Mentioned by A Complete Guide of London | The Shaftesbury Hotels Collection Blog
Best Breweries of London
"One of the undisputed leaders of the craft beer movement, Camden beer is becoming increasingly easy to find away from the capital (great for us country folk), but it’s best enjoyed in Camden itself. Completely unpretentious and genuine about their passion for brewing and quest for the perfect pint, if you want to experience them at their best head to their Brewery Bar (home of the original Hells lager). Best Brew– Hells, 4.6% – The original and still their best work."
"Taking inspiration from Bavaria's beer halls, this is a taproom with 24 taps on the bar. They've teamed up with Theo Randall to prepare the kind of food that matches best with the beer."
"Mercato Metrapolitano in Elephant & Castle is one of the biggest outdoor dining and drinking spaces in London, with over 500 seats and 40 food and drink vendors. Home to more than 40 vendors, a micro-brewery and a number of community projects. Discover flavours from Italy to Japan, Colombia to Germany, Vietnam to Argentina, and many more"
"Located in Elephant and Castle, Mercato Metropolitano is one of the original food halls in London. Enjoy a craft brew outside on their terrace, tuck into a freshly-made pizza on one of the communal tables in the main hall or sneak into the more secluded den and nibble on cured meat and melted raclette whilst sipping on wine."
"Venture over to Mercato Metropolitano and you'll find a great atmosphere, craft drinks aplenty and a treasure trove of dining stalls to choose from. As one of the city's ultimate food halls, this Elephant & Castle beauty is guaranteed to be busy all-year-round with regulars and newcomers alike."
"Meantime was born & bred in a Greenwich flat over twenty years ago and they’re still crafting beer from alongside the River Thames but in a much swankier tap room. Their first brew, the Union Lager, hit the taps back in 2000 and us Londoners still can’t get enough of it. Since then they’ve introduced us to the likes of tropical IPAs; lively ales that fuse British and German malts; a modern lager straight from London’s back garden; and not forgetting the cheeky Chocolate Porter too, but you’ll always find us raising a bottle of the signature London Pale Ale."
"Located in Greenwich, the Meantime Brewing Company has the mission of demonstrating the full flavour potential that beer has to offer. The commercial brewing house was founded by world-class brewer Alastair Hook, who in 1999 started to invest in it from his flat. The first brew package was made in April 2000, and the first beer brand was called Union, a Vienna-style dark lager."
"One of the pioneers of London's craft beer scene, the Meantime Brewing Company was set up in 2000 and the brewery's core beers, including London Lager and London Pale Ale are stocked in hundreds of pubs across the capital. The brewery tours at their sizable site in Greenwich start or finish with a tutored tasting and there's a shop and a bar on site."
"Fourpure’s location at the back of a fairly unlovely trading estate would be — otherwise — the last place you’d choose to spend a Saturday afternoon. However, read the tap list on the monitor behind the bar, and you’ll know you’re in the right place. The bar carries 16 lines, dispensing the brewery’s core range, many more of their somewhat leftfield beers, and the odd guest draught."
"A huge, horseshoe-shaped centrepiece dominates the revamped double-height taproom, with tables all around and a mezzanine level above. You can sit outdoors too, for industrial-estate vibes – it’s part of the Bermondsey Beer Mile. Team your brews (choose from Shapeshifter, Juicebox and the best-selling Basecamp) with something from resident street-food van Oh My Dog!"
"Completely unshowy and without any hint of pretention, Fourpure has been making top quality beer in the most seemingly simple of locations. It’s already gaining a wider audience and their taproom is well worth a visit. It’s also worth mentioning their excellent blog which is great reading for people who love beer and life in general."
"An award-winning bottle shop and taproom on Brick Lane, Kill The Cat is a must for lovers of craft beer in London. Head to the East London location for the chance to sample sips from their extensive selection of brews, complete with snacks and slick interiors."
"From the line of massive steel tanks behind Howling Hops’ Hackney Wick bar, beers (both the brewery’s core and seasonal) are served unpasteurised straight from tank to tankard without touching a keg, can, or bottle on the way. Clearly, visitors don’t hold back — in the late evenings, the taproom erupts into a disco of sorts, with limb-throwing patrons all too willing to get involved. Until nightclubs start serving their own lemon goses and US-hopped pale ales, this is the next best thing."
"Howling Hops opened Hackney’s first brewpub, The Cock Tavern on Mare Street, back in 2011. And that’s a claim to fame if we ever heard one (the pub also went on to win an award for its pickled eggs). Their motto is ‘brew interesting beer’, and this is exactly what they do, with unfiltered, unpasteurised, vegan brews."
"Quench your thirst with bold beers from Hackney Wick's Howling Hops brewery, where the tanks are connected directly to the taps. Take your pick from the Tropical Deluxe Pale Ale or the strong Platform Contest, alongside more tank-tastic sour beers. And if a pint is not enough, order a flagon."
"‘Chay’ means ‘vegetarian’ in Vietnamese, but these guys actually give your street-food favourites a totally vegan twist – thanks to seitan, walnut and mushroom pâté, lemongrass soya, sriracha ‘mayo’, seaweed ‘crunch’ and other goodies. Here you’ll find plant-based versions of bánh mì, bibimbap, noodle salads, steamed bao buns (filled with kimchi, Korean fried tofu and even fake ‘char siu’) as well as excellent lunchtime bento boxes with a choice of bao and noodle salad. Don’t miss: Soya ‘chick’n’ noodle salad with vegan fish sauce (£7.50)"
"This family-run locals’ favourite in Shepherd’s Bush is known for its super authentic North Eastern Thai cuisine. The occasionally eccentric service and slightly tired traditional décor only add to the charm. The flavours here are unusual, fresh and deeply satisfying."
"This newly refurbished restaurant inside the Richmond Hill Hotel is made up of a series of exquisitely designed Art Deco spaces and a seasonal 'turf to table' inspired menu that celebrates local produce and heritage. In simpler terms, the crowd-pleasing all-day menu prioritises familiarity over foodie fireworks, but it works. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available alongside a bottomless brunch menu."
"Brand new restaurant and bar within the Richmond Hill Hotel’s iconic setting, celebrating traditional British seasonal ingredients and an eclectic mix of ‘turf to table’ inspired menus."
"Restaurants Austrian Marylebone. If your idea of romance is waltzing round old Vienna to the sound of Strauss, you can capture some of that old ‘Blue Danube’ magic with a trip to this instantly comforting Mittel-European number from Messrs Corbin & King. Schnitzels, sausages, ice-cream coupes and – of course – incomparable viennoiserie provide welcome sustenance, with excellent hot chocolate and coffee adding that vital X factor."
"Corbin and King’s refined Marylebone homage to Viennese waltzes past and present is always a fine, low-key luxurious breakfast venue, and in the spirit of fried batter its Austrian crêpes, served either with apricot and brandy jam or a gianduja-approximating hazelnut and chocolate, make a winning centrepiece around which to build an Austrian feast."
"For dessert on-the-go, Churros Buenos in London Designer Outlet is some takeaway sweet satisfaction. The kiosk serves up warm, traditional churros you can dip of fill with the perfect sauce. Plus, all churros are made egg-free, so they're ideal for those with allergies and dietary requirements."
"Using proper Sardianian ingredients this place is a perfect blend of authentic Italian and fun British ice cream - the gelo buns (ice cream filled brioche buns) sound incredible. As well as cones and cups you can get waffles, ice cream cakes and frozen yogurt. Get MyLondon news with Alexa"
"Authentic, no-fuss, great-tasting Italian under the arches with an urban-chic style. Choose either the fairy-lit and ivy-coated cosy outdoor seating or the candle-lit cosy interior with its rustic wooden tables, and you won't be disappointed. Keep an eye on their event schedule for charming wine-tastings complete with food pairings.Why is it the perfect romantic restaurant?"
"5 out of 5 stars Restaurants Contemporary European Bethnal Green"
"With its promise of ‘health and happiness’ boxes and its ‘fresh not fried’ ethos, Itsu epitomises Asian-themed clean fast food. It was a colour-coded conveyor-belt pioneer, but sushi is just one of its ‘eat beautiful’ star turns – don’t miss the ‘potsu’ pots, fusion gyoza and rice bowls. Flagship site: 47 King’s Road, SW3 4NB"