If that name doesn’t have you immediately hooked, we don’t know what will. Nothing beats a good combo of bread and wine. But don’t worry, that’s not all that’s on offer — though it definitely sets the vibe of the place. Refined, elegant, and sleek.

We started off exactly as you’d expect: bread and wine. We went for the brown and white crab meat on toast, paired with a glass of the waiter’s recommended wine. Top tip: always ask for their suggested pairings — it elevates the experience so much more. For mains, we chose the deep-fried gurnard served with a potato cake and tartare sauce. Think classic fish and chips, but every component made more bougie. No complaints from us. Finally, we ended with the gingerbread loaf topped with butterscotch sauce. It doesn’t get more comforting and autumnal than that.

Proper hearty British cuisine, elevated to the max. 

Have to try: Gingerbread loaf with butterscotch sauce
Perfect for: Work lunches
Approx price for 2: £90–£110

Bubala has restaurants all over London, so we knew we were in for a treat. It’s a cosy, casual spot serving all vegetarian Middle Eastern food – perfect for sharing picky bits and trying a little bit of everything. 

We’ve always wondered why vegetarian food gets such a bad rep, especially when one of the nation’s ultimate comfort snacks is hummus and pitta. Bubala seriously knows what they’re doing.  Their hummus is nothing like the supermarket stuff; it’s proper, authentic, and made with 100% olive oil.

So, of course, we started with that. And because we’re dip fiends, we also ordered the baba ganoush, served with super fresh warm bread. For mains, we went for the halloumi dressed in chamomile and fennel honey. See? Being vegetarian definitely doesn’t mean giving up cheese.

Have to try: Hummus with mango and lime leaf oil
Perfect for: Casual catch ups
Approx price for 2: £30-£70 (+ drinks)

Gunpowder is a refined yet homely spot, with exposed brick walls and minimalist interiors that set the mood just right. The dining style here is a little different from most Indian restaurants. It’s more of a pick-and-mix sharing concept than the typical starter–main setup. They recommend 2–3 small plates per person, and of course, we went for the higher end. Everything on the menu just sounded too good to pass up.

A must-order has to be the okra fries — beautifully crunchy, perfectly seasoned, and the ultimate drinking snack. Another winner was the tandoori chicken chops, smoked and marinated so well that the meat just fell off the bone. Naturally, no Indian meal feels complete without a curry (or three). Surprisingly, our favourite turned out to be the veggie option: the saag with tandoor paneer. Creamy, spicy, and absolutely packed with flavour, with the smoky paneer adding the most moreish touch. We scooped it all up with fragrant saffron rice, though we couldn’t help but wish a naan or two had been on the table to really take it over the edge.

Dessert was a little less traditional but no less delicious. We went for the rum bread and butter pudding. Rich, warming, and basically the perfect sweet treat for a chilly evening. 

Have to try: Saag with tandoori paneer and okra fries
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £70–£90

The Culpeper is a much-loved pub on Commercial Street. It’s refined and elegant (read: no sticky floors or questionable hygiene like some of our locals). However, it still keeps that traditional British hearty pub feel. The weather actually behaved this day so we could take things up to their rooftop garden. With insane views over London, it really takes the experience to another level — drinks just hit different up there.

We started things off with the goat’s curd topped with beetroot and hazelnuts. Super refreshing, but definitely begging for a carb, so we ordered the sourdough on the side. Paired with a glass of white, it was the perfect opener. For mains, we went full-on indulgent with the lamb ribs and chops served with mint sauce. Rich, decadent, and completely nap-inducing — in the best way possible. To balance things out, we grabbed a side of charred broccoli, which added just the right touch of freshness to all that hearty flavour.

Dessert wasn’t a huge affair, but honestly, that was probably for the best after such a heavy main. For a longer menu, book a table at their first-floor restaurant. But fair warning: that means sacrificing the rooftop views, and that’s a tough call to make.

Have to try: Lamb ribs and chops with mint sauce
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £60–£80 (food and drinks)

Hawksmoor is British through and through — mahogany interiors, dim lighting, the whole elevated-bougie-pub vibe. And since it’s serving up the country’s classic faves, there was only one thing for it: steak night.

We went for the rib eye with peppercorn sauce (obviously). It was sensational. We’re not going to describe what a perfect steak is — you either already know, or you need to come here and find out.

When it comes to sides, they’ve got everything one could ever dream of pairing with steak. After far too long debating, we came to a decision.  Beef dripping chips, macaroni and cheese, and, to pretend we were being healthy, spinach with lemon and garlic. The greens were nice, but let’s be honest — the mac and cheese absolutely stole the show.

Have to try: Macaroni and cheese side
Perfect for: Business lunch
Approx price for 2: £90-£120

Kolamba East is a sleek, modern spot that still manages to serve up authentic, homely Sri Lankan food. We love when a place can nail refined, aesthetic vibes without losing sight of flavour and tradition. Too often it’s one or the other, but here they prioritise both!

We kicked things off with the spiced mango iced tea cocktail, giving us instant tropical holiday vibes. It paired perfectly with the crispy poppadoms and chutneys that came first. Sri Lankan cuisine has a lot of similarities to Indian food but with more emphasis on seafood and rich, coconutty flavours. In that spirit, we tried the king prawn string hopper biriyani — every bite was bursting with layers of spice and flavour. To add something saucier, we went for the charred coconut chicken curry. Creamy, smoky, and seriously addictive. And for something truly authentic, don’t skip the banana leaf bream. The flavour was so unique — unlike anything we’ve tried before.

Dessert was too hard to choose, so naturally, we got two. The payasam, a creamy rice pudding, was like a cosy hug in a bowl — perfect for chilly evenings. On the flip side, the Alphonso mango trifle brought a refreshing, fruity lift and was the ultimate way to cool down after all those spices. A brilliant nod to a British classic with a Sri Lankan twist.

Have to try: Charred coconut chicken
Perfect for: Authentic, flavoursome food
Approx price for 2: £70–£90 (with cocktails)

Ottolenghi sits right outside the famous Spitalfields Market, so honestly, there’s no excuse to come here and not give it a whirl. The atmosphere is lively and buzzy (thank the cocktail bar for that), making it the perfect spot for catch-ups with friends over good food and drinks.

Naturally, we had to start with a cocktail, and our top pick is the hibiscus sumac margarita. It’s that perfect balance of sweet and spiced that a marg just nails. Pair it with the must-order starter: pita chips. These come with labneh, confit garlic, and za’atar — basically a dip-lover’s dream. We also love that they didn’t make us fork out extra for every dip; it’s all included in one generous serving.

Now, don’t be fooled by the salad-heavy, veggie-leaning mains. This place is definitely one for the health queens, but even we were surprised by how hearty and indulgent everything still felt. Plus, no dreaded post-lunch slump. The set lunch deal is brilliant: pick one meat option and get two salads alongside. We went for the coffee-marinated chicken with tahini yogurt and pita, which sounded a little unusual but turned out to be a flavour bomb. For the salads, we chose the roasted aubergine with lemon yogurt and date oil, plus a classic hummus. Both were fresh, punchy, and proof that salads don’t have to be boring.

Have to try: Smoked aubergine salad with lemon yogurt
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £60–£80

Walking into Galvin La Chapelle felt like stepping into a ballroom — high ceilings, chandeliers, white tablecloths. Given the name, we probably should have guessed this would be the vibe. Definitely not a spontaneous “pop in for a meal” kind of place. Book ahead, get dressed up, and treat someone to a special night they won’t forget. Let’s just say our pockets didn’t forget either.

We kicked things off with a drink as classy as the establishment: The Lychee Pink Lady. Sweet, fruity, and incredibly strong — our favourite combo. This paired perfectly with the Dorset crab raviolo, served with charred fennel and swimming in a dashi beurre blanc. Obviously, we also grabbed the bread basket and lathered everything in olive oil — can’t skip that.

For mains, we went for the barbecued Cornish monkfish in a white wine sauce. Smoked to perfection and served with caramelised onion and seaweed, it was absolute sweet-and-salty perfection.

Have to try: Caramelised pumpkin & clementine tart with chocolate gelato
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £120–£150 (with drinks and desserts)

Crispin in Spitalfields has super-minimalist interiors and a bright, open feel. We loved that—it’s too often the case in London that we’re practically sitting on top of the next table, overhearing conversations we really wish we didn’t have to.

The menu changes often and isn’t pages long, which makes it a dream for the indecisive bunch. We kicked things off with the fried potatoes topped with crème fraiche and chives. Fried potatoes (an obvious, immediate win), but with that creamy, dreamy combo on top? Brownie points . Good thing we’d also ordered the portland crab, or we might have been tempted to get another plate (or two) of those potatoes.

The mains list was short and sweet, but honestly, probably for the best after those decadent starters. We went for the ravioli stuffed with ricotta and lemon balm. And yes, we made sure to give the waiter a good 30-second window before telling him to stop with the parmesan!

To finish, the brown-butter cake stole the show. Served with poached apricot and crème fraîche, it was the perfect end to a perfect night.

Have to try: Brown butter cake with poached apricot and crème fraiche
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £90–£110 with drinks

Brother Marcus gives bougie, elevated café vibes. Perfect for when the vibe is casual, loved-by-everyone food, but in a place fancy enough to avoid the local joint down the road.

They’re probably most known for brunch and breakfast, but we were feeling more picky-bits, mezze-style for lunch. We began with the Rip and Dip Platter, which comes with three dips, olives, and warm homemade pitta bread for just under £20. It’s definitely worth it. Choosing just one dip and committing is near impossible. That said, our favourite was the fennel tzatziki with Aleppo chilli. An innovative twist on a classic, and it was great having a few different ones to experiment with too.

Then we dug straight into the hot mezze. An absolute must is the halloumi in a watermelon and mint reduction. They nailed this flavour combination—the saltiness of the halloumi beautifully complemented by the minty, fruity sauce. Another standout was the crispy calamari with a moreish aioli. Honestly, we could have ordered everything on this menu. Every dish was undeniably delicious—anyone would love it, even the fussy eaters.

Have to try: Rip and Dip Platter
Perfect for: Mezze style lunch
Approx price for 2: £45–£50