Hoping I might find some recommendations for food experiences in an upcoming London trip. I am big on trying to find the best, highest quality “traditional” items, while hopefully avoiding low quality tourist traps… Pretty much staying in London, though might be going to Oxford and one or two other TBD surrounding areas.
A few categories of interest…
Fish and Chips/Chippies?
Meat Pies and Mash?
Puddings? Black and/or Steak and Kidney?
Best Traditional Tea Service?
Indian?
Anything other categories I missed? Is there a place that might have passable Haggis, or other traditional items from other areas of the UK?
Traveling with kids, so won’t be going to some of the really high end restaurants, I did find a few threads with some ideas, but would appreciate any other restaurant call-outs. The kids are good eaters, so that isn’t an issue- more that I need an aggregate mix that is more budget friendly. Any place that is doing a modern twist on traditional would be interesting. Or just plain good eats.
Really enjoyed 10 Greek St in SOHO, which may satisfy your demand for pies. Had a terrific lamb pie with mash and forest mushrooms there. A bit cramped, burt compact and well chosen wine list and our children enjoyed it.
The 45 quid lunch special at The Ledbury is a steal for a 2 star. Our children (10 & 8) had a blast there.
Check out Canteen, its a small chain of casual dining places, but theres always fish and chips and at least one pie. Great for kids, almost every dish comes as a half portion, inexpensive.
Decent beer and wine list for the style, you won’t go thirsty.
St. John has been a stalwart for a while now, but it is really wonderful, unique, and totally British. They were doing bone marrow before it was cool, and it also checks your pudding/kidneys box. Their game is also delicious.
Also thought this place was good. Food well prepared and interesting wine list. http://terroirswinebar.com/
Upstairs a bit noisy but downstairs good for the family.
A second vote for Terroirs, but it might be a bit cramped with kids. Their blood sausage with root vegetables served in a small copper skillet is to die for – perfect peasant food prepared for food lover.
FYI, the list is big on organic/low sulfur/high acid wines. It’s not the place to go for international style wines.
In a quite different vein, I’ve enjoyed a couple of meals in two of the Hawksmoor steak restaurants. Warning: They charge separately for any sauces you order with your meat, which strikes an American as odd. The ultimate in a la carte! The restaurants are pretty big and spacious, so they might be easier with the kids, and they have substantial wine lists.
Hi Mark- Staying in Pimlico. Turns out there is supposedly a pretty good place to get traditional Haggis called Boisdale nearby, so my scottish heritage should get satisfied.
Appreciate the Reccos so far. Have seen St. John and 10 Greek st pop up a few other spots as well so they will go top of list. Another Recco I have seen in that category is “Rules”
Will check out the others as well- Thank so much for offering suggestions!