Everywhere I ate in January, 2025

Bookmark this post for recommendations on where to eat in London over the next few months! From Walthamstow, Soho to Kings Cross - and what dish to order at each location!

This is a bit of a hefty post and also, I’m a bit embarrassed about how much we dined out in January! It’s not usually like this, but we had G’s parents visiting us from Yorkshire for 3 days and so dined out pretty much every lunch and dinner for their visit! I also caught up with some friends over food and had my sisters birthday to celebrate… but I hope this post is helpful to those of you looking for somewhere to dine out in the near future!

Mini Hiba, Walthamstow

From the outside, Mini Hiba in Wood Street doesn’t look like much but this family run Palestinian restaurant serves up the most delicious food and I’m gonna say it - the best falafel in London. I recommend ordering a bunch of dishes to share - the owners here are lovely too!

What to order: You must order the falafel, the humous and the wraps are great too. You also have to try the Cheese Manakeesh - I think this is off menu, but ask for it because it’s a delicious Lebanese flatbread pizza topped with cheese and za’atar - so good!!

Mare Street Market, Kings Cross

If you’re looking for somewhere to bunker down with friends for a catch up, food and drink, I really recommend the newly opened Mare Street Market in Kings Cross. Whilst downstairs is more of a casual feel with a deli and long tables + benches, upstairs is huge and complete with a bar and sofas to snuggle up on.

What to order: I feel like I’ve tried the entire menu at the Hackney branch over the last 5 years and luckily the menu here is the same. I think the burgers and pizza here are great and I always order a side of the Korean Fried Chicken Wings.

Uchi Bake, Clapton

A new visit for us and one I’d definitely go back to - Uchi Bake in Clapton is the cutest authentic Japanese coffee shop serving up mega sandwiches alongside sweet and savoury desserts. By night is becomes a restaurant which I’d love to go back to try, but I’d definitely recommend a visit. The decor is so gorgeous and if you sit in the main room, you have to take your shoes off to dine which just adds a touch of comfort and authenticity.

What to order: We enjoyed the Tamago Mayo Sando (basically a delicious egg mayo sandwich), a Sausage Pan (which tasted just like a hot dog - so good!) and also the French toast with berries and maple syrup - yum!

Riverview Restaurant, Wapping

We headed back to our old stomping ground in Wapping for a meal with my family to celebrate my Sister’s birthday (fun fact, we lived opposite this restaurant for 2 years but didn’t go once, blaming COVID!). A no frills Chinese restaurant serving up all the classics and if you’re lucky enough you’ll get a table with the rotating lazy Susan.

What to order: The cantonese duck is great (rivals that of China Town) and the crispy shredded beef isn’t crispy per say, but has great flavours!

L’Escargot, Soho

It’s been a yearly tradition for the last 6 years or so that in January we have a meal out at L’escargot with G’s family to celebrate his mum’s birthday. She’s a fan of snails and where best to go in London than a typical French restaurant named after the dish itself. L’escargot serve up deliciously rich classical dishes and the interior feels like it hasn’t changed much in the last 50 years.

What to order: I really love the langoustine bisque here to start - it’s so so so good. Also a big fan of their potato daupehnoise and if it’s a special occasion, the chateau-brand is a great meaty dish to share between two.