10 Different Cuisines to Eat in London

10 Different Cuisines to Eat in London

If there’s any pro to centuries of colonization around the planet, it’s got to be the diversity of cuisines that eventually made their way up into the British capital to settle for good.

This is a list of ten different cuisines to eat in London; it could quite easily have been a list of 100. There are cuisines in this city I wouldn’t have thought existed. Ever heard of wasp-crackers? Well they’re Japanese and they exist, & you can eat them in Shoreditch.

Read on for ten great food options in and around this eclectic city; all of them bug-less, I promise.

1. Lebanese: Al Waha in London

I’ll start with one of my go-to cuisines no matter where I find myself in Europe. Lebanese food is something you can count on to be traditional, quality and affordable nine times out of ten.

Granted Al Waha is a bit more expensive, but it’s a dining experience you’ll enjoy. It’s in Bayswater right above the Kensington Gardens. It’s one of the latest dining options available in the area; pair it with a sunset guided walking tour and you’re in tourist heaven.

For travelers in large groups, Lebanese food is one of the best cuisines to share during dining. A lot of the side dishes are also unintentionally vegan, meaning there is something for everyone.

Al Waha – by Al Waha – Sourced from their website

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 11:30pm

Address: 75 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, London W2 4UL, UK

Metro Station: Bayswater

2. Japanese: Eat Tokyo in London

For some reason Japanese cuisine is always expensive in the UK, which is really not the case in other parts of the world. Eat Tokyo is a restaurant chain that serves largely affordable Japanese dishes in different parts of London; my favorite on is here in Soho.

Because of it’s popularity there is usually always a line out the door. It’s worth the wait and service is incredibly fast once inside.

If you’re craving ramen this is not your spot! Read on and I’ll get to where to go for fabulous ramen in London central.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 10:30pm

Address: 16 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4TL, UK

Metro Station: Tottenham Court Road

3. Mexican: Corazón in London

Also in Soho, my favorite Mexican spot in London town.

Corazón means heart in Spanish, and mine is always very happy during and after eating here.

It’s a simple space with a simple menu. Get the guac and chips to start, followed by any of their tacos. Vegans and vegetarians are included in the menu. Oddly enough this is also one of few spots in London where you can get authentic patatas bravas.

Corazón – by Corazón – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 10:30pm

Address: 29 Poland St, Soho, London W1F 8QR, UK

Metro Station: Oxford Circus

4. Vegan: Bonnington Cafe in London

London is years ahead of the rest of Europe when it comes to the vegan game. There’s a plant based eatery on every corner, and almost every restaurant in the city has added at least one dish to their menu that is vegan friendly.

That being said, I love visiting Bonnington Cafe whenever I feel like crossing the Thames into Kennington.

It’s one of the quirkiest spots in town. Their lunch menu is great, and in the evenings they do set menus to candlelight. Perfect for a romantic dinner or even a first cruelty-free Tinder date.

Bonnington Cafe in London – by Bonnington Cafe – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 5pm // 6:30pm to 10:30pm

Address: 11 Vauxhall Grove, Vauxhall, London SW8 1TD, UK

Metro Station: Vauxhall

5. Greek: Andy’s in London

The best way to find good, authentic Greek food is to let a Greek take you out. That’s exactly what lead me to find Andy’s; the traditional Greek eatery in Camden Town.

It’s a tiny spot and it’s run with a lot of love and passion; this translates right through to the food. When I ate here with my friend we ordered many dishes off of the starter menu, as opposed to just a single main, and I’m glad we did.

Five plates between two people was actually too much, granted we did get extra bread and dips as well. The prices will blow your mind too, you’ll eat for roughly under £30 for two people.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 10:30pm

Address: 23 Pratt St, Camden Town, London NW1 0BG, UK

Metro Station: Camden Town

6. Ethiopian: Orit Ethiopian Restaurant in London

Ethiopian food tends to surprise people who have yet to encounter it elsewhere in the world. If anyone is unsure whether this cuisine is for them or not, I usually equate it to Indian food, and ask how they feel about that.

It’s a cuisine of multiple, small, curry-like dishes serves atop a pancake-like sourdough bread. It’s eaten with one’s hands, and it is delicious.

There are a lot of Ethiopian restaurants in London. I come to Orit because I love their gluten free injera option, something not every restaurant has as a menu standard.

Orit Ethiopian Restaurant in London – by Orit Ethiopian Restaurant – Sourced from their Facebook

If you’re not already familiar, Ethiopian food is fantastic for vegans and vegetarians. The menu is clearly separated and a lot of the cuisine is naturally plant based & dairy free.

This is also a wonderful late-night dining option in London!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 12am

Address: 388 Wandsworth Rd, Nine Elms, London SW8 4TN, UK

Metro Station: Wandsworth Road

7. Diner: The Diner Soho in London

If good old diner food is your thing, then London’s Amercian-style eateries will blow you away.

The Diner in Soho is ultimately one of the most renowned, though admittedly the menus at diners are largely always the same. Burgers, shakes, chicken & waffles… your diner dreams under one roof.

I should mention that they do all-day breakfast as well; this includes poached eggs, pancake stacks and traditional fry-ups.

The Diner Soho in London – by The Diner Soho – Uploaded by them

There are many vegan options on this menu, too! The vegan cheese burger and cheesy fries are an absolute crowd pleaser, as are the vegan milkshakes.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 9am to 11pm

Address: 18 Ganton St, Soho, London W1F 7BU, UK

Metro Station: Oxford Circus

8. Thai: The Begging Bowl in London

I usually eat Thai food in Shoreditch, but I found this spot in Peckham one afternoon after a guided walking tour and can’t wait to go back.

The menu is very simple, which is actually such a godsend when it comes to Thai food; this is a cuisine that can become very complex the deeper you explore it, in the best possible way, of course.

At the Begging Bowl your options are limited, and your experience is almost guaranteed to be good because the kitchen are focusing on perfecting fewer things. I also love the name of this place!

The Begging Bowl in London – by The Begging Bowl – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 6pm to 10pm

Address: 168 Bellenden Rd, Peckham, London SE15 4BW, UK

Metro Station: Peckham Rye

9. Gluten Free: Station 26 in London

Like the vegan movement, London is also steps ahead in the gluten free movement too. The city takes gluten allergies very seriously, and visitors to London are encouraged to make all restaurants that they eat in aware of their conditions.

At Station 26 in Brixton you need not worry. The entire space and menu is gluten free; eliminating risk of contamination.

It’s great, hearty, traditional British dining in a laid back space. It’s very Brixton.

Station 26 in London – by Station 26 – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Wednesday to Sunday — 11am to 10pm

Address: Coldharbour Lane, Unit 26 Brixton Village Market, London SW9 8PR, United Kingdom

Metro Station: Brixton

10. Ramen: Tonkotsu in London

Ramen is a Japanese dish, but not all Japanese restaurants serve it. It’s usually better to seek out specialized Ramen eateries in any case; they are some of the best dining out experiences you can have in the city.

Tonkotsu have a bunch of ramen kitchens around London, naturally the best one is in Soho, or so says I.

Nothing beats the vibe of this restaurants, nothing but the food, that is. It’s a very popular spot in Soho, as are the rest of their branches around the city. You will often have a bit of a wait at the door, particularly on weekends, but the nature of the kitchen makes for very quick turning of tables.

Tonkotsu in London – by Tonkotsu – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 11:30am to 10:30pm

Address: 63 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 4QG, UK

Metro Station: Leicester Square