restaurant Morito on Hackney Road serves tapas with southern flavors from Spain and North Africa. The owners, Sam and Sam Clark, are fans of Moorish flavors and culture, and this is their third restaurant. The two chefs started out with Moro, where they combine authentic regional dishes and techniques with new trends. Vegetables take an important place on the menu that emphasizes fresh, homemade and aromatic food. The two Morito restaurants follow the same approach to food as Moro, but in tapas style.
Morito on our plate
It's Sunday and a brunch menu is available. We combine brunch with lunch and order a tostada with roasted figs and fresh goat cheese as well as a Spanish bocadillo with ouzo smoked sea trout, horseradish and capers. Then we tuck into delicious patatas bravas, roasted padrón peppers and a ceviche of sea bream with bergamot and pomelo. Each and every one of the dishes are super delicious. On our way out, I let myself be tempted by the chefs’ new cookbook Casa Moro.
