A Portobello Road institution since 1974, Honest Jon's is one of London's most revered independent record shops, stocking an exceptionally curated selection of jazz, soul, funk, reggae, African music and electronic across both vinyl and CD. It has its own record label too, releasing music that reflects the same eclectic, deeply knowledgeable taste that has made the shop a destination for serious music lovers for over fifty years.
A Westminster institution since 1946, the Regency Cafe is the definitive London caff: original art deco tiles, Formica tables and a full English breakfast that draws everyone from builders to politicians. Its distinctive black tiled exterior and no nonsense charm have made it one of the most filmed cafes in Britain, but the real draw is still a proper fry up at a very honest price.
Founded by New Yorker chef Gabe "Papo" Gomez and his wife Georgia, Papo's Bagels is now settled into a railway arch on Amhurst Road and is widely regarded as the best bagel in London. Every bagel is hand rolled each morning, with a properly crisp crust and dense, chewy interior that is the real thing. The classic combination of oak smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, onion and tomato is the one to order. Get there early as they sell out.
Established in 1887, a real Soho institution full of character and rich aromas. Extensive range of coffee beans, teas, and spices sourced globally. Packed floor to ceiling with sacks, jars, and rare or hard to find blends. A nostalgic, sensory destination for coffee lovers and curious explorers.
A buzzy NYC-style pizzeria, Alley Cats does one thing and does it brilliantly: big, crispy, foldable 14-inch New York pies with a light, crackly base that stands apart from the city's sea of Neapolitan spots. The gingham tablecloths, exposed concrete walls and open kitchen nail the borough vibe, and the vodka pizza, a riff on penne alla vodka, is the one to order.
The passion project of Mexican-born chef Sandra Bello and her partner Erik "Smokey" Bautista, Homies on Donkeys started life as a market stall in Walthamstow before finding a permanent home in a graffiti-filled, hip-hop-soundtracked space on Leytonstone High Road. The tacos are inventive and boldly flavoured, mixing classic Mexican ingredients with unexpected local twists, cutlery is not offered and the refried beans are legendary.
London's largest Asian food hall, Bang Bang Oriental sits on the Edgware Road in Colindale and packs nearly 30 specialist food kiosks into 32,000 square feet, spanning everything from Cantonese roast duck and Korean bibimbap to Indian street food, Japanese ramen, Filipino grilled pork and Taiwanese bubble tea. The format is simple: grab a table, split up, and work your way around the stalls. Worth the trip out to Zone 4 for any serious fan of Asian food.
Freshly fried Sicilian arancini made to order, with generously packed fillings ranging from classic beef ragù and ham and béchamel to aubergine and nduja. The golden, crispy exterior and molten fillings have made it a favourite with the lunchtime crowd, and at under £7 a ball it is one of the best value bites in central London.
A tiny hole in the wall on Kingly Street in Soho, Big Kid Ice Cream has built a devoted following for its inventive, generously packed scoops with flavour combinations you genuinely won't find anywhere else in London. Think black sesame Oreo, Hong Kong French toast with caramelised condensed milk, ube blueberry muffin and peanut butter wasabi, all made with quality ingredients and a willingness to take real creative risks. The staff let you try everything before you choose, which is just as well given how hard it is to decide.
The name translates roughly as "wonderful hamburger steak" and sits directly opposite Shake Shack and Bleecker on Buckingham Palace Road, which tells you everything about the confidence of this Asian-inspired smash burger joint from Turkish-born chef Fatih Alkan. The short menu takes the American burger format and runs it through Japanese, Korean, Thai and Chinese flavours, from a kimchi burger with house-made kimchi to an Isan burger loaded with bird's eye chilli, all served in soft potato buns with double wagyu patties. One of the most genuinely original things to happen to London's burger scene in years.
A small, family founded popcorn shop on Tavistock Street in Covent Garden, Godfrey's is named after founder Luke Godfrey's grandfather. Every batch is popped in small quantities on site, with classics like caramel, cheddar cheese and buttered alongside rotating weekly specials from the test kitchen. Get the half cheese, half caramel and thank us later.
A gourmet patisserie on Ladbroke Grove, Le Choux specialises in French choux buns filled with inventive flavour combinations ranging from pistachio and passion fruit to salted caramel and lemon meringue, each one beautifully made and generously filled. The dark chocolate and sea salt cookies are equally revered and regularly cited as among the best in London. A wonderful neighbourhood gem, and well worth seeking out.
