You guys! If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I just returned home from an overseas holiday where I was able to visit London for the very first time. And I’m happy to report back that I absolutely loved this gorgeous city! From the big red buses to the world-famous landmarks, non-stop shopping and fabulous food, I was one happy tourist.
I loved taking a bike ride through Hyde Park, walking over the Tower Bridge, watching a show in West End and wandering the pretty streets of Notting Hill. And when you add all the amazing food on top, you’ve got one incredible city.
Here are 13 of my favourite places to eat in London.
Honest Burger
Multiple locations
While I’m partial to an American-style burger, you know the like – tomato, lettuce, cheese, ketchup – Honest Burger really hit the spot for me. It was the perfect remedy after flying for 24 hours and eating nothing but plane food. I tried the Honest Burger, which is a chunky beef burger topped with onion relish, bacon, cheese, lettuce and pickles. The bread was soft, the beef juicy and the onion relish added just the right amount of sweetness. I also couldn’t stop eating the salty rosemary chips.
Crumbs and Doilies
1 Kingly Street, Soho
I have wanted to visit Crumbs and Doilies for years because I’m a big fan of Cupcake Jemma. This tiny little shop can be found tucked away in a side street in Soho. You’ll find a small selection of sweets – mainly cupcakes – but the flavours are on point. I tried a number of things (of course) but I loved their buttered popcorn cupcake and their raspberry meringue chocolate cupcake, but to be honest, you really can’t go wrong.
Duck and Waffle
110 Bishopsgate, London
Duck and Waffle was recommended to us by friends of ours from London and I’m so glad they did. This fancy pants restaurant is in the City of London and can be found on the 40th floor. The food is lovely – they’re famous for their confit duck and waffle dish – which is amazing (hubby ordered it).
I ate every crumb of their moreish caramelised banana waffles served with ice cream and hazelnut chocolate sauce. But to be honest, it’s the sprawling city views that makes this place extra special. Just note that you HAVE to book ahead of time and there is a dress code.
Ottolenghi
63 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill
I’m a big Ottolenghi fan, so we couldn’t wait to visit his famous place in Notting Hill. This unique cafe has a counter chocked-full of baked goods that makes you weak at the knees. We went here twice and I only wish I could go back every week.
We tried a number of treats here and I’m quite sure that literally everything is good. Our go-to breakfast included a slice of buttery quiche, a flakey croissant served with homemade jam and a bowl of fresh fruit salad. I also loved his cookies and giant meringues. And a cup of their smooth hot chocolate makes the feasting complete.
Crosstown Donuts
Multiple locations
I always appreciate a good donut, but because I have tried so many amazing donuts travelling across America, I often get disappointed. But I was pleasantly surprised when I visited Crosstown Donuts in London. Their glazed donuts were light and fluffy and just about melted-in-your-mouth. It’s the perfect stop for an afternoon pick-me-up.
The Wolseley
160 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London
The Wolseley was recommended to us by a number of people so we visited for a midweek breakfast. The place was heaving and while the restaurant decor is quite elegant and upmarket, they don’t have a dress code. We enjoyed a lovely leisurely breakfast of eggs and bacon, but there’s plenty on the menu to choose from, as well as baked goods and pastries.
We also found out afterwards that it’s a hot spot for celebrities, while we didn’t see any, my auntie said she once sat next to Bono here – so keep your eyes peeled.
Honey and Co.
25 Warren Street, Fitzrovia
If you have a soft spot for Middle Eastern food, try Honey and Co. This tiny restaurant is tucked away in Fitzrovia and has only a small number of tables so I recommend booking ahead of time. Don’t come expecting traditional-style food, this cosy restaurant boasts a small but inventive menu, with unique and seriously tasty dishes. We loved the hummus to start and also tried the royal mansaf lamb and the madfunia slow-cooked chicken – both were excellent.
Bread Ahead
Multiple locations
Directly across from Crumbs and Dollies in Soho is Bread Ahead. This gorgeous cafe is known for their filled donuts, but they also have a lovely selection of sandwiches and baked goods. We also found one of their little stalls at the Borough Markets, where you can try one of their donuts. I opted for their vanilla custard donut, which was downright delicious. That cream filling 👌🏻
Harrods Food Hall
87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge
We were lucky that our visit perfectly timed with the unveiling of the new Harrods Food Hall. We don’t have anything like this in Australia so I loved every inch of it. The halls are a foodie haven filled with every type of food you can imagine, from speciality cakes and baked goods, to fresh seafood and rotisserie chicken. There’s also plenty of store bought foods to peruse, from sauces and jams to chocolates and spices. You will be amazed.
Balthazar
4-6 Russell St, London
One of my all-time favourite restaurants in New York is Balthazar, so when I found out there was one in London, we knew we had to go. I was pleased to see it was just like the one in New York, from the charming red awning out the front to the leather seats, big crowds and mouthwatering French bistro food. You can order anything on the menu and you’ll be sure to enjoy a hearty feast.
Hummingbird Bakery
Multiple locations
Years ago, I was given a Hummingbird Bakery diary for Christmas and ever since then, I’ve wanted to visit. I popped into their Notting Hill store and opted for their famous red velvet cupcake. It was just as expected, moist and sweet with a delicious cream cheese frosting.
Dishoom
Multiple locations
We absolutely loved Dishoom. In fact, we loved it so much, we went there twice and enjoyed a mouthwatering Indian feast both times. The bustling restaurant has a lovely ambience but it’s the food that will keep you coming back for more. My favourite dishes were the chilli chicken, chicken ruby curry, lamb biryani and both the naan bread and the roti. Their mango lassi is also a treat.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
17-21 Elizabeth St, Belgravia
I’m also a fangirl of Dominique Ansel and have visited his bakeries in both New York and Tokyo, so visiting Dominique Ansel Bakery in London was a no-brainer. You can find all his famous treats here, including cronuts and DKAs. There’s also a full menu if you prefer a more hearty breakfast, but for me, a cronut, cookie shot or a frozen smore will always curb my sweet tooth.
Tell me, what are your favourite places to eat in London?
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