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Overhyped or Hidden Gem? London Edition I
- karineh17
- Jul 28
- 6 min read
London’s restaurant scene is growing like wild mushrooms, there’s a new spot opening every week, and it can feel overwhelming to keep up. Having lived in London all my life, I’d like to think my opinion counts. So, I’m here to help you cut through the noise, avoid the overhyped spots, and most importantly, save your hard‑earned money from being wasted on places that just aren’t worth it.
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OVERRATED PLACES:
ABC Kitchens - Aside from having the worst service I’ve ever experienced (and I mean ever), the place just doesn’t give you that luxury vibe you’d expect. I’ve been for both breakfast and lunch, the food is good, but honestly, it doesn’t justify the hefty 5‑star price tag.
If you’re after a lovely breakfast or lunch, I’d skip it and head to Art’Space by Claridge’s (Brook's Mews, London W1K 4HR) in Mayfair instead. The atmosphere is relaxed, but you still get that flawless 5‑star service, and the food is incredible. The quality is exactly what you’d expect from Claridge’s itself, so you won’t be disappointed.
I recommend ordering… well, everything (seriously). But if I had to choose, I’m obsessed with their madeleines, matcha, and of course, the crepes (sorry, there’s no way I could pick just one!).
Alley Cats - I was so excited when this pizzeria opened in Marylebone a couple of years ago — I thought it would become my go‑to spot. But after going back several times, I can finally give my verdict. Honestly, it’s a total hit or miss. Most of the time, the pizzas have come out straight‑up burnt, and the starters? They’re never consistent — portion sizes and even the ingredients seem to change every visit. And for what you pay, it’s definitely not cheap.
Fast forward a couple of years, and they’re now turning into a full‑on chain. Instead of Alley Cats, go to Chill Since '93 (10 New Row, London WC2N 4LH) they do square pizzas, and they are honestly to die for. I just wish I lived closer to Covent Garden so I could have them more often. Make sure you try the spicy salami with honey (a game changer) and, of course, the classic margherita — simple but perfect.
BLK CAB - I’ve really tried to like this viral matcha spot, but honestly, it’s just not for me. They pile on way too much concentrated matcha powder, and instead of that nice earthy bitterness you want from good matcha, it just tastes harsh — plus, the caffeine hit is so intense you’ll practically get palpitations.
That said, their Spanish latte is actually lovely.
If you’re after a proper matcha latte, head to Nagare (Ground Floor, 2 Newburgh St, Carnaby, London W1F 7RD) , a traditional Japanese café tucked away in the heart of Carnaby Street area. Their matcha tastes incredible — you can tell they use premium Japanese matcha and they also serve the most beautiful Japanese desserts that you have to try.
Cleo - This place is the definition of Instagrammable but sadly, that’s where the magic ends. The food feels completely sub‑par, almost like it’s been pre‑made. The avocado toast tasted like store‑bought guacamole, the eggs (of course) weren’t runny, and the chicken honestly had that bland ‘supermarket chicken’ taste.
For the same chic vibes and actually good food, head to At Sloane (1 Sloane Gardens, London SW1W 8EA), a Costes restaurant. You’ll still get your Instagrammable moment, but you’ll also enjoy a genuinely delicious meal. They serve all day until late, which is always a win. My go‑to order? The smoked salmon club sandwich, a side of fries (obviously), and whatever you do, don’t skip the Pavlova, it’s the real star of the show.”
Romeo San - It’s been a long time since I’ve had a meal that was a total disaster, but this new temaki bar managed it. From the outside, it looks like it has everything going for it, but the moment you sit down and actually eat, you realise it’s all smoke and mirrors.
The seaweed wrap? Awful quality. The chefs don’t even know how to roll and close a temaki properly. Each fish mixture is premade, scooped out of a container, and ends up looking (and tasting) like fish mush. Worst of all, every single temaki tastes the same, bland and definitely not fresh.
If you’re in a rush and don’t really care about proper temaki, sure, this place works — we were in and out in under an hour. But if you actually want to know what temaki should taste like, make the trek to Temaki in Brixton (12 Market Row, London SW9 8LF). It’s worth every minute. The fish is fresh, the flavours are spot on, and every bite literally melts in your mouth.
Voyage - Here’s another spot that survives purely thanks to Instagram hype. They actually make you queue outside while half the café sits empty, which already sets the tone. The space itself is huge but somehow feels cold and awkward — all those impractical white faux‑sheepskin chairs just make you terrified of spilling your coffee.
I’ll admit, their signature drink was tasty — but for £7, you’re not exactly sipping liquid gold. The pastries (£10), on the other hand, were disappointing: not fresh, and tasting more like industrial ingredients than anything homemade. Honestly, you leave wondering what the point of this place even is.
Instead, head to Saddle (7 Montpelier St, London SW7 1EX) just next door. Yes, it’s a bit cliché, but you won’t be queuing for ages, and their Spanish latte (while not cheap) is absolutely delicious. The food menu is varied, the quality is consistently spot‑on, and you have to try their crepes and, of course, the acai smoothie.
UNDERATED PLACES:
Ukiyo (8 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB)- This temaki bar has been a total revelation for me this year. If you’re anything like me, always eager to try new spots in London, especially when it comes to Japanese restaurants. you’ll know it’s rare to go back to the same place twice. There’s a new Japanese restaurant popping up every week! But this place is so good, I just had to return.
We actually wrote a full review on Ukiyo, so for all the juicy details, check it out here.
La Famiglia (7 Langton St, London SW10 0JL) - I’ve been coming to this restaurant for as long as I can remember, easily 25 years, and the quality has never slipped. It has that cosy, family feel (very fitting given the name), and it’s the kind of place you could come to every day and never be disappointed.
The menu is full of classic, traditional dishes, and we have to talk about the dessert cart, an absolute dream. If you like a little spice, go for the vongole; if not, honestly, anything you order will be delicious. Trust me on that.
Oka (251 King's Rd, London SW3 5EL) - If you’re after a casual sushi spot that also happens to be amazing for delivery (they’ve got multiple branches, so chances are they’ll deliver to you), this is the place. The fish is always super fresh, and the menu is huge, so even if you’re not in the mood for raw fish, they’ve got great cooked dishes too, like the miso salmon.
But if you are a sushi fan like me, don’t skip the salmon bites, the kimchi spicy miso soup, the unagi nigiri, and the spider roll, they’re all must‑tries.
LIVES UP TO THE HYPE:
Bottarga (383 King's Rd, London SW10 0LP) - When you see a restaurant all over social media, you almost expect it to be overhyped — but since Bottarga is from the same owner as Zephyr in Notting Hill (which I love), I knew I had to try it for myself. Since it opened, I’ve been several times — which already tells you everything you need to know. The vibe is perfect: at night it’s cosy, sexy, and romantic; during the day, it’s the ultimate terrace spot to gossip with your friends. The service is always on point, the cocktails are perfectly balanced, and the food? It’s never once disappointed. After multiple visits, I’ve basically worked my way through the entire menu — and not a single dish has let me down. Highlights for me? The spicy feta with red pepper, courgette tempura with black garlic aioli, anchovies with butter, the ratte potatoes, the orzo risotto… should I keep going?
Bottom line: order anything here, you won’t be disappointed.
Canteen (310 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TA) - This restaurant has been the biggest surprise of the year for me. I walked in fully expecting to hate it, and look at me now. I ended up loving it so much that I had to write an entire dedicated blog post about it. You can read the full review here.
Elevate (29 Royal Exchange, Threadneedle Street, EC3V 3LP London) - This smoothie bar has been dubbed the ‘Erewhon of London,’ but honestly, after visiting several times, it deserves its own title. Elevate’s smoothies are completely clean, no nasties whatsoever, and you can genuinely taste the difference. They’re as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to drink, and the best part? You don’t feel even a little bit guilty about indulging in one.
The only downside? You’ll have to trek to Bank. But trust me, it’s worth it and if you can’t make the trip, they’re on UberEats and Deliveroo. Still, it’s worth visiting in person just to sit in their cute little outdoor space and people-watch while you sip.
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