Why Eating Out in London Makes You Never Want to Leave

Why Eating Out in London Makes You Never Want to Leave

• Places To Eat

Whether you’re after a Michelin-starred meal for a special occasion, a laid-back eatery that’s suitable for the whole family or adventurous flavours from across the globe, the UK capital has an award-winning portfolio of places to pick from. From well-loved neighbourhood haunts to hip vegan hangouts and everything in between, here’s why eating out in London will firmly rank this city as your favourite culinary destination.

Timeless favourites

Although there’s an exciting launch every week, London is home to numerous household names which have been around for years. The Roux family’s Le Gavroche in Mayfair opened in 1967 and was the UK’s first to be handed Michelin stars for its fine French food. Source the finest classic fish and chips at Beauchamp-owned North Sea Fish on Leigh Street. Its diners have been tucking into crispy battered cod and thick-cut chips for over 30 years.

Global flavours

There’s no other city to showcase international cuisine quite like London. Lebanese mezzes, Argentinian steaks and ocean-fresh sushi are among the capital’s popular choices. Should you require a touch of Scandi simplicity, try contemporary Danish delights in the form of open-sandwiches and flaky custard puddings at Snaps + Rye, flanked by equally lovely Moroccan and Austrian restaurants near Portobello Road.

Child-friendly go-tos

With a spectrum that encompasses an intimate evening meal for two to Sunday lunch at an all-are-welcome gastro-pub, eating out in London is pure joy with its endless capacity to cater for all tastes and ages. In well-heeled Mayfair and the West End, there are plenty of vibrant family-friendly haunts alongside chic bars and restaurants, and Chelsea buzzes with cosy institutions like Beaufort House, whose menu includes healthy kids’ favourites alongside more sophisticated fare.

Meatless meals

Vegetarians and vegans aren’t the only ones flocking to London’s innovative smörgåsbord of plant-based, raw and meat-free eateries—carnivores are enjoying it too. In recent years, avocado on toast topped with edible flowers has become a sight Londoners are very familiar with, inspiring chefs like Matthew Kenney to raid delicatessens across the globe for unique ingredients. Kelp noodles are what his slick Essence Cuisine in Shoreditch stirs into its vegan pad thai. London’s restaurants are generally happy to sub meat, carbs or any other offensive allergen, with the majority of menus incorporating a wide range of dishes to appeal to every taste.

Redefining boundaries

You may have to book in advance to dine at the trendiest food haunts in town, but a table at influential gastronomer Ollie Dabbous’ Hide, opposite Green Park, or Tom Sellers’ Story on Tooley Street is worth the wait. The former plates up an eight-course tasting menu, with each dish presented in stunningly inventive ways, such as nestled in a small basket of hay. Meanwhile the menu at Story changes seasonally; with tomato and vanilla-flavoured caviar one day and, well, we’ll have to wait and see what’s next.

Featured images © Le Gavroche; North Sea Fish; Snaps+Rye; Beaufort House; Essence Cuisine; Story