A quick guide to the best local restaurants in London, from Turkish food to Jamaican and Vietnamese pho – some of the best places to eat authentic food in London!
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve told you about London’s best cafes, breakfast and brunch spots, and other super aesthetic restaurants.
Beyond the grand, instagrammable restaurants that can be found in areas like Chelsea, Mayfair and Knightsbridge, it’s interesting to visit local restaurants if you want a real taste of London’s culture.
The city is a melting pot in which you can find excellent jerk chicken spots neighboring Turkish restaurants cooking up the best mantı, and other pide.
So I thought I’d share with you some must-visit local restaurants, those that offer proper English breakfast all day long, pide, goat curry…
Essentially, more goodness you’d ever expect – especially if you’re visiting London for the first time.
7 Best Local Restaurants in London For a Taste of the Melting Pot
If you are interested in learning more about London food spots, you will find countless guides here on The Working Line.
These range from pink cafes to maximalist restaurants, and other secret coffee shops to grab the best chai latte of your life.
I love food as much as the next girl, if not more: with underrated restaurants and really local food spots here, you’re bound to find new favorites.
Best Local Restaurants in London: Jambay Kitchen, Stoke Newington
The Stoke Newington neighborhood is an interesting one to visit as it mixes a young, hipster vibe with its small cafes and eateries, and a kind of village-like feeling – its proximity with the lively Dalston area is another reason to visit as soon as you get the chance.
That’s where you will find Jambay Kitchen, which offers Caribbean specialties such as curry goat, oxtail and, of course, jerk chicken.
You’d almost miss it when walking past as it’s located in a really unassuming building on the borders of Stoke Newington – don’t, as you’ll miss out on some absolutely flavorful dishes.
Read: 15 Themed London Itinerary Ideas Off the Beaten Path
Local Restaurants in London: Song Que Cafe, Shoreditch
Song Que Cafe in Shoreditch is another place I’ve visited a handful of times over the years; that’s one of my go-to places for Vietnamese food in London.
There, pho tai, crispy spring rolls and raw beef salads are all available on the menu – these happen to be three items I order in whatever Vietnamese restaurant I visit, no matter what city I currently live in.
We’re on Kingsland Road here, close to Brick Lane’s street art and its hidden gems, and if you visit, make it a point to pop by New Inn Yard to see more street art and a Romeo and Juliet mural – one of the coolest Shakespeare spots in London.
Read: The Best Supermarkets and Food Shops in London
Best Local Restaurants in London: Gökyüzü, North Finchley
The only Gökyüzü branch I’ve visited was the one near my former house in North Finchley, but you will find others in places like Green Lanes and Harringey, known for their strong Turkish population.
Back when I lived between North Finchley, Edmonton and Tottenham, I used to eat at Turkish restaurants a lot, and come to think of it, that may have been the foundation for my moving to Istanbul a few months after.
Gökyüzü is the one restaurant to visit if you’re looking for flavorful lahmacun, pide and kebabs – of course, topped with çay!
The restaurants are usually quite spacious, meaning you don’t necessarily have to book before you come, and delicious spring lunches on the North Finchley restaurant’s terrace is something I remember enjoying a lot.
Read: How to Eat in London on a Budget
Local Restaurants in London: Bob’s Cafe, Muswell Hill
Bob’s Cafe is one of the many really cool places to eat in Muswell Hill, a village neighborhood located in North London, right before North Finchley.
In addition to cafes and restaurants, there are plenty of independent shops and charity shops in Muswell Hill where you can get the best bargains on second hand designer bags, shoes and clothes – must-visits, really.
And just before you spend the day shopping, I’d recommend visiting Bob’s Cafe, a British cafe/restaurant serving everything from Full English to chicken schnitzels, shawarma and unforgettable Californian tacos.
Read: Deliciously Secret Places to Eat in Central London
Underrated Restaurants in London: River Cafe, Putney
River Cafe in Putney might be longer to access than places like Song Que Cafe, but the first time I came across it, I fell in love with that proper British vibe.
This is but an all-day dining cafe with an old school atmosphere in which I’ve tasted some of the best carrot cake I’ve ever had in London, along with easy, classic British dishes.
If you’re ever around South West London (there are plenty of hidden gems in South London waiting to be discovered!), this unassuming cafe restaurant is one I’d definitely recommend.
Read: The Best Cheap Eats in Central London
Local Restaurants in London: Pita Time, North Finchley
Back when I used to live in North Finchley, I made it a point to try as many cafes and restaurants on the main roads.
I did end up trying a lot, from Emmanuel’s, a floral cafe/cake shop I can’t believe is so underrated, along with Joie de Vie, a really cute rustic bakery and Pita Time, an easygoing, delicious Greek restaurant.
Eating a proper Greek wrap there with fresh meat and crispy veggies inside is something I loved doing during the spring and summer, and it also doubles as a quite affordable place to eat in London, too!
Before/after you eat there, I would also recommend you check out North Finchley’s charity shops: there are a lot, from the Cancer Research to the British Heart Foundation, and I’ve found some gorgeous, brand new clothes there!
Read: Where to Have Lunch for £5 in London
Underrated Restaurants in London: Jerk An’ Ting, Tottenham
When it comes to those really local restaurants in London, it would be quite difficult to top Jerk an’ Ting on Park Lane, Tottenham.
This is one of the best hidden gems in North London, and a place I used to visit a lot when I lived, well, on Park Lane, just a couple of minutes from the Tottenham Stadium.
If you’re looking for that classic Jamaican flavor, try the jerk chicken – incredible. The goat curry is just as delicious, and if you’d like to try something new, why not dive in a lamb pie?
By the way, you won’t only find great food at Jerk an’ Ting, but also the friendliest staff ever.
Read: The Best Neapolitan Pizza in Central London
7 Best Local Restaurants in London For a Taste of the Melting Pot
It’s always a tad heartbreaking to write about food spots, or even just spots to visit in London – I wish I could share all the goodness I’ve come to know during the five years I’ve lived there (on and off, but still).
In any case, if you’ve been looking for new local restaurants in London to try, you’ll hopefully have found here some still unknown places you didn’t think about.
And if you’d like to discover something else to add to your bucket list, why not check out my Foodie Itineraries in Soho and Piccadilly, and Covent Garden?