london

when we first moved to london in january 2008 i thought we were doomed. food-wise that is. i was so used to knowing where to go in sydney to appease any cravings i had, i was concerned that i may never find the same level of comforts in london as i did back home. i was pleasantly surprised. there are some good eateries in london, some even aspiring to the heights of excellence. but the great thing about these eateries was that i discovered them together with those dearest to me. because there are endless amounts of new restaurants and cafes that open in london each week, it would be almost impossible to try every new place there is, but i will certainly give it a good crack before i leave europe for good.


asakusa [japanese]
265 eversholt street, london, nw1 1ba UNITED KINGDOM
tel. +44 207 388 8533
no website

my favourite japanese izakaya in london. the food is cheap, good and tasty and is busy all days of the week so it's advisable to phone ahead to reserve a table. during busy periods, there's a long wait for sashimi/sushi. service is friendly but sporadic.


caravan [brunch]
11-3 exmouth market, london, ec1r 4qd UNITED KINGDOM
tel. +44 207 833 8115
www.caravanonexmouth.co.uk

another antipodean cafe which opened in winter 2010 to a roaring success. its quirky old fashion industrial chic décor is comforting and easy on the eye. its well know for its fry-ups, especially the soya mushrooms and the best thing is that they have their own roastery in the basement of the cafe. best for weekend brunches.


cocomaya [artisan bakery]
12 connaught street, london, w2 2af UNITED KINGDOM
tel. +44 207 706 2883
http://www.cocomaya.co.uk/ 

cute artisan bakery located a stone's throw away from Marble Arch. scrumptious savoury croissants and arguably the best afternoon tea for miles around. 


dotori [korean]
3 stroud green road, london, n4 2qd UNITED KINGDOM
tel. +44 207 263 3562
no website

really cheap, tasty no frills korean situated in a not so savoury part of north london. they also have a japanese menu but stick with the korean menu and you won't go wrong. when you leave the restaurant, head straight for the tube (quickly) and make sure you don't make eye contact with anyone on the streets.


espelette [afternoon tea]
the connaught hotel
carlos place, london, w1k 2al UNITED KINGDOM
tel. +44 207 107 8861
www.the-connaught.co.uk

the service at this place is attentive without being stuffy. the scones and sandwiches are tasty and the sweet things are scrumptious without the sickening sugar levels of some other afternoon tea places. best of all is the conservatory styled room where you can watch the Mayfairian world go by on a lazy sunday afternoon.

lantana [brunch]
13 charlotte place, london, w1t 1sn UNITED KINGDOM
tel. +44 207 637 3347
www.lantanacafe.co.uk

arguably one of my favourite brunch spots in london. serves tasty australian brunch cuisine and good square mile coffee. service can be abit slow during busy periods so try and get there before eleven to avoid the q's.