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Persian · Mayfair · Soho · Borough Market
Berenjak
A restaurant that always delivers with consistently excellent food. Persian cuisine that truly earns the hype, especially the hummus. Beautiful dining room with excellent Persian classics like silky black chickpea hummus and chicken Olivieh, plus creative new dishes like tahdig with ox cheek curry and double lamb chops with charred Iranian spices. Bigger and more comfortable than its sibling restaurants, making equally delicious Persian food. The feasting is exceptional with koobideh that will live in your head forever. This Persian restaurant has significantly elevated its glamorous ambiance and dining experience.
Welsh · Peckham
Bara
Bara champions gutsy Welsh cooking in Peckham through obsessively sourced ingredients and unfussy execution—expect lobster rolls that sell out by noon and ingenious riffs like Caerphilly cheesesteaks and smoked tofu XO on laverbread that prove Welsh cuisine deserves far more than niche reverence. The thick-set pancakes and leek bubble-and-squeak focaccia reveal the kind of generational recipe knowledge that only comes from genuine family roots, delivered with the kind of hospitality that keeps queues forming through service.
Mexican · Peckham · Hackney Wick · Peckham Rye
Guacamoles
Hand-rolled tortillas wrapped around meticulously sourced pork—whether it's the caramelised El Pastor or fall-apart carnitas—prove that exceptional Mexican street food doesn't require a sit-down restaurant. The guacamole is genuinely fresh and the prices absurdly fair, making this a genuine local favourite that's spawned a cult following from Peckham to Hackney Wick.
Georgian · Mayfair
DakaDaka
Charred British meats and vegetables meet Georgian spice at this fire-powered kitchen, backed by a sommelier's expertly chosen Georgian wine list that charts centuries of winemaking tradition. The rowdy, high-energy dining room channels a Tbilisi dive bar—all live flames, loud traditional music, and the kind of atmosphere that demands you stay late and eat more.
Italian · Notting Hill · Westbourne Grove
Dal Fiorentino
Dal Fiorentino's legendary Italian sandwiches have built a devoted following, and the new west London outpost brings those coveted creations to a wider audience. Expect the kind of craveable, carefully crafted handheld fare that's made this spot a genuine draw rather than just another lunch option.
South Indian / Curry · Soho
Tamila
Tamila brings explosive South Indian flavors to Poland Street, where fiery curries and freshly made rotis command attention alongside inventive cocktails like the Gunpowder Margarita. The kitchen moves beyond the expected with tandoor-fired dishes and Tamil barbecue that prove there's far more to the region's cuisine than what you'll find elsewhere.
Greek · Borough
Agora
Agora delivers stunning Turkish and Mediterranean cooking at throwaway prices—think silky dips, crackling pork belly, and fall-apart chicken thighs for a fiver. The real magic is the in-house bakery's fresh, chewy bread and the infectious buzz of Borough Market's most unpretentious, genuinely joyful dining room.
West African · Borough · Borough Market · Fitzrovia
Akara
Akara brings bold West African flavors to Borough Market with the energy of a proper marketplace feast, where skilled cooking meets infectious atmosphere. The menu showcases the region's culinary depth while keeping things playful and approachable—the kind of place that makes you want to linger and try everything.
Bakery
Chatsworth Bakehouse
Chatsworth Bakehouse has earned recognition as one of Britain's top 50 bakeries, delivering the kind of craft baking that justifies national acclaim. Every loaf and pastry reflects serious skill and ingredient knowledge, making it worth a dedicated visit.
Modern British · Notting Hill
Dorian
Dorian delivers Michelin-caliber cooking with an open kitchen showcasing pristine ingredients and a refined dining room that justifies every penny spent. The legendary steak alone—a dish that's earned serious celebrity devotion—makes this one of the finest splurges in town.
Mexican · Walthamstow · E1
Homies on Donkeys
Irreverent Mexican street food meets serious culinary craft here, where playful vibes mask genuinely award-winning tacos that punch well above their weight at £9 a pop. Duck, steak, and vegan options showcase both creative technique and uncompromising ingredient quality that explains why this place keeps racking up accolades.
Pizza · Old Queen's Head · Islington
Hot Saint Pizza
Craft-focused pies built on distinctly Canadian dough—a 48-hour ferment with nutty depth—paired with inventive toppings that range from spicy Hawaiian to a standout meatball ricotta situation. The kitchen's NY sensibilities meet house-made precision, evident in everything from cobble lane pepperoni to a proprietary rye blend that sets their crust apart.
Newington Green · Islington
Jolene
Jolene elevates the humble pastry into something genuinely craveable, balancing delicate sweetness with textural precision—their rhubarb and almond creations are a masterclass in restraint. North London's finest bakery proves that great baking demands equal skill in both the sweet and savory realms.
Greek · Mayfair
Maza
Greek cooking stripped of pretence but never of refinement—expect boldly flavoured classics like souvlaki alongside unexpected luxuries like sea urchin pasta, all set to an 80s soundtrack in elegant dark wood surroundings. Punchy tzatziki, burnt butter ice cream, and an impressive wine list make this Mayfair spot equally suited to casual indulgence or marking something special.
Southeast Asian · Borough · Fitzrovia
Rambutan
Rambutan delivers genuine Southeast Asian cooking amid Borough Market's lively energy, with a kitchen that excels at layered, aromatic curries. The crab and black pork versions are standouts—rich, complex dishes that justify the crowds.
Mexican · Shoreditch · Stoke Newington
Sonora Taquería
Sonora Taquería delivers legitimately excellent tacos wrapped in an appealingly chaotic atmosphere that feels alive and unpretentious. The adjoining salsa bar seals the deal, making it the rare spot where the food and drinks are equally compelling.
British Pub · Marylebone
Wigmore
Wigmore is a gloriously convivial pub that hits its stride when the weather turns cold, built on a foundation of exceptional hand-made pies that justify the pilgrimage alone. The kitchen flexes beyond comfort-food basics with showstoppers like their XL spiced lamb shank, where caramelised onions and root vegetables swim in silky gravy alongside triple-cooked chips finished with Bloody Mary salt.
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