London Stratford Restaurant Guide

“Buzzy and informal”, this pair of farm-to-fork brasseries in South Kensington and Westfield Stratford (shrunk from a mini-chain) “have some interesting English dishes on the menu” which “can be good”. But they are “still unbelievably variable”, and “can be rather noisy and chaotic”.

NYC star-restaurateur Danny Meyer’s global operation was founded as a hot-dog cart in a New York park in 2001 and has found success in London, as elsewhere. “Admittedly the burgers are pretty good”, but ratings support those who feel “they are not that amazing versus others” and likewise that “there’s nothing in the decor to make you want to hang around”. Recent openings include Cannon Street and a new outlet is scheduled at Boxpark Wembley in late 2018.

The “cheap and tasty Thai food” at this fast-growing chain “hits a decent standard despite its many branches” and its delivered by “friendly, speedy staff” making them “a good stand-by option”. Founders Saiphin and Alex Moore, who opened the original branch in 2008, have recently sold a majority stake to US investors TriSpan.

“Elevating the fast food experience” – this fast-growing US-based chain provides “a better class of quick burger” (with a good variety of toppings), plus “fries that are so savoury, and so-tasty milkshakes almost too thick to suck through a straw!” (“just don’t watch the calories…”). On the downside, “the ambience leaves a lot to be desired: it feels like a less glamorous McDonalds!”

Husband and wife team Paul Hemmings and Cara Ceppetelli continue to expand their “simple and brilliant” fried chicken formula with a fourth London site in Westfield Stratford. They already have venues in Shoreditch, Camden and Islington.

Ex-Chiltern Firehouse head chef Patrick Powell's first solo venture, on the seventh floor of Stratford's new Manhattan Loft Gardens building (the new apartment tower that also boasts a hotel and three roof gardens, plus The Stratford Brasserie on the ground floor). It's certainly shaping up to be one of the most impressive openings of 2019. Allegra will have its own roof terrace (or 'sky garden'), a curing room, a Scandinavian stone bar and a glass, walk-in wine room. Powell's dedication to local and sustainable food has extended to buying Kent farmland to provide Allegra with nearby ingredients.

One of two restaurants in the new Stratford Manhattan Lofts hotel, The Stratford Brasserie is overseen by chef Ben Harrington, previously with Soho House Group. See also Allegra (from ex-Chiltern Firehouse chef Patrick Powell).