Tabitha Joyce

With a chef from St. John and a multi-layered potato cake to rival The Quality Chop House, Saltine makes no secret about its inspiration. Founders Mat Appleton and Jess Blackstone are also behind north London mini coffee empire Fink’s. And while the exposed brick space is a little predictable, the genuine and charming staff maintain Saltine’s spot as a solid Highbury favourite.

The team behind Brat have thrown their hat in the central London ring with this Soho sequel. Like its Shoreditch sibling, it was quickly awarded a Michelin star for its barbecued British ingredients. The signature Welsh lobster caldereta is inspired by a braised Basque mountain-style dish with a nod to chef Tomos Parry’s hometown. Slightly moodier than Brat, with a menu full of comforting flavours, it’s a great choice on a winter evening when guests escape the cold for a Negroni in the basement ahead of supper.

The design space of Naples native Gennaro Leone is by appointment only. It’s an Italian-leaning showroom-come-prop hire destination with a constantly changing collection of classics, one-off cork lamps and marble consoles. Just off Hackney Downs, the showroom also makes a cool party venue.

Before every other restaurant was inviting guest chefs to mix up their menus, there was Carousel. Not quite a pop-up or a supper club, it’s a space with a constant string of short-term residencies from some of the world’s coolest chefs. Ahead of its time, the premise still holds – supper here is an opportunity to try Japanese flavours from Tokyo-based Seto Sousuke or flame-grilled favourites by Niklas Ekstedt. An insider ticket.

Hidden beneath Charlie Borrow’s leather workshop off Columbia Road,this is not a bar most people stumble upon. It’s only open on Thursday evenings, which just adds to the allure. Message on Instagram in advance to make sure there’s space and then ring the doorbell hard. Inside, there is candlelit mood lighting, five classic cocktails and wood panelling carved by Charlie.

Down a quiet mews, around the corner from busy Shoreditch High Street, is a bar that seats 10 at most. This little cocktail joint is from the gang behind the Discount Suit Company and The Sun Tavern, and acts as the experimental testing ground for both. Try a Baklava (made with Irish whiskey, honey, pistachio and orange blossom) and then scoot along to one of its sibling spots for a dance.

The Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse and Prince have all played Koko. But after a fire in 2020, the otherwise unchanging music hall took a beat. These days there’s a restaurant making good pizzas as well as a private members’ area with a piano room, a vinyl listening bar and a recording studio. London’s most iconic music venue, but stepped up a notch.

Find the best flatbreads in town at this little stall on Ridley Road Market. Stock up on the blistered and soft naan-like bakes for the freezer, or order one for lunch with cheese, egg or keema-style meat. Simple, affordable and satisfying. 

Sandeep Garg has to be the most forward-thinking newsagent in London. His Chiltern Street shop is a magazine fanatic’s dream, stocking all sorts of niche publications you couldn’t even imagine. After a glow-up from Gabriel Chipperfield (son of David) there’s now a reading room and cool events space in the back where independent publishers and niche zines clamour to launch their titles.

There’s a buzz around whatever landlord Oisín Rogers does, but at Denman Street’s The Devonshire, it’s reached fever pitch. In the pub and in huge crowds outside, young things come to split the G – the Guinness drinker’s challenge. While upstairs, Ashley Palmer-Watts (a Heston Blumenthal alumnus) is dishing up prawn cocktails and steaks at a very reasonable lunchtime rate. Reservations (bookable three weeks ahead) disappear in minutes. Fingers at the ready for London’s hottest gastropub.