From weekend food markets to divine restaurants, here’s our guide to must-visit foodie haunts in London
Looking for a foodie adventure in London? There are so many fantastic food-filled experiences in the capital to try.
Borough Market
Borough Market is London’s oldest food market, which has been serving the people of Southwark for 1,000 years. It’s the place to come on weekends for the best British food and street food traders – the produce here cannot be beaten. There’s everything from the best British cheese to charcuterie, homemade cakes and doughnuts, as well as artisan bread makers. Many of the market’s stallholders are also producers, and you’re guaranteed to find something truly delicious here. Borough Market is a riot of colours, smells and people – come early on a Saturday to soak up the good vibes.
La Fromagerie
If you’re a cheese lover, you must visit La Fromagerie. Located in Marylebone and Highbury, these aren’t any ordinary cheese shops, but some of the finest cheese haunts in London. Both shops featuring maturing cellars and their signature walk-in cheese rooms, where you can take in the aroma of the beautiful cheeses. Founded by Patricia Michelson, her love of cheese runs right through the shop and business – it’s a real passion project, and her first book ‘The Cheese Book’ is award-winning. The shops also do regular cheese and wine tastings – check their website for more information.
Hampstead Crêperie
This is a London institution, for good reason. This tiny road-side crêperie, open since 1980, always has a queue – but it’s so, so worth it. These are some of the nicest crepes you will find in London, with salty butter on the outside and made using the finest Belgian milk, white or dark chocolate. Try the Belgian milk chocolate crepe with banana, it’s simply sensation. For something unusual, sample the Compote de Pommes – fresh crepe with honey-apple compote and a dash of cream, it’s the absolute perfect post-dinner treat in Hampstead. The stand is open until 11pm, so you can also squeeze one in before bed!
Nobu
If you’re looking for something really special, then you must try Nobu. Opened in 1997, Nobu London was the first European venture for the world-renowned Japanese Chef, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. The menu at Nobu London captures Matsuhisa’s ‘new style’ Japanese cuisine, where traditional Japanese techniques meet South American flavours. They do some of the best sushi, sashimi and Japanese-inspired meat dishes you’ll ever taste, as well as some fantastic desserts. You can’t miss the Chocolate Bento Box, a chocolate fondant with green tea ice cream, which will literally leave you smiling ear to ear.
Spring Restaurant
Spring Restaurant by Skye Gynell is one of the nicest places in London you could visit. The restaurant is set within a stunning dining space in the New Wing of Somerset House, with a menu that focuses on the changing season and wholesome cooking. It’s fantastic in summer – their indoor atrium garden brings the outdoors in, with tables flanked by plants and an abundance of natural light from the atrium’s glass ceiling. Come here for dessert – the weekly-changing sweet tart is always divine. If they have the Apple galette with cinnamon and walnuts, you simply must order it.
