Where to Eat in London?
We're heading to London in March & are looking for some restaurant recommendations. We know about things like Fifteen, St. John's & The Fat Duck, we're looking for things that are a little lower priced than these.
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7 Comments:
Do you mean, less expensive but still "gourmet"? Or seriously inexpensive places to stop for a quick bite? And what kind of food do you like? Are you planning your holiday around food, or the other way around?
For instance, you could start your morning at Borough Market near London Bridge on a Friday or Saturday, get a Monmouth coffee and a bite at one of the stalls, then saunter east along the river to Gorden Ramsey's The Narrow Pub in Limehouse (get back to the center on the DLR). Although I was underwhelmed by the food there, most everyone else seems to like it and it is seasonal, classic, well-done pub food etc etc. Great view of the river, can be very crowded, possibly a good idea to book. They do a weird but good mojito if you're into that.
Or, if you're in South Ken for the museums, there's the Oratory between the V&A and Harrods. Good wine list, good (inexpensive) food.
Wild Honey and Arbutus are both very chef-y, seasonal restaurants (tasty and unordinary food) run by the same people. They are both fairly expensive, but both run a pre-theater menu (order up till 7pm, I think) which is a bargin (3 courses for about £20).
I really like Wahaca in Covent Garden for inexpensive yummy Mexican street food, and I've heard good things about Great Queen Street (a pub in that area) as well. By the way, the London Transport Museum rocks!
If you are just looking for basic, decent and cheap, then I guess the Wagamama or Leon chains work. They're certainly convenient, but nothing you couldn't get easily in the states (this may also hold true for Wahaca, my opinion is easily swayed because I'm so desperate for decent Mexican).
You could also check Time Out for London, and the London Eating websites.
Hope that helps!
LondonM at 6:49AM on 01/21/09
Wow, thanks for the great input LondonM. We aren't planning the trip around food but food is always an important part of any trip we take. Borough Market is top on our list for the weekend. We are also planning on spending some time in the food halls at Harrods.
We hear that the restaurant scene is London is one of the best there is right now. I think we are interested in restaurants that serve great food but aren't the most expensive more than quick bites. We definitely want to get a good curry & have been told to head to Brick Lane for that.
Thanks for the pub recommendation as I'm sure that is something we'll want to do as well.
kaatbaro at 9:57AM on 01/21/09
Glad to help!
Re: Brick Lane .. if you're set on that, by all means go, but .. I really don't think that that is the best place to get decent Indian. I also don't like the atmosphere -- but then, I hate people coming up to me in the street and aggressively touting their restaurant. I know it doesn't bother everyone. Either way, if you have a specific destination in mind, something that's been recommended to you, then you know more than me :)
If, on the other hand, you aren't set on a place and are just looking for a great curry house, I recommend Lahore Kebab House, just off Commercial Rd (2 Umberston Street) in Whitechapel. Also, I've never been, but I've heard great things about Tayyab (I think that's the name) nearby Brick Lane, near Aldgate East tube.
High brow curry: Red Fort in Soho is wonderful.
LondonM at 11:13AM on 01/21/09
Hi there, I'm in the process of applying to SOAS of the University of London, and was wondering similarly about where to eat in London. Since I'll (hopefully) be back in university, I would be interested in cheap eats such as cafes and inexpensive curry houses (the Lahore Kebab sounds lovely), especially any in the Bloomsbury area.
I would also love unique restaurant picks as well, since my desired MA programme is Anthropology of Food. It would be nice to find inspiration for my studies in local dining areas.
Also, are there any good Vietnamese places in London?
tastyfever at 12:13AM on 01/30/09
If you're looking for a niche restaurant that's going to give you a proper British experience, then I'd go to Mother Mash. In fact, I already did! Their menu is pretty simple - you order in 3 steps. Step 1, choose your mash (original, cheesy, etc). Step 2, choose your sausage/pie (vegetarian, pork & leek, etc). Step 3, choose your gravy (red onion, vegetarian etc). I don't eat meat but I loved this place.
Mother Mash
26 Ganton Street
(near Oxford Circus tube)
http://www.mothermash.co.uk/
offensivepie at 10:58AM on 02/04/09
you could look at http://www.tumsguide.co.uk
its a bit odd but they seem to go to places most tourists miss.
jimp74 at 2:53PM on 03/08/09
There are Vietnamese restaurants all over London, but the area of Hackney, specifically the Kingsland road has a high concentration of Vietnamese eateries.
One of my fav Viet places is Viet Grill in Soho, address -
Viet Grill
24 Greek Street
Soho
swaniker at 6:03AM on 04/09/09