I've lamented in a recent post elsewhere on Reddit that I've spent a long time on the periphery of this city, but only started exploring the world of food it has to offer over the last couple of years.

I've been outside my comfort zone a lot flof that time in the last two years, but I don't think I've been disappointed in anything I've tried.

I've put together a map of places I want to visit or return to. I won't have enough free time or money to cover all of this in a year, so this isn't at 2025 resolution, it's just a map of tasty food places I want to eat from sometime before I die, hopefully: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3Zm7yepwe1AFUHoS8?g_st=ac

I want to know if you have any additions. My general rules of thumb are:

  • keep it cheap but special, ideally. We will have a few treat meals over the course of the year, but under £20per person is ideal for most places we'll go (Under £15 or £10 is even better, and doable in my experience)

  • I'm not really after anywhere that says it does "modern European cuisine" and has "£££" Beside it's Google review. That said, if you know an Italian that does something special, let me know, likewise a French cafe or Polish bakery, etc. It's not that modern European cuisine isn't good, it's just that I don't fancy expensive mid pasta.

  • For me, I like to explore culture through food. I've eaten at east end pie and mash shops, I've had butter pies in Lancashire, and I've had Goan in Southall. I'm not sure how to describe this rule of thumb, maybe it's more of a vibe. Does the place you're suggesting feel legit

The photos in my OP from first to last are:

  • Palestinian brunch at Palestine House, Holborn, provided by Hiba Express;

  • Curry set at Nilly Flowers on Park Parade, NW10;

  • Japanese Izakaya small plates at Uoichi (spenny,) at Meridian Place, E14;

  • Cachapa from a Na'Guara at Nags Head Market;

  • King fish thali from Dias Goan in Southall;

  • lamb mandi from Yogiz on Romford Road

by pdarigan

24 comments

  2. Andu Cafe on Kingsland Road. Ethiopian -£7 take away, bit more to dine in but around £10 a head. You can choose rice or traditional injera to go with a delicious and tasty selection of Ethiopian dishes.

  3. Zeret Kitchen is an Ethiopian restaurant in Camberwell well worth recommending. The food is fantastic. More than a meal, it’s an experience. Family run, the staff are very friendly and generous. The prices are very reasonable. I try to go there about three times a year.

    [http://zeretkitchen.co.uk/](http://zeretkitchen.co.uk/)

  4. Have you tried other places in Nags Head Market?

    (The cachalpa looks amazing!)

  6. Uzbek food. There are a handful of Uzbek restaurants/food stalls around London but Osh Paz is probably the most well known. Try the beef samsa and the peach tea. Avoid the vegetarian versions of Uzbek foods, they aren’t good.

    Uzbek food is the food of the silk road. It reflects the diverse cultural and culinary influences that passed through Uzbekistan in the past, when it was a key hub of trade on the silk road. It’s super hearty and comforting and full of flavour (without the use of lots of herbs and spices), I really recommend it

  7. I don’t *love* the outright dismissal of “modern European cuisine” but I take your point about price

    £5 sandwich at St John café (Bread and Wine) Neal’s Yard. three simple British classics done well

    £5 liver, meatball or merguez baguette at Café Salaam Finsbury Park

    Check out Arvhee Bakes at the same Nag’s Head Market

    Afghan Kitchen, Angel

    Banh Mi Bay couple of locations around TCR/Holborn, about £7

    D&K Gambian Roast Chicken – Wanstead

    Sikatiô in Brockley (Ivorian)

    got a few more if you dare go above £10!

  8. Bali Satay House is a very good (and I believe authentic) Indonesian restaurant in Barnet.

  9. Pho Thuy Tay Cafe pho is pretty good in surrey quays. If anyone has other pho suggestions I’m always looking

  10. I am on route to try one meal from every country, its super possible to find different cuisines in london easily, would love to do this with you if you are up for it

  11. Have you been to the Indian kitchen in the YMCA off Fitzroy square? Very cheap authentic Indian food from what I have been told

  12. Thanks for sharing. I moved to London in May and I’ve found the food to be… lacking… and expensive but I know there are some authentic gems out there. The meals you have posted look amazing.

  13. Sultans Turkish Restaurant 
    https://online.sultanilford.co.uk/menu

    Chefs Special (2-3 ppl) … £34

    it’s a selection of freshly grilled meat, freshly baked toasty Turkish bread and a whole bunch of sides included in the price (humous, cacek etc.) plus a nice salad with pomegranate dressing. 

    This will easily cover 3 ppl with some food left over to takeaway (don’t be shy to have them pack it up). If there’s more of you order some extra ribs (£16.50) or Lamb Chops (not included in smaller chefs special). Benefit will be extra bread and salad etc. also

    We’ve had this a few times over the years with family and friends (up to 6 ppl, 3 adults, 3 kids all eating well for approx £52)

  18. We have a London Food WhatsApp group where we go to meet-ups and post recommendations if you’d be interested in joining 

  19. I think I know the vibe you’re going for. I’m a bit a foodie myself.

    Inihaw (Filipino) Charlton, – get the Lechon, incredible.
    Al – kahf, Whitechapel- get the lamb shoulder with rice, or Xaanid. Best lamb I’ve ever had.
    La Chingada, Surrey Quays– most delicious tacos/Mexican food I’ve had, has lunch deals, the corn on the cob is a different species from the type you get elsewhere in London.
    Eat Vietnam, deptford, get the Special Com Tam (rice with BBQ pork) very good. The pho is good but the barbecued pork is incredible.
    Kiln, Soho – Laotian/Cambodian, get the crab vermicelli for under a tenner and leave.
    Japan centre, soho – Look for the mango mochis. Best Mochis I have had, and they are special. Sushi goes on discount around 8pm so look out for that too, though that is hardly special.

    Will add to this if I think of something!

  20. I’ve heard about this really good place called Aberdeen Angus Steakhouse in I think it might be Leicester Square. People are saying it’s fantastic.

  21. One high-end place I like (for those rare treat-yourself occasions): the Michelin-Starred A. Wong in Pimlico. Excellent Chinese food, and one of the first (only?) two Michelin-starred Chinese places outside of Asia. Hasn’t been terribly expensive, either.

  22. Another favorite of mine on the cheap end: Gopal’s Corner. The little brother to the more known (and busy) Roti King, a bowl of curry and roti canai is quite filling and flavorful. Victoria Foodhalls.

  24. Albertschloss is a german pub near tottenham court road, good schweinaxe, bratwurst and schnitzel. Great beer.

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