But now that we're all grown up (ahem) the cupboards are rammed full of healthy treats (fruit and the occasional yoghurt) and we can cook up a storm at the drop of a hat (toast and pasta)! But on those days when we force ourselves to put down the kitchen utensils and take a well-earned break, we like to skip off into the bright and beckoning lights of London town in search of that dream meal.
Now, I don't know about you but, whenever I'm looking for somewhere good to eat I'll type something like "fun places to eat in London" into Google and I always ALWAYS end up being presented with the same old generic chain restaurants, which inevitably results in me being disheartened and left with no faith in all that Google stand for. I typed in FUN for a reason and, as much as I like Pizza Express, I don't really want to know where the nearest 56 of their restaurants are!
So in an attempt to balance out the blandness that search engines offer the world, here's my guide to five places I believe are the shizzle when it comes to food. They’re not cheap and shoddy food, not break-the-bank food, just dreamy meals! So here we go - in no particular order...
With restaurants in Holborn, Bayswater and on Brick Lane, All Star Lanes is an American Diner and bowling alley that guarantees a good time whether you’re there to stuff your face or accidentally throw yourself towards the 10 pins at the end of the lane.
The décor is snazzy, the shoes are appropriately geeky and the music is sweeeet, but in my opinion it’s the restaurant that’s the real winner. Rather than sticking to just typical diner foods like burgers and milkshakes, there’s a choice of everything from salads, steak and ribs to their amazing award-winning Chilli Con Carne. Plus it’s actually award winning - 2009 UK Chilli Championship winner thank you very much! It’s the best I’ve come across in London for sure. In fact, it’s so good that I challenge anyone to feed me something better!
Whatever you pick off the menu, it's hard to be disappointed, and I would definitely recommend washing it down with a lovely stereotypically American cream soda. They come in a range of flavours and are made my angels.
Recommended meal: Banana Cream Soda and Chilli Con Carne.
This is the priciest option in the top 5, but it won't break the bank if you're just after some afternoon tea or a bite to eat rather than a full-on three course meal followed by cheese board and glass of port.
They have a few places dotted across west London but I've only ever been to the one on Piccadilly, and given its location (a few doors down from The Ritz and Fortnum and Mason) I wouldn't go in there looking like a scruff bag, wearing an I-heart-London T-shirt and carrying a bunch of Hamley's bags. This is a quintessentially British, afternoon tea and scones type of place so it's all about embracing its fanciness and not dressing like a tramp. Saying that though, you wouldn't be turned away for wearing trainers, just make sure you look like a respectable human being.
Anyway, focusing on the food, the Richoux menu covers every angle, from breakfast and brunch to main meals and afternoon tea. I can't say that I've personally sampled everything off the menu, but the things I have had are absolutely worth every single penny. Their main meals leave you satisfyingly full but it's their brunches, cakes and desserts that are to die for! I suggest you either kick start the day with some breakfast / brunch or drop by for a mid-afternoon indulgence.
If you’re from out-of-town and looking to experience the stereotypical British thing, then it’s all about heading here to spend the afternoon sipping tea and stuffing scones in your face. Just like a proper Englishman.
Recommended meal: Scrambled Eggs for breakfast, Cumberland Sausages and Mash for mains or Traditional Afternoon Tea.
There seems to be a distinct lack of Mexican restaurants in central London, but maybe I’ve just not discovered them yet - if you know of any then share the knowledge! Either way though, I reckon Wahaca is the best place to go in London. End of.
Wahaca is basically the Mexican version of a tapas restaurant. Only this place is better because Mexican food is way better than Spanish. Their Mexican market food covers pretty much everything to the point where the choice can be brilliantly overwhelming, which is why I would always suggest ordering three or four (or more depending on your levels of hunger / greediness) plates from the tapas section of the menu.
They have the best nachos, guacamole and variety of dishes that I’ve ever come across in the UK, and, even better... don’t forget to pick up a packet of free chilli seeds to grow at home on your way out! They look like matches, they’re not. Best mistake I ever made! (I'm currently hoping mine turn into full-on quesadilla trees rather than chillies)
Recommended meal: Gather a group of friends together and order everything on the menu to share! Make sure you order the pork as part of your mains and doughnuts for dessert.
Brick Lane, located in east London, it the place to go for a top notch curry and visiting on the weekend can only be described as ‘an experience’. Crammed with curry houses, the buzz and energy of this street is incredible and definitely something worth experiencing whilst in London, but it’s also a lot like battling your way down the main strip in Zante (only without the sunshine and with Indians instead or Greeks). Not that that’s a bad thing, it just might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
As a potential customer walking down Brick Lane you’re going to get accosted by at least 20 Indian men whose sole purpose in life is just to get you into their restaurant. Some are the definition of persistent, others are just plain irritating, but as a hungry, money-wielding citizen, you are the one with all the power. Mwahahaha! So get your bargaining hat on and see what you can blag yourself. The average deal is about £10 for a starter, mains, side and free drink, but if you’re willing to haggle then you can get a pretty sweet deal.
Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest nights by far so be prepared to queue for the best restaurants - there’s no booking around here, you just have to rock up and see the vibes. Also be wary of the restaurants with no one in them - when there’s a queue around the corner for one restaurant and an empty one next door there's usually a reason for it!
Recommeded meal: Whatever you can blag yourself!
This truly has got to be one of my happy places. Tucked out of the way and nestled into a corner of St Katherine’s Dock, this is an old warehouse that has been converted into a three-storey, magical food haven of deliciousness.
On the ground floor you can find a very lovely, typically English pub which is perfect for after-work drinks or catching up with mates. The second floor is home to a more sophisticated Grille and on the first floor – the BEST floor – is the most a-ma-zing pizza restaurant you’re ever going to find here in the UK. Fact.
They only have a small menu of pizzas, but that's okay as you can create your own. More importantly though, you can order your pizza in one of four sizes depending on whether you’re sharing or not.
The Mini pizza is enough for one person and the Special is perfect for two to share. Then there’s The Dustbin – so called because it is actually the size of a dustbin lid. Brilliant. But… BUT… nothing in the world could ever compare to the beauty that is… THE BEAST (see below). Yes, that’s right. Best shared between six people, The Beast is pretty much what you dream about appearing in front of you when you’re so hungry you’ve started to feel faint. It’s massive. Like something out of a food-related fairy tale. The only way it could be better is if it were round rather than rectangular, purely for novelty factor of it being an actual giant pizza!
Recommended meal: The Beast shared between friends with all your favourite toppings or the Four Chesse Pizza.
So there we have it: five new places to check out when you’re in foggy London town. Please note that this is all just my own humble opinion. I know I’ve stated some things as ‘fact’ but it’s only actually ‘fact’ in my own tiny brain. I don’t intend my statements to be legally binding or anything so please don’t sue me if you think differently. I have no money. (And that really is a fact!)
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