We went all out for some market-to-Michelin foodie goodness in the big smoke.
Realistically, you’d need a full month to get around all of London’s “must-see” sights and “must-visit” cafes and restaurants. But when you’ve only got a weekend, you need to make it count. So we did.
There were a few foodie places we’d earmarked as dream spots to try. One was Off Menu stars’ favourite Michelin restaurant Brat, another was the one-star Sabor – which takes Spanish cuisine to the max – and the third was Halepi, a Greek taverna-style restaurant we’d seen great things about online. Over the last 52 years they’ve gone from pastry shop to one of the most famous Greek-Cypriot restaurants in London.
The four of us took to London armed with hungry stomachs and eyes bigger than our bellies. It was a dangerous combination.
Friday: Warming Up at Old Spitalfields Market
Arriving on the Friday afternoon, we wanted a few small bites that would tide us over until Halepi that evening. Marrying into a Greek family, I knew the portion sizes would be generous – and that I would inevitably eat my bodyweight in bread and dips.
Old Spitalfields Market had an amazing array of taco stands, Nigerian street food, fresh pastas and desserts as far as the eye could see. The old warehouse reminded me a little of Shrewsbury Market, where the sights and smells make you want to buy everything. I decided to “err on the side of caution” and got three savoury plates and a dessert. In hindsight… not the wisest idea.
We visited Yum Bun for a Szechuan pork bao, Dos Mas for a chicken adobo taco, I Thai for a refreshing prawn summer roll and finished with a Wheelcake Island Oreo cake. I’d never seen this type of dessert before – imagine two fluffy pancakes with custard inside. So good.
Friday Night: A Family Feast at Halepi
That Friday evening we had a show booked, so decided to visit Halepi from 4.30pm, which meant we could relax and order as we went along. Splitting the mezes gave us a chance to try a little bit of everything, and the family vibe in the restaurant was perfect.
The homemade taramasalata was the standout – a secret family recipe that was seriously addictive. The food kept coming and I quickly started regretting the wheelcake.
For £39pp you get a very generous amount of food. Platters of grilled meats, fresh Greek salads, endless bread, and that cosy, bustling atmosphere. As they say in their write-up, it’s like being in Cyprus or Greece but without the sunshine – and we completely agreed. The tables are crammed in, conversations flowing and the food is fantastic. I don’t think you could go wrong with anything on the menu.
📍 Halepi – 18 Leinster Terrace, London W2 3ET
Nearest stations: Paddington / Bayswater
Saturday Lunch: Counter-side at Sabor
Saturday came around quickly. We decided to take an hour’s stroll to Sabor to at least pretend we were trying to balance out all the eating.
Tucked away on a side street just off Regent Street, we queued for opening at 12. Walk-ins are seated at the counter right in front of the kitchen, which I actually preferred. It’s mesmerising watching the chefs in action, moving from station to station – fish being prepped to your left, garnish being delicately placed by the head chef, and tortillas being poked and prodded to make sure they’re perfect.
The menu is a mix of meat, fish and veggie dishes. Service was unfussy but very attentive: your glass was never empty, your water never low, and even though the restaurant was packed you never felt far from a waiter’s attention.
Highlights included the meticulously made tortilla and the whole brill. We picked a beautiful bottle of 2021 Cava as we had a range of food – sparkling works with everything.
A lovely touch was the friendliness of the chefs, who happily explained different processes. Your order is written on your table, so you can see what’s coming and know they haven’t forgotten anything. It all set the scene for a brilliant afternoon. I’d love to come back to try more of the meat dishes next time. I already can’t wait to go back.
📍 Sabor – 35–37 Heddon St, London W1B 4BR
Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus
Saturday Night: Modern Michelin at Brat
Saturday evening saw us head into the heart of Shoreditch for Brat and a jump into a more modern take on a Michelin menu. Inside it felt cosy and low-lit – very much a “splash-out date night” kind of place. The kitchen and bar are completely open, which I loved watching as a diner (and slightly dreaded from a hospitality point of view!).
Food-wise it was a tough decision. We opted for three or four small plates and shared two mains, similar to what we’d done at Sabor. I’ll admit I found myself comparing it to our previous meals, which is probably inevitable.
Standout dishes were the wood-roasted greens and the wood-roasted duck – both beautifully cooked and full of flavour. The food selection was excellent and we could easily have made two or three completely different choices and still been happy.
The only downside for me was the wine list. Across London I spotted a few familiar bottles at eye-watering mark-ups. One of our Liverpool Wine Tour favourites, “Chin Chin”, which retails at around £8, was on the menu at £34 – and that was the cheapest bottle. I know London is more expensive, but still…
📍 Brat – 1 Redchurch Street, London E1 6JL
Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street
Heading Home (Already Planning the Next Bite)
Overall it was a fantastic weekend. In just three days we squeezed in markets, Michelin stars, family-run favourites and a whole load of street food and wine bars. London is impossible to “finish”, but this little market-to-Michelin route gave us a brilliant taste of what the city has to offer.
We’ll be back soon – and first on the list? That tortilla.
