Eating Like a Local: Jamie Oliver's Favorite Hidden Gems for Foodies in London
Eating Like a Local: Jamie Oliver's Favorite Hidden Gems for Foodies in London - Borough Market - London's Foodie Heaven
No trip to London is complete without a visit to Borough Market, the city's ultimate foodie heaven. Located in Southwark near iconic landmarks like London Bridge and The Shard, this historic market has been feeding Londoners since the 13th century. These days it's a buzzing food hall filled with over 100 vendors selling everything from artisanal cheeses to freshly baked breads, organic meats, seasonal produce, spices, and street food from around the globe.
With so many tantalizing options, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Focus your energy on the market’s central aisles first. Here you’ll find popular stalls like Brindisa, an importer of fine Spanish goods. Don't miss their displays of jamon iberico de bellota, considered some of the world's best cured ham. Nearby is Mons Cheesemongers, your one stop shop for British and European cheeses. Owner Ned Palmer is incredibly knowledgeable and can recommend the perfect cheese pairing.
Venture into the corners of Borough Market to uncover some real gems. Kappacasein is a tiny dairy stall run by an Irish cheesemaker whipping up rich, creamy mozzarella each morning. Around the corner is Furness Fish & Game, where you can try fresh oysters and smoked salmon sourced directly from fishermen. The Ethiopian Flavour stall serves authentic injera pancakes and spicy wats stews. And for a real throwback, drop by Elsey Yard to try eels from the local Billingsgate Fish Market, a tradition dating back centuries.
Of course no trip to Borough Market is complete without sampling the dizzying array of global street food on offer. Queue up at KERB for anything from vegan soul food to authentic tacos. Bao offers pillowy Taiwanese steamed buns in creative flavors like five spice braised brisket. And wrap lovers will think they died and went to heaven at Burger Bear. Their signature duck wraps pair crispy, sticky roast duck with fresh veggies and tantalizing sauces.
The hardest part is saving room for dessert! Chocolate lovers can get their fix at Rabot 1745, which offers single-origin chocolate bars made from rare cacao. For a lighter option, Bianca e Mora turns seasonal fruit into refreshing Italian-style sorbets. And no foodie can leave without popping into Bread Ahead for one of their famous doughnuts. Their salted honeycomb is the perfect sweet ending to a morning spent feasting at Borough Market.
Eating Like a Local: Jamie Oliver's Favorite Hidden Gems for Foodies in London - Marylebone's Little Venice - Alfresco Dining Along the Canal
Tucked away in the charming Marylebone neighborhood, Little Venice is an oasis of calm along the picturesque Regent's Canal. Lined with lively waterside cafes and flower-filled balconies, it offers a completely different vibe from the bustle of Central London. Come here to savor long lazy meals al fresco along the canal, watching the boats drift by.
The focal point of Little Venice is Browning's Pool, named after poet Robert Browning who lived nearby. Here the canal opens up into a triangular basin where vibrant narrowboats congregate. Grab a table at the waterside restaurant of the Summerhouse hotel and soak up the lively atmosphere over coffee or cocktails. Nearby is the picturesque Rembrandt Gardens, whose flowerbeds and weeping willows frame postcard-perfect views of the canal.
Continue strolling along the leafy towpath to discover more cafes and pubs with canalside terraces. The Waterway is a casual gastropub dishing up modern British fare like beer-battered fish and chips. Watch the boats navigate the nearby Maida Hill tunnel while lingering over lunch on their balconied terrace. Just across the canal, the upscale Canal Cafe Theatre has an idyllic garden patio overlooking the water. Sip wine and share Mediterranean small plates as rowers glide by.
If you're looking for a peaceful escape from the city, head to The Cow, a charming country pub in an old canalside cowshed. Its sprawling terrace is the perfect spot for whiling away a summer afternoon. Try their craft beers or Pimms Cup, a classic British summer cocktail, as you watch the ducks sailing across the canal.
For a true taste of Venice, visit Vecchio Parioli, an Italian restaurant housed in a converted barge permanently moored along the canal. Their picture windows offer close-up views of passing boats while you dine on regional Italian dishes and wine. Don't skip their famous chocolate hazelnut cake for dessert.
Afterwards, stroll along the bloom-filled Regent's Canal Towpath towards Regent's Park. Pass houseboats bedecked with flowerpots and get a glimpse into this unique canal life. Stop for a drink at the Water Rats, a Victorian pub which has hosted musical legends like The Who, Oasis, and Amy Winehouse. Sit out by the canal and see if the spirit of Rock N Roll still lingers.
Eating Like a Local: Jamie Oliver's Favorite Hidden Gems for Foodies in London - Pastries and People Watching in Soho
Soho may be synonymous with London's buzzing nightlife, but this lively neighborhood also shines in daylight hours when its charming streets come alive. Follow savvy locals to Old Compton Street and dive into Soho's indulgent pastry scene while soaking up the vibrant street life.
Tucked amid gay bars and sex shops lies the city’s top spot for pastries - Maison Bertaux. This quirky, retro-fab patisserie has been churning out sweet and savory treats since 1871. Join the colorful crowd lazing on mismatched vintage furniture as you indulge in their famous almond croissants. Flaky, buttery perfection. The raspberry framboise tarts are stellar too - rich, crumbly pastry filled with tangy jam. Don't miss their nostalgic chocolate éclairs with luscious cream fillings. Add a cappuccino and the tempting Doughnuts for Dogs to share with a four-legged friend.
Just down the road, take a seat by the window at hip Danish bakery Ole & Steen and watch Soho's characters drift by. Their spelt croissants have a nutty depth of flavor while the cinnamon rolls are sticky perfection. Locals rave about the irresistible kanel snurrer - cardamom-laced Danish pastries swirled with ooey-gooey cinnamon filling. Bliss.
For Instagram-worthy pastel macarons and elegant French gateaux, sophisticated Pierre Hermé Paris entices. Their Ispahan is a sublime rose and raspberry-flavored macaron sandwiching a rich, creamy center. Take a break from sweet treats at the intimate Bar Piccolo downstairs. Sip expertly crafted coffee, nibble open-faced tartines and soak up the laid-back Parisian ambiance.
Once sugar-fueled, lose yourself wandering Soho's charming streets and observing its colorful characters. Meander down quirky Frith Street passing Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and Bar Italia, beloved haunt of creatives since 1949. On Wardour Street, poke into shops like Forbidden Planet for comics and cult film memorabilia.
Head to Carnaby Street for boutique shopping and people watching. Grab a windowside table at quirky bakery Milk Train and watch shoppers toting bags from the likes of Fred Perry and Levi's. Their fluffy Winter Melon pancakes with coconut cream make the perfect break.