Hawley Wharf in Camden: what to eat, where to sit
The newest corner of Camden Market has covered food halls, a brewery under the arches and a canal at the back door. Here is how to use it.
By Only Camden Editorial
Hawley Wharf is the newest part of Camden Market, on Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AA, with covered food halls, a canal-side brewery and independent shops. Camden Market lists the food halls as open daily 11:30 to 23:00, but individual traders keep their own hours, so go hungry before the late evening and do not count on every counter being lit at closing.
What it is
Camden Market describes it as covered food courts, experiences and independent retailers on the edge of Regent’s Canal. It is a four-storey, canal-side complex that also holds a Curzon cinema and Babylon Park. The food courts are called Waterside Halls, and the market says they hold over 30 global street-food options.
It is a big site, 580,000 sq ft according to Hot Dinners, so give yourself a loose plan rather than wandering until your feet complain.
Getting there
Camden Market points visitors to Camden Town or Chalk Farm tube, or Camden Road Overground. The Hawley Wharf address is Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AA, and vendor units use Water Lane, NW1 8JZ. Camden Market says it has step-free access, baby changing and a Changing Places facility, which makes it one of the easier corners of the market with a pushchair or a wheelchair. It says the market is open on bank holidays too.
What to eat
Three Uncles, Level 2, Waterside Halls. This is the one to queue for. Hot Dinners describes Hong Kong-style Cantonese roast meats, chopped to order. Order the roast duck, the crispy pork belly or the char siu pork. Time Out says you can swap rice for lo meen egg noodles. It also sells Hainan chicken rice, dumplings and buns, according to London The Inside, which names the founders as three childhood friends and chefs: Cheong Yew, Pui Sing Tsang and Mo Kwok, known as Uncle Lim, Uncle Sidney and Uncle Mo. Time Out has named it its favourite of the Hawley Wharf eateries. Prices vary by dish, so check the board when you get there.
With more than 30 options under one roof, the sensible method is a lap before you commit. Camden Market says Hawley Wharf has the biggest concentration of halal traders at the market, so it suits mixed groups with different needs. Check the market’s food and drink pages for who is trading on the day.
Where to sit
The food courts, Waterside Halls East and West, are covered and have seating, which matters on a wet Camden afternoon. Camden Market also mentions canal-side spaces, rooftops and murals among the open outdoor areas, though it gives no exact locations or capacity, so expect to hunt a little at peak times.
3 Locks Brewing Co, Water Lane, under the railway arches. This is the best answer to the question of where to sit with a drink. Camden Market calls it the market’s first on-site microbrewery, with a canal-side taproom and a terrace. The brewery says it was established in 2022 and is independently owned. DesignMyNight lists 10 draught taps brewed on site, plus wines, spritzes and spirits. It is dog-friendly according to Beer Guide London, and DesignMyNight says you can bring in food from elsewhere in the market, so buy your roast duck first and carry it over.
Hours listed on its Facebook page and a review site run Monday to Thursday 12:00 to 22:30, Friday 11:30 to 23:00, Saturday 11:00 to 23:30 and Sunday 11:00 to 22:00. The brewery also runs tours, tastings, comedy and gigs, so check its taproom page for what is on.
Shops
Camden Market’s gift guide says the High Street stores, Waterside Halls units and Water Lane archways hold independent businesses, citing organic skincare and collectible characters among them. Retail hours on the market’s visit page are Monday to Wednesday 12:00 to 18:00, Thursday 11:00 to 18:00, Friday and Saturday 11:00 to 19:00 and Sunday 11:00 to 18:00. Shops close earlier than the food halls, so do the browsing first and eat afterwards.
Beyond the food
- Curzon Camden: a five-screen cinema under the railway arches, Arches N7 to N14, Dockray Place, NW1 8QD. Check the current programme before you plan around it.
- Babylon Park: Time Out describes a two-storey sci-fi theme park under the market that opened in late 2022, with free entry and rides and arcade games costing £1 to £6. Camden Market lists a mini-rollercoaster, bumper cars and a Ferris wheel.
A simple plan
- Arrive for the food halls from 11:30 and do a lap before ordering.
- Get your roast meats at Three Uncles, then take a table in the halls if the weather is poor.
- Finish with a pint on the terrace at 3 Locks, on the canal side of Water Lane.
Read more on the market’s own page at Camden Market, check hours on its visit page, and see the brewery’s taproom page for events.
