Earlier this year I was blessed with the opportunity to be able to study abroad for a month in London. Of course, this alone is enough to excite just about anybody, however this was a special opportunity for me.
I have never left the country before and I am hardly one to leave my comfort zone. For me this was more than just traveling, it was more than a semester of college… it was an adventure. Something I would never have dreamt myself doing, but with the support of my family it became a reality.
After overcoming an oppressing amount of nervousness and anxiety to embark on this journey entirely on my own, I can now say that this experience has changed my life and I want to share why this city captivated me from the moment I had arrived. For now, it is most important to cover the essential aspect of any traveling experience – the food.
London has an unfair bias when it comes to food. People generally only think of fish and chips, or meat pies, regarding the city’s cuisine. However, around every corner and down every avenue is an opportunity for something new.
A traveler could easily embark on a different dining experience multiple times a day for weeks and be blown away at the international culinary potential within the city.
Living in the middle of London for a month I developed an abundance of knowledge regarding the most reliable markets, holes in the wall of restaurants, dining establishments and fast food alike, and below I share my favorites.
Here is a list of some of my favorite restaurants in London that you can’t miss on your next visit:
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Duck and Waffle for breakfast and brunch
The first place that comes to mind is a restaurant that is opened 24/7 called Duck and Waffle. Duck and Waffle specializes in breakfast and brunch but change their menu throughout the day depending on which meal they are serving at the time. Personally, I went for brunch and it was a remarkable experience.
It is a nice restaurant and way more affordable than meets the eye. If I was not told that the restaurant was open 24 hours, I would have mistaken it for a much more refined establishment.
The restaurant is located on nearly the top floor of a skyscraper downtown and offers an incredible view along with their excellent food and captivating ambiance. When I went, I ordered the Full English, an English breakfast staple that includes bacon, sausage, eggs, roasted tomatoes and mushrooms as well as a hash brown and beans. It is a staple English breakfast that has earned its notoriety, and even if that isn’t up your alley, Duck and Waffle also offers signature waffles, eggs benedict, breakfast cocktails or mimosas.
Brunch was an affordable price for a standout meal. I can only assume that their lunch and dinner menus parallel the quality of the breakfast. If you want to give their menu a look, check out their Instagram @duckandwafflelocal to see for yourself!
2. Kanada-Ya for the Best Ramen Imaginable
Without a doubt my favorite London spot, and indisputable go-to is a restaurant called Kanada-Ya. This restaurant is incredibly small, constantly crowded and has the best ramen I have ever had in my life (pictured above).
This gem is located just down the street from Florida State’s London campus, near the seven dials shopping area, so at least twice a week I would find myself waiting in line to re-experience arguably the best thing I have ever tasted, it is that good.
I ordered the Tonkatsu Ramen every time I went, added the soft-boiled egg for a minor additional charge and selected one of their few international beers. The wait can be lengthy, however once you’re inside the service is remarkably quick and you can expect your food within five minutes of ordering most of the time.
As much as I love Ramen, I prefer the Vietnamese delicacy, pho. Less than two miles away, in the SoHo area is a fantastic pho restaurant called Pho Soho. There I ordered standard rare beef pho (pictured below), but make sure to request a table hoisin sauce, it’s worth it. I highly recommend either of these restaurants it just depends on preference. Either staple is the perfect lunch for a rainy day.
3. Borough Market for Endless Options of Delicious Market Food
Above all else, the most important culinary destination of London is without a doubt, Borough Market. I know I previously stated that Kanada-Ya in my opinion had the best food in London, but Borough Market is more for the experience than anything.
On the Southern Bank of the Thames River, is a multicultural hub for any food craving imaginable. I went a total of three times over the duration of my trip despite how out of the way it was compared to my place of residence and it was a different experience each time.
I cannot stress how highly I recommend going during the week rather than on the weekend as the crowd grows exponentially. Go during the week and look around at all the vendors offering samples of various cheeses, cured meats and seafood and take your time deciding what you want as your meal because it is very possible you’ll be strolling with a burger in hand and walk past a vendor that leaves you full of regret.
In addition, there are vendors such as butchers, seafood markets and stands that sell produce or spices if you want to buy the finest ingredients in town to create an incredible meal of your own. Pictured below is a bowl of spinach and ricotta ravioli I enjoyed right outside of the Shakespeare Globe which is just a short walk away.
4. Pub Culture
Lastly, an essential aspect of food in London is of course the pubs you can find on every street corner. Every pub caters a similar experience with a slightly different twist, however it is essential for every London traveler to stop at a pub for a few brews and fish and chips or a meat pie.
The atmosphere is intoxicating as you really do get a taste of the European way of life which is work to live rather than the live to work ideology common in America. It’s the perfect environment to take a few friends to leave all your stress and negativity at the door to have a good time and enjoy yourself for a little.
Not to mention English food is incredible, I prefer the meat pies over the fish and chips but that is simply because I am not much of a fan of seafood. There’s also countless beers to choose from and bartenders are happy to help you make a decision and provide samples if you ask.
Overall you’ll find pubs to be an addiction and you will inevitably have a favorite that you will frequent over the course of your trip.
My summary for food in London is you genuinely cannot go wrong with what you choose. I visited many other restaurants and bars throughout my experience and they were all exceptional in different senses of the word and each entirely their own.
Do not get comfortable after finding an excellent spot and just keep returning, it can be hard but exploring the many types of cuisine London has to offer but it pays off to have an open mind and experience something entirely new for each meal. If there is a single place to throw your culinary biases aside and indulge for the experience, it’s London.
