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Overhyped or Hidden Gem? London Edition III
- 6 days ago
- 12 min read
We’re back with our third London edition of Overhyped or Hidden Gem, because two rounds 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:
Dove: I still struggle to understand the hype surrounding Jackson Boxer. He seems to be behind every new restaurant opening, spanning every type of cuisine, yet I rarely feel that any of them truly excel at what they set out to do. We wrote a full review of Dove, which you can read here, but unfortunately it's not somewhere we'd return to. What surprised us most was that the restaurant's signature burger ended up being our least favourite dish of the meal. Considering it's the reason many people book in the first place, it was a disappointing experience.
The atmosphere didn't help either. The warehouse-style space feels intentionally understated, but the overly self-important attitude from some of the staff made the whole experience feel more pretentious than welcoming.
If you're curious, it's worth trying once to form your own opinion although there's no guarantee you'll even be able to order the burger, as it often sells out.
Instead, I'd recommend Margaux (152 Old Brompton Rd, London SW5 0BE). This charming French neighbourhood restaurant serves authentic French cuisine with a refined, modern touch. The food is consistently excellent, the service is warm and genuinely welcoming, and they even have a couple of outdoor tables that are perfect for lunch or dinner on a sunny day. It's the kind of place you leave already thinking about when you'll come back.
The Hart: This place is one of those question marks for me because, to this day, I’m still trying to understand the appeal. It’s clearly somewhere people go to be seen and to socialise, but the pub itself looks like any regular London pub. Yet somehow, the prices are on par with what you’d expect to pay for a drink at a members' club.
We also wanted to try the restaurant upstairs, mainly because everyone seemed to be raving about it or perhaps more accurately, because it had become the latest viral spot in the foodie world. As you walk upstairs, you pass directly by the kitchen and are immediately hit with a strong cooking smell. It’s not particularly appealing before dinner and even less so afterwards. The décor upstairs is equally underwhelming: perfectly fine, but nothing memorable or worth mentioning.
One thing to note: when we booked, we had looked at the menu online and there were so many dishes we wanted to try. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, the menu had completely changed and was significantly more limited, so bear that in mind. The waiter, however, was excellent. He was friendly, helpful, and took the time to explain every dish on the menu. Sadly, the food itself was incredibly disappointing, genuinely one of the worst meals I’ve had in a long time.
Their mince roll was essentially oily, lukewarm minced meat in a bun, with no sauce or anything to elevate it. In fact, the recurring theme throughout the meal was temperature: almost every dish arrived lukewarm. The hash browns were rock hard and dry. My friend ordered the fish, which was perfectly average and entirely forgettable. I had the meat dish, which was so chewy that parts of it were inedible due to the amount of fat, and the sauce tasted like ready-made gravy.
Nothing felt thoughtfully executed or particularly appetising, and by the end of the meal we were genuinely disappointed. Perhaps we’ll give it another chance when the menu changes again, but for now, it’s a hard pass.
Instead, we highly recommend the Alfred Tennyson Pub (10 Motcomb St, SW1X 8LA), A beautiful pub tucked away in Belgravia, this is the kind of place where you can enjoy a proper British pub experience downstairs and, if you're feeling peckish, head upstairs for a truly divine meal. We almost always come for the Sunday roast because, in our opinion, it’s one of the very best in London. That said, no matter which day of the week you visit, you’ll find a menu full of comforting, well-executed dishes.
The meat is consistently incredibly tender, and we’ve never left disappointed. An added bonus is their delicious Bloody Mary, which is reason enough to visit on a Sunday and the perfect cure for a lingering hangover. Do book in advance, as tables fill up quickly. Honestly, after a meal here, we completely understand why.
TAQ: Another concept from Jackson Boxer, which feels puzzling given that he has no background in Mexican cuisine. TAQ used to be Taqueria, a genuinely delicious and authentic Mexican restaurant, something that is incredibly hard to come by in London. The menu was thoughtful, the flavours were vibrant, and everything tasted true to the cuisine.
Now, the dishes feel poorly executed. The tacos are drenched in either spicy mayo or pepper, seemingly to compensate for a lack of flavour elsewhere. The meat is under-seasoned, uninspiring, and ultimately forgettable. You leave feeling disappointed rather than uplifted.
It’s a real loss. As I’ve mentioned before, I still find it difficult to discover truly authentic Mexican food in London. For tacos, my recommendation is undoubtedly Two Twins Tacos (291 Portobello Rd, W10 5TD). For a more traditional Mexican dining experience, I haven’t tried Fonda (12 Heddon St, W1B 4BZ) yet, but I’ve heard nothing but praise from Mexican friends, so it’s firmly on my list. Ixchel (33H King's Rd, SW3 4LX) is also a safe bet, although it’s not the best Mexican food you’ll ever have and, for me, the pricing is simply too high for what’s on offer.
The Barbary Notting Hill: I usually find it a bit of a red flag when a restaurant groups itself under “Middle Eastern / North African / Levant / Mediterranean” as if they were interchangeable, when in reality these cuisines are quite distinct. Too often, what you end up ordering doesn’t quite match what you expected in terms of flavour or execution.
I’m all for creative, experimental takes on traditional dishes, but here it felt inconsistent—some plates clearly leaned into interpretation, while others were presented very literally, which made the overall experience feel a bit disjointed. Perhaps if you’re not familiar with Levantine or Moroccan cuisine, you might enjoy it more without specific expectations, but for us it didn’t quite work.
If you’re after something in that general style but much more cohesive, I would recommend Ceru (7-9 Bute Street, SW7 3EY). It’s a Mediterranean restaurant where the menu feels thoughtful and the flavours consistently deliver what they promise. The zucchini & feta fritters and the spiced polenta & feta fries are standout favourites for us and always a safe choice.
Crisp Mayfair W1: First of all, no pizza restaurant is worth queuing for or booking weeks in advance. That said, after Crisp opened its Mayfair location, we thought it was finally time to see if the viral hype was justified. The restaurant advertises that it accepts walk-ins every day, which may explain why reservations are so difficult to get. We arrived at 6pm, only to be told by the hostess that the walk-in quota had already closed for the evening. We hadn't realised the waitlist itself could close, so we ended up leaving.
After that, we kept checking the booking system every day, and eventually, by pure luck, a Wednesday 1:30pm slot appeared.
The pizzas were good, but not worth the hassle of queuing or stalking the reservation page. The cheese pie, despite all the rave reviews, was surprisingly bland and lacked the depth of flavour we were expecting. The pepperoni pizza, however, was excellent. The dough is exactly what you want from this style of pizza, light, airy and, of course, wonderfully crisp.
That said, with all the fuss surrounding Crisp, I'd still recommend Carmela's (149A Upper St, London N1 1RA) instead. It serves the same style of pizza at a lower price, and you can actually get a table without planning your week around it. Even if you don't live near Islington, I can honestly say it's worth the trip. I'm already looking forward to my next excuse to head to North London just for another one of their pizzas.
Cedric Grolet: After saying for years that I would never fall for the Cedric Grolet hype, I finally caved. Unfortunately, every preconception I had turned out to be true. The first thing that struck me was how the pastries are displayed out in the open on a central table where everyone walks past. From a hygiene perspective, it didn't inspire much confidence, especially for cream-based pastries sitting at room temperature. Then there are the prices. They're so excessive that they've crossed the line from luxurious to simply absurd. Spending over £60 on a vanilla tart would be acceptable if the flavour justified it—but it didn't. The desserts looked spectacular, but they were surprisingly bland, with none of the "wow" factor you'd expect at that price point. For the cost of a couple of pastries, you could enjoy a Michelin-starred lunch, and I'd argue that's money far better spent. That said, I have a lot of respect for Cedric Grolet as a businessman. Building a brand that creates this level of anticipation every time a new pastry is released is genuinely impressive. From a marketing perspective, he's exceptional. But at the end of the day, he's a pastry chef first, and for me, the quality simply doesn't justify the price.
If you're looking for outstanding desserts in London, I'd recommend Kova (16 Old Brompton Rd, SW7 3DL) instead. This Japanese pâtisserie is best known for its signature mille crêpes cakes, and it has never disappointed me. Every cake I've tried has been beautifully light, delicate and full of flavour.
Another reason I love Kova is its drinks menu. If you're craving a proper matcha, this is one of the few places I completely trust—the quality is consistently excellent. Their iced teas are equally delicious and make the perfect accompaniment to a slice of cake.
My favourites have to be the Vanilla Mille Crêpes, the Strawberry Fraisier and the Matcha Tiramisu. They're all beautifully balanced and prove that great pâtisserie doesn't need to come with an eye-watering price tag.
Pavilion Press: This beautiful coffee shop tucked away on Pavilion Road should, in theory, be one of those places you keep coming back to. Unfortunately, the experience is tainted by the poor service. It really has all the ingredients to become a neighbourhood favourite, but the coffee simply isn’t worth £6 and, ultimately, why would you choose to spend time somewhere when the atmosphere feels off? A café is just as much about how a place makes you feel as it is about what’s in the cup.
Instead, I’d recommend Foreign Exchange (22 Leinster Terrace, London W2 3ET). It may not be in the same area, but it has the same owner and a similarly beautiful aesthetic. More importantly, it has genuinely good vibes. You can sit back and enjoy your coffee or matcha in peace, ideally alongside a delicious slice of Reemie’s cake. Honestly, what more could you ask for?
UNDERATED PLACES:
FANDO by Fan (6 Chepstow Rd, W2 5BH): I keep seeing everyone talk about FAN, the gastronomic restaurant, but why is no one raving about FANDO, its casual daytime café?
The moment I spotted onigiri on the menu, I knew I had to try it. They also serve sando sandwiches, but I'm a huge onigiri fan, and it's surprisingly difficult to find ones that are both authentic and generously filled rather than being mostly rice. Thankfully, FANDO did not disappoint.
The quality of the fillings is excellent, and the seaweed is perfectly crisp rather than chewy, which makes all the difference. I tried both the tuna and the salmon, and both were fresh, flavourful, and incredibly satisfying.I'd recommend ordering two onigiri for a light but filling lunch, or three if you're particularly hungry. This is exactly the kind of place that deserves far more attention than it's getting, and I really hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
Bourne's Fishmongers (31 Belsize Ln, Belsize Park, NW3 5AS): This place is such an interesting find. It's first and foremost a proper local fish shop, but tucked inside are a few tables where you can sit down and enjoy some of the freshest seafood around.
We ordered the fish pâté, the fish and chips, and the fish burger, and the standout feature across every dish was just how incredibly fresh the fish was. It was beautifully flaky, perfectly cooked, and honestly some of the freshest fish I've had in a very long time. It's the kind of place that doesn't rely on fancy interiors or gimmicks, just exceptional produce that speaks for itself. A true hidden gem that deserves far more recognition than it gets. Next time, I'll definitely be leaving with some fresh fish to cook at home as well.
Casa N216 (216 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 1NR): This relatively new wine bar is one to add to your list. From the moment you step inside, you're transported to Italy through the warm atmosphere, welcoming staff, and, of course, the carefully curated selection of wines and food. The interiors feel less like a bar and more like you've been invited into someone's beautifully designed home, creating an intimate and effortlessly stylish setting.
It isn't the cheapest spot, but these days we'd rather go out less often and spend our money on places where everything is made with genuine care and attention. This is exactly that kind of hidden gem. Alongside excellent cheese and charcuterie boards, they offer a rotating selection of daily dishes, all of which tasted incredibly fresh and had that unmistakable homemade quality. There's also outdoor seating, making it an ideal spot to while away a sunny afternoon or warm summer evening. If you find yourself in Notting Hill, this is a place you won't want to miss.
Mulliri (163 Gloucester Rd, London SW7 4TH): With new coffee shops opening almost every week in London, it's hard to keep up with them all, let alone pick a favourite. But this one has truly become our coup de cœur. Perfectly located, it's the ideal place to grab a coffee before strolling through the nearby park. Their signature drink is the Freddo Cappuccino, a Greek classic that's surprisingly difficult to find in London, and they do it exceptionally well. The pastries are just as impressive. Don't leave without trying the wonderfully fudgy brownie and the matcha cookie, both are absolutely delicious. This is a lovely addition to the neighbourhood and one of those rare cafés where the beautiful aesthetics are matched by the quality of the coffee and the food. It's a place you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.
LIVES UP TO THE HYPE:
GAIA (50 Dover St, W1S 4NY): When it comes to GAIA, you either love it or hate it and I have to say, I’m definitely one of the people who loves it. The decor is absolutely stunning, the service is consistently impeccable, and the food never disappoints. The quality of the ingredients is exceptional, which is especially important with Greek cuisine, where you can’t simply hide behind a fancy sauce: the ingredients have to speak for themselves.
The viral seabream carpaccio truly deserves all the hype it has received and continues to receive. It is always incredibly fresh, and the trio of sauces elevates it into a truly iconic dish. Another standout is their Greek-style yogurt dessert served with their delicious donut balls, a perfect way to end the meal.
Beyond the famous viral dishes, the rest of the menu is just as impressive and deserves even more recognition. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared and full of flavour. If you’re looking to treat yourself, GAIA is the place to be. Their upstairs bar is also a beautiful spot for a drink, with cocktails that are carefully crafted and perfectly curated.
Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecote (120 Marylebone Ln, W1U 2QG): You can never go wrong with this institution. You come for what you pay for, and you always leave satisfied. While the meat may not be the most tender you’ll ever have, the legendary secret sauce and those incredible fries more than make up for it. The desserts are also a highlight, especially if you still have room after enjoying two servings of the famous steak and frites. The vacherin is absolutely to die for, and of course, you can’t leave without trying the classic profiteroles. The only downside is that they only accept walk-ins, and it gets busy very quickly. I would highly recommend arriving before opening hours, as the queue often starts forming early. That way, you’ll wait around 20 minutes rather than potentially hours.
VE/LA Mayfair (46 Maddox St, W1S 1AY): When it comes to matcha drinks in London, there are generally two types: the more gimmicky creations with lots of flavours and toppings, and the more traditional matcha spots that focus primarily on the quality of the matcha itself. This viral place originally from Thailand, definitely falls more into the first category, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the drinks are delicious. You can choose from a variety of matcha options as well as coffees, making it a great spot for different preferences. Their signature matcha cloud drink is incredibly sweet and feels more like a dessert than a drink. The creamy top is absolutely delicious and makes it a perfect choice if you’re looking for a sweet treat. If you opt for a traditional matcha latte, you’ll appreciate the matcha quality much more, you can really taste the higher-grade matcha and its depth of flavour. Overall, it’s definitely a place worth visiting if you’re craving a fun, indulgent matcha experience rather than a purely traditional one.
Parlour by Ice Cream Union (166 Pavilion Rd, SW1X 0AW): I don’t know why I waited so long to try this viral ice cream spot. The constant queue always put me off, but after visiting twice during peak times, I can say that while the line is always there, it moves surprisingly quickly. The flavours change seasonally, which keeps the selection fresh and exciting. Every ice cream feels thoughtfully made with high-quality ingredients and great attention to detail.
If you’re a fan of authentic gelato made with excellent produce, this place is definitely not to be missed.
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