Mentioned by CN Traveller
London has some of the best breweries in the UK: These are the ones you should try
"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."
"Though the bar only opens Thursday to Saturday The Camden Town Brewery has already established a strong standing with London beer connoisseurs, boasting some of the most advanced brewing equipment of any UK micro-brewing company. The impressive range is guaranteed to satisfy any pallet, from their hoppy pale ale to the deeper and stronger stouts. The Camden Town Brewery also offers tours and Beer tasting for the true beer enthusiasts."
"A post shared by Camden Town Brewery (@camdentownbrewery) on Feb 13, 2019 at 4:09am PST. One of the trendier parts of London, Camden is home to plenty of hip bars that serve traditional British booze. Camden Town Brewery (the “Home of Hell’s Lagers”) is where you can see how they’re made."
"To call Mercato Metropolitano a food hall is really to do it a disservice – this is one of London’s best foodie spots, with an emphasis on urban farming and community. Featuring two huge halls of street food stalls, you can pretty much eat your way around the world just by meandering between Mercato Metropolitano’s food offerings.In particular, don’t miss the authentic Spanish tapas of Abel or the to-die-for ice cream at Badiani. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday between 8am and 11pm (12am on Fridays), 11am to 12am on Saturdays and 11am to 10pm on Sundays."
"Choose from mouthwatering bites from more than 40 vendors, browse stalls full of artisan produce and soak up the chilled vibes in the indoor and outdoor seating areas at Elephant and Castle's Mercato Metropolitano. If you're keen for more, check out its sister venue, Mercato Mayfair, which sits within an 18th-century St Mark’s Church, now a hub of international yet sustainable dining."
"London’s popular Italian food halls—found in Mayfair and Elephant & Castle—are back with their brilliant street food offerings Wednesday through till Sunday, for takeaway and deliveries only. Meanwhile, MM Grocery will continue to stay open throughout the week. Hand sanitisers will be out in both venues and social-distancing measures will apply."
"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."
"It is known as the location of the prime meridian and gave its name to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and sits first on the meridian line. The observatory is now maintained as a museum and visitors can learn about the history and discoveries at the observatory, stand on the famous Meridian line, visit Flamsteed House, see a camera obscura, and see the great equatorial telescope. Admission includes an audioguide to make the most of your self-guided visit."
"One of the best breweries in London, Meantime Brewing Company are sharing some of their beer knowledge with fellow pint-loving folk during their tours and tastings. Along with a show around of the factory and a look at all the processes needed to make the drinks, you'll also get to enjoy four delicious sips."
"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."
"Another Bermondsey gem, this popular South London brewery has 16 taps to try, and an ever-changing collage f classics and new experiments to try. Again located under the railway arches of Bermondsey, the large taproom and bar give guests a chance to try some very unique flavours, ranging from the zesty to the chocolatey."
"The brew house offers beers and pale ales as well as ageing sours and dark ales – all in colourful tins aimed at having a lower environmental impact."
"This excellent Blackheath bar is pouring out some of the freshest pints in South London. Head over the heath and sample some of the tank-fresh beer, as well as some delicious plates of pizza, pasta and vegan eats from their food menu."
"24 taps mean a lot of diversity for this tap room-cum-blendery. With worldwide beers all lovingly crafted within the oak barrels behind the bar, the Barrel Project is one for those who want an almost overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to picking their drink of the evening. Guests at Hotels in Paddington Hyde Park won’t want to miss the amazing array of internationally brewed beers, giving everything from Big Milk Stouts to the Sour Solistice IPA."
"Situated along the popular Bermondsey Beer Mile, The Barrel Project is a cool taproom housed underneath an archway. Not only does it contain around 200 oak casks, but it's also got 24 taps of house-aged and international brews."
"Known as the place angsty teenagers, punks and creatives go to hang out, Camden Market is a must-visit in London if you want to experience an energetic and engaging counterculture. Made up of a number of adjoining markets, you’ll be able to find iconic band t-shirts, sterling silver jewellery, tattoo parlours and bespoke boutiques selling 1950s clothing and serious rock and roll attire. Camden Lock is the place to go for eating, with a huge range of street food stalls selling cuisine from all corners of the globe."
"Camden Town is home to a series of markets, encompassing an astonishingly eclectic array of goods to suit all tastes. Pick up some vintage clothes, handmade jewellery, music, or bric-a-brac. The market around Camden Lock features designers and artists, with a selection of international food vendors, too."
"Located in this spot in some form or another since the 13th century (possibly since 1014), this fantastic market is a sight in its own right. Expect it to be crowded – even on days with limited traders (Monday and Tuesday) it always seems to be overflowing with food lovers, wide-eyed visitors and Londoners in search of inspiration for their meals. The market specialises in high-end fresh products; there are also plenty of takeaway stalls and lots of dessert options."
"The original outdoor/indoor foodie haunt, Borough Market is coming into its own as we enter the colder months. And the evening supper options are also more plentiful than ever. Difficult-to-get-a-table-but-oh-so-worth-the-wait pasta palace Padella now has alfresco seating, which means there’s less wait to scoop up cacio e pepe and a warming bowl of rich ragù."
"And finally on our list of the best desserts in London, it’s Borough Market. If you just can’t decide what kind of dessert you want to enjoy, the best place for variety is Borough Market. You’ll find every kind of dessert under the sun being sold here, so you can take a stroll around and really pinpoint what it is your sweet tooth is craving!"
"According to regulars, this terrific Thai eatery in Belgravia serves simply unforgettable fare, from deep-fried filet of whitefish with sweet and spicy sauce to fresh prawns steamed in tom yum sauce with chilli and garlic. The attractive dining room bears the influence of feng shui principles and Eastern minimalism, both of which impart a sleek, futuristic feel that seems to suit the place's fashion-conscious clientele. Reservations are a must."
"Just a short walk from London’s West End theatres,L’Escargot offers a fantastic pre-theatre menu as well as their usual a la carte fare and Sunday lunch options. Choose a table in front of the roaring wood fire and enjoy a whole lobster, sample the liquorice beef or opt for the traditional snails. All of the dishes on offer are the usual French bistro classics with a L’Escargot twist, and can be accompanied by a bottle of fine French wine; just ask the waiter to hand-pair the wine with the dishes."
"Georges Gaudin, the restaurant moved further up Greek Street in 1927 and was renamed after its best-loved dish. Perhaps its most famous period was in the eighties when it was taken over by Nick Lander and Jancis Robinson (their son Will now runs the Quality Chophouse among others) and the dining room was run by the iconic GM Elena Salvoni. After a few years finding its feet in a modern dining scene, it’s now firmly back, firing on all cylinders as one of Soho’s most iconic restaurants."
"Ten years ago, owners of the Rake were told the pub wouldn’t last its first Christmas. Now, it’s easily one of the top drinking holes in the London Bridge area, with ten beers on draught, and 130 bottles and cans in the fridge. The shoebox-sized bar has recently been renovated, though its trademark wall of visiting brewers’ signatures has persisted."
"If you're craving some seriously good BBQ food, you don't need to book a flight to Memphis. Hop on the train to Camden, where Porky's offers deliciously deep-fried, juicy southern-fried chicken, whisky by the glass and a rock 'n' roll playlist to boot."
"You can get that exact dish in Porky’s, another mini-chain of American diners in London. But, as the name suggests, pigs are what you want. Porky’s pulled pork, a dish very much a la mode, is hard to beat."