Food in London?

[Anonymous]

Would be thankful for any recommendations. We're traveling with elementary aged kids. Also perhaps interested in a tea. We're staying near South Kensington/Chelsea but will be all around the city.

[Anonymous]

Ask a local.

[Anonymous]

Depending on season I thought the Orangerie was a good tea option— nice but not too fancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would be thankful for any recommendations. We're traveling with elementary aged kids. Also perhaps interested in a tea. We're staying near South Kensington/Chelsea but will be all around the city.

But a subscription to good food guide. It won’t lead you astray.

[Anonymous]

A lot of the markets have food court style dining options, which is great if your family members want different things. At Seven Dials Market and Spitalfields Market, the food options are good. Camden Market has decent food, but the crowds mean that you will not be seated while eating. Southbank Centre Food Market, near the London Eye also has good options.

The Gail's Bakery chain is everywhere. They aren't cheap, but the food is good quality, and they are really informal. You will see lots of families.

We had a nice meal here.
https://www.treehousehotels.com/london/eat-drink/madera

We had a decent meal at this place in Kensington.
https://enotecarosso.com/

Here are some good coffee shops
Near Dickens and Postal Museums:
https://prufrockcoffee.com/

Near Battersea Park:
https://www.instagram.com/nostoscoffee/

In Hammersmith:
https://www.instagram.com/coffeestationhammersmith/?hl=en

Avoid: Leon sanwich shops. Borough Market is cute, but too crowded yo be enjoyed.

[Anonymous]

^^ I used to live there with a kid.

[Anonymous]

When are you going? We will be in London, staying in S. Kensington next week with our 9yo…happy to report back if still helpful!

(Also taking note of the lunch/coffee shop suggestions from PP above…awesome timing! )

[Anonymous]

PP above who is going next week. I also did quite a bit of research on teas—DD and I are going to try the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed tea at One Aldwych (DH is happier to have time at a coffee shop or pub).

[Anonymous]

We really enjoyed the tea at the Royal theater. Tasty and beautiful room and not as expensive or tough to book as some others. Feels very traditional — not jazzed up like some of the themed ones.

If you want a pub, the one across from the British museum is historic and has really good food. We went for a late lunch and basically no wait. I think it’s called the museum tavern or something.

Not sure where you are staying in south Kensington but I thought this Italian place was really good. We ate at another great Italian place near the palace but I can’t think of the name.
https://cacciaris.co.uk/menu-south-kensington/

We also ate at a great hipster style place in notting hill —great brunch if you happen to be there.
https://www.cafebeam.co.uk/

Also there is a chain called Gail’s that we often stopped at for a quick sandwich. And of course Pret which is a London export to DC.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP that Leon is gross. They opened one in DC before the pandemic and it was not tasty.

[Anonymous]

Love Gail's, for breakfast, lunch or afternoon snack.

I like the restaurant at the top of the Tate Modern if you happen to be there.

Sketch is the obvious tea place with kids, and even though it's overexposed at this point it's still good. Traditional tea in an untraditional setting.

There are lots of threads on London food in this forum so worth taking a look at prior posts.

[Anonymous]

Wagamama. You're welcome.

[Anonymous]

If you like Indian food, Dishoom is amazing. Loved dinner there and breakfast too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP above who is going next week. I also did quite a bit of research on teas—DD and I are going to try the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed tea at One Aldwych (DH is happier to have time at a coffee shop or pub).

I was coming on here to recommend this. We did that tea in 2018 and it was great.

[Anonymous]

Children Firehouse