8 of the best independent restaurants in London

Hi, I'm Brian, and having grown up in London, these are my top 8 favourite independent non-chain restaurants offering a unique experience with affordable prices!

Master Wei

An inconspicuous Xi’an restaurant in the heart of Bloomsbury, and just a stone’s throw away from the British Museum and Russell Square, sits Master Wei. Master Wei sees a devoted regular cohort of customers and for good reason. Their ‘biang biang’ noodles are so flavoursome and overwhelm the palate when tasted. ‘Biang biang’ noodles, which originate from the Shaanxi province of China, are one of my favourite comfort foods for their surprisingly deep flavour and handmade process which gives them an ‘al dente’ quality. There are few other places in London that do the noodles justice for such a good price!

Phat Phuc

Arguably one of the original ‘hidden gems’ of London, Phat Phuc Noodle Bar is just off King’s Road in Chelsea and hidden underneath some unassuming stone steps. Although sounding quite rude, the name for the restaurant actually translates to ‘Happy Buddha’ in Vietnamese. Having garnered a cult following for its simple courtyard setting serving traditional Vietnamese pho soups and noodle dishes this one is a must-visit! I can think of no place I would rather be than at Phat Phuc, hands wrapped around a hot bowl of pho.

26 Grains

A modern yet cosy spot with a welcoming, down-to-earth atmosphere is 26 Grains. Definitely one for the morning after a night out, they are open 9am-4pm every day apart from Thursday, serving brunch- porridge, eggs, and sourdough but with their own unique twists. Coffee lovers will also really appreciate their no-nonsense approach to coffee. What also sets this place apart is its open seating in the heart of Neal’s Yard providing great people-watching entertainment. After your brunch I would also recommend checking out St John’s Bakery in Neal’s Yard for its Michelin starred doughnuts.

Bun House

Located behind the main attraction of Chinatown’s Gerrard Street, Bun House looks like a simple bakery from the outside. However, seating is available inside where you can eat and drink in a beautiful traditional Cantonese Hong Kong café setting. Their version of traditional buns are a must-have, pork with yam, curried lemon chicken, lamb and cumin, and peppery beef brisket! My personal recommendation would be the lamb and cumin buns paired with a Lucky Buddha beer (a beer I can’t find anywhere else in London!), but with each fluffy bun costing only £3, try them all before listening to me!

Old Chang Kee

Old Chang Kee is located right next to the iconic Covent Garden and had its humble origins in 1956 in Singapore. Malay, Chinese, Indian, and British influences are always apparent in Singaporean food, and it is no different in Old Chang Kee’s signature curry puffs. Originally created by local Singaporean cooks infusing Southeast Asian flavours into Western pies, Old Chang Kee has brought them to London. Pick some up for a snack and head to the Diamond Jubilee Garden less than 50 metres away for some quality you time!

Norman’s Cafe

Norman’s café celebrates the humble simplistic charm of an English greasy spoon. It provides standard comfort food of hearty breakfasts and sandwiches, whilst putting their own touch on it. The café is stylish but not pretentious and the food is classic and brilliantly presented. Seating inside is limited so expect to queue up on a normal day, but the service is quick and unfussy so don’t expect to be queuing long! A fun fact about Norman’s is that they make their own baked beans- they’re not Heinz, which appeals to a certain crowd.

Maggie Jones’s

Tucked away between Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street, Maggie Jones transports customers to a cosy, rustic, romantic setting celebrating British comfort food. Roast pork belly with apple sauce, tarragon chicken, fish pie, and bangers and mash are recognisable classics on the simple yet enticing menu. Definitely one to check out if you want to impress someone or if you want an intimate wholesome dinner with a group! With three courses for £30 it is hard not to get addicted to Maggie Jones’s.

Beigel Bake

Before the hipsters and artisanal coffee shops, Brick Lane was the centre of London’s Bengali community and before that the Jewish Community. Beigel Bake is a remnant of that era and provides great cheap food 24/7, perfect for a late night out. Their legendary salt beef beigels and smoked salmon beigels are familiar with every Londoner. In true London fashion, don’t hesitate when deciding on your order, unless you want some dirty looks, from the bakers as well as those in the queue!

This blog was written by one of our 2022 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.