London Ealing Restaurant Guide

“Pretty much any Asian dish you fancy is available” (“where else can you get sushi, ramen, laksa and char kway teow in one place!”) at Ding Chu’s five canteens in central and west London, which celebrate their 30th anniversary this year. They are “terrific value, especially for areas of town where restaurants are generally overpriced”. You wouldn’t choose them for a romantic supper though: each interior is a “bit of an overly bright space”.

This 15-strong London noodle chain (now with branches in Brighton, Birmingham and Bristol) is “a good stand-by” – perhaps it’s “not as good as some of its competitors”, but it is widely seen as “good value”: in particular “the lunch-time meal deal” is a winner.

“Top-class pizza at the new outlet by Kew Gardens” (on the site of Hawthorn, RIP) wins a particular thumbs-up this year for this “properly Neapolitan” chain (“down to the shrine to Diego Maradona on the wall” in TW9). It was well-rated this year, if not as stratospherically as days gone by, supporting those who feel: “I don’t seem as keen on this place as everyone else, but it’s fresh and friendly and local”. The group started in Ealing over 15 years ago and – as well as its Kew launch – also added a Paddington branch in 2025 to join those in Fitzrovia, Fulham and Islington.

Puneet Wadhwani’s colourful, “good-value” street-food cantinas in Ealing and Hammersmith are inspired by the snacks sold to travellers at Indian railway stations. Having a party? – “The chef’s sharing Thali is fantastic – full of flavour and great variety” – and feeds up to five hungry adults and two kids for £144 (vegetarian), £155 (mixed) and £166 (with seafood).

The “reliable, delicious ramen” available at six sites across the capital, offering “tasty twists” on traditional Kyushu-style noodles from former pro cyclist Kazuhiro Kanada, is many people’s favourite Japanese fast-food option. “A newly opened branch in Westfield Shepherd’s Bush, although finding its feet, is still one of the better options for a bite to eat” in the mall.

2022 Review: “A great setting in Walpole Park with an amazing terrace” is a highpoint at this all-day café in the walled garden of Ealing’s fine Pitzhanger Manor (designed by Sir John Soane). It’s been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride in recent times, closing, changing operators, re-opening, and then with another change of chef in August 2021 (Andre Rhone from Richmond’s Bingham). Most recommended for breakfast, so that seems a good way of dipping your toe in the water here.

“A delicious and super-innovative take on Middle-Eastern street food” in Mill Hill, where founder Tomer Vanunu and executive chef Michael Levi – who first met as school friends in Israel – aim to bring West End-standard cooking to the capital’s northern suburbs: “perfect for light lunch or brunch”.

“A real gem in Ealing” – “there’s no mistaking the accomplished quality” of this Spanish “but not run-of-the-mill tapas” restaurant, with Colombian influences from “skilled young chef” Andrés Quevedo Sanabria, who “comes up with interesting and delicious combinations and ideas: one to watch”. “W5 locals are lucky to have this place so close”. Top Menu Tip – “enjoyable mainstays include the iberico ham and the Pluma iberico (a cut of pork); Ox steak is expertly cooked”; and “when the Carabinero prawns appear on the menu, I’ll be there!”