My travel style is discreet and homely. It follows that my food taste would be similar. Working in London, on and off for ten years and more solidly over the last theee, has been a fun foodie discovery. There is such a choice and something for all tastes.
Hidden amongst the big brand big dollar spots are some true gems. Some have been work discoveries, others recommendations from friends and a few just good luck to be passing by. All I love and whole-heartedly recommend. And don’t complain about the lack of food photos – my iPhone rarely comes out when I’m eating – thankfully instagram obliged!
1. Breakfast: I Love Nata, The Anthologist
I am more of a porridge or cereal bar at desk girl. Or sometimes a meeting at Natural Kitchen. But occasionally it gets more exciting. Fresh from my trip to Lisbon I Love Nata was the order of the day. These are as good as the real deal, the coffee is excellent too and I love the branding. The Anthologist was a chance discovery. We had been at an earnings release in the city (I am that cool ?) and Duck & Waffle was fully booked. The avo breakfast sandwich here was one of the best I have had.
2. Israeli and Levant fayre: Bala Baya, The Palomar, The Barbary
We loved Israel and we loved the food particularly. That a full Israeli food industry has sprung up in town is very fortuitous. Palomar was our first and sat at the kitchen bar was an epic night of tastes and fire! Barbary is the little brother – a slightly more European menu and easier to get seats. Bala Baya is from a different chef but a similar stable. All are excellent – if you like small plates and sharing a real mix of spice and flavour with your dining buddy you will be very happy. Evelyn’s Table is the latest offering from the team at Palomar, European food this time but the same style and foodie dream!
3. Vegan: Vanilla Black
Our most recent date night in fact. Mr P was cynical, ‘no meat’?.. He was suitably impressed! Such good food and service. Not just good veggie food, but the sort of food one doesn’t realise the meat, eggs and dairy is missing from. The smoked aubergine starter is unmissable and who knew fried porridge was a thing? Always special for little miss dairy free to have a choice of three (yes three) vegan deserts. Quite outstanding!
4. Lunching with my boss: Lutyens, Bird of Smithfield, The White Swan
We are blessed with smart places near work for toasting our successes! Lutyens is an elegant spot with fine food. Very much a business venue, but champagne on arrival is de rigeur. The bar is lovely, with the famous ticker tape. Bird of Smithfield is a little less fancy but the food has the edge. There’s also a cute roof terrace. And then upstairs in the White Swan always offers excellent French bistro food.
5. Great for a group meal: Gaucho, Bread Street kitchen
We all need those bankable places that always deliver and keep the big eaters happy. Gaucho doesn’t ever get old. Their steak is fantastic and the upstairs bar in Chancery Lane is a great meeting place. I love One New Change shops but there’s also some good dinner spots, especially Bread Street Kitchen which is a Ramsay venue.
6. Chic and swift: Granger & Co
A recent discovery. High ceilings at Clerkenwell, a calming space. We almost ate too much here. That’s the trouble with those little sharing plates, one needs too many! And then there was the chicken schnitzel and fish curry big dishes! We were happy eaters!
7. Fast and fantastic: Meat Liquor, Ping Pong
When Mr P dragged me up Oxford Street for dinner my eyes rolled. But thankfully down a side street is Meat Liquor, far from tourists and fancy shoppers. Burger and chips, done perfectly. No frills and graffitied decor. It’s good, and quirky. Ping Pong needs no intro. Fast food dim sum in a number of venues across town. The deep fried prawn balls are something else. So are the cocktails!
8. Client supper with cheese: Vivat Bacchus, Bleeding Heart
Steak, wine and a wow factor cheese room. The cheese room at VB never fails to impress! The wine list in this excellent South African spot is rather excellent too. BH I have been going to for year. It is hidden away in an old yard, with its own pub for pre dinner drinks. French food and a very olde worlde dining room. Star of the show is the cheese trolley that has to be seen to be believed!
9. Table top BBQ: Asadal
We walked past this last week and it reminded us just how much fun Asadal is. We are here before table BBQs were a thing! A hot plate in the middle of the table it really makes a small supper fun, and better still the meat is cooked exactly as you like it!
10. Ladies that lunch: Afternoon Tea at Claridges or The Connaught
Couldn’t miss off afternoon tea on a food post. The Connaught is my favourite – we have a ladies gathering there every October. They do dairy free very well, it is always different and doesn’t feel like a poor relation to the main event. Very classic. As is Claridges. The dining room is less airy here, but the crockery is beautiful.
Unbelievably after that long list of suggestions, we still haven’t even scraped the surface!
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Tell me: where would you recommend we go next?…
I tried pasteis de nata in Lisbon too, the only thing is I can’t have them now, unlike you:)
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…My 2 year of travel blogging+giveaway
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I have to take lactase to eat them, so they are a very rare treat!
Some fab choices Anna!
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I love that either with work or on date night there’s so much good fun food!
I love all of these suggestions – only done gaucho though
Wandermust mummy recently posted…Fearless Family Travel #8
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Oooo I hope you get to try them, the chilled little plate places are such good fun!!
Some awesome choices !!
binny recently posted…Rotunda – A hidden gem in Kings Cross
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Best not read with a hunger!
Some of my favourite restaurants on here – especially the Palomar! One of the reasons I love London so much is the food scene.
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Randomly we discovered the Palomar in Jerusalem, there was a business card for it in the sister restaurant! The food scene gets better in London each week – Jacob and the Angel has just opened by the same team too!
I really hope this isn’t your first and last foray into food blogging as I loved this post! Some great choices here, and a couple that I’ve added to the list for next time we’re home.
Polly xx
Follow Your Sunshine recently posted…Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Bali
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Hahah, thank you! For as long as I can use other people’s photos to food blog it’s ok, as I hate cold food ??
Great post, Anna, and some very tempting offerings I now need to try for myself. Afternoon tea at the Connaught and Ping Pong are top of my list.
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Ping Pong is such good quick food – if you’re in town give me a shout!
I definitely need to get myself to several of these – The Anthologist is definitely calling my name!
Emma @ London Kiwi Emma recently posted…10 things to do in Wellington, New Zealand
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It’s a great place for brunch – love it when chance discoveries are good!
Oh some yummy places to add to the list of places to eat!
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I saw you went vegan – vanilla black is seriously good for you!!
Right off the bat I was curious about Vanilla Black. Any spot that can make a carnivore forget (s)he’s not eating meat is a winner in my book! And then dumplings, well I do love them. Next time I get to London, you are the go to for dining suggestions!
alison abbott recently posted…Tasting Europe a Viking River Rhine Cruise
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I was a bit cynical about vegan too, but yes we didn’t need the meat and felt better without it so it really was excellent!
Even more places to add to my list! And great idea to label them… always looking for smarter places and spots to take my girls 🙂
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Excellent, enjoy!
One of the things I love about London is the diversity of the places to eat – a few favourites here (Granger & Co, Ping Pong) and the vegan place sounds great, I’m trying to eat a bit less meat so am always looking for inspiration.
Lucy recently posted…3 ways to fall in love with Prince Edward Island, Canada
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They have a cook book too if you really want inspiration!
Haha ok we definitely work in similar areas – I’ve been to lots of these! Really want to try Barbary and Palomar though 🙂
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Yes – Barbary at 5pm on a Friday is a good idea to end the week well!
You got me at ‘I love Nata’ !!
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Thankfully my office isn’t too close to it!! ?
Those custard tarts look deeeeelicious! I also love the idea of the hot plate in the middle of the table. 🙂 Some awesome suggestions here!
Clazz – An Orcadian Abroad recently posted…Clazz’s 2017 Challenges: August Update
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Thanks – will keep going with the research
UGH! My mouth is watering! But I now have a new list of places to eat on my next visit. 😀
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Enjoy, that will keep you busy on your trip!
I can’t believe i still haven’t been to Bala Baya and it’s just round the corner from work! I’ve heard plenty of good things!
Love Vanilla Black (and I’m not veggie).
Honey @ The Girl Next Shore recently posted…10 Things I Hate About Travel
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I’m the same, there’s so much stuff around New Street where I am yet I rarely have time to go enjoy it!
Israel food is my favorite among top 10 list. These small plates are heaven. I like the way you present it so well in the post.
Megri recently posted…How to Achieve the Perfect Combination of Diet and Exercise
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And there’s so much choice in London of it too! Glad you enjoyed