London for Foodies
I love great food and was really surprised to rediscover London as a spectacular culinary destination after several years of not traveling there. This article reflects my personal highlights from the last 5 or so visits to London in the recent 12 months including places for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. All experiences are first hands and all locations are easy accessible by tube and pretty much in Central London.
Restaurants
Roast
Cuisine: Modern British
Pro Tip: Beef Wellington Special every Saturday for Dinner
Location: Borough Market
Been there a total of 4 times now and still love it. It’s located inside the Borough Market with lots of nice little pubs in walking distance for after dinner drinks. My favorites are the Chateaubriand to share, Beef Wellington (only on Saturdays) and the Yorkshire Pudding.
Roka
Cuisine: Japanese Fusion
Pro Tip: Brunch Tasting Menu every Sunday (Lunch and Dinner)
Location: Multiple, we visited the Aldwych location 2 times
They serve a fantastic tasting menu they call a brunch (even tough it’s also available at dinner) every sunday. You get to taste lots of different appetizers and then choose a main. A highlight is also the dessert plate at the end. A bit of everything nicely arranged. A must go for everyone who loves Japanese Fusion and worth the prize of aprox. 60 pounds/person.
Dishoom
Cuisine: Indian
Pro Tip: Great for a lunch break when shopping Carnaby Street
Location: Multiple, we visited the Carnaby location
Since I haven’t had the chance to visit India by myself and can say that this was the best Indian food I had to date. Fresh & Spicy! Make sure you have a reservation or arrive prior to lunch time to avoid long waits for a table.
Hakkasan
Cuisine: Chinese Fusion
Pro Tip: This is the original location of the franchise, far better than the US locations we’ve visited so far and rated with one Michelin star.
Location: Hanway Place in walking distance from Carnaby Street and the theaters.
Legendary Place! Been to the Las Vegas and Miami Beach branch before but this original restaurants really stands out. The food was amazing! It’s a bit dark and has an underground vibe. Also try the cocktails!
Bonnie Gull Seafood Shack
Cusine: British Seafood
Pro Tip: Come early for lunch since it’s tiny and always packed.
Location: Soho
Found this place when searching for the ultimate Fish&Chips in town for a business meeting and boy, this tiny place delivered! We had various seafood appetizers and truly the best Fish&Chips of my life. Everything tasted so fresh and we had an excellent service that turned a short business lunch into a hours long culinary experience.
Smith & Wollensky
Cuisine: American Steakhouse
Pro Tip: Truffle Mac&Cheese!
Location: 10min walk from Covent Garden
For me Smith & Wollensky represents the quintessential New York Steakhouse. I might be a bit biased with this one, since it was the first US Steakhouse I’ve ever visited when I first traveled to New York a long time ago but it’s dark heavy classic decor, the waiters with their butcher jackets and stars and of course the steaks that are seasoned to perfection still are the benchmark for the ultimate steak house to me. They are my number one with their flagship restaurant in Midtown Manhattan and their spectacular restaurant at the south end of Miami Beach.
So I was very excited to learn they just opened their first bridgehead in Europe in London this year. I feared if they would be able to translate the full experience but they did.
From ambiance to food: If you’re looking to have a great steak in London, check out this place. I felt like dining the New York just 1,5 hours flight from home. Fully supporting my personal steak dramaturgy they serve classic Ceasar’s salad, creamed spinach, truffled Mac&Cheese and of course the Chateaubriand to die for.
Camden Market Street Food
Cuisine: Everything from around the world!
Pro Tip: Beef Bourguignon Burger with Raclette cheese
Location: 5min walk from Camden Town tube station
This market located inside and around historic stables is a very nice shopping and foodie location offering a vast collection of street food stalls as well as creative shops. You can easily spend half a day here just walking around and sampling… Very very very crowded on weekends.
Breakfast
Lantana
Cuisine: Australian
Pro Tip: They offered an extended weekend brunch menu including delicious french toast with spiced poached pears, orange mascarpone & pistachio crumble.
Location: Shoreditch
The Breakfast Club
Cuisine: British/American
Location: Multiple, we’ve been to the Shoreditch location
Granger & Co.
Cuisine: Modern British
Location: Multiple, we’ve been to the Kings Cross location
The Curtain
Location: Shoreditch
We spent 3 nights in this really nice music themed hotel in the center of Shoreditch. The hotel also has a nice rooftop bar and pool and our room featured even a steam bath.
The Montcalm Royal London House
Location: Shoreditch
Stayed there during our most recent visit. Nice rooms, stunning rooftop bar and a underground SPA with pool and jacuzzi.
American Bar in the Savoy Hotel
Location: Covent Garden
Voted the world’s best bar in 2017 this bar offers fabulous cocktails dedicated to famous persons and each with it’s own story to it. Classy place to go to before dinner in walking distance to Roka.
St. Christopher’s Pub
Location: Borough Market
Classic pub near London Bridge perfect for some drinks after visiting Roast. We’ve been spent a night there with live music on a thursday. Lots of locals/after work visitors.
