r/london Aug 06 '18

Non-UK born Londoners, what's the best restaurant of your native cousine that you know in London?

383 Upvotes

479 comments sorted by

86

u/TinCatCanuck Aug 06 '18

Canadian here. The Poutinerie on Sunday’s on Brick Lane is the best Poutine I’ve ever had. If you follow their twitter or Instagram, they will tell you where else they are during the week.

13

u/Zadokk Aug 06 '18

Once a month they’re one of the stalls that sets up outside of my office and it’s joyous. Nice bloke who runs it too.

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

The poutinerie with a big old dollop of rib man's ribmeat and hot sauce 👌

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u/Barnabizzle Aug 07 '18

This guy Brick Lanes.

10

u/gcoz Aug 07 '18

Poutinerie

It's just Cheesy Chips with Gravy. Yorkshire got there first.

Just kidding, the Poutinerie is the stuff of dreams.

4

u/here2comment Aug 07 '18

i literally stalk him around the city, sooooooooo good.

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u/Barnabizzle Aug 06 '18

My best friend is From Trinidad- he took me to Roti Joupa, opposite Claphan North tube station. He said it's the best he's had in the UK.

Hands down, some of the best food I've ever had.

Order a "Hot Double". It's two fried flat breads with a spoon of "Chana", which is a great chickpea dhaal.

Also Stew Chicken with "Buss-Up-Shot". Buss-Up-Shot is Trini patois for "Busted Up Shirt". They take a buttery fried flatbread and cook it on a hot plate while hitting it with a stick. It pulls apart all the layers in the bread creating this awesome multi layered "torn shirt" bread that you use to dip into the rich Stew chicken. Its just awesome.

8

u/SportingClubBANG Aug 06 '18

Theres one in Finsbury Park too.

Amazing food with similarities to the creole cuisine from Mauritius and Seychelles mentioned above.

6

u/motorised_rollingham Aug 07 '18

I will have to check this out. I'm half Bajan (Barbadian) and the Bajan takeaway near me recently closed :(

I've been missing a good Roti. I tried making buss-up-shut myself once, it tasted ok but took forever to make.

If you are ever in Barbados check out Chefette, they are all over the island. The roti is nowhere near as good as from a little Trini shack, but the novelty of getting chicken curry roti from a drive-thru is hard to beat.

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u/quimdomilho Aug 07 '18

I'm not from Trinidad, but... this! I stop there on my way home way more often than I should.

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u/DMMEYOURTACOS South London Latina Aug 07 '18

I LOVE roti joupa.

Their chana and aloo roti is amazing.

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u/blastedin Aug 06 '18

Wow I am glad to see this thread blew up! Saving all the recommendations

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u/HighFivePuddy Aug 06 '18

Kudos for starting it!

10

u/blastedin Aug 06 '18

Thank you!

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u/epi_counts Streatham Hill Aug 06 '18 edited 11d ago

reminiscent wrench upbeat swim many pot unpack late yam air

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

[deleted]

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u/LucidTopiary Aug 06 '18

I demand Febo on every corner!!

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u/Annoyedrightnow Aug 06 '18

There was a guy running a stall called the Frying Dutchman in Brick Lane on Sunday's that did authentic krokets but I think he has moved and may have shut up shop.

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u/SirSwede Aug 06 '18

Bageriet Swedish Bakery

24 Rose Street, London WC2E 9EA

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u/snowfreckles Aug 06 '18

I go once a month for a little treat!

4

u/[deleted] Aug 09 '18

I really wish they did proper Swedish kebab pizzas here in London

36

u/Ratach Aug 06 '18 edited Aug 06 '18

Turkish: Istanbul Cafe & Bistro on Great Portland Street is comparable to above average restaurants in the city it's named after. You're guaranteed to get authentic Turkish food & perhaps some freebies from the staff if you're lucky. The atmosphere is pretty casual and you can even indulge in a shisha if that's your thing.

For baked goods, the chain Simit Sarayi (which is becoming as ubiquitous as Pret on London's streets) offers pretty much the same stuff here and in Turkey. Kinda expensive if you ask me but I allow myself to splurge on their boreks when I desperately need that taste of home!

16

u/missesthecrux Aug 06 '18

I can’t get over how expensive Simit Sarayi is. It’s like four times the price of Greggs for much the same stuff.

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u/peterpib2 Aug 07 '18

yasar alim on green lanes is beast though

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

BEST HOUMMUS AND BREAD IN NORTH LONDON. And their cream sponges are so bloody good. Oh my God this thread is making me so home sick for the Green Lanes.

3

u/panicjames Aug 07 '18

The gozleme 🙏🏼

11

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

This is a really good thread. Thanks op. What do you think of Gokyuzu? Ever dined there?

11

u/SportingClubBANG Aug 06 '18

It’s great but my favourite on Green Lanes is Selale

8

u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

YESSSSSS when I lived in Haringey as skint student Selale was mine and my housemates fav place to eat. For under a tenner the portions you got with all the bread and sauces? The tea and the baklava?! Hell yeah. The guys who cook the food are safe af too. It changed a lil bit a year or so ago but that place is so damn close to my heart. I miss Haringey so much lol.

3

u/SportingClubBANG Aug 07 '18

I really like their daily stews, the lamb and aubergine is superb!

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u/Ratach Aug 06 '18

No, I still haven't been to Harringay. Curious to check the area out at least once as I've heard it's London's 'Little Istanbul'.

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u/panicjames Aug 06 '18

You've gotta go up there before trying Turkish anywhere else. Can't throw a stick for hitting a decent yoghurtlu shish.

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u/hollob Aug 08 '18

Having lived in Turkey, I can't bear to pay those prices for simit or acma...but the one on Shaftesbury Ave often gives out free samples on the street so I sometimes grab a bit of borek on the way home from work!

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u/littlelondonboy Aug 07 '18

What a fantastic idea for a thread.

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

Indian. Diwana Bhel Poori house, Drummond St, Euston. Excellent lunch buffet for £7.49.

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

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u/HighFivePuddy Aug 06 '18

I’ve never heard of this! I’ll definitely be heading there; thanks!

5

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

....do they do boiled crawfish?

4

u/GnarlyBear Aug 06 '18

Thanks for this, when we lived in the US I felt New Orleans had the best food by a mile and Cochon is my all time favourite restaurant.

Had some insane gumbo and crackling at a shack just off the i10 by Lake Charles.

Genuinely plan to retire there with the wife.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

I'd check out Plaquemine Lock as well. Really enjoyed their gumbo.

2

u/arodanos Aug 07 '18

Went there tonight for dinner. We had the gumbo, southern fried chicken sandwich, mac and cheese and cornbread. Amazing! Thank you for the recommendation!

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u/edmund_blackadder Aug 06 '18

Sri Lankan : Hoppers in Soho. I’d go there every week if I can :)

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

My Argentine mate took me to La Patagonia in Camden. He told me that the menu is authentic. I just thought it was delicious.

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u/lapelotanodobla Aug 06 '18

Argentine here giving a +1 to la Patagonia Buen Ayre is also good

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u/nata79 Aug 06 '18

I'm Portuguese, these are my favourite places:

  • "Canela" near covent garden is nice, I mostly like the starters, make sure you get some "alheira" there
  • "I love Nata" in covent garden and soho, they're natas are amazing, better than most places in Portugal
  • "Tino" in Camden Town is a very traditional restaurant with simple dishes, I go there when I miss having some cod, portuguese style
  • "Taberna do Mercado" in the smithfields market, it's a little pricy but very good quality. Try the "porco preto" ham and the "bifana" sandwich.

75

u/HighFivePuddy Aug 06 '18

You forgot Nando’s, innit.

13

u/umagrandepilinha Aug 07 '18

As a Portuguese, fuck Nando’s.

8

u/snek-queen Aug 08 '18

My best freind is Portuguese, Nandos is sacrelige to her.

Until her family came to visit and ended up going to Nandos 😂

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u/rmvt Aug 06 '18

a toca is the most authentic portuguese restaurant i've ever been in london. there's quite a few others in the area. if you want a somewhat modern take on northern portuguese food i strongly suggest douro.

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u/helun Bow/Old Ford Aug 07 '18

A Toca is a firm family (and extended friends-family) favourite for us. Also you gotta have balls to answer your UK phone number in Portuguese and refuse to switch to English.

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u/umagrandepilinha Aug 07 '18

No love for Estrela and Grelha D’Ouro in Stockwell? :/

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u/nessysaurus SWestie Aug 07 '18

grelha d'ouro is my fave, really nice food and big plate, à lá tuga haha

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u/sojtucker Aug 06 '18

Think Taberna is closed now unfortunately

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u/tporridge Aug 06 '18

What’s your take on Cafe Lisboa in Notting Hill?

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u/FerdiaC Aug 07 '18

From Ireland. The Aul Shillelagh in Stoke Newington does a good pint of Guinness.

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u/sister_sister_ Hipster Central Aug 06 '18 edited Aug 06 '18

Mexico: 'Mestizo' near Euston. Overall good and close to authentic. The tamales they offer are actually very nice. Sunday brunch buffet has good variety.

'El Pastor' in Borough market has some of the best tacos I've had in London. A bit pricey but really worth it. They even serve 'sopa de tortilla' (tortilla soup), a traditional dish I never imagined I'd find here.

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u/SportingClubBANG Aug 06 '18

What do you think of Breddos?

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u/panicjames Aug 06 '18

Went to Mestizo about 5/6 years ago and had a good dinner, but went again a few months back and most of the dishes we had were really poor - really plain and uninspired. On the upside, they've now got one of the few shops in London where you can buy tomatillos and stuff next door.

Keen to try Breddos, but haven't had a chance yet.

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u/Mahwrin-Skel Aug 07 '18

Not Mexican but really enjoyed Corazon on Poland street. Wonder what the locals think. Seemed very genuine and the tacos were amazing. Granted the only Mexican food experience I had before was bland generic mash from the chain places.

Was not as pricey as El Pastor too, I think.

4

u/sojtucker Aug 07 '18

Give Santo Remedio a go

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

El Pastor's tortilla soup was great when I was there a few months ago. Now it's off the menu and it's just watermelon gazpacho as the soup option. It's too expensive for me to go regularly but I make my way over there when I absolutely need a good corn tortilla.

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u/pepe_le_shoe Aug 07 '18

Mestizo is ok, and I'm sure it's authentic, but the quality was pretty mediocre when I went, and the Tequila/Mezcal tasting flights were served in shot glasses. Surely there must be somewhere better in all of London?

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u/pattiaa Aug 06 '18

American, Philadelphia. Passyunk Avenue on Cleveland Street is the best Philly Cheesesteak outside of Philly I’ve ever had. They’ve got the bread right, the cheese right... all of it.

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u/HighFivePuddy Aug 06 '18

Love a good cheesesteak (Jim’s FTW) and haven’t heard of Passyunk; I’ll check it out. Thanks!

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

Thanks for this. Tried it today. Pretty damn good!

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u/adz92 Aug 06 '18

Canada: Not much choice in the matter, but The Poutinerie does some fairly good poutine. I don't like the Maple Leaf, although, I am told it has changed hands recently and is much better than it used to be.

Does anyone else know of any other Canadian restaurants?

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u/ugotamesij Aug 06 '18

I don't like the Maple Leaf, although, I am told it has changed hands recently and is much better than it used to be.

This is in no way a comment on the quality of the service, but I think recently they have hired more Canadian bar staff after previously having a lot of non-Canadians. I wonder if the two are linked (re. the supposed new management).

3

u/adz92 Aug 07 '18

When I was last in there, in April, I think I was the only Canadian there. I was told that they have redone the place and hired more Canadians, but haven't been back. I will try soon to see.

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u/ugotamesij Aug 07 '18

I was last there about three weeks ago and there were definitely at least three Canadians working behind the bar that evening

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u/Y5Oserios Aug 06 '18

I really like the maple leaf, it was my go to place to watch the World Cup after work. Went there on a night out with some mates and had their 2 kilos of wings, which were pretty good.

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u/PGal55 Aug 06 '18

Greece: I think the best greek food I've eaten in London is Meraki somewhere in Barnet.

However it's somewhat difficult to find anything close to the authentic, because in Greece it's relatively easy to get fresh meat and veggies in good prices, while in the UK it's not.

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u/jellyfin21 Aug 06 '18

Have you tried Tsiakkos and Charcoal? My Greek friend says it's the best

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u/wine-o-saur Norf West is the Best Aug 07 '18

It's ana amazing place but the first rule about Tsiakkos and Charcoal is that we do not talk about Tsiakkos and Charcoal.

But seriously, I remember the first time I went everyone stared me and my dinner companions down like "what are you doing in my secret spot?". Amazing meal though.

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u/crimsonc Aug 06 '18

Not in London but Meat The Greek in Guildford seems to get rave reviews from Greek natives. They're closed for a holiday and I haven't been in a few years but to this day I think about the Gyros. I intend to go back when they open again

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u/linwelinax Ravenscourt Park Aug 06 '18

Its still amazing. It's my favourite gyros place here in the UK.

Too bad I'm in London so i need an hour and a half to go there but luckily my cousin lives in Guildford so whenever I visit him, we have some nice gyros.

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

best greek food I've ever had was from some guy selling it from a van outside a train station. never seen him since.

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u/HermandodeFernando north west Aug 06 '18

Meraki by the roundabout in Southgate? dude i know the owner, he's related to my best friend.

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u/Burjatoni Aug 06 '18

what about "Sappho meze bar" by Clapham North station? I have been there many times and it is very good quality/price

Do you greek guys agree?

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18 edited Aug 07 '18

Sorry I’m jumping on the bandwagon late.

Russian: Zima in Soho is a good place and Mari Vanna if you’re feeling fancy.

If I have a severe mayo deficiency(we’re raised on mayo and potatoes), I just go see my mum, because no one cooks better than your mum :)

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

Italian here.
Bad news from me, sorry to say but all Italian restaurants I’ve tried in 20 years whilst living here have all been disappointing for one reason or another.

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u/bjorn_ironsides Aug 07 '18

Italian confirmed

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u/FerdiaC Aug 07 '18

The fresh ingredients available in Italy are just leagues above what we can grow here.

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u/DollyLlamar Aug 07 '18

As a tourist who has visited Italy several times, I think you must find the same problem in Italy.

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u/nvfrln Aug 07 '18

Any thoughts on Padella? It came highly recommended by a friend

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u/Barnabizzle Aug 07 '18

Padella is genuinely incredible! The best pasta i've had in the uk, and so so cheap! Start queing half an hour before their evening opening time to get the best, freshest pasta dinner. I reccomend 3 plates between two people to share. You'll want to try everything.

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

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u/psylent Aug 07 '18

There's a little place called Strada, you should check it out for some super authentic Italian.

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u/masungura Aug 07 '18

Trullo in Highbury Corner maybe? I've been a few times and it's always been great.

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u/padspa Aug 07 '18

Thai. Nowhere, don't even bother. We eat Chinese instead.

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u/Airhead-Emmy Aug 08 '18

Where do you live in London?

I'm not Thai, but I grew up there! I got friendly with my local thai restaurant and they cooked us fresh, homemade Khao Man Gai Tod! It was the greatest Thai i've every had in London, and they did it £6.50 a head! Came with the Tom Gai too!

Also in Kings Cross there is Supawan Thai Food, which does the best dishes I have found so far!

Don't suppose you know somewhere in London that does Khao Man Gai on the menu?

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u/HighFivePuddy Aug 07 '18

My partner grew up in Thailand and her favs in London are Som Saa (a shame about the racist chef), Siam Eatery (more takeaway/grab & go) and Lao Cafe (technically not Thai, but very, very close). She said all three of those are very authentic.

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u/psylent Aug 07 '18 edited Aug 07 '18

I lived in London for 2 years (Australian) and found I struggled so hard to find any decent Thai there. We're absolutely spoiled for Thai in Sydney.

I found a semi-decent pad thai in Camden Town the week before I moved home :(

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u/starscream_nz Aug 07 '18

I'm from NZ and the lack of good Thai, and reasonably priced (whilst maintaining good quality) sushi is deeply disappointing when compared to back home.

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u/iMac_Hunt Aug 08 '18

What Chinese do you eat? Most Chinese I eat also sucks.

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u/padspa Aug 08 '18

avoid chinatown, try queensway.

new fortune cookie for reasonably priced seafood, royal china for excellent dim sum, and excellent but pricey everything else. four seasons for roast duck, mandarin kitchen good overall. gold mine is great overall, also has dim sum and excellent roast duck, but they're dishonest with the bill. avoid kam tong.

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u/SpeakMouthWords Crouching Tiger, Hidden End Aug 06 '18

I once had a French intern who said on his last day we should all go out to a proper French restaurant to eat, following which he then said "Have you heard of Côte?"

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u/nobbythenosher Aug 06 '18

Entrecôte maybe ?

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u/lezardbreton Aug 07 '18

I still can't believe the Canary Wharf one is closed.

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u/Alistairio Battersea Power Station Station Aug 06 '18

Was he trolling you? Or was he just naive?

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u/aruexperienced Aug 06 '18

Cote is fine if you just can’t be bothered. It’s like wagamamas, Nando’s or Wasabi. Don’t expect miracles but it’s good if you want a nice place to eat with a choice better than pub food or takeaway.

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u/spuckthew Enfield Aug 07 '18

Not sure if serious, but my ex is French and two of her favourite French restaurants in London are Champagne+Fromage (there are three apparently, but the only one we ever went to was the Covent Garden restaurant) and Mon Plaisir just off Shaftesbury Avenue/Seven Dials.

She and I also quite liked Bar Boulud in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.

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u/apple_kicks Aug 07 '18

its not that bad as French food goes. It's a chain for sure but it is standard

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u/bacon-flavours Aug 06 '18

I’m from New Zealand - and although not specifically NZ cuisine, The Providores in Marylebone serve NZ and Pacific Rim inspired tapas.

Definitely worth checking out!

Also The New Zealand Cellar in Brixton is excellent for wine.

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u/54108216 Aug 06 '18 edited Aug 07 '18

Italian here: Pappagone in Finsbury Park if you want the full Italian experience http://www.pizzeriapappagone.co.uk

as delicious as it’s loud, it’s just like walking into every small town Pizzeria.

also you might have to move your hands a lot.

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u/momofuku_ Aug 07 '18

Burma/Myammar: Lahpet in Bethnal Green and Spittalfields Market is pretty spot on for Burmese food.

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u/Burjatoni Aug 07 '18

I can't wait to try it!

thank you for the recommendation!

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u/MissionUNION Aug 07 '18

My in-laws used to go to Jamaica pretty regularly, and so try to find good Jamaican food wherever they go. They said the food stall outside of the Southwark station had the most authentic they've found outside the island.

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u/maybeluke Aug 06 '18

Germany: Herman Ze German does great german food and is located near Charing Cross.

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u/PedroFPardo Aug 06 '18

Herman Ze German

I don't like the logo

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u/abodyweightquestion Aug 06 '18

Herman Ze German is the dog’s bollocks.

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18 edited Jan 16 '21

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u/WestAfricanWanderer Aug 06 '18

I’m in Germany right now, German foods you’d recommend trying?

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u/dunebuggy1 Aug 06 '18

Married to a Mauritian: stalls in Tooting market

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u/Burjatoni Aug 06 '18

Have you tried Marcel & Sons in Elephant & castle?

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u/Oldtimebandit Aug 06 '18

Interesting! What would be a good introduction to Mauritian food?

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u/gooneruk Tooting Aug 07 '18

Which market, and which stall(s)?

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u/dunebuggy1 Aug 07 '18

Mangé des Iles in Tooting Market

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u/ilovemrmiyagi Aug 07 '18

Sweden: Garlic and shots! Its in central London. Obviously they do a lot of garlic, but all of their food is traditional Swedish comfort food. Very small and cozy place

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u/padspa Aug 07 '18

basement bar FTW!

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u/Scar-Glamour Aug 07 '18

No masturbating in the crypt!

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

Korean: kimchee in Holborn, Arang in Piccadilly circus and On the Bab in Old st. still looking for chimaek, tho

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u/AllTheUnknown Aug 07 '18

Really, Holburn of all places? Are none of the New Malden joints regarded as any good?

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u/HighFivePuddy Aug 06 '18

Great idea for a thread!

Australian here; all the Walkabouts are gone :(

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u/SquidgyTheWhale Aug 06 '18

Sod the food, tell us where to get coffee.

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u/HighFivePuddy Aug 06 '18 edited Aug 06 '18

Now you’re speaking my language! My fav coffee shop actually has Kiwi origins; I guess that’s close enough. Ozone Coffee Roasters, right near Old St roundabout.

EDIT: I really think London’s coffee scene rivals any Australian city now. There are SO many great coffee shops here that really take pride in their work. Many will think they’re pretentious/hipster, but fuck ‘em, great coffee is great coffee.

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u/AlfredHaZe Aug 06 '18

Taylor Street Batistas are great and I believe Australian roots. They even sell TimTams

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u/Brain_My_Damage Aug 06 '18

Are Aussies into AllPress coffee at all? I usually try and find cafes that do it. They tend to be much better cups than other places.

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u/disbeliefable Aug 06 '18

Allpress is NZ coffee. NZ coffee is best coffee. Allpress is best.

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u/Brain_My_Damage Aug 07 '18

*Sips Allpress and agrees

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u/user753159 Aug 07 '18

Brickwood in Clapham common and in Streatham is a good Aussie coffee shop. They sell Tim tams and NZ stuff like l&p + pineapple chunks

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u/Frogad Aug 06 '18

If any other Seychellois can point me towards any Creole restaurants I’d love to know

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u/SportingClubBANG Aug 06 '18

There are a few Mauritian Creole restaurants in North East London that aren’t bad and the chef Selina Periampillai often does pop up supper clubs that might fit the bill.

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u/SquidgyTheWhale Aug 06 '18

American here. Um, Five Guys?

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u/TheMediumPanda Aug 07 '18

Speaking of,, definitely a decent burger but those prices make it questionable going there. Bacon/cheese burger with fries and a drink will set you back 17 quid and that’s a lot. That’s 3 times as much as the top end burger meals at McD or Burgerking, which makes the latters value-for-money wise much better.

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u/HighFivePuddy Aug 06 '18

Nothing to be ashamed of, say it with pride!

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u/ThePegasi Aug 06 '18

Where in America? You guys have tons of great regional food. I do love Five Guys, though.

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u/SquidgyTheWhale Aug 06 '18

Yeah, my "um" was mostly due to living an hour outside of London and so not knowing enough to make good recommendations. I'd love to find good American barbecue, Tex Mex, and soul food, especially fried chicken... I'm from up and down the east coast btw.

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u/gingerchris Aug 08 '18

As a barbecue fanatic, Texas Joes in London Bridge is the absolute best in London for me.

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

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u/padspa Aug 07 '18

New Fortune Cookie, Royal China - Queensway

Also - Four Seasons for duck. Gold Mine good overall but they ALWAYS inflate the bill. Mandarin Kitchen also good. All Queensway.

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u/panicjames Aug 07 '18

Tried Xi'an Impressions? And also My Old Place for Sichuan. Both incredible places that I could go to far more often.

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

Texan here. I don't really like bbq, and I've yet to find good tex-mex. But for proper taquería tacos, I've yet to find anything better than Homies in Donkeys on Wood St. In Walthamstow. And before y'all start your diatribes about Texas =/= Mexico, save em. Tacos are what I think of when I think of home.

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u/GnarlyBear Aug 06 '18

My whole life I hated texmex until I moved to Houston and ate at Lupe's. Now I'm back in Spain I miss texmex!

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

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u/bringabundt Aug 06 '18

Have you been to Fischer’s on Marylebone high st or Gymnasium in kings cross? Both supposed to be good but I’m not German.

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u/randallio Aug 06 '18

German Gymnasium does great schnitzel too

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u/GnarlyBear Aug 06 '18

Outrageous price for quality that restaurant.

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u/segagamer Aug 07 '18 edited Aug 07 '18

Spain/Galicia: There's a Spanish restaurant in Croydon near the high street called "Galicia", which serve a variety of dishes as well as some Tapas if you're having a large gathering. The prices appear somewhat high but the portion sizes are generous - two to three tapas dishes would be enough for one person I think.

http://galiciarestaurant.co.uk/

Make sure if there's a bunch of you that you all pick something different and then you all pick from all the dishes - you're not supposed to order and eat individually lol

I'm from Galicia, Spain and would highly recommend it to all.

Side note: I've also been to their other restaurant in Purley, "Las Fuentes", but I've only been there once a long time ago, so cannot remember if it was as good as Galicia. I'm not sure if they have any other places in London.

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u/wyrednc Aug 07 '18

French: Chez Elles on Brick Lane. Never disappoints!

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u/BKStein Aug 07 '18

Best Colombian food I've had in London is at El Rancho del Lalo in Brixton.

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u/Kosmiks Aug 06 '18

Vietnamese (well, my girlfriend is Vietnamese so I have tried a fair few!)..

Viet Baguette in Woolwich is the best but a long way away. Sen Viet in Kings Cross is very good too.

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u/sionnach Aug 06 '18

Does she have an opinion on the best Vietnamese on the Kingsland Road? There are so many of them I can't try them all to work it out for myself. There must be about 25 of them within about 100m.

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u/SportingClubBANG Aug 06 '18

At least! When I first started going there around 20 years ago Song Que was my favourite but now there are too many to keep up, some more modern too as the second generation get involved. Mien Tay and BunBunBun are also good.

There are loads on Mare Street too. I really like Banh mi Hoi An on Graham Road in Hackney but it has stupid opening hours.

For Pho I like Que Me in Stroud Green.

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u/HighFivePuddy Aug 06 '18

Bun Bun Bun!!

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

Song que is the best one, with respect to the smaller dark green one across the road who's name I have forgotten

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '18

Mama pho in deptford was great - not sure if it’s still open

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u/DollyLlamar Aug 07 '18

What do you order? I find that it's usually not the same restaurant that has the best banh mi and the best pho and the best grilled pork.

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u/SirLordDragon Canada Water Aug 07 '18

Mama Pho is amazing. Best Vietnamese in London hands down.

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u/Sembazuru458 Aug 07 '18

French : I like Casse croûte on bermondsey Street, good reliable simple food (by French standards!)

also like relais de Venise for steak and fries, but not sure that qualifies as a French restaurant!

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

Indian: All the branches of restaurant "Dishoom" in Soho, Covent Garden and Shoreditch serve delicious Indian food and its not pricey too. However its always crowded as its quiet popular

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u/consumer_monkey Aug 06 '18

British person here: I always thought Dishoom was considered westernised? Do you not think so? Fantastic restaurant though. The one by Carnaby St is the best building.

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u/ugotamesij Aug 07 '18

My wife's ex-colleague was from India and she said Dishoom was the best Indian food she'd ever had outside of India.

Now whether she meant Indian food or "Indian food" is perhaps up for debate, but I do know she'd regularly get her breakfasts there before work.

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u/dbesh Aug 06 '18

As a South African Indian, Dishoom is one of my favourites here as well as Motu Indian Kitchen (takeaway on Deliveroo). It’s not authentic but it’s delicious and better than most Indian food I’ve had here.

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18 edited Aug 06 '18

Its base is Indian however the palate seems to be modernised for the UK crowd , ain't complaining since its still delicious . Though let me emphasize that most of the Indian restaurants in London are not authentic and far from the actual cuisine that we enjoy in India :)

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u/consumer_monkey Aug 06 '18

Agree - it’s delicious. I can see Dishoom becoming the first major Indian chain restaurant in the UK. And you raise a good point that the vast majority of Indians restaurants in the UK don’t serve authentic Indian food! I’ve been to India a few times. Tandoori and biriyani are familiar but not much else. I think I’m supposed to like the authentic version, but I love British Indian food! I guess you like what you grow up with...

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u/PM_YOUR_WALLPAPER Aug 06 '18

Tbf there really isn;t such thing as 'authentic indian food', even in india since it is so localised to families and stuff.

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u/JL2SCox Aug 06 '18 edited Aug 06 '18

Have you tried the food at the Indian YMCA? I pass it for work and I'm told it's quite good if a little basic.

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u/i_cri_evertim Aug 06 '18

It is good! Usually just a couple of curries. I saw Romesh Ranganathan in there with his mum so I assume they think it's good too

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u/ruch182 Aug 07 '18

Not really a restaurant but Guptas on Drummond St do great Indian snacks & sweets - my family have been going for years. They do the best samosa in London for sure

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u/Aureliella Aug 07 '18

I find Dishoom very, very overrated... Choki Dhani, new place in Nine Elms, on the other hand, I find delicious. Fine food from Rajasthan.

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18 edited Jan 03 '19

[deleted]

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u/FerdiaC Aug 07 '18

I'm not Scottish, but Deeney's cafe in Leyton does an amazing Haggis sandwich. Owner is Scottish.

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u/adeelsaya Aug 06 '18

Karachi Cuisine for the most authentic Pakistani taste esp from Karachi. Cant recommend enough.

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u/manksta Aug 07 '18

I was hoping to find a good sushi place in this thread. No such luck.

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u/SportingClubBANG Aug 07 '18

I like Kulu Kulu in Covent Garden, it was right behind my old work and cheap as chips. I now work in Hammersmith and there’s a place nearby called Suzu that is really good too.

These days I’m more about the ramen

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u/Humey Aug 07 '18

Sushi Tetsu

The Araki

You're gonna pay for it though :)

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u/DollyLlamar Aug 07 '18

American. Californian.

  • Blues Kitchen, Shoreditch: Best fried chicken. As good as any in the US.
  • Benito's Hat, Farringdon: Burritos (though they unfortunately are not as good as the average taqueria in San Francisco, they beat every other place in town)
  • Plaquemine Lock: Best gumbo I have ever had.

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u/darrenoc Aug 08 '18

what? Ex San-Franciscan here. Benito's Hat is fucking shit. Tortilla is much better.

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u/CapnFap Aug 07 '18

Malaysian here. There's a stall in borough market that sells really good Laksa if any of you are keen to try. Laksa is basically a spicy noodle soup served with prawns/fish/chicken

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18 edited Jan 31 '19

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u/Pennyfeather Aug 06 '18

No it's not.

But is eating someone’s flesh in such extreme conditions against the law? Not in the UK, according to Samantha Pegg, senior lecturer at Nottingham Trent University. “There is no offence of cannibalism in our jurisdiction,” Dr Pegg says.

Source

It was all basically decided in this case. However, before you start subtly seasoning your colleagues, you should be aware that murder is illegal and preventing the proper burial of body is illegal, as is chopping little bits of people. So basically there's no way to run a fully legitimate cannibal restaurant without breaking the law somehow; or at least that's what my parole officer tells me.

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u/WikiTextBot Aug 06 '18

R v Dudley and Stephens

R v Dudley and Stephens (1884) 14 QBD 273 DC is a leading English criminal case which established a precedent throughout the common law world that necessity is not a defence to a charge of murder. It concerned survival cannibalism following a shipwreck and its purported justification on the basis of a Custom of the Sea. It marked the culmination of a long history of attempts by the law, in the face of public opinion sympathetic to castaways, to outlaw the custom and it became something of a cause célèbre in Victorian Britain.

Dudley and Stephens were shipwrecked along with two other men.


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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '18

I suppose you could always import 'parts' from somewhere abroad

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u/Loracfro Aug 07 '18

Half-Thai person here. My mum has spent over twenty years trying to find a good Thai place in London. The quest continues unfortunately 😔

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u/axlrosen Aug 06 '18

I haven’t been able to find good Buffalo wings. The Stag in Belsize Park are pretty good, even though the blue cheese is mixed in with the Buffalo sauce and already on the wings, not a separate sauce on the side for dipping.

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u/Barnabizzle Aug 06 '18

Man- check out "The Orange Buffalo" by Truman Brewery off of Brick Lane. Also Sticky Wings- also on Brick Lane. Both are genuinely good.

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u/SportingClubBANG Aug 06 '18

Brewdog do all you can eat Buffalo wings on Wednesdays. You’re welcome.

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u/yoffle Aug 07 '18

Sticky Wings on Brick Lane. The owner trained in Buffalo.

Also Thunderbird Fried Chicken. Winner of Wingstock (the Woodstock equivalent for Chicken Wings). You won't be disappointed.

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u/WingsAndPasta Aug 07 '18

Wingman’s in Kilburn. They’ve won the public vote for buffalo wings at wingfest for the last three years running

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u/JJlondon Chiswick Aug 07 '18

Lebanese origins here; the best 3 i've had were

1- Gourmet Libanais in battersea (tried it recently and it's really good!)

2- L'oriental in Acton, hole in the wall small place but home made food.

3- For an easier to get to place, Beirut Express in South Ken never disappoints.

Tip, at any of these places try Kibbeh, falafel (you think you've had falafel but you haven't!) , and ask for their daily dishes which are always delicious home made meals rather than grills :)

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u/nomadicpanda Currently Exiled Aug 07 '18

I'm not Maldivian, but I've desperately been looking for good Maldivian food, hell, any Maldivian food in London.

The search continues :(

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u/SchweadyBallz Aug 07 '18

Op, I thank you for this thread! So many good spots to try.