Find the best restaurants in every corner of the city …
I have spent this month collating my London list. Before moving to Dublin last year, most of my adult life was spent living and working in London, falling in and out of love with it more times than I can count – like any long-term relationship. It’s a city of plenty: whatever you want, whenever you want it. Any cuisine in the world is at your fingertips, and more often than not you’ll find a really good version of it, any time, any day of the week.
I’ve mainly lived in South East London, with stints in the East. But what I love about the South East is the sense of community (I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true). I know the butchers, greengrocers, fishmongers and shop owners, and I’ll always bump into someone I recognise. It feels like a little village within a big city, which makes life in London much easier.
Over the years I’ve eaten at some of the best restaurants in London and stayed in some amazing hotels while juggling a dual-city life. Narrowing down favourites has been no easy task – London is too vast, too varied – but I thought it was about time I tried to gather them all in one place. This list will inevitably change and I will have forgotten some places, but for now, these are my go-to restaurants, spots for drinks, and bakeries.
CENTRAL, SOHO, COVENT GARDEN
Koya, Soho: My favourite place for sitting at the bar for a bowl and a sake in-between meetings. Best in winter.
The French House, Soho: Half a pint downstairs then upstairs for theperfect long lunch – typical of Soho life.
Quo Vadis, Soho: Perfect for a long lunch. Chef Jeremy Lee is one of a kind.
Brasserie Zédel, Piccadilly: Feels like Paris in Piccadilly. Order the Prix-Fixe.
Kiln, Soho: Fiery Thai claypot cooking, best seat is at the counter. Great for solo dining.
Wong Kei, Chinatown: Go for wonton soup in winter.
Café TPT, Chinatown: Late-night Hong Kong comfort food.
Sweetings, City: Longstanding fish institution. Admittedly, the food isn’t great but the atmosphere is perfect.
St John, Smithfield: I love to go here for a rarebit and vermouth at thebar or to play cards in the winter. The main restaurant is also great for a long lunch.
Brutto, Farringdon: Florence in London; think negronis and red-check tablecloths.
Café Deco, Bloomsbury: A secluded lunch spot in central when you want to escape the busyness.
Honey & Co, Bloomsbury: Warm, generous Middle Eastern cooking from two of the best people in the industry, Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich.
Ciao Bella, Bloomsbury: Loud, chaotic, fun – the food’s almost beside the point.
Andrew Edmunds, Soho: Candlelit, romantic, perfect.
Regency Café, Westminster: My favourite breakfast in London.
Bouchon Racine, Farringdon: Love this place for obvious reasons.
Rita’s, Soho: Go for a martini and caesar salad.
Four Seasons, China Town: Great Chinese food.
Smoking Goat, Shoreditch: Inspired by Bangkok’s late-night canteens, best for chicken wings.
Kudu, Mayfair (Used to be Peckham): European dishes with a South African twist.
EAST LONDON
Towpath Café, Regent’s Canal: Seasonal cooking by the water – only open March to November. I love it here.
Leila’s Shop, Shoreditch: Alex Jackson (ex-Noble Rot chef) now cooks here and I think it’s one of the best places for lunch in London.
One Club Row, Shoreditch: Great for a celebration.
Rochelle Canteen, Shoreditch: Schoolyard setting and great outdoor seating, one of my top favourite places.
Miga, Hackney: Modern Korean food in Hackney.
Mangal Ocakbasi, Dalston: Proper ocakbasi; lamb chops, smoky flatbreads, chaos.
Singburi, Leytonstone: Newly opened in Shoreditch, after moving from its old institution in Leyton. Still just as delicious (but I’ll always miss the original.)
Dalla, Hackney: Best pasta in the city.
Dough Hands, Hackney: Amazing pizza.
Brawn, Columbia Road: Great for a long lunch.
Cafe Cecilia, Hackney: Breakfast and lunch sorted.
Little Duck, The Picklery, Dalston: Gorgeous setting, small plates and natural wines.
Lucky and Joy, Clapton: Interesting Macanese cuisine.
Poletina, Bow: Traditional Italian food.
NORTH LONDON
The Eagle, Farringdon: The original gastropub with chalkboard menus changing daily.
Tollington’s, Finsbury Park: By the guys from The Plimsoll (below). Think Spain in London. I love it here.
The Plimsoll, Finsbury Park: Go here for a burger and a pint then to Rowans for bowling.
The Macbeth, Hoxton: Recently taken over by Jamie Allan from ThePlimsoll. Portuguese food and pints.
Trullo, Highbury: Some of the best pasta in London.
The Clarence Tavern, Stoke Newington: Best for Sunday lunch.
The Drapers Arms, Islington: Also great for Sunday lunch.
SOUTH EAST, EAST
Camberwell Arms, Camberwell: I eat here a lot. No notes.
Banook Bagels, Latona Road: Best bagel in London.
Canton Arms, Stockwell: I’ve had some of my favourite nights here. I do a big Christmas dinner with a huge group of friends every year and it’s always perfect. Alternatively, just a cheese toastie and pint at the pub in front is just as good.
Llewelyn’s, Herne Hill: If you’re questioning whether you love London or not, come here and eat outside.
Eat Vietnam Bar B Grill, Deptford: Great pho, grilled meats and always packed.
Lala Books, Camberwell: Bookshop owned Danielle – ex Grove Lane Deli. One of my favourite spots in London for coffee (and books!). Sit outside in the sun.
Agora, Borough Market: If you can manage to get there before the queues.
Camille, Borough Market: Sit at the bar for great French cuisine.
40 Maltby Street, Bermondsey: Natural wine bar and restaurant that I’ve loved forever.
Tianjin Dumpling, Peckham: No-frills, handmade dumplings at their best.
Dough Hands, Nunhead: Great pizza.
Caffe Italia, Vauxhall: Corner deli, keep an eye out for good supper clubs.
Brunswick House, Vauxhall: Best for live jazz on Tuesdays and amazing food by Jackson Boxer.
SOUTH WEST, WEST
The Fat Badger, Golborne Road: George Williams is one of the best chefs in London. It will never disappoint and is a very fun spot.
The Waterman’s Arms, Richmond: A nice community feel, with two different dining spaces for different vibes.
The River Café, Hammersmith: Iconic for a reason. Yes, the price tag is questionable but I’ve only been for very special occasions and I still love it. Some of my most memorable meals have been here.
Daquise, South Kensington: Classic, polished and unchanged since the 1940s.
WHERE TO HAVE DRINKS
Bar Italia, Soho: Get an espresso here at any hour of the day – best in Soho.
Bar Termini, Soho: My favourite place to drink in Soho (as well as Bar Italia).
The Coach and Horses, Soho: A beloved Soho pub – a must-visit.
Side Hustle, Covent Garden: Mexican-leaning cocktails, great interiors.
The Lamb & Flag, Covent Garden: 400-year-old pub, Dickens drank here. Great for a stop-off in winter.
William IV, Old Street: Historic pub with a nice dining room.
Skehans, Nunhead: Irish pub in London, need I say more.
The Ivy House, Nunhead: London’s first co-operatively owned pub with a proper community feel. I recommend.
Lant Street Wine, Borough: The most perfect place to sit and sip in London. Go and you’ll see why.
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