British | Sweetings
Opened in 1889, this is a classic lunch-only institution filled with workers from The City. The emphasis here is seafood with a French-focused wine list.
"Come here for the observation of crazy lunch rituals."
FED Pros > Chef Fergus Henderson (St. John)
39 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4N 4SF
T: +44.(0)20.7248.3062
Sweetings | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Pakistani | Original Lahore Restaurant
A well-known Pakistani curry house with halal meats and is BYOB.
"What they do really well are their kebabs and biryani. It's is always busy and you'll see a queue of people waiting for take out and the dining room absolutely full. This is one of the long-standing institutions."
FED Pros > Chef Alfred Prasad (Tamarind of Mayfair)
2-4 Gateforth Street, London NW8 8EH
T: +44.(0)20.7723.0808
Brawn | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
British | Brawn
A true celebration of the pig with various European renditions of dishes from Spain and Italy. They also have many picks from the sea, as well as quail, boudin noir, steak tartare and Keen's Cheddar Souffle.
"I love heading here after the Columbia Road Flower Market on Sundays for some natural wine and nose-to-tail eats."
FED Pros > Sommelier Courtney Stebbings (Lyle's)
"It’s a niche bistro. We love to come here for a glass or bottle of wine with nibbles. They have this massive wine list and almost everything is natural."
FED Pros > Florian Tonello & Milena Bucholz (formerly of 259 Hackney Road)
49 Columbia Road, London E2 7RG
T: +44.(0)20.7729.5692 | www.brawn.co
Tempura at Koya Bar | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Japanese | Koya Bar
Silky udon noodles that people queue up for and chefs rave about, as well as small plate Japanese dishes. Make sure to check the specials board for unique dishes to share.
"The most amazing thing about Koya is that it is a Japanese chef cooking with local English ingredients in a Japanese way. I always have the specials. I love the unpredictability."
FED Pros > Chef Nuno Mendes (Chiltern Firehouse)
"You always leave feeling like you’ve had something incredibly healthy, no matter how much you eat. Chef Junya Yamasaki changes the menu regularly. He is a Japanese guy cooking British food with a Japanese sensibility. They are the only ones in the country making their own udon and everything in-house."
FED Pros > Chef James Lowe (Lyle's)
"This is my idea of soul food; a big bowl of ramen noodles that are warming and hearty. Don't forget to check out the specials, some serious tasty treats. Focus is not on drinks, so chill out with a beer or a carafe of house wine. Warning! There is nowhere to wait inside, join the daunting cue, but trust me it moves fast and well worth the wait."
FED Pros > Sommelier Courtney Stebbings (Lyle's)
"For the specials board. I love to eat light broths and creatively cooked vegetables. The dishes seem to be smiling back at you."
FED Pros > Pastry Chef Claire Ptak (Violet Cakes)
"The udon is traditionally rolled with boards on their feet, rolled by foot. Delicious, super light and beautiful noodles. I like the one with monkfish liver, monkfish, and wild garlic."
FED Pros > Sommelier Derek Dammann (Maison Publique)
50 Frith Street, London W1D 4SQ
koyabar.co.uk
Photograph courtesy of the Beagle
British | Beagle
Named after the first steam train to run on the old East London line and located under the railway arches next to Hoxton Station. Chef James Ferguson cooks his food on a wood grill.
"This is a really interesting space with a great selection of drinks, not massive."
FED Pros > Bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana (White Lyan, Dandelyan)
397-400 Geffrye Street, London E2 8HZ
T: +44.(0)20.7613.2967 | www.beaglelondon.co.uk
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Lunch at Verden | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
British | Verden
A wine bar and restaurant located in a former renovated Clapton pub. The decor is Scandinavian and Japanese with furniture and light fixtures made bespoke for them. They serve cheeses, salads, sandwiches, meats, seafood and house-made charcuterie.
"This is great for drinking interesting wines or splurging on that special bottle without paying a large markup. They have a slightly smaller and concise list to navigate my way through. Great margins, well-selected wines and delicious house-made charcuterie."
FED Pros > Sommelier Courtney Stebbings (Lyle's)
Lunch Fri - Sun
181 Clarence Road, London E5 8EE
T: +44.(0)20.8986.4723 | www.verdene5.com
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Rochelle Canteen | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
British | Rochelle Canteen
Like the restaurant version of a speakeasy with no signs outside. The restaurant is located in a former bike shed in the playground of an old school surrounded by a large brick wall. On nice days, they set up tables on the lawn and offer large straw hats to block the sun. Book ahead of time, lunch only and BYOB.
"This is my favorite restaurant in London to go for lunch. I love to sit outside and eat the simple and tasty creations of the chefs while rubbing shoulders with some very interesting characters from all different industries: arts, music, food."
FED Pros > Chef Nuno Mendes (Chiltern Firehouse)
"Sitting outside here on a nice summer day is unbeatable. They serve fresh, simple British ingredients. It's BYO and never fails to put a smile on my face!"
FED Pros > Wine Director Liam Kelleher (Noble Fine Liquor, P. Franco)
"They have the best lunch in London."
FED Pros > Florian Tonello & Milena Bucholz (formerly of 259 Hackney Road)
Rochelle School, London E2 7ES
T: +44.(0)20.7729.5677 | www.arnoldandhenderson.com/4-rochelle_canteen.html
Towpath Cafe | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Mediterranean | Towpath Cafe
Located on the towpath overlooking the Regent's Canal, this cafe was created by an American food writer, Lori De Mori.
"It feels a bit hidden, but on a sunny day it is absolutely packed! They do an affogato with a soft serve vanilla ice cream and coffee poured over it. It is so great in the summer. They have usual city views because you’re on the canal."
FED Pros > Chef James Lowe (Lyle's)
36 De Beauvoir Cres, Hackney, London N1 5SB
T: +44.(0)20.7254.7606
Italian | Zucca
Modern interpretation of traditional Italian cooking. The menu changes daily and don't miss out on their deep wine list.
"An amazing Italian wine that is incredible value. They have multiple vintages of major wine producers. This is the place to come if you're looking to splurge on let's say a 1999 Conterno Granbussia Barolo (₤130). In addition to fabulous wine the food is delicious. Simple, fresh and high quality."
FED Pros > Sommelier Courtney Stebbings (Lyle's)
184 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ
T: +44.(0)20.7378.6809 | www.zuccalondon.com
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Photograph courtesy of Yauatcha
Dim Sum | Yauatcha
An upscale, Michelin-starred contemporary dim sum restaurant with 40 different dishes to pick from on the menu. Think more nightclubby low lights kind of place.
"This is a Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant in Soho, which is one of the more happening spots in London. Unlike most of the dim sum restaurants, they have a beautiful bar and a lovely cocktail menu. It’s a really good looking dining room with a very slick waiting staff and a tea room upstairs with exotic teas and their own homemade macarons. This is a really fantastic place."
FED Pros > Chef Alfred Prasad (Tamarind of Mayfair)
15-17 Broadwick Street, London W1F 0DL
+44 20 7494 8888 | www.yauatcha.com
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