Earth Kitchen, Levan, Yeni, Now On The Resy Hit List

Because if Comté fries weren’t a thing before, they definitely are now. Nicholas Balfe’s follow-up to Salon is a corker—an all-day bistro in Peckham serving light, modern dishes that delight as they beguile, and a vibe closer to a buzzing wine bar than a stiff dining room. Share a few dishes (the celeriac ravioli and boudin noir are amazing) and luxuriate in a wine list that’s especially strong on bottles from Jura. If you want to understand what makes London such a great city for dining out in 2019, come here. 

For reservations, call the restaurant on 020 7732 2256. 

Because the P.Franco and Bright guys have turned their attention to Japanese drinking food, and all signs point to three-for-three. Simplicity and low-key excellence are cornerstones at each of their restaurants, and Peg is no exception—they don’t take bookings, and the menu is simply two blackboards offering either grills or izakaya-inspired small plates. Meanwhile, drinks are as good as you’d expect from the owners of one of London’s most lauded modern wine bars.

Walk-ins only. 

Because one of Hackney’s oldest arts venues is back in a big way, and its restaurant looks set to be amazing. And, while this particular corner of Dalston excels at cosy boltholes, a larger dining room is a welcome addition. With ex-St. John exec chef Chris Gillard heading up the kitchen, you’re in good hands—plonk down on a banquette, and work through a menu that includes polenta with salsa verde, braised chicken with leeks and aioli, and an apple tarte tatin accompanied by luscious Jersey cream.

Because only weeks after opening, Michael Sager’s latest keeps getting better. Having quickly cemented as an all-day destination in a neighbourhood not exactly short on options, the restaurant has quietly shifted emphasis towards perfect, crisp pizzas to match their outstanding cocktails and wines. The upstairs dining room remains one of the loveliest places to sit in London right now, and the nitro-poured cocktails (espresso martinis on tap, anyone?) are some of the best in the city and a ludicrous deal to boot. 

Because Filipino cuisine is finally receiving props, and this is one of the best places to eat it. Far from a mere ‘trend’, the contributions of the London Filipino community have been largely unheralded, that is, until cult street food chefs BBQ Dreamz recently secured funding for a permanent restaurant. Until that opens, you can find their unbelievable 24-hour sous-vide Lechon and Adobo-glazed wings over at MEATLiquor in King’s Cross, at a barely-believable 28GBP for 11 courses.  

Because modern Turkish is one of the best things you can eat in London right now. Head chef Civan Er’s take on modern Anatolian cuisine won him plaudits in Istanbul and, with the likes of places like Kyseri and Oklava setting the pace, he’s striking while the iron’s hot. The light-filled space on Beak Street is perfect for people-watching in Soho, while feasting on dishes like oven-roasted beef ribs with isot pepper and aubergine manti doused in goats’ yoghurt.

For reservations, call the restaurant on 02034751903.  

Because anyone with the bottle to open a Michelin-baiting restaurant in Bethnal Green (of all places) deserves your attention. Chefs Paulo Airaudo and Rafael Cagali both have Michelin pedigree, and their thrilling nine-course tasting menu seamlessly blends Latin and Italian influences—something even the most jaded Londoners can get behind. Fay Maschler certainly agrees. 

For reservations, call the restaurant on 02070622052. 

Because sometimes, more is more. A colossal, crystal-studded Damien Hirst Pegasus erupting from a wall in Selfridges might not be the subtlest design detail, but Brasserie of Light is undeniably a good time—after all, it shares an owner with The Ivy and Scott’s, who know a thing or two about atmosphere, glamour and most importantly, fun. The food offers playful takes on brasserie classics, allowing you to focus on soaking up the room and ordering a few too many drinks. 

For reservations, call the restaurant on 02039409600.

Because come March, you and everyone else in London will want to visit, and it will be impossible to get in. Chef-owner Asma Khan’s debut on Chef’s Table on Netflix virtually guarantees a rising tide of interest in her restaurant and the royal Mughlai food it specialises in, which is notably prepared by an all-female brigade of chefs. The food’s delicious, and there’s real heart and a story at the centre of each dish. Go while you still can.  

For reservations, call the restaurant on 02072872828.  

Because it makes the phrase ‘there’s nothing to eat in Victoria’ obsolete. Part-utilitarian saviour, part-gourmet fantasy, the Victoria iteration of Market Halls gathers several critically-acclaimed London restaurants under one roof. There’s a light-filled upstairs deck for drinks, and a ground floor area for grab-and-go items. The lineup? There’s buns from Marksman, incredible salt beef sandwiches from Monty’s Deli, dim sum from Baozi Inn, roti canai from Roti King and the city’s best udon noodles courtesy of Koya.