Within a short distance of both the Bank of England building and the quirky bars of Shoreditch, Liverpool Street has recently benefited from redevelopment and has a landscape that is peppered with now-famous skyscrapers. You’ll come across a lot of flustered commuters, but there are some incredible places to eat, too.
For a traditional British supper, head to Poppie’s Fish and Chips
For seaside-style fish and chips right in the heart of the city, Poppie’s is legendary. Pat ‘Pops’ Newland began cutting up copies of the Daily Mail to wrap chips in back in 1952 and has never looked back. Poppie’s is tucked just behind Spitalfields Market and serves fish caught that morning by a third-generation Billingsgate fishmonger. Diners can choose to eat off real plates inside the 1950s-decorated restaurant, or sit outside and eat from newsprint boxes.
Fantastic fusion cuisine is the raison d’être of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian restaurant SUSHISAMBA. Nestled high up on the 38th and 39th floors of 110 Bishopsgate, making it the second-highest restaurant in London, this exceptional restaurant seduces guests with its unique range of food options and the 360-degree views of the city you can get from the terrace. Walls of glass make up three of the restaurant’s sides, allowing guests an unobstructed view across the city. We recommend the moqueca mista, which consists of jumbo shrimp, squid, sea bass and mussels with coconut milk, dende oil and chimichurri rice.
In addition to his places in Bermondsey, José Pizarro also serves his acclaimed Spanish food to city dwellers at this restaurant in the Broadgate Circle development. The menu features a mix of classics – croquetas, boquerones, tortillas and the like – as well as more contemporary dishes like iberico pork burgers. Make it extra-authentic by pairing your meal with one of the restaurant’s own gin and tonics.
Feast on French cuisine in grand surroundings at Galvin La Chapelle
Restaurant, French, $$$
The Galvin brothers opened their third restaurant in 2009, in this former Victorian school and chapel, rescued from demolition when a group of residents chained themselves to the front door. Now that the space has been restored to exquisite grandeur you can enjoy fantastic modern French cuisine below an imposing vaulted ceiling. Head here on a Sunday afternoon and The Ray Rich Band will provide a swinging jazz soundtrack.
Michelin-star restaurant Angler is the place to go for seafood in Central London. Perched on the top floor of the Conran-designed South Place Hotel, it showcases the best that British waters have to offer, with produce from Orkney, Cornwall, Devon and Dorset all well represented. Dine beneath a mirrored ceiling, created by sculptors Grace & Webb, which gives the impression of a shoal of shimmering fish. If you’d rather enjoy the view over the city, Angler has a heated outdoor roof terrace.The five- and eight-course tasting menus are great for a celebratory occasion, though the restaurant’s location at the top of the South Place Hotel already makes it feel special.
