People often turn their noses up at English food, claiming it’s nothing to write home about. But what’s not to like about the traditional fish and chips and a heartwarming Sunday Roast? Put those unwarranted fears aside and rest easy knowing you’ll never go hungry in London. The diverse, multicultural city has good eats of its own, and proves that good food doesn’t always have to come at a high price. Here’s some places to check out during your stay.
The Breakfast Club
Named after the iconic 80s film, The Breakfast Club serves up brunch with style. Decked out in bright yellow, the eatery is stuffed full with eclectic items salvaged from the owners’ own childhood bedrooms. Most customers choose from the wide range of pancakes and waffles, which are the cafe’s specialty. The menu also includes eggs done almost every possible way.
Since its opening in 2005, the cafe has become a sizeable chain, with at least four different locations in London, whilst the original one still operates in Soho. Be warned—there is usually a queue, so come early or be prepared to wait!
Address: 12-16 Artillery Ln, Spitalfields, London E1 7LS, United Kingdom
Price: $
Pastificio Al Dente
This chic eatery off Goodge Street offers fresh pasta dishes all for just under ten pounds. Modelling itself after a traditional Italian Pastificio (pasta lab) where pasta is handmade daily, the eatery offers dine in or takeaway options, so you can try your hand at preparing the pasta at home.
Customers often rave about the Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi and their signature Ravioli Al Dente which includes spinach, mushrooms, ricotta cheese and truffle. The eatery also has an extensive wine list to complement your pasta of choice.
Address: 51 Goodge St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1TG, United Kingdom
Price: $
Flat Iron
Steak for eleven pounds? Satisfy your cravings at Flat Iron. At this restaurant there are no difficult choices, the only item on the menu is of course, Flat Iron Steak. Flavourful and tender, flat iron steaks refer to meat sliced from the chuck of the cow, then grilled to perfection. Once relatively unknown, the flat iron cut of beef is now a popular choice thanks to both its affordability and great taste.
Customers have their choice of sauce (Bernaise, Horseradish, Peppercorn or Fred’s sauce) and can order additional sides like fries to go with their meal. Each table is assigned their own server who, more often than not, is quite chatty and helpful. The restaurant also offers fresh popcorn on the house whilst you wait for your steak to be served.
Address: 17-18 Henrietta St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8QH, United Kingdom
Price: $
Bao
Going all the way to London just for some Chinese food may sound strange to you, but the city is actually home to a great number of incredible Chinese restaurants located in the heart of Chinatown. Bao is but one of them, offering a modern take on traditional taiwanese steamed buns. A former market stall, the restaurant officially opened its doors in 2015. Since then, it has been committed to offering steaming hot buns every day.
As you can imagine, the menu boasts a variety of buns from the sweet such as the Milk Tea Ice Cream Bao, to the savoury like the Beef Short Rib Bao . The restaurant also serves rice dishes and other beloved Taiwanese snacks like Taiwanese Fried Chicken.
Address: 13 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD, United Kingdom
Price: $$
Burger and Lobster
Burger and Lobster was the brainchild of four schoolmates, who wanted to create a restaurant that only served one or two dishes done to perfection. With the rather self explanatory name, it is clear the eatery has never wavered since. To this day, its menu is filled with only variations of the same theme, Burgers and Lobsters, accompanied with high quality service and a relaxed ambience. Think dim lighting, neon lights, and lobster tanks stacked up to the ceiling.
Recently, Burger and Lobster opened two outlets in Singapore. But it is definitely still worth trying the original at Mayfair- see for yourself what the fuss is all about.
Address: 36-38 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 4PS, United Kingdom
Price: $$
Hawksmoor
Did the mention of Sunday Roast already get your mouth watering? You’re in luck. This steakhouse is well known for its fantastic Sunday Roast, serving up succulent roast beef with traditional English flair (and very generous portions!). Each order comes with beef gravy soaked potatoes and freshly baked Yorkshire pudding, so be sure to work up an appetite before you arrive
Some local favourites to try also include Shaky Pete’s Ginger Beer Brew, a refreshing combination of homemade ginger beer and shandy that will definitely strike you as an adult twist on the famous Butter Beer of Harry Potter. For dessert, don’t miss out the sticky toffee pudding, a traditional English dessert which is just as delightful and decadent as it sounds.
Address: 11 Langley St, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JG, United Kingdom
Price: $$
Dishoom
Indian cuisine is actually massively popular amongst the Brits, and Dishoom is definitely on the top of everyone’s list. A loving homage to Bombay cuisine, Dishoom offers a feast for the senses. Elaborately decorated in the style of one of Bombay’s old cafes, the restaurant’s repertoire includes popular dishes like the Mutton Pepper Fry and the Bacon Naan Roll.
As testament to the restaurant’s claim that it is open to all, Dishoom’s extensive menu also includes vegan options, as well as dairy-free and gluten-free choices. Inspired by the 1949 law introduced in Bombay that required a permit for the consumption of alcohol, the restaurant also has a private room tucked away on its premises, cheekily named The Permit Room, where you can savour the finest liquors and drink the night away.
Address: 7 Boundary St, Hackney, London E2 7JE, United Kingdom
Price: $$
