Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Highams Park

"What: Sky Garden may be known for its lush greenery (the perfect backdrop for an impromptu photoshoot), but its sprawling views of the capital are also worth a mention. The Sky Pod bar, which isn’t separated from the rest of the space, allows guests to stand around admiring the views or pull up a chair to rest their legs. All the usual drinks can be found here (including a selection of signature cocktails), while the food menu features sharing platters of charcuterie, seafood or dessert."

"Located on floor 36 of the iconic Walkie Talkie, the views from the Darwin Brasserie are pretty striking. Although Fenchurch Restaurant – one of Sky Garden’s other offerings – is higher, the Darwin Brasserie has better views thanks to its position further back from the Sky Garden’s atrium roof. A good option if you want to enjoy the sights without the flocks of camera totting tourists."

"Peruvian and Japanese cuisine have a well-known partnership, but at Sushisamba, the Brazilians are joining in the party too. You’ll find an El Topo salmon nigiri served with jalapeno and melted mozzarella, and a kobe steak with churrasco among the larger dishes. The sushi here, of course, comes with a view at the city location, where diners can enjoy the fruits of the 38th and 39th floor spot in 110 Bishopsgate."

"OK, so Sushisamba is not strictly Japanese but rather a fusion, mixing with south American flavours and excellent cuts of meat. It remains one of our most booked restaurants and since opening it has been a mainstay of the London restaurant scene. You pay a premium for the views of the London skyline, but the quality of the sushi is very, very good, and the stuff they do in the grill is great."

"Sushisamba – the Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese joint – is finally back up and running, and is certainly one of the best City of London rooftop bars. The indoor restaurant is now open as well as both outdoor terraces. Choose between the sprawling views on the East Terrace or toast the summer on the Tree Terrace under our iconic 26ft orange tree."

"The “highest 24/7 restaurant in London”, Duck & Waffle in the Heron Tower is almost as spectacular as the ride up the lift is thrilling. Dishes, which are matched, but not limited to their appropriate time of the day include duck egg en cocotte with soldiers; ox cheek doughnuts and their signature crispy duck confit and waffle; and corn dogs, duck kebabs, and crispy pig ears. Duck and waffle at Duck and Waffle, in the City — a 24-hour restaurant that is more than a late-night outlier"

"A sour, hesitant welcome by a pompous ground-floor doorman made for a bad start to my visit to Duck & Waffle on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower. Once in situ service is still somewhat inconsistent - I found it slow at times, over-attentive at others - but overall the vibe here is relaxed and informal. The destination is more moderately priced than Sushisamba below, the clientele more diverse and the offering more accessible."

"Restaurants Contemporary European Liverpool Street. When 24-hour licensing was introduced in the UK, we looked forward to round-the-clock craic. Not much actually changed – but at least it meant London could welcome this swanky, sky-scraping restaurant and bar with its 24/7 opening hours and spectacular 360-degree views of the capital."

"With the sunlight streaming into Flor’s first floor windows of a Saturday, the chic bakery, wine bar and restaurant by the laudable Lyle’s crew feels heaven-sent. Pam Yung is now firmly at the helm, and with lunch undivided from its mid-morning cousin, dishes might include cucumber aggressed by chicory and cocoa; a scallop aguachile with tarocco orange and rhubarb; or a maritozzo overspilling its cod brandade filling. Needless to say, the wine list is stellar."

"The second restaurant from Lyle’s chef-patron James Lowe, Flor, offers a more informal style of eating. This compact two-storey wine bar-restaurant-bakery sits on the edge of busy Borough market. Small sharing plates like the mussel flatbread with Spenwood cheese and garlic have had customers flocking since its opening in 2019."

"Outstanding pizza slingers ASAP have left the building, but outdoor seating continues for superb pastries and Pam Yung’s eclectic approach to modern London cooking."

"Residents and workers in Fitzrovia are pretty lucky if they're pancake lovers with the Riding House Caf� serving up fluffy American-style pancakes all-year-round. But just for Pancake Day they're offering a special bottomless pancake brunch where you can order as many of their signature pancake dishes - berries with vanilla clotted cream and triple smoked streaky bacon and maple syrup - as you like for �12.50 per head. With sweet or savoury to choose from, there will be stacks of pancakes with tiers of toppings to satisfy even the biggest appetites."

"Scouring the internet for some of the best pancakes in London?. There's a name that seems to be topping every list, and that's Riding House Cafe. Get yourself a Pancake Day delivery with their special box featuring everything from triple-smoked streaky bacon and banana maple to marshmallows and white chocolate chips."

"Buttermilk pancakes, served with berries, vanilla clotted cream, and maple syrup are delicious here. If you are looking for more pancake for your buck, Riding House Café is your best bet. They serve three beautiful buttermilk pancakes, topped with the loveliest vanilla clotted cream and berries too."

"One of the highlights at Market Halls West End is Good Birds, the rotisserie chicken concept from Flank’s Tom Griffiths. Rotisserie chicken might not sound all that exciting on paper but these really some seriously good birds, cooked low and slow over the flames. But where Good Birds really stands out are the sauces that you can choose to come with the chicken – there’s chicken gravy; fire cracker hot; and, our favourite, smoked chilli sambal."

"Restaurants Steakhouse Covent Garden. Here’s the deal at this singular no-bookings venue: £10 pays for a steak (‘flat iron’ is the US term for a full-flavoured but affordable leg cut), which is sliced into fat mini-slabs and served with a dinky pot of lamb’s lettuce. That’s it, apart from some proper sides, great-value wines and complimentary takeaway ice cream – no wonder there’s a queue."

"Restaurants Steakhouse Covent Garden. For those in need of a beef injection on a budget: at this no-bookings chain, £10 gets you a lovely, thin ‘flat iron’ steak sliced into little hunks, with a dinky pot of lamb’s lettuce. The look inside is understated cool, and there’s a killer cocktail list."

"Flat Iron makes it into our cheap eats London guide because where else can you get steak for under a tenner in London?!. The meat is good quality, juicy, tender and comes with a side salad. Sides like fries are extra and will take you over our cheap eats budget, but steak and salad works for lunch or a light dinner."

"This is the boutique hotel you need to go to if you’re in London to shop and splurge. The hotel itself is located on a trendy and quirky street called Monmouth Street, with its distinctive cobbled pavements and French restaurants, which makes the whole place seem wonderfully ancient. Within walking distance are the Royal Opera House, the River Thames, and several high-end and entertaining theaters."

"This gorgeous and discreet 58-room boutique hotel housed in a former French hospital features antiques, gorgeous, bright fabrics and quirky bric-a-brac to mark its individuality. There’s an excellent..."

"Located in the heart of Chelsea, The Phene is a charming gastropub that has got a slick choice come lunchtime. From light lunches that let you combine proteins and salads through to open sandwiches, lunch here is a healthy and tasty affair."

"Valentines Mansion & Gardens is a Grade II on the National Heritage List for both building and garden. Built in 1696, the mansion was for the widow of Archbishop of Canterbury John Tillotson's widow, Lady Tillotson. It later was the home of Sir Charles Raymond."

"No one should leave Hampton Court Palace without losing themselves in the 800m-long yew maze, included in entry; those not visiting the palace can enter via the gardens."

"Hours:Mon to Fri 1230 – 1500, 1730 – 2300 Sat 1230 – 2300 Sun 1230 – 2230; Open on Christmas Day"

"Restaurants British Southwark. Jammed onto the side of an architectural practice in Southwark, this serene Aussie-style café-restaurant is something of a quiet classic in this part of town. Come the weekend, the standard breakfast menu (lots of eggs and avocado, as you’d expect) expands into brunch territory with a host of sizeable salads and burgers, waffles, pancakes and favourites such as sweetcorn fritters."

"In a former tea warehouse on the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Bethnal Green Road, Pizza East Shoreditch serves seasonal smalls, wood-oven dishes, pizzas and some of the best cured meats & cheese in London. The oversized banqueting tables and bustling atmosphere make this a place that parents will enjoy just as much as little ones, Pizza East is a great choice if you’re in Shoreditch. There’s plenty to choose from on the menu, from their signature pizzas to mozzarella sticks, baked carbonara to gelato scoops."

"Can’t decide between a fancy members club and McDonald’s for brunch?. Pizza East has got you. The Shoreditch pizzeria from the Soho House team has recently revamped its brunch menus, which feature an Italian-American twist on some London breakfast favourites."

"Pizza , Italian"

"31/01/2021: I ordered a takeaway through Deliveroo, food arrived in good time but was the most appalling Chinese food I have ever seen. We did not eat it - it wasn't edible. Phoned the restaurant, they said to take it up with Deliveroo."