Taqueria’s Choriqueso, house made Mexican chorizo rolled inside browned cheese.
I use Tripadvisor occasionally for researching accommodations, but when it comes to food, I cannot think of a worse source of information. I am constantly perturbed by their Rome restaurant rankings, which place some of the most ridiculous tourist traps near the top of the list. Tripadvisor once again offended my dining sensibilities earlier this week I read this news item. According to 3,000 readers, London ‘has worst food in Europe’. This is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. Just because visitors didn’t take the time to research their dining options, doesn’t mean London, one of the greatest places to eat on the planet, should be punished. Here are a few reasons the Tripadvisor poll is rubbish:
Goodman: An American style steakhouse serving huge USDA beef burgers and steaks in Mayfair.
Fernandez & Wells: Three Soho locations (a food and wine bar, a cafe’ and an espresso bar), each serving high quality food and drink that changes with the seasons.
Lahore Kebab House: A no-nonsense Pakistani kebab house in East London known for its succulent seekh kebab, spiced lamb chops and fiery curries.
Mangal 2: A Dalston kebab house serving good mezes and great grilled meats.
Polpo: Inspired by the Venetian bacaro, this Soho establishment serves reasonably authentic cichetti and an outstanding pizzetta topped with parmesan, spinach and an egg.
Taqueria: Simply the best Mexican food in London.
Galvin La Chapelle: Meticulously prepared French food served in an extravagant building next to the Old Spitalfields Market.
L’Anima: Chef Francesco Mazzei’s contemporary Italian restaurant in the heart of the City.
Greenwich Union: The brewery tap for the Meantime Brewing Company, serving great fish and chips, excellent Angus burgers, and a nice Sunday roast in the heart of Greenwich.
Barrafina: A 23-seat restaurant in Soho serving top-notch Spanish tapas.
Antepliler: Turkish mezes, lahmacun, and kebabs are served in the main dining area and next door, there is offal and künefe.
Bar Boulud: Chef Daniel Boulud’s twelfth restaurant and first foray into Europe brings exceptional charcuterie and sumptuous burgers to Knightsbridge.
The Wells: A gastropub in Hampstead serving good burgers and excellent British food, including roasts and game.
Franco Manca: A Neapolitan pizzeria serving pretty close to the real thing in the Brixton Market.
Other places to check out include Canteen for great British food, Leila’s Shop for breakfast, Monmouth Coffee and Flat White for coffee. And in case you were wondering, this is why everyone’s favorite St. John’s didn’t make the list.
Categories: Culture, Fish, Food & Wine, Gastronomic Traditions, London, Meat, Offal, Pizza, Pork, Restaurants, Sweets & Dessert
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Great post Katie and the next time I’m in London, I know where I’ll be dining. Why can’t people get over that old reputation of the food in the UK being so bad-times have certainly changed!
July 14th, 2010 at 6:28 pmOh, I cannot wait to go to London next year! Katie, you take some of the loveliest pictures of the most gorgeous food. I want to eat this page!
July 14th, 2010 at 11:07 pmcafe l’anglais can be good 2.
July 15th, 2010 at 7:47 amAgreed- this must be based on old stereotypes. The best meal I’ve ever had was at Heinz Beck’s restaurant in London and I’ve had many, many memorable ones elsewhere in the city as well. I can’t wait to go back and check out some of these!
July 15th, 2010 at 8:47 amAbsolutely spot on, Katie. 9 times out of 10 these TripAdvisor polls are based on brute ignorance. London is one of the greatest places in the world for food – the quality and breadth of cuisine available knocks Paris into a cocked hat. And as for Athens … ’nuff said!
Tripadvisor polls are a means of free publicity for the said site, but are no source of useful or reliable information.
Phil
July 15th, 2010 at 11:30 amDon’t blame the messenger. A poll like this just allows people to express their stereotypical views. It simply says that the folks who market London to travelers need to do a better job of showing how the city is actually one of the world’s premier dining cities.
July 15th, 2010 at 4:26 pmPosted this on Travel News Daily (queued up for this afternoon). Taking on Trip Advisor, AND London food porn – I’m erecting a shrine in your honor.
Also, I just had fish tacos for the first time. My life will never be the same.
July 15th, 2010 at 6:45 pmSome of my best Indian and Thai meals were had in London. It’s a great place to try cuisine from around the world.
July 15th, 2010 at 9:37 pmWell done Katie. People need to catch up. I get sick of hearing Italians here in Rome bang on about the disgusting food in Britain, when they’ve often not even been there, have been recently but ate at the first places they blundered across, or were last there in 1955. The good food isn’t restricted to the capital, either. I reckon you can eat well in most parts of Britain if you seek out the good places. Artisan food production – especially of meats, cheeses, fish, seafood, smoked foods, beers and ciders – even wines – is all blossoming.
July 16th, 2010 at 12:33 pmspot on, with bells on. love your list. even chains are good in London- eg. Ping Pong- one of my faves for that ‘hunger-in-between-shopping-fix’. x shayma
July 19th, 2010 at 9:58 pmWhat a shock – a Brit touting British food. Everyone knows British food is abominable, both aesthetically and to the tongue.
August 2nd, 2010 at 6:03 pm@Luke Well, I’m not quite sure which British food you are referring to. Enlighten us? Also, I am not British.
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:22 pmI am American foodie who thinks that the US is the best place to eat in the world. But London has amazing food, truly incredible. It’s such a melting pot. If your willing to get out of the downtown area you can find superb ethnic eats from around the world.
August 26th, 2010 at 11:16 amSo true! You have the best name, by the way.
August 28th, 2010 at 3:56 pm