Camden Market, Camden Town
Posted on: July 4, 2013
Camden Lock
WEB: http://www.camdenlock.net
Camden Town was understandably my favourite place in London when I was a student. A haven for hippies and anyone with a passion to stand out in the crowd, it was always a feast for the eyes. It also drew in the tourists for the same reason, but as the years went on it became more of a tourist spot and less of a statement for locals. It still has an edge, only now I can blend into the crowd rather then stand out from it.
Having not visited for quite some time, I was amazed at how the markets have expanded. The little pop up shops, the regular stalls, the food markets; I walked for hours and hours, still conscious that there was more ground to cover. In a genre where the small business has been ousted by the giant warehouse American chains, malls and mass production; Camden market is a sign that there is still a demand for the unique, because that is exactly what you get here. The small trader can dream and rise again, thanks to markets like this.
Stables Market
The coolest thing about it all is Stables market. It’s a great testament to London culture, when the area is made current without trampling over its history. From a horse hospital to a vintage clothing market; the old engravings in the wall and the huge horse sculptures give the market character and an odd sort of beauty.
Just at the entrance to Stables market, you are surrounded by street food vendors peddling everything from couscous to satay. My eyes were awash with cakes, fresh donuts and Brazilian churros, a genius invention! I don’t know why you can’t get this in Spain, why keep dunking your churros in chocolate when you can inject it through the middle instead?!
Getting a Brazilian
There was a secondary purpose to my Camden spree. Tuesday night salsa classes at The Cuban are quite well known amongst die hard salsitas, so I thought I would give it a go. However, only after sampling a few Cuban delights. We dived into a huge plate of delectable nachos rancheros, chicken and beef quesadillas and my old favourite, patatas bravas. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found the chicken quesadillas a bit dry but the chilli beef ones were amazing. It was the perfect pre-salsa food, because you definitely do not want to be weighed down by anything heavy when you’re dancing in one of these places.
Salsa at The Cuban is out of this world! The teacher was hilarious and happy to dance with newcomers (you find a lot of dancing snobs at salsa classes sometimes), and although I have been to classes before, there are so many moves to master and here the speed of La Rueda (Cuban salsa is danced in a circle) was so fast I was dizzier then a blonde at a physics class! I could see why this venue is so popular; it’s relaxed, friendly, the food is great and while I was there I felt like I was actually in Cuba.
The Cuban
RATING: 10
PRICING: Tapas from £3.95
WEB: www.thecuban.co.uk
Excited About Lunch 
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