Holidays are just lovely, but there’s no place like home… Here are 17 of our favourite London restaurants for comfort food with flair…
NORTH / THE CITY
1 Frederick’s If we are talking high end dining the likes of which Australia is trying to replicate, here’s where in Angel you can find the real thing. It’s still a destination restaurant for us – and with a new kitchen being installed in August, expect things to get even better.Camden Passage N1 8EG; 020 7359 2888; fredericks.co.uk
2 St John Over 20 years old now, but still tasting as fresh as a daisy. When we haven’t visited for some time, we do yearn after some ox liver, pigeon, braised rabbit and grilled ox heart (not all at the same time, but if anyone could pull that off, it would be St John).26 St John Street EC1M 4AY; 020 7251 0848; stjohnrestaurant.com
3 Granger & Co Just to show we do like a piece of Oz too, Granger & Co has now opened in King’s Cross. We haven’t been yet, but if it’s half as good as the Clerkenwell branch, we’ll be very happy indeed.Stanley Building, 7 Pancras Square N1C 4AG; 020 3058 2567; grangerandco.com
WEST CENTRAL
4 Golborne Deli As well as offering a good excuse to visit Golborne Road Market on a Saturday, Golborne Deli does the strongest, richest selection of coffee and a hearty but healthy breakfast menu that we couldn’t do without.100 Golborne Road W10; 020 8969 6907; golbornedeli.com
5 The Fish House If you hail from a land that does proper fish and chips, The Fish House will sate the nostalgia. It’s rare to find great battered cod and chips in London, so this place is close to our hearts, and our expanding bellies.29 Pembridge Road W11; 020 7229 2626; fishhouse-nottinghill.com
6 The Sun in Splendor There are few greater pleasures than Burger Day (known to some as Monday) at The Sun In Splendour where you can grab a burger with brie and bacon jam and a beer for £10 at one of Notting Hill’s friendliest pubs.7 Portobello Road W11; 020 7792 0914; suninsplendourpub.co.uk
7 Partridges The Partridges Food Market on the Duke of York Square opened in 2005, and has become as much a part of the Chelsea landscape as the nearby Royal Court theatre. The market opens at 10am and closes at 4pm every Saturday.Duke of York Square SW3; partridges.co.uk
8 Kurobuta This modern Japanese restaurant started life on the King’s Road as a pop-up, and we couldn’t be happier that founder Scott Hallsworth decided to stay put. It’s one of the best restaurants in town; we couldn’t imagine Chelsea without its spicy tuna maki.312 King’s Road SW3; kurobuta-london.com
9 Bluebird A much-loved local institution, the Bluebird Café’s usually packed front courtyard provides a great spot for people-watching during the day. And by night, there’s a French bistro menu to enjoy at the restaurant inside. Somehow, it never gets old.350 King’s Road SW3; bluebird-restaurant.co.uk
10 Annie’s Lorraine Angliss’ Annie’s in Chiswick and Barnes (36-38 White Hart Lane) are two of our favourite neighbourhood hangouts. Expect a warm reception and fantastic British and Mediterranean food.162 Thames Road, Chiswick W4 3QS; 020 8994 9080; anniesrestaurant.co.uk
11 Charlotte’s Place Independent, family-run Charlotte’s Place has been feeding the hungry hordes of Ealing since 1984. There’s a good reason it’s still successful in 2015, so if you haven’t been in yet, you really must go.16 St Matthew’s Road, Ealing W5 3JT; 020 8567 7541; charlottes.co.uk
12 The White Onion A newcomer, but one that we hope will stand the test of time, is French restaurant The White Onion in Wimbledon. Under the same ownership as The French Table in Surbiton, its longevity bodes well.67 High Street, Wimbledon Village SW19 5EE; 020 8947 8278; thewhiteonion.co.uk
13 Ben’s Canteen For home comforts on St John’s Hill, head to Ben’s Canteen. Open all day, this neighbourhood restaurant is a popular choice for an indulgent brunch, a juicy steak or a mean burger.140 St John’s Hill, Battersea SW11 1SL; 020 7228 3260; benscanteen.com
14 Linnea A Kew Green gem, Linnea’s fresh seasonal food — British sourced where possible — is served in a minimalist Scandinavian-style dining room. Location-wise it’s a winner in our book too.12 Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3BH; 020 8940 5696; linneakew.co.uk
15 Locale Great steak, fantastic pasta and now there’s even lobster and sushi on the menu – Locale has long been the go-to neighbourhood restaurant for those seeking comfort in the familiar with the guarantee of a good feed.1 Lawn Terrace, Blackheath SE3 9LJ; 020 8852 0700; localerestaurants.com
16 Joanna’s From their fabulous Saturday brunches to their signature hamburgers and Sunday lunches with duck fat roasties, the critically acclaimed Joanna’s has been a favourite with locals for over three decades.56 Westow Hill, Crystal Palace SE19 1RX; 020 8670 4052; joannas.uk.com
17 Toasted A relative newcomer at just two years old, Toasted was quick to become a Lordship Lane favourite. Open for breakfast, lunch and supper, the menu focuses on seasonal ingredients with big flavours.36-38 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich SE22 8HJ; 020 8693 9021; toastdulwich.co.uk
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