Summer family English must tries in London?

Question

Heading to uk this summer with dh and kids(9,7). Will go out of our way for good places to experience food we don't get in the states, but need to do as a family. Will have about 8-9 days in London, staying in south Kensington/notting hill/Chelsea area but will be exploring all over. Have one night with sitter, so maybe recommendations for good fare as fam and suggestion for a one-night special with dh? Have done high end us/French restaurants, but looking for great experience, not just hype. Any kinds of food will do!

Answer

For family recs I would suggest Kopapa which is a fusion place and Dishoom , an Indian place based on the cafes of Bombay. Both would be fun places to go with kids , that have good food.

http://www.kopapa.co.uk/about/restaurant

http://www.dishoom.com/

Answer

One night special with dh:
Japanese/kaiseki at The Shiori in Baywater (close to where you're staying)

Good fare as family:
If you're willing to travel a bit on the District Line, there are many excellent Indian places in East Ham, and all very casual, so should be able to accommodate your family easily. Chennai Dosa (Tamil), Hyderabadi Spice (Hyderabadi), Lahore Nihari (Pakistani) are some of the more recent places I've been to and enjoyed. But also check out the various chaat stalls.

Been a long while since I've had the Brazilian at Barraco (Kilburn), but was great, plus they serve moqueca.

Excellent Iranian kebabs at Mohsen in Kensington.

No. 10 Chinese restaurant for Sichuan in Earl's Court.

Tukdin near Paddington for Malaysian.

Sedap near Old Street for Penang style Nyona.

The kids might enjoy cooking at the table. Chinese hotpot at Royal Palace (near Canada Water) or Korean grill at Koba (Fitzrovia) are good options.

Answer

Another suggestion for your special night: Rules. Quintessentially English, a great experience, and not just for the excellent food.

http://www.rules.co.uk/

Answer

You say you like fish and chips. Notting Hill is home to Geales fish restaurant that has been a sit-down but casual and reasonably priced fish and chip place for more than 50 years. It is on Farmer Street just a short walk from Notting Hill Gate tube. It is always high on my list when I go back to London. http://www.geales.com/notting-hill/welcome

Answer

Traditional fare? Ever had pie and mash? This is an old East London working man's tradition that is slowly disappearing (although Gordon Ramsay and David Beckham are trying to revive it). M Manze is pretty darn good and is on Tower Bridge Road about a mile South of Tower Bridge. http://www.manze.co.uk/

Answer

A quick list of favourites - not by any means comprehensive:

St. John. Perhaps the iconic British restaurant in London. Very good value considering what you get, too. Should have no probs bringing the kids.
Ottolenghi. Totally different and unique; it's a true London experience. The Islington location is the one to go to. Mediterranean food, extremely creative. Lovely in summertime; choose a sunny day. While in the area, stop by Paul Young for really good chocolate.
Golden Hind. Every time I want fish and chips, I go there. Consistently the best in London.
Nearby there's also the Ginger Pig, which you should go to for a takeaway lunch. They always have something good. The sausage rolls are legendary. Sit on a bench in Paddington gardens and enjoy a picnic.
Anchor and Hope. My vote for gastropub. Slightly more genuine than some of the others, although you have to be patient about long waits and no bookings. Very worth it.
Scoop: It's not Italy, but it's possibly the best ice cream in the city; a place to take the kids on a sunny day. You could also test the fish and chips across the way at Rock & Sole Plaice; in my view maybe not as good as Golden Hind but still worthy. For a more upscale fish experience in the Covent Garden area you could go to J. Sheekey. You'll need to book well ahead, though. However I wouldn't consider it a "one-night special" sort of place.
I personally liked Dinner by Heston Blumenthal a lot; the food was really first-rate. However for a "one-night special" you might find the atmosphere a bit unimaginative.

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