A Local’s Guide to London’s Best Restaurants: Hidden Culinary Treasures You’ll Wish You Found Sooner

London has no shortage of fine dining and famous restaurants, but the most exciting culinary experiences are often hiding in plain sight. Forget the chains, the hype, and the £18 avocado toast. This guide is for those who want the real thing—authentic, exceptional, and local.

These are the places Londoners keep to themselves. From unmarked doors in East London to tiny kitchens in Camberwell, this is where the capital’s most creative chefs do their best work. And if you’re visiting for work, relocating, or just spending a few weeks living like a Londoner, you’ll want to stay close. That’s where Urban Stay’s serviced apartments come in—fully equipped, centrally located, and designed for people who treat travel as more than just a hotel stay.

London's Best Hidden Restaurants – A Local's Foodie Guide

East London: Where Creativity Meets the Kitchen

1. My Neighbours the Dumplings – Hackney & Victoria Park

A sake bar meets a dim sum parlour, tucked behind an art gallery vibe. This independent, family-run spot serves handmade dumplings in an intimate space with warm, minimalist decor.

  • Go for: prawn and chive dumplings, miso aubergine, yuzu sake cocktails
  • Bonus read: The rise of Japanese izakayas in London (Hot Dinners)
  • Pro tip: It’s walk-ins only at times, so go early on weekends

Stay nearby: Urban Stay’s Shoreditch apartments put you within easy reach of Hackney, Victoria Park, and the trendiest food corners of East London.

2. Koya Ko – Broadway Market

This fast-casual offshoot of Koya brings you hand-pulled udon, hearty Japanese breakfasts, and unexpected comfort food magic in a laid-back market setting.

  • Try this: beef udon with an onsen egg, house-made pickles, Japanese cold brew
  • Bonus read: Why Londoners are obsessed with udon (Condé Nast Traveller)
  • Pro tip: Go on a Sunday and follow it up with a walk along Regent’s Canal

Working remotely? Serviced apartments in East London offer the flexibility and local charm ideal for long-term guests and business travellers alike.

Central London: Refined Flavour, Off the Tourist Trail

3. The Sea, The Sea – Chelsea

Part fishmonger, part chef’s table, this upscale seafood lab takes sustainability seriously and plate presentation even more so. Expect aged fish, dry ice, and perfectly controlled chaos.

  • Standout dishes: langoustine tartare, scallop sashimi, smoked eel
  • Bonus read: Inside The Sea, The Sea’s wild aging process (Fine Dining Lovers)
  • Pro tip: Reserve the chef’s counter experience for an unforgettable 12-course tasting

In town for meetings? Stay close in Urban Stay’s London Bridge executive apartments and balance work with indulgence.

4. Fallow – St. James’s Market

Where sustainability meets sleek design. Fallow creates jaw-dropping dishes from food waste and lesser-used ingredients—think cod’s head served whole, and mushroom pâté with a cult following.

Stay smart: Corporate apartments in Westminster are ideal for business travellers wanting something a little more personal than a hotel.

South London: Global Flavours with a Local Attitude

5. Tacos Padre – Borough Market

You could walk past it and never know. But behind its modest market stall, Tacos Padre serves some of the best Mexico City-style tacos this side of the Atlantic.

  • Top picks: pork al pastor, grilled fish tacos, pineapple salsa
  • Bonus read: London’s best tacos ranked (Time Out)
  • Pro tip: Go early or go late—lunchtime queues move fast, but seats disappear even faster

Stay local: Urban Stay’s serviced apartments near Borough Market give you instant access to one of London’s most vibrant food destinations.

6. Good Neighbour – Camberwell

Tucked into an unsuspecting South London street, this tiny bistro and wine bar offers seasonal small plates, funky natural wines, and a candlelit charm that feels worlds away from the city.

  • Favourites: burrata with blood orange, wild mushroom risotto, Pét-Nat by the glass
  • Bonus read: The rise of natural wine in London (Drinks Business)
  • Pro tip: Don’t ask for the wine list—just describe what you like and let them guide you

Working from London for a while? Long-stay apartments in Southbank offer high-spec design, full kitchens, and total flexibility.

North & West: Quiet Icons with Cult Followings

7. Pophams – Islington & London Fields

Part bakery, part pasta bar. Pophams is a place where the precision of a croissant is matched only by the richness of a brown butter pasta dish. It’s a go-to for London’s creative class.

Stay local: Urban Stay’s serviced apartments in Islington put you in one of London’s most walkable, livable, and loveable areas.

8. Smokestak – Shoreditch

Industrial design meets southern US barbecue. Smokestak may have started as a street food stall, but today it’s one of London’s most reliable sources of smoked perfection.

  • Get: brisket bun, crispy ox cheek, sticky toffee pudding
  • Bonus read: London’s best BBQ restaurants (Evening Standard)
  • Pro tip: Order more than you think. You won’t want to share.

Need a stylish East London base? Serviced apartments in Shoreditch offer exposed brick charm and unbeatable location.

Why You Should Stay Local, Eat Local

London is built for walking and wandering. And when you pair hidden culinary gems with the comfort of a stylish apartment in a local neighbourhood, you unlock a whole new level of travel.

Urban Stay provides handpicked serviced apartments across London that are:

  • Fully furnished with modern kitchens (because sometimes you just want to reheat leftover dumplings properly)
  • Located in the city’s most food-rich areas—Shoreditch, Borough, Islington, Southbank
  • Perfect for corporate stays, long-term assignments, relocations, and remote work
  • Designed with space to work, dine, unwind, and actually live in London

If you’re here to explore the city through your plate, staying local isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Planning Your Own Culinary Stay in London?

Here’s how to make the most of it:

  • Use Eater London and Hot Dinners to track openings and pop-ups
  • Follow chefs and venues on Instagram for last-minute drops and specials
  • Book your stay in foodie-friendly neighbourhoods with Urban Stay
  • Reserve tables early through OpenTable or Resy
  • And always, always leave room for dessert

 

Why Hidden Food Gems Deserve Better Stays

Great meals should end in great places. After all, if you’ve just finished a 7-course seafood experience, the last thing you want is to squeeze into a soulless hotel room.

That’s why staying in a serviced apartment is the best choice for food lovers, business travellers, and anyone who wants to see London like a local.

With Urban Stay, you get:

  • A fully equipped kitchen for late-night cheese boards or lazy breakfasts

  • Prime locations in foodie-rich neighbourhoods like Shoreditch, Islington, and Borough

  • Flexibility to stay for days, weeks, or even months

  • Work-ready spaces with high-speed Wi-Fi and sleek, minimalist design

  • Easy access to both Michelin stars and corner-shop dumplings

Whether you’re in London for corporate travel, relocation, or a long-overdue food tour, the pairing of hidden restaurants and boutique serviced apartments is unbeatable.

Plan Your Culinary Adventure

 

Final Tips for Foodies Visiting London

  • Book ahead: Hidden doesn’t mean empty. Some of these spots fill up weeks in advance.

  • Eat early or late: Londoners love a 7 PM table—beat the crowd.

  • Stay flexible: Urban Stay offers last-minute stays so you can follow your stomach.

  • Follow the chefs: Many run pop-ups, supper clubs, and guest chef nights around the city.

  • Bring comfy shoes: The best food walks usually end with full bellies and tired feet.