London Foodie Guide
I first visited London 20 years ago (oh dear!) on a school trip. I can’t explain it, but the minute I set foot in this city I felt like home. The architecture, the people, the shops, the museums, the restaurants, even the hustle and bustle that’s so typical for big cities - it all made for the perfect place for me.
Years later, while I appreciate London has changed quite a bit, it still makes my heart sing every time I land at Heathrow. I have favourite neighbourhoods now (Mayfair, Marylebone, Notting Hill), favourite gyms (Third Space, Psycle), favourite museums (V&A) and obviously, favourite spots to eat.
Find below a selection of the latter, with the obvious caveat that the list is by no means exhaustive and that new exciting places pop up every day in this city, how I wish i had the time (and stomach!) to visit them all! I particularly love that in London you can eat well for almost any budget, and that there are PLENTY options from all over the world to satiate all appetites. Borough Market alone - I could have spent 3 days in there eating my way through all the stands…
Do let me know if you try them and don’t hesitate to pop YOUR favourite eateries or bars in the comments, I’d love to give them a try!
Ottolenghi
Ottolenghi has to be my number 1, ever. Not only for the friendly atmosphere, the innovative cuisine, the delicious cakes, but also for being one of the first deli/restaurants I visited in London where food was so bright and different, it made me want to try cooking like that at home.
A few cookbooks later and I can absolutely also cook in this way, but I still love going to any of the 7 or so locations, not to mention Nopi and Rovi, which are more sit down places, less deli. Their inviting platters of incredible salads and their choice of perfectly cooked protein make Ottolenghi the perfect choice for an easy lunch to go or to eat at their communal tables. Personnel are always friendly and ready to help if you just can’t decide between all their goodies.
Bonus, they also sell Ottolenghi books, accessories, cookies and preserves, should you have room left in your luggage.
Nopi also has a brilliant pre-theatre set menu that won’t set you back $$$ but is so very delicious.
In their delis don’t forget to leave room for cake, their meringues that are as big as my head are absolutely dreamy and the cheesecakes, divine.
Mayfair Chippy
They claim to make the best fish and chips in London and personally, I don’t think they are wrong. This tiny place makes huge portions of fresh deep fried cod, served with amazing chips on the side. Going off piste, I also got to try the mussels and their soft-shell crab burger, both divine, while the coleslaw, pickles and loaded truffle chips were to die for.
While requiring a bit of a wait, their bread and butter pudding served with thick vanilla custard was absolutely dreamy. I would have ordered another 3 to take home, if I could have.
Make sure to book ahead as they get quite busy in the evenings.
in no universe can I make Indian food look appealing but please believe me when I say it is divine
Dishoom
No reservations possible in the evenings for this very popular “Bombay-style cafe”. With quite a few locations throughout London, I had heard horror stories of 1 hour wait standing and salivating in front of the door.
Our experience was quite different: we got a buzzer with a number and were able to wait at the bar with delicious drinks (I understand that sometimes they are so full that a wait at the bar is not possible and then indeed there is a line out the door but I hear they serve free chai) and in less than 30 minutes, we got a table.
I would have liked to order all of the gigantic menu (next time I’ll bring more friends) but the lovely waiter thankfully had a few recommendations. I can definitely say that here I’ve had the best raita and chicken curry of my life, while the black daal was my dining partner’s favourite. The broccoli salad may sound weird but it’s amazingly sweet, spicy, tangy, crunchy at the same time. A simple dessert of the ripest, most perfumed mango served with vanilla ice cream ended our meal and I was ready to stay another week in London just to eat here every day.
Prêt A Manger
My favourite for snacks and coffee, there is a Pret A Manger everywhere you turn in London. Fresh sandwiches, hot coffee, a wonderful choice of soups and warm wraps and toasties, there is something for everyone. I love that they use fresh delicious ingredients and creative recipes. I have a friend who swears by their egg salad sandwiches, I myself am enamoured with the halloumi and falafel wraps, which are served warm. Their soups are also warm, filling and delicious, while the salads are super creative and nutritionally sound.
For a less health oriented choice, don't miss their pastries and their brownies, accompanied by some tea or coffee.
Flat Iron
Never have I imagined that I’d start a review for a steak restaurant by raving about their sides. Here we are, however, and let me tell you, the truffle mac and cheese, crispy marrow mashed potatoes, and beautiful green salad at Flat Iron are not to be missed.
This place is as no frills as you can get: a few (incredibly well priced) steak options (their usual, a Wagyu cut of the day for one and one to share) cooked the way you’d like, incredibly delicious sides (I’d say go for 2 per person) and dessert on the house, on your way out.
Seriously, what’s not to like? They have a few locations around London and they are full of people (and I definitely get why) but you can book in advance and not have to queue.
excuse the quality, artificial light is the death of food pics :((
This 2 Michelin star affair has been a London pilgrimage spot for me for more than 10 years now. As a rule, I can’t say that Michelin star restaurants always tickle my fancy, as I find some of them over the top and too much show, too little food.
However this Heston Blumenthal establishment offers all of the taste, none not much of the fuss with dishes inspired by historic British gastronomy. A lot of research has gone into the menu and some staples, like the “meat fruit” (a beautiful liver parfait shaped as a mandarin, complete with little dimples and leaf), triple cooked chips, or “tipsy cake” (a sort of bread and butter pudding - brioche spiked with alcohol and served with roast pineapple) just have to be tasted to be fully experienced.
For an experience that’s easier on the wallet, their prix-fixe luncheon at 59 pounds is a wonderful 3 course immersion at midday. In general, I like to keep my eyes open for such offers in Michelin starred resuatrants - it often offers a glimpse into the style of the restaurant without the hefty dinner price tag.
Make sure to book well in advance, this restaurant is by now a London institution :)
this is a terrible picture, i’ll admit, but i only realised that after i’d inhaled my spicy lamb meatballs
Borough Market
This beautiful market is always bustling with people, especially since Instagram has lately decided that it’s THE go to place in London for amazing street food. From chocolate covered strawberries, paella, filled flatbreads, pulled pork sandwiches, the options are endless.
Over the years I’ve tried many of their stands but this time I got to try some delicious spiced lamb meatballs at Shuk , as well as the obligatory chocolate donut from Bread Ahead. I’m an absolute sucker for a delicious donut and these ones are filled to the brim with amazing creamy flavours, as well as serving up one of the most delicious and fluffy donut dough I’ve had the opportunity to taste.
the cake selection at the Tate Modern Museum. I’d probably visit every day if I lived in London, for the “art” of course :)
Museum Coffee Shops
If museums in Zürich served up such an array of delicious things in their coffee shops, I’m pretty sure I’d be going to see exhibitions a lot more often. Alas, like with their art, London wins this one and I cannot recommend enough that you stop by for a cold or hot drink accompanied by a sweet or savoury snack.
My favourite cafes are the one at Victoria and Albert (with the added bonus of an absolutely glorious garden where you can sip your coffee and admire the architecture) and Tate Modern. Delicious lamingtons at the National Gallery, too.
So here they are, my favourite foodie spots in London, so far. Have I forgotten anything? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!