It was December 2016 when I first went to London from Nottingham to apply for my Schengen Visa. Despite the constant drizzling and biting cold winds that swept through the city, it had it’s own charm. It could be charming for different people in different ways, but for me, it’s the hustle! The people and the number of diverse events that keep taking place across the city. The street food culture is by far the best I’ve experienced till date.

The vendors across London are blessed with basic food science knowledge and the skill of fusion, all packed in an artsy manner. Before I start writing about the technicalities of food and go a bit off track, let me just get to the point. There are multiple places that multiple sources may recommend you to visit while you’re in London.

Here’s my own list of all the food that left me in awe, every street that had caught my eye and every offbeat thing that you would never come across with ease. Since then London has also been home to fellow Brokelings Ruthwik and Anuj. Here’s the ultimate list to London compiled by all 3 of the Brokelings (In no particular order):

Borough Market

You can’t really say much about this legendary market which, apart from being all about fresh produce, also houses some great street food vendors. My favourites are the bakers that sell here.

Temple of Seitan

“Is this vegetarian?” “Is this vegetarian for sure?” “How can you call wings vegetarian?”, these were the normal questions I faced when I took my brother to this place. Check it out for yourself to see how, why, what and where etc.

Chin chin Ice Cream Labs

Words are not enough to describe the effort they put into crafting their desserts. Visiting the labs was a mandatory ritual every time I went to London. These people know their desserts right for sure. From a waffle taco filled with avocado ice cream to red velvet “titty” (lol) cake. The pastry chefs at Chin Chin labs are definitely artists when it comes to crafting these delights. Check their Instagram out for some drool-worthy photos until you actually visit them in Camden Market or in Soho.

Club Mexicana (Dinerama Shoreditch)

You have got to try the to-fish (tofu fish) tacos here. Also, Dinerama is an amazing food court with vendors serving up delicacies like baos to tacos to pizzas.

Nosteagia

Bubble waffles made by the folks from Hong Kong. Their Assamese Tea Icecream is amongst my favourites.

Said Cafe

Have you ever seen people lick the outside of their mugs after finishing their drink?

Walk into this cafe to see an example of that. The baristas deliberately pour thick melted chocolates (dark, milk and white) in excess for people so much so it overflows out of the mug. Try the Hazelnut Hot Chocolate here.

Pamban

Started by two investment bankers from India and Sri Lanka, Pamban offers a contemporary taste of India and the aroma of Chai Masala for sure. Try the Jaggery milkshake here.

Soft serve society

Boxpark in Shoreditch is a delight, pick up a creamy soft serve from here and top it off from a range of interesting toppings. The Coconut Charcoal and Matcha Softserves are pretty well known here.

Milk train cafe

Soft serve elevated to a next level. Imagine your ice cream floating on a cloud?

The Fresh Strawberry shop on Oxford Street

It’s difficult for the eye to miss this shop on Oxford Street. The Strawberries here are the juiciest you’ll ever have. What’s better? Get them dipped in melted chocolate and top it with some whipped cream to fuel your shopping spree on Oxford Street.

Cereal Killer Cafe

I’m a 90s kid and I love good cereal and cartoons. This cafe offers the best cereals from across the world in a 90s themed cafe where you can eat your breakfast on cots while watching cartoons in a Box CRT TV.

Spice box

One of the few Indian food stops offering vegan street food shops. Follow their social to catch them on their journey. Their Tandoori Cauli is something to die for. They recently also launched a savoury Dosa Waffle which is doing wonders as well.

Gelatorino

Good gelatos are the best addition to a sunny day. Their Pistachio and Straciatella are an absolute delight.

Mamies crepes

Cognac poured over a succulent crepe and then torched. This will become very normalized whenever you walk into this creperie in the theatre district.

Wagamama Vegan

I’ve never been a fan of oriental food, the cuisine has never catered well for vegetarians. I was the happiest when this famous chain introduced a vegan menu. Was really happy to have had a Vegatsu. The Firecracker (vegetarian version) is scorchingly hot and flavoursome. The Samla Curry is a vegan dish is very good offering as well catering to your sweet side.

Queen of Hoxton

Imagine a colourful alternate designed rooftop for a sunny evening with some chilled cocktails. Finding places like these within the city is like a treasure.

Pret Veggie

Being vegetarian can be a problem sometimes when there are very little vegetarian options on the cafe menus. Pret A Manger, the leading chain of cafes in the UK, made their best ever decision by starting a ‘Vegan only’ pilot store in London.

Curators Coffee and Dutch Pancakes

The vendors at Camden Market treat their stalls and make food like they’re at a festival of flavours. It’s interesting how to see a matcha latte works really well with Nutella topped Dutch Pancakes.

Magic Falafel

I have seen long queues of people outside this shop which drew me in as well. The falafels are THE BEST in London.

Madison

We wouldn’t recommend this, as it doesn’t match our budgets. But the kind of views the rooftop has on offer here are unparalleled. It sits right in front of the famous St Pauls Cathedral, hence overlooking the beautiful dome. This is the place for when you’re feeling rich, which we never did. Haha

Hummus Lina

Great array of Hummus made by Levantine people.

London Cheese Bar

They’ve got every English Cheese that tastes out of the world. The interiors are just like a bar, the only difference is that the cheese dishes replace the cocktails. A grilled cheese sandwich or a mac n cheese from here is a must. Do not underestimate the size of the dishes. They look small but are enough for you to contemplate about your cholesterol levels once you start to dig in.

Maltby Street

The railway arches provide just the right setting for a street food and local fresh produce carnival that happens here every weekend.

Melt Room

Adding on to the list of drool-worthy cheese cafes is this quaint cafe in Soho. The portobello mushroom grill is literally foodporn.

The Potato Project

Jacket Potatoes are a BIG thing in the queen’s nation. So big that people took it to a whole new level. The humble potatoes are the hero of every dish here. I was honestly surprised by the possibilities that exist with the simple root.

Halloumi Fries by Oli Baba

Fried Halloumi gives an undescribable feeling in the mouth. The fries here are accompanied by some yogurt and pomegranate to mask the sourness of the Halloumi by itself. Find them in Camden market!

Salt

My love for Sheesha is pretty evident. Going to Salt was a necessity of all sorts whilst in London. Finding great whiskey, good Indian food and some amazing sheesha is always a blessing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgPHTwshUgB/?tagged=saltlondon

Tibits

This is like a temple for every fan of vegan food. They serve a huge array of vegan dishes and you need to pay by the gram!

Biffs Jack Shack

The tropical Jackfruit is the king of every dish that Biffs sells. They make jackfruit look just like pulled pork and probably taste even better.

Cahoots

This bar is made in an abandoned tube station just off Regent Street. You need to make a prior reservation to avoid the long queues here. The whole experience here is pretty fun as everything in London Underground themed.

The Good Life Eatery

As the name suggests, simply good life. They deliver goodness through their plates. The food is clean, fresh and absolutely tasty. The ambience has a fresh vibe and the whole place just radiates positivity. If you’re a fan of health/functional foods like me, this is the place to go.

Timberyard Cafe

Work cafes may seem pretty intimidating at times, but Timberyard has a charm of it’s own. Light Jazz is the perfect background to go with the strong aroma of coffee. Chilling here and pretending to do some work here is a nice thing to add to your list in London, I guess.

Breakfast Club

Ah, words are not enought to describe the emotions that the breakfast dishes here awake in us. They have multiple outlets around the city, the one in Canary Wharf and at London bridge being our personal favourites.

Snog

A proper London double-decker bus, dedicated to serving some great fro-yo. Catch some great views along with amazing froyos here.

Young Vegans

Pies, Yorkshire Puddings with mushy peas, fries and some gravy is a perfect British Meal. But vegans don’t generally get many options as the pies are generally made of pork. Walk into Young Vegans in Camdem Market and you’ll walk out with a PROPER british meal.

Woolley’s: Roasted Veg and Halloumi Wrap

Located in Holborn, this is a place I treated myself to every Friday during my lunch break. The wraps are really fresh which help it seem healthy. The vegetarian lasagna is also my Friday guilty pleasure, especially after pay day!

Yorika: Vegan desserts

It’s unbelievable that ice cream, fro-yo’s and waffles can be replicated in a way to be vegan and taste exactly the same as they have been made for centuries. Located on Wardour Street, this packed little shop could not be more centrally located for vegan dessert cravers. My lovely colleague at office suggested this place to me and we have been fans ever since, so much so deals are made over Yorica ice cream. ” Can I borrow a pen?” -“Only if you buy me ice cream at Yorica after work.”- true story and ongoing ordeal.

Temper

I would not go here and spend out of my own pocket but I was lucky to be taken out here for lunch. I would say brutally, that the vegan and vegetarian options are crap but the Cookie Dough is again, to die for. Cooked well and tastes so good, you would definitely come back, bare through the food just to have that at the end.

Made of Dough

You’d expect Italians to know their pizza the best, but at Made of Dough, the folks despite not being Italian, have the best lineup of affordable gourmet pizzas. Trust me, you will not be disappointed and you will despise the taste of thick-crusted pizzas after a pizza meal here.

Petare (Venezuelan)

The folks here are legit award-winning people. The arepas (traditional Venezuelan corn bread stuffed with South American fillings) are fresh and as tasty as they can get. The vegan option has a plantain one, which is pretty interesting too.

Village Underground

A cultural/ party/ live music/ comedy hub created out of abandoned warehouses and shipping containers. You gotta experience one event here atleast!

Bao

I love experimenting with food, and hence like people who love experimenting with their food. Bao is run by a group of people who have taken simple steamed milk buns to a whole new level with the different innovations with their dishes and also their overall design.

Grind

These guys know their coffee right. Also, their bottomess (unlimited) prosecco brunch is a boon.

What the Fattoush

Palestinian Food honestly makes you feel good about life. The Vegan burgers here are so tasty that you’ll be elevated to a level.

Sourced Market

The diversity it offers in the products and the kind of events they conduct is pretty awesome. Well curated food brands on their shelves and healthy comfort food on their menu. They create a platform for independent food manufacturers to sell at central London locations.

Franks Cafe

Like Dishoom, this was the place where all 3 Brokelings had their last drink together. Set on top of a regular building, this converted parking lot provides the best view of the London skyline along with a very nice alternate environment. We love the vibe of this place and this kinda tops our list of must-dos in London.

Dishoom

We’ve all heard “Indian food in the UK is crap! Lacks all the right stuff” Which does hold good to all Indian restaurants but, DISHOOM. What can I say about this place?! When I moved down to London, I complained about the work-life balance and the food, until my colleague said “You should go to Dishoom Anooz” and since then I’ve been there 10 odd times. It was the last time the Brokelings had a meal together and it couldn’t have been at a better place before we left on our separate paths. Dishoom is located in a number of locations, but I would suggest that the one in King’s Cross is the one to be at. Things to not miss out on : Mango lassi, Paneer Mattar, Pav Bhaji, Bedmi puri, OKRA FRIES ARE TO DIE FOR, paneer tikka, house black daal and our very own legend, thums up. The place itself takes you back to India with it’s typical Bombay cafe theme. Don’t be surprised if you see a mile long queue. Yes, they absolutely love it too.

Thanks for following this flavourful journey of ours. We made a list of 47 places because we expect you guys to complete a 50 milestone for us. Tell us your favourite places in the comments below and we’ll add it on the post. Also, we’ll definitely award you with something if you visit all these places that we recommended. So the next time anyone is in London, gift them this list.

Keep checking this space for a whole lot of exciting stuff that we’re working on. Follow our daily lives on our socials using @brokelings everywhere.

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