London may be a quieter version of its summer self and we’re all being more conscious of how we socialise right now, but the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme is going some way to lift our spirits.
It’s a rare occurance that we can score up to 50% off the bill and revisit old favourites or tick off those ‘wish list’ restaurants at a snip of the price. So many great cafes, bars and restaurants have signed up and even added their own offers and special menus, so you can eat exceptionally well for just a tenner!
Here are a few top picks for where to eat out in London during August…
Pophams Bakery
Pophams managed to keep baking during lockdown with its smart delivery service, but there’s nothing quite like relaxing over a flat white and a perfectly-laminated pastry or two. The Hackney bakery is my ‘go to’ place for an afternoon treat or catching up with friends and it never disappoints.
If you’re going for lunch, indulge in a gourmet Brie and buttered leek toasty, Roasted pumpkin and sage tartine or home-made Pappardelle with oxtail ragu, followed by a decadent Peanut butter praline pastry.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
I still haven’t come to terms with the fact that the original New York Cronut® will soon leave London, as Dominique Ansel Bakery is set to close both its Belgravia and Covent Garden outposts at the end of August.
However, there’s still time to take a tour of the greatest hits, like the fabulous Avocado toast, Welsh Rarebit Croissant, Chocolate chip cookie shot, Mini Madeleines baked to order and the seasonal illustrated Eclairs. Maybe we can twist his arm to pop up in London again when things get better.
Burger and Beyond
The city’s best burger is always a hotly-debated topic, but in my opinion, it can be found at Burger and Beyond on Shoreditch High Street.
Get your posh burger fix with the game-changing Bacon butter burger, a dry aged beef patty loaded with double American cheese, crispy pancetta bacon, burnt butter mayo and onion. It goes perfectly with the decadent Truffle tots and if you’re really hungry, add some Smoked mozzarella sticks, Fried chicken bites and Crispy calamari.
Machiya
If you have a craving for some delicious Japanese comfort food, head to Machiya, the casual all-day restaurant from the team behind ramen temple Kanada-Ya. It’s inspired by Kyoto’s traditional home cooking and offers izakaya-style small plates alongside hearty donburi, noodles and katsu curry. Some of the best dishes that keep me coming back are Gyudon, Abura soba, Tsukune, and the aromatic Tofu custard.
Best of all, Machiya is going one step further and removing the scheme’s cap to offer 50% off your entire bill (including beer, sake and wine) from Monday to Wednesday in August.
Lina Stores
London’s favourite Italian delicatessen Lina Stores launched a brilliant nationwide home delivery service during lockdown and thankfully now its Soho restaurant is back in action and a stunning new Lina in Piazza al fresco restaurant has been created outside its King’s Cross site. There’s even a cute gelato cart and a Piaggio Ape mobile bar to make it even more fun.
Feast on the finest Stracciatella and Prosciutto with olive oil focaccia and share a few plates of home-made pasta such as the magnificient 30-Egg Yolk Tagliolini with black truffle, butter and Parmigiano Reggiano. Of course, you’ll need to leave some room for those signature Baci brownies, Tiramisu gelato or Campari sorbet.
Berber & Q Grill House
Travel may be off the agenda for a while, but you can journey through the flavours of the Middle East and North Africa at Berber & Q Grill House. Tucked away inside a railway arch in Haggerston, Berber & Q is one of east London’s essential restaurants with so much atmosphere, sumptuous spiced dishes and live fire grills for that authentic flavour.
It’s all about sharing, so fill your table with the most heavenly Baba ganoush with fluffy pita, pomegranate-studded Cauliflower shawarma, Hot-smoked merguez sausages and slow and low Lamb mechoui with harissa.
Berenjak
Nothing says summer like the charcoal aromas of a Tehran-style kebab house wafting through the Soho streets. If you haven’t yet checked out Berenjak, one of the latest openings from JKS Restaurants, now is the time to discover some delicious Iranian cuisine at a bargainous price.
Grab a seat in the charming ‘hayat’ (Persian garden) and graze on the signature Hummus with black chickpea and walnut and traditional Mazeh, scooped up with freshly-baked Taftoon. Then, its all about the kebabs with pickles and fluffy Basmati rice with saffron and crispy, golden tahdig. Wash it all down with a spiked Sharbat (a botanical Persian soft drink mixed with gin) and end on a sweet note with a Darlish Baklava ice cream sandwich.
Norma
I spent New Year’s Eve at Norma, Ben Tish’s exquisite Fitzrovia restaurant, and everything from the food to the ambiance was superb. Norma is inspired by the food and culture of Sicily with Moorish influences that are apparent on the menu and in the sumptous, jewel-like interiors.
I recommend trying a little of everything and don’t miss the zingy Caponata with home-made focaccia, Spaghettini fritters with Parmesan sauce, Fried potatoes with grated pecorino and winter truffle, a large plate of fish (Roasted North Sea hake when we visited) and of course, the classic Pasta alla Norma. Be sure to leave room for dessert – Tiramisu, granita and cannoli await!
Which restaurants are on your Eat Out to Help Out hit list? I’ve already been to Barrafina and Mare Street Market and will be revisiting Berber & Q and old favourite Bellanger, which recently re-opened in the same location as a pop-up.
The Eat Out to Help Out money-saving scheme is available when eating in at participating cafes and restaurants on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August. The discount is capped at £10 per person and is applied to food and soft drinks (not alcohol). Use the postcode checker to see who is taking part before booking or visiting.
All photos by Chérie City
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