Britain is a nation of pet lovers, with a whopping 57% of households owning a pet here in the UK in 2023, when records were last updated.
It probably won’t surprise any readers to learn that dogs are the most common pet on these shores; there are an estimated 13 million living in homes across the UK, and we’re second only to Germany in terms of dog ownership in Europe.
That number peaked during the pandemic (the number of dogs in the UK had hovered around 9 million for almost a decade before COVID struck), with households in the throes of lockdown desperate to add intrigue and companionship to those dull, dark days we all endured.
But as the newly-updated saying so sagely suggests, ‘’a dog is for life, not just for lockdown’’, and many first-time dog owners have discovered that the life of canine-companionship isn’t all walkies, playing fetch and snuggles. There’s also a whole lot of admin, cost, worry and stress associated with introducing a new dog to the family, and one of the areas where this is most apparent is in a new dog’s sleeping arrangements.
Since dogs are such keen creatures of habit, they often find it hard to adjust to a new home and those long nights spent in slumber somewhere unfamiliar. This can lead to restless nights both for dog and owner, but fortunately, there are things you can do to help. If your dog is a restless sleeper, here’s how to help them sleep more soundly.
Bedding Down In Comfort
You know the old proverb, that one should ‘’let sleeping dogs lie’’? Well, if your dog isn’t able to lie comfortably, then letting them sleep isn’t exactly going to be a breeze, is it?
And it can’t be overstated just how comfortably dogs love to lie. Whether it’s in a crate, on a specifically designed memory foam mattress or a high quality dog bed with a layer of faux fur for extra comfort, dogs just love to bed down in soft, padded spaces that boast ample room for stretching out, so ensure that you provide this. Sure, that high quality may come at a cost, but there are online dog bed sales regularly happening that will help cushion the blow, physically and metaphorically.
We can’t stress enough the importance of providing your dog with their own dedicated sleep space. Though it may be tempting to snuggle up with your pup in your own bed once in a while, this unpredictability of routine won’t help them sleep well.
Instead, give your dog their own space, as they love a level of ownership and privacy. If it’s feasible, dogs benefit from having a drop down cover on their sleeping area, which protects them from intrusive light and any draughts. Because there’s nothing a dog hates more than a fluctuating temperature. Speaking of which…
The Ideal Room Temperature For A Sleeping Dog
The difference between the ideal sleeping temperature for humans (between 16 and 18°C) and dogs (who prefer things a little warmer, at 23°C or so) presents a problem, as managing the temperature and keeping it consistent for all the household residents can be a fine juggling act.
Of course, that figure depends on the thickness of your dog’s coat, as well as their age and even your dog’s breed, but generally speaking, your dog’s sleeping quarters should be away from open windows and draughty areas of the house. Ideally, you’ll also provide them with a warm blanket, allowing your dog to regulate their temperature without them having to perform some doggy wizardry and reach up for the thermostat.
Some dog owners go further and provide a heated blanket for their pooch to sleep on, with some doggy beds coming with these built in. A raised bed can also help, as having a bed placed directly on the floor can mean the surface can get pretty cold and damp for sleeping dogs, particularly in winter.
Dogs may not be able to tell the time, but they instinctively know when it’s time for bed via that incredible doggy intuition they seem to possess.
And just as Pavlov discovered a way to make dog’s drool in anticipation of food simply by ringing a bell, so too can you help your pup feel more sleepy just by conditioning them to associate certain rituals with bed time.
Make sure that your dog’s bedtime routine follows a similar pattern each day, with their evening meal, pre-bed walk and bathroom break all falling at the same time each night.
Try to say goodnight to your dog in a similar way and at a predictable time each night, too, dimming the lights and not causing unnecessary commotion once you’ve made it clear that it’s bedtime for the both of you. They will soon learn to consistently feel tired and ready for bed by association, producing melatonin and regulating their sleep cycle, much in the same way humans do, in the process. All of this will result in a healthier, happier dog, which is what it’s all about, right?
Consider Their Polyphasic Sleep Cycle
We’re sure you already know this, but dogs follow a polyphasic sleep cycle, enjoying around 14 hours of sleep a day/night in total, in around four phases. It’s essential, then, to make sure your dog is getting enough exercise between those bouts of sleep, so they’re tired enough for a longer evening shift in the sack.
It’s recommended that dogs should be getting as much as two hours of exercise a day, and whilst this might seem a lot for you as much as them, there are ways you can make dog walking more enjoyable for the both of you.
Helping Your Dog Feel Safe & Secure
There are a couple of other minor adjustments you can make to your dog’s sleeping environment to ensure they feel safe and secure when they’re bedding down.
Firstly, consider playing white noise, such as rainfall, birdsong, or television static, or investing in a white noise machine, to soothe your dog. Some studies have even suggested that white noise can help relieve stress in dogs, especially when considering separation anxiety.
Such gentle, predictable noise can also work by masking or muffling other sounds that might be causing your dog distress and disturbing their ability to sleep, such as car alarms, traffic noise, fireworks and storms.
You could also introduce a couple of new toys to your pup’s bedding area, which, over time, they will grow attached to and associate bedtime with. The best toys to bring about safe and secure association are so-called ‘comfort’ toys, such as soft stuffed toys, and even pillowcases, towels and old T-shirts, especially if they smell like you! Which, when you think about it for a moment, is so incredibly, unbelievably sweet.
Planning for the future is something that people have to do at every stage of life. Research published in 2021 revealed that 7 and a half million over-55s plan to modify their homes for later life care and wellbeing needs. For some, however, the idea of waiting until you’re 55 for your attention to turn towards later life and retirement feels somewhat fraught.
Indeed, that research suggested that 20% estimate future-proofers would need in excess of £10,000 to complete the appropriate home modifications to support themselves in later life. The average spend is upwards of £7,600 – representing a significant investment for over-55s and retirees. A case of closing the barn door after the horse has bolted, perhaps?
If you’re renovating your home already, it makes sense to think about the modifications your home may need to support you in later life. Planning ahead and looking at home adaptations while you’re in your younger years can create a more suitable living space, with new technologies opening up new opportunities for comfortable, convenient living, all of which can also help prevent falls and the risk of serious injury.
Should you be looking ahead and concerned about preventing falls when you get there, here are 7 home modifications that may help you in later life.
Smart Lighting & Motion Sensors
One of the most crucial modifications you can make to your home is the installation of smart lighting and motion sensors. Falls often occur when attempting to navigate dimly lit spaces or fumbling for light switches in the dark. Modern smart home systems can be programmed to automatically activate lights when movement is detected, ensuring walkways and staircases are always properly illuminated.
These systems can be configured to provide gentle, non-glaring illumination during night-time hours, making those inevitable trips to the loo significantly safer. What’s more, many smart lighting solutions can be controlled via smartphone or voice commands, eliminating the need to reach for switches altogether. Beyond the practical benefits, smart lighting can also help reduce energy costs by ensuring lights aren’t left on unnecessarily.
Wider Doorways & Corridors
Whilst it might seem a touch drastic whilst you’re still sprightly, widening doorways and corridors is a fundamental modification for future-proofing your home. The standard UK doorway width of 762mm can prove challenging for those using mobility aids or wheelchairs, and having to negotiate tight corners in narrow hallways can be equally problematic.
The recommended width for wheelchair-accessible doorways is at least 900mm, though many opt for 1000mm to provide ample clearance. Whilst this modification requires significant work, incorporating it into planned renovations can be more cost-effective than tackling it as a standalone project later in life. Plus, wider doorways and corridors create an open, flowing feel to your home’s layout – a design feature that’s increasingly sought after in modern properties.
A Stairlift
To consider the concept of ‘Aging in Place’ and making your home more livable for your golden years, it’s essential that domestic mobility is your first consideration.
According to that research from all the way back there in the introduction, nearly 50% expect to install a stair lift to support their mobility at home. Stairs are perhaps the most significant hurdle for people when it comes to staying in their home through later life, unless you live in a bungalow, that is.
However, stairlifts aren’t all that aesthetically pleasing; they are a cumbersome and pretty ugly home adaption. Instead, consider installing a domestic lift. Not only will one help you remain independent in your home later on in life, but they can also look modern, sleek and stylish. Oh, and as Lifton Lifts tell us, they can increase the value of your house, too.
That said, becoming reliant on a stairlift before they’re completely necessary might actually cause joints to degenerate faster. Exercise a little caution here, we think.
The second most common home modification that just over 40% of respondents expect to undertake is a bathroom conversion. This typically includes the removal of a bath and creation of a wetroom to allow for more comfortable and safe showering, as opposed to bathing. Baths tend to be difficult to enter, presenting slip hazards. Walk in tubs or wetrooms provide greater accessibility, as entry and exit doesn’t require a spot of amateur gymnastics to achieve.
You’ll be pleased to hear that with their spa-like looks, wetrooms are becoming increasingly popular here in the UK and can add value to your home. Moreover, there are far fewer surfaces in a wet room, which makes the job of cleaning it a lot easier.
Many home adaptations concern small adjustments to the height of certain everyday items around the home, and one of the most important are those of plugs and switches.
In the average UK home, light switches tend to be too high for those in wheelchairs and plugs tend to be too low for easy access for elderly residents. It’s recommended that sockets and switches in UK new builds should be at a minimum of 450mm and a maximum of 1200mm from floor level, with sockets at the lower end of that spectrum and switches at the higher end.
Many elderly residents who have chosen to age in place opt for both their sockets and switches to be at a height of around 750mm from floor level, as this is considered more accessible.
Install A Downstairs Toilet
Accessibility where the toilet is concerned should also be a priority when considering home modifications and property futureproofing. As such, installing a downstairs toilet is a wise move, not only for accessibility but also as such an addition can significantly raise the value of your home.
Should wheelchair accessibility be a consideration, raising the height of any toilets in your home is important, too. A standard toilet is 430mm high whilst a standard wheelchair sits at 480mm; the required shifting of body weight to negotiate this difference can be tough for some with mobility issues; instead, building regulations experts TopBc recommends having the toilet at the same height as the wheelchair for easier access.
Ramp Installation
Almost 30% also expect to install a ramp to their property. This may be internal or external, providing easier access and movement in and around the home, as well as creating an access route for wheelchair users. Whether this is a permanent feature or one which can be added and removed when necessary is up to the homeowner. Handrails will further enhance accessibility.
It seems like you can’t even wink 40 times in 2025 without another article about the value of sleep. A sterling seven to eight hours between the sheets has been credited as a low mood alleviator, brain cell repairer, pain reliever, blood pressure reducer, clarity giver and just about any other benefit you can dream up. Why, then, when the positives are this obvious, are we still not taking our sleep seriously?
Fortunately, technology is helping to change that, offering education, information and guidance on getting those much-needed, often-elusive zeds. We’ve tested out the best gadgets and gizmos out there for aiding a serene slumber, and with that in a very well rested mind, here are 7 tech solutions to help you sleep more soundly.
Banish Blue Light From The Bedroom
Conversely, in an article about harnessing the power of tech to hack your sleep, we’re going to start here. Perhaps the single most effective path to a better night’s rest is by reducing your phone or laptop use, especially in the immediate one or two hours before you get into bed. Countless studies have shown the link between your screen’s blue light and a difficulty in nodding off, as well as its hand in a disrupted, disruptive sleep pattern. Couple this with the fact that checking emails and social networking late at night will have your brain distracted and not properly prepared for some down time, and it’s clear that something’s got to give.
A few simple steps can make a big difference. Start by imposing a ban on screen time before bed. Most modern smartphones now come with built-in digital wellbeing features that automatically shift to focus mode or wind-down settings in the evening. Both iOS and Android devices offer sophisticated screen time management tools that can be customised to your sleep schedule. It’s also crucial to utilise the night mode feature on all your devices, which automatically tones down that pesky, moreish blue light in favour of something all the more murky and less appealing. Finally, it’s crucial (although yes, a bit difficult) to make your bed a ‘no screen zone’, so your brain begins to dissociate your place of rest with screen-based stimulation.
Temperature Tech
The temperature of your bedroom plays a huge role in the quality of your sleep; the optimum is surprisingly cool, at between 16 and 18°C. Anything significantly warmer will lead to a restless night, with consistency being key if you want an undisturbed slumber. Modern smart climate control systems now offer AI-powered temperature adjustment that learns from your sleep patterns and automatically maintains your optimal sleeping temperature throughout the night. Many of these systems can now integrate with your sleep tracking devices to adjust the temperature based on your sleep stages, ensuring you’re never too hot or too cold.
App Assistance
The world of sleep apps has evolved significantly. While screen time reduction remains important, there are now sophisticated AI-powered sleep coaching apps (more on that a little later) that provide personalised recommendations based on your lifestyle, chronotype, and sleep data. Premium meditation apps like Calm and Headspace have expanded their sleep offerings to include everything from binaural beats to cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) programmes.
For those looking to improve their sleep through lifestyle changes, there are now apps that integrate with your smart home devices to create the perfect sleep environment, gradually dimming lights, adjusting temperature, and even releasing calming scents through smart diffusers. Many of these apps can also track your caffeine intake throughout the day and suggest optimal cut-off times based on your personal metabolism and sleep schedule.
Sleep Trackers
Sleep tracking technology has become incredibly sophisticated, moving beyond basic movement monitoring to include advanced biosensors that can track everything from your heart rate variability to your breathing patterns and even your blood oxygen levels during sleep. Modern smart rings and watches now offer detailed sleep architecture analysis, breaking down your sleep cycles and offering actionable insights to improve your sleep quality.
These devices can now detect potential sleep disorders like sleep apnoea and alert you to consult a healthcare provider. They also integrate with your smart home ecosystem to automatically adjust your environment based on your sleep stages and can even wake you up with simulated natural light when you’re in your lightest sleep phase.
There are also a whole host of sleep tracking apps ready to weight in, too, the best of which, to our mind, is Shuteye. How does Shuteye sleep tracker work? Well, it’s through sophisticated algorithms that detect subtle patterns in movement and breathing to identify different sleep phases, including the critical REM stage, and waking you up at the right time accordingly.
S.A.D. Lamps
Blue light before bed is the devil, we’ve already established. But during the day, a controlled version can become a useful tool in the fight against disrupted sleep patterns. Modern light therapy devices have evolved significantly, with some now offering portable options that can be worn as glasses or clips that attach to your regular spectacles. These devices can help regulate your circadian rhythm and boost energy levels during the day, leading to better sleep at night.
Smart Bedding
A revolutionary addition to sleep technology is the emergence of smart bedding and mattress systems. These innovative textiles come with built-in sensors to monitor your sleep environment and adjust accordingly. Some feature phase-change materials that actively regulate your temperature throughout the night, while others incorporate pressure-sensitive zones that can adjust their firmness based on your sleeping position. More humble but no less effective options include humidity-wicking properties and anti-bacterial treatments that help maintain an optimal sleep environment.
AI Sleep Coaching
The latest advancement in sleep technology is the introduction of AI-powered sleep coaching that combines data from multiple sources – your sleep tracker, smart home devices, daily activity patterns, and even your digital calendar – to provide holistic sleep recommendations. These systems can predict potential sleep disruptions based on your upcoming schedule and suggest preventive measures, such as adjusting your bedtime or recommending specific relaxation techniques.
The AI coach can also adapt its recommendations based on your response to different interventions, creating a truly personalised sleep optimisation programme. Some systems even integrate with your work and social calendars to suggest the best times for important meetings or activities based on your predicted energy levels and alertness patterns.
By embracing these technological advances while maintaining a healthy respect for the basics of good sleep hygiene, we can work towards achieving that elusive perfect night’s sleep. After all, in our increasingly connected world, sometimes the smartest choice is knowing when to let technology help us disconnect and drift off into a peaceful slumber, and when to throw our phone into an open fire and bid farewell to ‘tech’ altogether.
Picture this: it’s Friday evening, and you’re getting a round in at your local. Before anyone has even winced at their first sip of a particularly acidic craft beer, you’ve already winced at the price – £7 a pint and climbing.
But behind that wince is a smile, because you know that in your kitchen at home, you’re crafting your own, for less than a pound a pint, with ingredients you can find without having to go full beer-nerd native.
Home brewing has seen a remarkable renaissance in recent years, inspired partly by the explosion of craft breweries showing what’s possible with traditional ingredients and techniques (and then, those breweries selling out, it has to be said). Armed with just six basic ingredients and some patience, you can create beers that would make a master brewer proud.
While commercial breweries invest in industrial-scale equipment and laboratory controls, home brewers have been creating exceptional beers with simple ingredients for centuries. The process takes about four weeks from grain to glass, but most of that time your beer is quietly fermenting while you get on with life. The real magic happens in just a few hours of hands-on brewing.
Understanding the essential home brewing ingredients is your first step toward crafting great beer. Each component plays a crucial role in developing your brew’s character, from the foundation of malted grains to the final mineral adjustments. Without wishing to raise a glass prematurely; cheers to that!
Malted Grains: From Field To Glass
Open a bag of malted barley and you’ll immediately understand why brewers are captivated by this ingredient. The sweet, biscuity aroma promises the flavours to come, while the golden kernels hold the essential sugars that will eventually become your beer. Most brewers start with barley, but wheat, rye, and even ancient grains like spelt can each bring their own character to your brew.
Professional maltsters transform raw grain through a careful process of controlled germination. They steep the grain in water, allow it to sprout just enough to develop the right enzymes and sugars, then halt the process through careful kilning. The temperature and duration of this kilning creates an entire spectrum of malts:
Pale malts: Form your beer’s backbone with subtle honey and fresh bread notes
Crystal malts: Add richness with toffee and caramel flavours
Chocolate malts: Bring smooth cocoa and coffee characteristics
Black malts: Deliver intense, espresso-like depth
Wheat malt: Contributes a soft, fluffy texture perfect for summer ales
Hops: A Revolution In Every Flower
British brewing changed forever when medieval brewers discovered that hops did more than just preserve their beer – they transformed it. These small, cone-shaped flowers bring essential bitterness to balance the malt’s sweetness, but they’re capable of so much more. Modern hop varieties can infuse your beer with anything from the zesty grapefruit notes of American Cascade to the delicate spiciness of Czech Saaz.
Timing is crucial when adding hops to your brew. Master brewers often layer their hop additions throughout the process, building complex flavour profiles that can’t be achieved any other way:
Bittering hops: Added at the start of the boil for clean bitterness
Flavour hops: Mixed in midway for balanced character
Aroma hops: Dropped in at the end for fresh, vibrant notes
Dry hopping: Added after fermentation for intense hop perfume
Popular British varieties like East Kent Goldings and Fuggles bring classic earthy, floral notes, while American hops like Citra and Mosaic offer bold tropical fruit character.
Yeast: The Living Heart Of Beer
Hidden from view but central to your beer’s character, brewing yeast transforms sweet wort into finished beer through the miracle of fermentation. Each strain brings its own personality to the brew. Traditional ale yeasts work their magic at warm temperatures, often contributing subtle fruit notes that complement British beer styles perfectly. Lager yeasts prefer the cool, slowly crafting clean, crisp beers that showcase their malt and hop foundations.
The choice of yeast strain can take your beer in dramatically different directions. The same base recipe fermented with different yeasts might become anything from a classic British bitter to a fruity Belgian ale or a clean German lager. Each type brings its own character:
British Ale Yeast: Creates classic pub ale flavours with subtle fruit notes
American Ale Yeast: Produces clean, crisp character that showcases hops
Belgian Yeast: Develops complex spicy and fruity notes
Lager Yeast: Ferments clean and crisp, letting malt and hops shine
Wheat Beer Yeast: Adds distinctive banana and clove notes
Water: The Foundation Of Regional Styles
The subtle variations in local water supplies have shaped brewing history more than most people realise. Burton-on-Trent became Britain’s brewing capital largely because its mineral-rich water proved perfect for pale ales. Dublin’s hard water helped define the character of Irish stout, while the soft water of Pilsen enabled the creation of the world’s first golden lagers.
Modern home brewers can adjust their water chemistry to match any historic brewing centre, but starting with good-quality filtered tap water will serve most recipes well. Simple additions of brewing salts can then fine-tune your water’s mineral profile to suit your chosen beer style.
Beyond The Basics: Creative Additions
While the traditional ingredients can produce exceptional beer on their own, thoughtful additions can elevate your brew further. A handful of fresh orange peel brightens a wheat beer, while a measure of oats can bring silky smoothness to a stout. Coffee beans, spices, and fruit can all find their place in the right recipe, though it’s worth mastering the basics before exploring these creative possibilities.
The Final Polish: Mineral Balance
Understanding how minerals influence your beer opens up new possibilities for fine-tuning your recipes. Calcium helps proteins coagulate during the boil, creating a clearer beer. Magnesium and zinc support healthy fermentation. Even the balance between chloride and sulphate can shift your beer’s character from malt-forward to hop-forward. These subtle adjustments separate good beers from great ones.
Taking Your First Steps
Starting your brewing journey doesn’t require a huge investment. A large stockpot, a fermentation vessel with an airlock, and some basic measuring equipment will get you going. Begin with a straightforward pale ale recipe – they’re forgiving of minor mistakes and teach you the fundamental processes every brewer needs to master.
Keeping everything scrupulously clean is essential – the only organisms you want in your beer are the ones you’ve chosen to put there. Take notes as you brew, join a local brewing club if you can, and most importantly, be patient. Good beer can’t be rushed.
The real joy of homebrewing lies in the journey of discovery. Each batch teaches you something new, and before long you’ll be crafting beers that rival or surpass commercial examples. Whether you dream of recreating historic styles or developing your own signature recipes, everything starts with understanding these essential ingredients.
Known for its rich contributions to art, architecture, music, sport, film, and television, Leeds has long been a cornerstone of Yorkshire’s contemporary culture. The city’s cultural scene is deeply rooted in its history, dating back to its development as a prominent market town during the Middle Ages.
As the Industrial Revolution swept across England, Leeds transformed into a major mill town, with industries such as wool, flax, engineering, iron foundries, and printing playing significant roles in its growth.
The city’s cultural prowess extends beyond industry and commerce, of course. Leeds has been home to many notable artists and sculptors in its history, including Kenneth Armitage, John Atkinson Grimshaw, Jacob Kramer, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Edward Wadsworth, and Joash Woodrow.
The city’s art scene was further enriched by The Leeds Arts Club, a radical modernist arts organisation that existed from 1903 to 1923. This club was instrumental in promoting German Expressionist ideas about art and culture, staging early British exhibitions of work by European expressionist artists.
Leeds’ cultural landscape also includes a thriving music scene, with bands like Gang of Four, Chumbawamba, The Cribs, and Soft Cell hailing from the region. It is home to Opera North, Northern Ballet, and The Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and hosts the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition annually.
In a city of such cultural prowess, a lively and innovative food scene only naturally follows suit, and the culinary landscape of Leeds is equally impressive, with a strong emphasis on both locally produced ingredients and multicultural influences.
Today, we’re exploring the very best the city has to offer; here are our favourite places to eat in Leeds, the Capital of the North.
Zucco
Ideal for enjoying a long and languid Italian lunch…
On the same strip as the aforementioned Hanamatsuri, Zucco is a gem of a neighbourhood restaurant. Now in its second decade, this Italian restaurant is a place built for a long, languid lunch of snacks, sharing plates, and lingering over dessert and digestifs.
Bring a few friends; the menu at Zucco is stacked and inviting, ready to satisfy even the most fickle members of the squad with crowdpleasers like crisp, salty fritto misto, polpette and spaghetti (pleasing to order that one outloud, too) and a vast selection of pizzette, bruschetta and focaccia.
The set menu here is a steal, with four courses plus bread and good quality olive oil priced at £40 per person. You won’t find a menu comprising random offcuts and afterthoughts, soups using up vegetables on the turn, and a flavoured cream to finish. Nope, Zucco have put some of their hero dishes on the set, including a gorgeous (Mob baiting) nduja and burrata pizzetta, and king scallop, prawn and squid risotto, flavoured with saffron. These guys aren’t holding back and there’s a generosity of spirit to the whole place which is infectious, with the dining room buzzing every night of the week, except Mondays, when Zucco closes.
Ideal for a Mexican seafood feastin somewhat incongruous surroundings…
It can be tough to find true, authentic Mexican food in the UK. It’s also tough to find Lupe’s Cantina Mexicana, whose bright yellow brickwork and rainbow coloured outdoor benches sit in the most incongruous surrounds of suburban Burley, sharing the road with BP garage and a bathtub specialist.
Once you do track his cantina down, though, you’ll be lifted up by chef Rudy’s gorgeous rendition of his native Veracruz’s local dishes, as well as drawing from the wider palate of the Mexican culinary canon.
Though we’re neither near the sea or Mexico, it’s in the seafood section of the menu that Lupe’s really shines, introducing a number of brothy, uplifting dishes that area little less familiar to the UK than they deserve to be. The sietes mares is especially good. Here, slices of scallop, prawn, haddock chunks, clams and mussels bob about in a light, limey broth that’s turned a pleasing shade of copper from the addition of tomatoes and guajillo chilli.
Perhaps even better is the mejillones, another soupy number of mussels and a cloudy, creamy white wine-spiked sauce. Topped with caramelised onions, avocado and coriander, all you really need on the side is a serving of white rice, perhaps some black beans, and you’ve got yourself an immensely satisfying, invigorating lunch that feels both healthy and indulgent. After that hour or two of escapism, you’ll feel like the world – or, at least, this little corner of suburban Leeds – is your oyster.
Ideal for Michelin-approved Indian vegetarian food from a Leeds institution…
A family-run establishment, Prashad has been serving superbly spiced Gujarati vegetarian dishes since 1992 (in its original venue) and now in its third decade, the restaurant has never felt more vital.
In a converted Drighlington pub (roughly equidistant between Bradford and Leeds), spread over two floors, you’ll find some of the finest food from the Indian subcontinent anywhere in the UK, with flavours precise yet vivacious, and portions properly generous.
Prashad’s prowess hasn’t exactly gone unnoticed; the restaurant was featured on this year’s BBC’s ‘The Hidden World of Hospitality with Tom Kerridge’, as well as listing in the Good Food Guide. Perhaps even more prestigiously, Prasha holds both 2 AA Rosettes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand award.
Prashad is closed on Mondays, open for dinner Tuesdays to Fridays, and open for both lunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays.
Ideal for plant-based streetfood from the Indian subcontinent, bang in Leeds city centre…
Should you be seeking your fix of vegetarian Indian street food a little closer to Leeds City Centre, then Bundobust is your guy. A collaboration between Mayur Patel (whose parents own the aforementioned Prashad) and craft beer entrepreneur Marko Husak, Bundobust offers a modern take on vegetarian Indian street food paired with a selection of craft beers.
Testament to the success of the concept, the restaurant now boasts five locations across the North and Midlands, but it’s at the original here on Mill Hill, just a three minute walk from Leeds Station, that we’re dining in today.
Don’t miss out on the classic Mumbai snack bhel puri. Studded with pomegranate jewels and piquant from tamarind chutney, it’s a textural delight, with broken samosa pastry and puffed rice bringing plenty of crunch. For something heartier and more fulfilling, the chole saag (a chickpea curry of sorts) is knockout, too. Clocking in at just £7.50 and coming with a side of freshly puffed puri, it’s one of the best value plates in the city.
Even better value is the express lunch here, with a snack and main available for just £9.95, Monday to Friday from midday until 4pm.
Wash it all down with a pint of Bundobust’s Peela pale ale, and you’ve got yourself a superb meal for under £20. God it’s great up north.
Bundobust is open daily from midday until late, with slightly shorter operating hours on Sundays.
Ideal for minimalist Nordic-influenced tasting menus in Chapel Allerton…
On Stainbeck Corner, Hern has quietly evolved into one of Leeds’s most compelling restaurants. Chef Rab Adams, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu before stints at Hedone (remember that place?! So awkward but so delicious) and Gordon Ramsay’s Chelsea flagship, brings a stripped-back approach to seasonal cooking that lets ingredients shine with minimal intervention.
The restaurant matches its culinary philosophy – white-painted exposed brick and natural light create an unfussy backdrop for Adams’ precision-driven plates. The new seven-course tasting menu (£70) might include wild sea bass with bergamot beurre blanc or barbecued leeks with butter beans and burnt lemon, but even seemingly simple dishes like their sourdough with cultured butter showcase the kitchen’s dedication to impeccable, faithful technique.
The wine list at Hern focuses exclusively on organic and biodynamic European producers, thoughtfully arranged by style rather than region. For those skipping alcohol, their bergamot and mint soda makes a refreshing alternative.
The four-course ‘short menu’ at £45 offers a more accessible entry point and can accommodate dietary requirements with advance notice – though the full tasting menu is fixed. Book ahead, especially for weekend dinner service when the small dining room fills quickly.
Hern is open Wednesday through Saturday, with an à la carte menu on Wednesdays and set menus Thursday to Saturday. Dinner from 6pm, last table 9pm.
Ideal for late-night ramen and karaoke on The Headrow…
Occupying a bustling stretch of The Headrow, House of Fu has established itself as Leeds’s go-to spot for ramen, rice bowls, and revelry under one roof. The ground floor channels Tokyo energy with its counter seating and efficient service, while upstairs, the Hello Bar hosts DJs and karaoke rooms for post-dinner entertainment.
Chef Ben Iley, who spent nine years in Tokyo honing his craft, has created a menu that balances tradition with playfulness. The spicy tantanmen (£15) has become a signature – its rich chicken and pork broth layered with spiced mince, pak choi and crunchy chili oil. For something lighter, the yuzu chicken ramen brings brightness through citrus and coal oil, topped with chicken chashu and katsuobushi.
Images via @hellohouseoffu.com
You should let the sides get a look in, too. Their gyoza (£7 for six) come in pork or shiitake and kale variations, while the cucumber salad with miso, garlic and chili oil is refreshing and assertive, equally. A few house-made sodas and craft cocktails – the Yuzucello (£9.50) with prosecco and sake is ace – keep the vibe going.
A set menu at £22.50 includes sharing sides and a main, with the option to add frozen cocktails or sake. During happy hour (4-6pm daily), cocktails are two for £13.
House of Fu is open daily from 11:30am, with slightly earlier closing on Sundays at 8pm.
Ideal for the best of Yorkshire produce, cooked over flames…
Just one wing of the multifunctional events space Headrow House, OX Club specialises in high-quality cooking over flames using the best of Yorkshire produce. What more could you want?
The restaurant is known for its wood-fired dishes, with a menu that balances robust flavours with delicate touches. On a recent visit, a grilled sardine dish, paired with local rhubarb and pickled radish, was as pretty as a picture. For the carnivores, a whopping 600g Dexter beef wing rib chop sits proudly alongside roasted bone marrow and beef fat bearnaise. Sure, you’ll need to be stretchered out after taking it down, but as you stare at the ceiling from your pallet, you’ll feel very satisfied indeed.
Don’t forget to save room for their exquisite desserts – the now ubiquitous burnt Basque cheesecake is done very capably here, and is accompanied by more rhubarb (well, we are in Yorkshire after all!).
OX Club is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. From Wednesday to Friday, the restaurant is open for dinner only. On Saturday, you can dine from midday until 10pm and on Sundays, OX Club is just open for lunch.
Ideal for a pre-show meal of confidently composed pub classics…
When it was announced that popular gastropub The Reliance was to close earlier this year, Leeds residents were devastated.
Fortunately, the buyers of the site know a thing or two about running a cosy, welcoming pub that does confidently cooked plates, having run acclaimed Harrogate establishment Three’s A Crowd since 2019.
And so, the second iteration of Three’s A Crowd has already fallen on its feet and hit its stride, with a relaxed dining room serving up the likes of pheasant and guinea fowl terrine, sloe gin cured salmon, pig cheek ragu over pappardelle.
With prime position just off Lovell Park and a couple of minute’s walk from the Grand Theatre and Opera House and the Leeds Playhouse, this one’s ideal for a pre (or post) show meal.
Three’s A Crowd is open daily from midday until late.
One of the very best Keralan restaurants in the city – and conveniently located near Leeds train station – Tharavadu offers a wide variety of southern Indian dishes. Look out for their crab cooked in coconut sauce, fluffy lentil-fried doughnuts, and smooth vermicelli pudding with cardamom and saffron, in particular.
Closed on Sundays, Tharavadu is open for the rest of the week for both lunch and dinner.
Ideal for a regularly changing menu of lesser known cuts and concise combinations…
What started as a humble greasy spoon has transformed into a laid back but refined dining experience under the guidance of owners Stu and Jo. The Swine That Dines focuses on small-plate dining, with a regularly changing menu featuring unusual cuts of meat and crisp, concise combinations.
Naturally, there’s plenty of piggy bits on the menu, from pork terrine to a hearty main course of belly, chicory and a marsala sauce, but vegetarians can dine well here, too. The goat’s cheese souffle with confit fennel and hazelnuts that recently stood tall on the evening menu is perhaps the star of the whole show.
The Swine also does a popular Sunday lunch set menu of four courses for £37.
The Swine That Dines is closed on Monday through Wednesday before opening for dinner only on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, it’s open from midday through to 10:30pm (with a short break between 4pm and 5:30pm) and on Sundays, you can swing by for lunch between midday and 5pm.
Ideal for local cheeses, charcuterie and an impressive selection of wine and craft beer…
Somewhat surprisingly bearing no relation to The Swine That Dines, since opening in 2012 Friends Of Ham has become a must-visit for Leeds-based food lovers. Known for its wide range of charcuterie and local cheeses, this craft beer and wine bar also boasts an impressive list of craft beers and wines. Their platters are perfect for sharing and are best enjoyed with a cold beer in hand, which, incidentally, we’re off for now…
But we’re not done yet. In fact, we’re catching the train an hour or so east, and heading over to Leeds’s noisy neighbour Manchester. When we alight, it’s to one of the great places to eat near Manchester Piccadilly. Care to join us?
So much has been written about the quality of Bristol restaurants in recent years, with the city often cited as being the epicentre of the UK’s culinary scene outside of London.
Less, it could be argued, has been said about the standard of fish cookery in Bristol; somewhat surprising considering its proximity to both England’s west coast and the country’s finest fishing waters off Devon and Cornwall.
In a city so defined by its water – with the Bristol Avon boasting world famous trout and pike, as well as spots for fishing off Bristol Marina and on the quay side of the Baltic Wharf – there must be some fine places to eat fish. These are those; the best seafood restaurants in Bristol.
Noah’s
In what must be Bristol’s most unexpected location – tucked neatly between a slip road onto the A3029 and Brunel Lock – Noah’s has rapidly established itself as one of the city’s finest seafood destinations since opening in spring 2023, with several fawning reviews in the nationals already accrued in its two years.
The restaurant’s wooden-clad exterior, complete with porthole windows, makes it look rather like an ark that’s somehow drifted out of Cumberland Basin and anchored itself under a flyover, but that’s all part of the charm. Run by husband-and-wife team Dan and Joie Rosser (Dan’s father runs the acclaimed Scallop Shell in Bath), Noah’s demonstrates the benefits of keeping things in the family (the restaurant is named after the couple’s young son). The kitchen shows particular finesse with their daily-changing menu of seafood from Brixham and Newlyn, whether that’s pristine Portland Princess oysters with aged red wine vinegar, hand-dived Orkney scallops with garlic and fresh herb butter, or their exemplary fish and chips featuring MSC-approved cod in the lightest of batters.
While their Lock Keeper’s Lunch – complete with obligatory mug of Yorkshire Tea – has become a local institution (unsurprisingly so, with the laughably good value pricetag of just £12.95), it’s the grilled dishes that we’re really into. You might find whole Cornish sole with brown butter and capers, or perhaps south coast thornback ray wing with romesco sauce. The restaurant’s terrace, offering views toward both the red-brick B Bond tobacco warehouse and Clifton Suspension Bridge, provides one of Bristol’s more unusual but compelling dining spots.
The collection of cargo-container restaurants housed in a far corner of Bristol’s hip, harbourside Wapping Wharf quarter has become one of the city’s key culinary focal points, and it’s here that you’ll find Salt and Malt.
The brainchild of chef Josh Eggleton, a former Michelin-star holder who has appeared on BBC’s Great British Menu, Salt and Malt specialises in gluten free fish and chips alongside an ever-changing cast of carefully composed seafood small plates. With views over Bristol’s Floating Harbour (watch out for seagulls!), there are few more suitable settings to sample Britain’s most iconic dish.
But it’s away from the ‘classics’ side of the menu that things get interesting, with the monkfish ragu – rich, keenly seasoned, and spooned over toasted sourdough – a particular favourite in the IDEAL office. Similarly, the haddock Milanese (essentially a flattened fillet given the schnitzel treatment), served with an assertive anchovy butter, is a very satisfying plate for ichthyophiles, indeed.
All of this pairs perfectly with a can of Bristol Beer Factory’s Southville Hop; the ideal foil to the restaurant’s namesake chippy seasoning. Might just order a second, actually…
Alongside Tokyo’s Corridor-dori and Lyon’s rue du Boeuf, that aforementioned Wapping Wharf must be right up there in terms of the highest concentration of Michelin-awarded restaurants per square metre in the world.
And perhaps our favourite of all (yep, we have) the eateries housed in shipping containers here is Gambas, a tapas bar that places a heavy focus on all things prawn.
Inspired by Valencia’s Mercado Central, there are a few better ways to spend an afternoon than by taking a seat at the counter here. Roll up your sleeves, and prepare to nimbly peel burning hot prawn shells blistered by the grill, suck the rich, ruddy brains out of the heads, and generally get messy.
For those not in thrall to the sweet, briny flavours of the ocean, there’s still plenty to enjoy from Gambas’ De La Tierra (‘of the earth’) section of the menu, which despite its rather lofty subheading, is essentially a roll call of tapas bar classics. So, that’s patatas bravas arriving draped in all the right colours, presa Iberica quickly seared in a smoking hot pan, and some truly divine aubergine crisps, served adorned with a sweet and sticky reduction.
Though we’ve only visited in winter, we can only imagine how joyous an evening spent on the restaurant’s terrace would be during the warmer months; Summer 2023, we’re coming for you!
If your stirring for seafood still hasn’t been sated, then just a shell’s skim away from Fishers, and also on Whiteladies Road, is the Spiny Lobster.
Any seafood restaurant with an on-site fishmonger (his name’s Barney and he boasts 30 years of experience, if you’re asking) is a cheering place to dine if you love your fish shiny, slimy and bright eyed, and the Spiny Lobster is no exception, with the ‘Daily Catch’ section of their website updated each and every day with what’s good and fresh.
If you’re keen to dine in, the restaurant specialises in cooking that daily catch over coals, with the chefs working a central Josper grill to impart that distinctive smoky flavour into their prized primary ingredient.
Of course, when the product is this good and the cooking method so pronounced, the accoutrements should stay straightforward and streamlined so flavours don’t get muddled.
Image via Spiny Lobster
Unsurprisingly, the Spiny Lobster understands this, whether it’s in their chargrilled seabass served just with a small ramekin of salsa verde, or in their whole bream, blistered and burnished from the Josper, and simply adorned with rosemary. For something more delicate, the fillet of gurnard with fennel mayo is airily composed but still reassuringly fully-flavoured.
You get the picture, and it’s a commendably ascetic, aesthetically pleasing one. The Spiny Lobster is the type of local fish restaurant that any neighbourhood – whether in Bristol, London, Paris or Melbourne – would be proud to call their own.
One for the road? If you find your stomach stirring on the twenty minute walk from Clifton to Montpellier station, then stop off at Palomar Fish House & Bar for a final fishy feast that’s sure to tick all the boxes.
That is, if those boxes concern the pursuit of the freshest fish in Bristol. That fish arrives on Palomar’s famous fish trolley, which is wheeled to your table to display the catch of the day; it doesn’t get more enticing than that.
The restaurant also excels at the retro stuff, with the fisherman’s pie and prawn cocktail both indulgent, rich, and nostalgic. But hey, we mustn’t dwell in the past too long; we’ve a train to catch.
When Casamia’s Peter Sanchez-Iglesias opened this intimate Spanish restaurant on Lower Guinea Street, few could have predicted it would earn a Michelin star within its first year. But anyone who’s visited Paco Tapas – named after Peter’s father – will understand exactly why the accolade came so swiftly. And, we should add, anyone who’s visited will be just as baffled as us about why that accolade has since been rescinded…
…Anyway, while the restaurant’s menu spans a broader spectrum of Spanish cuisine, it’s the seafood dishes that truly showcase the kitchen’s mastery with both the product and the grill. The carabineros (those imposing scarlet prawns) arrive straight and true after being grilled over orange wood, their heads demanding to be sucked clean of their intensely rich contents. Don’t make the same mistake we did and confuse the rolled hand towels for an aioli – we looked right stupid.
Perhaps most impressive is the kitchen’s deft hand with simple fillets of fish, which could be chalk stream trout, a tranche of brill or, as on our last fillet, a thick slab of hake. It had been brined beautifully, until flaking uniformly, and grilled skinside down all the way to gently bitter, smokey bliss. A grilled lemon was the only accompaniment this guy needed. It’s this transportation of Spanish coastal cooking to the banks of the Avon that makes Paco Tapas such a compelling destination for seafood lovers.
Address: 3A The General, Lower Guinea St, Bristol BS1 6SY
The Millennium Stadium, known as the Principality Stadium since 2016 when the naming rights were sold to the Principality Building Society, is an iconic venue in Wales, hosting various concerts, shows, and sporting events.
No matter the reason you’re visiting the impressive, near 75’000 capacity stadium, you will, of course, need something to eat prior to or after the game or concert you’re attending. Because a show spent on a rumbling stomach isn’t very fun, now is it?
Although there are plenty of food trucks on site and bars withn the stadium terraces, these can be expensive and may not provide the best culinary experience, to put it rather mildly.
Thankfully, the Millennium Stadium is well positioned, with its main gate on Cardiff’s Westgate Street meaning it’s virtually in the city centre. As a result, there are plenty of lunch and dinner options to choose from, with many chain restaurants and well-liked independent options just a rugby ball’s throw away.
All that said, you’re not going to be the only person visiting the Principality Stadium looking for a place to eat. On match-day, many popular haunts will be tough to snag a table in, turning your hunt for a place to eat into a challenging task.
To help you with that, here are a few lesser-known places around the Millennium Stadium that you can try that offer fantastic food and experiences.
Bar 44
Bar 44 is so close to the Millenium Stadium that you can see it from their large bay windows overlooking Westgate street (where Cardiff’s worst car park stands, incidentally). As a former canal warehouse, the venue has a curved brick roof and dim lighting, creating an underground, bunker-like vibe, making it feel detached from all the hubbub at the stadium.
Bed in, then, for the restaurant’s wide range of authentic Spanish tapas, with a menu split into four; snacks and bread, cured bits, classic tapas and a regularly changing seasonal section, the latter of which is where much of the culinary intrigue lies. We’re still dreaming of the orange and maple glazed baby cuttlefish, quite frankly.
From the classics, and a staple of tapas bars everywhere, the patatas bravas here outclasses others in Cardiff, utilising a sherry aioli that takes the dish to the next level. There’s also a fruity chorizo option that has been poached in pear cider, or you can try gambas, a plate of grilled wild prawns with a hefty chilli kick.
Alongside their more traditional tapas offerings, on Sundays the restaurant serves up Sunday roast platters with a Spanish twist, designed for two to share. You can chose between slow-roasted Duroc pork belly or a 35-day dry aged picanha of Hereford beef served with horseradish aioli. Both come with a selection of mouth-wateringly good sides including chorizo Yorkshire pudding (which could, perhaps more accurately, be called toad in the hole), jamon fat roast potatoes and manchego cauliflower cheese.
Do make sure you save room for the restaurant’s famous olive oil ice cream. Trust us, it works!
While not quite in the stadium’s immediate orbit, Matsudai At The Bank is worth the short taxi ride (or 15 minute walk) to Grangetown if you’re after something rather different from your typical match-day fare. As Wales’ first dedicated ramen shop, this venture has evolved from remarkably humble beginnings – founder James Chant started Matsudai in September 2019 as a pop-up, having never worked in a professional kitchen during his previous career in the music industry.
The restaurant’s interior manages to channel the energy of a Tokyo ramen-ya while remaining distinctly Cardiff – think exposed brick walls adorned with specially commissioned anime artwork featuring Welsh dragons. But it’s the bowls that are, of course, the main draw here. Their Welsh lamb tantanmen, made with locally sourced meat and a rich, spicy sesame broth, has become something of a signature, while the classic tonkotsu – featuring 40-hour bone broth and hand-cut noodles – demonstrates why they’ve earned national acclaim and praise from Observer food critic Jay Rayner and culinary luminary Tim Anderson.
Don’t skip the sides either; the karaage chicken, crisp and juicy in all the right places, gives any stadium snack a run for its money. Actually, it knocks all the stadium snacks at the Principality well and truly out the park. Just remember to arrive early – once they’re out of broth, that’s it for the day.
Occupying a grand Victorian building on High Street, with its original features lovingly restored, Pasture has quickly established itself as one of Cardiff’s premier destinations for serious steak enthusiasts since opening in 2021 (there are now three branches across the city, as well as three more in Bristol and one in Birmingham). The restaurant’s proximity to the stadium makes it perfect for pre-match dining, though you might find yourself so contentedly full (or culinarily comatose) that the walk to your seat feels rather more challenging than usual.
The kitchen’s piece de resistance is their dry-ageing cabinet, prominently displayed and housing cuts of Welsh beef aged anywhere from 35 to 50 days. While the steaks – from native breed cattle – are the obvious draw, don’t overlook their seafood offering; the coal-roasted shellfish platter, featuring whatever’s best from the morning’s catch from Cardiff Bay, makes for an impressive starter to share.
The restaurant’s Sunday roast has garnered particular acclaim, with their beef dripping Yorkshire puddings talked about in breathy tones by Cardiff’s dining cognoscenti (perhaps the batter has got stuck in their throats). The bar area, with its brass fittings and leather banquettes, makes an equally appealing spot for a pre-match drink and a few small plates – their Welsh rarebit croquettes being a particular favourite.
Part of the same family of restaurants as Bar 44, Asador 44 is another great option if you’re looking for tasty Spanish cuisine close to the Millennium Stadium. Focused more on the grill (which ‘asador’ translates as) side of things, this restaurant is ideal if you’re looking for Basque-reared steak or unique and exciting seafood grill options. Or both, of course…
Housed in a historic red brick building in the centre of Cardiff, the venue has a warm feel to it, elevated by the clay-coloured slate interior. It is a more upmarket option, sure, but it’s worth the higher price tag, with their dishes often looking too imposing to actually take down!
Their Fabada Asturiana, a confit duck leg dish served with chorizo, morcilla and white beans, is a rich dish brimming with complicated flavour combinations, and their 300g rump steak is another appealing option. Just make sure you don’t slip into a food coma just as the concert begins!
Located in a former bank vault just a short walk from the stadium, The Potted Pig is an elegant restaurant offering gutsy, generous dishes built around a love of British produce, and a passion for flavour above all else.
Although there’s always something new on the regularly changing menu at The Potted Pig, you can expect dishes like pork belly with properly crisp shards of crackling, served with a mustard mash which is all the right levels of piquant. Even heartier is beef brisket, fondant potatoes and a seriously rich bourguignon sauce that’s been seasoned keenly, to say the least.
The cheeseboard here is a thing of beauty, showing off a selection of Welsh cheeses from artisan dairy farms. The Snowdonia Black Bomber – a lively-tasting cheddar with crystals in all the right places – is particularly good. Yep, this is definitely one of the best places to eat near Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
If you’re looking for a lively spot for a warm-up drink or a post-match de-brief, Zerodegrees Microbrewery, another on Westgate Street, could be just the ticket. Instantly identifiable by its bold, neon blue signage, this open-layout restaurant and bar use large skylights to create an open, breezy-feeling space.
Although focused on providing excellent craft beers and IPA, the food at Zerodegrees isn’t half bad, with an Italian menu focused on pizza, pasta, risotto and the like. For the former, the kitchen uses specialist flour imported directly from Naples to make their dough and spend more than 24 hours to prove it, creating a fluffy and light pizza that’s topped with a wide array of carefully curated toppings to elevate their pizzas to new heights.
For something different, try their caramelised pear & gorgonzola pizza that blends savoury and sweet perfectly. Using an open-plan kitchen at the centre of the venue, you can watch as the chefs work on your dish, adding to the exciting and welcoming atmosphere of the venue. Lunch and a show before another show? Sounds like an exciting day out to us.
While there, be sure to try some of their wonderful beers, with the house special Our Mango beer a clean, golden ale with a sweet aroma. Cheers!
Although it’s a small taco joint on a side street off Westgate Street, La Pantera is mighty in other ways. Offering unapologetically ‘unauthentic tacos’, the food here is fun, making it great for those wanting a party atmosphere.
Decorated with Mexican iconography and a pink TV showing old Lucha Libre in the corner, La Pantera has a colourful vibe that’s a great place to get merry before or after the main event, with the restaurant seemingly running on mezcal fumes alone.
The taco menu is everchanging at La Pantera, with their chefs offering interesting options that in the past have included Big Mac tacos, mussel tacos, and tacos filled with crab cakes. Yep, we did say this one wasn’t exactly authentic!
For more traditional tacos, you can also grab tasty fish curry options, seared duck breast options, and classic spicy minced beef tacos, all of which are fantastic.
And on that note, we’re late for the game… We best get going!
If you want to get a tad further away from the stadium but still want to experience a lively town centre atmosphere, The Real Italian Pizza Co is a great option. Serving wood-fired pizza, this restaurant is family-run, offering a simple yet delectable menu that gives you the taste of Italy from the heart of Cardiff.
Originally from Bath, the independent restaurant came to Cardiff after winning the Bath Good Food Awards in 2014, and has built on that success with its hand-stretched, thin-crust pizza.
Get their classic Patatina for a hearty pizza topped with oven-baked potatoes infused with a delicate mix of rosemary and garlic oil, or go bold with their Viva Ce. This meaty affair combines parmesan shavings and cured beef with creamy mozzarella.
The interior is simple yet homely, with its most prominent feature being the large oven that commands attention and space, and provides wafts of wonder to entice hungry customers inside.
It’s certainly a surprise to say that, despite it being the capital’s second busiest station, London Waterloo is somewhat bereft of great dining options.
Sure, the clarion call for your 18:38 to Surbiton may ring out crisply, and instructions to ‘mind the gap’ remain insistent, but when the culinary conductors come a calling, this most bustling of transport hubs often falls silent.
You could, of course, seek solace between the buns of Burger King or scoff a sausage roll on the station concourse if you’ve got a train to catch, but if you’re blessed with an hour or two to spare, then rest assured; just outside of London Waterloo station there are some fantastic places to have lunch or dinner. With that in mind, here are the best restaurants near London Waterloo.
Lasdun at the National Theatre
Ideal for old school yet modern British brassiere style plates that sing with seasonal produce…
You’d think that the area surrounding London’s National Theatre would be positively teeming with smart, creative places to eat pre and post show, but that simply isn’t the case. Or rather, wasn’t the case until Lasdun opened.
In a rather barren stretch of the South Bank in terms of eating options, where chain restaurants rule supreme, the 2023 opening of this stylish restaurant within the National Theatre building has caused quite the stir, garnering several positive reviews in the weekend papers before its first chicken, leek and girolle pie had even been polished off.
You don’t have to be an avid consumer of the Real Housewives Of Clapton Instagram account or a Hackey resident to be familiar with the East London pub the Marksman, with its Fergus Henderson inspired plates of austere perfection, and the Ladsun, from the same team, continues with this tradition.
Named after the renowned architect Denys Lasdun, who designed the iconic National Theatre building in a similarly flinty fashion, this restaurant is a testament to his legacy. A collaboration between co-founder of Lyles John Ogier, KERB, and the team behind the Marksman, Jon Rotheram and Tom Harris, there’s a commitment to seasonality and simplicity here that you’d expect, with a knack for finding beauty in the seemingly old-fashioned.
Their menu is a comforting blend of traditional dishes with flourishes of luxury, like fish cakes in mussel sauce, devilled eggs topped with caviar, and a glazed beef, barley and horseradish bun, all crafted with a touch of surprise and restraint. The menu also takes inspiration from London itself; that means eel and that aforementioned pie will likely be on the menu when you visit.
Lasdun’s interior design pays homage to its namesake, featuring dramatic uplighting, a marble bar, and chrome lighting fixtures that echo the Brutalist architecture of the theatre. It’s a gorgeous, inspiring place to spend time.
And this just in; in addition to its already iconic dining room, Lasdun have just last week launched a new summer terrace, offering guests the chance to enjoy signature seasonal British fare in a sun-soaked setting (if it would bloody stop raining for a minute, that is).
The terrace, directly accessible from the Southbank, seats 60 people and is open from midday until dusk, running through summer until late September. The alfresco menu is a light and breezy affair, with a heavy emphasis on buns – both a Dorset crab and mayonnaise and a treacle-cured Tamworth ham and Lincolnshire Poacher version are available. Sign us up for both!
Super refreshing drinks such as the Lasdun Summer Cup and an elderflower infused Tom Collins seal the deal. We’ll see you out there? Don’t forget your sunnies.
Also found in the iconic National Theatre, Forza Wine brought their ‘Italian-ish’ (thought we were calling it ‘Britalian’?) cooking to the South Bank via Peckham in the latter part of 2023, and have already firmly bedded in.
Perhaps ‘bedded’ is the wrong phrase here, as the top floor dining room is positively lauding it over the South Bank below, with wraparound riverside terrace seating and views of the Thames thrown in for good measure.
Better warn your ma who’s suspicious of ‘small plates’ and modern day dining’s obsession with sharing; the menu is one clustered, singular piece of copy. There are no starters or mains here, not even snacks and sharing plates – just a list of 13 dishes plus soft serves and a custardo, the latter of which is a bloody delicious espresso-thickened-with-custard concoction that the lads from Off Menu have regularly eulogised.
Don’t worry; the larger dishes from that rundown will have even the biggest menu pedants cooing. Generous, fully formed plates, a recent dish of sea bream fillet – blistered and blackened from the grill – with a tangle of shaved fennel and tomatoes roasted until sweet and collapsing was superb. Pair it with a little sourdough toast and confit garlic butter, and perhaps some of the restaurant’s superlative, golden cauliflower fritti and aioli, and you’ve got yourself a beautifully rounded (and admittedly rather pungent) meal.
True to the conviviality of the place, Forza Wine at the NT is an all day affair, open from midday until 11pm daily, except on Sundays when it’s closed. Due to it being a massive, 160-cover space, you could, theoretically,just drop in for a Custardo or two, if you’ve got a wait before your train departs from Waterloo.
There’s also a very good weekday lunch deal. Right now, for £15, you get a roast chicken leg, crispy spuds and a kind of riff on a Caesar salad, plus a glass of house wine. You really can’t argue with that value.
Ideal for Osakan soul food in an intimate setting…
If you’re yearning for a genuine taste of Japan’s kitchen capital without boarding a flight to Kansai, Okan’s tiny, atmospheric space in County Hall delivers in spades. For the uninitiated, County Hall is that imposing Grade II-listed building on the South Bank that once served as the headquarters of London’s government – these days, it’s home to a rather eccentric mix of tourist attractions and, thankfully, some properly good Japanese restaurants (it’s owned by Japanese company Shirayama Shokusan Ltd).
At the stoves is chef Moto Priestman, who arrived from Osaka in 1998. This intimate spot has been converting Londoners from their sushi-centric view of Japanese cuisine since 2018. Their signature okonomiyaki (ranging from £11-15) arguably offers perhaps the best value authentic Japanese cooking in the area.
The restaurant perfectly captures the essence of Osaka’s back-alley dining culture – the air is perfumed with smoke from the open kitchen, whilst diners huddle around closely packed tables, clinking beers and diving into steaming bowls of curry rice. It’s steamy and kinetic in the best possible way.
At the heart of Okan’s menu lies okonomiyaki, Osaka’s beloved savoury pancakes. These properly crafted specimens arrive sizzling hot, with the tofu and kimchi version being a particular highlight – expect a crispy exterior giving way to a tender centre, finished with generous zigzags of Kewpie mayo. The spicy miso udon and yakisoba also deserve special mention, offering the kind of soul-warming comfort that makes you forget you’re sitting in the shadow of the London Eye.
The success of this County Hall original has spawned three equally snug siblings over in Brixton and another in Kings Cross, but there’s something rather special about this 20-seater space. Perhaps it’s the counter seats overlooking the open kitchen, or maybe it’s just the sheer incongruity of finding such an authentic slice of Japan nestled behind the tourist traps. Either way, it works.
Ideal for a global feast with London’s best skyline views…
Forget the tourist-trap chains that populate much of the South Bank – a different kind of gastronomic action happens behind the Royal Festival Hall, where the Southbank Centre Food Market springs to life every weekend. This small but perfectly formed marketplace transforms an otherwise ordinary space into a bustling hub of international cuisine that’s worthy of your time if you’re in need of a quick bite close to Waterloo. You are; that’s why you’re here.
With over 40 independent traders setting up shop Friday through Sunday, this is street food done properly. The line-up reads like a culinary world tour: from Horn OK Please’s vibrant Indian dosas (from £8) to Ethiopiques’ wholesome vegan fare, and Nobiani’s contemporary takes on Korean BBQ. The Polish Deli’s artisanal sausages sit comfortably alongside PAD + SEN’s authentic pad thai, proving that good food knows no borders.
image via Southbank Centre
The market’s particular strength lies in its ability to balance established favourites with exciting newcomers. Whilst The Hop Locker keeps the craft beer flowing (pints around £6.50) and Honest Folk mix seasonal cocktails, you’ll find traders like Two Als bringing proper New York-style chopped cheese sandwiches to curious Londoners.
The beauty of dining here lies not just in the food itself, but in the experience – grab your chosen delicacy and head to Jubilee Gardens for an impromptu picnic with views of the London Eye. The market welcomes hungry visitors from noon until 8pm on Fridays, opens an hour earlier on Saturdays, and runs a slightly shorter service on Sundays, wrapping up at 6pm. Just remember to bring a backup plan for those inevitable British weather moments.
Ideal for some of the best pizza close to Waterloo…
Just a few minutes walk from Waterloo and with a pizza that’s bubbling on the paddle within a minute or two of being ordered, Crust Bros is the ideal place for a quite bite before catching your onward train.
Despite the eponymous name, it’s not just the crusts that define the main event here; these are fantastic pizzas which exact an admirable level of restraint in terms of toppings, a few choice elements bringing the best out of that dough rather than weighing it down and overwhelming it.
You can also create your own pizza from scratch (no, they don’t let you go in the kitchen and get busy) using the menu’s flow-chart layout and a few flicks of the wrist, which adds a bit of fun. Hey, could we borrow a pen, by the way?
Ideal for eating bang-in-season grub at any time of year, all in a striking 19th-century drawing room…
Spring Restaurant, located in the iconic Somerset House in London, is a culinary gem that deserves a spot on any ‘best restaurants near London Waterloo’ list, despite you having to cross the Thames to get there.
Not to worry; there’s pedestrian access over Waterloo Bridge, and whilst perhaps not long enough to properly build up an appetite, on a crisp, effervescent evening, the stroll can be kind of beautiful.
Anyway, the chef at the stoves at Spring is Skye Gyngell, an Australian native who has made a name for herself as one of Britain’s most acclaimed chefs. Gyngell first gained recognition on these shores in the early 2000s at Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, where her fresh, seasonal cooking style earned her a Michelin star and left a lasting legacy on London about how simple, ingredient-led Italian cooking can be served in the city
In 2014, she opened Spring, which has quickly become considered as one of the best places to eat near Waterloo and the Southbank. It’s a family affair here, with the restaurant’s interior designed by Gyngell’s sister Briony Fitzgerald, and that sense of wholesomeness also translating onto the plate, with just a few bang-in-season ingredients gracing each dish.
Whilst the lunch and dinner a la carte sees prices reaching River Cafe levels, the set menu is much less bank-breaking, with three courses currently clocking in at £33. On that menu, the current main of onglet steak, served both gnarly and blushing blue alongside a Jerusalem artichoke purée, is a delightful transition from late summer into autumn proper.
Even more interesting is Gyngell’s innovative Scratch menu, which features dishes made from ‘waste’ produce. Running from Tuesdays to Saturdays between 5:30pm to 6:30pm and limited to 30 guests each service, it’s a thoughtful, thought-provoking approach to fine dining. A case in point, the remilled coffee cake dessert, using grounds from post-meal espressos previously served to guests. Served with an ice cream made of ‘spent’ figs (essentially, those on the turn), it’s a gorgeous encapsulation of the chef’s philosophy. 3 courses are yours for £30.
Ideal for sophisticated pub grub with a Mediterranean bent…
From the restaurant group behind the acclaimed Canton Arms in Stockwell and Oxford’s Magdalen Arms comes the Anchor & Hope, one of the best places to eat in the vicinity of London Waterloo station.
Though this is a pub first and foremost, the menu here carries plenty of intrigue and a decidedly Mediterranean bent, whether you’re enjoying a simple snack of creamy, spreadable calf’s brain on crostini or a something altogether heartier like blushing fallow deer done in a Provencal style and draped over wet, parmesan laden polenta.
Even the ‘worker’s lunch’ here, a snip at £16 for two courses, is far removed from your pub Ploughman’s. Recently, a quail, roast on the crown, was paired with couscous and a tzatziki positively humming with garlic. Very delicious indeed, and remarkably well-suited to a freshly poured pint.
Should you be keen for more traditionally ‘British’ fare just a short stroll from the station, then Masters Superfish has been dunking the good stuff in bubbling vats of fat for generations.
Here, the fish is sourced from Billingsgate daily, the chips are the kind to render a sheet of newspaper translucent, and the pickles are bottomless and full of bite. What more could you want from a chippy?
Though you can enjoy your fish and chips in the Masters’ canteen-like surrounds, you could of course head back to Waterloo with a takeaway the size of a baby under your arm, and make the whole train carriage jealous as you embark on your onward journey. Decisions, decisions.
Ideal for some of the best Trinidadian food in the city…
Image via Limin Instagram
If you were going on GPS only, you might assume Limin’ Beach Club has found something of an unlikely home at Gabriel’s Wharf, just off the South Bank’s main drag. But visit this ode to the beloved Trinidadian pastime of limin’ and you’ll quickly understand why it’s settled into a soca-soaked rhythm here; on a stretch of sand adjacent to the Southbank Centre, chef Sham is slinging out some of the best Trinidadian food in the city, all from a nautically-coloured beach hut.
Here, cooked to order roti is simultaneously flakey and crisp, and is served alongside either curry (a choice of oxtail, sea bass or chickpea on our last visit), or a leg of chicken properly blistered and burnished on the restaurant’s massive charcoal grill.
Of course, you’ll want to order some doubles while you tuck into a rum cocktail or two. Trinidad’s national dish, at Limin’ it’s an intricately spiced affair of dangerously sloppy channa (chickpea curry) sandwiched between two bara (fried flatbreads) which are then folded and consumed as tidily as is conceivable. Fortunately, if you make a mess here, you can just sweep it under the sand!
Ideal for the flavours of Tel Aviv with plates full of verve and vibrancy…
Head back beyond London Waterloo station and into Bankside’s Old Union Yard Arches, and you’ll find a thriving little courtyard of culture and culinary intrigue.
Nestled in here is Bala Baya, a restaurant inspired by the smells, sights, sounds, and, of course, flavours of chef Eran Tibi’s upbringing in Tel Aviv.
The celebration of the multi-sensory is apt, as it’s noisy in this lively yet functional space, with large groups descending on Southwark for plates full of verve and vibrancy. This is food built for sharing, make no mistake, with long and leisurely lunches of feasting and frivolity very much encouraged here.
The prawn baklava is something of a signature here (certainly in our eyes), coming with piquant notes from lime syrup and cream, and given an aromatic edge with a dusting of pistachio and rose. Just fabulous, and served to allow every member of the squad a portion.
Ideal for some stunning Southern Vietnamese flavours…
Whilst the majority of genuinely great Vietnamese food in London is found in and around Shoreditch’s Kingsland Road, you can still find a few gems south of the river, and one of those is Union Viet Cafe.
A ten minute walk from the station and one of the best places to eat near London Waterloo, Union Viet Cafe swings more Southern Viet in its delivery, with the dishes generally sweeter and spicier than their more austere Northern counterparts.
Here, the Ho Chi Minh City streefood staple bo la lot – minced beef wrapped in vine leaves and grilled – is bang on the money, served alongside lettuce, herbs and dipping sauces so you can make your own wraps, just as it should be.
The delicate, smoky bun thit nuong, which sees thin slices of pork belly grilled and served over fermented rice noodles and loads of herbs, is a real winner for a swift light lunch. Or, you could settle in for something heartier; the restaurant does a range of noodle soups, including pho, bun bo hue and more.
Ideal for proper Japanese home cooking that won’t break the bank…
We’re tucked away in the tourist honeypot of County Hall again – that grand Edwardian Baroque building which once housed the London County Council and later the Greater London Council that we realise as we finish this aside that we’ve already introduced – in search of great Japanese food.
That said, Sagamiya feels like stumbling upon a secret. This husband-and-wife operation from Kanagawa Prefecture offers the kind of authentic Japanese dining experience you might expect to find in a Tokyo side street rather than steps away from the London Eye.
The restaurant’s strength lies in its pitch-perfect execution of Japanese comfort food classics. Their chirashi bowl is a masterclass in gentle (as in; not tweezered) precision – pristine slices of akami, chutoro, yellowtail and salmon arranged with artistic flair over perfectly seasoned rice, completed with plump prawns, scallops and unagi. The salmon belly teriyaki bento (£15), meanwhile, arrives with skin crisped to perfection and flesh cooked just so, accompanied by proper miso soup that tastes like it’s been simmering since dawn.
The space itself is refreshingly unpretentious – a handful of tables and counter seats facing the open kitchen create an atmosphere that’s more neighbourhood favourite than tourist trap. It’s the sort of place where City workers loosen their ties over steaming bowls of home-style cooking and play at being salary men, and solo diners find themselves nodding along to Japanese rock whilst tucking into impeccably made tamago.
Evening services bring additional treats, with warming oden and homestyle cabbage rolls making occasional appearances. You’ll find them doing their thing Tuesday through Saturday, with a neat split between lunch (noon until 2pm) and dinner (5:45pm until 9pm), taking a well-deserved rest on Sundays and Mondays. Just don’t expect to show up with your entire office in tow – like the best things in life, Sagamiya works best when kept intimate.
Ideal for a splurge-worthy, seasonally-led omakase offering…
We end our tour of the best places to eat near London Waterloo at Hannah. If you’re looking for a fine dining restaurant near Waterloo station, this is it. The kitchen here is led by Daisuke Shimoyama, a former head chef of Michelin-starred sushi restaurant Umu, with the main event dinner menu a seasonally-led omakase (chef’s choice) offering. The highlight is the selection of Wagashi homemade desserts presented on a traditional wooden stand:
Though that will last several hours and set you back £165, lunches at Hannah are a more laid back affair, with bento boxes the order of the day (or, at least, the service). An intricately presented sushi bento with ten rolls, two sets of sashimi, seasonal vegetables and miso soup is an absolute steal at £26, and has to be one of the best value lunches in all of London for its quality.
And with that, conversely, we’re off to endure one of the worst value experiences in all of London; getting a train out of here.
If you haven’t found anything in and around Waterloo to satisfy your hunger, then why not take the train a little further south to Battersea, and check out some of the great places to eat near Clapham Junction. A tour of London’s train stations never tasted so good!
As ingrained in the fabric of East London as pie and mash or Danny Dyer, Brick Lane is testament to London’s multicultural charm.
Originally named after the 15th-century brick and tile production that took place in the area, this world-famous thoroughfare gradually metamorphosed into a vibrant tapestry of trade, culture, and perhaps even more significantly, a definitive, singular kind of cuisine that represents the decades of immigration that have brought vitality to London’s East End.
Jewish immigrants in the late 19th century were some of the first to bring a wave of fresh new culinary influences to Brick Lane, introducing salt beef bagels that became an essential element of the neighbourhood’s food scene.
That culinary baton was then passed on to the enclave’s new arrivals from Bangladesh in the 20th century. Popularly referred to as London’s ‘Curry Capital’, Brick Lane now practically shimmers under a sky seemingly stained with turmeric.
This colourful culinary heritage has survived, thrived, and continues to form the backdrop of hectic food stalls, sit-ins, and family-run curry houses lining the bustling lane, marking Brick Lane today at the crossroads of a vivid, heady and uniquely London experience that needs to be protected at all costs.
Whether you’re longing for a little spice in your life or you’re keen for the comfort of a traditionally baked beigel, we’ve got you covered; from beigels to curry and beyond, here’s where to eat on Brick Lane.
Aladin
We had to start here. No guide to the best food on Brick Lane would be complete without a hearty, sweaty nod to its cherished Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants. Once placed on the BBC’s list of the ‘World’s Best Curry Houses’, Aladin is arguably the go-to for those wanting a taste of spicy food in this part of town.
Though it’s tempting to view Aladin as just your standard curry house (no bad thing, of course) from the outside, its humble red facade revealing little of the madness within, the restaurant has been satisfying spice lovers and blowing heads off the uninitiated for over four decades, and you can taste that pedigree in the ghee-slicked jalfrezi and yoghurt spiked tandoori king prawn delight.
Though it boasts a whole host of awards – even being praised by King (then Prince) Charles – Aladin is perhaps most famous, notorious, even, for its phall. The dish is regularly named London’s hottest curry and has been charged with causing apparitions, delirium and even hospital visits in those who dare consume it.
A cheap vacation or an act of dangerous bravado? You decide…
As with many curry houses on the strip, Aladin is BYOB, with the off licence directly next door offering a 20% discount to customers. Everybody wins!
Another Brick Lane institution that actually has a few years on trading on Aladin, Sheba is one of East London’s finest purveyors of Bangladeshi food. It’s a family-affair here, and has been since its inception in 1974, with the restaurant due to celebrate its half-century next year.
Regardless of what, who or even if you’re celebrating anything yourself when dining here, the lamb shanks are pretty much obligatory. Slow roasted Bengali-style with carrots and saffron, they are incredibly giving, requiring just a nudge of the spoon to pull meat from bone. Other signature dishes include the kebab ke karisma, a selection of succulent kebabs featuring chicken shish, lamb chop, and mince kofta.
The restaurant also offers affordable set menus and a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) policy, making it a popular choice among locals and tourists alike. If you dine between midday and 5pm, you can enjoy a 50% discount on your food bill. This also applies to the entirety of Tuesdays. See you next Tuesday?
Stationed on the corner where Brick Lane meets Princelet Street since 1992, Eastern Eye has witnessed the area’s evolution from a neighbourhood of laundrettes and sari shops to today’s bustling curry destination. This long-standing restaurant, with its distinctive red frontage and corner spot, faithfully brings the flavours of Bangladesh and Northern India to the East End.
The menu draws heavily from India’s north-east frontier province, showcased brilliantly in their Tandoori Platter (a steal at £7.95 per person) – a generous spread of chicken tikka, lamb chops, and minced kebabs that captures the essence of mountain cooking. The Ghost Daicha stands out among their specialities, combining lamb and split lentils in a style characteristic of Bangladesh and Calcutta’s home cooking.
Their Nawabi Raan (lamb shank) demonstrates why the restaurant has endured for three decades – the meat, slow-roasted with aromatic herbs and spices, emerges from the kitchen rich and yielding. Those seeking heat should try the Karachi Korai, where wild lime (shatkora) and green chillies create a dish with real bite.
Like many Brick Lane establishments, it’s BYOB, making it popular with groups and regulars alike. Open daily from noon until midnight, it serves everyone from lunching locals to evening crowds, and it’s that inclusivity that makes Eastern Eye Balti House such an enduring spot.
Gaviscon at the ready, we continue our tour of Brick Lane’s best curry houses over at the grandly named Famous Curry Bazaar. This Indian restaurant, owned by the esteemed Ahmed Brothers JNR, is a must-visit for any hungry punter drawn by Brick Lane’s ‘Curry Mile’ moniker, its bold red frontage an eye-catching beacon amidst the bustling street.
Among the standout dishes here is the inventive mango chicken curry, replete with plump golden raisins and boasting notes of coronation chicken (hey, get King Chaz back here, stat!), and the lamb dansak, a properly fiery affair, bolstered and, in fact, soothed by its accompanying lentils. For something midler, the king prawn pasanda is luscious without being cloying, the thickener here ground almonds rather than lashings of double cream.
Book online for BYO with no corkage from Monday to Wednesday.
One final curry for the road, and this one is going down in the enormous, two floor, 110-cover City Spice. Following a reliably warm welcome from owner and Brick Lane celeb Abdul Ahad, it’s time to take up position in the bowels of the restaurant and get stuck in.
The Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani dishes here are subtly refined and gently modernised, giving City Spice, for many, the edge on its neighbours and rivals. So much so, in fact, that Dish Cult recently declared the restaurant to be ‘Brick Lane’s number one Indian restaurant’.
The marketing team here are certainly doing something right; the City Spice Hottest Curry Challenge, which does exactly what it says on the tin, regularly pulls in the bold, the brave and the reckless.
Oh, and they also have stellar fully vegan curry menu! The curry house have teamed up with Tindle, purveyors of ‘ridiculously good chicken made from plants’, to create a fully plant based ‘meat’ curry meal. It’s really rather good.
From the days when it was mainly a Jewish neighbourhood, Brick Lane is still known for its beigels. And perhaps the most famous of all? The 24-hour, 7-days-a-week institution is Beigel Bake, which not only draws locals but also the jet setters and box tickers in their droves, all aiming to get a taste of the salmon and cream cheese, or the legendary hot salt beef beigels.
The latter, in fact, is an absolute staple for late-night Londoners, and has saved this particular late-night Londoner from a savage hangover or a desperate fridge raid on more occasions than we care to admit.
Before we get onto the other acclaimed Brick Lane beigel shop (prosaically named as such) which sits two doors down from Beigel Bake, let’s stop off for some sweet stuff at Crosstown, which is sandwiched between the two beigel halves rather poetically.
Here it’s all about doughnuts; fluffy, full-to-bursting doughnuts with a variety of seasonal fillings and interesting flavours combinations. Right now, the spiced pumpkin is a big seller, as is the pumpkin dulce de leche (we see a theme developing here), but our favourite has got to be the rum and pecan, which heaves under a mound of caramelised, crystalised nuts and boasts a properly boozy punch.
You can’t visit this most famous of thoroughfares without having at least two beigels, so we’re heading next door to Beigel Shop for a taste of Brick Lane history. Slinging the good stuff since 1855, Beigel Shop is – like its rival – open 24/7, and its hot salt beef with piquant English mustard is comprehensively stacked with slices to the point that it’s hard to get your mouth round it. In the best possible way, of course…
For something a little more laid back, the roast chicken and salad beigel is as comforting a bite as you’ll find anywhere in the city.
Brick Lane is world renowned for its curries, sure, but did you know that it also has a fantastic market located in the Old Truman Brewery, spanning global cuisines and streets in the area? Visit on a Sunday to experience the event in full swing, with wares peddled and bargains to be unearthed. It’s chaotic, bustling and utterly charming.
We’re heading a few yards off Brick Lane now, and to Smokestak, for yet more stacks of meat, but this time in more industrial-chic surrounds.
You’ll catch the restaurant’s enticing wafts of wood smoke and grilled meats the moment you venture off Brick Lane, so just follow your nose and settle in. This is a restaurant that benefits from having a group of you round the table; their sharing beef brisket is the star of the show and could feed six easily. Complete with pickles and a few buns, this is finger food elevated to giddy new heights.
In keeping with the area they also serve up a plate of pastrami and pickles with a mustard and dill sauce – a classic combination that you can’t go wrong with.
After satisfying the savoury – and boy have we done that – you might fancy a sweet treat to finish you off. Enter Dark Sugars, a unique, artisan chocolate shop serving up an array of beautifully crafted, handmade chocolates to the hungry, sweet-toothed folk of Brick Lane.
Run by the unimitable power-couple Paul and Nyanga, the Ghanaian inspired chocolatier combines raw, global ingredients to challenge your chocolate paradigms – give us a box of their rum infused Jamaican white rum truffles and we’d be yours.
That said, Dark Sugars’ hot chocolate, laden with chunks of melting chocolate, is the star of the show here, and something we keep coming back to, time and time again.
To some, London’s West End is the pulsating heart of the UK’s theatre scene, a hub of kinetic energy that receives 200 million annual visitors. Indeed, 24% of all visitors to London will attend a show here. To the other 76%, it can sometimes be a part of London that feels curiously busy but also barren, a wasteland of subpar steakhouses and American candy stores…
Either way, when alighting hungry in this most bustling of Central London locations, you needn’t settle on a flabby fillet or contribute to money washing with a round of Milk Duds. There are plenty of great places to eat in the West End, both budget and blowout, that will satisfy just about every visitor.
We’ve already written extensively about the best places to eat in Soho, so we’ll most park those recommendations and instead focus on the more central parts of the West End, where the magic (sometimes) happens.
With that in mind, and in no particular order, here are the best restaurants in London’s West End.
J. Sheeky
Serving up spanking, squeaky fresh seafood for over a century, J. Sheekey is one of the most prestigious purveyors of the good stuff in the city. It’s also one of the best restaurants close in the West End.
Established in 1896, J. Sheekey owes its inception to a unique historical event. The then Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, granted permission to a local stallholder named Josef Sheekey to serve oysters in St Martin’s Court. The only condition was that he catered for Salisbury’s post-theatre supper parties. Thus, the beloved Sheekey’s was born.
Today, J. Sheekey continues to uphold its reputation as one of the best restaurants near Leicester Square. Though there is a vegetarian and vegan menu and a couple of cursory meat dishes on the a la carte, Sheekey’s is still all about the seafood, offering the freshest fish, shellfish and oysters in London.
The restaurant’s central crustacean bar is a highlight, and the walls adorned with framed photographs of famous faces add to its timeless charm. And though those celebrity endorsements and general sense of prestige do certainly lend themselves to a hefty bill, the J. Sheekey set menu is great value for Central London – here, it’s three courses for £39, running Sunday to Friday, midday to 4pm.
Though the immediate surrounds of Leicester Square are visibly dominated by the stark white lights of a dozen chain restaurants, tightly nestled beneath street level is one of Soho’s most exciting independent dining destinations; Evelyn’s Table.
This Michelin-starred chef’s table experience is a genuine hidden gem. Tucked away in the basement of The Blue Posts pub on the edge of London’s Chinatown, Evelyn’s table has been through several iterations in its six year life. It was first opened in 2017 by the team behind popular hotspots The Palomar and The Barbary. After a brief closure, it reopened in 2020 with a brand new team, featuring Luke Selby as head chef, with his two brothers Nat and Theo also on the stoves, which, incidentally, are on full display to the 12-person counter seater restaurant.
The intimate, family affair vibes quickly earned plaudits, with the team picking up a Michelin star in 2022. Though the Selby brothers have now moved on, Evelyn’s Table continues to fire on all cylinders, with chef Seamus Sam (formerly of Muse by Tom Aitkens) now heading up the kitchen.
There’s a real elegance to the dishes on show on the 5-dishes plus, £135-a-head tasting menu here, with Sam’s precise, Scandinavian and Japanese inspired technique bringing out the best in hand-dived Orkney scallops, venison at the height of its season and winter’s finest black truffle. It’s a very special place, indeed, and one of the best fine dining experiences in all of the West End.
Six floors above the West End’s braying streets, Yasmin offers a sophisticated escape complete with panoramic views of the city. Talk about dinner and a show, hey? This Istanbul-inspired restaurant and bar, housed in the elegant 1 Warwick building member’s club, shares its home with sister restaurant Nessa on the ground floor. but aims to take things up several notches (erm, floors?) in terms of delivery.
The two restaurants share an executive chef too, Tom Cenci, and we amused ourselves over our Grand Bazaar (Yasmin’s Turkish twist on an Old Fashioned), imagining the chef darting between venues, running up the stairs spilling salted pistachios all over the place, and generally cursing the chaos of it all.
Hmmm, maybe we should get out more.
In reality, Yasmin is a supremely soothing spot to sink into, all sage green walls and warm wooden accents, highlighted by a spectacular marble-topped bar lined orbited by velvet stools seating gently boisterous custom. Trailing plants cascade from the ceiling, while banquette seating and rattan chairs create distinct zones for dining and lounging, in true member’s club style. Confusingly, you don’t actually need to be a card-carrying member to dine here, though for the gym and lounges below, you do.
The terrace, furnished with plush seating and draped with cosy throws, provides a sheltered spot for alfresco dining among the rooftops, though you’d be mad to be out there now, with temperatures hovering around zero. One for summer, perhaps…
Anyway, back in the warm, and Cenci has crafted a menu that pays homage to Turkish traditions whilst adding just the right amount of venue-appropriate sheen to proceedings. The sharing plates showcase bold flavours via Instagram-ready presentation – standouts include the whipped sheep’s cheese with hot honey and Isot Biber, piped and pretty, and the Muhammara aubergine, which arrives splayed out into three, panko’d and golden, its centre that lovely side of fudgy that aubergine gets through slow cooking. Alongside, a walnut and red pepper dip boasts chives sliced so finely we’re surprised @ratemychives hasn’t come calling. The flatbreads, made daily and grilled to order, are gold-standard, and show that the kitchen cares about the basics, which is always a good sign.
…All of this feels ready for the warmer months, when the wrap-around terrace seats 64 and offers atmospheric dining under the stars. We can’t wait.
Shoryu is owned by noodz-entrepreneur (and CEO of the Japan Centre) Tak Tokumine, a native of Fukuoka city who is dedicated to promoting his hometown’s cherished local speciality, ramen, across the globe.
We’re so glad that he’s made it his noble mission, as the restaurant’s signature dish – shoryu ganso tonkotsu, a rich and meaty ramen that boasts a 12-hour simmered broth, homemade Cotswold flour hosomen noodles, succulent char siu barbecue pork, Burford Brown nitamago egg, and an army’s arsenal-worth of vegetable toppings, from pickles to freshly shredded stuff – is as good as it gets.
The kotteri hakata tonkotsu, a heavy, fatty, meaty noodle broth, is another popular choice among patrons and, to us, is one of London’s finest hangover cures. The fact that it pairs so beautifully with a super frothy Kirin Nama draft certainly does no harm in dusting off last night’s excesses.
Finally, you don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to be enamoured with their plant-based spicy goma tan tan. It comes with an umami rich tonyu soy milk, sesame and miso broth, and is topped with soya mince marinated in garlic and chiu chow chilli oil, crunchy beansprouts, pak choi, and extra chilli oil for a decent kick. Woof.
A Shaftesbury Avenue stalwart that sits equidistant between Chinatown and Soho, one of the best restaurants in the West End is Pho & Bun, which offers a taste of Vietnam in the heart of London, all via the mind of chef Andy Le.
The star of the show at Pho & Bun is undoubtedly their traditional Vietnamese pho, a dish that, at its best, can be both transformative and transportative – quite the blessing after negotiating Leicester Square in the pissing rain.
The pho is light and nourishing, boasting a clear, flavoursome broth that carries the pleasant richness of beef bones. It’s served following traditional Vietnamese etiquette, which dictates that it should be eaten using only chopsticks and a simple metal spoon (not that absurdly sized ladle from a certain highstreet pho slinger).
In addition to the glorious national dish, the restaurant also serves a range of bun dishes, the slimmer, gently fermented noodle that is almost as popular on the streets of Hanoi, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City and beyond as pho. Go for the spicy, funky bun bo Hue, umami rich from shrimp paste and given succour and savour by bone marrow. If that doesn’t lift you out of your sense of Central London-spawned malaised, then you probably can’t be saved.
Finally, a firm favourite on the menu at Pho & Bun is are their signature steamed bao burgers stamped with a lotus flower, Vietnam’s national flower which symbolises purity. ‘Authentic’ these bao/burger hybrids ain’t; authentically delicious they most certainly are. Indeed, they are quite simply addictive and something you’ll come to crave long after trying.
Bancone Covent Garden, founded in 2018 by Will Ellner and his business partner David Ramsay (no relation to…), is one of the best fresh pasta joints in this part of town. In fact, in a city where that particular type of restaurant has become increasingly ubiquitous and uninspiring, Bacone stands out as being, well, actually good at pasta.
Here, it’s handmade every day, and that springy, sprightly essence is perhaps best realised in the least adorned pastas, like the insanely comforting silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter and a confit egg yolk, or the spaghetti alla chittara (a slightly squared off version of your usual strands hailing from the Abruzzo region) which is dressed in nothing more than a little chilli, garlic and parsley. It’s fucking fabulous. For something a little more fulsome and equally as comforting, Bancone’s tortellini in brodo never misses the mark.
The restaurant operates on a first-come, first-served basis, welcoming walk-ins with open arms. However, they do not guarantee specific tables or times, adding to the spontaneous/frustrating nature of the dining experience. If you do need to wait a while, then there’s plenty of streetside entertainment and shopping options in Covent Garden to keep you occupied.
Bancone Covent Garden has been recognised in the so-called Little Red Book for its light, fresh food, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2023. There are now two more outposts, in Soho’s Golden Square and Borough Yards, just off Borough Market.
Sometimes, the question of where to eat in the West End that won’t break the bank is answered with a single word; Zedel.
Brasserie Zedel, located in the heart of Piccadilly, is a grand Parisian brasserie that brings with it authentic Art Deco interiors and obscenely reasonable, humble French fare.
Hidden beneath the laid back Parisian-style ZL Café, providing a sense of discovery and exclusivity to its patrons, the establishment has a rich history, originally serving as the basement of the Regent Palace Hotel, and in the 1980s and 90s, it was known as the Atlantic Bar and Grill. The art deco and beaux arts fittings have been meticulously refurbished, with details recreated according to archived original drawings, preserving the historical charm of the place.
The restaurant serves traditional French food at exceptional value, with an expansive, inclusive space to match, making it a hugely popular choice among locals and tourists alike.
The menu is almost as expansive as the space, but most are here for the prix-fixe option which, at £19.75 for three thoroughly generous courses, has got to be the best value meal in Central London. Currently on, a leek and potato vichyssoise soup, a brasserie-ever-present steak haché with fries and peppercorn sauce, and a chocolate and caramel tart, is a trio of satisfying dishes that simply shouldn’t be giving you change from a 20 pound note. Throw in a large glass of house red for £7 and you really are laughing here.
Kricket was founded in 2015 by university friends Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell, with the duo starting their culinary journey in a basic 20-seater shipping container at Pop Brixton. Today, Kricket has expanded to three permanent locations in Brixton, Soho, and White City, with plans to grow further in London and internationally.
The Soho branch is particularly convenient for those visiting the West End, as it’s just a 200 metre walk away from Leicester Square.
Almost ten years ago, Kricket’s proposition felt kinda unique; a combination of British ingredients with the flavours, aromas and cooking tekkers of India. Now, it’s an idea that permeates the menu of just about every non-European restaurant that is – or could be – on the JKS roster, but back then it felt quite novel.
The restaurant features a theatre kitchen, counter seating, and long sharing tables, making it an ideal spot for group dining in Central London. Bowlby, who once cooked European food for the locals in Mumbai, returned to the UK to cook Indian food for Londoners, and his innovative approach to Indian cuisine, combined with Rik Campbell’s business acumen, has made Kricket a major hit.
We’re addicted to their crispy and salty samphire pakoras, which are topped with a sticky date and tamarind chutney and served with a heady chilli garlic mayonnaise for dunking. Perhaps even better is the cuttlefish and Goan sausage ragu, boasting serious depth and funk, with both dishes exemplifying the kind of East-meets-West stylings that have lent such success to Kricket.
Do not miss out, either, on the predictably dubbed but undeniably delicious KFC (Keralan fried chicken), whose curry leaf mayonnaise and deep fried curry leaf garnish really does take things up several notches. This is beer food, make no mistake, and the Harbour Brewing Co’s Session IPA is always on the taps. Well, it would be rude not to, don’t you think?
Good Friend Chicken is not your typical fried chicken joint. This Chinatown chicken shop prides itself on serving Taiwanese-style fried chicken, with their commitment to authenticity evident in every aspect of its operation. In fact, Good Friend even shipped their oven all the way from Taiwan to ensure the food is prepared as it would be in the night markets of Taipei.
Their menu, though concise, is packed with golden, crispy delights. The chicken breast is skillfully sliced thin and marinated masterfully before being tossed in three different flours to create an unforgettable crispness. Their popcorn chicken, another must-try item on the menu, disappears so fast that it’s wise to order several bags.
But it’s the options for customisation that keeps the customers being reeled in. Once served, you have the option to douse your chicken with any one (or all) of seven different powders, adding the risk of flavour overload, admittedly, but also a real sense of jeopardy that makes every bite all the more exciting. The plum powder, in particular, comes highly recommended.
…Actually, we did think they could top those lofty standards, owing to the relentless boundary pushing of the restless duo, perfectionism seemingly already reached but also just another insanely complex emulsion away.
At the new 180 Strand-housed Ikoyi, the space is larger and more sumptuous, all clean curves and tasteful mustard tones, the vibe gently refined; a little slicker, perhaps. Prices have increased in tandem. The tasting menu now is one of the most enthusiastically priced in London, at £350.
But what a procession of plates it is, of around 14 on our visit, with premium ingredients gracing just about every bite. Yep, that spice-based cuisine built around British hyper-seasonality remains. The iconic jollof rice with crab or lobster custard is still here, but leading up to the big, smoky reveal, luxury and innovation abounds; an aged lobster with one of Chan’s famously vital sauces, this one an agrodolce of sorts, was particularly special. Another course of lobster claw, sweetbreads and pine nut was as opulent and awe-inspiring as it sounds.
Yep, this is a restaurant firing on all cylinders, but we wouldn’t be at all surprised if Ikoyi somehow managed to find another gear; the sense of focus on improvement here feels totally implacable. In the best possible way of course…
Speaking of counter-dining, perhaps London’s most beloved bar seating set-up is found at the various outposts of acclaimed tapas group Barrafina.
Those in the West End and looking for the best dining options in Covent Garden will be pleased to hear that this famous corner of London boasts not one but two Barrafinas. We’re particularly enamoured with the Drury Lane iteration, which is compact, cosy and convivial, and leans a little more into the seafood side of the Spanish repertoire, often to glorious effect.
The specials are usually dictated by what’s fresh from the sea, so keep an keen eye for the miniature, roaming chalkboard for details of what’s good today; on our last visit, an enthusiastically brined piece of hake with punchy aioli and red peppers so caramelised they were collapsing was as good as it sounds.
Though the Food House feels like a Chinatown institution, with dusty carpets, dimly lit booths and properly brilliant, spice-centric regional Chinese dishes, the broadly Sichuan restaurant hasn’t actually been standing proudly on this Gerard Street spot for as long as you’d think. Previously found on Charing Cross Road, Food House moved more into the heart of Chinatown during the area’s recent redevelopment, and has quickly become the must-eat restaurant here and without doubt one of the best places to eat close in the West End. It recently further entered the wider public consciousness after being positively reviewed in the Observer last year.
It was a review that was very much deserved, the restaurant’s chilli oil slicked noodle dishes and whole fish dishes – again, dappled with rust coloured droplets that promise plenty of brow mopping – delivering big on flavour and a sense of satisfaction felt deep in your stomach.
For a quick, efficient lunch, the chilli oil (there it is again) lamb noodles is the type of one-bowl-wonder that knocks your socks off and leaves you regretting every single Sainos meal deal that came before it.
The younger, more affordable sibling of Angela Hartnett’s brilliant fine dining restaurant Murano, Café Murano offers fresh pasta, seasonal vegetables prepared with precision, immaculate shellfish, and the odd hearty af ragu, just as you’d expect from a chef this devoted to the food of Italy.
True to the soul of the place, the pedigree of the produce is the main draw, with the restaurant’s plates arriving with little frippery or adornment. Instead, Cafe Murano strives for simple, honest food, cooked with respect and just a little refinement. It more than delivers, which is a surprisingly rare find in this part of the West End.
Brought to Covent Garden by KERB, a group known for nurturing London’s street food scene, Seven Dials is one of the most exciting eating destinations in London.
In the 19th Century, Seven Dials Market, then Thomas Neal’s Warehouse, was used to store cucumbers and bananas. Now transformed into a foodcourt, to honour the past of the structure the market has been divided into two areas: Banana Warehouse and Cucumber Alley.
Banana Warehouse is billed as ‘The Belly of the Beast’ and has plenty of seating and communal tables. Here, you’ll find a number of street food kitchens and counter-top cafes serving an impressive lineup of street food from around the world. There is also a downstairs bar creating creative cocktail concoctions made with spirits from the East London Liquor Co. Banana Warehouse is the ideal place to come and while away a rainy afternoon in central London, eating and drinking your way through to the night.
If you need a pitstop while shopping your way through Covent Garden and are feeling peckish, Cucumber Alley is the place to go. Inside are seven independent food traders, seven days a week selling some of the best snacks and desserts in the Big Smoke.
On our last visit, we had a slice or two from Bad Boy Pizza Society and a gorgeous batata hara from the Syrian street food joint Arnabeet. Lovely stuff.
Not one for the pizza purists, this, but definitely a place for a sharin’, tearin’ good time, the pizzas here are huge 20-inch numbers, perfect for some group fun. Indeed, the name Homeslice in bro parlance means friend, and the buddying up concept lends itself to conviviality and good cheer.
Some of the topping combos are inventive, some downright weird; cauliflower cheese and harissa anyone? But, when they get things right, it’s brilliant.
Sitting slap bang in the middle of Covent Garden, The Petersham promises to soothe and replenish with its organic, produce-driven Italian menu and refined, quasi-spiritual surrounds.
Run by the Boglione Family, the restaurant’s ethos is deeply rooted in the slow food movement, celebrating traditional methods of growing quality ingredients. It sources its organic and sustainably-grown produce from Haye Farm in Devon, ensuring the highest quality inputs for its dishes.
Rather than just another strapline, that commitment to sustainability is the real deal; the sister restaurant, Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond, is one of only three in London to hold a Michelin Green Star. The other two, if you’re asking? Mayfair’s Apricity, and the trailblazing Silo over in Hackney Wick.
The menu at The Petersham is a testament to the beauty of seasonal food, featuring dishes that highlight the peak of British produce, complemented by speciality ingredients sourced from Italy. So, that’s summer vegetables from the farm (courgette, squash, fennel and kohlrabi) served crudités style with the classic Piedmontese sauce bagna càuda, followed by a wild mushroom risotto that’s a little sharp and funky via taleggio. Heaven.
The Petersham also offers a variety of dining experiences to suit different occasions. Its pre-theatre menu, served between 5pm and 6pm every Monday to Friday, is perfect for those seeking a sophisticated meal before a show. For a more leisurely experience, the restaurant’s Afternoon Tea, available from Thursday to Sunday, offers a delightful twist on the classic British tradition.
The restaurant’s interior is a reflection of the Boglione family’s passion for contemporary art and understated grandeur. The walls are adorned with artworks from Francesco Boglione’s personal collection, adding a touch of artistic flair to the dining experience. With sweeping windows, Genoese chandeliers, and a private terrace, it provides an opulent setting for any occasion, from intimate gatherings to large weddings. The Petersham is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience, which feels mightily appropriate for visiting this most theatrical part of London.
It’s a food critic’s trope as re-worked as a restaurant’s ‘soup of the day’ in its fifth menu iteration; ‘you can tell the quality of a kitchen by its bread’.
But for keen carnivores and the gluten-intolerant too, a more appropriate statement might be this; you can gauge something of a restaurant’s chops by its, erm, chops.
Or, more specifically, its steak.
A hallmark of a great restaurant both casual and classy, if a kitchen can’t respond to your request for blue, rare or, god forbid, well-done, then it’s back to Le Cordon Bleu that the grillardin should head.
Whilst London isn’t as iconic as, say, New York or Buenos Aires when it comes to steakhouses, the city is certainly catching up with those heavy-hitters, with the capital’s residents increasingly well-versed in prized Argentine beef, Grade-A Japanese Wagyu, retired dairy cows, and native breeds sourced from regenerative farming projects.
To put it more plainly, if you’re mad about meat, the city has got you covered; here’s where to find the best steak in London.
Lurra
There’s a lot to like about Lurra. To start, it’s a bright, calming space, refined in design with one glass wall overlooking a gorgeous courtyard dining area. Shortlisted for the Best Restaurant Interior Design Award in 2015, it’s undeniably a gorgeous space to spend time in.
It’s the food, though, that is the main draw. The menu here draws on the Basque region of Spain, meaning that you can expect some seriously robust flavours on your plate.
The signature dish of Lurra is their Rubia Gallega, meaning ‘Galician Blond’; a hefty 800g of beef from a Northern Spanish, 17-year-old cow; the age where the meat is said to have the perfect ratio of marigold-yellow fat and a rich, almost blue cheese-like flavour. Sourced from Mr. Txuleta, the premier supplier of Basque beef in the UK, this sharing dish is guaranteed to impress.
Alongside this fantastic, imposing cut (served on the bone, of course), the restaurant specialises in other beloved Basque staples, including a whole turbot, blistered and burnished from the grill, and to finish, the perennially popular burnt cheesecake. Though this dessert is so often imitated, Lurra’s version certainly couldn’t be called a duplicate; it’s terrific.
Hawksmoor Air Street is arguably a more youthful affair than its more regal six sister restaurants across the capital, its art deco stylings bringing the requisite lightness of touch to counteract that meat coma you’re due after settling the bill.
Doing away with the usual steakhouse decor of basement-level dining room covered in dark wooden trimmings and emerald green leather, Air Street is a (forgive us) more airy affair, with floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of natural light. Don’t worry; the restaurant still boasts that signature Hawksmoor service. You won’t feel rushed here as you settle in for an evening of feasting, that’s for sure.
This year named as the World’s Best Steak, the beef offered at Hawksmoor is undoubtedly acclaim-worthy, and you’ll have a selection of massive cuts marbled to perfection, all served by weight. Though you pay by the 100g, realistically the minimum you can order is half a kilo, which is a perfect amount for a very, very greedy punter, or for two to share quite happily.
All the meat is British-reared and sourced from various small farms scattered around the country, grass-fed and dry-aged for 35 days, creating beautifully textured steaks rich in flavour.
Their seafood, which at Air Street shares headliner status with the steaks, comes from Brixham market and is brought in fresh daily. On a previous visit, a whole tail of monkfish, grilled over coals and standing up more than capably to the restaurant’s signature bone marrow gravy, had this carnivore contemplating turning pesci (if it weren’t for that pesky bone marrow, of course).
There are plenty of great places to eat near Covent Garden, and even the most discerning steak eater would have to count wallet-friendly Flat Iron in that SEO-baiting bracket.
The experience of eating at Flat Iron is just as exciting as the steaks themselves. When you order steak here, this London based chain (there are now 11 outposts in the capital) serves their meat on super hot iron slabs that sear your steak right on the table. This creates an enhanced sensory experience, make no mistake, as the sounds and smells of the sizzling meat get that Pavlov-reaction going before a single slice of steak has passed your lips.
For a restaurant that prides itself on being on the cheaper side, the meat is reliably delicious and perfectly tender. Do the simple things well seems to be their motto; there are only three steak options on the menu, with the Flat Iron Steak clocking in at just £13. Sure, it may not be as thick cut as those at Hawksmoor or as rich as the gear at Lurra, but you’re paying a fraction of the price for the privilege of a damn-fine steak. In these tough times and at this position bang in the centre of the city, who are we to argue?
Blacklock is a steakhouse that also offers a vast array cuts of meat from a veritable ranch’s worth of animals, making it a great option if you don’t want to be locked into beef and are keen instead to explore the whole spectrum of your carnal desires without fear of judgement.
In addition to some admittedly beautiful steak, at Blacklock you can also sample some excellent pork belly, succulent lambcutletsor a lamb t-bone, via way of their ‘skinny chops’ offering. For the greedier members of the group, you can have them all, in their signature ‘all in’ dish alongside a freshly grilled stack of flatbread that’s perfect for mopping up all those wonderful meat juices. At £24, it’s a snip.
Anyway, back to the beef; there are six different kinds of bone-in beef on the menu and multiple side dishes and starters that you may not have encountered before (Pig’s head on toast, perhaps?) meaning even the most fickle of diners will find something to satisfy them.
The steakhouse is also great for a cheeky tipple, offering some delicious cocktails that follow their pip to peel philosophy; no fruit is wasted while they create their signature, tangy and sweet Lemon Drop Collins. Cheers!
Mangel 2 is something a little different to the other more dedicated steak places on our list, but the quality of their beef means we simply had to include the restaurant here.
With an esteemed history as one of Dalton’s most popular family-run Turkish grills, times have changed at Mangal 2, with the Dirik family’s two young brothers, restaurant manager Ferhat and chef Sertaç, introducing a menu that is happy to innovate on tradition.
The results are spectacular, whether that’s in the rugged, farmyard-forward hummus, the cult-favourite mushroom manti with fermented tomato, or the restaurant’s wicked way with cull yaw; essentially, aged mutton with heaps (and heaps) of deep, funky-tasting fat.
We’re here for the steak of course, which, admittedly, isn’t always on this regularly-changing menu. But when it is, it’s a must-order, with that old-favourite the dairy cow, here in sirloin form, hauled over hot coals until the exterior is charred and the middle still blushes.
A final word here. Make sure to save room for dessert; Mangal 2’s tahini tart, topped with a halva cream and a seasonal-fruit glaze (blackberry on our last meal here), is as good an encore as you’ll find anywhere in London.
Temper Soho offers a more smokehouse-style menu, using the commendable ethos that no part of the animal should be wasted. This makes Temper a resourceful steakhouse, with the result being that you can get prime cuts of steak that are real showstoppers in addition to smaller pieces that are made into skewers or fillings for tacos.
In addition, Temper offers a rotating menu of unique cuts, including anything from Tajin-doused beef brisket and porterhouse cuts.
Though it does have a reputation as being a great place to dine solo in the capital, all three branches of Temper have a party-like atmosphere any day of the week, which is enhanced if you dine on the weekend, as you’ll be able to pair your beef with bottomless drinks for £45 per person all-in. Just make sure you pack that paracetamol!
Tucked away in the cute, historic Bartholomew Close, Ibai brings Basque country’s obsession with perfectly aged beef to the Square Mile. This intimate City spot might look unassuming from the outside, but step inside and you’ll find yourself transported to a particularly well-heeled corner of San Sebastián, complete with txakoli being poured from height and serious-looking chefs discussing the marbling of their latest delivery.
The star of the show here is their selection of Galician Rubia Gallega – beef from mature dairy cows that’s been dry-aged until the meat develops an almost Roquefort-like intensity. Their signature txuleton (a hefty bone-in rib for sharing) comes with a properly caramelised crust that gives way to a tender, ruby-red centre. Yes, at £130 per kg it’s eye-wateringly expensive, but for beef of this calibre, you’d expect nothing less.
Start with their La Noir de Bigorre ham, served piled high almost comically over crisps with a further mound of smoked piparra peppers – it’s a masterclass in Spanish charcuterie and fun, frivolous theatre. The Croque Ibai, a decadent combination of carabinero prawn, boudin noir and Tomme de Brebis cheese, makes for another worthy prelude to the main event.
Address: 92 Bartholomew Cl, City of London, London EC1A 7BN
Located in the heart of the corporate Tower Bridge area, The Coal Shed stands tall as a chic and charming steakhouse which delivers everything you want from a traditional temple to all things cow. It has a warmth to it, helped by the faint scent of woodsmoke used to cook their selection of steaks and fresh fish.
There’s a great selection of succulent beef here, with the restaurant’s rib-eye arguably the finest thing on the menu, owing to a cholesterol-goating fat-to-meat ratio. That said, the small plates offered here really do steal the show. Your meal could quickly become a grazing experience without actually eating anything sourced from the queen of grazing, as their short-rib croquettes, plump and bouncy scampi, and crispy pork belly, the latter generously glazed with BBQ sauce and fragranced with burnt apple, are all superb.
The restaurant also has a sibling in Brighton, which we’ve included in our rundown of the best places to eat in The Lanes, Brighton. Booking in advance is essential.
With its baroque-style interior lined with grand portraits, Berner’s Tavern leaves a lasting impression even before your first bite of steak. This is a place to dress up for, as you’ll want to match the elegance of the interior and the food.
Berner’s Tavern – overseen by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton – serves sublime British dishes, with their steaks as a centrepiece. Be sure to try the sharing Coute de Bouef (priced at £110 for two) which comes from the Buccleuch Estate, and could well be the finest of its kind in all of London. Yep, Berner’s Tavern oozes old-timely class and is a fantastic, upmarket place to enjoy steak in the capital.
What started as a butcher’s shop with a few evening covers has evolved into one of East London’s most interesting spots for serious steak lovers. By day, Hill & Szrok operates as a traditional butcher’s, complete with sawdust-sprinkled floors and masterful butchery on display. Come evening, the marble counter transforms into a communal dining table, and the shop becomes an intimate restaurant.
The beauty here lies in the simplicity – you’re eating the same exceptional meat they sell during the day, cooked with minimal fuss but maximum skill by one of London’s truly outstanding chefs, William Gleave. Their rotating selection of cuts comes from small-scale British farms, with a focus on rare breeds and traditional farming methods. The only constant is the pinpoint cooking – a recent, perfectly pink wing rib was just about the best piece of beef we’ve had the pleasure of eating in recent times.
Don’t expect the usual steakhouse trimmings (although there are some exceptional fries cooked in beef fat); instead, you’ll find seasonally changing sides that make the most of whatever’s good at the neighbouring Broadway Market and beyond. The wine list, though compact, is chosen specifically to complement the meat, with some interesting natural wines sitting alongside more classical choices.
*January 2025 update: Sadly, Hill and Szrok served its last blushing wing rib last night. They announced on their Instagram that after 11 incredible years, the cook shop side of the business was closing. The butcher’s will remain open. This fine establishment will be well and truly missed!*
Sprawling over a sometimes sparse section of East London, Stratford (or ‘Stratford City’, as they’re attempting to rebrand it) has transformed remarkably over the past decade. Once overshadowed by the pull of neighbouring boroughs, the area has undergone a significant metamorphosis of late, emerging as a location increasingly convinced by its own culinary conviction and cultural identity, with events including the much lauded ABBA Voyage and West Ham’s run to the UEFA Europa Conference League win both happening here.
The catalyst for Stratford’s change was undeniably the 2012 Olympics. The games not only presented London on a global stage, but also breathed new life into Stratford in particular. The Olympic legacy left an indelible mark on the district, sparking a dynamic period of investment, construction, and development.
Post-Olympics, Stratford City is now proud to have Westfield Stratford, one of Europe’s largest shopping and leisure destinations, and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a clutch of world-class sporting venues that includes West Ham’s London Stadium, right in its backyard. Just last year, the groundbreaking ABBA Voyage opened here, and is still going strong as 2023 begins to wind down. All of this has led to Stratford train station being named the 5th busiest in London, a sign of its growing influence as an area.
As a pleasing byproduct of this rising footfall, the area’s restaurant scene has begun getting noticed, with shiny new openings and old Stratford stalwarts both receiving increased attention.
Whether you’re here to retread scenes from Top Boy, blow some Bubbles, go on a virtual voyage with ABBA, or just do a little shopping in Westfield, you’ll no doubt be looking for a decent feed in this corner of London.
We’re here to help with that; here are the best restaurants in Stratford, and our thoughts on where to eat before ABBA voyage.
Mr Ribs Restaurant
Ideal for generous portions of Brazilian home cooking…
Back on ground level and onwards to a more humble – but no less delicious – eating experience…
At Mr Ribs, just a short walk from Stratford Underground Station and standing proud long before the Olympics came to town, the proposition is straightforward; nourishing, generous portions of Brazilian home cooking with an emphasis on the country’s cherished meat dishes – the restaurant is attached to a butchers of the same name next door.
Visit at lunch, as the more popular dishes here, such as the carne de panela and bife acebolado, sell out fast. We’re especially enamoured with the feijoada – Brazil’s beloved stew of black beans and various pork bits – here, the smoked sausage supercharging the thing with umami, the namesake pork ribs as giving and generous as the restaurant itself.
Before you satiate yourself with that stew and your appetite is done until dinner, don’t miss out on a couple of the fried-to-order coxinha. These little croquette-like numbers are filled with an enthusiastically seasoned mixture of chicken and stretchy, sticky cheese, and pair perfectly with a guava juice. Delicious.
Finish it all with a smooth, but bracing Bica, the Brazilian version of espresso – Mr Ribs’ version is excellent – and you’re good to go.
Tonkotsu has become one of the UK’s most ubiquitous Japanese restaurant brands in recent years, with more than a dozen outposts of the premier ramen slingers now operating in London alone, with more in Birmingham and Brighton for good measure.
The Stratford branch, which opened its doors in the newly developed International Quarter at the end of July 2018, is the largest site of the Tonkotsu chain to date.
Conveniently located just outside Westfield Stratford (and the closest restaurant on our list to ABBA Voyage, incidentally), if you’re braving the enormous shopping centre then a bowl of ramen here is the perfect precursor – after wolfing one down you’ll be in enough of a groaning fog to largely ignore the crowds.
Though the word ‘tonkotsu’ translates to ‘pig bone’ in Japanese – and the milky rich broth is without doubt the headlining act – you don’t have to pray purely at the altar of porcine to enjoy a meal here. The katsu curries, gyoza, and pickles are fantastic, too, for those seeking a lighter meal.
That ramen, though; it’s one that promises sensory overload, of properly lip-smacking umami flavour, alkaline noodles with just the right bite, fatty slices of pork belly, jammy eggs… the works. Add a ‘shot’ of scotch bonnet paste if you really want to feel something.
A word on those noodles. Handmade every day (the restaurant’s strapline reads “If you don’t make your own noodles, you’re just a soup shop”), and boiled for a precise 32 seconds, they’re meticulously formed, holding up confidently to the dialled-up-to-eleven broth. It’s the only way it should be.
Keep an eye out for the restaurant’s guest chef collaborations, usually released to celebrate Tonkotsu’s birthday in the capital. Recent highlights have included chef John Chantarasak’s ramen/khao soi mash-up, Kricket’s Southern Indian-inspired bowl and Jose Pizzaro’s Iberico pork ramen with piquillo peppers, served with a shot of sherry.
A slice of Mediterranean refinement in Stratford Cross…
Named after the Greek goddess of hearth and home, HERA (we’re not stuck on caps lock; that’s just how it’s rather shoutily stylised) opened in November 2024 in the space between Westfield and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
In a prime spot in Stratford Cross’s new cultural quarter, where the V&A East Museum will eventually be its neighbour, the restaurant occupies a dramatic double-height space where winter sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows. Evenings see the room transformed by the glow of surrounding towers and the shimmer of copper and gold details against deep aubergine walls – it reminds you that you’re in an area with designs on a weird kind of gaudy glamour, and also that you’ll probably eat some aubergine during your meal, which is useful.
The menu is divided into logical, prosaic sections – ‘Garden’, ‘Farm’, and ‘Sea’ – that somewhat bely the gentle complexity of these refined takes on Greek standards. Standout dishes include a delicate seabass carpaccio dressed with yuzu and dill oil, and a vegetarian moussaka that layers a marmite-rich mushroom ragu with flamboyantly risen graviera cheese bechamel (it’s all in the addition of egg yolk, we’re told). And if you’re looking to bridge the gap between your mains and dessert in some style, then go for the feta saganaki, which arrives cloaked in delicate kataifi pastry and doused in a house lemon honey that’s got floral notes of (we think) lavender running through it – a dish that exemplifies the kitchen’s approach of refining traditional recipes without losing their essential character.
A carefully curated wine list champions Greek varieties, while the cocktail menu plays with global flavours – the Helen of Spice adds mango and agave to a spicy margarita base, and Dates in Crete reworks an old fashioned with banana and coffee notes. For those heading to ABBA Voyage, the £60 set menu offers good value and a comprehensive taste of the kitchen’s range all within a curt and concise timeframe. Right now, it features a smoky melitzano salata, grilled octopus with fava beans, and much more besides.
Located in the heart of the burgeoning/bland East Village, Santi has been serving up self-proclaimed simplicity since the summer of 2016, when the Olympian focus had long left London in search of sunnier climes, but the folk of Stratford still needed a decent feed.
Another gaff just a short hop from Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford Station and other central sites, Santi fills the brief for a swift, serviceable bite before the football or ABBA Voyage, with the central pizza oven churning out capable Neapolitan-adjacent pizza and calzone quickly and efficiently.
Whilst these aren’t quite the best pizzas in London, Santi is the ideal Stratford pit stop if your show is starting soon.
Ideal for some of the best Sichuan hotpot in the city…
London’s love affair with the numbing complexity of Sichuan food shows no signs of abating, and Stratford’s Sichuan Grand, part of the strangely scant-feeling Gerry Raffles Square and sitting opposite the Theatre Royal Stratford East, is one of East London’s most enjoyable purveyors of the good stuff.
In a vast, grandiose dining room defined by carved wooden screens and lighting that’s reminiscent of when the first sun peeks through the curtains at the afters, the name of the game here is bubbling, chilli oil slicked hotpot.
It arrives with accompanying solo induction, already spitting out white-shirt endangering broth and far, far too hot to slurp hastily (a burnt tongue tells the tale). Exercise patience and restraint, if you can, and you’ll be resoundingly rewarded.
Go for the tripe, its honeycomb-crevices clinging on to the increasingly rich and assertive broth and delivering a chewiness that rewards perseverance. Slide in a few slabs of silken tofu as the bubbling mellows, another nourishing, sauce-soaking vehicle that is pretty much obligatory in a Sichuan hotpot.
As the broth condenses, we love to plunge in a bitesize piece of the restaurant’s prawn mash – essentially the filling for a prawn toast. Only needing a moment submerged in the chilli-forward soup, it’s bouncy and supple within seconds, and an absolute treat. A pot of jasmine tea is all you need to send this one on its way.
For a delightful breakfast or brunch in this part of town, Stratford’s Sawmill Café, on West Ham Lane, is the place to go. This quaint café prides itself on freshly baked bread, homemade pastries, and locally sourced ingredients. The eggs Benedict with smoked salmon is a must-try, as is their selection of artisanal sourdough bread.
A winner of the Time Out Love London award five years in a row, there are plenty of gluten free options here to enjoy in or take away. If you’re doing the latter, then Stratford Park is just a minute’s walk away and ideal for a picnic. The freshly squeezed juices here are not to be missed!
We end, somewhat resignedly, inside Westfield Shopping Centre and in the massive mall’s World Food Court. In our humble opinion, the best place to eat here is Rhythm Kitchen, whose traditional jerk dishes, curry goat, and a variety of sides never fail to hit the spot.
Run by the self-styled ‘Jerkfather’, the quarter jerk chicken served over rice and peas and fried plantain is a snip at £12.50, the chuck blistered and burnished in all the right places, its piquant marinade having caught the flames and caramelised just right.
If you’re in a hurry, the jerk chicken and roti wrap is a hugely popular lunch time order – the house rum punch an almost-mandatory chaser. Cheers!
Nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, Catania is not only a city steeped in history and baroque beauty but also a culinary gem that offers some truly superb renditions of much revered though often misunderstood Sicilian cuisine.
The city’s vibrant food scene is a testament to its rich cultural tapestry, with influences from the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, traditional street food served from paper cones, or a fine dining experience, Catania’s restaurants have something to please every member of the squad, whether fickle or foodie. With that in mind, here’s our guide to the best restaurants in Catania.
Sapio, Piazza Gandolfo Antonino
When visiting Catania, one culinary destination stands out for its exceptional fine-dining experience: Sapio. This Michelin-starred restaurant (the only one in Catania, proper) is a testament to the high-quality cooking that can be found on this magnificent island, where ingredients are as hyper-local as they come, and seasonality is a religion rather than a buzzword.
At Sapio, guests are treated to modern dishes that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate, crafted with fresh, local ingredients by the talented chef Alessandro Ingiulla. The restaurant’s atmosphere is curated by Roberta Cozzetto, who ensures a courteous and elegant welcome, making it an ideal spot for a romantic evening or a special occasion. With its commitment to sustainability and inventive Sicilian cuisine, Sapio offers a dining experience that is both traditional and contemporary, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of the region.
Sapio’s menu features standout dishes such as ricotta cardamom risotto, butter lobster, and pecorino truffle raviolo, which are sure to delight any food enthusiast. The restaurant also provides options for those with special dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan choices, ensuring an inclusive experience. The quality of food, service, and atmosphere have earned high ratings from customers, solidifying Sapio’s reputation as arguably Catania’s foremost dining experience.
A visit to Catania would be incomplete without a meal at Trattoria da Nuccio. This family-run establishment is a favourite among locals and tourists alike, known for its warm hospitality and traditional Sicilian dishes. The menu changes daily, depending on what’s fresh and available, but you can always expect to find classics like pasta alla Norma, made with aubergines and salted ricotta, seasonal caponata, and the catch of the day, grilled simply, whole, and to perfection.
The port of Catania isn’t just a truly wonderful place for a luxury yacht charter; it’s also where you’ll find some of the city’s most down-to-earth eateries, and just a short stroll from both the port and the iconic Piazza del Duomo, Osteria Acqualavica offers a culinary experience steeped in Sicilian tradition.
This charming establishment, which has earned a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide for its good quality and value cooking, is housed in a picturesque old boathouse that now features a wine-tasting cellar. Patrons can indulge in a variety of traditional dishes that showcase the flavours of the Etna region, including an array of seafood options – the most popular being the sarde allinguate (sweet and sour fried sardines), as well as an exemplary redfish carpaccio.
Don’t miss out on the signature bucatini with grated bottarga (salted, cured grey mullet roe that’s grated over the pasta like parmesan) a deceptively simple, utterly indulgent bowel if ever there was one.
In the evenings, the menu expands to include a selection of pizzas.
In Catania’s central Piazza Turi Ferro (formerly Spirito Santo), Me Cumpari Turiddu brings together restaurant, bistro, tea room and delicatessen under one storied roof. The space enchants with its vaulted ceilings, vintage crystal chandeliers, and walls of artfully distressed plaster—a setting that has earned it a Bib Gourmand from Michelin for its excellent value cooking.
The story begins with Roberta Capizzi, who left her law practice in Milan in the early 2000s to return home to Sicily and open Me Cumpari Turiddu. Under the direction of chef Gianluca Leocata, the kitchen crafts dishes using organic ingredients, many grown on Capizzi’s family estate. The kitchen celebrates regional specialties: macco soup with fava larga di Leonforte beans, spaghetti alla Turiddu with Masculina da Magghia anchovies, and their celebrated sweet couscous—a reimagining of a recipe from Agrigento’s Santo Spirito Convent, featuring Bronte pistachios and candied fruits on vanilla cream.
The wine cellar champions small Sicilian producers, focusing on organic and natural wines from the island’s valleys. Their commitment to local artisans extends to the deli counter, where you’ll find Modica chocolate, Donna Angelica IGP oils, and an array of Slow Food-certified products.
The restaurant serves dinner nightly, with weekend lunch services adding a bright, convivial atmosphere to the already charming space. The giant open kitchen and welcoming staff create an atmosphere that’s both sophisticated and deeply personal—much like Sicily itself. Booking ahead is wise, particularly for dinner.
Pizza is a staple all over Italy, sure, but Sicily has its own way with this beloved alchemy between dough, marinara sauce and buffalo mozzarella.
At Catania’s Eat Pizzeria, you’ll find some of the best on the island. This modern pizzeria takes a creative approach to its pies, with toppings that are a nod to traditional Sicilian ingredients. The dough is left to rise for 48 hours, resulting in a light, airy crust. The Pistacchio e Mortadella pizza, with a pistachio (arguably the island’s most famous ingredient) cream base, is a revelation and a clear crowd-pleaser.
You didn’t think we’d spend a significant slice of time eating in Southern Italy and only eat at one pizza place, did you?
Tucked away in a charming alleyway, Al Vicolo Pizza&Vino offers a romantic, patio-based setting for an evening meal and another delicious pizza. The restaurant specialises in gourmet pizzas that are a far cry from your standard takeaway. The ingredients are sourced from local producers, ensuring each dish sings with regional flavours. The wine list is equally impressive, featuring a selection of Sicilian wines that perfectly complement the menu.
A third pizza-friendly place because we’re on a roll now… Set along the scenic coastline, Cutilisci offers diners stunning views of the Ionian Sea. The menu is a contemporary take on Sicilian classics (with a pizza section, too) with an emphasis on sustainability and seasonality.
Owing to its alfresco dining area overlooking the sea, the seafood is, unsurprisingly, the star here. Whether you opt for the grilled octopus, the stuffed sicilian squid or the swordfish involtini, you’re in for a treat. The terrace is the perfect spot for a sunset aperitif, making it an ideal location for a special evening out.
For seafood lovers, Osteria Antica Marina is a must-visit. Located near the bustling fish market, this restaurant offers the freshest seafood in town. The setting is simple and unpretentious, allowing the food to shine. The antipasti platter, brimming with marinated anchovies, octopus salad, and red prawns, is a perfect start. Follow it with their signature spaghetti ai ricci, spaghetti with sea urchins, for a true taste of Sicily’s east coast.
Sicily’s seafood scene is revered and obsessive, sure, but perhaps the island’s most fervent culinary fascination are its sweet treats.
Indeed, the popularity of dolci, or sweets, in Sicily can be traced back to a history steeped in the exchange of ingredients and recipes through centuries of Arab, Norman, and Spanish influences. The Sicilian climate generously supports the growth of almonds, citrus fruits, and grapes, which are fundamental to the island’s confectionery.
Traditional sweets like cannoli, cassata, and marzipan fruits (frutta martorana) are not just food; they are a celebration of seasonal festivals and life’s milestones, embodying the Sicilian penchant for la dolce vita—the sweet life. The art of pastry making is passed down through generations, with each town boasting its own specialty. Fortunately for you, hungry explorer, Catania is home to one of Sicily’s most cherished purveyors of the sweet stuff; Pasticceria Savia.
Dating back to 1897, Pasticceria Savia is a Catania institution, famed for its exquisite pastries and cakes. While not a restaurant in the traditional sense, no culinary tour of Catania would be complete without sampling its delights. The arancini are legendary, and the perfect snack to fuel your explorations of the city. For something sweet, try the cannoli – here, the crisp pastry shells filled with sweet, creamy ricotta are fried in pork lard, just as it should be.
Scirocco Sicilian Fish Lab, Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto
For a quick and casual bite, Scirocco Sicilian Fish Lab is the place to go. This street food gem serves up calamari and other fried seafood delights out of traditional paper cones. It’s a great option for lunch on the go, allowing you to sample the streetfood of Sicily without breaking stride in your sightseeing.
Catania’s culinary scene is as diverse as it is delicious. From the traditional trattorias and bustling street food vendors to the innovative pizzerias and elegant seafood restaurants, there’s a dish and a dining spot to suit every occasion. When in Catania, indulge in the local cuisine; it’s an integral part of the city’s charm, a deep dive into the island’s complex history, and a feast for all of the senses. Buon appetito!
*Sadly, last night (24th January 2025) was the final service at Hill and Szrok. The restaurant wing of the operation will be closing and chef William Gleave will be moving on to an exciting new venture. Whilst we can’t wait to see what he does next, we’ll truly miss this restaurant; a real standout of the last few years in London. The Hill and Szrok butchers will remain open.*
Attention to detail is everything at butcher-by-day, restaurant-by-night Hill and Szrok. With a space this tight and places this sparse, it needs to be.
Now in its tenth year on Broadway Market, it’s a calm, unpretentious space to sink into, all flickering candlelights and smartly designed surfaces that temper the room’s boisterous chatter, turning it into something of a soothing soundtrack. In the centre of the room, a single, stool-high dining table that in the day doubles as the butcher’s counter reminds you of where you are – if the certainly not unpleasant smell of hanging meat hadn’t already done that. If you’re not the sociable type (or you don’t want to share a single beef fat chip), then book one of the counters that form the circumference of the room.
Wherever you park your carcass, you’re in for a treat. From a taut, tabulated kitchen with just an induction, compact charcoal grill and combi, chef William Gleave, formerly of P. Franco and Bright, coaxes the very best out of close-to-hand, carefully reared, hung and butchered ingredients, with a myopic, masterful vision of just how plates in such a hybrid space should look, taste and, interestingly, cost.
Prices on both sides of the Hill and Szrok operation are incredibly good value. In their own words, “We buy direct from farms by cutting out the middleman so we can provide the very best quality, the very best cuts with clear provenance and still keep prices reasonable.”
This is apparent in huge slabs of premium beef that would cost double – triple, even – a little further into town.
Image via @hillandszrok
They go on; “All our butchers’ staff are run through an apprentice scheme, giving local lads an opportunity to learn the trade, and bring a modern hand to a traditional trade.”
It’s a lovely touch; those butchers also make up some of the waitstaff each evening, furthering that connection between the two sides of the business, and able to talk you through the menu about which cuts, breeds, and preparations are particularly good right now. The twinkle in our waiter’s eye as he described a humble dish of cabbage stuffed with duck gizzards and chestnuts told us us we needed to know that it was an essential order.
Items are crossed off the day-and-dated menu with others scrawled on in replacement. It’s reassuring knowing that the kitchen are simply cooking what’s good on the day, and this cabbage number was a late addition to the line-up.
We were soon grateful for reading too much into that twinkle; that cabbage came wrapped around a tangle of braised offal like a cannellini, its accompanying cream sauce getting richer and deeper once you’d cut through the cabbage and its guts had spilled out. Reminiscent of peppercorn sauce, by the end that sauce was several shades darker, with a rasping heat and back-kick of the farmyard.
Cabbage stuffed with duck gizzardsSoused sardine soldiers
Soused sardine soldiers (just £4 for two), were a refreshing counterpoint. Served hidden under a fridge cold slab of tomato (the chill usually a sin – not so here) and atop a thin slice of warmed treacle soda bread, the interplay between hot and cold, sweet and sour, was so well thought out and satisfying.
With a couple of other appealing small plates on offer, including house beef sobrasada on toast and grilled sweetcorn with spiced honey, you could conceivably come to Hill and Szrok and eat very well without ever venturing into the headlining, heavy-hitting section of the menu, the one where words like ‘collar’, ‘chop’, ‘rib’ and ‘rump’ begin to proliferate.
But to do so would be insanity, because this is quite simply the finest meat cookery in the capital right now.
We went for a Lincoln Red wing rib, keenly priced at £50 for a hulking, heaving 550g piece that could have fed four, each thick and blushing slice blessed with cartoonishly perfect bark, and almost a single steak in itself. We took a couple of slices away – neatly wrapped in butcher’s paper and twine – with the noble intention of having a steak sarnie in the morning. We couldn’t resist wolfing it down on the short train ride home.
Anyway, its bank of fat – dutifully rendered of course – tasted sweet and mellow, with none of that unabating blue-cheesiness that comes with a retired dairy cow’s ubiquity.
Indeed, it was clear this guy hadn’t been excessively hung, with flesh that was perfectly tender, sure, but also fresh and essential tasting, tight and satisfying to chew. All too often, the current restaurant scene’s dedication to extreme ageing results in steak with a loose, wooly mouthfeel that isn’t – quite simply – all that pleasant. Real care had gone into the development of this wing rib’s texture and flavour, and it made eating it all the more enjoyable.
Back to that attention to detail; it was good to have a salt shaker on the table here. The way the meat was cooked and presented meant it did need a flake or two on each slice to bring it to conclusion. And sometimes, you do need that final twist at the table to truly make the steak your own.
It comes dressed in a glossy Madeira jus that you could genuinely do your hair in. It’s an absolute lip-smacker, tasting of concentrated resting juices and just a little sweetness and acidity, but never too much to interrupt the pastoral flavours of the beef itself. A little sun of English mustard brightened up the plate and offered a sense of place.
Just like everyone else, we’re sick of stodgy, dry triple cooked chips, once considered a culinary innovation are now bordering on passé, so the Burger King-adjacent beef fat chips were just the ticket. These beautiful batons were so satisfying to squash into the last remnants of those meat juices and jus with the back of a fork.
A sweet, vegetal side of peas and lettuce, braised until a homogenous unit, and a simple, piquant tomato salad, was all the spread required to see it on its way in surprisingly refreshing fashion. Plus a second order of those chips, of course.
After a meal that felt like a pitch perfect expression of seasonal British steakhouse (is that even a genre?) a chilled rice pudding with mango and jara lime felt like something of an outlier, but god it worked, the kitchen clearly having a little fun and flexing their creativity after such a measured performance with the mains.
Creamy, fragrant and perfumed with cardamom pods, it felt like an inspired take on a mango kheer, that classic scented Indian pudding, with flourishes of classic Thai streetside sweet treats thrown in for good measure. Yep, if kheer and mango sticky rice had a baby, this would be it.
The wine list at Hill and Szrok offers flashes of great value, too, with a handful of largely low intervention wines sold by the glass. That said, we went for a bottle of Azul y Garanza Tres Tinto, an easy drinking organic red with notes of black pepper and cherry. That ‘tres’ in the title refers to the blend, broadly Tempranillo with a splash of Grenache and an unidentifiable third grape – we’ll leave that to the experts.
We were told this guy is made in concrete, and takes on a kind of myopic complexity due to it not having been aged in oak or other vessels that impart flavour, instead letting the quality of the raw material shine through.
Anyway, it was beautiful with that beef. At £37 a bottle, you’d hope it would be, but considering this guy retails at £16, the mark-up feels modest and the value excellent for a semi-central London restaurant.Zooming out, and the whole bill came to ‘just’ £150, of which a third of it was drinks. For a meal of this unvarnished quality, that genuinely didn’t feel too painful on the wallet.
Anyway, before leaving head down to the toilet (must stop just going for the sake of it – my bladder’s fucked), and that sense of place hits you again. There are photos of the butchers sitting amongst carcasses adorning the walls, and on the ground floor, hanging rooms gently buzz, bringing you back once again to where you are, and to the layers of craftsmanship that’s gone into the meal you’ve just enjoyed.
It’s a dining experience that really does feel controlled, confident, beautifully paced and brilliantly managed. London Fields is lucky to have Hill and Szrok.
A good bowl of phở, with its broth both clear and rich and its noodles giving just right, can restore and rejuvenate even the most worn out soul. A great bowl can cleanse. It can complete.
But the very best bowl? Some might argue that’s a hard thing to find in London. Enjoyed at street stool level and seasoned by both the revving Vespa fumes of a previously parallel dining partner and decades of the same family’s same stockpot, there’s arguably no dish in the world better enjoyed at the source.
In recent years, however, London’s pho scene has expanded and evolved to meet an ever diversifying, discerning demand, and the city’s diners are now blessed with some truly excellent options of this most celebrated of noodle soups.
Whether you’re looking for an austere, savoury bowl of Northern-style pho, garnished simply with little more than sliced spring onions, or a Saigon-adjacent version heavy on the herbal accoutrements, spice and sweetness, then you’ll find it here, at these places serving some of the best phở in London.
Hai Cafe, Clapton
Ideal for soulful Northern-style pho done right…
There’s something about the rarity of the pho served at Clapton’s Hai Cafe that makes it even more appealing. Nope, we’re not talking about the slices of raw beef added à la minute to their pho boi tai chin, so it cooks just a little in the bubbling, lucid broth. Rather, we’re referring to the distinct lack of any actual pho on Hai Cafe’s main menu, which instead pulls its focus on southern-style curries, bun noodles & bánh mì.
But, cast your eyes up to the blackboard and on occasion (fairly regularly, to be fair) you’ll find an elusive pho or two gracing the specials. The bowls here draw from Northern pho sensibility, with the Hai in the cafe’s name coming from Hai Duong, a city that sits pretty much equidistant between the Vietnamese capital Hanoi and the northern industrial powerhouse Haiphong.
So, that means a light but deeply savoury beef broth, redolent of charred ginger, smoky black cardamom and star anise, sweet from bone marrow rather than excessive amounts of yellow rock sugar, and with a clarity uncluttered by frivolous additions like Thai basil or sawtooth coriander (you’ll get a side dish brimming with them, though).
The chicken version, here with several bouncy chicken dumplings bobbing about merrily, is equally soul-cleansing. For the vegans in the squad, deep fried tofu does the necessary. A squeeze of lime and a couple of fresh slices of long red chilli is all you need. Ask for sriracha here – or worse, hoisin sauce – and expect a scolding from Mama Hai.
Better, we think, to be scolded by that superlative soup, whose aroma is impossible to resist as soon as a bowl hits the table.
On London’s so-called ‘Pho Mile’, Kingsland Road in Dalston, there are more solid Vietnamese cafes and restaurants than you can shake a chopstick at (sorry, that’s a naff joke).
Reminiscent somewhat of the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where thoroughfares are organised by the single item that’s sold on each – Bucket Street, Silk Street, Silver Street… – if you’re after pho in London, it’s to Kingsland Road you should head.
But ubiquity doesn’t necessarily lead to the very finest Vietnamese food you’ll find in the capital, with arguably the focal point of the country’s culinary scene now found over in Deptford.
There is a notable exception, however, and that’s Song Que Cafe, which is considered by many to be Kingsland Road’s (and perhaps even London’s) best Vietnamese restaurant. This place gets packed like Ho Chi Minh City’s Dong Van Cong Street at a red light, with weekends especially tough to get a quick table in the brightly lit, canteen-like space.
Like a great vat of pho broth that’s been bubbling for hours, Song Que is worth waiting for. Now in their third decade, the pho here is top notch; a crystalline broth dappled with beads of beef fat as the best pho broths are, and freshly blanched noodles with a little chew and plenty of give (pho noodles cooked al dente is, quite simply, a crime). We always go for the combo beef here, the peppery tripe and gelatinous tendon lending so much viscosity to the soup.
The chicken pho here, lighter and fresher and ideally suited for curing basically all of your ills, is fantastic, too.
Ideal for a rich and unctuous broth in London’s Vietnamese Quarter…
We’re heading to Deptford next, the epicentre of some of the most downright delicious Vietnamese food in the country, and to Eat Vietnam, a family run joint which hums with activity every day of the week. Yes, you will need to book come the weekend.
Though the menu is extensive and crowd-pleasing, it’s the pho we’ve landed in SE8 for, and it’s a bowl of life-affirming nourishment you’d too be foolish to miss.
Here, the chefs use beef knuckle and beef knuckle only for the majority of their 24-hour simmered broth, the marrow giving generously to the gently bubbling liquor over the course of that day. Beef shin – with more marrow exposed – is added in the final third, its meat picked off the bone for the signature pho bo chin. The result is an opaque soup and a mouth-feel that’s a little more unctuous and fulfilling than the other broths on our list, and no worse for it, if the mood (and weather) dictates it.
The welcome presence of some crispy banh quay (deep-fried, donut-like sticks inspired by Chinese youtiao) on the menu makes dipping and dredging the final thimbles of that beef broth a real pleasure.
And if you need even more reason to visit, the restaurant donates 10% of its tips to charities in Vietnam.
Ideal for a second bowl of the good stuff in Deptford…
We couldn’t leave Deptford without a bowl of Cafe Mama Pho’s superlative chicken pho. While the beef version of Vietnam’s national dish does seem to get the majority of the plaudits, its poultry-based cousin is equally life-affirming, particularly if tender, gamey thigh meat and a little offal is deployed.
At Cafe Mama Pho, a short hop from Surrey Quays Leisure Centre, both those caveats are satisfied, and it’s a glorious bowl of the good stuff, all gentle aniseed notes and a graceful silkiness from the poached, skin-on chicken thighs gift of its fat.
The move here? Order ‘tron’ (dry) style, which means the broth comes on the side, the bowl of noodles and poached chicken given richness and succour with roasted peanuts and deep-fried shallots. Add a few spoonfuls of broth and mix – it’s a deceptively simple variant that’s always a balm to Hanoi’s most hot and hectic days. If London is feeling the same, this is what you should be ordering.
Of course, there’s beef pho here too, as well as a generous bowl of pho dac biet (special). Whilst this title would usually indicate a veritable feast of beefy bits, from tendon to tripe, brisket and meatballs, here Mẹ has gone all in, with beef, chicken and prawn making an appearance in the bowl.
Cafe Mama Pho is walk-ins only and gets busy. Be prepared to queue. There is now a second branch in South Kensington.
Ideal for a heady mix of carefully cooked pho and carefully crafted cocktails…
A slicker operation than some of its neighbours on Kingsland Road – there’s wine, they serve cocktails and accept cards – Viet Grill is the sister restaurant of Old Street and Soho’s Cay Tre (who also do a great bowl by the way), and does one the best phos on the strip.
The noodle soup here is marked out by a ‘have it your way’ attitude, giving diners the choice of Northern or Southern styles of the dish, whether you’re going for a ‘Saigon Pho’ of pho tai nam gau, or a ‘Hanoi garlic pho’, tai lan-style, which sees thin slices of steak and whole garlic cloves wok-fried ultra-hot and smoky. The subsequent deglazing of that wok brings with it an umami-laden gravy into the bowl – magic.
Either way, an abundant plate of herbs and beansprouts is served on the sideand there’s hoisin on the table rather than in the bowl, the debate over which region’s rendition is better put to bed, for now. It’s a bowl that might put you to bed, too; it’s bloody massive!
If you’re looking for the best pho in London, you might instead want to make for Borough High Street, head up towards Elephant and Castle, and set your course for a bowl of pho as imagined by Vietnamese chefs and entrepreneurs Trang Nguyen and Nhan Van Mac.
You may have seen the team popping up at various food markets across the city, slinging their excellent banh mi, noodle salads and, of course, pho. In fact, the word ‘rao’ in Vietnamese refers to an on-foot food seller who traverses the streets with a bamboo pole slung across their shoulder, carrying various homemade parcels of deliciousness from charred corn to rice crackers and beyond.
That said, it’s at the bricks and mortar location of Rao Deli that we’re settling in for a steaming bowl of the good stuff, done in the Hanoi style without garnish or fanfare. Order the beef combo and dig deep into the bowl for chewy nuggets of tendon, that fibrousness a prized texture in the motherland. Having soaked up plenty of broth and contributed a little of its own gelatine, a good ol’ chew on the tendon reveals layers of flavour not divulged through slurping alone. It’s heaven.
For those still with an appetite to slake, resist the urge to return to Borough Market and queue for hours for Padella. Instead, the bun thit nuong (a noodle salad of barbecued, salty sweet pork belly, herbs and crushed peanuts) here is exemplary.
Ideal for hearty beef noodle soups on King Street’s Vietnamese strip…
On King Street, where several Vietnamese restaurants have made their home alongside a well-stocked Thai supermarket with imported, often esoteric ingredients hard to find elsewhere, Pho District stands out for its deeply satisfying, straight-as-a-die bowls of noodle soup.
The stretch has become something of a destination for those seeking out Vietnamese cuisine in West London, with options ranging from quick-service spots to more traditional sit-down affairs… Does the ‘district’ in the name refer to that proliferation? Or the formal names of different areas of Ho Chi Minh City? Or, something else entirely?
Who knows? What we do know is this is fine pho, indeed. Don’t be thrown by the menu’s modest description of their signature bowl as ‘Beef Stew (New)’ – what arrives at your table for a keen £13 is unmistakably a bowl of pho, complete with all the hallmarks of careful preparation. The rich beef broth, built on a foundation of slow-braised brisket, carries the deep savouriness that only comes from patient cooking. Fresh herbs and carefully chosen spices lift the whole affair, while properly cooked rice noodles provide that essential silky backdrop.
The restaurant itself is a welcoming space, with just a couple of large murals of the twinkling lanterns of Hoi An as backdrop, where the focus is squarely on the food rather than frills. It’s the kind of place where you might find yourself lingering over the last spoonfuls of broth, already planning your return visit. And with several other Vietnamese spots within walking distance, you could easily make an afternoon of exploring this pocket of West London’s Vietnamese dining scene, each bowl of pho driving you on rather than weighing you down.
That’s the beauty of this most restorative of noodle soups.
Perhaps the finest version of Southern style pho in London is found at Banh Banh, a family run operation who have now expanded from their original restaurant in Peckham and into Brixton.
Whilst the Peckham mothership offers a selection of southern small plates (the bo la lot here is top notch), it’s at the Brixton outpost that pho takes centre stage. Family recipes here come from the Nguyen family matriarch Nghiem Thuy Hong, a chef in Saigon before she and the family moved to the UK in the 1980s. At Banh Banh, in a sparse, blond(e) – they’ve got twoooo versions – wood space, a modern flourish is added in the form of ‘hot stone bowls’ for serving the restaurant’s signature pho.
Those bowls (exercise caution when handling!) keep the broth properly hot throughout your meal, with flat rice noodles served on the side rather than in the bowl to ensure they don’t overcook.
With a huge side plate of fresh coriander, sawtooth coriander, Thai basil, Vietnamese mint and the greens of spr’onion, as well as plenty of sliced chilli and red onion, this is an autonomous, customisable affair. For those who love to test and tinker, Banh Banh is the perfect place for the restless slurper.
Ideal for unique innovative pho with influences from Xi’an…
We end our tour of London’s best bowls of pho in London Fields, at Green Papaya, whose Xi’anese (Chinese Xi’an province and Vietnamese) cuisine has been gaining a devoted following in this corner of Hackney in recent years.
It’s an intriguing proposition, with Dan Dan and Mount Qi noodles rubbing shoulders with bun and pho on a hugely enticing menu. We’re here for the latter today, which delivers in spades, the oxtail used in the pho broth adding an opulent, well-rounded quality to the soup. The pho thai nam, a combination of long-simmered, fatty brisket and just-dunked, thinly sliced sirloin, is the highlight here.
Now we’ve traversed London in search of its best pho, care to join us for a selection of Ho Chi Minh City street food favourites? Go on, you know you want to…
