London Foodie's Delight -- Must-Try Restaurants

Part of the joy of traveling is exploring and savoring local delicacies. While some may say British food isn’t the best, London, as an international metropolis, boasts several fantastic dining spots. Here, we share some trendy restaurants I checked out in London, all highly recommended for fellow foodies.

1⃣️ Apple Butter Cafe (🌟🌟🌟)

📍 Located in Covent Garden, with an average cost of around £20 per person. Known for “Brunch under the Apple Tree,” this spot has garnered praise on Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu). However, I found it rather ordinary. No reservations accepted, and be prepared for long queues. We visited after 3 PM and avoided waiting (self-service for water).

✅ Truffle scramble egg (£15.5): A signature dish for truffle lovers, featuring rich truffle flavor and ample scrambled eggs.

❎ Croissant butter pudding (£10.5): Overly sweet; I only took a small bite as it was too sugary for my taste.

2⃣️ Victoria House Coffee & Food (🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟)

📍 Located near the British Museum, this gem offers delicious brunch dishes at around £10+ per person. Reservations recommended!

✅ Protein Breakfast (£11.95): A must-try! Different from traditional English brunch, it includes salmon, avocado mash, and tasty cumin-flavored mushrooms. You can choose your eggs (poached, fried, or scrambled).

✅ Yogurt & Honey Waffle (£9.95): A delightful blend of tangy yogurt, sweet honey, cool fruits, and warm waffles, creating a delightful medley of flavors.

3⃣️ Half Cup (🌟🌟🌟🌟)

📍Located near King’s Cross Station, perfect for a quick bite before catching a train or, like us, after dealing with a delayed train (you can spot plenty of suitcases at the service desk).

✅ Hash Benedict (£14.5): Options of Smoked salmon, Cured ham, or Halloumi. I tried the unfamiliar Halloumi, a type of cheese, and loved the substitution of bread with crispy potato cakes.

✅ Veg Half Cup (£16): Also featuring potato cakes with cheese. However, I prefer the Benedict option.

4⃣️ Circolo Popolare (🌟🌟🌟)

📍With an average cost of £25-30 per person, this highly Instagrammable Italian restaurant is quite challenging to book. The ambiance is splendid, but seating can be close, and the music is loud, perfect for group gatherings. Food, however, is average.

❎ Mammargherita Di Bufala (£13.5): Classic Margherita pizza.

❎ Mafaldine Al Tartufo (£19.5): Black truffle pasta.

✅ Coco-Loco (£7): Non-alcoholic drink with a unique presentation.

✅ Raspberry Shrub (£7).

5⃣️ Bancone (🌟🌟🌟🌟)

📍With two locations, I visited the one near Trafalgar Square. Known for its Michelin-starred affordable pasta, the average cost is around £15 per person. Seating can be a bit tight, with bar counter seats facing the chefs. Reservations are a must, and they require a credit card guarantee (a £25 charge per person for no-shows).

✅ Silk handkerchiefs (£11): Iconic flowy egg pasta with a rich creamy flavor and a hint of nuts.

✅ Spicy pock (£14): My personal favorite - spicy pork udon, giving off a Korean spicy vibe!

6⃣️ Hoa Sen (🌟🌟🌟🌟)

📍This Vietnamese eatery, with an average cost of £15-20 per person, offered a delightful change.

✅ Crispy bagbagis & tofu with vermicelli noodles (£13.9): Fried pig intestines, tofu, and vermicelli paired with special sauce - extremely tasty!

✅ Vietnamese style stir udon noodle - mix seafood (£15.5): Flavorful seafood udon with a Vietnamese twist!

7⃣️ Borough Market (🌟🌟🌟🌟)

📍A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without visiting Borough Market and indulging in various culinary delights.

✅ Bomba Paella (£10): Delicious seafood paella, slightly on the salty side but still enjoyable.

❎ Richard Haward’s Oysters: I tried two large oysters (£3 each) out of curiosity. They were sizable with customizable seasoning, offering a chilly, spicy, and slightly fishy taste.

❎ The Big Pig (£10): Though highly praised on social media, I found it less impressive than the “Pork Bun” I had at York’s Meat Market.

✅ Khanom Krok Coconut Pancakes (£5): Crispy on the outside, with warm coconut milk filling, slightly sweet and delightful! Payment is card only.

Explore London’s vibrant food scene to discover hidden gems and popular spots, enjoying unforgettable culinary experiences during your journey!