While I was living in London, I must have eaten the world. At the same time I must have tried around 1% of all the restaurants there. This is how full of restaurants London is.
But I had my favourites and I will share it with you because they are totally worth it!
Some of them are budget, others are more suitable for special occasions, but I will state this near each one of them.
English:
Rochelle's Canteen, Shoreditch
A non pretentious resturant with daily changing menu and traditional english dishes with a twist. The owner is the sweet wife of the famous chef Fergus Henderson. Hidden in a school backyard, you need to ring the buzzer to get in. The restaurant is in the previous bike shed used by the school. I once saw Ralph Fiennes there.
Tom's Kitchen, Somerset House
A very traditional English food cooked to perfection. I might also be biassed, because I briefly worked there, but I spent a lot of time in the kitchen and everything was top notch.
Fish!, Borough market - affordable
A fast food with fish and chips in Borough market. As authentic as it gets without the grimy interior and greasy batter. The fish finger sandwich is to dies for and I sometimes dream of it.
St. John Shoreditch
A head to tail concept, where every part of the animal is used as a respect to its life. A Fergus Henderson restaurant with very traditional British dishes. Non-pretentious interior with a canteen vibe.
Italian heaven on earth! Pasta as it should be - simple and delicious. A short menu with VERY affordable prices. I would visit London just for this restaurant. At lunch there is a big queue, but it moves fast and it's totally worth the wait.
Pizza Pilgrims, Carnaby Street - affordable
Oven baked pizza with crispy crust and little Italian nibbles. And Nutella Pizza! Say no more.
Princi, Soho - affordable
Italian chain with self service and incredible home made meals. You are welcomed by a mafia looking guy at the door that speaks no English and keeps the place in order. Definitely try the tiramisu!
You will never guess what is under its ordinary looking facade of a french cafe. Once you go down the stairs you are transformed into the 1920's world of swing and glam. A fabulous restaurant with live music and affordable french meals make you feel like a princess. There is also an American Bar for after dinner drinks.
A non pretentious resturant with daily changing menu and traditional english dishes with a twist. The owner is the sweet wife of the famous chef Fergus Henderson. Hidden in a school backyard, you need to ring the buzzer to get in. The restaurant is in the previous bike shed used by the school. I once saw Ralph Fiennes there.
Tom's Kitchen, Somerset House
A very traditional English food cooked to perfection. I might also be biassed, because I briefly worked there, but I spent a lot of time in the kitchen and everything was top notch.
Fish!, Borough market - affordable
A fast food with fish and chips in Borough market. As authentic as it gets without the grimy interior and greasy batter. The fish finger sandwich is to dies for and I sometimes dream of it.
St. John Shoreditch
A head to tail concept, where every part of the animal is used as a respect to its life. A Fergus Henderson restaurant with very traditional British dishes. Non-pretentious interior with a canteen vibe.
Italian:
Padella, Borough Market - affordableItalian heaven on earth! Pasta as it should be - simple and delicious. A short menu with VERY affordable prices. I would visit London just for this restaurant. At lunch there is a big queue, but it moves fast and it's totally worth the wait.
Pizza Pilgrims, Carnaby Street - affordable
Oven baked pizza with crispy crust and little Italian nibbles. And Nutella Pizza! Say no more.
Princi, Soho - affordable
Italian chain with self service and incredible home made meals. You are welcomed by a mafia looking guy at the door that speaks no English and keeps the place in order. Definitely try the tiramisu!
French:
Zedel, Picadilly Circus - affordableYou will never guess what is under its ordinary looking facade of a french cafe. Once you go down the stairs you are transformed into the 1920's world of swing and glam. A fabulous restaurant with live music and affordable french meals make you feel like a princess. There is also an American Bar for after dinner drinks.
Sketch, Soho
Sketch is a triple restaurant concept, but one of them steals everyone's hearts. This is the pink room with velvet couches toilets like astronaut cocoons, which are some selfie material. The restaurant commissioned David Shrigley to illustrate the walls and the plates and everything. Their afternoon tea session is out of this world and the service is royal. Expensive and perfect for special occasions or when you want to make an impression.
Sketch is a triple restaurant concept, but one of them steals everyone's hearts. This is the pink room with velvet couches toilets like astronaut cocoons, which are some selfie material. The restaurant commissioned David Shrigley to illustrate the walls and the plates and everything. Their afternoon tea session is out of this world and the service is royal. Expensive and perfect for special occasions or when you want to make an impression.
Asian:
Shoryu, Carnaby streetWhatever I say for this place will not be enough. This is where I tried my first ramen and fell in love forever. Since then I have tried many ramen shops, but this one stays the best one.
Phat Phuck, Chelsea - affordable
A hidden spot with a funny name. Go down the stairs and in a green backyard you will spot an authentic vietnameese food cart. Get a bow full of hot soup and start slurping!
C&R, China town - affordable
For me London was a discovery of Asian cuisine. This special spot in China Town serves Singaporean and Malaysian food and safe to say - the best laksa in town. Laksa is a spicy coconut soup that will heat your body and your soul.
Dishoom, Covent Garden
You enter and its like a retro Mumbay and the newspaper menu gives those indian street vibes. But don't be fooled - the place is very fancy and sophisticated and has some of the best indian food I've tried.
Eat Tokyo, Soho - affordable
A sushi chain that offers affordable Japanese delicacies.
Esarn Kheaw, Shepherd's Bush
A family run Thai restaurant with very authentic food that took me back to my trip in Thailand. Best Tom Kha I've tried outside Thailand.
A company that organizes some of the finest street food markets. They usually have different ones open depending on the month, but check their website for the one closest to you.
Pergola on the roof
A food market with famous street food stalls. The interior is heavenly and changes depending on the season. Check opening dates and times here.
Brick Lane on a Sunday
For me London was a discovery of Asian cuisine. This special spot in China Town serves Singaporean and Malaysian food and safe to say - the best laksa in town. Laksa is a spicy coconut soup that will heat your body and your soul.
Dishoom, Covent Garden
You enter and its like a retro Mumbay and the newspaper menu gives those indian street vibes. But don't be fooled - the place is very fancy and sophisticated and has some of the best indian food I've tried.
Eat Tokyo, Soho - affordable
A sushi chain that offers affordable Japanese delicacies.
Esarn Kheaw, Shepherd's Bush
A family run Thai restaurant with very authentic food that took me back to my trip in Thailand. Best Tom Kha I've tried outside Thailand.
Markets:
Street feastA company that organizes some of the finest street food markets. They usually have different ones open depending on the month, but check their website for the one closest to you.
Pergola on the roof
A food market with famous street food stalls. The interior is heavenly and changes depending on the season. Check opening dates and times here.
Brick Lane on a Sunday
Brick Lane on Sunday is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. There are food stalls all along the street. International cuisine at its best - you can try food from any corner of the world. You can stop by Columbia Market before that to stock up on flowers and have your morning coffee.
Spitalfields any day
Something for everything - you can find clothes, accessories, food, art, antiques and everything else here. Once a sunday market, now it's open every day. Once a week they hold a flea market. Check here for more info.
Borough Market
A sophisticated market under the train tracks where you can sense the atmosphere of old London. You can stock up on fresh produce or wander around many of the high-quality food stalls and enjoy a lunch on the pavement. There are plenty of restaurants in the area too.
Something for everything - you can find clothes, accessories, food, art, antiques and everything else here. Once a sunday market, now it's open every day. Once a week they hold a flea market. Check here for more info.
Borough Market
A sophisticated market under the train tracks where you can sense the atmosphere of old London. You can stock up on fresh produce or wander around many of the high-quality food stalls and enjoy a lunch on the pavement. There are plenty of restaurants in the area too.
Dessert:
Chin Chin Lab, Camden Town
Nitrogen Ice-cream made from scratch? Hell yes! They have plenty of weird combos and once you try, you will be coming back for more.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Dominique Ansel is the rebel child of patisserie and the creator of the cronut! Come here for funky desserts and and a marshmallow hot chocolate. Mmmm!
Nitrogen Ice-cream made from scratch? Hell yes! They have plenty of weird combos and once you try, you will be coming back for more.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Dominique Ansel is the rebel child of patisserie and the creator of the cronut! Come here for funky desserts and and a marshmallow hot chocolate. Mmmm!
Said, Soho - affordable
Chocolate heaven on earth for real. Its too easy to get food coma in here. Hot chocolate and chocolate covered strawberries? Aw yeah!
A Japanese fast food chain with awesome sushi and huge portions of katsu curry.
Leon, London - affordable
The naturally fast food chain of London. Everything here is created with care and small details to make the experience special. A guilt free food that makes you feel good about yourself. The restaurant in St. Pancras has a hidden back room that looks glamorous and makes waiting for your train cosy. Try the fish finger sandwich!
Chocolate heaven on earth for real. Its too easy to get food coma in here. Hot chocolate and chocolate covered strawberries? Aw yeah!
Fast Food:
Wasabi, London - affordableA Japanese fast food chain with awesome sushi and huge portions of katsu curry.
Leon, London - affordable
The naturally fast food chain of London. Everything here is created with care and small details to make the experience special. A guilt free food that makes you feel good about yourself. The restaurant in St. Pancras has a hidden back room that looks glamorous and makes waiting for your train cosy. Try the fish finger sandwich!
