Explore London’s Diverse Culinary Scene

London’s food scene is as multicultural as its population, making it possible to whisk your taste buds off on a round-the-world trip without your feet leaving the city. From delectable Japanese noodles to devilishly indulgent American burgers, this guide will show you how to savor some of the highlights of world cuisine all in London town.

Burgers and Soul in North America

Few US inventions command as much mouth-drooling adulation as the mighty burger, and London is home to some preposterously good patties. Precisely which is the best, though, is a never-ending debate among locals. Right now, the B.B.B (45-day-aged beef, American cheese, crispy bacon, and burnt butter mayo) from Burger & Beyond in Camden is turning more salivating heads than most.

For something with more of a sit-down vibe, Burger & Lobster is always a solid option, as is The Fat Bear, a soul food joint that serves Deep South classics like buffalo wings, corndogs, and gumbo. If it’s another American classic of Philly cheesesteak you’re after, look no further than Passyunk Avenue.

Brilliant Brunches à la Australia and New Zealand

With hundreds of thousands of Australians and New Zealanders residing in London, an influx of antipodean-style cafes has emerged, inspired by the coffee culture of cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland. Founded by a New Zealander yearning for home comforts, Tried & True Café in Putney is a super-friendly spot, featuring great all-day breakfast options and espresso that’ll make steam come out your ears. Aussie-inspired Scarlett Green in Soho serves faultless cooked breakfasts (the Bondi, named after the famous Sydney beach, is truly superb), and Farm Girl, located just a five-minute walk away, offers delicious and healthy brunches with a signature rose latte.

Sizzling Jerk from the Caribbean

With one of the largest Afro-Caribbean communities in the city, Brixton in South London is where you’ll uncover some of the best Jamaican dishes this side of the Atlantic. Mama’s Jerk in Pop Brixton serves on-the-go, charcoal-grilled chicken marinated for 24 hours in a secret homemade sauce, alongside a good veggie option in the form of bean cakes. Make sure to ask for a dollop of their mango mayo to cool the eye-popping heat of the spices. Another strong choice in Brixton is True Flavours Caribbean Cuisine, offering a variety of classic Caribbean items, including goat soup, steamed fish, and of course, jerk chicken.

Fragrant Flavours of the East

To savor Malaysia, check out Roti King, where you’ll find some of the best roti canai (Malaysian flatbread) outside the country, along with sumptuous curries and other national dishes like sambal fried rice. It’s tucked away on a side street next to Euston station. Meanwhile, Som Saa, near Spitalfields Market, is a charming Thai restaurant located in an old fabric warehouse, featuring a short but enticing menu of gourmet classics. A short walk north in Shoreditch, Cây Tre is a standout Vietnamese restaurant, particularly renowned for its pho (noodle soup), which takes 18 hours to prepare.

If you’re in the mood for some classic Chinese, head straight to Chinatown, which is packed with budget to mid-range eateries. For a more upscale experience, consider Hunan in Belgravia; you can’t go wrong with the minced pork broth with mushrooms and ginger.

New Malden, a quiet suburb in South London, has turned into an unexpected center for one of the largest Korean expat populations globally, reflected in its vibrant restaurant scene. Sorabol is a popular choice and deservedly so, while slightly more expensive Han, located opposite the train station, offers fine Korean dining paired with karaoke entertainment.

To satisfy your Japanese cravings, Soho boasts an excellent selection of restaurants, with Koya Bar recommended as a must-visit featuring delicious udon noodles. Alternatively, for less commonly known Japanese flavors, Abeno, close to the British Museum, specializes in okonomiyaki, a traditional pancake cooked right in front of you on a hot plate.

Tacos and Steaks in Latin America

West London’s Mexican restaurant Taqueria focuses on a no-frills atmosphere with an emphasis on flavor, offering a remarkable selection of tacos (be sure to try the pancita, filled with slow-roasted pork belly and chipotle garlic sauce) made from responsibly sourced ingredients.

Carnivore paradise Touro Brazilian Steakhouse serves a gut-busting array of meats and traditional Brazilian dishes, including an outstanding feijoada (bean and beef stew). Touro can be found in three locations: Kensal Green, Belsize Park, and Wimbledon.

Ceviche, taking inspiration from Peru’s national dish of seafood marinated in citrus juices, offers excellent Peruvian cuisine in the heart of bustling Soho. Meanwhile, Porteña at Borough Market is the prime spot for Argentinian street fare such as empanadas (savory pasties).

Spiced Up in South Asia and the Middle East

London boasts not one, but two “curry corridors.” The first and most famous is Brick Lane in East London, situated in the heart of the Bangladeshi community, where every other building features a friendly waiter inviting you to explore a menu as vast as Hyde Park. Particularly recommended is Aladin, offering Bangladeshi, North Indian, and Pakistani fare. The second corridor is located in Tooting, South London, focusing more on South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine. Here, you might consider Dosa n Chutny for South Indian dishes, and Apollo Banana Leaf for Sri Lankan specialties. If Nepalese flavors tantalize your taste buds, you could do much worse than Gurkha’s Diner, located just one Tube stop away in Balham.

Heading west (figuratively speaking), London is rich in Middle Eastern restaurants. For a showy Turkish experience, Sarastro offers a unique blend of live opera alongside a vast selection of meat and fish dishes. Lebanese restaurant Yalla Yalla presents a more subdued atmosphere, featuring flavorful Beirut street food in the form of wraps, platters, and pastries. Palomar, located in the West End, serves up contemporary Israeli cuisine with a host of vegetarian options, such as chargrilled aubergine with salsa, pomegranate, and tahini.

Bless the Mains Down in Africa

African fare is readily available throughout London, showcasing the continent’s incredible diversity. Ethiopian Flavours, a stall found in Borough Market, is true to its name, offering curries infused with berbere spice alongside aromatic East African vegetables. A taste of South Africa can be indulged at Shaka Zulu, London’s largest South African restaurant boasting two vibrant floors in Camden’s Stables Market (the food is excellent and the imposing warrior statues satisfying fierce). For Moroccan, don’t miss the atmospheric Momo, where tambourine-playing waiters enhance the dining experience; be sure to try the specialty pastilla (wood pigeon pie).

Eclectic Edibles from Europe

At this point in our journey, it should come as no surprise that London is thoroughly stocked with cuisines from Europe’s patchwork of nations. Brindisa at the edge of Borough Market serves some of the best Spanish tapas in the capital. Just around the corner, Padella whips up handmade Italian pasta, with a long queue of hungry customers attesting to its deliciousness. Gauthier Soho is renowned for fine French cuisine (try the truffle risotto), while Notting Hill’s Mazi is the spot for Greek meze. South Kensington’s Ognisko has been serving authentic Polish food in a beautiful setting since the 1940s, and Stein’s excels at superlative German sausages in its scenic riverside location in Richmond.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for something classic, visit Poppies for some quintessential British fish and chips.

Bon appétit!

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