The capital’s postcodes and neighbourhoods are abuzz with local eateries serving just about every cuisine imaginable – but with one eye on the appetites of the local populace. The Parakeet in Kentish Town is a case in point – a reimagined Victorian tavern delivering up-to-the-minute dishes from the wood-fired oven and grill. Like just about everyone else, we were instantly seduced by Josephine – Claude Bosi’s take on a Lyonnaise bouchon on Fulham Road; heart-warming old-school bourgeois flavours also took our fancy at the wonderfully eccentric Paulette in Maida Vale. However, our standout discovery – and a sure-fire hit with readers – was Mambow in Clapton, an independent East London original serving fabulously vibrant Malaysian food, all overseen by charismatic chef Abby Lee. It’s a well-deserved winner of our regional award for London.
Best Local Restaurant: London
Mambow
Clapton
Abby Lee’s ever-changing line up of Malaysian dishes deliver thrilling flavour and in always-buzzy smash hit neighbourhood restaurant. The pandemic prompted a change of direction for many chefs and in Abby Lee’s case, set her on a path to exploring her Peranakan roots which are on show in Mambow’s line up of thrillingly delicious modern Malaysian dishes. The always buzzy vibe and incredible value leave you ready to come back for more.
A Good Food Guide reader said:
'Absolutely fantastic, my meal of the year so far. Great value food, thrilling dishes, balanced menu, excellent service, original cocktails, and decent wine. I would go back in a heartbeat!'
Owner Abby Lee said of the award:
'To win one of the Best Local Restaurant awards for London is a wonderful surprise and a real testament to our incredible team. We are so lucky to work with people that are all equally passionate about showcasing Malaysian cuisine and culture, which has helped put us on the map!'
Best Local Restaurants in London 2024
Congratulations to all the restaurants in London that have made it onto our list of Britain's 100 Best Local Restaurants 2024. Explore the tiles below to discover who made the list and to read their full reviews in The Good Food Guide.
