The Best Local Gems in London 2024 | Where To Eat

Bake Street

Stoke Newington, London

A much-hyped brunch spot in an unremarkable location not far from Rectory Road station, Bake Street’s expanded Americana-infused menu runs at weekends only; during the week, there’s a shorter selection of pastries, coo… Read more

58 Evering Road, Stoke Newington, London N16 7SR

Bar Crispin

Soho, London

A useful address on Kingly Street, this tiny corridor of a wine bar – high stools, tapas-style tables, a scattering of outside seating – is the place to come for a glass of wine and tasty, snacky food ranging from plat… Read more

19 Kingly Street, Soho, London W1B 5PY

Baudry Greene

Covent Garden, London

Nestled next door to its elder sibling, the 10 Cases, this all-day venue has all the trappings of a petit grand café: marble-topped tables, framed monochrome photos, half-mast curtains, tightly packed but comfortable for al… Read more

20 Endell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9BD

Berber & Q Grill House

Haggerston, London

Under the arches in Haggerston, Josh Katz's team just keeps on grilling – and the effect is as lively and compelling as ever. Meze including spiced chicken wings with garlic sauce are as smoke-licked as larger plates such as… Read more

338 Acton Mews, Haggerston, London E8 4EA

Crisp Pizza W6

Hammersmith, London

Holed up within the Chancellors pub on Crisp Road (just behind Sam’s Riverside), this hugely popular pop-up stands out from the crowd because its pizzas are baked comparatively ‘low and slow’ in electric bread ov… Read more

The Chancellors, 25 Crisp Road , Hammersmith, London W6 9RL

Dim Sum Duck

King's Cross, London

‘Cheap, delicious and authentic,’ is one snappy verdict on this constantly rammed, no-bookings Chinese. Queues come with the territory, long waits are inevitable and the whole experience can seem a tad perfunctory, but… Read more

124 King's Cross Road , King's Cross, London WC1X 9DS

Eric's

East Dulwich, London

Arguably the best croissants in London (if not the UK) are on offer at Eric’s – a local bakery run by ex-Flor supremo Helen Evans. Inside, it has a level of refinement that most of its rivals simply cannot match: caref… Read more

20 Upland Road, East Dulwich, London SE22 9EF

Esters

Stoke Newington, London

Located on a residential side street in Stoke Newington, this is the most perfect contemporary brunch spot in the Aussie London tradition. It's appealing inside and out with simple, light wood interiors, a counter stocked with exp… Read more

55 Kynaston Road, Stoke Newington, London N16 0EB

Farm Shop Mayfair

Mayfair, London

Mayfair is expensive, so it’s good to have an affordable go-to when you need a break from designer stores and swanky galleries. This rus in urbe outpost of Artfarm’s Durslade Farm Shop in Bruton is just the place, alth… Read more

64 South Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1K 2QT

Fortitude Bakehouse

Bloomsbury, London

Hidden down a cobbled mews close to Russell Square, this bakery and café is conveniently located for visitors to Great Ormond Street, the Brunswick Centre and the British Museum – though you might have to compete… Read more

35 Colonnade, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1JD

Govinda's

Soho, London

Famously founded by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1979 (the Hare Krishna Temple is next door), this vegetarian/vegan evergreen is still making friends – thanks to its happy 'karma-free' vibe, low pri… Read more

10 Soho Street , Soho, London W1D 3DL

Hoa Phuong

Elephant and Castle, London

In-the-know locals call ahead to ensure they don’t have to endure a long wait at this tiny, cash-only Vietnamese spot. Designed and run primarily as a takeaway (although there are a few foldable seats and one table inside), … Read more

4 Hampton Street, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6SN

Italo

Vauxhall, London

From knitting classes and supper clubs to ice cream sandwiches and country dancing in the street, this ‘green oasis’ is a genuine community hub – and second home to many of its regulars. At its heart is a deli an… Read more

13 Bonnington Square, Vauxhall, London SW8 1TE

Kissa Wa Café

Highbury, London

Tucked away from Highbury Fields, in a pleasant pocket of Corsica Street, this Japanese café has been nourishing in-the-know locals since 2017. A short menu runs from a Japanese breakfast spread – miso soup with a poa… Read more

15 Corsica Street, Highbury, London N5 1JT

Klose & Soan

Deptford, London £

A bright spark on Deptford High Street, this popular eatery was set up by seasoned London chefs Matt Klose and Sam Soan on the back of their thriving catering and events company. Upscale canteen furniture sets the tone, while chat… Read more

209 Deptford High Street, Deptford, London SE8 3NT

Kolamba Soho

Soho, London

Husband and wife team Eroshan and Aushi Meewella’s bijou Sri Lankan eatery is fun, and their generous, low-priced, two-course set lunch comes highly recommended. Squeeze into the tiny terrace fronting Kingly Street (great fo… Read more

21 Kingly Street, Soho, London W1B 5QA

Kossoffs

Kentish Town, London

The impressive window display will stop you in your tracks if you’re ambling down Kentish Town Road, and there’s much more inside this wonderfully airy, family-run artisan bakery. You’ll be spoilt for choice, but… Read more

259 Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town, London NW5 2JT

MEMBER PERK

Lardo

Hackney, London ££

There’s a lot more competition than when Lardo first opened its doors in 2012, but this industrial-chic venue remains a favourite among the local families and well-to-do professionals of London Fields. While the pizza oven i… Read more

197-205 Richmond Road, Hackney, London E8 3NJ

Le Petit Citron

Hammersmith, London

Quite a caricature of a French bistro, complete with bentwood chairs, gingham tablecloths and workaday glassware, this neighbourhood favourite ensures that diners’ expectations are focused mistily across the Channel even bef… Read more

98-100 Shepherds Bush Road, Hammersmith, London W6 7PD

Liu Xiaomian Carnaby

Soho, London

Following on from the success of their Marylebone original, Charlene Liu and Linda Liu’s Soho offshoot is housed in a basic, casual spot on the first floor of Kingly Court. Choice is down to variations on two Chongqing class… Read more

First Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, Soho, London W1B 5PW

Liu Xiaomian Marylebone

Marylebone, London

Conceived by two Chinese ladies from Chongqing who shared a flat in London, this buzzy, dimly lit noodle joint is squirrelled away in the basement of the Jackalope pub on Weymouth Mews. There’s no table service, so queue to … Read more

The Jackalope, 43 Weymouth Mews, Marylebone, London W1G 7EQ

MEMBER PERK

Lolo

Bermondsey, London

They should rename Bermondsey Street ‘Calle José Pizarro’ following the opening of the acclaimed Spanish chef’s third restaurant on this south London thoroughfare. Next door to José, Lolo offers all… Read more

102 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 3UB

Master Wei Xi'an Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury, London

It’s noisy and tightly packed but what really stands out is the service: here is a Chinese eatery where the staff are genuinely friendly and cheerful, tending to everyone’s needs with ‘unobtrusive efficiency&rsqu… Read more

13 Cosmo Place, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 3AP

Master Wei Xi'an Hammersmith

Hammersmith, London

An offshoot of Master Wei Xi'an in Bloomsbury, this latest offering from chef Guirong Wei is a short walk from Hammersmith Broadway, on the ground floor of a modern development. Inside, the slate-floored dining room is festooned w… Read more

245 Hammersmith Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8PW

Mr Ji

Camden, London

Originally a grab-and-go set-up selling Taiwanese fried chicken in Soho, Mr Ji relocated to larger premises on Camden's Parkway. It stands out from the many low-budget dining options in the area, thanks to a rolling menu of eclect… Read more

63-65 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7PP

Napoli on the Road

Chiswick, London

It’s all about the toppings at this rustically charming eatery from Michele Pascarella, dubbed 'the pioneer of contemporary pizza'. The dough is cooked Neapolitan style in a wood-fired oven for a thick pillowy crust and a th… Read more

9a Devonshire Road, Chiswick, London W4 2EU

Normah's

Bayswater, London

Normah Abd Hamid, affectionately known in the local Malaysian food community as 'Auntie Normah' cooks entirely on her own in this bijou, simply furnished space deep inside Bayswater Market. It's not that easy to find but well wort… Read more

23-25 Queensway Market, Bayswater, London W2 4QJ

Ottolenghi Chelsea

Chelsea, London

Textured walls and a striking terrazzo floor add something a bit different to the Chelsea branch of Yotam Ottolenghi’s café/deli group, but there’s no mistaking the familiar white counters, the overflowing displ… Read more

261 Pavilion Road, Chelsea, London SW1X 0BP

Ottolenghi Islington

Islington, London

This bustling, shiny white café and deli is where it all started for chef/writer Yotam Ottolenghi. Locals pile in for breakfast but there are temptations aplenty right through the day. ‘They champion such brilliant an… Read more

287 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2TZ

Ottolenghi Spitalfields

Spitalfields, London

Down a narrow Georgian alleyway not far from Liverpool Street and Old Spitalfields Market, this branch of Yotam Ottolenghi’s café/deli group follows the blueprint to the letter. A gleaming white frontage, clean-lined … Read more

50 Artillery Lane , Spitalfields, London E1 7LJ

Oyster Shack & Seafood Bar

Loughton, London

An amble through Epping Forest wouldn’t be complete without a refuelling stop-off at this totally unexpected – but immensely popular – seafood shack next door to the Kings Oak (not far from the Visitor Centre). J… Read more

High Beech, Epping Forest, Loughton, London IG10 4AE

Pockets

Hackney, London

Famous for its pop-up pitch on Netil Market, Pockets has moved round the corner to a permanent new home on Mentmore Terrace. Nothing else has changed – so expect to queue for its legendary pittas. Founder Itamar Grinberg gre… Read more

367 Mentmore Terrace, Hackney, London E8 3RT

Polentina

Bow, London

Housed in Apparel Tasker, a sustainable garment factory in Bow, this Italian café is a cosy corner sealed off by glass so guests can observe the production line while enjoying their coffee and cake. Humble home cooking of I… Read more

1 Bowood House, Empson Street, Bow, London E3 3LT

Rasa Sayang

Soho, London

For many years, Rasa Sayang has been a popular no-frills spot for halal Straits cooking in Soho Chinatown. Service is brisk and the menu reflects the diversity of the region's cuisine: start with roti canai or chewy tempeh (fermen… Read more

5 Macclesfield Street, Soho, London W1D 6AY

Sam's Kitchen

Hammersmith, London

Opposite Sam's Larder and round the corner from Sam's Riverside, this corner café is Sam Harrison’s updated version of a greasy spoon. Inside, it’s unpretentiously done out with brown leather and pops of colour,… Read more

17 Crisp Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9RL

CLOSED

Singburi

Leytonstone, London

* Singburi has closed for what the owners describe as a 'one-year sabbatical'.* Family-run, cash-only and unfancy to its bones, this much-regarded Thai café/restaurant offers food that's pungent, lively and elegant. The sp… Read more

593 High Road, Leytonstone, London E11 4PA

Tamila

Hackney Bridge, London

At a street-food setting by the Lea river between Hackney Wick and the Olympic Park, one of the best loved vendors is Tamila – the original South Indian concept from former Roti King chef Prince Duriaraj and Glen Leeson (als… Read more

Hackney Bridge Unit 1-28, Echo Building, E Bay Lane, Hackney Bridge, London E15 2SJ

The Drop

King's Cross, London

In oft-thronged Coal Drops Yard, a lovely and oft-thronged wine bar from the Hart brothers' Barrafina stable. The wine is the thing here on a list led by small producers and good practice, but there's plenty to get your teeth into… Read more

Unit 22-24, Bagley Walk Arches, Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross, London N1C 4DH

The George

Fitzrovia, London

A central hub for political radicalism in the latter years of the 18th century, this gorgeous Grade II-listed Fitzrovia boozer has been revitalised as a hostelry for the ages by the JKS restaurant group. We recommend the ground-fl… Read more

55 Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7LQ

The Mayfair Chippy

Mayfair, London

There seems to be a permanent queue at London’s poshest chippy, though any poshness focuses on the food rather than the decor (tiled, basic, cramped). Tourists flock here, and locals pop-in for takeaway – the only way … Read more

14 North Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1K 6WE

The Victoria

East Sheen, London

An upmarket pub with rooms that’s also a true local hangout. Here you’ll find folk having business meetings alongside yoga mums and smart families (drawn by the pretty playground out back). There's something for everyo… Read more

10 West Temple Sheen, East Sheen, London SW14 7RT

Toad Bakery

Camberwell, London

At the weekend, you may have to join a lengthy queue if you accidentally hit peak time, such is the popularity of this small, crowdfunded Camberwell bakery where excellent bread is a given. Sourdough is long-fermented and made fro… Read more

44 Peckham Road, Camberwell, London SE5 8PX

Toklas Bakery

Temple, London

Offspring of the nearby Toklas restaurant, this bakery and café has the bonus of ample indoor seating for those who want to linger over its delectable cakes, pastries and savouries. We love the seasonality of their offer &n… Read more

9 Surrey Street, Temple, London WC2R 2ND

Towpath

Haggerston, London

Between March and November, the shutters roll up on this south-facing stretch of the Regent’s Canal and out comes an assembly of benches and tables set with jam jars of pretty wildflower posies. Early birds might plump for s… Read more

42 De Beauvoir Crescent, Haggerston, London N1 5SB

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