In a city like London, it’s hard not to devour everything in sight. There is a veritable cornucopia of amazing restaurants, pubs, bakeries, cafes and markets to choose from, and so, so little time.
In my case, I had just under a week to stuff my face with as many delicious treats as possible; and, if I do say so myself, I gave a damn valiant effort.
Because I was in hotels the whole time, there was really no other option but to eat out for just about every meal, though I can’t say I was mad about it (my wallet might have a different opinion). From Notting Hill to Southwark to Holborn to Camden, I really got around–and tried it all.
In no particular order, here are the best places I ate (and drank) during my week in London:
Where to Eat in London
Mazi
If I had to recommend just one restaurant in the whole of London, this would be it. Mazi takes Greek food and spins it ’round til it doesn’t quite know who it is anymore, then serves it to you in a tiny (some might say cozy), modern, slightly glamorous, VERY noisy space, alongside excellent wine. Plates are made for sharing (my favorite kind) which you should be thankful for, because they’re made of the kinds of foods that really stick to your ribs (in the traditional Greek fashion). I recommend the moussaka and anything that comes in a jar. Call well in advance to make a reservation; tables fill up fast.
Valentina
Valentina, an Italian restaurant in Notting Hill, is unassuming, to say the least. Hidden behind a deli, from the street, you might not know there’s a restaurant there at all. But there is, and my god is the food delicious. The gnocchi was so rich I couldn’t even finish it in one sitting. 
Paul Rhodes Bakery
The lovely Paul Rhodes Bakery was a breakfast favorite of mine; the pastries, sandwiches, and chilled options left nothing to be desired. London has two locations in Greenwich and Notting Hill.
EAT.
EAT. is another great spot to grab a quick breakfast on-the-go. I loved the fruity quinoa parfait I nabbed one morning, easily my cheapest breakfast of the week. And it’s a chain, so you can find them throughout the city.
Camden Market
You really cannot go wrong eating at Camden Market. Their food court is full to bursting with cuisines from all over the world, with something to suit anyone’s taste. The smells might overwhelm you (in a good way, of course) and I found it very helpful in my decision-making process to accept every free sample I was offered. I settled on a Turkish wrap and a Brazilian brigadeiro for dessert, but it was a tough, tough choice. The next time I’m in London I’m making another beeline for this market. 
Holborn Grind
Holborn Grind, a coffee shop located just a few blocks from Holborn Station, is as beautiful as it is tasty. The coffee was strong and the breakfast sandwich mouthwateringly cheesy–you can’t ask for more! 
Borough Market
This enormous Southwark market is sort of like Camden Market’s older, more sophisticated sister. The crowd is quite thick throughout the entire maze of stalls, but for good reason. Much like Camden Market, choosing what to eat at Borough Market is no easy feat. I recommend going with a friend or two and sharing multiple meals! My grilled cheese sandwich was the best thing I ate here. 
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a cave-like pub that is one of London’s oldest. It was restored the year after the Great Fire of 1666 and has been in operation ever since. It’s popular, too–we arrived at around 4pm on a Saturday and were lucky to grab a seat. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is also notable for being a popular haunt among many famous literary figures, such as Charles Dickens, Voltaire, and Mark Twain.
Hubbard & Bell
Sometimes you just need to order room service because you can’t deal with all the goddamn options. This is exactly what lead us to indulge in Hubbard & Bell, the restaurant belonging to our hotel, The Hoxton Holborn. The prices were more than fair for London and the burgers were excellent. Stuffing our faces while watching bad TV movies from bed? Even better.
Where do you like to eat in London? What should I not miss next time?
