Foodie finds: My fave London restaurants
Let me tell you something that pains my soul: people who visit London, don't ask for any reccos from locals, and inevitably end up in a tourist trap or somewhere a bit crap…
It's just SUCH a shame when there are so many incredible restaurants, featuring literally every cuisine you could imagine!
However I can definitely appreciate that it's a bit overwhelming to filter through all of the white noise and figure out where the worthwhile spots are.
So… here is my tried and true list of London restaurants that are recommended by a local (moi). I treasure each of them and return again and again!
I've decided to list them by occasion rather than by area, to avoid it becoming too unwieldy… But if you ever need a recco for a certain part of London please do drop me a DM or email! :) hope you love them! x
(P.S. I will probably keep updating this as new faves emerge/I remember some gems that I inevitably forgot, but this is a current list)
Brunch
Brother Marcus has been a firm favourite of mine for yeeeaaaars (I even worked there part-time, when I was at law school :) it's been great to see them go from strength to strength). Order the Step Sister, and thank me later!
You really can't go wrong with Granger & Co and there are now quite a few branches dotted around London. This is a great spot for something healthier, but on the other end of the spectrum, the ricotta hotcakes are famous for a reason!
The much-anticipated London outpost of Sunday in Brooklyn is fabulous (the praline pancakes are to dieeee) – be warned that you will need to book well in advance, but it's worth it!
If you're nursing a bit of a hangover, the sausage naan at Dishoom seriously hits the spot and there are branches all over London these days.
For coffee, some of my absolute faves are: Rosslyn; Redemption Roasters; Caravan; Shreeji News; Grind.
Rosslyn Coffee
Something a bit special
Sessions Arts Club is probably my favourite 'treat' restaurant in London right now – while the setting is super special (those interiors…. Can't cope!), the modern menu is also incredibly well-executed. It's definitely become Insta-famous, but for good reason. You can read my mini review on Insta here.
Chiltern Firehouse has been my go-to for birthday celebrations for a while, now. It’s 'glamorous' but in a very restrained and elegant way, the food is excellent and the cocktails even better. I will not pretend it is in any way affordable, but it's well worth it for a treat!
I love Roka for some of the best quality sashimi in London and the buzzy atmosphere, thanks to the central robata grill. If you love Japanese food, this is the one for you. They also do some great value set menus.
Coya is an experiential Peruvian restaurant where the music and the atmosphere are just as important as the food. We actually chose to do a Coya-at-home box for a pandemic Valentine's date night, which was lovely! One of my go-to's, not just in London but around the globe.
Sessions Arts Club
Sexy date night spots
For something fancy, Hakkasan is pure date night vibes – it's all dark and sultry and full of beautiful people. One for the dim sum lovers (or, if you've never tried it, it will convert you!). Make sure you get the venison puff and the har gau!!
I recently had date night at Quo Vadis and absolutely adored it. Not only is the modern British food incredible, the space feels really intimate and elegant. Bonus points for the hand illustrated menus.
The boyfriend and I both love Blacklock for date night – it's not fancy at all, but we love us a good steak, the cocktails are great and it’s very affordable (hello £5 Old Fashioneds) so it's a great one to have in the back pocket for a more budget-friendly option. Can't be bouji all the time!
A fun evening with the girls
The Maine is that rare thing: a 'night out' restaurant (there's live jazz and burlesque) which isn't naff, and where the food is actually pretty great. We had SUCH a fun night when I visited for a friend's birthday, and the space itself is absolutely stunning.
Sometimes you just need to get dressed up, grab your girls, have too many glasses of fizz and dance on the tables. Bagatelle is that place! A guaranteed good time, and the food is decent too.
Jikoni is such a cute, girly space – perfect for catch ups with good company over some delicious food. The desserts are particularly good; I'm obsessed with the banana cake!