As people all over the world sneer, the English have no cuisine. But London is the place where varieties of world cuisine meet, greet and mate with each other.
London has more Michelin star restaurants than Paris and yet humdrum curry houses proliferate here. Chinese takeaways, Sushi parlours, all day breakfast diners, tiny Moroccan places (great shwarmas and couscous!), Turkish burger shops (yummy made-to-order burgers and jovial shopkeepers who'd want to talk to you about 'Bacchan' and 'Raj Kapoor'), Sheesha bars, Iranian, Ukrainian, Lebanese, Greek, Portuguese, French, Mexican restaurants, Irish steak houses and everything in between jostle with that great English contraption, the Pub. Life in England is incomplete without the pub.
If you visit the pub in the afternoon (the English are notorious for going to the pub even in the morning) try a traditional pub lunch. Usually comprising a meat roast, gravy and at least eight different types of boiled vegetables, the pub lunch is an acquired taste. Some non-English love it for its robustness, others blanch at the thought of eating it. (See Nightlife for details)
Vegetarians and other animals
Since it's a classic metropolis, vegetarians are well catered in London (no Vegetarian? So you'll eat fish? nonsense here). For some guaranteed good food that won't eat into your pounds, try Wagamama, the noodle bar serving funky Japanese and Chinese fare in a minimal, chic setting. We like their Miso soup and Yasai Chilli Men, Yasai Yaki Soba and Yasai Katsu Curry. (There is an outlet at the lovely Embankment area. Take the tube to Embankment.) The Deep Pan Pizza Company (branches at Victoria or Leicester Square; Tube stations go by the same name) is great value for money - go for their unlimited buffet and gorge on pastas, pizzas, scrummy salads and desserts.
EAT cafe is good for brunch, serving a wide variety of soups, sandwiches and salads. Try the Char-grilled vegetables, feta cheese, rocket and pesto Panini. Cafe Uno with branches all over the city serves great Bruschetta and Pasta Arrabiatta. Dine at the one at Oxford Street when the shopping tires you out. Also drop into Las Iguana's, a contemporary Mexican restaurant with friendly staff serving great fajitas and mojitos (tube: Embankment).
Those who do not have a penchant for vegetarian fare are also very well catered in these places. Also visit Wasabi for delectable 'express' sushi. Although inexpensive curry houses proliferate in London, visit the upmarket Indian restaurants in neighbourhoods such as Earl's Court and Kensington for dishes as innovative as smoked salmon kebabs and feta cheese samosas savoured with wines from an extensive list!
Culture Vulture
As night falls, head towards Covent Garden (tube station by same name). While the area itself is lovely (see Activities), your London experience is incomplete if you do not dine at one of the Italian restaurants here. If the fickle English weather is on your side (no rain, no cruel winds, bit of sun) dine al fresco. Cough up some cash and go the whole hog - lobster risotto, fine wine, jazz for music, stars for company - it's an experience, we guarantee, you will never forget.
China Town
When at Leicester Square, visit Chinatown, which lies behind Piccadilly Circus (take the tube to either Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square). After the pervasive grey and beige of London, Chinatown bustles with colour and crowds and smells of garlic and ginger. You will find restaurants to suit all budgets here - check the menu cards placed outside before entering. Also, apart from Chinese there are a number of Korean eateries here. Sample their soups - scented and so exotic - duck's eggs and the like. The food will taste different, maybe a little bland, but it's fresh, subtly aromatic and the portions large. Appetisers always comprise fragrant green tea. Come here for the ambience, although seafood lovers will thoroughly enjoy themselves! We like Wong Kei on Wardour Street - no frills restaurant serving wholesome Chinese food at throwaway prices. Also worth a try is a little Korean restaurant opposite Wong Kei.
Et cetra
In central London if your nose leads you towards the wonderful aroma of frying sausages and onions, do not resist! People set kiosks on sidewalks just anywhere and the sausages are brilliant to munch with a good dose of mustard.
And when the pitiless British wind is slashing at your face, head for hot pancakes doled out at a kiosk by the Thames, run by a cheery lady in the Waterloo area (tube: Westminster Bridge). You can choose your toppings (bananas, apples, maple syrup, honey, chocolate!) and wash it down with fresh juice.
