10 Interesting London Food Experiences
Filed under: Food in London
1. Farmers Markets
This list would be incomplete without mentioning the farmers’ market. The most spectacular is Borough Market situated in Borough, a Dickensian neighbourhood of South East London. Wake up early to avoid the crowds and head straight for Monmouth Coffee Company. They serve the freshest coffee from home roasted beans as well as their famous bread and jam. Then stroll around at your leisure, sampling the freshest produce from over seventy different stalls.
Borough Market
8 Southwark Street SE1
Monmouth Coffee Company
2 Park Street, London , SE1 9AL
+44 (2) 0 7645 3562
2. Afternoon Tea
Nowhere does afternoon tea with as much style as Claridges, an opulent art deco hotel. For around £30 per person you get to sit in refined and elegant surroundings, sipping tea and devouring cucumber sandwiches, cream cakes and scones. It’s a meal in itself so make sure you’re hungry.
Claridge’s
Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
+44 (0)20 7629 8860
3. Gastropubs
The Americans have joints, the french bistros and the British gastropubs. The Island Queen, on Noel Road, is an ornate Victorian example. It serves an excellent beer line up and well-executed, simple dishes in an unpretentious enviroment, popular with locals. Friday is fish and chips day, serving beer battered fish from the famous Steve Hatt fishmongers.
Island Queen
87 Noel Road, LONDON, N1 8HD
+44 (0) 871 332 5631
4. Dim Sum
Some claim that the Royal China in Bayswater serves superior Dim Sum to that in Hong Kong. Recommended is the prawn Cheung fung; prawns encased in a giant rice noodle served with a sweet soya sauce. Go with a large group of people, order as many dishes as possible. The English translation “Heart’s Delight” perfectly describes every mouthful.
Royal China
13 Queensway, London, W2 4QJ
+44 (0) 20 7221 2535
5. Vietnamese
The Kingsland Road in East London is fast becoming synonomous with the growing number of cheap Vietnamese eateries. The Viet Ho has divided opinion but still remains one of the best known. Don’t go expecting a fancy restaurant experience, instead enjoy authentic, competent food canteen style at bargain basement prices.
Viet Hoa
70-72 Kingsland Road, London E2 8DP
+44 (0) 20 77298293
6. Beigel Bakery Brick Lane
The Beigel bakery on Brick Lane is one of the last remnants of European Jewry who once populated the area. The Jews may have moved on but the bagels are still going strong. Its 24 hour opening hours are popular with London Cabbies and numerous clubbers who frequent the trendy bars and clubs of East London. Not the best bagels in the world but definately worth a visit.
Brick Lane Beigel Bakery
159 Brick Lane, London, E1 6SB
+44 (0) 20 7729 061
7. Selfridges Food Hall
Astounding selection of food from around the globe in London’s once hip department store. Check out the oyster bar, the magnificent selection of cheeses and the resplendent Turkish delight counter. However, beware of the pre-prepared meals which look appetising but in truth are disappointing.
Selfridges Food Hall
400 Oxford Street, LONDON, W1A 1AB
8. St John’s
St John’s is the brainchild of Fergus Henderson, an acclaimed and exceptional chef, who is the main proponent of nose to tail eating. Offal features heavily on the menu, specialities include; Veal and Venison hearts, and bone marrow with parsley . If you’re a bit squemish you can avoid the more unsual offerings and stick to the more pedestrain dishes such as; Lamb with mint and Fish and Chips. Outstanding.
St Johns
26 St. John Street, London EC1M 4AY
+44 (0) 20 7251 0848
9. Indian Take-away
Nobody does Indian food better than Anglo-Indians. Or there’s certainly no more popular food in Britian. It might not be strictly the most authentic but still remains a truly satisfying take-out experience. My personal favourite is Parveen, a local curry house which adopts a slightly more modern take on the traditonal fare. Good quality ingredients are used and fat, oil and ghee is kept to a minimum. Chicken Passanda is a firm favourite.
Parveen
6 Theberton Street, Islington, LONDON, N1 0QX
+44 (0) 871 332 318
10. Traditional English Breakfast
Sunday mornings wouldn’t be the same without a fry-up. Some restaurants have clocked on to to its enormous popularity and offer an all day breakfast menu. Smiths of Smithfield next to the meat market, serves one of the best breakfast’s around, and is perpetually packed with hungry diners.
Smiths of Smithfield
67-77 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6HJ
+44 (0) 20 7251
66 Comments so far
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Could it be the best market in the world?
Comment by GastroChick 01.18.06 @ 3:51 pmI don’t know, I’ve often thought about that, it can’t be far off. What do you think? Better than anything in NY thats for sure.
Comment by woofy 01.18.06 @ 7:53 pmIn the World? I reckon theres better markets for sure, in terms of quality of produce etc anyway, imagine what there must be in France, Italy and Asia.
Where Borough Market wins is as a whole experience, amplified by its context in urban London.
And you forgot to mention the Fromagerie in your top 10! Truffle Brie yes please!
Comment by damo 01.18.06 @ 8:18 pmlove the look of your blog - especially the cute little logo - but why did you have to go and make me so homesick 
Good to see more london food blogs with a london slant popping up.
i will be back!
So Mr Damo, what makes you think there must be better produce in France, Italy and Asia eh?
Comment by woofy 01.18.06 @ 10:17 pmThis is my first time visiting your blog and I love the look of it. You are a keeper and I will link yours to mine to come back often!
I wish I were in London now….
Thanks everyone for your support
Bea - I have linked to your blog - the food photography is amazing.
Comment by GastroChick 01.19.06 @ 8:00 amHi i’m so happy i discovered you food blog. How could i have lived before?
Thanx for the list as i’m going to london quite soon and was looking for a great farmers market.
Love
Fanny
What a fantastic blog. Great list. I loved St John when I dined there on my last visit. And I love full English breakfasts. Yum!
Comment by Chubby Hubby 01.19.06 @ 12:31 pmHello Gastrochick,
Thanks for your compliment!
I tagged you here! 
Check it out
http://www.beaskitchen.com/blog/2006/01/19/meme/
Bea
Comment by Bea at La Tartine Gourmande 01.19.06 @ 3:45 pmFanny - Glad you like the blog, yours is also very good, love the pictures of the pink doughnuts. If you need anymore london recommendations just ask
I have put a link to your blog
ChubbyHubby-Thanks for visiting my site. In answer to your question I am getting a wheaten terrier, I will post some pics on my blog next week.
Comment by GastroChick 01.19.06 @ 5:00 pmI’ve printed out your blog for my next (hopefully soon) travel to London. Gorgeous entry - beautiful blog - thanks!
Comment by phlegmfatale 01.20.06 @ 12:02 amyou should also try Carmelli’s bakery for bagels - the cream cheese is more cheesy than at Brick Lane
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It should be remembered that not only is borough market the best food market in London it is also, officially, the happiest place in the world.
Comment by woofy 01.18.06 @ 2:28 pm