eat in london Archives

bloomzy / April 2, 2025

5 East London Coffee Shops you need to visit

5 East London Coffee Shops you need to visit
(Left to right: Cafe Melo, Ngopi, Lodestar, Haru Coffee, Batch Baby)

East London Coffee Shops you need to visit

Whether I’m looking for a spot to chill with my book or somewhere to start a conversation with staff or patrons, East London has a coffee shop for my every need. I’m not joking; I often ask myself, “What kind of mood am I in today?” when deciding which coffee shop to visit. And it’s no surprise when there’s a coffee shop on pretty much every corner.

Lodestar – The Chilled One

Lodestar is my go-to spot for expertly brewed coffee in a chilled setting. During the autumn-winter months, Lodestar hosts a night cafe, aimed at offering a late-night spot to read, catch up with friends, or just enjoy an evening coffee/hot chocolate, all with some smooth music. It really sums up the vibe at Lodestar—relaxing, easy-going, and creative.

Melo – The Cosy One

Melo was one of the first coffee shops I discovered when we moved back to Stoke Newington. Five years later, I still visit every week. Reading a book in the bay window is one of my favourite things to do. Not only do they offer up a variety of coffees, pastries and hot dishes, they do it all in a proudly LGBTQIA+ safe space.

Ngopi – The Foodie One

Indonesia is globally recognised as being one of the top coffee hotspots in the world. Now what if somewhere in East London brought that expertise alongside innovative drinks you won’t find elsewhere, and some of the best Indonesian comfort food? Well, you’d have Ngopi!

HARU Coffee – The New One on The Block

Ok so at the time of writing HARU has been around for a few months, but it’s still relatively new to the coffee scene in East London. Serving up the usual suspects, as well as some Taiwanese specialities. I love how friendly the owner is; the last time I visited I left with a hotpot restaurant recommendation and a killer flat white.

Batch Baby – The Speciality One

I suppose Batch Baby may seem like the stereotypical East London coffee shop with speciality coffee, uber cool baristas, and a bustling environment. A hotspot for those working remotely, it can be hard to grab a seat at busy times. But if you do you’ll not only be rewarded with a feeling of smug self-satisfaction, but an expertly made coffee.

Don’t forget to check out more of my ‘Where to Eat in London’ posts.

bloomzy / May 3, 2022

Issho-Ni Japanese Bottomless Brunch Restaurant Review

Issho-Ni Japanese Bottomless Brunch

Located in the heart of Bethnal Green, East London, Issho-ni’s Japanese bottomless brunch is the only one of its kind in the capital. Issho-ni takes Japanese Izakaya style food and gives it a modern twist. Guests can enjoy scrumptious Japanese delights with Issho-ni created cocktails, Prosecco and non-alcoholic drinks.

What’s included?

What’s included in the Issho-ni Japanese bottomless brunch?

Unlimited starters
- Sashimi, Maki Rolls, Edamame, Chuka seaweed, Kimchi, and Wasabi peas
Main dish (one per person)
- Vegetable Tempura, Nasu Dengaku, Wagyu Steak, Salmon Teriyaki and Chicken Katsu Curry
Unlimited drinks
- Prosecco, Bloody Mary

You can view the full menu here.

My Review of Issho-ni Japanese Bottomless Brunch

I was invited by Issho-ni to experience their bottomless brunch for free, however, all words and opinions are my own.

I booked a table for two at 12pm on a Saturday (this is the only day they do bottomless brunch). We were one of the first tables to be seated, but the restaurant quickly filled up with couples, groups and even a few parties. We started with a glass of Prosecco and all of the starters.

The starters were insanely moreish, especially the sashimi and the prawn maki rolls. So much so that we tested out the bottomless feature and ordered a couple more plates after finishing the first round. I really liked that we were able to ask for “only salmon sashimi” and “just a plate of prawn maki rolls” – I’m not kidding when I tell you I scoffed down 12 prawn maki rolls in record time. After a few more dishes, we moved to the mains – vegetable tempura and salmon teriyaki. The tempura was super fresh – perfectly crisp outside, soft and hot on the inside. The salmon was bursting full of flavour, and my favourite part, the skin, was crispy, juicy and ever so slightly fatty – perfection!

During our feast, the lovely wait staff walked around with a bottle of prosecco, ready to top up anyone’s glass. I really appreciated this as it didn’t pressure me to flag someone down, which has been my experience in the past. I had four very full glasses of prosecco before calling it a day.

At £54pp (alcohol included), I feel the quality and value are fairly reflected in the price.

Don’t forget to check out more of my ‘Where to Eat in London’ posts.

Issho-Ni Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar

bloomzy / June 20, 2018

Inko Nito London | Where to Eat in London

Inko Nito London | Soho | Japanese Robata | Map

I cook a lot of Japanese food at home, and I’m pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. So when a new Japanese restaurant opens up in London, it takes a lot to get me out of the house and believe in the hype. Well hello Inko Nito, a Japanese fusion robatayaki (fireside cooking) restaurant based in the heart of Soho. I was recently invited to their press event, and after reading the contemporary menu I was intrigued. In fact I was more than intrigued. I was drawn in by the promise of flavour explosions – and an umeshu negroni – all in a minimalist scandi setting. Basically, my dream kinda restaurant – I was there with bells on!

What did we eat?

SALADS
- Edamame, soy, mirin, ginger, sea salt
- Avocado, quinoa, edamame, green bean, apple wasabi dressing
- Romaine lettuce, spicy cashew nut miso
NIGAKI
- The cali; Portland crab, avocado, wasabi tobiko, yuzu mayo
- The veggie; avocado, yuzu, garlic, crispy rice
- The chirashi; salmon, yellowtail, wasabi shiso
HOT
- Panko fried chicken, chili garlic yogurt
- Fried shrimp, spicy Korean miso, sesame seeds, lime
- Tofu kara-age, miso mayo, nori
MEAT
- Chicken wings, ume-boshi, green chili, mint, sansho
- Bone marrow, smoked soy, garlic toast, shallot
- Prime beef short rib, peanut chilli oil, spring onions
FISH
- Grilled prawn toast, sesame, wasabi mayo, katsuobushi
- Cobia collar, brown butter ponzu, lemon
VEGETABLE
- - Cauliflower, garlic soy aioli, parmesan panko
  - Tenderstem broccolini, onion wafu
  - Baked potato, yuzu kosho sour cream, spring onions
THE SWEETEST THING
- Charred coconut soft serve, soy, pocky, Japanese granola

Final thoughts on Inko Nito London

I wish I could go into detail on how much I enjoyed the individual dishes we ate, but no one has time to read a blog post that long. Instead I’ve highlighted my personal favourites (above) and will give you a short summary.

Alongside the spacious interior at Inko Nito, you’ll find a pretty vast menu, but don’t let that deter you. Honestly it’s the kind of restaurant where you’ll enjoy any dish that you order. A lot of well known Japanese flavours are featured on the menu, as is to be expected. However you’ll also find a whole bunch of innovative and moreish fusion delights to please your palate. Would I go back? Definitely! Price-wise it costs around £30pp, which isn’t too bad for a decent meal in London. In fact since I was invited to the press launch I’ve already been back with friends, and paid with my own money. If that doesn’t say how much I enjoyed eating at Inko Nito London, I don’t know what will.

Check out more: Where to Eat in London

bloomzy / May 17, 2018

Galvin at The Athenaeum | Where to Eat in London

Galvin at The Athenaeum | Mayfair | British cuisine | Map

On possibly one of the hottest days of the year, I decided to brave the tube. Why? Because at the other end of the line, Galvin at The Athenaeum was calling. Based in the Mayfair hotel, the restaurant comes from Michelin-starred London chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin. Known for their French-inspired menus, the brothers have stepped away from their trademark for the first time. All in favour of championing Britain’s delicious homegrown produce, and supporting independent farmers across the UK.

We arrived feeling slightly overheated, so of course a drink was in order. We headed straight to the beautifully designed THE BAR at The Athenaeum. Plush interiors cooled us down, whilst the small nooks invited us to take a private seat. Our choice of drink, gin & tonic; from their substantial collection of premium gins. As we sipped away, and nibbled on bar snacks, we chatted about what we would order on the menu.

So what did we eat?

Terrine of ham, chicken and foie gras with red onion marmalade
- Chunky meat and subtle flavours complimented well by a sweet marmalade.
Smoked duck, plum, poached egg & hollandaise
- A step-up from your usual ‘benedict’ – I definitely had food envy after stealing a bite of the smoked duck.
Fish pie (daily special)
- Fish pie is one of my go-to comfort foods, so I can be critical. That said, I was let pretty satisfied after trying this one. It was packed full of cod, prawns and salmon, with a thin layer of mashed potato. My only con was that it didn’t use eggs, and I would have liked to have seen some smoked fish in the mix.
Sunday Roast
- The roast here comes with the option of chicken, pork or sirloin beef. Ben went for sirloin, which was cooked pink and seasoned well. It was superbly tender and melted in my mouth – I couldn’t resist trying some.
Dessert/Cheese buffet (unlimited)
- A novel idea, the dessert buffet was full of well-known favourites and a few surprises. I was personally delighted to see ‘Apple, pear & almond tart’, which I piled onto my plate alongside sugary meringues and freshly whipped cream.

The Weekend Lunch Menu comes with unlimited bubbly.

Final thoughts on Galvin at The Athenaeum

Our visit to Galvin at The Athenaeum was the perfect way to spend a Summer afternoon. We were completely won over by the bar, and as you can tell from above we fully enjoyed our meal too. My only regret is that I filled up on my starters and mains, and I would have loved to sample more of the desserts and cheeses (I was too full to try any) on offer.

Would I go back? Oh yes! After experiencing the weekend lunch menu I’d love to see what else Galvin at The Athenaeum has to offer. Perhaps afternoon tea, or dinner? Almost definitely drinks and bar snacks!

Check out more: Where to Eat in London

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This post is in collaboration with Galvin at The Athenaeum, however all images, words and opinions are my own.

bloomzy / April 1, 2018

Abd el Wahab London | Restaurant Review

Abd el Wahab London | Belgravia | Lebanese cuisine | Map

I’ve always loved Lebanese food, so when I heard a new restaurant was popping up I just had to try it. The latest addition to Belgravia is Abd el Wahab, situated on Pont Street – the first branch to open outside of the Middle East. The elegant interiors of the restaurant compliment the neighbourhood well. Pplenty of thought has gone into the decor, and it’s contribution to the dining experience as a whole. With a ‘living wall’ of plants, tons of natural light, and comfy chairs, I was suitably impressed. Now all they had to do was win me over with their food…

Our menu for the evening

Cold Starters

Fattouch Salad
Tabbouleh
Mixed Pickles
Moutabbal (smoked aubergine dip)
Hummus
Stuffed Vine Leafs
Flatbreads

Hot Starters

Sojok (sliced spicy sausages)
Pan Fried Eggs with Kawarma Meat
Cheese Rolls
Kebbeh (deep fried ball stuffed with minced meat)

Main

Mixed Grill

Dessert

Maamoul Flake
Lebanese baklawa

Final thoughts on Abd el Wahab London

The hot & cold starters are not to miss at Abd el Wahab, and I would recommend eating them with plenty of friends and family. Why? Because it means you get to order and share even more! Luckily for us we were able to try all of the dishes. My personal favourites were the ‘Pan Fried Eggs with Kawarma Meat’ (we all agreed it would make a great brunch food), the ‘Sojok’ (ever so slightly spicy), and the ‘Hummus’ (because, hummus).

However, the stars of the show are admittedly the desserts. The ‘Maamoul Flake’ was a masterpiece, which was quickly devoured…once the appropriate amount of photos had been taken, obviously. And the ‘Baklawa’ did not disappoint my cravings for the honey soaked pastry. In fact I enjoyed it so much I may have just stolen some from the table next door.

My personal opinion is that some cuisines are so good you don’t need to go to an upscale restaurant to enjoy the best of them. Lebanese is one of these cuisines. That said, if you live in West London or you feel like something slightly more fancy, then Abd el Wahab is the place for you.

Would I go back? If I was in the area, I’d love to stop by for coffee and baklawa. Or perhaps some prosecco, if appropriate (when isn’t it?).

Check out more: Where to Eat

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This post is in collaboration with Abd el Wahab, however all words and opinions are my own.

bloomzy / November 10, 2017

Cosy Winter Eats at The Sipping Room | Restaurant Review

The Sipping Room | Drake & Morgan | European | Map

I have something to admit. I love West India Quay. I love being by the water, and staring up at the gigantic buildings that feel as though they’re hugging me (it reminds me a lot of Tokyo). And I love the hidden little gems dotted around, some of which you might not associate with the area. But I realise that not everyone feels the same way as me, so I always jump at the chance to bring someone along on my visits. And such an opportunity occurred last weekend, when VA and I decided to go for some Winter eats at The Sipping Room.

Hygge-worthy Atmosphere

As Autumn ends, and Winter starts to draw in, I begin looking for a different kind of restaurant. I start looking for somewhere that serves comforting food, with a cosy & warm atmosphere. The Sipping Room seemed like the perfect place for this, with their warm lighting, enticing menu, and friendly staff. Some might say it’s hygge-worthy. And you can see why, with the Scandinavian stylings and the family-friendly atmosphere.

Cozy Winter Eats

With VA as my foodie sidekick, we perused the menu with ease, and chose the most delectable sounding dishes (favourites are bolded):

Cocktails
- London Spritz (Tanquery gin, cucumber, elderflower, apple, mint & soda)
- Vignard (Botanist gin, dark grape juice, lime, sugar syrup, egg white & lemon thyme)
Starters
- Scotch egg (chorizo & smoked paprika mayonnaise)
- Salt szechuan pepper squid (lemon mayonnaise)
Mains
- Free-range half chicken Sunday roast (Yorkshire pudding & pigs in blankets)
- Rib of beef Sunday roast (Yorkshire pudding & horseradish sauce)
- All served with roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips, broccoli & gravy
Pudding
- Creme Brûlée (biscotti)
- Chocolate brownie (vanilla ice cream)

Our 3-course meal for two people came to a total of £74.70 (£37.35pp) with two cocktails. Not bad for a treat, however it is on the pricier side if you just fancy a casual Sunday meal. That said, we were pretty indulgent during our visit. I would definitely return for their cocktails, and that Scotch egg! Is that possible? Well if it is, I’d love to go back and check out their new outdoor igloos, where you can wrap up in a cosy sheep skin. The perfect Winter warmer!

Check out more: Where to Eat

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This post is in collaboration with Drake & Morgan, however all views, photos and words are my own.

bloomzy / July 6, 2017

The Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu is Hot!

Yauatcha City | Dim Sum Teahouse | Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street | Map

Working right next to Yauatcha City used to be oh-so convenient. Anytime I fancied one of the most beautiful desserts in London, I’d just skip on over. So when my office moved, I was almost certain that was the end of my love affair with the dim sum teahouse. But it was just my luck that I was invited back to try their new Summer Tasting Menu last week, which I dragged my friend Zarna along to (spoiler: she wasn’t unhappy).

And so rather than being petty and keeping all the good food in London to myself, I decided to let you all know about it too.

Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu

The Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu comes in two varieties: meat or vegetarian. We both chose the meat option, however Zarna can’t eat beef, and Yauatcha were very kind and replaced her venison puff (incl. beef gelatin) with a duck spring roll. I like to mention these little gestures as customer service is very important to me, and all these little things add up to an even better experience.

But of course I’m here to talk about what we ate…or more accurately, what we devoured:

Cocktails
- Asian Daiquiri
- Thea Martini
Steamed Dim Sum
- Champagne scallop & prawn dumpling
- Wild mushroom dumpling
- Crystal dumpling wrap with pumpkin
Fried Dim Sum
- Venison puff
- Mushroom spring roll
Mains (1pp)
- Stir-fry sliced beef
- Stir-fry pepper chilli seafood with asparagus
Sides
- Chinese vegatables
- Jasmine steamed rice
- Macarons (2pp)
Tea (1pp)
- Classical beauty

Desserts (not included in tasting menu)
- Fromage Frais
- Tropical Dome
- Chocolat Mint Delice

How hot is the Summer menu?

My favourites from the menu were: Venison Puff (the pastry & filling is to die for!), Stir-fry Sliced Beef (melted in the mouth), Thea Martini (sweet & fruity), Fromage Frais (beautiful & tangy), and the Chocolat Mint Delice (rich, indulgent…with popping candy!).

The Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu is £34 per person (min. 2 people), which includes a glass of wine/cocktail, macarons (2pp) and tea. For such a generous menu, I think the price is more than fair. We were pretty much full by the time our main course came round, but of course we couldn’t let good food go to waste so we devoured everything.

Check out more: Where to Eat in London