Hot4U

London

Walk in and show yourself to a table. Order the off-menu ox heart and thank me later. It’s a 420 hotbox heaven of smoke. Like the tastiest damn smoke there is. If we powered London on Umut lamb rib smoke, I guarantee we’d be much happier little city dwellers. Cash only, so don’t be a dum dum and remember your purse. Be nice and they’ll give you a T-shirt. I was laughed at for eating their hottest chilli and the chef kindly patted me on the back with a heavy shovel-esque hand as if I was one of his own. I lost full sight for a few minutes. Tears streamed from my eyes. The only thing holding me down in reality was that damn delicious smoke.

You’re up at 3am. It’s not because you’re still up, wide awake, listening to your mate recalling his favourite house mixes. It’s because you are heading to fish Mecca, Billingsgate Fish Market. Get there early and you’ll see pallet trucks loaded high with goods and bounty. Marked and labelled, ready for dispatch to the likes of Ikoyi, Koya and other spots that flex that primo stuff. Before you even begin to search out your treasure across this vista of wet floors and raincoats, turn left. Take yourself into the cafe immediately. Don’t worry about the guy in front taking the crab you had your eye on, there’s more in the back. Just focus on you. A bacon and scallop roll is everything. Vinegary ketchup, butter not spread to the corners, served in a white paper bag. It feels like the joy of surf and turf - shabby chic, boujee trash - is unadulterated in every way. In that moment, right there, polystyrene cup of tea in hand you have made it to heaven.

In a parallel universe where turkey twizzlers don’t exist, this is the kinda food I wish I grew up eating.
It feels strangely like I already did. It’s all so familiar.
Walking into the gardens of an old school it feels as if you’ve already been there a thousand times. Like meeting yourself in another life.
It’s homely. I always leave feeling as if I’ve eaten amongst friends even when out for lunch alone. It’s a place where I feel safe in whatever menu choices I decide on.
As well as never ending banging menu (lunch and dinner), the wine list is always a winner and the negronis are strong as an ox.
I go for something fried, something salad-y, a fish and a potatoes pretty much every time. That said I massively over order and take some home for midnight feasting so it’s a win/win.
I have an awful lot of time for Rochelle and a deep place in my heart for it always.

**EDITOR'S NOTE : Singburi is temporarily closed ***

My friend Siri rocks. The most humble, hardworking and genius one man show I’ve ever known. He feeds me food I’ve never tasted before. I find it incredibly inspiring to try foods like this. It widens the sandbox for me when I think of my own menus.
It makes me question ingredients and their applications.
The food always seems to be at the very peak of its flavour.
How you can push so much concentrated flavour into a stock defeats me. This is truly precision cooking with expertise.
Order EVERYTHING on the specials board.
It changes on the regular.
Memorable dishes are a spicy as fuck rabbit laab, the clams and the pomelo salad.
Remember to say ‘hi’ when you go to the toilet as you have to pass through the dish pit to get there.

Douglas McMaster treated everyone in London the day he relocated Silo from Brighton to Hackney Wick.
Read his book, take the time to understand zero waste and how we can all better our approach to reducing waste where possible or, by turning it into truly delicious, mind blowing food sorcery as Douglas does.
Sustainability can be sexy. Luxury doesn’t need to be wasteful.
There was this one dish of a humble pink fir potato with a hollandaise sauce.
The potato was brined, cooked, peeled, smoked and then introduced to a bath of brown butter. That’s a lot of process. When you eat it, you’ll understand.
They work with some fab favourites such as Flourish Farm, Duchess Farm, Fin and Flounder and Estate Dairy.
Also pop in during lockdown and grab some coffee from the white building market. Stephen and Georgia make ridiculously mean coffee.

HOT4U Share London's Best Hidden Restaurants

Gundelach

Oslo

If you have a little extra to spend, go here. Legendary restaurant with 10-course menu and only 23 seats. This is a place with soul, fantastic food and far too much good wine. Don’t plan anything important to do the next day because you are going to get terribly drunk.

Ask for: Gunnar

Pro tip: After you’ve eaten you can just stumble into the club Skaugum which is in the same weird old building. If you can manage it…

Oslo is a coffee-city and this is the boss. Order an “Anistetta” which is an espresso based iced coffee with aniseed-infused syrup. Addictive!

Ask for my good friend Erlend who runs this sausage-kiosk that he inherited from his father. Just wiener-sausages with homemade toppings. The perfect lunch.

Pro tip: Go to the forest to pick mushrooms in autumn and then visit Syverkiosken afterwards to get your mushrooms inspected. Erlend is a certified mushroom expert!

New bürek spot at the top of Grunnerløkka. Try the traditional spinach and feta one, tasty as hell.

Expensive but delicious! Einer strives for organic and bio-dynamic agriculture and wines. In the basement you can find the bar “Einbar”.

A cosy little café run by a lovely married couple ☺ They make good salads and sandwiches and you can also get a bottle of peroni. They love dogs so feel free to take yours with you or just pet the ones that are there.

Order: Italian vegetarian & tallegio sandwich.

A Turkish family-run restaurant which is located in the “Sagene samfunnshus” (community centre). A lovely place to sit outside in the summer. The best squash cakes in the city.

Order: Squash cakes and bulgur or halloumi burger.

A low key fish restaurant which is located in Mathallen (the food hall). Nice spots to eat outside, delicious oysters and fish and chips with a really good pea stew.

Ask for: my old friend Dre, and then you will get a refill ;)

Eight Places You Need To Visit in Oslo with Gundelach

Farhot

Hamburg

Guess there’s always a rich and a rotten side in the area around any train station. Well, at least in Germany. This one’s defo not the posh side – sex shops, backyard mosques, junkies, pawnbrokers, and you won’t spot too many blonde folks around here. But you can find lots of great Middle Eastern food joints like Akdeniz Tantuni.

Doner Kebab might be the most popular Turkish food in Germany but to me, Tantuni, which is also a type of kebab, is defo in a yumminess league above. If you love kebab, try this!

Feels and tastes like home. This restaurant is named after the Hindu Kush mountain range that stretches through Afghanistan, so if my mom doesn’t have time to cook up something delish on a Sunday, this is where I get great Afghan cuisine.

I just love Vietnamese street food! Lately many places that offer pho and such have been popping up around town but to me this is definitely the best place to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in Hamburg. Normally, you’d find me at their branch close to the main train station.

Good movies are a blessing and one of my main sources of inspiration. I’ve watched countless great movies at this art-house cinema right in the heart of the university district. Hope they’ll be able to open up soon because I miss that big screen feeling.

Want to get away from the city and just enjoy some peace in nature? Then just grab a bike and cycle along the Dove Elbe, which is the rough, untouched lower part of the Elbe River. Ok, I really think I’m getting old.

Hamburg has always been big on trade and is home to the world’s biggest warehouse district. Here, you can see how goods are delivered and maybe get a discount on oriental rugs if you buy them directly from wholesalers like my dad. The classic architecture of the warehouses is a great contrast to the ultramodern Hafencity buildings.

Greasy! That’s what this little Korean food joint is. Doesn’t really look inviting at all but the food is damn delicious. If you love deep fried food chicken as much as I do, then this is the place to go. Oh yeah, and make sure to check out our KABUL FIRE “DEEP FRIED” PLAYLIST for some extra crispy beats!

If you’ve been feasting on too much greasy food during your stay in HH city and feel the need to burn off some calories, I recommend hitting the Gorilla Gym. From boxing to Yoga. For grown-ups and kids.

Explore Hamburg with Farhot

Oshun

New York City 

Historical market on 116th adorned with gorgeous textiles, jewelry, art, and African-American Culture. Favorite vendors: the fabric stores & the waist bead tables

Upscale rooftop bar and restaurant in LES with a millennial touch. Beautiful view of NYC. Favourites on the menu: Any of their delicious cocktails!

Our favourite hangout spot, right in the centre of NYU. Lowkey kinda sketchy which is cool because anything interesting can happen! Very close to all kinds of food

Fun Nigerian restaurant with a dinner table inside an authentic Lagos-style taxi! Favorites on menu include: efo, akara, and egusi

Cute & small African boutique shop. Everything from clothing, to purses / backpacks, accessories, and interior decoration - this is our go to spot for gifts and fly statement pieces

Falafel sandwich w hummus for $4. Deliciousssssss

Oshun's Top Tips for NYC

Benji B

If I could move in here and (afford to) eat lunch and dinner every day I would. Italian-based food with locally sourced ingredients in a great setting - tastefully done and a special night out but not overly fancy. If it's nice weather sit in the small garden. Food is absolutely banging. I’ve always liked this neighbourhood too.
Who to ask for: Johnny
What to order: Everything on the menu.

One of my favourite local West Indian spots in North London.
What to order: fish stew or curry chicken w/ rice and peas & a veg pattie 
Who to ask for: Don’t ask for anyone, just get in line. Talking of which, if you are in a rush and it's lunchtime this ain't the place for you. Just know that all good things come to those who… wait in a long queue.

Sometimes only Ranoush Juice will do. More of a takeaway snack spot than a sit down place, although there are a few tables if you want to eat and go. Sometimes I realise it's on route to somewhere I’m headed and I’ll divert to make a stop, sometimes I’ll just make the trip especially. I go there for one specific item: the Ranoush Juice Shawarma wrap: one is never enough and two is too much.
What to order: Chicken Shawarma wrap and a fresh carrot juice

Just off Shaftesbury Avenue near Chinatown, serving a Middle Eastern menu inspired by Israeli cooking, Southern Spain and North Africa, the food here is fresh and good for lunch or dinner and is made in the open kitchen, right in front of you.
Who to ask for: Well, if you remember Layo and Bushwaka - The DJ duo closely associated with The End Nightclub in London, this is Layo’s place! So you could ask for him, or shake his hand and say good job.
What to order: Fattoush Salad, Persian Lemon Chicken, Tomato Labneh and plenty of Baharat Farmhouse Bread.

Low-key cafe breakfast spot that keeps it simple and gets it right. Breakfast also might be my favourite meal of the day to be honest.
Who to ask for: Elliot.
What to order: Scrambled eggs on 2 toast with parmesan shaving on top, hash browns and a cup of tea (I don’t eat red meat but if you like your bacon and all that theres plenty of that too).

Had to put a Japanese spot in this list and there are loads I could have chosen but I’m going with Dinings because it is top level Japanese food in an understated place. Was originally started by ex-Nobu chefs in 2006. I’ve eaten there from time to time over the years and it has maintained its quality.
What to order: Hamachi Tar Tar Chips, Unagi Nigiri, Miso Aubergine, Black Cod.

Top floor of the Standard in Kings Cross in London. Mexican and Spanish influenced menu. Environment posh but city vibe, feels like you’re in New York, lighting and design on point, definitely good for a night out. With the location being in Kings Cross, it gives a good mix of people -- and views. Food and drinks top level. Definitely not cheap tho.
Who to ask for: Thomas is the boss.
What to order: Cauliflower Tacos, Spanish Tortilla, Day Boot Fish. A Negroni before or an Old Fashioned after, depending on which way round you do it. Bartenders know what they are doing.

Feels like it would be rude not to include this classic. The OG Arcola street Mangal 1. What is there to say other than that I’ve ended up in here more than few times over the years. I respect this place a lot, the environment in the neighbourhood around this place has changed so much but this place has remained. There are undoubtedly loads of amazing Turkish places in London but this place is a classic.
What to order: Cacik, Tavuk Sis or Moussaka.

Classic Italian family run vibe not tryna be a cool spot but with a classic traditional feel. In a way this is the random one on the list - not sure why I like it so much but I do. Has a casual family feel to it, even if it ends up feeling a bit posh because of where it's located (Marylebone) and who goes there. I think I went in by chance once and I ended up going back. Not on the foodie cool list, you might go there and think “huh?” - but I like it for a secret straight up traditional Italian.
What to order: Cacio e Pepe, followed by Sea Bass.

This place been open for years and years but its hard to tell sometimes which nights it opens. Very simple environment - not a “night out” but good if you want a simple home cooking feel. Low key and casual, sometimes with shared tables. 
What to order: Fresh Bread, Banjon Borani, Lavand-e-murgh.

Benji B's Favourite Restaurants in London

Orange Culture

Lagos

For great breakfast, pop by craft gourmet.

If you want to enjoy an amazing time bouncing - stop by the indoor trampoline park and connect with your inner child.

Fun arcade games, bowling and the option of three different restaurants including one with a rooftop view.

Stop by or order in for great shawarma and fries.

Discover Nigerian contemporary art at its best at Rele in the heart of Lagos.

Catch a beautiful history, beautiful Adire and beautiful conversations with Mama Nike at the Nike Art Gallery. It is truly an experience.

If you want to try delicious suya for the first time, stop by Bukka Hut in the evening.

For super facials, mani peds and relaxing massages, pop by Bnatural in Victoria island, Lagos.

For great spoken word, live bands and delicious food, stop by Bogobiri to enjoy a rich artistic and Afrocentric experience.

If you want to enjoy Nigerian food in a beautiful, architectural space with great vibes stop by NOK. Weekends are great with DJs and bands sometimes hosted while you enjoy great food.

Try the longest bridge walk/canopy walk and also enjoy a nice picnic outside during dry season. Stay hydrated and carry your camera to capture the beautiful experience.

Amazing Japanese food and the option of a beautiful beach view while you sip on a delicious cocktail. Shiro is definitely the spot. At night the music gets really good and you have Hard Rock Cafe in the same compound for a great night out.

Fine dining - this is the place to visit. Steak is amazing.

Lagos with Orange Culture

AZADI.mp3

If you know you know. This spot is infamous in North West for some of the best Thai food you can get for real cheap. The spicy flat noodles are amazing, the curries slap (especially the creamy red curry) and it doesn’t break the bank. What more could you ask for?

This Afghani restaurant is an absolute banger and club classic. You know when the food is so delicious you have to just point your fork repeatedly at your dish while you chew in pure disbelief? Fragrant and fluffy rice, tender and juicy kebabs, and the portion sizes are banquet sized and make my heart sing. A feast for the senses.

With an amazing selection of traditional and regional kebabs, stews and side dishes, as well as the fun individual portions of tahdig - that’s the crispy rice if you don’t already know - this place is a great time. It’s a bit more on the expensive side, but if you want great quality Irani food that feels like it’s been cooked at home by your auntie and then jazzed up to look cute and fancy, this is your place.

Not only are the couple who run this little spot absolutely lovely, but the food they serve is delicious and hits the spot every time. With a mix of Japanese and Korean dishes on the menu, so far everything I’ve tried has been and incredible as well as being very reasonably priced. Amazing value and a lovely wholesome atmosphere.

This place is one of my favourite restaurants on Edgware Road and that’s really saying something. The food always comes with a complimentary lentil soup and some salty pink pickled veg, and the food itself is outstanding, fresh and always delivers. The kebabs here chargrilled to perfection and remind me of eating those banging roadside skewers in Tehran that you don’t really get over here. 10/10.

What can I say about this restaurant without my mouth watering? This Korean BBQ delivers time and time again. The BBQ itself is delicious and great fun to cook at your own table, the side dishes compliment perfectly, the soups are hearty and flavoursome, the tteokbokki is spicy and moreish, and the Korean fried chicken is crispy and flavoursome. This is a great spot to go with a group.

North London is home to many sick Turkish restaurants and Lezziz is no exception. Amazing bread, juicy and flavourful kebabs and always buzzing with locals. A classic.

AZADI.mp3 Gives Us Her Guide To North London

Silk Road has been a mainstay on the London Chinese restaurant scene and certainly remains the best option south of the river. Its Xinjiang-style Sichuan dishes have been consistently numbing mouths and burning tongues for well over a decade now. Although the mountains of long dried chillies have been somewhat curtailed for the less capable spice palate of the clientele, even these more accessible iterations of classic, home-style dishes are delicious in their lashings of black vinegar and hot oil. Our order has been remarkably unchanged for a long time. Order lamb skewers, pork and black fungus fried beef dumplings, cucumber salad, home-style aubergine, home-style cabbage with rice and luxury noodles.

Nestled in a corner of a Brutalist estate courtyard, Zeret always offers a convivial welcome and setting. Tafe Beleynah, the matriarch of this unassuming Ethiopian restaurant, will encourage you to order from the sharing platter, with a view to reordering your favourite options. Portions are ample however, so maybe take note of firm favourites and plan your return with new familiarity of the menu. The platters are arranged on injera – a fermented flatbread designed to grip and dip at the various lashings of vegan and meat stews. Cutlery is not provided as standard (although probably available; not that we’ve ever felt the need). Eat with your hands, get tactile; feed yourself and each other. Order the meat selection or vegan selection with an Ethiopian beer.

Grove Lane Deli, as we know it, feels like something from a Richard Curtis Movie. Any Camberwell coffee devotee has made GLD part of their daily routine, and if Jackie Chan was right and "coffee is a language in itself", then Danielle – the owner and baker – speaks with great fluency. The coffee, pastries, well-curated selection of posh, dry goods and natural wines make for fun shopping when you fancy a treat. Order the chicken focaccia sandwich (if it hasn’t sold out), burnt milk cookie and coffee. We write this in memorandum of GLD's former self. As of July 2024, it is going through a mysterious transformation – so watch this space.

We first happened upon Betty's just after they had opened. The owner, Andres, thrust plates of his flamed grilled chorizo and potatoes smothered with salsa verde into our hands, before cordially ushering us through the door past the haze from his daring curbside barbecue. We sat and heeded advice to opt for the sopa del dia – a broth rich in beef collagen and punctuated with bright vegetables, paired with the recommended plump long grain rice and avocado that somehow tasted of something beyond the water usually wasted in its cultivation. Not soon after we’d perched, the fire brigade showed up with something to say about Andres’ barbecuing practices. Some light-hearted bribery with grilled meats and good hospitality reassured them, but now you can find Betty's barbecue on less flammable ground at the Camberwell Farmers Market every Saturday from 11am. Order sopa del dia, avocado and rice, empanadas and the BBQ on Camberwell Farmers Market every Saturday.

A fairly new addition to Camberwell, Delly's has a cracker of a lunchtime deal. Lunchtime main and two sides and a drink for six [pounds], but if I could tempt you away from the efficiency of the meal deal, then go for their beef patty. An incredibly short and flaky pastry with an invitingly umber hue instead of the standard brilliant yellow. Encases a filling that I’m convinced is a repurposing of their stewed oxtail. Whatever it is, it’s delicious and blows Greggs’ steak bake out of the water at a savvy £1.50.

South London’s supreme ocakbasi spot, FM Mangal is a shining example of fire and flame cookery. Although recently renovated and stylised to something akin to a provincial Essex Instagram fever dream – complete with a faux flower statement wall – the grill still burns with great genetic skill and prowess. Work your way through the chef specials, grab yourself an Adana kebab; the bafflingly good sumac grilled onions and the bread is moistened to perfection with meaty juice run-off to mop it all up. Order the FM Mangal chef's special:  lamb beyti aubergine.

Lockdown sandwich maestros are slinging their playfully named sub-roll bangers from bustling pub destinations: the Grove House Tavern and The White Horse in Peckham. Their lunchtime executive solutions, once the saviour of working from home isolation, are still out for delivery daily. We worked alongside these fellas for a good while and gladly scoffed their sandwiches on the regs – and without fatigue. Don’t miss their evening menu either, perfectly calibrated alongside fun and pint sinking. Order literally any sandwich.

An unassumingly credible Dominican food spot. Despite its name, we would recommend to flip the menu and ignore the breakfast. As far as South American food goes, expect lots of fried meats piled high on a plate. This is a real great alternative to the fry-up if you’ve had a few too many beverages the night before. Order the empanadas, parrillada and the pollo a la canasta.

The obvious caff in Camberwell to nurse a hangover would be Rock Steady Eddies, but we prefer to drag ourselves a bit further up Coldharbour Lane to Johnnies. A sensory overload at every turn, this diner is the perfect spot for people watching. At peak times there’s a queue out the door but wait it out if you can. [You'll be] well fed for around a tenner. Order the full English.

Theo’s pizza is one of the closest replicants of Neopolitan-style pizza we’ve come across in London. We spent the best part of a week in the Italian centre of pizza, consuming 17 pizzas in five days, so we got a decent grasp of what was good and how it should be. Although that pizza pilgrimage is still definitely unrivalled, Theo’s does pretty damn well and, if anything, their pizza fritta comes the closest to the Italian original. Aside from strictly pizza authenticity, Theo’s works well as a restaurant with scope outside of their main commodity. Their sharing plates of mortadella, guindilla peppers and puffed fried dough nuggets are a great way to limber up before the main event. And there’s that tiramisu that’s just about perfectly formed and available for takeaway if the gluten overload has rendered dessert a bridge too far. Order the sharing platter, calzone and tiramisu.

Many of us have a very precise configuration of what to order at the British-Chinese takeaway. Regularly passed down a generation, these precisely recited orders become admitted into a kind of British oral history. Van Hing can cater to cravings for the classics, like salt and pepper dishes and Singapore noodles, while also hosting Vietnamese-style offerings as well. Van Hing does what it does and it does it well. You shouldn’t expect modern ‘elevated’ Pan-Asian fusion cooking or the like here; it’s a good, solid choice for cheap and quick eats. Order the sea-spiced aubergine.

The steady decline of the independent boozer is a sad marker of hard times. As pub chains and monopolies swoop in across south London, the essential soul of a good pub is being lost to the sterile formula of the modern gastropub nightmare. This is why we revere places like The Hermits Cave. It may not be the most comfortable or the best equipped, but it does have character. There’s no food offering here, but you’re invited to take your pick from the bounties of Camberwell New Road and eat it in the pub, with local hotspots like Silk Road, FM Mangal or Theo’s to accompany your pint.

Toad Bakery, formerly Frog Bakery, has dominated a market saturated with laminated baked goods. Toad’s creativity in the field is refreshing and despite the cost of butter soaring to almost crisis levels, they never skimp. In a conversation with the lovely owners, Rebecca and Oliver, they admitted that butter was their chief expenditure after staffing costs and it shows. Their Hawaiian spin on a Danish with ham hock and pineapple has been a firm favourite. Their innovative and daring combinations will have you pushing the boundaries of your tastebuds on your morning commute. Regular queues out the door are a sure sign of something good. RIP Frog, long live Toad.

Huong Vi Viet had big boots to fill, stepping into the premises of its now neighbour Silk Road. [This is] a family-run and orientated restaurant with multi-generational staff bringing warm hosting and authentic feeling dishes. The offering spans from the rice noodle to salads of the same extraction, soups and pho (we all know and love), but [the menu] eclipses the usual Anglified plod with some real home-style flourishes. Come hungry as the aunties in the kitchen are here to feed with great maternal instinct. The attentive staff will recommend the best dishes to your taste – we love the bún chả nem Hanoi.

Cutie Pies on Their Top Food Spots in Camberwell, London

Nico Adomako

Berlin

One of my favourite clubs in Berlin. A lot of good parties like Trade or Hyperaktivist's night are happening here. Also, I just love dark venues where you can dance with your demons.

I used to do my Nico Adomako & Friends nights here. If you wanna check new Berlin DJs or crews, ACUD is where it's happening. If you find time you should go for a No Shade night.

My favourite Japanese spot, I used to go 3 times a week for one of their Bento boxes. The curry is really good as well.

Probably the only spot where they greet me by my name haha. Doyum is one of them places you come to Berlin for. Turkish food at its best. Go here for the lentil soup to cure your hangover.

Very warm and welcoming Jamaican fusion restaurant. I've had some great birthdays here.

Best burger in town in my opinion. Make sure to go to the OG one at Schlesisches Tor, directly under the tube station.

Sunday funday, a lot of nice pop up food spots but you can also get yourself a massage and stuff like that.

Our version of KFC with an Arab touch. Berlin culture basically.

Nico Adomako's Guide to Berlin

Tom Brown

Of course, come check us at Cornerstone. We pride ourselves in championing the best of British fish and seafood, always working with local suppliers. Make sure to always start with some oysters with seaweed hot sauce and try one of our hake kievs filled with whatever’s at its best that season. And don’t forget to say hello!

Best restaurant in London. Maybe the world. Everything is perfect about it. The food is incredible. The vibe. The music. The setting. Lee (chef owner) is the best guy in the world. Honestly can’t talk this place up enough. Lamb offal flatbread will change your life. There are so many iconic dishes actually, but this lamb offal is the one...

A huge inspiration for cornerstone prior to us opening, and has definitely inspired many many more than us. Stripped back shoreditch beautifulness through everything. The food is an absolute masterclass in keeping it simple and letting the produce do the magic. Every cook in the uk could take a leaf out of James Lowes’ book.

Right... this is a bit different because John doesn’t ACTUALLY have a restaurant at the minute... but he will, and he does many pop ups that are incredible. Literally everything he cooks blows your mind. One of the most talented chefs I’ve ever met.

I can’t say anything about this place that hasn’t been said before. It’s an institution. One of the most important place to gastronomy, not just in Britain.. but the world, of the last 30 years. People will be chatting about Fergus, and what he did for food, for the next 100 years.

It’s not a coincidence that the chefs that run all these restaurants are also beautiful, amazing, warm people as well.. Nieves is no different. The love and passion she pours into every dish and detail of this restaurant shows so much. The pinnacle of Spanish food in London (if not anywhere outside of Spain).

Big shout out to our east east east London neighbours in Stratford. Allegra is without a doubt the boujeeiest (that’s a word) spot in Stratford... maybe even in East London. Patrick Powell’s cookery is unbelievable on every level. Doing serious bits in our little neighbourhood. East come on.

The ultimate London pub. No poncey “gastropub” bullshit. Just everything done the way it should be and perfection for it. The terrace overlooking Hackney road in the sun is one of the best spots in London... also an unrivalled Sunday lunch. Epic.

Chef Tom Brown's Top Restaurants to Dine in London

Poppy Ajudha

Steam Down happens every Wednesday at Buster Mantis and is an insane music night run by friends from a jazz background. It’s experimental, spontaneous and very lively. Get there early because it’s completely packed out by the time the music starts.

Best spaghetti I’ve ever had. Made by one lovely man in a little hut.

My favourite restaurant in South London. A mix of Iranian, Turkish and Greek style cooking.

Church of Sound is one of the most inspiring places to watch a live band give you their everything. The stage is in the centre and the audience surrounds. You will be consumed by the music.

I grew up coming to this place. My dad would buy himself crabs to cook and buy me lucky bags from the corner shops, it’s full of colourful stalls and beautiful people living their existence. Check out Rag n Bone, a lil gem of a vintage store at the end of the market.

So many amazing bands pass through this place from Ezra Collective to Nubya Garcia, Theon Cross, Kokoroko and Joe Armon-Jones. We’ve all played here or come to hear amazing new music.

Poppy Ajudha's Top London Spots

Amsterdam

If you're looking for a restaurant that prioritises sustainability and compassion, TerraZen Centre in Amsterdam is a fantastic choice. This vegan eatery offers a unique menu featuring Caribbean and Japanese dishes, all designed to support a healthier planet. Growing up in a Hispanic household, meat was a staple—whether it was bandeja paisa or lechona at my quinceañera. Over time, I saw the contradiction between my love for animals and my dietary choices. Watching documentaries about meat and fish production helped me become more conscious of what I put into my body. While I’m still on my journey, TerraZen Centre is a great place to start or continue aligning your lifestyle with your values, offering delicious vegan food and a commitment to positive change.

If you’re looking to experience authentic Caribbean flavours, Yvette’s cooking is a must-try. While she’s famous for her Johnny Cakes, she also crafts a variety of mouthwatering Caribbean dishes. As Yvette puts it, “Curaçao, much like the Bijlmer, is a blend of people and cultures, and that diversity is reflected in our cuisine.” Her dishes showcase the rich influences of Dominican, Colombian, and Venezuelan flavors, making every meal a true taste of the Caribbean.

If you're craving authentic Japanese ramen, TAKUMI Ramen Noodles is a spot you shouldn't miss. While their ramen is highly recommended, I have to say, I’m particularly hooked on their chicken gyoza. Honestly, I sometimes go there just for the gyoza—I’m a greedy eater! Recently, I even learned how to make them at home, so now I can indulge in 10-15 at a time. Not only is the food delicious, but it’s also gentle on your belly, making it a perfect go-to when you want something satisfying and comforting. TAKUMI is definitely worth a visit!

Looking for a hidden gem that locals rave about? Omaira Eiland is a fantastic spot for an unusual take on seafood. When I lived in Rotterdam, I found this amazing place called 'Moby Dick' that served fried shrimp with extra spices and ravigote sauce—a 10/10 dish that I was hooked on. I went there so often that eventually, they’d just ask, “fried shrimp, extra spice and ravigote?” I guess I became a regular! After moving back to Amsterdam, I wasn’t sure if I’d find a similar spot. While Dutch people do great kibbeling, I knew Moroccan cuisine excels with shrimp. That’s why I was thrilled to discover Omaira Eiland. Having also lived in Zeeland, where I was used to fresh calamari fried the day after it was caught, I was worried I wouldn’t find that level of freshness in the city. Omaira Eiland impresses me with a similarly fresh and satisfying experience, even though it’s not right by the coast. If you’re in Amsterdam and craving excellent seafood, this place is definitely worth a visit.

If you’re looking for an outstanding burger experience, you’ve got to try this place. They use 100% non-frozen, freshly ground beef, fresh veggies and in-house baked bread. I’m not usually the biggest burger fan, often feeling like I’m eating a giant meatball on a bun. But after tasting their Smash Burger with Angus beef and Old Amsterdam Cheese, I became completely obsessed. It’s so good that it turned me into a burger fanatic! Even if you’re not typically a burger lover, this place is worth checking out.

If you’re a fan of authentic Italian cuisine, you have to check out La Perla. They pride themselves on using only the finest ingredients, imported weekly from Italy. Their buffalo mozzarella, for example, is delivered fresh from Southern Italy every two days. This dedication to freshness and quality really shines through in every dish. If you’re looking for a genuine taste of Italy, La Perla is definitely worth a visit!

If you’re looking for a taste of Mexico while in the Netherlands, this place is a must-visit! These halal tacos are crafted by Mexicans who truly know their craft. Before finding them, I was only familiar with American-style tacos overloaded with cheese, guacamole and sour cream. I first tried these authentic tacos at Albert Cuyp Market and am thrilled that they’ve now opened a store in Amsterdam West. For a genuine Mexican experience, this spot is definitely worth checking out! As someone who loves to indulge, I couldn’t get enough of their tacos. My partner and I became so obsessed with the birria tacos that we started researching recipes and sourcing peppers to make our own. We have to buy the tomatillo sauce from a store with Mexican products, as finding green tomatillos is difficult here. Now, instead of eating just 2 or 3 tacos, I can enjoy about 10 at home!

If you’re looking to experience the authentic flavours of Colombian cuisine, Tropico Latin Flavors is a must-visit. As a Colombian myself, I often miss the comforting foods from home—my mother makes buñuelos, sancocho, arepas and more, though she doesn’t make empanadas that often. So whenever I crave a great empanada, I head to Tropico. Their empanadas and other dishes bring a genuine taste of Colombia right to you, making it the perfect spot for anyone longing for authentic Colombian flavours.

If you're craving traditional Turkish food, their lahmacun (Turkish pizza) will have you practically drooling. They serve hands down the best lahmacun I've ever tasted, and it's all made fresh. From the custom-made dough to the fresh ingredients, each lahmacun is a flavour explosion. You haven't experienced lahmacun like this before—it's truly a must-try!

If you're looking for a great place with Mandarin-Chinese cuisine, this restaurant has been a favorite of mine for years. While I think I might be ready to explore other Chinese restaurants, I have to give a shout-out to the spot that’s blessed me with delicious Sui Kau soup and the most amazing fried Sui Kau. As a big shrimp fan, I’ve also enjoyed their chicken salt and pepper, but the fried Sui Kau is definitely the standout. If you love shrimp, this place is a must-visit!

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