A Foodie’s Long Weekend: The Best Spots To Eat & Drink in London

For anyone that doesn’t know me, I live up North in Derbyshire. And with my friends and family all being based up North too, it means I often don’t get to visit Southern cities – London included! So when we booked this weekend, I wasted no time planning our itinerary. Does anyone else map out their entire day around food? (Just me? Thought so.)

Naturally, I had to document every bite and sip for my fellow food-obsessed readers. So, if you’re on the hunt for delicious, Instagram-worthy, and downright indulgent food recommendations in London, keep on reading.

 

Friday

Harrods 

Since we were travelling to London around lunchtime, we decided to make a pit stop at Harrods Food Hall. It sounds super boujee, I know – but honestly, a lot of their takeaway lunch items are surprisingly reasonable (and much better quality than your average grab-and-go).

We picked up the Teriyaki Salmon Salad and the Prawn Noodle Salad for just £12. Both were fresh, flavour-packed, and exactly what we needed for a quick lunch before diving into the rest of the weekend. It can get super crowded in the food hall on weekends, but for a speedy, tasty option in central London, it’s absolutely worth it.

 

Flesh & Buns – Oxford Circus

In the afternoon, we mooched around the more “touristy” side of London – but honestly, we were basically counting down the minutes until our booking for Flesh & Buns – it ended up being the best food I ate all weekend.

We were kindly invited to try their tasting menu (and at just £50 per person, it’s one of the best-value menus I’ve ever come across in London). When I say we rolled out of there absolutely stuffed, I’m not exaggerating.

The insane selection of food included:

• Crispy rice crackers served with avocado shiso and a zingy tomato salsa dip
• Salmon, asparagus & avocado sushi rolls
• Ceviche with salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and canchita
• Korean fried chicken wings (with the most insane sticky sriracha-style coating – a firm favourite) and grilled tenderstem broccoli
• Crispy fried spicy squid with a yuzu dipping sauce
• Smoked pork rib,  Japanese fried chicken, and pickled vegetables – served with unlimited bao buns
• DIY s’mores for dessert, complete with a mini tabletop fire for roasting marshmallows

We of course tried a selection of incredible drinks whilst we were there too – an Ichigo Basil Martini, a Zen Garden (elderflower, mint, melon, and lemon, topped with prosecco), sparkling Sake, and a few glasses of Cava. We’ll certainly be hitting this spot again on our next London visit!

 

Flute – in the Broadwick Hotel, Soho

This might honestly be one of the most stunning bars I’ve ever stepped into. Perched on the top floor of the popular Broadwick Hotel, Flute offers sweeping views across the Soho and Carnaby area – perfect on a sunny evening.

We kept it low-key with just a couple of glasses of wine and some classic nibbles (olives and crisps), but the menu is made for indulgence. Think champagne by the glass, caviar bumps, and beautifully crafted cocktails – all enjoyed in interiors that are just as gorgeous as the view. The space is dressed in dreamy pinks and deep greens, giving it a luxe but playful feel that’s so very Soho.

 

Saturday

Okay, so the actual reason I was in London over the weekend was because we had booked a day ticket to All Points East – a music festival held in Victoria Park. Whilst RAYE and a few other music faves were amazing, we also enjoyed some great food and drink!

Oatley Popup

The first thing we spotted after getting through the festival gates was the Oatley On The Rocks popup, where they were handing out free matcha-based drinks – and obviously, I couldn’t say no to that. I chose a lavender matcha, whilst Jordan opted for the Dirty Matcha (essentially matcha with a shot of coffee). Whilst it certainly wasn’t the best matcha I’ve ever had, it was a great alternative to your usual iced latte.

 

Wokboy London

Festival food can be hit or miss – often overpriced, sometimes underwhelming – but Wokboy did actually impress me. These guys are usually based in Camden Market, and their pop-up stall was easily serving some of the best festival food I’ve had in years.

We both opted for a variation of their signature Korean fried chicken and fries, topped with a sauce of your choice. I opted for sweet chilli, and Jordan opted for hoisin. Delicious, filling, and kept us dancing!

 

Sunday

Sunday morning started bright and early with a stroll to Columbia Road Flower Market, just ten minutes from our hotel. Between cooing over piles of stunning peonies, hydrangeas, and everything in between, we nipped into almost every eatery we saw!

Cafe Columbia 

The first stop was Cafe Columbia. I ordered the poached salmon bagel with cucumber, cream cheese, and crisp lettuce, and at just £5 it was a total steal. The café itself has that classic East London charm – slightly chaotic once the market crowds pick up, but in the best way. If you want a simple but tasty bite before diving back into the flower stalls, this is the place.

Monmouth Coffee 

Not long after enjoying the salmon bagel, we spotted Monmouth Coffee serving the most insane looking pastries. We tried a caramel-apple crodough (a croissant-doughnut hybrid), vegetable samosas and a canalé. The crodough was decadent and a little on the sweet side for me, but Jordan happily demolished it. The canalé, on the other hand, completely won me over – chewy on the outside, soft and custardy inside, with a gorgeous caramelised flavour. Honestly, wandering Columbia Road while nibbling pastries and coffee is the perfect Sunday for me!

 

Vagabond Wine Bar

One of my favourite stops of the weekend had to be Vagabond Wines. If you’ve never been, it’s basically self-serve wine heaven – you just grab a glass, tap your card on the machine, and choose a wine to try. Think DIY wine tasting but way more fun (and slightly dangerous if you get carried away). I took full advantage and sampled everything from crisp, buttery whites to bold reds (not usually my thing, but actually loved it!) and tried a few orange wines.

Food-wise, Vagabond were running a Bank Holiday tapas special, and for £20 we got a dreamy little spread, including: 

• Iberico ham croquets

• Spicy pil pil prawns

• Patatas bravas

• Fried padron peppers

Eastcheap Records

Whilst we didn’t grab any food here, Eastcheap Records definitely deserves a mention for the atmosphere alone. We wandered in after spotting a singer mid-set, and it was instantly a vibe. Once the live music finished, the space transformed into a buzzing dancefloor with a brilliant DJ set.

Cosy lighting, exposed brick walls, and shelves stacked with vinyls gave it a moody, intimate feel. The drinks list was impressive too, with a solid selection of cocktails and a delicious wines. 

 

Monday

Dal Fiorentino

The perfect light bite or quick lunch spot. Dal Fiorentino is a small Italian sandwich shop tucked away on Brick Lane in Shoreditch, and it’s an absolute gem. All of their deli meats are sliced to order, and the staff were so friendly. We even got a little sample of their freshly baked focaccia while waiting for our sandwiches to be made! Here’s what we ordered:

• The limited edition ‘La Golosa’ – spicy salami, gorgonzola cheese, caramelized onions, and spicy chilli oil 
• The ‘Paradiso’ – fennel salami, creamy buffalo mozzarella, artichoke cream, and sundried tomatoes 

I kept seeing this spot pop up on my socials, and it definitely lives up to the hype – simple ingredients, done really, really well.

Dishoom – Carnaby Street

Whilst I tend to try and avoid chain restaurants when deciding where to eat, I will absolutely make an exception for Dishoom. If you’ve never heard of Dishoom, It’s a unique Indian-Persian restaurant, offering small plates with a street food feel. It is some of the best Indian food you’ll ever eat – but if you’re planning to go, just make sure you make your reservation a few weeks ahead!

We tucked into their Keema Pau and Chicken Kathi Roll for a light lunch. The Keema Pau came served with a soft, buttery roll to dip into the saucy lamb keema curry, which had a perfect, gentle spice to it. The Kathi Roll was also delicious – and possibly my favourite of the two – a flaky paratha with a thin omelette-style layer,  with a filling of smoky chicken tikka pieces, and a tangy chutney on the side. 

Whilst we didn’t order them this time around, I’d definitely recommend their House Chaat and Chilli Broccoli Salad alongside any of their delicious curries. I swear I dream about these two side dishes on the regular!

 

All Things Food & Drink With Savery Grazing

And that wraps up my London Bank Holiday foodie diary! If you’re planning your own trip, I hope this gives you some delicious inspo – whether you’re after street food, cocktails, or somewhere a little more special.

Have you eaten at any of these spots? Or have a London recommendation I need to try next time? Drop me an email or DM. Don’t forget to check out my blog for more foodie recommendations, recipes, and more.

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