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EAT & DRINK
Regarded as one of the most diverse cities in the world, London offers a wide variety of fantastic eateries. Wherever you are and whatever you feel like, there are always bountiful options when it comes to delicious food!
Traditional British
1. Blacklock Soho (Traditional British, ££)
No weekend in England is complete without a glorious Sunday roast. While you can head to almost any pub in the city to try one, if you are looking for a truly spectacular experience, head to the Blacklock in Soho!
2. Poppies Fish & Chips (Traditional British, £)
The quintessential British dish of fish and chips is not to be missed during a trip to London. Poppies provides a traditional experience of fantastic quality and high standards. Sustainably caught and locally sourced fish are cooked to perfection and served with crispy delicious chips. These can be taken away wrapped in newspaper or eaten in the retro-style restaurant.
3. Flat Iron (Traditional British, ££)
Unbeatable steak at unbeatable prices! Despite Flat Iron offering a variety of cuts and burgers on its specials board, the star of the show is its flat iron steak. With two branches within walking distance of Oxford Street, it’s the perfect place to break up a busy day of shopping. They don’t take reservations, but you’re never waiting long. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Asian
As an Indian restaurant that serves good quality at affordable prices, it’s no wonder that Dishoom is so popular. Its menu and aesthetic is based on the eateries set up in Bombay by Persian immigrants, so expect Indian food with a twist accompanied by a wonderful drinks menu. We recommend you to try breakfast at Dishoom- it serves the best char-striped smoked streaky bacon naan you’ve ever tasted! If you are really hungry, get The Big Bombay, which comes with akuri (spicy scrambled eggs), char-striped smoked streaky bacon, peppery Shropshire pork bangers, masala baked beans, grilled tomato and mushroom, and buttered pav buns.
With 9 stylish branches across London, Ping Pong is the place to go for Dim Sum, exquisite flowering teas and unusual cocktails. Alternatively, head to Chinatown in the heart of Soho where you will find endless restaurants serving Asian delicacies. When ordering, you’ll receive a list of the dim sum dishes and you simply tick off the ones you would like. The dishes are served in small bite-sized portions, so best order several!
6. Sake No Hana (Japanese, ££££)
The best sushi in London. There, we said it. Go on a Saturday to take advantage of the seven-course lunch (Umai Sushi Saturday menu). A reasonable £49 will buy you seven small courses, a really tasty cocktail and half a bottle of Louis Roederer champagne. It’s a fantastic value for money!
7. Sushisamba (Japanese-Brazillian-Peruvian, ££££)
Sushisamba’s glass-walled express lift hurtles up the outside of Salesforce Tower, taking you 38 storeys above the City in under 30 seconds. Once you are up there, Sushisamba has a pretty impressive rooftop lounge giving stunning views of London. Exceptional cocktails and great Japanese food in the form of both classic and modern sushi. The design of the place is stunning too, for those with a keen eye for interiors.
Yori, meaning “cooking” or “cooked food,” is an authentic Korean food located in the heart of London, Piccadilly Circus. Start your meal with crispy ‘Seafood Pajeon’ (Korean seafood pancake). If you feel like going a bit traditional, try a Jeongol- a giant hot pot cooked at your table. If you like Korean barbeque, we recommend you to try Bulgogi Jeongol!
European
For a taste of France, visit this cosy bistro. It boasts a family atmosphere, from its friendly staff to its chequered tablecloths. Menus are written in French on black chalkboards and the dishes change frequently, but you’ll always find a French classic such as Coq au Vin or Boeuf Bourguignon. If the restaurant is full and you’re too hungry to wait, it’s well worth a walk around the area; Bermondsey Street is full of similar-sized independent restaurants serving food from all over the world.
If you’re looking for fantastic tapas with a variety of great wines, Barrafina is for you. Consistently voted one of London’s favorite Spanish restaurants, it often has a queue for tables as there is modest seating, but the array of meat, seafood and vegetarian tapas options make it well worth the wait.
11. Villa Di Geggiano (Italian, £££)
This is the London outpost of a Tuscan estate, specializing in the rich cuisine of this Italian region. This isn’t the place for pizza, as Tuscan cooking is traditionally more hearty and expensive than in the South. Instead, you’ll find a range of pasta, meat and fish to suit anyone’s tastes. Desserts range from tiramisu to sorbet, and there is a fantastic wine selection. We recommend booking in advance and requesting a table on the terrace for an Italian al fresco dining experience.
Middle Eastern
12. Megan’s (Mediterranean, ££)
The friendliest staff in London, this place will warm your heart. Megan’s garden is open whatever the weather in their flagship place (Kings Road, Fulham) offering the most romantic year-round alfresco dining (highly recommended). At Megan’s by the Green (Parsons Green) sit beneath flowers & fairy lights and enjoy ‘filthily delicious food in a magical setting’ (TimeOut). Their newest addition is in Balham, delivering more of what Megan’s is known for best: great food in a lovely setting. They also offer a cracking bottomless brunch.
If you’re looking for the quintessential Lebanese dining experience, Maroush is the place. Their traditional charcoal-grilled kebabs and delicious cheesy pastries are paired with vibrant live music and even traditional belly dancing on most evenings. There are several other branches now, but Maroush on Edgware Road is the original (and perhaps the best...).
Afternoon Tea
Traditional afternoon tea at Claridge’s is the perfect way to celebrate or indulge in a little bit of luxury. Enjoy champagne, scones, crisp cucumber sandwiches and a glorious array of pastries. Suffice to say, you will need to book in advance.
A British institution in itself, The Ritz offers a choice of several varieties of tea, finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, jam and clotted cream and a range of delicate pastries. These combine to make for an unforgettable afternoon.
For a more modern, quirky, take on the classic afternoon tea - head to Sketch. Served in ‘The Gallery’ from 11:30 AM - 4 PM (Mon-Sun), you’ll be surrounded by copious amounts of art on the walls, the toilets look like massive dinosaur eggs and it’s very, very pink. This is a very instagrammable spot!