LDNERS

Boringly, this mobbed blockbuster is exactly as impressive as everyone says it is. Worth remembering that politeness and good craic are still a useful way to score a walk-in and entry to the hallowed 'Green Room'.

A Cambodian-inspired residency in a legendary Soho pub is exactly what’s great about London’s food scene. Explosive, irresistible flavours and an incredible story.

To call it a Devonshire dupe does this place a disservice but, yes, it’s a worthy competitor. Exceptional fried chicken and earth’s best Irish coffee.

The Dexter cheeseburger gets all the justified plaudits but it’s basically a Trojan horse for one of the most consistently creative kitchens in the city.

The OG’s OG. It has such a particular, thrumming atmosphere and commitment to doing things the right way. Come for the steak sandwich but stay for the Basque cheesecakes that loiter on the counter.

The food from White Men Can’t Jerk is not the fanciest but it’s just so consistently enjoyable. Terrifically unhinged late-night atmosphere too.

A living, breathing (and half pint-necking) piece of Soho history, and the perfect dishevelled showcase for Neil Borthwick’s hugely underrated cooking.

It’s status as a proper pub is sketchy but the vividness of the cooking – those lacy onion bhajis especially – is totally undeniable.

A brilliant mix of downstairs spit and sawdust grit and first floor, gastronomic glamour with ridiculously good value midweek lunch deals. Put those beef and barley buns in the Tate, basically.

This is a rogue shout, but I’ve got such a soft spot for this sprawling Arsenal pub in Finsbury Park. Exceptional Guinness and affordable, generous plates of homecooked food beamed in from a decidedly un-gastro past.

A stylish yet laid-back pub serving excellent British fare with a focus on quality ingredients. The cosy atmosphere makes it perfect for both casual drinks and a proper meal.

A chilled zone to share pizza and a glass of wine with friends.

A small but upscale Japanese restaurant in Notting Hill, offering the freshest fish that’s worth every penny.

A cosy Korean restaurant nestled among Notting Hill’s colourful houses. This is my go-to comfort food spot, ideal for an affordable and relaxed lunch or dinner. Honestly, everything on the menu is delicious. Be sure to try the Tuna Chotoro, Seafood Pancake, and Bibimbap.

A stylish Greek restaurant with viral interiors. Perfect for a romantic dinner or a girls' night out. Check out the bar downstairs.

One of the best places in London for vibes and a cool crowd. A modern European bistro with an ever-changing seasonal menu, great for a sophisticated yet unpretentious dining experience.

My favourite bakery in Notting Hill, hidden away at the end of Portobello Road. A true gem for artisan pastries, sourdough bread, and excellent coffee. Come early, as by midday, there’s a long queue of locals, and getting a coveted spot in the sun will be nearly impossible.

A charming and historic spot with an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, serving French cuisine. It has a lovely terrace, perfect for warm evenings.

The best place for brunches. Order the sweetcorn fritters with avocado salsa – the portion is generous and absolutely delicious. Expect a queue, but it’s worth the wait.

A Greek restaurant with a modern twist. Be sure to order the Loukoumades – Greek doughnuts, crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with nuts.

I love the art of afternoon tea in London, and one of my favourites is at Belmond Cadogan by Benoit Blin. It’s a real afternoon tea for foodies - the savouries are elevated, and of course as you’d expect the cakes are perfection. Don’t miss the famous lemon cake, the same served in Belmond Le Manoir.

I love a Notting Hill wander around the colourful houses and the bakery scene keeps getting better and better. Layla Bakery in Notting Hill deserves all the recognition, the pastries are divine and the coffee just how I like it.

If you want something a little different, head down Portobello Road to Chai Guys for a truly life-changing masala pain suisse.

A very swish place for afternoon tea, lunch, or go in the evening for a cozy dinner, and its chic beigy/pink interiors are the perfect setting for a lovely experience.

When I need a really good walk, I head to Chiswick Mall. Starting at Turnham Green and head to the river, you’ll pass beautiful historic homes overlooking the Thames, riverside gardens, a few lovely cafes for a cuppa and pastry (I recommend Tamp Coffee or The Elderpress), finally arrive at Hammersmith Bridge and end your walk at the River Cafe Cafe, the new casual outpost from the iconic River Cafe.

Go to Gunnersbury Park, home to many beautiful magnolia trees, and head to the glasshouse for an idyllic picnic spot.

I love Lamb's Conduit Street for a slice of classic London. It's a beautiful street lined with Georgian architecture (Charles Dickens townhouse is just around the corner), the shopping is great. and there are cafes and restaurants dotted throughout. My favourite is La Fromagerie for a cheese toastie and the endive salad.

You must stop at Honey & Co for mezze and the feta and honey cheesecake.

The best hidden gem right now might be Flute at the Broadwick Soho, such a glam space, fab cocktails, with a little terrace and views over the city.

Perfectly crispy, golden-battered Korean fried chicken that stays juicy inside, with over 10 authentic sauces to mix and match. Plus, they serve everyday Korean classics done right.

A true family-run gem. Dad helms the open kitchen while the younger generation welcomes guests into a bright, airy space. The homey warmth makes it the perfect spot for a date.

A Michelin-starred Korean restaurant that’s surprisingly affordable. Sollip is a quiet love letter to both French and Korean cuisine, where husband-and-wife duo Woongchul Park and Bomee Ki craft beautifully refined dishes.

London’s best Korean-Mexican spot, hands down. Their wings? Next level. You won’t find them anywhere else. And don’t skip the Kimchi Bloody Mary—a bold, flavour-packed twist that’ll wake up your taste buds.

A central London Korean BBQ joint that goes beyond the grill. Their three-layer steam box—stacked with seafood, meats, and veggies—is a feast in itself. But the real magic? The noodle soup made from the essence of everything at the end.

Korean comfort food, redefined—entirely plant-based but just as rich in deep, nostalgic flavours. They prove that you don’t need meat for true soul-warming satisfaction.

A London go-to for Korean hotpot, specializing in army stew. What sets it apart? Over 10 different toppings, letting you customise your hotpot exactly to your taste.

A cocktail experience like no other—multi-award-winning bartender Taeyeol Kim crafts innovative drinks designed to engage all five senses. Bonus: they also run their own makgeolli brewery.

One of London’s oldest Korean restaurants and, in my opinion, the best Korean BBQ spot in the city. They dry-age their meats for extra depth, and they’re the only place in London serving offal BBQ. Everything, from side dishes to blood sausage, is made in-house.

A Korean-Chinese restaurant serving up a distinctly Korean spin on classic Chinese dishes. A rare taste of a cuisine that’s become an essential part of Korean comfort food.

A cult classic for a reason, whenever I'm near - and often when I'm not - I make sure to pop in for their everything bagel croissant. It's heaven in a circle.

I don't know what they put in the truffle mayo here, but I could drink it. I recommend the Kevin (leeks on a pizza is so right) or the MacGyver (hot honey forever). They also do delish five quid limoncello spritzes that are dangerously easy to polish off.

You may be intimidated that this car boot has gotten too clouty to find good bargains - I literally got papped for Vogue here at the end of last year - but between the Depop girlies, there are plenty of stalls full of treasures. The £1 entry starts at 11am, so head there for then.

A hot pink independent cinema that costs only six quid for a trip to the pictures? Sign me up!

Wouldn't be a list of fave spots without a classic pub making its way onto the list. This one's a fave because it's cheap, cheerful and the closest one to my flat.

The secret is out! London finally has good tacos!! There's usually a queue for this place but it is SO worth it.

Approx nine doors down from D4100 is the cutest vermouth bar that is the perfect secret treasure to pop into on your way to or from your pizza dinner.

My bestie and podcast co-host Ione Gamble put me onto this one. It’s on Friday mornings with the perfect balance of tat and high end. Unlike the Peckham car boot you have to be there early, but it’s so worth it!

The Manze family came over in 1878 and started as ice merchants, then ice cream makers, opening a shop next to the original pie & mash shop on Tower Bridge Road. It’s great to see the shop being run by the 4th generation of the family, so they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.

Arments Pie & Mash opened in 1914 (the year WWI kicked off) on Walworth Road. In 1959 they opened two more shops – another on Walworth Road and a third on Westmoreland Road. The two Walworth Road shops eventually closed and in 1979 they moved again to a larger location on Westmoreland Road, where they are now.

The pie quality is definitely better than most other spots – they’re also larger and filled with more meat. The chilli vinegar, which is very good, is actually made with real vinegar too.

The walls are homage to West Ham. The pies were good – nice pastry, a richer brown gravy, crisp on top and soft on the bottom.

Maureen’s is located in Poplar’s Chrisp Street Market. Although they were previously at the other end of the market, the shop has been in this area for over 60 years.

I really liked the pies here. The mince was a nice rich brown with a strong beefy taste. They had nice crispy tops but the bottoms were soft like the texture of a steak and kidney pudding. The chilli vinegar has a very good kick to it here too. It’s a lovely looking shop and service is friendly.

G Kelly opened in 1939 on Roman Road. They used to have a second location but only this one remains. Both were popular hangouts for the Kray twins. As well as pie, mash and jellied eels they also have a small selection of fresh shellfish at affordable prices.

Castle's Pie & Mash opened in 1934. It’s got to be one of the most beautiful pie & mash shops in London. I love the wood panelled walls and fixed brown seating. They also have a big selection of school dinner-style puddings with thick yellow custard at only £3.50 a pop.

Robert Cooke, the founder, and grandfather of the current owner, was the first person to pair a minced beef and kidney pie with mash potato and liquor. It quickly became a success and spread across East, North and South London.

It’s a lovely little shop and service is formerly. I liked the pies – the pastry was nice, they had a thick gravy inside and good flavour.