Emily's Favorite London Eats

Salt Yard Cocktail & Tapas Bar: Shepherd's Bush

Hey there, foodies! Welcome to my guide to the best eats in London. As someone who loves exploring the city's culinary scene, I've rounded up some must-visit spots that are sure to satisfy your cravings. From cozy cafes perfect for a leisurely brunch to hidden gems serving up mouthwatering international cuisine, I'll be sharing my top picks to help you navigate London's diverse food landscape. So, get ready to dig in and discover the delicious flavors that make London a food lover's dream!

If you've ever heard someone say, "London doesn't have good food," then they clearly haven't mastered the art of dining in London. London is a melting pot of cultures, so don't expect to only indulge in traditional British fare. The secret to dining in this fabulous city is to explore specific cuisines: Indian, Italian, Turkish, Chinese... the options are endless! However, there's one cuisine I must warn you about: Mexican. As an American, I practically grew up on Mexican cuisine, so you can imagine my disappointment when it took me ages to find authentic Mexican food that met my standards. But fear not! After a year of searching, I stumbled upon Tacos MX Fulham. Nestled in the heart of Fulham, this gem serves up the most divine tacos, guacamole, and CHURROS! Trust me it's worth the journey!

Here's my list of top eats in London:

Italian

1. Manteca (bookings)

   1. Fazzoletti, or any duck-based ragu

   2. Foccacia

2. L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele (walk-in only)

   1. Pizza (Diavola is my favorite)

   2. Red Label Peroni

3. Emilia Handcrafted Pasta (bookings)

   1. 4 hour slow cooked bechamel bolognese with grated parmesan (pappardelle)

   2. Sourdough bruschetta

4. Padella (join waitlist online if within 1 mile of the restaurant)

   1. Pappardelle with 8 hours Dexter beef shin ragu

   2. Burrata with Le Ferre olive oil

Chinese

1. Golden Dragon (walk-in only)

   1. Sichuan Chilli Chicken (spicy)

   2. Sizzling Fillet Steak with Black Pepper Sauce (spicy)

2. Dumpling's Legend (walk-in only)

   1. Mixed Siu Long Bao Platter

   2. Spring Rolls

3. Bun House (walk-in only)

   1. Pork Bun

   2. Chilli Fries

4. Bao Borough Market (walk-up window or sit in bookings)

   1. Pork Bun

   2. They also have a special bun that they switch up

Spanish

1. Barrafina (bookings)

   1. Croquettes

   2. Chorizo

   3. Beef Tartare

2. Sabor (walk-in only for counter, bookings)

   1. Recommended by Stanley Tucci...need I say any more?

   2. Anything octupus related

   3. Cod fish croquettes

3. Salt Yard (bookings)

   1. Happy Hour drinks + tapas

   2. Margarita

   3. Chorizo

   4. Jamon Iberico & manchego croquetas with aioli

British

1. Ducksoup (bookings)

   1. Change their menu each week

   2. Organic wine offerings

2. The Ginger Pig (food stall)

   1. Deli at Borough Market

   2. Pork and Stilton Sausage Roll (best sausage roll in London)

3. The Black Pig (food stall)

   1. This Borough Market food stall went viral on Instagram and it is actually worth the hype

   2. The Best One (order with extra sauce if you want a lot of spice)

4. Golden Union (walk-in only)

   1. Fish and Chips

   2. Chicken and Mushroom Pie (best pie I've had in London)

5. Hawksmoor (bookings)

   1. Sunday Roast with all the fixings

   2. STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING

6. The Cambridge (bookings)

   1. This pub in Soho is a great central option if you're craving a good British pie. They have many options and typically have a daily special

7. The Mayfair Chippy (bookings and takeaway)

   1. This chippy (fish and chip establishment) constantly has a queue out front as it is a Michelin accredited chippy! Walk by and you'll get a scent for why they are so well known in London
      

Indian

1. Tamarind (bookings)

   1. Crispy Sprouting Broccoli

   2. Spicy Chargrilled Jumbo Prawn

   3. Char-grilled Lamb Chop

2. Gymkhana (bookings)

   1. Goan Prawn Curry

3. Dishoom (walk-in only)

   1. This restaurant has a lot of hype. I think it's good and worth a try

4. BiBi (bookings)

   1. This new restaurant was featured on TopJaw (follow on Instagram) and lives up to the hype

Mexican

1. Tacos MX Fulham (walk-up window)

   1. Small rant because being from America I was very disappointed in the lackluster Mexican food scene in London, but Tacos MX is a hidden DIAMOND

   2. Taco Box (amazing Mexican fried beans)

   3. Carnitas tacos

   4. CHURROS

   5. Don't get the margarita as it's a bit weak so not worth it to me

   6. There is also a location in Islington

2. Tacos Padre (food stall)

   1. This Borough Market food stall feeds my soul with its delicious selection of tacos

   2. Get the fancy ones; they're worth the few extra quid (nickname for British pounds)

Mediterranean

1. Shuk: Tel Aviv (food stall)

   1. The Chicken Shwarma is phenomenal and I always get it for lunch when I go into the office

2. Megan's (bookings)

   1. Hot honey halloumi fries (only served after 11:30am) and entirely worth the wait

   2. Shakchorizo (shakshuka + chorizo)

   3. Bottomless brunch

   4. My friends and I are obsessed with Megan's and I bring all of my visitors here for brunch. Insider tip: they have a cookie dough dessert that is out of this world

3. Amber (bookings)

   1. Atom

   2. Burnt Aubergine

   3. Glazed Lamb Shoulder

   4. Turkish coffee

Other Cuisines

1. Sucre (bookings)

   1. By the looks of it, this place could be all looks, but it certainly is not! The food exceeds expectation every time

   2. Beef cheek (or equivalent meat because they change the menu)

   3. Anything chorizo!

2. Beigel Bake Brick Lane (walk-up window)

   1. Known for the salt beef with pickle

3. Mercato Mayfair (food hall)

   1. This fits under multiple categories because of the variety of cuisines offered in the food hall

   2. The best spring rolls I've found in London are at the Thai place upstairs

   3. Pasta bar on the ground floor is delicious

   4. Bao buns are pretty spectacular as well

4. Honest Burger (walk-in)

   1. It's a bit tricky to find a great American-style burger in London, but if you are craving one, Honest Burger has a good selection and will actually give you an option for how you want your burger cooked (most places don't ask for legal/food health reasons)

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What's your take?

Checked out any of those restaurants I mentioned? Share your feedback! Should they stay on my list of top eats or take a little break?

Looking for specific recommendations? Tell me what you need, and I'll point you in the right direction!

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