London, Diners Heaven..

Searching for the top restaurants in London, which goes on throughout the year, is a part of the dining fun.  One of the things I enjoy the most in London is trying out new restaurants, cafes, street food, bakeries and even supermarket products. I travel with a long list of recommendations that I find in food magazines, websites, TV shows etc. People’s recommendations are not always a good source to follow. I could hate what they loved and love what they hated.  A quick search online won’t hurt! 

The dining scene in London is all about excellent food, vibrant atmosphere, and unforgettable experiences. I’ll go through some places I’ve tried earlier this year:

1)   Muriel’s Kitchen:

Strategic location near the underground station of South Kensington with a beautiful, welcoming display that grabs your attention when you pass by. Warm and cozy in the inside and of course, typically English when it comes to tightness and crowdedness (which I love). The food was good but wasn’t the best we had during that visit. Overall, the place has a story behind it which gives it an identity and a sense of originality.

2)   Patty & Bun:

I queued for around 45 minutes under the rain expecting one of the best burgers I’ll ever try. That expectation ruined my experience. The burger was very good but it didn’t make it to my top burgers list. It was soggy but that didn’t affect the taste. I loved the burger joint feel of the place. It was a fun experience.

3)   La Bodega Negra:

One of a kind. You get the wrong impression when you see the unrelated neon lights and it’s impossible to guess that there is a great restaurant behind that door. The twisted Mexican dishes were excellent and unique. We ordered a lot of dishes but I was glad that I got to try all those options, as each was special in a way. The DJ was amazing and the atmosphere was totally lively and entertaining. 

4)   Granger & Co:

This was the number one and most delicious food experience we had in that trip. It was worth the long wait. Every breakfast item we had was extremely, extremely tasty. The place was bright, the teapot was cute and the waitresses were friendly!  It was a perfect start to our Saturday in Portobello Market.

5)   L’Eto Café:

A great selection of good cakes and drinks. Suitable for a dessert break when you need a rest from shopping/walking. I didn’t like the lighting though, it was too bright.

6)   Berners Tavern:

Elegant, classy and astonishing. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the paintings that were covering all the walls. The high ceiling added a royalty feeling to the rich atmosphere. The food was good but I wouldn’t say that it was one of the most delicious breakfast experiences I’ve had. But it’s a matter of taste as my friends loved the food. Overall, it was a beautiful experience.

7)   Coya:

I read about Coya Peruvian restaurant in a magazine and I couldn’t wait to find out how Peruvian cuisine tastes like. I wasn’t disappointed. The modernized dishes were superb, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was beautifully unusual. Coya is a great addition to the dining scene in London and currently one of the top restaurants there, in my opinion.

8)   Nopi:

I got mixed reviews about this restaurant and so I walked in with no expectations. It was quiet, which was unusual in a city where you can hardly find any reservations. The food was average. I got the feeling that I was having breakfast in a hotel restaurant for some reason. The toilet was very nice. I haven’t seen anything like it before with mirrors all around.

9)   Burger & Lobster:

I finally got to try it and it was a satisfying meal. I didn’t understand what the fuss was about though. The burger was very tasty, the fries were also good but the winning dish was the lobster roll. I loved the interior, especially the hanging bulbs. But the atmosphere was more like an American chain restaurant (Chili’s/Fridays).

10)                  Canteen:

A British restaurant located in Old Spitalfields Market. I was expecting something more British when I read about it online but I was disappointed. The food was below average but the pudding was delicious. The service was bad and some of the cutlery weren't cleaned well. 

11)                  Gymkhana:

This was the Indian pick of the trip and it was a good pick. The dishes were exceptional, original and delicious. I can never forget the rich taste of the Dear Biryani which was totally new to me. Great service and uncommon Indian atmosphere.

12)                  The Wolseley:

The rich history of this place can be felt and seen in every corner of it. Previously a car showroom, The Wolsley is now one of the top restaurants in London. The pillars, the stairs, the black and while marble, the chandeliers, are all creating an exceptional ambience. The English Breakfast tea was just perfect and the food was very tasty. It was a very pleasant experience.

13)                  Comptoir:

A Lebanese canteen style restaurant in South Kensington that looked appealing but tasted quite the opposite. The service wasn’t good as well and it was overpriced.

There are some restaurants that I didn’t mention in this blog post because the reviews are already available in a previous post.

http://bahraindiningscene.blogspot.com/2012/05/where-to-eat-where-to-dine-in-london.html


More tips:

1) Used Books at Portobello Market:

Old and used books are available for sale in Portobello Market for an average of 40 pounds per book. Popular classic novels were available.

2) Fraser Suites Queens Gate:
A comfortable hotel in a great location. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The rooms were spacious with a kitchenette + a dining table. It was a very basic hotel though. The receptionist is the same person who delivers any requests to your room or fix your electricity.

3) Matilda on Broadway:

If you're a fan of musicals don't miss Matilda. It's definitely one of the best Broadway shows i've seen.

4) Electric Cinema:
Watching a movie there is not only about the movie, It's more about the whole experience; The classic interior, blankets, food etc. It's a one theatre cinema so you'll have to book your tickets in advance. The food was very bad. Avoid it.

5) Hatchards Bookstore:
A bookstore since 1797!! You can hear the floor cracking when you walk around and the good smell of books is all over the place. If you're a fan of bookstores and books, you will get lost for hours between all the titles and shelves.

Till we meet again, London town..