Discover London’s tastiest hidden gem food spots

By South Western Railway April 26, 2023 7 min read

In this article, you'll learn the following:

Beigel Bake
Bubala
Ben Venuti
Cafe Kick
Chubby dumpling
Elliot’s
Pellicci’s
Ganapati
Gunpowder
M.Manze
Negril
Roti King
Travel with ease with SWR and save some extra cash!

Want to know what the best kept secret food spots in London are? We’ve got you covered. We partnered with Secret London to put together a guide of places to visit for your upcoming foodie adventures.

The team at Secret London took to Instagram to find out what people’s favourite local restaurants are. Stellar choices like Roti King, Chubby Dumpling and Mangal II were all in the mix!

Say thanks to your fellow Londoners when you tuck into these tasty treats! Let’s get into it.

Beigel Bake

Bagels on an oven rack

It’s a thing of true comfort to know that on any day at any hour, you can access a soft, squidgy Brick Lane bagel. Beigel Bake is open 24/7, dishing out wonderfully affordable bagel sandwiches. Fill yours with anything from salt beef to smoked salmon and prepare to unlock a new addiction.

How to get there: From Waterloo Station, hop on the Jubilee line to London Bridge. Then, catch the overground to Shoreditch High Street and walk for 5 minutes to 159 Brick Ln, E1 6SB.

Bubala

Hummus on a table

Inspired by the cafes of Tel Aviv, Bubala serves delicious Middle Eastern small plates. From hummus and burnt butter to halloumi with chamomile and honey, these flavour-packed dishes do not disappoint. Hand-pick your own selection or feast on the ‘Bubala knows best’ set menu.

How to get there: From Waterloo Station, catch the Bakerloo line to Oxford Circus and walk just 5 minutes to 15 Poland Street, W1F 8QE.

Ben Venuti

Those who’re familiar with Ben Venuti claim it’s one of the best authentic Italian delis in London. Wall-to-wall with cured meats, cheeses, fresh pastas and pastries, it’s a treasure trove of top quality produce. Pop in for a coffee and a cannoli and when it’s warm, opt for outdoor seating to catch some rays.

How to get there: From Waterloo Station, catch the District line train to Victoria, and get to 34 Upper Tachbrook St, Pimlico, SW1V 1SW in under 10 minutes by foot.

Cafe Kick

Smoked salmon on a bagel

Tucked away on the Exmouth Market thoroughfare, Cafe Kick is a cafe-come-sports bar with a healthy dose of Kitsch. Serving everything from Jersey Oysters to charcuterie boards, it’s a great place to share some food and enjoy a game of table football with friends.

How to get there: From Waterloo Station, walk over to Tenison Way, bus stop J. Get off at Rosebery Avenue and walk less than 10 minutes to 43 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL.

Chubby dumpling

Dumplings on dishes

This father and daughter run enterprise provides its services from a 1992 fire engine. But instead of extinguishing flames, this dynamic duo drives round serving irresistible dumplings to hungry Londoners. A noble cause if ever there was one! Check their Instagram for updates on where to find them. Their Instagram handle is @chubbydumplinguk.

Elliot’s

Bottles of wine on a shelf

Sourcing the finest seasonal produce direct from local suppliers, Elliot’s strives to put the fresh, natural flavours of their ingredients front and centre. Complete with an impressive natural wine list, this sophisticated menu is testament to the notion that less is often more.

How to get there: From Waterloo Station, catch the Jubilee line to London bridge and walk just over 5 minutes to 12 Stoney St, SE1 9AD.

Pellicci’s

Lasagne in a dish

Punters who stumble across Pellicci’s are unlikely to forget their visit within the next decade. You might be drawn in by the comforting smell of Italian cooking, or in search of a hearty full English. You’ll find both things here. But this 1900 cafe, still proudly boasting its period decor, is run by an Italian family who are as much of an attraction as the food itself. So bring your appetite and arrive ready for audience-participation-esque interaction with staff members whilst you eat.

How to get there: From Waterloo Station, catch the Jubilee line to London Bridge. Then, head to London Bridge Bus Station (stop A), take the 388 to Pollard Row and you’ll be right outside Pellicci’s at 332 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 0AG.

Ganapati

Flatbreads stacked on top of each other

Bringing the vibrant flavours of South India to South London, Ganapati is a cosy dining room with a terrace out the back. The decidedly selective menu changes often, providing guests with a continuous supply of exciting new dishes to sample. But the famous, flaky ‘kerala paratha’ flatbread alone will have you coming back for more.

How to get there: From Waterloo Station get the Jubilee line tube to London Bridge, and catch a train to Peckham Rye. Walk to the restaurant, 38 Holly Grove, SE15 5DF, in just under 5 minutes.

Gunpowder

Curry in a bowl

Another of London’s exemplary Indian restaurants, Gunpowder serves its traditional family recipes with a modern twist. Visit their London Bridge branch and dine on exquisite dishes like Karwari soft shell crab, Bengali beetroot croquettes, grilled artichoke heart in red pepper masala and more.

How to get there: From Waterloo Station, catch the Jubilee line tube to London Bridge and take a 12 minute stroll to 4 Duchess Walk, SE1 2SD.

M.Manze

Pies

It’s no secret that pie and mash is one of the most-loved indulgent traditional British dishes. But finding the pie and mash in a city this big is no mean feat. Open since 1902, M.Manze are indisputable masters of this particular foodstuff. The pastry is hand-made daily and stuffed with prime cuts of beef, then paired with fluffy mash, green liquor and eels (if you’re into that).

How to get there: From Waterloo Station catch the 188 bus from Waterloo Road (stop E) to Bricklayers Arms. Walk just a minute to 87 Tower Bridge Road, SE1 4TW.

Negril

Ribs

Located in the heart of Brixton, Negril serves up some of the best Caribbean food in South London. The menu offers everything from jerk ribs and salt fish fritters to curried goat and coconut prawns. Complete with great soundtracks and banging rum punch, it’s an ideal place for a chilled out meal with friends.

How to get there: If you’re heading there from Waterloo Station, go to Waterloo Road bus stop E, and get the 59 bus to Jebb Avenue to Jebb Avenue and walk for a minute to 132 Brixton Hill, SW2 1RS. Although, Vauxhall’s slightly closer to Negril than other London SWR destinations. From Vauxhall Station, take the Victoria line to Brixton. Then get a bus from Brixton Station (stop P).

Roti King

A single roti

Found in both Euston and Battersea Power Station, Roti King is one of London’s best kept affordable foodie secrets. Adored by those in the know, this unassuming restaurant serves Malaysian and Singaporean street food that will leave your tastebuds Singing.

How to get there: from Waterloo Station catch the northern line tube to Battersea Power Station and walk just over 10 minutes to Battersea Power Station, 16 Arches Lane, Nine Elms, SW11 8AB. Or, from Queenstown Road, you can catch the 137 from Silverthorne Road (stop S) to Battersea Park, Chelsea Gate and then walk just over 5 minutes to Battersea Power Station, 16 Arches Lane, Nine Elms, SW11 8AB.

Travel with ease with SWR and save some extra cash!

Visit SWR Rewards to get amazing offers on food and drink across London, And don’t forget to book cheap train tickets to your chosen destination by going off-peak, or buy a Railcard to save even more. If you travel often with teammates, you may benefit from GroupSave or a Family and Friends Railcard.