Overhyped or Hidden Gem? London Edition II

We’re back with our second London edition of Overhyped or Hidden Gem, because one round clearly wasn’t enough. In the age of social media, countless spots are overhyped for the sake of views alone and in today’s economy, wasting money on mediocre food just isn’t an option. Agreed?

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OVERRATED PLACES:

Carbone London - Unfortunately, if you missed our full Carbone London review, here’s the short version: it was hands down the worst culinary experience we’ve ever had. Dramatic? Maybe. An understatement? Absolutely. Even the atmosphere fell flat — the space is far too large, giving more canteen than luxury. Underwhelming decor, zero sense of indulgence, and definitely not worth the hype.

Instead, head to Cicchetti. Unpretentious, affordable, and consistently good, it strikes the perfect balance between a relaxed atmosphere and excellent service. The food never disappoints, and its location right next to Harrods makes it an ideal stop for a chic shopping break. (Cichetti - 6 Hans Rd, London SW3 1RX)

TOUM - I really wanted to love this place, especially knowing it comes from the owner of Aline, which I absolutely adore. Unfortunately, it just didn’t deliver the way it should have. The prices are simply too high for what’s being offered, and the chicken was underwhelming — dry, lacking flavour, and far from memorable. At that price point, we expect nothing short of outstanding. Sadly, this one has to be a miss in our books.

Instead, we highly recommend the Harrods roasted chicken from the Food Hall. Whether you opt for a small poussin if you’re dining solo or a chicken wrap on the go, it never disappoints. The sides are truly next level — think indulgent macaroni cheese or perfectly roasted potatoes cooked in chicken jus. There’s often a queue, but arrive early and you’ll breeze through in no time. (Harrods Food Hall 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL)

Taamini Bakery - With already three stores in London, you’d expect this Lebanese bakery’s products to be impeccable. Unfortunately, they’re often hit or miss. The dough is noticeably thicker and sweeter than a traditional Lebanese manouche, and the quality of the toppings simply doesn’t deliver.

Instead, try Common Breads  this is the closest you’ll get to a proper manouche from Lebanon. The dough is perfectly balanced, they use authentic Lebanese cheeses like akkawi (a rare find), and the quality of the meat in the lahme bi ajin and soujouk is outstanding. We go at least once a week, and every visit feels like being back in Lebanon. Definitely not one to miss. (Common Breads - 110 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9SA)

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LOS MOCHIS: If you’re coeliac, this place is definitely one to note — gluten-free sushi spots are hard to come by in London. That said, beyond the gluten-free offering, London is full of exceptional sushi restaurants, and this one doesn’t quite stand out in terms of either price or quality. The prices are steep, and for the same (or even less), you can enjoy an outstanding omakase at Yashin (featured in our London Guide #1). That said, they’ve recently launched their own omakase at Juno, which we’re curious to try, so stay tuned for an update. (Yashin Ocean House - 117, 119 Old Brompton Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 3RN)

COMPTOIR LIBANAIS: This has to be the least tasty Lebanese food in London. It feels overly commercial, nothing tastes fresh, and everything seems to be reheated: resulting in dry, lifeless dishes. Add to that a price point that isn’t even particularly affordable, and it begs the question: why bother?Instead, head to Em Sherif Deli in the Harrods Food Hall (87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL). Yes, prices have increased significantly since it opened, but the quality is genuinely outstanding. The variety is impressive too: from mezze and sandwiches to desserts and a rotating dish of the day. We wouldn’t recommend the upstairs restaurant, though: the prices have become borderline outrageous, and some might argue the food doesn’t even surpass what you’ll find downstairs in the Food Hall. (Em Sherif Deli - 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL)

KURO BAKERY: I used to go to Kuro Cafe for their genuinely good matcha, so when I heard about the viral bagels next door, I thought I’d give them a try. But as is often the case with viral food… it really didn’t live up to the hype. We queued for ages before ordering. I went for a matcha, assuming it would be the same quality as Kuro Cafe’s, big mistake. It tasted mostly of oat milk and was unpleasantly bitter, clearly rushed and not made with care.

I ordered a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, and it was honestly disappointing: the bread was overly hard and dry, and the fillings were sparse. For the price, it just wasn’t worth it. If you’re really curious, I’d recommend skipping the queue and ordering on Deliveroo but personally, I’d skip it altogether.

Instead, I would recommend Kleinsky’s (they also deliver) as it never disappoints. I always order the California bagel: classic smoked salmon and cream cheese, but with a Japanese twist: wasabi mixed into the cream cheese and pickled ginger on top. It’s genuinely to die for. I usually add their pickles and potato salad, which always hit the spot. I normally order in, so I haven’t properly sat down there, but the café itself is really cute, and you can eat outdoors when the weather is nice. Kleinsky’s is worth every penny — no hype needed. (Kleinsky's - 39 N Audley St, London W1K 6ZW)

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UNDERATED PLACES:

TENDIDO CERO: This place is really for people in the know. It’s been here for as long as I can remember, and the food is always top-notch. It’s a low-key spot where you come for the food, not to be seen. The quality has always been consistent, and it’s rare to find a Spanish restaurant in London where everything is delicious. They offer all the classic Spanish tapas, revisited in their own way, without losing their soul. Just across the street, they also have a bar and a more fine-dining Spanish restaurant. It’s very good, but sometimes a bit too revisited and modern for my taste—still delicious, just different.

If you’re looking for a more classic tapas menu, Tendido Cero is the one to go for. Do book ahead, as they’re always super busy. (Tendido Cero - 174 Old Brompton Rd, London SW5 0BA)

TWO TWINS TACOS: I’d always see this place on social media but never quite bit the bullet to travel to Brixton to try it. Now that they’ve opened in Notting Hill, I really had no excuse—and I’m so glad I finally went. Honestly, I don’t know why it’s so hard to find a decent Mexican restaurant in London, but at least we’ve found somewhere that does proper authentic tacos. This place is incredible. The quality of the ingredients is always top-notch, and they make the famous birria taco with a rich, delicious birria consommé. If you’re looking for a taco spot, this is it—look no further. They do deliver, but going in person is part of the fun, especially as it’s right at the end of Portobello Road. (Two Twins Tacos - 291 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TD)

EGGSLUT: Another place where I never dine in but always order delivery — and it never misses, especially after a night out: The Fairfax egg brioche sandwich is genuinely to die for: soft, rich, and exactly what you crave when you want comfort food done right.Their hash browns with sriracha mayo are unreal (possibly my favourite hash browns so far, yes, I said it). And saving the best for last: the French toast sticks with vanilla custard. Dangerous. Addictive. You will come back for them again and again.

Do not sleep on this place, order ASAP. Want to visit instead? You’re in luck: there’s one in practically every area, so you’ll definitely find one near you. (EGGSLUT - 185 Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED)

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LIVES UP TO THE HYPE:

THE ARAKI: Where to begin? I’ve tried a lot of Japanese restaurants in my life (sadly not in Japan yet), but this place still lives rent-free in my mind. I genuinely think about it at least once a week.

It is undeniably expensive (£310 pp), but if you’re an omakase fan, you won’t be disappointed. Everything was flawless from start to finish. From the moment you walk in, it feels like stepping into a real restaurant in Japan, the service, the atmosphere, and the décor all feel incredibly authentic.

The food is prepared right in front of you, as omakase should be, and everything is executed with such care and attention to detail. It’s a truly enjoyable, almost meditative experience. There are only a 9 seats, which creates an intimate setting where you feel connected to both the chefs and the other guests, making it even more special.

One thing to note: at the end, they’ll ask if you’d like an extra hand roll. It isn’t included in the menu and isn’t mentioned beforehand, so just be aware that this will be added to the bill.

CORE BY CLARE SMYTH: If I had to choose the best fine-dining restaurant, this would be it. I completely understand now why you need to book months in advance—this place is truly worth it.

Everything was simple yet delicate and intricate at the same time. With the open kitchen, you can watch the hustle and bustle behind the scenes, which adds to the experience. The service is impeccable, and between courses you’re treated to amuse-bouches that are just as delicious as the main dishes themselves.

If you’re looking to treat yourself for a special occasion, this is an absolute must-go.

Clare Smyth has also recently opened a more casual restaurant, Cornucopia, which we’ll be reviewing in January, so stay tuned.

ZEPHYR: There’s been a boom of Greek restaurants in London all at once, but the one that’s truly worth it and consistently delivers every time—has to be Zephyr. The vibes are immaculate and the food is seriously tasty. There’s even a bar downstairs for after hours, making it perfect for an intimate date. Definitely a must-try to add to your list.

1/2 MILLION COFFEE: There are so many coffee shops in London that it’s hard to know which ones are worth trying, but I find 1/2 Million seriously underrated. My go-to coffee outside of home is a Spanish latte, and in London that can easily go up to £11, which is wild. 1/2 Million offers a generous cup size for under £7, which is rare. Yes, it’s takeaway only, but when you’re around Oxford Street and shopping, it’s honestly the best option. They also have decent pastries, which is always a plus.

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