Another gift for you! My famous pinned Google Map list of 200+ secret and tested places I frequent: LONDON EDITION.
I put a lot of effort into these lists and usually only share them with loved ones. But ALAS! Here they’re to thank you for generously paying each month for this Substack. Here’s some selects FREE for everyone, but I’ll put the FULL list at the bottom of this newsletter for my paid subscribers, click it! It’ll take you to over 200+ recommendations!
London is truly one of the food capitals of the world but its also a maze. But it makes you work hard to find the secret gems. Its an expensive city there is really no room to get it wrong or you’ll be spending a month’s wages on a regretful meal. London’s extortionate rental prices makes eating cheaply harder and harder, but like Londoners themselves the city’s hole in the walls find ingenintive ways to endure. I’ve listed my favourite in this Google List. Almost every culture is represented in this city. You might not be able to travel the world, but you’ll be able to eat through it in London. Enjoy!
FOR PALESTINE: AKUB (£££)
An important institution. Not only because of Chef Fadi’s incredible interpretations of Palestinian cuisine, but because it is an elegant and chic institution in Notting Hill surrounded by modern Israeli establishments. These restaurants have coopted Palestinian cuisine and edgy Chefs cook “quirky” and “modern” dishes indoctrinating the cool foodies of London into thinking Palestinian food is Israeli food. It is food appropriation. Yet Akub stands unapologetically proud and excellent amongst them.
While the OG Palestinian establishments are important in serving the community very few go beyond that. Others are intimidated by going into sh3bi (casual) authentic Palestinian restaurants. Akub has done heaps for the culture in that it invites a cosmopolitan crowd to experience Palestinian cuisine in an aspirational and elegant environment. In turn connecting with different people through its food and inviting them to become more informed and more emotionally invested in the community itself.
Its important that all our cultures are brave enough to do creative things with our cuisine and culture. Reimagine it. Repackage it. Imbue it with a sense of purpose, identity and delivery. Excellence. That is how it will continue to have relevance and evolve to invite others. The Israelis are so good at it and our cultures get neglected as a result. Akub is the champion we’ve been waiting for.
It is not halal, Fadi focuses on the best produce he can find. This caused a lot of drama when it opened with many feeling betrayed. But those fail to remember that Palestinian identity encompasses more people than just muslims. It is a multi-cultural identity that should not be reduced to religion.
He also just released his latest book called BETHLEHAM, another chronicle in preserving Palestinian cuisine.
DATE NIGHT: SESSIONS ART CLUB (£££)
This restaurant is so sexy, my god. Dimly lit, solitary long candle on a white ironed sheet in a reconstructed Georgian building covered in stunning art. It oozes romance. Its fine casual and doesn’t feel pretentious.
If you’re lucky to have someone special in your life bring them here. It’ll make them feel special. If you see me here don’t say hi to me and definitely don’t tell my mum.
RARE LDN FINDS: BAB AL YEMEN (££)
Yemeni food is one of the most under-represented cuisines in London. Yemenis choosing Sheffield, Liverpool and Cardiff as their homes. However not anymore as Bab Al-Yemen is probably the first very decent Yemeni restaurant in the city. The rest are just not up to par, but I have to say this is a huge upgrade for the culture. Its also clean, modern and inviting to people of all backgrounds, even your white friends. Book a majlis (floor seating room) and enjoy the full Yemeni experience.
HOLE IN THE WALL: RAVIS KEBAB (£)
My favourite dish of all time is Nihari, and this small unassuming hole in wall has been cooking authentic Nihari to Pakistani students for generations. Nestled away in Euston on the legendary Drummond Street where South Asian communities first came and established business, Ravi’s Kebab is still serving absolutely delicious food. I went to Karachi and had it at the soure, I have to say it is very comparable! And so affordable!
EXTRA SPECIAL: ENDO BY THE ROTUNDA (£££+)
Jedi Master cooking. This isn’t just food, its art. Not many know about this secret exclusive omakasi sushi spot, very few can afford it at £250+ a head. But I’ve included it for those wanted something out of this world. It is magic to watch what people can do with food, to observe the passion in preparing it and to taste things you never thought possible.
Endo is one of the best sushi chefs in the world and he’s in our city. If you want a meal you’ll never forget, this is probably it. Book weeks ahead as it is one of the hardest tables to get in the city.
FULL LONDON LIST BELOW:
For paid subscribers only is my precious Google Maps List of Recommendations. Save it, I’m always updating it. Its my baby! I have more around the world which I can’t wait to share.