Oh I do love food. Eating out is a love that comes higher on my list than beauty, Whistles or avocados. I know, shocker. I like to rustle up home produced meals too, but eating out is my favourite treat. A time to banish away the mobile, have a good catch-up and chow down on some good grub. Up here in the big smoke, we’re spoilt for choice so I thought I’d cook up my top five eats for out of towners just incase you ever find yourself round these parts. They may be obvious choices – especially if you’re a regular browser of my Instagram feed – but they’re all joints I’ve happily revisited time and time again. It’s worth pointing out that the introduction photo to this post was snapped at a Bill’s (albeit a non-London branch, though there are a fair few round central that have popped up in recent months), which is a fab place for breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, whatever. See I’ve cheated already…
The Best for Breakfast – The Breakfast Club. If you want a pancake party this is the place to come; plus they serve ’em all day. Berries, cream, maple syrup, bacon – oh yes, though obviously not all at once. The breakfast menu here of course stretches further than just pancakes, it’s huge and the juices are good too. I love the Hoxton Square branch which I think is one of the biggest, for the simple fact that the wallpaper in the toilets is so cool.
The Best for a Snack – Ben’s Cookies. The best cookies I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot. Gooey on the inside, with massive chocolate chunks I always end up being reeled in by the marketing and going for an eight-strong Ben’s Box, which works out slightly cheaper than purchasing them all individually. I couldn’t pick a favourite flavour; it would be a tough pick between the Peanut Butter or Dark Chocolate ones. Definitely hit up a Ben’s Cookies if you stumble across a counter.
The Best for Lunch – Shake Shack. Being that this is currently the only branch of Shake Shack in the whole of the UK this place is always busy. Lily and I had a pang for burgers at 11.30am once and I can confirm that there already a queue. I wouldn’t say they are the best burgers in London (Patty & Bun top my burger love list), but it’s a good lunch place for taking in the sights and sounds of Covent Garden and slurping on an awesome milkshake too while you’re at it. I recommend the Smoke Shack with their fries and a vanilla milkshake. Oh yes.
The Best for Tea – Dean Street Townhouse. Entering this place is like taking a step into a cosy country house. With a roaring fire and chairs so comfy you could easily nap away I’d be quite happy to lounge around in here well past tea time. I’ve had serious food envy gazing at those on neighbouring tables who’ve ordered the full-on three tier afternoon tea course with sandwiches, cakes and the rest, but I’m rather fond of their scones. Oh and their crumpets with all of the butter. Set yourself by the fire and you won’t want to leave.
The Best for a Dinner to Remember – Duck & Waffle. I have two snippets of advice to take on board here: book a table as things can get rather busy and go in the evenings when it’s dark if you’re scared of heights as this is the UK’s highest restaurant based on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower. The view is a beaut, but the dinner even better. The menu is a little odd on first glance, but it’s a nice place to try something different. There is their signature dish, duck and waffle with egg and maple syrup – sounds gross, tastes lovely – but my favourite pick is the bag of crispy pigs ears from the starter lineup. Think those frazzle crisps you used to eat when you were younger, but better. See I told you – weird, but wonderful.
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