58 Brewer St, Soho
Soho is a lot. The streets are full and the atmosphere is overstimulating. However, inside every doorway offers a breath of fresh air. This tiny, open-plan eatery, is making some of Londons best Asian-fusion. (Not lacking in drama either… everything is cooked over open flame.) Walk-in only.
27 Romilly Street, Soho
Berenjak is re-imagining the local kebab-houses you would find off the streets of Tehran. Owner, Kian Samyani insisted that “it wouldn’t be a Persian dinner, without sitting elbow-to-elbow with friends and family.. sharing every dish.” This diner is fit with a mangal grill, serving really good, traditional food.
4 Redchurch St, Shoreditch
That infamous ‘whole grilled turbot’ has reappeared on every hit-list since 2018 (and not without reason). Brats’ offering has strong Basque-roots, with owner Tomos Parry (former head-chef of Kitty Fisher's) describing his cooking as "instinctual and primal.” And like all good restaurants, Brat is not without a good back-story, the restaurant is housed in a former strip club.
120 Marylebone Ln, Marylebone
I’m sure you’re well-versed in the L’Entrecote drill - steak, frites and some-kind of ‘secret ingredient’ sauce that should be illegal. Some days nothing else will hit-the-spot… (ginormous queue immaterial).
50 Marylebone High St, Marylebone
This totally unassuming diner is a neighbourhood-favourite. Classic Austrian provisions, served in a space reminiscent of old-world Vienna. To be clear, you cannot leave without ordering the Schnitzel (no-one this side of town does it better.)
36 De Beauvoir Crescent, Hackney
London is a funny place, when the traffic is bad your friendship group tends to melt into a 5km radius. Deciding whether to meet East or West is always a standoff. But this is one place that’s worth the trip across town (every time). Towpath is an alfresco café, serving thoughtful, 'shabby-chic' dishes, with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients.
2-6 Moxon St, Marylebone
This marché holds as many job titles as a millennial - (wakes up as a a café, moonlights as a wine bar, also a grocer, but very serious about cheese). Truely, I could live here. The only place worth popping a Lacteeze for.
Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, Hammersmith
This is one of those places, where you just ‘need to go'. This incredibly popular restaurant has retained its’ Michelin star since 1998 and once upon a time, Jamie Oliver was the sous chef here.. Basically a v quintessential London experience. Hype aside, the food is seasonal, Italian and really, very good.
34 Rupert St, Soho
A scant 16-seat counter guarantees a queue down the street; and very well worth the wait. Palomar is serving a modern take on the street-food of Jerusalem, bringing with it a rampage of flavour. This sexy, slip-in diner will have you stumbling out at close.
89 Westbourne Park Rd, Notting Hill
I get it, you’re in London - it would be rude not too. Here you have a neighbourhood icon, the beloved British gastro-pub. The motto is ‘Eat Heartily and Give the House a Good Name,' so go try the Sunday roast - and do just that..