The best London restaurants to try on the Elizabeth Line
Discover some of our Favourite Japanese and non Japanese Restaurants to Try along the Elizabeth line. Here’s part 1 of our Guide.
We can’t express how super excited we are about the Elizabeth line, aka Crossrail. Although it is 3 years late and billions over budget, London’s newest mode of transport (not officially a tube line) is finally here!
TFL Walking Tube Map
One of the best things about London is how easy it is to get around (when there are no strikes that is) even by foot! and with the new Elizabeth line cutting some travel times by half, we couldn’t he happier! The other thing about London is the wide variety of restaurants and different cuisines available to us and the new Lizzy line will only help us get to our favourite restaurants faster.
With phase 1 of the Elizabeth line scheduled to open on the 24th May (Paddington to Abbey Wood) we wanted to celebrate by sharing with everyone some of our favourite restaurants, best places to eat and places we want to try along the new purple line. Being Londoners, we don’t mind walking to get to our food, but for this, the only rule is that they need to be within 15 minute walking distance from the station, any further and we’ll begin to get #hangry!
Here’s Our Londoner’s Guide To The Best Restaurants To Try Along the Elizabeth Line
Paddington Station
Most people will probably be only heading to Paddington for a connecting train, but residents in the area know a few gems perfect for those planning on staying a little longer. A 5 minute walk from Paddington Station you’ll find Ozuki. To be honest, we wouldn’t usually give a place that specialise in so many different cuisines a second look, but this cosy little sushi and pan-asian restaurant serving Japanese, Korean, Thai and Mongolian cuisines only opened in late 2021 and has had only rave reviews. We’ve not tried this one yet so let us know in the comments your thoughts if you have. For the best nasi lemak in town, according to TimeOut, head to Satay House, a favourite with Malaysians. If you fancy more of a party vibe, try Pergola Paraiso promising “an oasis of free-spirited partying, right in the heart of London. Inspired by the bohemian essence of Tulum…” serving food by Crudo Cevicheria and Dos Mas Tacos. If non of these tickle your fancy, a 15 minute walk will take you to Queens Way / Bayswater where you will find the original Four Seasons restaurant and Gold Mine, both arguably serving the best Cantonese roast duck and sui yuk in town.
Bond Street Station
Chicken Katsu Curry Rice, Marugame Udon
Although the Elizabeth line won’t be stopping here till later in 2022, the area offers many worth while restaurants to try which you can bookmark in anticipation. First up is Marugame Udon, already huge in Japan, they now have 3 locations with 4 more opening across London this year. The branch at St Christopher Place is only 2 minutes from the station and serves in our opinion, one of the best Chicken Katsu Currys for under £8.
Heddon Yokocho
For something a little bit more fancy, try the award winning ROKA Mayfair or cross the road to Mercato Mayfair and marvel at the Grade-1 listed St Mark’s Church whilst sampling an array of different cuisines from independent stalls. Speaking of Instagram-able places to eat, walk a little further in the direction of Regent Street and have your camera ready for Heddon Yokocho, a total must for ramen lovers! Located between John Lewis and London College of Fashion you’ll find Market Halls Oxford Street, here you’ll find Gopal’s Corner by the cult favourite Roti King, as well as other tasty vendors all under one roof.
Tottenham Court Road Station
Once famous for its collection of electrical shops it is now the gateway to some of our favourite places to eat and drink. One favourite place is Omotesando Koffee. Often praised as the best coffee shop in Tokyo, only a few of us Londoners know we also have one right here, on Newman Street just off Oxford Street. Order one of their delicately sliced cakes to go with your coffee, fingers crossed they’ll one day soon start serving their delicious egg sandos here too! Meanwhile, for something a little more substantial, cross the road and you’ll find Laksamania serving, yes you’ve guess it, authentic laksa. Their char kway teow is also one of the best we’ve tried! For something more plant based, Mildreds is a fantastic option, located on Lexington Street.
Sashimi Boat, Eat Tokyo
Walk toward Holborn and you’ll find Kanada-ya, a favourite little ramen spot. If there are a few of you, Little Lamb is a must for hot-pot (known as steam boat to some).
Miso Tasty at Eat Tokyo
Head south of Tottenham Court Road Station towards Soho and you’ll find Eat Tokyo, you will probably have to queue to get a table here but trust us, it is well worth it. Favourite amongst students and foodies alike, their menu is pages thick and their portions are huge, just Google Eat Tokyo Katsu Curry! We recommend one of their bento boxes, Saba Shio Bento is a fave, or if you want to go all out, try their Sashimi Boat. Next door is another Miso Tasty favourite, Shack-Fuyu, the teenage child to the famous Bone Daddies which is located a little further up. Not far off Old Compton Street on Frith Street, you’ll find Koya Soho, their Japanese breakfast is a must! You can read our review here.
Walk a little further south and you’ll reach Chinatown where you will find a wealth of options. Try Plum Valley for dim sum, BaoziInn for Sichuanese street food and Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream for Filipino desserts. Wa Cafe is a real treat, this little independent Japanese patisserie produce their unique range of quintessentially Japanese breads and pastries on-site daily. Their White Sesame Cheese Cake is a dream!
New to the area is Arcade Food Hall located in the Centre Point building housing “eight open kitchens and a mezzanine restaurant that travel the world”. Here you can experience Sushi Kamon’s omakase menu on their counter. If you’re lucky enough to get a booking, let us know in the comments below what you thought and tell us if you think the Miso Tasty team should go and try it too.
Farringdon Station
Sushi Tetsu
Nestled right by Smithfeild Market, Farringdon is in the perfect location for some great restaurants. The Michelin starred St. John has a restaurant here and it is also home to the tiniest Japanese restaurant in town, Sushi Tetsu. A stroll up Farringdon Road and you’ll come across The Quality Chop House which has been in business for over 150 years! Turn the corner and you’ll arrive at Exmouth Market. The market itself is only open on Fridays and Saturday but it is lined with some great spots which are open all week including Berber & Q, Moro and Morito.
For something a little more casual but just as exciting, check out The Eagle Farringdon, we hear they serve a mean steak sandwich, check out their daily menu on their Instagram. Granger & Co also deserves a mention serving miso salmon, hot and sour aubergine and brown rice on their menu, the type of ‘sunshine food and sunny vibes’ we love!
Liverpool Street Station
If you end up at Liverpool Street you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice. If it is views you’re looking for then Sushisamba in the Heron Tower is the place to be. Head towards Kindsland Road and choose any of the Vietnamese restaurants dotted on either side, they won’t disappoint. Right next door to Liverpool Street Station on Bishopsgate you’ll find Eataly housing the largest selection of Italian wines in the UK as well as selling some of the best foods Italy has to offer. Across the road down Middlesex Street you’ll find another branch of Marugame Udon but continue down and you’ll see My Old Place serving authentic Szechuan cuisine. Close by on Artillery Lane you’ll come across Ye Ye Noodle & Dumplings which is one of those little gems you’ll want to keep to yourself. A few doors down you’ll find Ottolenghi on the corner, where you can dine on beautifully prepared dishes such as Roasted cauliflower, gochujang, coriander salsa, lime yoghurt or Grilled broccolini, ajo blanco, blood orange, caraway, spiced almonds and also stock up on our Organic Miso Paste on your way out. Take a right at the end of the road and you’ll find Noodle & Beer, their Fan-ke Niu Nan Mian is just so satisfying. Venture a little further down and you’ll discover Gunpower for some seriously delicious home-cook inspired Indian cuisine and Som Saa, one of our favourite restaurants offering some of the best Thai dishes in London. The famous Spitalfields Market is also a short walk from the station, where there is a wide selection of restaurants and street food vendors. For your ramen fill, head to Shoryu Ramen at Broadgate Circle, there you’ll also find Yauatcha for some high end dim sum and Bar Douro, an intriguing Portuguese joint we’d love to try. The recently opened Rosemiya is another Japanese restaurant on our list to try out soon.
Whitechapel Station
Step outside the station and you’ll be greeted with rows of market stalls selling jewellery, clothes, fresh vegetables and electrical gadgets. But venture a little further and you will find Lahore Kebab House and Tayyabs two of the best South Asian restaurants in London. Fancy something French instead? why not try Chez Elles Bistroquet on Brick Lane. St. John Bead & Wine is also close by, if you can only stop by, grab some of their doughnuts, you won’t regret it!
Quoted as ‘The most authentic sushi shop in London run by a professional fish supplier’, Sushi Show is another must visit. It is a little over our 15 minute rule but if you can walk a little faster, we won’t tell. For sushi a little closer, head to Sushineon, or try Yuu Kitchen for “flavour from south-east Asia with some worldly ingredients thrown in for seasonality and variety” and check out their Bangin’ Bottomless Bao and tell us what you think.
Canary Wharf Station
London’s central business district with its the high-rise finance offices is home to a lot of familiar restaurants and places to eat including many restaurants on the higher end of the scale, such as Hawksmoor and ROKA, where you can enjoy their fine offerings with the bonus of a magnificent view. Marugame Udon makes another appearance here this time under a domed glass roof at Atrium Kitchen. For something less fancy but just as tasty, check out Rice Guys and MamaLan at Reuters Plaza. Emilia’s Crafted Pasta is also one to try if you are in the area.
Custom House Station
Chances are you’re here for ExCel London. Pop over to our old friends at Chozen Noodle for a quick bite from a selection of tasty Asian dishes or if you’re looking for somewhere to wind down after your show, Yi-Ban or China Palace are a good shout.
Woolwich Station
A short 7 minute walk towards Woolwich Market and you’ll find Hitachi Sushi where you can watch as the chefs prepare your meal on the sushi counter. Alternatively, head down to the family run Viet Baguette and sample some authentic Vietnamese home cooking.
Abbey Wood Station
Our last stop is Abbey Wood. (Well done to you for getting this far down in our guide). The Abbey Arms looks like a good bet here, serving an “award winning pizza and cracking Sunday Roast with all the trimmings & incredible Yorkies!”. We couldn’t really find anything else except for the odd Chinese takeaway and a Gregg’s (find out what Gregg’s Sausage Roll Miso and Happy Meal Miso taste like here), but we might be wrong and there is a delicious little place just waiting to be discovered. Do let us know in the comments below if you know anywhere!
London is full of exciting restaurants serving delicious cuisines from across the globe, we wish we could mention them all in our guide. If you know of any which you feel deserves a mention or ones which you think our Miso Tasty team would love to try, let us know in the comments below.
We hope you enjoyed our restaurant guide. Catch you, on the Elizabeth line, soon!
I wasn't sure whether I was going to like the range of wacky miso Kultured London brought for me to try, but DAMMIT, they were DELICIOUS! My 2 favourites were the Greggs Sausage roll miso... and surprisingly, the MCDONALD’S HAPPY MEAL MISO! Yes, you really can miso almost anything!! You might have spotted Jonathan recently on Jamie Oliver show together with his famous bacon miso!