10 Healthy Culinary Havens in London
If you're in London and want delicious, healthy food with a wonderful atmosphere, try one of these lovely restaurants:
Bread and Butter Farmhouse Cafe
This cafe feels like you're working in an old-time bakery. They have all kinds of great breakfast options throughout the day, wonderful baked goods, and delicious juices. Great vibe for a meal or to work morning or night. Also, easy access to the Kingsland Towpath, along the canal.
Calthorpe Project Garden Cafe
Probably my favorite in all of London. Decades ago, local King's Cross residents fought the development of their local park—and won. So they developed the park further and it's been a hub of activity since. Now it is full of wonderful things, such as gardens with edibles, a fenced-in football pitch, a kids play area, ping pong table, and educational garden growing center, and—of course—a cafe. Much of what is used in the kitchen is from the garden. Everything is made simply and excellently. The baked goods, salads, soups, and sandwiches are not only delicious, they're quite affordable. The staff here are also the nicest. It's really like being in a home kitchen amidst a lovely garden. The place is a legitimate Shangri-La in London, hidden behind walls of shrubs.
Dishoom
Hands down the best Indian food I've ever had. Every dish is an explosion of delicious flavor. The experience and place are brilliant. The restaurant is so good that the place is always packed, commonly with lines out the doors...in all five of their locations across London (Carnaby, Covent Garden, Kensington, King's Cross, Shoreditch). During colder weather, the concierges bring out house-made chai tea. That's honestly worth the wait in and of itself. But everything else is also otherworldly. And there you'll dine with people of any nation, though there's usually many Indians, because everybody knows uniquely amazing how uniquely amazing this food is.
Mildred's
Certainly one of the best vegan restaurants in London. They are creative and clever and the dishes are truly enjoyable. They have all kinds of options and it's a great place to take someone if they're not super into vegan food. Every dish I've eaten there is worth trying. There are a three restaurants spread about the city (Camden, King's Cross, and Soho).
Kipferl Cafe & Kitchen
I love Austria. My time in Vienna was special. Kipferl is a hip version of that old place, tucked away on a walk-only street just off the Angel High Street. They have good baked goods, but their goulash and other traditional dishes are absolutely divine.
Fig Tree Cafe
I stumbled on this Highbury restaurant as I was walking down the street and hungry. It looked alluring and I moved closer to see what kind of fare they had. I saw heaps of vegetables ready to be cooked. I'd already planned on going to another place, but I noticed the chef had some carob pods and he was surprised I knew what they were. He told me you the pods were edible (I thought you just crushed the seeds into powder like with chocolate). So I was in to stay and see what this cafe had to offer. I went and sat in a solarium where I could see the big old Fig Tree the place was named for. The chef brought me my food and came to sit next to me to chat. It was fantastic. And the food? Perfect. I ordered the eggs and veggies. He brought me a plate with tasty eggs and 18(!) different sautéed vegetables. An overwhelming amount and it was absolutely scrumptious.
Long White Cloud
Found nestled into a small shop in Shoreditch, this place has well-made, delicious food. Usually casseroles and pastries that are scrumptious, they also make smoothies to order. Top to bottom, great food.
Chutneys
It's not Dishoom, but it's a very healthy, delicious Indian restaurant. They also have a stellar buffet and it's relatively cheap for what you get. Plus, it's strictly South Indian food, which I find to be the best. Plus, it's right next to Regent's Park, so you can have a day there with friends and family and then walk over for a delightful, healthy meal that doesn't break the budget.
Afghan Kitchen
This place is cheap, probably as cheap as you'll find in London. But boy oh boy is it delicious. Traditional Afghan recipes in this Angel restaurant that has family-style meals served a la carte. A hidden gem right out in the open.
Wild Food Cafe
Another vegan hub. This place reminds me more of Bali than it does London. Bright, airy, tropical dishes that are fantastic. Everything here looks amazing, but the place is a wee bit expensive. Good atmosphere for stopping in to eat but not for staying a long time to chat or work. Hidden away on some walk-only streets in Covent Garden.
