Where to Eat: London (Part 1)

London is a food wonderland, here is where to eat when you're in the city

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In London, every street corner is home to an amazing eatery and new ones seem to pop up on a weekly basis. It would be impossible to cover all of the great places to eat here in one post, but after spending quite a bit of time in this city over the past couple of years and finally making the move in May, I’ve done my research and these are the restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and bars I’ve come to love:

For breakfast, brunch or lunch: In addition to the bakeries listed further on, these spots are great for an early or mid-day bite

*Towpath: To become a regular at Towpath is a goal of mine and I’m slowly working towards it. Directly on Regent’s Canal and run by two shining women and a tiny team, patrons here are often greeted by their first names and everyone is treated like family. Towpath can attract a crowd — especially on sunny days — but even in this case, buying a beer and chatting in line while soaking up the fleeting English sunshine is part of the experience. Towpath is closed from November onwards every winter until spring.

26 Grains: For brunch in Soho, come here. Right in Neil’s Yard, 26 Grains serves a selection of delicious porridge bowls (try the tahini, banana, cacao nib) as well as other sweet and savoury options including plates of perfectly fried eggs in chili butter with chewy sourdough and caramelized brioche with whipped chocolate ganache.

Kentish Town Stores: Come to this cozy cafe for classic brunchy food (avocado toast on sourdough, granola and yogurt) or for an afternoon of work at their long, shared tables.

Half Cup: With two locations in King’s Cross and Bart’s Square, Half Cup is a brunch dream. They don’t take reservations so plan ahead or be prepared to wait a bit, especially on weekends.

Well Street Kitchen: This small and friendly cafe in Hackney serves a generous breakfast/brunch, making it a popular spot to visit after a night out. It can get busy so aim to go before 10 to avoid waiting.

For dinner:

Caravel: On a cozy and tastefully decorated canal boat in Islington, here you’ll enjoy a delicious meal among just a handful of other diners. Our meal was lovely, the staff friendly, and the experience felt uniquely special.

DuckSoup/Little Duck the Picklery: At both of these spots (one in Soho and the other in Dalston), skilled cooks elevate simple classics like pappa al pomodoro (a humble Tuscan tomato and bread soup) or braised Italian green beans (served alongside goat cheese and mint). We were in heaven and felt very taken care of by the knowledgeable staff.

*Dim Sum Duck: Though this place is no secret, the quality of their dim sum is amazing, the portions are large and the prices are fair. Its worth waiting in the seemingly ever-present queue, but to avoid it, arrive at least half an hour before they open. Order the pork soup dumplings and turnip cake!

Elliot’s: With Borough Market and Hackney locations, both of these restaurants are comfortable spaces serving seasonal sharing plates and pizzas. The food is tasteful and delicious and the atmosphere is comfortable and warm.

Hoppers: Hoppers are light-as-air crepes made with a batter of fermented rice and lentils, originating in the south of India and Sri Lanka. At Hoppers, they serve their namesake well, offering the fluffiest hoppers alongside deliciously spiced karis, kothus, and dosas. With three locations around the city in King’s Cross, Soho and Marylebone, you’ll be able to find one easily and dropping in usually isn’t a problem.

Kiln: In a dimly lit, edgy Soho basement, Kiln has become a staple for authentic and delicious Thai food. Expect a super spicy meal and let the servers guide your choices. We adored the clay pot noodles.

*Moro: In Exmouth Market, this fan-favourite spot has been a London staple for years. Founded in moorish cuisine technique and style, they offer unfussy, flavourful plates and exceptional service.

Morito: Close to Moro, come to Morito for well-prepared, classic Spanish tapas. Patatas Bravas, calamari, and gildas cannot be skipped.

Paradise Soho: At this trendy Sri Lankan spot in the heart of Soho, expect spice and delicious, artfully plated small dishes in a comfortable setting.

Quo Vadis: This London classic with Jeremy Lee at the helm boasts a seasonal, regional menu of British plates served in a charming dining room. This is a must visit.

*Roti King: The original Roti King in Euston was a squishy basement spot that always seemed to have a line around the block. They’ve since opened locations in Waterloo and Battersea which are just as popular. Here, they are known for their chewy, flaky roti canai, dreamy karys, murtabak (a stuffed roti canai), and a few heavenly rice and noodle dishes (I love the Char Kuey Teow).

Silo: Silo is the world’s first zero-waste restaurant, and after spending a few days working in their kitchen, I can tell you first-hand that the team here works extremely hard and creatively to make this happen while cooking delicious, thoughtful plates. Fermented ingredients play a big role in their menu and making them is a smart way to use potentially wasted ingredients. Delicious soy sauces, garums, and kojis are all made in house and used thoughtfully in their dishes to enhance the flavour of seasonal ingredients.

Som Saa / Kolae : Sister restaurants in Spitalfields and Borough respectively, visit them for deliciously flavourful, authentic Thai food in a warm and comfortable setting.

*St. John: This classic London institution with three locations and a bakery in the city deserves all of the hype. The food here is simply wonderful: each dish is hearty and flavourful, unfussy, and well-executed. Come hungry.

*Tamil Prince: Without a doubt, this was some of the best Indian food I’ve had in London and beyond. Here, dishes are layered with flavour and the roti is flaky and steaming hot. As you dine, cooks skillfully roll out paper thin sheets of dough for roti after roti in plain view. The atmosphere is pub-like, the staff warm and helpful, and the food beyond delicious.

The Barbary Next Door: In Neil’s Yard (right across from 26 grains), The Barbary Next Door is a causal dining experience and throughout the day, they have a selection of sweet and savoury baked goods for offer from their large, front-facing window for grab-and-go customers. Their menu changes each day but we loved the flatbread with nduja and squash.

*Westerns Laundry: From the friendly staff and stylish interior to their chalkboard menu, I loved everything about this lovely spot in Islington. We dined at the bar and watched the kitchen staff expertly prepare our meal while enjoying every bite (and ordering seconds of our favourites). I’m eagerly waiting for a chance to return.

Bakeries:

The Dusty Knuckle: Famous for their generous focaccia sandwiches (sarnies) made with seasonal ingredients, this bakery with locations in Dalston and Harringay supplies many shops around the city with sourdough and pastries. Here, you’ll find a selection of sourdough loaves, focaccia, viennoiserie, and a selection of dine in or take away options including the aforementioned focaccia sandwiches and thin-crust pizza.

*E5 Bakehouse: At this bakery in London Fields, you’ll find wonderful, chewy, wild loaves of some of the best sourdough I’ve ever had. Their bread is made with English wheat milled in house and they also serve a selection of dine-in items (like kimchi grilled cheese, beans on toast, and nice soups), amazing pastries, and have a little shop with produce, books, ceramics, and pantry items. They have indoor and outdoor seating for doing a bit of work or sitting for a while.

Fink’s: I love Fink’s for their delicious pastries (like heavenly banana bread, ginger and treacle cakes, and nutty brioche buns), as well as hearty sandwiches made on Dusty Knuckle sourdough, a selection of salads, and nice pantry items.

Jolene: Right on Newington Green, Jolene is a neighbourhood bakery with a pastry covered table by the till and a solid selection of beautiful sourdough loaves. They also have a dining area where they serve unfussy plates and wonderful pasta for lunch and dinner, including dishes like boquerones, seared broccoli with ajo blanco, and papardelle with lamb ragu. They have smaller, sister bakeries in Islington and Spitalfields too.

Layla Bakery: A much-loved bakery in Notting Hill with perfectly laminated pastries, delicious cakes, and so so much more, this spot is worth travelling west for.

Popham’s Bakery: With locations in Islington, London Fields and Victoria Park, Popham’s has excellent pan au chocolate and other laminated pastries, including a rotating selection of experimental seasonal offerings (a recent favourite was mascarpone and fig nestled in flaky puff pastry). Here you will also find nice options for breakfast and lunch, like yogurt and granola with pecan butter, plus coffee and tea of course. Next door to the Islington and London Fields locations, Popham’s Home sells beautiful ceramics, linens, and other homeware.

*Toad: Toad is a little bakery with a (usually) long line (that moves quickly!) in Camberwell. Come for incredible laminated pastries, delicious sandwiches, and a great loaf of bread. I’m still dreaming about the everything bagel croissant pictured below.

Toklas Bakery: For pastries, hot lunch items, a pantry with good staples, and a small selection of ceramics, Toklas is a great spot to meet friends or work for a while. They also have a sister restaurant right up the street.

For a drink:

Local pubs grace every London corner and it’s hard to go wrong if you’re looking to meet with friends and grab a casual drink, but for a more curated experience, these are worth checking out:

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels: This is where to go for a small bite (olives and salty Marcona almonds) and a nice glass of wine in their cozy space or al fresco before dinner in Soho.

🔶🟥🔵 (A Bar with Shapes for a Name): aka ‘Shapes’, this Bauhaus-inspired bar serves up thoughtful cocktails and bites in a cool space in east London. They operate on a walk-in only basis and are open late.

Wilton Way Deli and Wines: On weekends, a a crowd gathers outside of this charming deli in Hackney. It’s a fun atmosphere in a cool, verdant part of Hackney.

And for something sweet after dinner:

Gelupo: In Soho, at Gelupo serves generous portions of their wonderful gelato, made fresh daily in house with thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Fig and ricotta was a favourite.