AnnieHall's Qype reviews
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301-302 The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London NW1 8AH
AnnieHall
wrote on 28 August 2011
Bank holiday weekend took us into Camden to hang-out with the tourists and other stay-at-home Londoners in Stables market. We paid this inviting little coffee house a visit and I’m delighted Camden at last has a decent, independent coffee house. No more visits to Starbucks over the bridge. Hallelujah!
The first thing to note is this place isn’t obvious from Chalk Farm Road. After a good wander around Stables Market, we eventually found Terra Nera back where we started, by Camden Lock bridge!
The best way for a newbie to find Terra Nera is to turn left just before the bridge. You’ll see the entrance to Gilgamesh restaurant. The coffee shop is to the left. Once found and inside, it felt worth the trot around the market. You’re immediately met with a broad, fascinating selection of round-the-world coffee beans and teas in an authentic setting. A warm welcome by the baristas behind the counter also awaits you. That first impression is enough to make you never want to enter a chain coffee house again!
My partner and I ordered a Latte and a Chai tea. Both were incredibly sweet (I ordered caramel in mine, so no surprise there!) The Latte was exceptional. There was a small chalk board to the right of the counter offering a slice of banana cake at £2, so we ordered a slice each. Not sure if other food was available, but this turned out to be a good decision – rich, moist and full of flavour.
We were served outside on one of two tables in front of the shop. This place is definitely set-up as a quality, take-away coffee shop, but if you’re lucky enough to get a seat and want to chill for a bit, I recommend it. Although the shop would benefit from more seating, there isn’t enough room inside and the pavement area is limited. Once seated though, Camden’s eateries and shops are great for people watching and this place is no exception. The only downside is, sitting outside, you can feel like you’re in a corridor looking onto the backs of market stalls. Not the most inspiring view, but passers-by and music blaring from the sound system at the entrance to the market is enough to make you still feel part of proper Camden life!
If you’re one for fine china coffee cups and pretty crockery, this place may not be to your taste. Drinks are in (hopefully recycled?) paper cups and cake is served on napkins with plastic spoons however, if you are looking for good coffee, a quick bite to eat and friendly service, I’d pop-by Terra Nera!
I should disclose, I was one of the Qype reviewers Simone contacted to ask if I would be a “Mystery Blogger” and in return for a review, I would receive £10 towards my order. I ordered and then upon paying disclosed I was a “Mystery Blogger”. I’m happy I took-up this invitation and even happier to go again soon and pay!
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Unit 38-39 The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AH
AnnieHall
wrote on 10 December 2008
A great little corner of Morocco inside the gates of Stables Market, Camden. This cafe offers a colourful welcome to a Shisha cafe with silk and embroided scatter cushions, outside seating with leather upholstered chairs are gathered around decorative moorish metal/wooden tables.
One of many new Shisha cafes which have opened up in Camden in recent times - Marakesh is positioned at the entrance gates to Stables Market. It’s a cosy Morrocan cafe serving non-alcoholic beverages and Shisha at a fairly reasonable price of £8.
The relaxed ambiance and atmosphere entice you in where you can enjoy a leisurely mint tea (ours was authentic and bought back happy memories of a great holiday in Marrakesh earlier in the year) for £6 for a pot for two or enjoy lounging on one of the corner sofas with pipe end in hand enjoying a smoke!
The staff are a little distant and service isn’t the fastest, but if you’re visiting this cafe you’re not someone who’s in much of a rush but hopefully looking to enjoy the unique cafe feel.
No toilets here, but facilities are available inside the newly refurbished stables.
Definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for a flavor of Morocco and a break from trawling the market stalls and shops of camden!