Best Diners in Mixed Bathing Pond

"Restaurants Portobello Road. Easily outclassing its previous incarnations, this sidekick of Notting Hill’s Electric Cinema is done out like a grungy New York diner – all bare brick, concrete and red leather banquettes. A blaring soundtrack adds to the vibe, while the supersized menu is stuffed with Stateside classics – Philly chilli cheese dogs, hot Reuben sandwiches, wedge salads and unmissable ‘fries au cheval’ (inspired by Chicago’s Au Cheval diner)."

"Set amongst the stalls of Portobello Road market, this exposed brick New York-inspired diner has West London flocking for their fluffy buttermilk pancakes, served with whipped butter and maple syrup. Cocktails, wine, smoothies and juices are also on offer at this diner, and it even offers discounts on meals if you've purchased a cinema ticket at the Electric Cinema (terms and conditions apply). Grab a red leather booth and a big cup of coffee to wash down your stack."

"Here you will hobnob and rub shoulders with the beautiful people. Notting Hill is simply one of the most exciting parts of London to visit. It manages to be both very real with its reggae and street markets, but very aspirational, brimming with untouchable glamour, at the same time."

"GreenwichOne of the capital’s largest craft breweries, Meantime is also blessed with a supremely stylish taproom – hexagonal floors and mid-century wooden furniture – that begs to be settled into for a tasting session. Because at this award-winning spot, it’s all about the beers: even the burgers come with sauces made from the core house brews (Anytime IPA Hot and Sweet, Yakima Red Ale BBQ, Easytime Lager Marinara). Top tip: take some of the Chocolate Porter home with you – it’s perfect for putting in puddings."

"Located in Greenwich, the Meantime Brewing Company has the mission of demonstrating the full flavour potential that beer has to offer. The commercial brewing house was founded by world-class brewer Alastair Hook, who in 1999 started to invest in it from his flat. The first brew package was made in April 2000, and the first beer brand was called Union, a Vienna-style dark lager."

"One of the pioneers of London's craft beer scene, the Meantime Brewing Company was set up in 2000 and the brewery's core beers, including London Lager and London Pale Ale are stocked in hundreds of pubs across the capital. The brewery tours at their sizable site in Greenwich start or finish with a tutored tasting and there's a shop and a bar on site."

"If you’re craving classic American diner favourites, like fantastic burgers, milkshakes, hot dogs, and US breakfasts, head to Big Moe’s Diners. Kids can choose from vegan nuggets, a Texan burger, or chicken strips, all served with hand-cut chips. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Big Moe’s massive selection of shakes and soda floats – you’ll feel like you’re on holiday in the Big Apple."

"This friendly all-day Dalston café bills itself as a modern greasy spoon and has perfected the art of curing hangovers – thanks to its devotion to hash browns and all things porky. Its quirky brunch dishes (available Tuesday to Sunday) strike the perfect balance between wholesomeness and the restorative powers of fried bacon – although they also sneak in a surprising amount of veg, from kale to homemade beans. The ‘Posh Pig’ muffin is particularly good, and the vegetarian options are genuinely decent, too."

"For the ultimate ‘modern greasy spoon’ experience  What to eat?. The white chocolate and caramelised banana pancakes. Long live the great British greasy spoon!"

"39 James St, Marylebone, London W1U 1DL Why should you care?. Curry and rice are primarily the order of the day at the latest London outpost of this huge Japanese curry chain."

"Born from a man’s dream to recapture the American diner scene, along with home-grilled burgers, hand-cut fries and thick milkshakes, Big Moe’s diner perfectly encapsulates classic American eating. Their menu spoils you for choice, from chargrilled beef and chicken burgers, lamb ribs and steaks to Cod and veggie options. If you want to start your day right, their breakfast menu serves New York-style Cro-dough and huge platters of beef sausages and chicken rashers served with free-range eggs and baked beans."

"You may have heard of British vegan activist Earthling Ed, whose calm and collected approach to educating people on the realities of animal agriculture has helped to spread awareness to hundreds of thousands of people. Unity Diner is his restaurant, and in true Earthling Ed fashion, all profits at Unity Diner are put towards animal rights campaign work. Unity Diner is a great place to be, with beautiful decor in the form of greenery and fairy lights to set the scene."

"Nestled in East London's Spitalfields, Unity Diner has expanded to a much larger space shortly after opening, making this wholesome restaurant one of the biggest completely vegan diner and cocktail bars in the city. Founded by a couple friends, including vegan advocate Earthling Ed, this not-for-profit eatery is a safe haven for everyone, with options so good it's hard to tell the difference from traditional fish and meat dishes."

"Earthling Ed’s non-profit restaurant Unity Diner deserves a spot on this list for the three epic burgers that don’t just taste great but help animals too. You can choose from the classic Moving Mountains Burger featuring ‘beef’ patties, cheese, bacon, and all the trimmings. There’s also the VFC Burger – a vegan take on the Southern-fried chicken patty with cheese, bacon, and a hash brown."

"Best for: Vegan fine dining so good you’d never know it’s vegan. The London vegan restaurant scene has proven time and time again that just about any food can be made vegan, and made vegan well, at that; take Pied a Terre, for example, a Goodge Street restaurant offering Michelin-star vegan à la carte and tasting menus. Open for nearly 30 years, the restaurant serves a traditional French cuisine with subtle Greek influences under the watchful eye of new head chef Asimakis Chaniotis, who took the reins in 2017."

"Gorgeously gourmet, and surprisingly reasonable amongst French restaurants with Michelin stars. Pied à Terre’s lunch menu is £29.50 for a starter and main, or £37.50 for three courses, which is likely as cheap as you’ll get for this standard of cooking."

"White asparagus with samphire, bitter leaves and gem lettuce from the vegan tasting menu at Pied à Terre. Got a special occasion coming up?. Looking to treat someone special?"

"Uncomplicated French food in an unpretentious setting is what Luc’s is all about. Think roast hake, entrecôte steak, Toulouse sausages with lentils or a niçoise. An all-French wine-list adds a certain je ne sais quoi."

"Once a month Windsor’s main shopping street is transformed into an eclectic independent food market. Peruvian, Spanish, British and vegan traders stretch uphill towards the castle. Don’t miss fat vats of paella and proper homemade toffee apple fudge."

"Even when brimming over with pups, toddlers and joggers, Victoria Park’s lakeside hub tends towards the idyllic. Commendably sustainable, the affable team do a roaring trade in both British and Sri Lankan, meat-free weekend mainstays. If rabidly after the former, think zhuzhed up fry ups with home baked beans and halloumi, but it’s much smarter to opt for signature string hoppers with pol roti, dal and coconut sambol."

"For breakfast, brunch and lunch with a view, grab a spot at Pavilion Café in east London’s Victoria Park. With a decked terrace perched on the edge of the river, it’s the ideal place to spend a few slow hours. Locally-grown produce is given a Sri Lankan twist, with string hoppers, dal, coconut sambol and beetroot curry served for breakfast."

"Sri Lankan , Bakery/Cafe"

"German-born baker Gerhard Jenne has baked for the likes of Tina Turner and the Rolling Stones. At his London bakery Konditor & Cook, you can get stuck into his superb Mittel-European influenced creations. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, you can now find six dotted across the capital, serving up a range of treats from deliciously indulgent brownies to a jaw-dropping, best-selling Curly Whirly cake, which features a Belgian chocolate centre, lavishly coated in cream cheese and vanilla bean frosting."

"Celebrating 25 years of moist bakes, Konditor & Cook is one of London’s most beloved cake shop chains. Providing not only rich, delicious cakes that are baked using the finest natural ingredients, Konditor & Cook offers a range of indulgent brownies, decedent tarts and delightfully naughty biscuits. Celebrity endorsed and as fun as it is mouth-watering, this should be on everyone’s culinary bucket list."

"Established in Waterloo in 1993, Konditor & Cook now have a legendary status in London as the makers of delicious, beautiful cakes using only the finest natural ingredients. For your work party, try one of the sharing platters or tray bakes. The peach and raspberry crumble looks amazing and is perfect for summer gatherings – if I was at your work do, you’d have to fight me for it."

"Restaurants Australian Kew. Brunch at Antipodea is an Aussie affair. Sipping your flat white in the conservatory-style dining room, you could almost be in Melbourne."

"22/06/2021: Brilliantly lively brunch place that chills down for the evening. Menu's a great mix of hearty Aussie food and lighter options, plus all the cocktails are Australian too. Love me a Ramsey Street Spritz!"

"With two locations in South London, Three Little Birds are keeping vegans well fed with their wide range of Jamaican tapas dishes. From roasted jerk cauliflower to classic rice and peas, this place is unmissable for those who love their rum, reggae and Caribbean vibes."

"Restaurants Contemporary European King’s Cross. This polished, all-day ‘grand café’ has a gigantic L-shaped terrace and a plum location on the pedestrianised bit between King’s Cross and St Pancras stations. There’s a year-round approach to alfresco dining too: the outdoor space is thoughtfully equipped with heaters, blankets and umbrellas."