Shoreditch, Burgers, Etc Restaurant Guide

YOM! So say vegan types about the Beyond Meat patties at this expanding meat-free burger chain. Having been based in Pop Brixton, its horizons have now expanded to a permanent outlet near Silicon Roundabout (and also a residency in Brighton and delivery in Bristol).

“Glorious burgers and great music in grungy surroundings” – this punk-inspired dirty burger operation “has many imitators now – but it’s still the best” for its diehard devotees. A decade after making the transition from a food van to a permanent site, the chain now has nine venues in the capital. If the excitement of its early years has dimmed a little, its food ratings continue to shine: “Dead Hippie burger, deep-fried mac’n’cheese, salted caramel brownie – is that not a perfect (heart-stopping) indulgent meal?”

A “go-to place for top burgers”, this upmarket chain offers a chic Parisian polish that its rivals would struggle to match, and operates seven outlets in Shoreditch, Chelsea, Camden, Clapham, Balham, Holborn and Kingston. Ratings softened this year, however, and one or two reporters feel it’s “not as good as it once was”.

This minimalist Shoreditch independent attracts superlatives for its burgers, sides and funky drinks. While the eat-in diner is standalone, the business is expanding via a delivery-only kitchen in Wandsworth and a nationwide meal-kit operation, also rated “amazing – one of the best”. Top Tip: “the truffle fries”.

“OMG! that’s what you call a burger!” – fans of this Brixton Market Row and Boxpark Shoreditch operation insist that their patties – dry-aged beef served with cheese, bacon, onion jam and garlic mayo – are “mind-blowing”. “Side dishes are great, too”. Founders Liz and Stew launched five years ago after working ski seasons in Whistler, Canada – haunt of black bears.

2021 Review: “A nice, laid-back American buzz” has helped win a loyal following over the years for this small chain of Kansas City-style diners: one of the first in London to bring BBQ indoors. “It’s a fun place” (in the right mood) and the food is “decent” and in man-sized portions, but “not particularly special”.

“Perfectly aged, hung and cooked – this place is steak-heaven”. Huw Gott and Will Beckett absolutely nailed it with this zeitgeisty 15-year-old chain of steakhouses, which they still part-own (and which – in July 2021 – announced the possibility, later cancelled, of floating on the London Stock Exchange to fuel future growth). For a generation of London restaurant-goers, “Hawksmoor hits it every single time” and the increasing introduction of fish from a dedicated buyer at Brixham market is a popular (and wise) innovation. Is it finally becoming a victim of its own success though? Ratings slipped notably this year due to an assortment of non-pandemic-related gripes (“beginning to feel formulaic…”; “just not tasty enough for such high prices…”; “still knocks out a succulent ribeye, but not what it was…”). Still, in late 2021 they’re gearing up for the biggest and most ambitious space yet, and their first branch amidst the scrapers of Canary Wharf. Spread over three levels, it will be housed in an eco-friendly floating pavilion made from sustainably sourced timber decking, aluminium extracted from hydro sources, and with a green roof planted with wildflowers and grasses! [Instead of the wildflowers and grasses and aluminium extracted from hydro sources, should we all maybe just eat less meat!? Ed]

“A little truck in the centre of the city serving nothing but duck and chips”: parked up permanently at Spitalfields Market, it’s “the Nando’s of duck!” – “delicious and very affordable”, providing “generous portions of very good duck, plus excellent duck-fat-fried fries and slaw”. “If I worked locally, I wouldn’t be able to fit into my suit after coming here every day!”.