Nothing tastes as good as eating delicious food in London feels.
Last year, I had the great privilege of studying abroad in the cosmopolitan city of London for the entire academic year. Although I am well-traveled, being in London really opened my eyes to how much of the world I still didn’t know. Aside from going to classes, I spent the better part of the year doing things like watching plays on the West End, marveling at the wonders of Westminster Palace and Kew Gardens, and best of all, trying all the delicious cuisines and varieties of food that London has to offer. It definitely helps that the expansive city is home to a number of famous food halls and markets (such as Seven Dials Market, Bang Bang Oriental Foodhall, and Borough Market) that feature some of the most unique and delicious varieties of street food and sweets. Without further ado, here are my recommendations for the best food spots in London!
Aux Pains de Papy
Located less than 10 minutes from Kings Cross station, this small and very unassuming bakery packs a BIG punch in terms of the variety of baked goods as well as their exceptional quality. I am VERY picky and particular when it comes to croissants; for me to truly enjoy one, they have to be exceptionally delicious. So for me to say this Almond Croissant from Aux Pains de Papy is the best croissant I’ve ever had in my life means a lot. They always taste super fresh and have the best, most buttery soft flakey texture. Coupled with the scrumptious almond frangipane filling, it was definitely a sweet way to start my day:) They also serve a selection of other pastries such as pain au chocolat and mixed berry tarts (though the Almond Croissant is by far the best one in my opinion, if you couldn’t tell already). Go to Aux Pains de Papy if you want some delicious fresh pastries to start your morning!
Megan’s
I haven’t had the opportunity to go to many brunches, but none are as good as the ones here at Megan’s. They have many branches across the city, but my favorite is always the Battersea location, overlooking the Thames. Firstly, the interior is simply gorgeous. Imagine a restaurant looking like a combination of Altar’D State and Free People, and you get Megan’s. Although there is a bit of wait time, it is totally worth it cause the food is simply divine. Offerings range from Brunch classics like festive cinnamon French toast and turkish eggs to shakshouka (which is perfectly seasoned and super tasty) to open kebabs (which are STUFFED with a variety of meats OR cheeses OR plant-based meat and veggies) and Turkish-style fondue, which has such a unique, savory flavor that makes you want more. It was so good that my mother split it evenly with me, and she is not the biggest fan of cheese. Not just their savory offerings, even their desserts are top-notch. Most famous is their half-baked cookie dough; filled with nutella and pistachios & topped with vanilla ice cream, it was so warm, soft, and perfectly sized to share with friends. If you’re looking for a beautiful restaurant that is affordable and serves high-quality food, then Megan’s is the spot to go!
Oshpaz
Although now they’ve opened up their first proper brick-and-mortar location, Oshpaz first originated as one of the food vendors located within Seven Dials Market, Covent Garden’s ever-so-popular (and insanely crowded) food hall. This spot serves delicious traditional Uzbek fare like Lagman (noodles), Manty (Dumplings), and Plov (rice dish). My favorite item has to be their delicious dumplings. I’ve ordered their vegan dumplings and noodles on many occasions, and I can happily say that the quality has never gone down. Noodles are perfectly al dente, contain the right amounts of spice and veggies, and unless the hall is busy you get your food very quickly. Overall, Oshpaz is a great spot to get food with friends and guests who’ve never visited before.
Japes
When it comes to foreign interpretations of classic American food, sometimes I get a little skeptical, especially when said interpreters are British. However, the moment I heard about this Soho restaurant serving personal-size Deep Dish Pizza I hurried to book a reservation, because Japes has the potential to go viral and become a big hit The restaurant itself is quite spacious, and has a nice ambiance that is reminiscent of classic casual spots in the US. I decided to get a classic Deep Dish Pizza and MY GOD was it delicious! It was super cheesy, saucy, and the garlic crust was crispy on the outside and SO fluffy on the inside, as if you are biting into a pillow. They even offer more adventurous varieties such as Buffalo Chicken, Forest Truffle, and Hawaiian. Though I never ordered them, Japes also is known for their crust dips that come with different sauces such as Buttermilk Ranch and Garlic Mayo. It is quite an underrated restaurant, and I hope it becomes more famous because the food is PHENOMENAL and left me STUFFED and happy:)
Chin Chin Ice Cream
Also in Soho, Chin Chin Ice Cream has some of the most wackiest and unique interpretations of ice cream and ice cream-based desserts I’ve ever thought of. Like their name says, they are most known for their ice cream, made with liquid nitrogen. Customers have the choice of a number of unique toppings like Pandan whipped cream and Truffle Crumble. If you fancy something a bit more adventurous, you can pick and choose any ice cream flavor and toppings to their customizable dessert options, with their most popular being the Sticky Toffee Pudding Sundae and Vegan Griddled Cookie Dough, which was my personal favorite. I would always add a scoop of Burnt Butter Caramel Ice Cream and top with Fleur de sel caramel sauce, Hot fudge sauce, and Toasted marshmallow fluff. Quite literally an ELITE combo and the BEST dessert I had in London. If there’s one dessert spot I would recommend to anyone visiting, it would have to be Chin Chin Ice Cream.
Italian Bear Chocolate
If you are a sucker for all things chocolate, then this is the place for you (and me). Although Italian Bear Chocolate does serve more traditional cafe lunch fare such as pasta and flatbread alongside the usual assortment of pastries and coffee, their specialty is their hot chocolate and chocolate cake: for the former, you can pick and choose between three flavors (I chose Gianduja) and three sizes (I chose medium). For an extra 1.50 pounds you can also get your cup (or cake) dipped in the three signature flavors of chocolate, which is what has made them go viral all over instagram and TikTok. Slightly thicker than the typical hot chocolate, this one is so rich and indulgent, as if drinking a melted chocolate bar. Definitely visit Italian Bear Chocolate if you want a unique and memorable dessert outing experience!
Créme
Créme is essentially Levain Bakery’s preppy, European cousin. Tucked away in the bustling streets of Soho, there is always a line out the door, in rain and shine, and for good reason. Their specialities are cookies, ice cream, and coffee, but obviously most customers go for their giant ooey, gooey cookies. Créme offers four permanent flavors (vegan double chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate miso, banana dark chocolate), and one monthly specialty flavor. I went and got their specialty flavor which, at the time, was Apple Cinnamon Milk Chocolate. When I tell you that cookie was so fresh it was falling apart in my hands, but I was perfectly happy with that. It was such a delectable burst of flavor in my mouth: the caramelized apples pair so well with the cinnamon cookie base, and the milk chocolate adds that hint of creaminess that elevates any cookie to the next level. Plus, it was perfectly crunchy non the outside, and soft on the inside. Créme is definitely a dessert shop that will appeal to any cookie lover!
Gelateria Danieli
This Gelateria and Italian Cafe is located in the upscale West London borough of Richmond, close by to the beautiful Richmond Park. The gorgeous dark wood-paneled interior makes you feel as if you’ve traveled all the way to Italy and are relaxing after a long day of sightseeing. Although the gelato is certainly delicious, the best item that Gelateria Danieli offers, in my opinion, HAS to be their hot chocolate. Specifically, the Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate. It is the drink that has made this spot go viral on instagram and TikTok, and for good reason. It is arguably the thickest I’ve ever had, so much so that they give you a spoon to help stir the drink. And the flavors…where to start? The chocolate itself wasn’t too sweet, and was so rich and indulgent; perfectly complementing the dollop of sweet and salty dulce de leche inside. A 100/10 in my books for sure!
Dishoom
No London restaurant recommendation list would be complete without a mention of this iconic UK staple. I’ve already been once before during a sightseeing trip, and I loved it so much, that this time around I made it my goal to visit every single Dishoom location (there are 7!) and see whether each one has the same level of gorgeous ambiance, quality service, and mouthwatering food. Although I was only able to visit 6/7, I can definitely say that Dishoom is worth every ounce of hype it gets. It isn’t your traditional Indian restaurant; modeled after the Parsi cafes of Bombay (now known as Mumbai), stepping into the restaurant feels like you are being transported back in time to the 50s, when these cafes had their heyday. The restaurant doesn’t accept reservations for less than 6 people during dinner times, so they will come around the lines waiting outside and serve their House Chai, which tastes 100% authentic like the homemade thing. Amidst sleek interiors and unique timely decals, standout menu items include the okra fries, pav bhaji, and my personal favorite: the House Black Daal. More commonly known as Dal Makhani, this is arguably the best iteration of the classic Punjabi Dish I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. It’s so creamy, thick, richly flavored, and paired with some garlic naan, the perfect comforting Indian meal. Arguably the best restaurant in London I’ve been to.
Well, here ya go! I’ve done my best to provide a comprehensive list of the 10 food spots I love most in London, ranging from small bakeries to popular restaurants with multiple locations throughout the city and beyond. Other honorable mentions include Whipped (the viral dessert shop known for their unique take on traditional cheesecakes with offerings like whipped cheesecake soft serve), Curry On Naanstop (specializing in Halal Mumbai Street Food), and Where The Pancakes Are (a wonderful unique brunch spot specializing in sweet and savory pancakes) If you ever happen to visit this vast multicultural city in the future, if you heed my recommendations and pay a visit to any one of these incredible food spots, I can assure you that you will be just as obsessed as I am!