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The Essential Guide to London’s Best Food Shops

London has a fine reputation as being one of the outstanding tourist cities in the world. It also has, unjustifiably in my opinion (but I am a Londoner), one of the worst reputations with regard to all things food-related. Visitors come to unfamiliar holiday destinations and are fleeced by unscrupulous restaurateurs. The myth of lousy food in London is perpetuated... and anyway the story of an iffy meal in England is always amusing to the folks back home. However, did you know that now London is the food capital of Europe, offering over 80 different types of cuisine?

We Londoners know where to eat (or we think we do) and are far less often disappointed. We have our regular spots far from monuments and open-top red buses but we also cook. Yes, that must surprise many of my readers. We have a vast array of fine food shops and markets, each one unique.

The Essential Guide to London’s Best Food Shops is divided by London area. It starts with Central London but covers all of Greater London. There is an at-a-glance Best in Town list which shows the most noteworthy shops in each category. There are those listed by nationality (French, Indian, Jewish, etc.) and others by speciality (cheese, chocolate, organic produce, etc.).The back of the book has an index by nationality and by speciality, and that lists all shops covered by this guide.

Each neighbourhood has a map and each entry has contact information, address and it gives the nearest tube station and bus route. If the shop has a website then you can do a bit of homework before you start your food-gathering excursion. Plan your route before you go! There are many mail-order outlets for which there is an extensive directory, for those who don’t fancy the exercise or who can’t make it to London at all.

I am a passionate cook... er, that is to say, I am passionate about cooking, and I have my favourite shops, most of which are included in this guide. I would choose Loon Fung in Chinatown for all things Chinese including woks and other utensils. You couldn’t do better than Fortnum and Masons for food gifts. My vote in the meat purveyors category goes to Thorogoods of Ealing which has a loyal following (including my auntie). The best fruit and veg will be found in old-fashioned open-air markets. This guide offers, amongst many others, Bethnal Green Road Market for a taste of real East End colour. This isn’t smart and glitzy but if you are a food tourist you should add an authentic market to your itinerary.

The Essential Guide to London’s Best Food Shops is the best volume of its kind around. It’s well researched and written with humour. I’m a local but I’ll be dipping into its pages for some inspiration from time to time. It will stay with me alongside the London A to Z street map.

The Essential Guide to London’s Best Food Shops
Published by: New Holland
Price: £10.99
ISBN 1-84537-291-3