London

on 2022.01.17

26 Places

London’s dining and drinking culture just gets better and better. Whether you are in the market for artisanal breads, masterfully prepared offal or sensational wine, this cultural capital is sure to satisfy if you know where to go. Wading through all the hype and new openings and restaurant PR nonsense is a hassle, so I’ve done it for you. What follows is a round-up of some of my favorite places to eat, drink, and shop for booze in London.

katieparla.com/katie-parla-city-guides/my-london/

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Sushi Tetsu

Sushi Tetsu for ridiculously amazing sushi.

St. JOHN Bread and Wine

Modern European restaurant · Spitalfields

St John Bread & Wine for British cuisine, natural wines, and bread.

Hoppers

Sri Lankan restaurant · Marylebone

Hoppers for…hoppers, dosas, rice, roast, kothu & arrack inspired by Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu.

Leila's Shop

Store · Bethnal Green

Leila’s Shop for breakfast, lunch, and groceries.

Rochelle Canteen - East Shoreditch

Restaurant · Bethnal Green

Rochelle Canteen for satisfying, down-home weekday lunches.

The Anchor & Hope

British restaurant · Waterloo

Anchor & Hope for hearty gastropub fare.

Bar Américain

Cocktail bar · Soho

For cocktails.

Quo Vadis

Modern European restaurant · Soho

Quo Vadis for cocktails, eel sandwiches at lunch, and desserts.

Noble Fine Liquor

Permanently Closed

Noble Find Liquor sells spectacular natural and tradition wines.

Borough Market

Fresh food market · Borough

After a period of decline, Borough Market is once again promoting quality vendors. Check out Bread Ahead for artisanal breads, Kappacasein for raclette and toasted cheese sandwiches, Mons for French and Swiss cheeses, The Ham & Cheese Co. for charcuterie and of course legendary Monmouth Coffee and Neal’s Yard Dairy.

Brawn

Mediterranean restaurant · Bethnal Green

For everything.

Soif

Bistro · Battersea

Soif for small French-inspired plates and natural wines.

Southampton Arms

Pub · Kentish Town

For cask ales and ciders.

The Jolly Butchers

Pub · Stoke Newington

For cask ales and ciders.

Spa Terminus

Food manufacturer · Bermondsey

Spa Terminus on Saturday mornings for pastries at the Little Bread Pedlar, ice cream at La Grotta Ices, craft beer from The Kernel, and so much more.

40 Maltby Street

Wine bar · Bermondsey

40 Maltby Street for small plates and natural wines. This is one of my favorite places ever.

The Heron Bar and Restaurant

Pub · Paddington

Heron for super authentic Thai cuisine in a bizarre basement karaoke venue.

Silk Road

Chinese restaurant · Camberwell

Silk Road in Camberwell for Uyghur cuisine from China’s Xinjiang region.

The Rake

Bar · Borough

The Rake for foreign and domestic craft beers.

Koya Bar

Udon noodle restaurant · Soho

Koya and Koya Bar for udon.

Mangal 2 Restaurant

Restaurant · Dalston

Mangal I and Mangal II for mezes, salads, and grilled meat.

Barrafina

Tapas restaurant · Soho

Barrafina for top-notch Spanish tapas (multiple locations).

Barshu Restaurant

Sichuan restaurant · Soho

Bar Shu for Sichuan specialties.

Antepliler Restaurant

Turkish restaurant · Harringay Green Lanes

Antepliler (the Green Lanes location is the more delicious of the two) for Turkish mezes, lahmacun, and kebabs. Their small corner restaurant next door specializes in grilled offal and künefe.

Mien Tay

Vietnamese restaurant · Battersea

Mien Tay serves pretty great southwestern Vietnamese food in Battersea (there is another location in Shoreditch but it’s not as good). Don’t miss the stir-fried goat with galangal and chargrilled quail.

Lahore Kebab House

Pakistani restaurant · Whitechapel

Lahore Kebab House is a no-nonsense Pakistani kebab house in East London known for its juicy seekh kebab, spiced lamb chops and fiery curries.

@katieparla

Katie Parla