Willows has been on the scene for three years now but (somewhat surprisingly) seems to remain an under-the-radar spot for locals. That may be because of its location: Clapham Old Town (the nice bit, away from the Common). Defining itself as a "deli-to-restaurant" affair, their style is unpretentious and understated but in a thoughtful, seasonal … Continue reading Willows
Battersea has seen a good number of restaurant openings over the past year – mostly chains given the exorbitant rental prices of Nine Elms and the Power Station. But just outside the main development lies a more hidden stretch under the arches, home to a handful of independents including the aptly named Archway, a charming, … Continue reading Archway
Folde showcases how satisfying cooking with veggies can be but in an unpreachy way. Formerly a morning-afternoon café, the next chapter in its journey is an evening offering. Seasonal, sustainable and thoughtful, Folde proves that the best veggie restaurants are those that don’t make a song and dance about it. A few minutes walk away … Continue reading Folde
Lai Rai (meaning “little by little”) brings the Vietnamese culture of bia hơi – a meeting for snacks and cold beers – to Peckham. A café by day (11am-3pm), this new spot becomes a satay-scented canteen by night (post 6pm). True to its name, it’s a spot ideal for long, summer nights. Situated on Rye Lane — a world … Continue reading Lai Rai
Sister to Amber, Ara has been set up by restauranteur Murat Kilic. Whilst Amber focuses on food from the “Middle East”, Ara has broader horizons with a menu influenced by Murat's "love of travel and experimentation". The result is Turkish food with Asian twists – think tahini mirin and umami dust. Indeed, this reflects Murat’s … Continue reading Ara
Chinese restaurants have tended to conform to a stereotype: steamy-windowed hotpot franchises, revivalist Hong Kong cafés and Sichuan joints abound. But the London Chinese food offering seems to be diversifying with a richer, more varied and culturally-faithful landscape – think little regional super-specialist restaurants drawing attention to diversity of Chinese cuisine and regional traditions – … Continue reading Hainan House
A no-frills taqueria inside the labyrinth of stalls within Peckham’s Rye Lane Market, this colourful all-day stall makes hand-pressed, 100% corn tortillas that must be among the best in London. Run by a husband-and-wife team, Gabriella and Manolo de la Torre, also known as “Taco Manny”, fast food is in de la Torre’s blood. His … Continue reading Guacamole’s
Sitting serenely within the Hyde Hotel, in the bustling heart of the City, is Turkish restaurant Leydi. The figure at the helm of this hotel restaurant is Oklava founder Selin Kiazim, who’s making her return to the London dining scene after she sadly had to close her Shoreditch restaurant in early 2023. Her plan here … Continue reading Leydi
The best sushi spots are often local, the kind of spot you keep returning to, for comfort and resetting. Located in leafy NW3, Jin Kichi must be the local gem for Hampstead folk. Just a stone’s throw from Hampstead Tube station, this cosy Japanese restaurant is known for its high-quality yakitori skewers and sushi. Set … Continue reading Jin Kichi
All-day Indian café, bar and restaurant Kricket have pulled another winning outpost out the bag – this one in the heart of Shoreditch. Having enjoyed dinner and breakfast here, I can confirm that this is a spot worth crossing town over for. After all, Kricket have travelled a long journey. Starting life as a pop-up … Continue reading Kricket
Yumtini 