Chick 'n' Sours

"Long before Harry Styles was repping the watermelon’s sexual street cred, the good people of Chick ‘n’ Sours were serving this great pickled watermelon salad. It’s tangy, it’s spicy, and it’s probably the worst nightmare of anyone who considers themself to be a coriander hater. Luckily, we are not those people and this is a great option for anyone who fancies a summer salad alongside an upbeat atmosphere. Combine with the szechuan aubergine and bang bang cucumbers for peak vegetable joy in Haggerston." - Heidi Lauth Beasley, Daisy Meager, Sinead Cranna, Jake Oliver

"When you’re fighting off the FOMO, there are three things you need. Firstly, a buzzy atmosphere. Secondly, sour cocktails that will have you merrily wandering home full of rum. And thirdly, a hefty amount of fried chicken. Chick ‘n’ Sours’ Haggerston branch (versus Covent Garden or Islington) is our favourite of the bunch. It’s lively, it’s fun, and it’s a no-brainer for a tasty and not-too-expensive meal in the area." - Heidi Lauth Beasley, Rianne Shlebak, Jake Oliver, Sinead Cranna

"Most lairy nights in London end with an Apprentice-like deal for free hot wings that can, if successful, leave you feeling like the leader of team Obnoxious Drunken Persistence. At Chick ‘n’ Sours, the fried chicken comes first. Or, perhaps after a couple of cocktails. Their k-pop burger is always delicious, as are lots of the Asian-inspired sides. And whether you’re in this, the original spot in Haggerston, or their Covent Garden place, you’re going to be able to have a good time." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing

"Disco wings: where the crunch is loud and the flavours are jumping. Owner Carl Clarke has been tweaking this recipe for over a decade and it shows; they’re brined overnight, coated in a secret seasoning then cooked to a Korean method which means low heat pressure fry, high heat deep fry and a very crunchy end result. The kung pao sauce takes inspiration from the Sichuan dish kung pao chicken using soy, oyster sauce, ginger, garlic, and chilli. Whole fried chillies, pickled chillies, peanuts, and spring onion bring salty, acidic pops. Various locations." - Helen Graves

"If fried chicken and sour cocktails isn’t a mood that says ‘I’m living my life and you best believe I’m not looking at my bank balance for a week’, then we don’t know what is. Chick ’n Sours may just be the most perfect sod-everything-out-the-window restaurant in London. It’s got enormous sandwiches filled with crisp and moist thighs slathered in sriracha mayo. It’s got tenders, and slaw. And not one, not two, but, seven homemade dips. Oh and also a load of cocktails for under a tenner too." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing