Make the most of December’s very best ingredients, from moist sweet potatoes to crisp, crunchy apples and mild Savoy cabbage
Want to know what’s good and in season in December? Looking for December recipe ideas? Use moist sweet potatoes, crisp, crunchy apples and mild Savoy cabbage from your local greengrocer to make these seasonal dishes and bakes. We’ve included plenty of tips for how to shop for particular varieties, prepping guides and useful ideas for using leftovers. Explore our sweet potato recipes, apple recipes and cabbage recipes for fresh ways to make the most of December’s seasonal produce. Sweet potatoes The sweet potatoes you’ll typically find in supermarkets are orange-fleshed, moist and sweet. Not as widely known is the white sweet potato, also called boniato. Available in Caribbean and Asian supermarkets, it's also known as kumara or Caribbean sweet potato. It has creamy white insides, is drier and less sweet than its orange cousin. Sweet potato muffins Get ahead and bake a batch of sweet potato muffins for lunch in the week – they keep well in the fridge. They also make for a great speedy breakfast or brunch. Discover more sweet potato recipes here. Cauliflower Related to broccoli, a cauliflower’s head (the curd) is actually made up of hundreds of undeveloped flower buds. That collection of buds should be pure white when buying, and held within crisp green leaves, which can also be steamed and eaten, too. Cauliflower ragu Enjoy this great alternative to a meat ragu. Made using cauliflower, it’s cheaper and sneaks in an extra one of your 5-a-day, while the anchovy adds a deep, rich flavour. Find more cauliflower recipes here. Apples British apples are at their best during the later seasons. Go for fruit that’s not bruised and wrinkly, and don’t be fooled by shiny skin – quite a few apples are waxed purely for aesthetic reasons. Invisible apple cake This French cake is so called because the thinly sliced apples meld together in the batter to make the body of the cake and almost disappear. Gingerbread apple butter Spread this gingerbread apple butter on crumpets, stir into a bowl of hot porridge, use on a cheeseboard or as part of a sauce for some juicy pork chops. Check out more apple recipes here. Savoy cabbage Named after a region in France, Savoy cabbage is mild in taste and, due to its large, robust leaves, holds up well when cooking. The leaves are especially good for stuffing. Savoy cabbage thoran Enjoy this simple Savoy cabbage thoran, or cabbage fry, a dry vegetable dish originating from Kerala. The key ingredients are coconut, chilli and spices. Savoy cabbage gratin Chunky wedges of Savoy cabbage are roasted until browned and then baked in a rich cheesy sauce with thyme – the perfect accompaniment to a roast. Find more cabbage recipes here. Chestnuts Although chestnuts start to fall in autumn, their creamy, nutty flavour is synonymous with festive recipes, and their deep mahogany shells makes them easy to store until December. Find them glacéed as treasured sweets, puréed and folded into cream for desserts or simply sold in their shells ready for roasting on the open fire (I serve mine with a little dipping dish of salt ready for dunking once roasted). You can buy them cooked and vacuum packed (great to have on hand) or make a cross in the shells with a sharp knife and roast at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 20 mins until their shells start to peel back to reveal the softened, creamy yellow flesh inside. Chestnut stuffing with dates and molasses Impress guests over the festive period with our epic stuffing recipe, featuring chestnuts, sausagemeat, sage leaves and sour cherries Brussels sprouts Cultivated in Belgium in the 16th century (hence the name), Brussels sprouts are a relative of cabbage, so share a similar flavour profile of slight mustard, sweet and (some people think) bitter. Often overcooked if boiled, which brings out more of their bitterness, stir-frying or roasting is the best method of cooking. They can also be eaten raw, finely shredded and added to slaws or salads. Marmalade-glazed sprouts with chestnuts Give Christmas sprouts an effortless twist with marmalade, chestnuts and thyme. Frying steamed sprouts in butter lends colour and a velvety shine to your veg. Parsnips These sweet roots are a member of the carrot family. In season from September to March, they’re at their best in the cooler months, which is exactly when you want to eat the warming comfort foods they’re suited to – roasted and served with a Sunday dinner, whizzed into a silky smooth soup or simmered in a slow braise. Their sweetness and robust texture make them great additions to vegetarian mains. Parsnip, sage and apple wellington Our best vegan wellington recipe, stuffed with fried parsnips, mushrooms, lentils, crispy sage and sweet apple. It's the perfect Christmas Day centrepiece. Clementines Little moments of pure sunshine and sweetness which bring brightness to the darker months – clementines are part of a handful of fruits (mostly citrus) that are in season in the winter months due to them being imported from warmer climes. They are a hybrid of an orange and a mandarin, grown for their easy-peel skin and lower acidity over regular oranges. Pile into a bowl for an easy festive table centrepiece, or stud with cloves and allow to scent a room. Panettone and clementine tiramisu Layers of coffee-soaked panettone, candied peel, Cointreau mascarpone and cocoa powder make for a showstopping dessert that's perfect for Christmas Day. Clementine and bream crudo With only a handful of ingredients, minimal prep and no cooking, you'll have an effortless restaurant-style starter in a matter of minutes. Pomegranate Fragrant, sweet pomegranate seeds are encased in a leathery red husk. The fruit grows on trees throughout the Middle East, India and the Mediterranean. Their rich history is tangled in symbolism for fertility and abundance, and their tiny ruby seeds add a pop of colour and crunch to sweet and savoury dishes. Their flavour is sweet, tart and floral, and brings freshness to winter salads, but can also be used as a garnish on lamb dishes, to add a pop of zing to a slaw or mixed with citrus for a festive fruit salad. Rose and pomegranate meringues Ruby-red pomegranate seeds and fragrant rose water are the stars in this festive meringue dessert, served with a sprig of fresh mint and real rose petals. Cranberries Jewels of winter, these crimson fruits are often simmered with sugar to make jam, and served alongside turkey for Christmas. However, these tart gems offer so much more than just a festive condiment. Their sweet-sour nature lends them to refreshing, zingy desserts, such as fools, crumbles and pies. Cranberry tart with cinnamon cream Fill your tart with a Rudolph-red cranberry curd for the ultimate festive dessert this Christmas. Serve with sweet whipped cinnamon cream. Duck Duck has a robust, gamey flavour that holds up to a variety of cooking methods, particularly roasting, which allows the skin to crisp while the meat remains tender and juicy. It pairs well with sweet, sharp accompaniments, such as sherry and shallots, as their sweetness and acidity balance the richness. Classic side dishes such as buttery mashed potatoes, roast potatoes and seasonal greens are ideal partners, creating a comforting and impressive main course for special gatherings. Roast duck with sherried shallots Sweet sherry and meltingly soft shallots pair well with rich, gamey duck in this effortless main for two. Serve with buttery mashed potatoes, or roast potatoes and some greens. Leeks With a subtle onion flavour, leeks add a hint of allium without overpowering a dish. They can also be used in their own right, steamed and buttered or stirred through a rich cheese sauce. Cut down the length of the green part to separate the layers, and fan out under cold running water to remove any grit. The green parts are often discarded or used for stock, but when they’re double cooked and swimming in cheese sauce, they offer a wonderful texture to leek gratin. Swede, leek and smoky bacon boulangerie Top this buttery root veg and streaky bacon boulangère with parmesan breadcrumbs – pure winter comfort. Blinis toppings These blinis are a perfect canapé for festive gatherings, as they’re simple to prepare and versatile. Try topping with sweet charred leeks and whipped ricotta for a vegetarian option. Leek gratin with crispy leek topping Take classic leek sauce to the next level with this gratin, featuring plenty of grated cheddar, golden breadcrumbs and extra-crispy leeks on top. Carrots Carrots are a versatile root vegetable, celebrated for their natural sweetness and vibrant orange hue. Carrots can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: they are delicious when roasted to bring out their caramel notes, steamed or boiled for a softer texture, or eaten raw for a crisp, refreshing bite. They also work well when grated into salads or slaws. Carrots pair beautifully with warming spices such as cumin and coriander, and complement other root vegetables like parsnips and potatoes. Crispy plaice with Thai-style carrot salad Serve strips of crispy seasoned plaice with a vibrant carrot and green bean salad. Finish with mint and coriander for herby freshness. Middle Eastern roast carrot salad with herby carrot top yogurt This recipe uses not only the carrots but also their herby green tops, so nothing is wasted. Serve this easy recipe as an impressive side dish at your next family dinner. Carrot cake loaf Make this carrot cake loaf extra-special with brown butter soft cheese frosting, if you like, or simply leave it off if you’re short on time. Mutton Mutton, taken from sheep over two years old, brings a depth and character you don’t get from younger lamb. At its best in the colder months, it’s made for hearty winter cooking. Slow braises, stews and gentle roasting coax the meat into tenderness while drawing out its full, warming flavour. Slow-cooked fragrant mutton curry This slow-cooked mutton curry is all about deep warmth and tender meat that melts into a fragrant, spiced sauce. Let it simmer gently, then serve with rice or naan for an easy, crowd-pleasing winter feast.
Discover why cream sherry makes such a versatile cocktail ingredient and the best recipes to try, including ideas for fino and manzanilla sherry
Read our guide to the best sherry cocktails, then explore the best sherries to drink this Christmas, the best ports to buy and our collection of 64 Christmas cocktails. What is cream sherry? Cream sherry is a style of sweet sherry that's usually made by blending a dry wine, like oloroso, with sweet wines like pedro ximénez. It was once hugely popular (especially Harveys Bristol Cream, which in its early 1970s heyday sold a million cases a year in the UK) but this has waned thanks to the mass production of sickly-sweet, low-quality sherries and, more recently, the changing tastes of drinkers as they seek out dry styles like fino and manzanilla. This is rather a shame because a good cream sherry from a quality producer is a lovely thing: sweet but not cloying and full of the beautiful festive flavours of dried fruit, caramel and nuts that make it a perfect match for desserts and cheeseboards (try it with blue cheese). While it’s delicious sipped neat (always drink it chilled – on the rocks with an orange slice is particularly good), the complexity of flavours in a good cream sherry make it a surprisingly versatile cocktail ingredient. Plus it lasts for ages in the fridge once opened – for weeks and even up to months. Sherry cocktail recipes Cream sherry cocktails Sherry flip Velvety and nutty, this sherry flip makes an excellent alternative to eggnog during the festive season. Sherry highball Inspired by the sherry colada at New York bar Sip & Guzzle, this drink mixes cream sherry with pineapple soda for a fresh, tropical, highly gluggable highball. Sherry whisky sour A Christmassy spin on a classic whisky cocktail, the cream sherry adds extra festive flavours to the drink. Manzanilla sherry cocktails Seabreeze cocktail You'll need cranberry vodka, two types of sherry and grapefruit juice for this zesty, tart cocktail, from Manzi's seafood restaurant in Soho. Olive martini Add a touch of sophistication to your next martini with guindilla pepper brine and manzanilla sherry. Don't forget the green olive to garnish. Fino sherry cocktails Rebujito The rebujito, popular in Andalusia, is just the ticket for warm-weather drinking: a highball cocktail where dry fino sherry is mixed with lemonade for a tall, thirst-quenching drink. Tuxedo This sleek and elegant cocktail is very similar to a martini, but instead of vermouth uses dry fino sherry for an appetisingly nutty edge.
From slinky, speakeasy-style dens to cutting-edge mixology, London's cocktail bars are world-class. Here's a taste of what to expect
Looking for the best cocktail bars in London? As olive’s drinks writer, I've spent the past eight years scouring the capital’s bar scene to keep up with the latest trends, openings and hot spots. London’s bar scene is one of the best in the world (including four of the World’s 50 Best Bars; see the full list here), buzzing with cutting-edge mixology, top-tier bartender talent and, most importantly, really delicious cocktails. Here’s my pick of the best at the moment – from a Latin American-inspired basement bar in Notting Hill to a Dalston agaveria and award-winning cocktail lounge in Soho. There's plenty to keep your Friday nights and weekends busy; make sure you check back for more as I'll be updating this guide with the best new cocktail bar openings. For more like this, check out the World's 50 Best Bars, the best London hotel bars to visit, the best listening bars in London and the best London pubs for food lovers. Also check out our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Fitzrovia, best restaurants in Shoreditch, best restaurants in Marylebone and best restaurants in Notting Hill. Best London cocktail bars The Black Duke, Vauxhall The Vauxhall roundabout was an unlikely dining destination until Jackson and Frank Boxer launched their much-praised Brunswick House in the surrounds of a Grade II listed Georgian mansion in 2010, and thanks to a restoration of the building’s 18th-century cellars they’ve now launched The Black Duke, making two good reasons why you need to visit. Inside, dripping candles add flickering cosiness to the carefully revived space, which includes 300-year-old fireplaces and chimneys restored to working order. Exposed brickwork, vintage tables and leather seating complete a pared-back yet inviting setting. The drinks list is pleasingly short and to the point – start with a one-sip negroni before moving on to crowd-pleasing cocktails with a twist; alpine herbal liqueur génépi adds herbal complexity to the house martini, while an excellent bergamot margarita highlights the floral charms of this citrus fruit. Elsewhere, non-alcoholic drinks included superior no/low brands like Botivo, and you can get £5 glasses of the house champagne, Pol Roger, between 6-8pm. Elevated snacks include devilled eggs, generous cheese, pickle and charcuterie plates, and a must-order grilled potato bread with green garlic butter. brunswickhouse.london Little Bat, Islington Neighbourhood bar is a descriptor that can be used too liberally when it comes to London drinking spots but it’s perfect for Little Bat. Sister bar to Callooh Callay in Shoreditch, it’s casual and fuss-free yet stylish, with refreshingly affordable cocktails. Dark, sultry and dimly lit, it’s a great choice for low-key birthday drinks with friends or perhaps one last drink on a night out. A refreshed cocktail list has plenty to enjoy. Flutter By is a light, pretty agave cocktail with Codigo Rosa tequila complemented by floral, fruity notes from strawberry aperitif and elderflower liqueur. Little Bat also nails the classics: we tried a warming, spicy boulevardier (the negroni’s winter cousin) with Fielden rye whisky, and there’s also a pithy roster of ‘Cold AF’ martinis. Our vesper did not disappoint, crystalline, boozy and icy cold. There’s also a revamped food menu courtesy of chef-consultant James Cochran – those looking for bar snacks can try the likes of toasted sourdough bread with whipped gravy butter, seriously addictive buttermilk fried chicken with jerk spiced hot honey glaze, and beer-battered Whitstable oysters. Or turn it into a proper dinner and add mains such as jerk spiced slow-braised shoulder of mangalitza pork or torched Cornish mackerel with hazelnut tahini, finished off with aged Berkswell basque cheesecake for dessert. littlebatbar.com Chiave, Shoreditch Chiave, meaning ‘key’ in Italian, cuts a subtle exterior on Shoreditch’s Redchurch Street bar the large, polished brass-effect key on the door. Naturally lit during the day from the sash windows, stay until sundown for the bar to transform into an intimate drinking den with dark mahogany tables and palo santo incense swirling up towards the enchanting red ceiling. Nine signature cocktails are the crowning glory, each of which is called after a song. Street Spirit (named after Radiohead’s 1995 track) is a vibrant twist on a Moscow mule with aniseed notes from raki – Turkey’s national spirit – effortlessly blended with a subtle salted caramel vodka. For crisp and aromatic herbal refreshment don’t miss Sunbeams with Tanqueray No Ten gin, chinotto nero and a blend of clarified sea buckthorn and basil. Margarita fans will not be disappointed with a Tommy margarita mixing equal quantities of Ojo de Dios mezcal and Don Julio tequila, with chilli liqueur and a spicy sumac rim. The team’s Turkish heritage is reflected in the small but thoughtful snack selection. Nibble on elegant, rice-stuffed vine leaves with pomegranate molasses for dipping, or hummus-filled cucumber bites. If you want to carry on the night, head downstairs to the small but compact dance floor with custom-made speakers and a classy HiFi mixer. chiaveshoreditch.com Mad Cats, Shoreditch Another listening bar has landed in Shoreditch – and this one is more than worth a visit. With a compact cocktail selection that chooses quality over quantity, Asian-inspired flavours sing with Muyu Jasmine Verte Liqueur, junmai sake and lemongrass, while there’s a dash of Lebanese inspiration with the Zaza cocktail, a spin on a classic tequila martini with infused za’atar oil. Red, white, rosé, orange and sparkling wines are available from traditional and new world regions, as well as five varieties of sake. East Asian flavours are carried across to the menu. The yellowtail carpaccio with jalapeño sauce and ponzu dressing is beautifully presented and citrussy without being too sharp. Towering brioche toast with crab and gochujang aïoli was a highlight, although there truly were no misses: charred Hispi cabbage is accompanied by an umami-rich wafu sauce, and the miso hake with chilli oil and samphire is buttery and delicate. Greek Cantaloupe sorbet makes the perfect palate cleanser ahead of the silky pandan crème brûlée. Attention to detail goes beyond the menu, with chopsticks resting on hand-painted model cats, DJs spinning vinyl only and an abundance of high-fidelity speakers to keep audiophiles content. Don’t miss a trip to the bathroom through the blue velvet curtain where The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is played on a speaker directly in your cubicle. madcats.uk Parasol, Stoke Newington From the team behind The Sun Tavern, Parasol is a latest addition to the slew of cool cocktail bars in Dalston. With a subtle exterior, stepping down concrete stairs reveals a plush curtain, behind which lies a speakeasy-style bar underneath the depths of Stoke Newington Road. Dark, cosy and with booths and tables plus seats underneath the paper lanterns at the bar, it’s a large space with a disco ball at-the-ready for DJ sessions until the early hours at the weekends. Those more sweet-inclined shouldn’t miss the fragrant Baklava with bourbon, amontillado, pistachio, honey, cardamom and orange blossom, or the whimsical Kinder Bueno with Irish cream liqueur, whisky, cacao and clarified milk. It was the Korean Jesus that stood out from the crowd – a gochujang twist on a spicy margarita balanced with plum soju, honey and with added aromatics from ginger and coriander. Fans of zingy, citrus flavours shouldn’t miss the silky Yuk Fu with Chilean pisco, green chartreuse, earthy matcha, pandan and coconut, and a piece of lemongrass delicately balanced on top. Alongside the house, ‘disco’ and sharing cocktails sit beers, ciders – including Parasol’s own Umbrella London brand – and a sizeable wine list. Bar snacks are kept simple but effective: paprika-topped creamy hummus and crisp Gordal olives make for great counterparts to the liquid refreshment. parasol-london.co.uk Cinco, Dalston Hidden away underneath sister restaurant Corrochio’s, Cinco is a rustic, sultry basement den with flickering candles and bare concrete walls decorated with Mexican art. First and foremost a bar that specialises in agave and Mexican spirits, its collection – including rare bottlings – is curated by Corrochio founders Daniel Corrochio and Amy McQuarrie from their travels across Daniel’s native Mexico. The bar even has its own in-house mezcal available to try and buy. Cocktails are surprising and layered, showcasing the full breadth of what agave spirits have to offer. The Doña Mago uses raicilla (another agave spirit), tomato liqueur, plum sake, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur and plum and tomato cordial for a fabulous margarita-esque drink with smoky, fruity, tangy charm. Another next-level take on a marg comes in the form of the El Chihuas, with sotol (another Mexican distillate, made from the desert spoon plant), fig, guanabana and yuzu liqueurs. The end result is a tropical, creamy drink with a delicate floral edge. The Mujer Moderna features butter-washed Abasolo whisky, Nixta corn liqueur, crème de cacao and chocolate bitters for an opulent, cocoa-tinged interpretation of an old fashioned. Cinco also has a nice little roster of no- and low-alcohol cocktails made using alcohol-free spirits and Mexican ingredients – the La Bikini Cero, with non-alcoholic agave spirit, chilli syrup, verdita water and pineapple has a pleasing spicy kick. corrochios.com Encore, Mayfair Downstairs from Lebanese rotisserie joint Toum, Encore successfully ticks off two cocktail bar buzzwords in one fell swoop: listening bar and speakeasy. Just steps away from Regent Street, this stylish subterranean bar unites a heady mix of Lebanese and French influences across the polished cocktail and snack menus. Twelve signature cocktails showcase inventive twists on classics – a sumac-spiced negroni with tequila is balanced by pomegranate, while the refined mezcal spritz brings in zingy and refreshing yuzu, lime and coconut water. Those sweet-inclined will enjoy the unique yet familiar taste of the tarte tatin: oak aged brandy, vanilla liqueur, coconut water and honey give a balanced sweetness that is never saccharine. The Encore batanga is a stand-out with added depth from sherry and spidery strands of red chilli scattered on top. Unctuous and warm comté madeleines were particularly irresistible from the elevated bar snack menu. Habibi funk and Arabic disco deep cuts can be heard spinning on vinyl, thanks to the sound-diffusing ceiling and speakers dotted around the intimate space. Rich red carpets, mid-century wood panelling and stylish contemporary artwork make the bar the perfect spot for a date night or cosy catch-up with a friend. toumrotisserie.com The Listening Room, Soho Soho’s Wardour Street contains a secret. Downstairs from Japanese-inspired grill and omakase restaurant MOI – and via an impressive retro-futuristic spiral staircase – resides The Listening Room, a spacious underground listening bar. Serious about audio, bespoke speakers are from London-based sound system maker Friendly Pressure, and the walls are covered in soundwave-like textured curves for great acoustics. The drinks menu is led by ex-Langham Dino Koletsas and infused with Asian flavours. The shiro negroni, a refreshing white spin on a negroni with yuzu sake, potato shochu and chrysanthemum bitters has a pleasantly floral nose. Them Apples cleverly recreates the flavour of fresh green apple without using the ingredient itself: instead sparkling green tea, whisky, tomato liqueur and marigold combine for an ultra-refreshing sip. The extensive sake and natural wine list is accessible to both the more experienced and more nascent sipper. Order sushi, small plates and skewers hot off the grill from the upstairs kitchen by executive chef Andy Cook who worked with Gordon Ramsay to open his outpost in Tokyo. The crisp, warm and slightly sweet steamed buns served with smoked cod’s roe was a strong start. Sushi is not one to miss either – we chose Icelandic sea urchin and chutoro tuna temaki delicately wrapped in nori, whose rich flavour was perfectly complemented by dots of wasabi and slices of pickled ginger. moirestaurant.com Side Hustle at The Nomad London, Covent Garden With Side Hustle’s grand marble-topped bar and dark wood, and leather-lined booths with brass rails, what was once the former Bow Street police station now feels like a slice of Manhattan real estate. This is very much in keeping with the NoMad hotel itself, a New York import, but when it comes to the drinks and food this lively bar and restaurant takes its cue from much farther south, with a cocktail menu centred around Latin American flavours and agave spirits. There’s a delightful roster of seasonal margaritas – a rhubarb expression with yuzu and Aperol is tangy and full bodied, while a bergamot and chilli creation has lovely floral notes with tingle of heat. Other classics include a zingy paloma but it’s also worth exploring the roster of house cocktails that explore the variety of agave spirits. We dived into the agave martinis, highlights of which include a dirty tequila-based variation with savoury depth from fino sherry, and a spicy martini using corn-infused mezcal and Thai bird’s-eye chilli for a cocktail with a proper poky punch. Don’t miss out on the bar snacks which include on-point guacamole, prawn croquettes, charred Padrón peppers with umami salsa macha, plus delicious tacos including baja fish, chicken tinga and pork carnitas. hilton.com A Bar With Shapes For A Name, Dalston The name of Remy Savage and Paul Lougrat’s Bauhaus-inspired bar takes pictorial form – the signage on Dalston’s Kingsland Road featuring a yellow triangle, red square and blue circle. If that sounds a little complicated then rest assured once you step into the bar – colloquially referred to as Shapes – everything takes a decidedly more minimalist turn. Inside, bare bones interiors look more akin to a science classroom than anything else, with bartenders flitting around in brightly coloured jumpsuits. The drinks list at Shapes is pleasingly pithy – just seven house cocktails and six bottled cocktails. The martini-style Habanero is an ingenious affair, using a distillate made from yellow habanero peppers that delivers all the vegetal flavours of the pepper minus the heat – funky and savoury, with a zingy Campari jelly garnish. The xscold is a surprising twist on a marg – here, eucalyptus adds a menthol edge to the herbaceous flavours of Amarás espadin mezcal and Ocho 8 tequila for a refreshing agave treat. From the bottled cocktails, a manhattan uses Buffalo Trace bourbon fat washed in olive oil, and a turmeric distillate, for a boozy whisky cocktail with dried date notes and fruity, earthy richness. clubbauhaus.com Bar Kinky, Fitzrovia Hidden underneath modern Georgian restaurant Kinkally, Bar Kinky lives up to its name with sultry interiors and a bold, left-field approach to ingredients and flavours. The small 17-seater bar occupies a sleek, vault-like space with stainless steel walls, sensual red lighting and a techno music soundtrack. The focal point is the marble central island bar around which customers sit – the vibe is somehow intimate yet hectic, with bartenders offering attentive and speedy service. Cocktails look deceptively pared back but have plenty going on behind the scenes, from inventive ingredients to playful garnishes. Bossy is a delicious margarita/gimlet hybrid, with El Rayo Plata tequila, orange, hazelnut and cacao delivering layered flavours and delicate zestiness with soft chocolate notes, plus savouriness from a Georgian seasoning in lieu of a salt rim. Chocolate also plays its part in the smoky and seductively smooth Snatch, alongside truffle, vermouth and Ojo De Dios Mezcal; while Bureau, Bar Kinky’s take on a French 75, is a fruity, fizzy crushable delight with East London Gin, sparkling wine and a frozen pomegranate ball that keeps the drink chilled and subtly changes the flavour as it melts. kinkally.co.uk Câv, Bethnal Green Câv can be found in the railway arches of Paradise Row and comes courtesy of two London bar veterans, Chris Tanner (formerly of Milroy’s and Silverleaf, and founder of Dram London), and Edwin Frost (wine bars Half Cut and Oranj), who have partnered for this bar-cum-restaurant with a rotating kitchen residency. Minimal interiors shine a spotlight on the drinks, which don’t disappoint. The menu is pleasingly pithy, with a roster of revamped classics as well as £7 house martinis, surely one of the best deals in London right now. Cocktails are pared back and poised. The Cucumber Bamboo balances refreshing vegetal flavours with the salinity of Tio Pepe sherry; similarly, the Dill Martini delivers bracing herbaceous notes with a subtle savoury nod from anchovy oil. Câv’s take on the beloved picante with golden beetroot and bird’s-eye chilli offers earthy warmth, while the Plum Manhattan has a sultry fruity and spicy rye character. Their current kitchen residency is Iberian-inspired Tasca by Josh Dallaway and Sinéad Murdoch. Head chef Josh’s menu showcases some of Spain and Portugal’s best regional dishes. These include a trio of different gildas (do try the clever jambon-beurre-inspired one); whipped Wigmore cheese, like a savoury custard, topped with celeriac honey, leeks and fried bread; and the scarlet prawn and pork cachorrinho which is best described as a Porto version of a hot dog and not to be missed. Wine comes from sommelier Sinéad and her lively list focusses heavily on sustainably produced bottles, with 80% from women-led projects. cav255.london Nine Lives, London Bridge Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of London Bridge is a cosy oasis of a bar, serving up some of London's best cocktails. Nine Lives has a buzzy atmosphere, balancing the vibe of a live DJ with the volume at just the right level so you can still chat comfortably. Their new cocktail menu is headed up by William Campbell-Rowntree; the Mello cocktail, a mixture of vodka, Cocchi Americano and honeydew was beautifully refreshing. Equally good was the Godfather sour – made with bourbon, it had a pleasantly balanced taste. To eat there's a small but enticing menu from head chef Ramon Ramos, of tacos, from baja to barbacoa, and small plates. We liked the ceviche sampler, citrussy and refreshing. This cosy, romantic spot also has a bottleshop, offering takeaway cocktails, and outdoor seating to soak up the sun. ninelivesbar.com Oriole, Covent Garden From the moment you step into Oriole you know you’re in for something special. The speakeasy-style interiors – all low lighting, plush textures and eclectic global curios – create a sense of discovery that carries through the entire evening. Head chef Gustavo Giallonardo’s menu draws on the vibrant fusion cuisines of Latin America, with playful, elegant plates that surprise and satisfy. Highlights include sea bass ceviche in bright Amarillo leche de tigre, tender lamb rump with spring greens, huacatay and black olives (reminiscent of a crisp, savoury latke), and melting pork cheek with mash and kimchi Nikkei. Finish with pineapple tartare and a cooling coconut and tarragon sorbet. Live music fills the bar while the cocktail list – arranged by continent and complete with tasting notes – brings even the most obscure ingredients to life. Try the Saraburi Punch, inspired by Thai mango sticky rice, for something silky and delicately sweet. Warm, intuitive service seals the deal – a truly memorable night out. oriolebar.com Viajante87, Notting Hill An ambitious, continent-spanning menu, moody lighting and a chilled-out yet buzzy feel set the tone for this plush, Latin American inspired basement bar in Notting Hill. Viajante means traveller in Spanish and the team’s globe-trotting approach to flavours and drinks is reflected in a lively menu that takes you from familiar classics (palomas, pisco sours, spicy margaritas) to drinks made with unexpected and lesser-known ingredients you may not have come across before. Groups can also order carafes of agave spirits or caipirinhas, and you can even work with the bar to create your own custom cocktail. Viajante87 excels in offering polished and innovative agave riffs on classic drinks. The Mole Manhattan is a tribute to Mexico’s national food, mole, using fig leaves and Criollo de Oaxaca mezcal infused with cacao and sesame along with vegetal Cynar for an evocatively earthy, smoky and nutty cocktail – it’s a must order. The Charanda Old Fashioned is another star, made with Mexican Uruapan rum, Patrón reposado and amburana seed, the latter of which adds rich vanilla and toffee notes for a sumptuous and silky drink. Elsewhere, martini fans should delve into the Martini Malcriado (savoury and herbaceous from brown butter sage mezcal) and the bracingly icy Glacier Martini. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try the Leche de Bichos made with floral raicilla spirit, anise hyssop and jocoque, a Mexican fermented yogurt. Tangy and creamy with gentle anise notes, it’s an intriguing note to round off a visit to this west London gem. viajantebar.com Nipperkin, Mayfair Situated in the depths of NIJŪ Japanese grill and sushi bar, Nipperkin is inspired by 1950s Japanese listening bars. Step through ornate curtains into an intimate, mid-century space with plush seating and marvel as expert mixologists fan perfectly cuboid ice, behind them an impressive record collection and vinyl set-up. Centred around micro-seasonality, the drinks menu from award-winning mixologist Angelos Bafas is split into four harvest seasons. Hyper-seasonal British ingredients such as wild garlic, spring flowers and blackberries expertly coalesce with the classic Japanese such as yuzu, shiso and matcha. The highball pickled cucumber was seriously refreshing, as was the Granny Smith and yuzu with Exmoor raw wildflower honey. Macerated blackberries and sloes make a pleasantly herbaceous and bitter sip with Axia extra dry mastiha and Cambridge red bitters, while there’s umami savouriness on offer from the likes of Nipperkin’s aged mushroom spirit, Cambridge truffle gin and tomato liqueur. Don’t overlook the ‘dry’ season – the sour green gooseberries with a non-alcoholic citrus spirit and English wasabi tastes like a lemon meringue pie with a whisper of warmth. Dunk crunchy bar snacks from NIJŪ of seasonal vegetables and lotus chips into creamy tofu with shiso oil and buttery grilled aubergine – and you can even peep into NIJŪ’s kitchen when paying a visit to the adorned bathrooms. nijulondon.com Equal Parts, Hackney Michael Sager has partnered with Matteo Vaccargiu to open an Italian aperitivo bar in a green tiled-fronted corner spot, a few doors down from the original Sager + Wilde wine bar. It’s an elegant yet unfussy space, with plenty of wood panelling, flickering candles and vinyl twirling on the decks. Perch at the window ledge to watch trendy passers-by or bag a spot at the bar to see the team shake and stir signature cocktails in front of an impressive line-up of amaros, aperitivo and bitters. The Flor cocktail combines fino sherry and olive oil vodka with Matteo’s elevated clarification of fresh tomato, basil, chilli and a tiny touch of garlic for a bright, fresh finish, alla liquid bruschetta to evoke the Sardinian coast. The Orange is a gluggable concoction of orange wine, Meletti amaro and pear and elderflower syrup, while the ACE makes a refreshing twist on the garibaldi combining carrot cordial, fresh orange juice, Campari and soda. A seasonal infusion makes its way into a trio of classics; on our visit a strawberry and fig leaf martini combo that brightened the negroni, sbagliato and americano. equalpartslondon.com Swift, Soho This award-winning Soho bar comes from husband-and-wife team Bobby Hiddleston (Dead Rabbit, Callooh Callay) and Mia Johansson (Milk & Honey), and the team behind Nightjar and Oriole. It's a two-part affair, with a buzzy, casual space on the ground floor – best for walk-ins – and darker, intimate underground lounge with sleek crescent booths, inky black tables and moody lighting. The upstairs serves lighter aperitif cocktails (try the signature sgroppino, with lemon sorbet, prosecco and Italicus), while below focuses on more sultry cocktails, as well as whisky, of which they have a 300-strong collection. Their outpost in Shoreditch, has sleek black and white art deco-style interiors making a classy setting for drinking characteristically creative cocktails – try the Carmen with Olmeca Altos plata tequila, toasted blue corn and lime sherbet for a zingy twist on a margarita. The latest addition to the Swift flock landed in Borough in autumn 2022, and it’s every bit as charismatic as its siblings. Tucked away like a hidden gem, the speakeasy-style bar downstairs offers an intimate, effortlessly cool vibe. The latest cocktail menu, South of the River, features 14 inventive creations, each one a tribute to the landmarks, people, and rich history of South London, adding a fresh twist to the city’s cocktail scene. barswift.com Archive & Myth, Leicester Square A partnership between the brains behind Magic Mike Live and cocktail legend Jack Sotti might seem unusual but is exquisitely executed in this central London speakeasy-style bar. Once through the secret door beside the Magic Mike entrance of Leicester Square's Hippodrome Casino, a sultry, sophisticated allure takes over in a room enrobed in velvet, vintage furniture, memorabilia from the venue’s times gone by and a nostalgic soul soundtrack. There's a whole menu dedicated to 'minor' (small yet punchy) half serves, allowing guests to taste more. Stored in the bottle at -20°, the stony Martini Mineraux is a blend of Renais gin, limestone and dash of Chablis, with a spray of lemon oil to finish. Sazerac De Nata is a unique twist on the original, with an absinthe-injected quail's egg yolk plopped into the brandy and pastry tincture to emulate the flavours of the popular Portuguese pastry. Juicy guava and tequila-laced Daisy, perhaps the prettiest of the ‘major’ full size cocktails, comes topped with a creamy toasted coconut and black cardamom meringue-like foam. Snacks from adjacent restaurant Chop Chop include veggie dumplings with spicy chilli oil, crunchy salt and pepper prawns and pillowy char siu pork buns, freshly served from bamboo steamers. archiveandmyth.com Kwãnt, Mayfair Former American Bar head bartender Erik Lorincz is generally regarded as one of the best in the business and his feted bar is the stage for an original new drinking experience. Kwãnt previously had digs on Heddon Street before the pandemic forced its closure. It reopened in 2023, and the new incarnation, minutes from Green Park station, is a refined tropical oasis with high ceilings and tall windows, Polynesian-inspired art, leafy palms, a huge glass cabinet filled with vintage spirits and an elegant six-seater island bar around which white-jacketed bartenders work seamlessly. Kwãnt’s new cocktail omakase is exclusive to this central counter, with one seating per night taking place at 6pm, Thursday to Saturday. Nikka is its first collaborator, with five mini cocktails showcasing the Japanese brand’s spirits, paired with small bites from chef Joni Ketonen. Bold flavour pairings pepper a smoothly paced, 90-minute session (suavely stewarded by Erik himself). Nikka Coffey gin is blended with sea urchin and bonito, and matched with sake, champagne and verjus for a mineral, saline aperitif. Elsewhere, the versatility of whisky is showcased in drinks like the smoky, refreshing Tomato with Nikka Taketsuru single malt, pickle brine, tomato and Seedlip Garden; and the earthy, savoury Beetroot featuring Nikka Miyagikyo single malt, beetroot, miso and aged sake (here paired with a moreish one-bite beef tartare). The omakase ends with our favourite drink of the evening, Oolong, a take on an Irish coffee with Yoichi single malt, oolong tea mixed with wasanbon sugar and a topping of soy meringue foam – a deliciously creamy, delicate digestif. Nikka’s collaboration runs until 31 March, after which the omakase continues with new brands yet to be announced. 5coursedrinktastingmenu.square.site/ Good Measure, Tooting The team at Tooting’s Taiwanese hotspot, Daddy Bao, has converted its basement storeroom into an intimate bar inspired by the drinking dens of Taipei. A large cherry wood table takes centre stage amongst the packed shelves, Taiwanese trinkets including intricate paper fans, lamps and elegant vases add cosiness and Malika chats away over the low counter while shaking and stirring concoctions inspired by trips to Taiwan. Get there before 7pm for the mini martini hour, working your way through the likes of bamboo charcoal filtered Haku vodka, floral Roku gin and bright and earthy fig and mezcal flavours, all at £5 a pop. On the menu proper, written up on the large fridges (it’s still a fully functioning storeroom after all!), the house negroni comes laced with sake and orange bitters while cream of matcha is an innovative twist on a milk punch with a clarified mix of gin, sake, Greek yoghurt and matcha cream. Pair with satisfying snacks such as crunchy fried chicken with miso mayo, aged sirloin tataki and smacked Szechuan cucumber. daddybao.co.uk Muse at RSA House, West End Hidden away in the elegant Georgian environs of RSA House, Muse offers a welcome respite from the busy nearby Strand, with a fine line in sustainably minded cocktails. In partnership with Idyll Drinks and Company of Cooks, the bar is on a mission to spotlight British ingredients, all served in a relaxed, subtly luxe setting. Drinks, designed by Marcis Dzelzainis (Sager + Wilde), are brimming with unusual seasonal and botanical ingredients, from hawthorn and rosehip rum cocktails to a truffle vodka martini. Particularly interesting are a roster of classic cocktails made with wild distillates. Our favourites included a pisco sour made with pineapple weed liqueur – smooth and creamy with a delicate tropical cast – and a wild carrot margarita with a warming, earthy, herbaceous character. thersa.org/muse-at-rsa-house The Bloomsbury Club Bar, Bloomsbury Tucked underneath the Bloomsbury Hotel is this cosy art deco den that will transport you back to 1920s high society that was loved by the writers and artists of the time. The low-lit interior features luxurious leather armchairs, wall-to-wall bookshelves and an impressive, curved bar that serves ancient Egypt inspired cocktails that you can enjoy alongside bar bites and live music. The names, flavours and ingredients of the cocktails are inspired by hieroglyphs found carved in stone near the pyramids. Se Shen, which means lotus flower, pairs gin with the refreshing flavours of hibiscus, rose soda and adds sweetness of strawberry and raspberry. If you like a bit of a kick to your drink, Wadjet (goddess of serpents) blends tequila, vermouth and strawberry, finishing off with a rim of chilli salt for added fire. Enjoy your drinks with a selection of bar snacks that include pea and gorgonzola arancini, and beef and cheddar sliders. thebloomsburyclub.com Three Sheets, Soho Max and Noel Venning need no introduction in the cocktail world. The original Three Sheets in Dalston is a bartenders’ institution, thanks to its stripped-back interiors, late-night vibes and innovative. The brothers were pre-batching cocktails before it became a trend, setting standards high with their floral sparkling French 75 served in a champagne bottle. This iconic cocktail is still on the menu at the new spot in the heart of Soho, joined by many new stand-out contenders. An elegant version of a dirty martini has a delicate floral finish thanks to Ethiopian Koseret tea-infused Belvedere and a silkiness courtesy of an olive oil fat wash. Mezcal Sunrise is a juicy, long drink with smoky depth and floral bergamot notes from earl grey-infused mezcal, bright and citrussy freshly squeezed mandarin juice and a touch of marigold powder for subtle earthiness. Sazzaquack makes a short, smooth whisky number with notes of black treacle and a subtle spice finish thanks to homemade five spice tincture. The vibe is a little sleeker than the original, with marble tables, teal blue booths and black and white photographs of Soho's characters reminding punters that they are in the hearty of London's drinking district. threesheets-bar.com Coupette, Bethnal Green This is a super cool drinking den, where banter over the bar (made from French centimes) is encouraged and staff greet you with smiles and a taster of the slushie of the day as a welcome refresher. The showstopping champagne piña colada is a must-try – a mix of Bacardi Heritage, French-Caribbean agricole rum, pineapple and coconut sorbet, topped up with Moët & Chandon brut. The owners let their creativity loose on the rotating menu, the current iteration, “Barely Legal”, taking inspiration from East London’s street art. Each page showcases a unique commission from a local muralist to complement the cocktail in question, with a handy summary ‘compass’ of flavours on the first page, categorising the menu into sweet, bitter, boozy dry and refreshing citrus. Start with the Paper Plane Cobbler, a long, refreshing take on a negroni, the bitter Aperol and sour Tamarillo Amaro balanced by sweet sauternes and guava gel. On the sweet side, Nuts For Nuts makes an ideal night cap, a rich, sweet and fluffy liquid made from peanut butter distilled gin, nut cream and blitzed pistachios, walnuts and cashews, with oloroso sherry giving a fresh edge. coupette.co.uk Hacha, Dalston London’s original agaveria adds a splash of contemporary sunshine to Kingsland Road, with peach and mustard tiles, plenty of palms and an array of art to whisk you away to warmer climes. Perch at the bar and glide your eyes over the agave list, numbered in price order to help you choose. Each of the mezcals and tequilas comes with a complementary pairing, be that a thimble of vermouth, square of chocolate or something salty. Award-winning agave cocktails include the iconic mirror margaritas, made with a house sour mix to keep things clear, both in colour and taste, allowing the spirit to shine in a clean and bright no-nonsense serve. The honey bee margarita is another stand out, the chipotle-infused honey giving a soft, salty sweetness with a hint of heat. Current food residency is handled by Mexican street food wizards, Tigre Tacos. Crisp coated chunks of soft fish topped with zingy cabbage and pico de gallo make the baja fish tacos a must order. Portobello mushrooms, pickled carrots and crispy soy lime kale take vegetarian tacos to new heights, while tuna tostadas blanketed in crisp frilly chives make a silky, crisp, crunchy contender to mix up the textures a bit. hachabar.com Dram, Soho You’d be forgiven for walking past this low-key and unassuming Soho frontage of sanded wooden shutters on Denmark Street, but head in and this Grade II listed building starts to slowly unfold with surprises. There’s a basement bar, an open garden terrace, upstairs pool table room, private events room and a hidden drinks development “lab”. The more you uncover, the more you appreciate the creative vision of the founders – Chris Tanner, Martyn ‘Simo’ Simpson and Jack Wallis – as they’ve skilfully dissected and reassembled the concepts of what a bar is. The lab is where seasonal ingredients are fermented or “cordialised” and find their way into a short but succinct cocktail menu. Many are on tap and so available swiftly in the bar areas. Try one of the lower ABV highball serves such as the Mezcal & Coconut, or a stirred-down cocktail like Beetroot and Raspberry Wine, with a subtle earthiness from the beetroot that balances well with the sweet sharpness of the wine. Keep an eye on their events page for weekly rotating chef takeovers from September - excellently paired with specially crafted drinks. drambar.co.uk Lowcountry, Shoreditch Head down to this intimate basement bar, whether you’re awaiting your tasting menu at Counter71 upstairs or just fancy an evening of sleek, American South-style drinks and hospitality from head bartender Ryan Sheehan. Signatures include a clear, delicate tomato water and jalapeño-infused tequila cocktail. Classic creations feature the likes of the vieux carré, a complex and silky New Orleans stalwart that combines rye, cognac, sweet vermouth and Benedictine with bitters, and the London negroni, which uses spirits from Highgate’s Sacred distillery. Southern-inspired snacks soak up the booze – fried chicken clusters and tater tots are served with ranch sauce and cheesy dip for dunking. counter71.co.uk Freddles, London Fields In a cosy, glittery room below lively neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar, Papi, Freddles is an intimate spot to meet friends over innovative drinks. Bartender Thomas Auger was born in Paris to French and Vietnamese parents and has picked up techniques from some of London’s top cocktail bars (NOLA, Discount Suit Company, Milk & Honey) to develop his own eclectic style. The 12-strong menu is split into two halves, the first a ‘playground’ in which Thomas experiments with a seasonal old fashioned, milk punch, long drink, and carbonised cocktail, plus two wild cards in the mix. The old fashioned might be incorporate marmite for an umami hit or coconut and pandan syrup in a tropical twist. Or the milk punch could be a spring take on a piña colada made with a clarified concoction of carrot juice and pumpkin purée. The weekly spotlight gives space for classic cocktails with Thomas’s touch. Think elegant sparkling elderflower and vodka twinkles, a punchy rye sazerac or a hanky panky made using bitter Fernet-Branca. Bar snacks include pillowy slabs of toasted milk bread to dip into treacle butter, and ex-dairy beef tartare with deep-fried waffles. papirestaurant.com/freddles Bar Lina, Soho Beneath the iconic pastel-hued Italian deli, a Soho stalwart since 1944, you’ll find this elegant basement bar hidden in true speakeasy fashion. The small space is adorned in 60s-style furnishings complete with deep red velvet banquettes, soft chrome lighting and a speckled red marble bar that boasts a backdrop of aperitif bottles. The menu focuses on revisitations of classic Italian cocktails, with a whole section dedicated to the negroni (including the La Voglia La Pazzia fatwashed in coffee butter) and the spritz (try the Mambo Italiano that uses Campari infused with rosemary and honey topped up with citrusy clarified grapefruit). The signature figlet is a short, bittersweet number combining two fig liqueurs (one homemade and one bottled in Seven Sisters using Italian fig leaves) with a touch of vanilla syrup. barlina.co.uk The Lower Third, Soho Think of the Lower Third as a neighbourhood bar with ambition. Located on Denmark Street, it's unpretentious yet smart enough to feel special, where it’s just as easy to order a beer and a shot as it is a deftly mixed cocktail. The bar is the first of several spaces that branch out, warren-like, into the building, a mix of smaller performance areas and larger capacity venues. Keen to pay tribute to the legendary musical heritage of Denmark Street as well as the site’s former incarnation, music venue The 12 Bar Club, there’s a commitment to showcasing new and local talent, as well as more well-known bands and artists. Back in the bar, Shannon Tebay, previously of the American Bar at the Savoy and Death & Co in New York, has created a roster of twists on classic cocktails, with names taken from albums by major artists that have recorded on Denmark Street. Hits on our visit included Never Mind the Bollocks – a savoury, vegetal margarita with St George Green Chile vodka, blanco tequila, Haitian clairin rum and banana; and Band of Gypsys, a seductively smoky, negroni-style drink with mezcal, Campari, vermouth, coffee and tropical notes from passion fruit. If you’ve ever wondered what a piña colada made with scotch tastes like, then try the Schoolboys in Disgrace, where Monkey Shoulder and Talisker 10 Year Old make a surprisingly successful match with coconut cream and melon liqueur – the whisky adding a warm, boozy backbone to the drink. thelowerthird.co.uk Dover Yard, Mayfair This sleek bar is hidden away in eco chic oasis, 1 Hotel Mayfair. Natural aesthetics include low gnarled wood tables with sofas and throws in soft, muted tones. A striking bar showcases delicate racing pigeon feathers worked into a gentle wave beneath the glass. Repurposed ingredients take the limelight in the eclectic range of sophisticated cocktails. Rum-based falernum liqueur is fat-washed with left-over breakfast pastries and shaken with the bar’s own lemon sour mash, made from squeezing surplus lemon and lime husks, to create the unique Pan Brioche cocktail, reminiscent of a whisky sour and topped with a tiny croissant. Rotating seasonal classics include the vibrant Purple Carrot Garibaldi that infuses vodka with English purple carrots, while the lower-ABV Palomito is a long, bittersweet and refreshing concoction of Campari, Mancino Chinato vermouth and pink grapefruit. 1hotels.com Lyaness, Southbank Ryan Chetiyawardana’s flagship bar is lauded for its innovative mixology, and also happens to be one of the nicest places to enjoy a cocktail on the South Bank. On the ground floor of the Sea Containers hotel, it combines a light, bright palette of sky blue walls, electric blue banquettes, opulent gold accents and a sweeping emerald green marble bar (leftover from the site’s previous iteration, the award-winning Dandelyan) with glorious views of the Thames. It is a fresh, modern take on what a hotel bar should be, with yearly changing cocktail menus a product of meticulous research and freewheeling creativity. The latest, Collaboration Menu, is themed around cooperation and the coming together of ideas. If that all sounds rather serious then, rest assured, the drinks themselves are fun and full of flavour. The menu makes use of 12 housemade ingredients, from savoury and creamy KitKat-so, a koji and KitKat combo, to the sweet-sour-umami Bitterless Aperitif, a fusion of grapefruit, radicchio and plantain. The zippy Vantapink Gimlet is a tangy, tart confection of Botanist gin, ‘spite cordial’ made with dock leaves, rhubarb and fermented nettles, while the No Spoon Old Fashioned, matching Del Maguey mezcal with walnut honey and hibiscus-based ‘purple bitters’ is punchily smoky and spicy. Top billing on our visit went to the Pitstop Fix, using Port Charlotte 10 whisky, KitKat-so, linden honey, tropical chilli and lemon for a delicious next-level sour – smoky and savoury, creamy and silky. lyaness.com Stereo, Covent Garden Beneath the depths of Covent Garden’s cobblestones sits Stereo, a cocktail bar that harks back to the analogue era with its 70s-esque brown wood panelled décor, vintage cocktails, vinyl-only DJ sets and live bands. From the focal point bar surrounded by orb-shaped lamps, disco punch bowls are mixed with STEREO house vodka and Thames Distillers gin as well as 70s- and 80s-inspired cocktails using vintage vermouth and other aged spirits. Negroni and espresso martini are on draft or choose from the likes of Flying Paper’s black sesame seed-encrusted tumbler with Buffalo Trace bourbon hibiscus, amaro Montenegro and lemon, or Sunset in Oaxaca’s evening pick-me-up with Tapatio tequila blanco, mezcal, rhubarb cordial, Aperol, lemon and orange blossom. Kick off the night with à la carte American-inspired dishes of dredged fried chicken sandos and macaroni cheese with a brioche crumb – chef-restaurateur Andrew Clarke of Acme Fire Cult consulted on the menu – accompanied by the smooth house band. Then dance until the early hours with their rotating line-up of DJs. If you get peckish, late-night bar snacks and nibbles will keep you going with the likes of warm popcorn with espelette salt and STEREO hot wings. stereocoventgarden.com 3’6 at Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly Fortnum’s third-floor bar has been revamped into a sleek, plush cocktail den, with inky blue walls, jewel-coloured velvet sofas and a striking 3D-printed bar complete with an undulating wooden wave installation that flows across the ceiling. Design your own cocktail, mixing and matching spirits, cocktail styles, flavours and bitters. A negroni-style drink with tequila, strawberries and rose is herbaceous, floral and delicate. Other highlights include highballs made with house-fermented sodas – try pomegranate and rosemary. fortnumandmason.com Bar Daskal, London Bridge This warm and intimate Iberian-inspired wine bar comes from Harts Group, the brains behind Barrafina and Parrillan, bringing Spanish wines, sherries and cocktails to Borough Yards in London Bridge. Creamy walls, stone chequered floors, cheerful Mallorcan fabrics and objects, and a bar covered in terracotta-hued tiles bring relaxed Med vibes to the space. Spanish fortified wines and spirits take centre stage in the pithy cocktail list – try the Eduardo, featuring dry sherry, vermut and bitters for a toasty, savoury take on a manhattan. The sherry list also shines: we tried a funky unfiltered manzanilla and a complex, nutty palo cortado. bardaskal.co.uk Eve Bar, Covent Garden Hidden away in one of central London’s busiest neighbourhoods, Eve Bar is a slinky, neon-lit drinking den with zero-waste cocktails and superior bar snacks. Sister bar to the Michelin-starred Frog by Adam Handling upstairs, Eve leans into its biblical moniker with illuminated stained-glass windows and ornate branches, apples and foliage snaking around the space. Its cocktail offering is intimately linked with the restaurant – ingredients that can’t be used upstairs in the kitchen are repurposed in the drinks downstairs. The latest menu, Technique, showcases this in drinks such as the Chicken Butter OF, which combines the eponymous butter (a signature of chef Adam’s) with Michter’s Sour Mash whisky and porcini – the end result is a supercharged old fashioned with opulent butterscotch notes. Another winner, Rocket Fuel, is an elevated spicy margarita, with chilli and kimchi adding tangy, funky heat. Non-alcoholic drinks also impress – the Olive Garden with Everleaf Forest, apple and olive brine is subtly saline and flavourful. Don’t miss out on the next-level bar snacks courtesy of Frog. Dainty and refined, favourites included decadent duck egg and parmesan custards served in a billowing flourish of dry ice, and springy sourdough with more of that luscious chicken butter. evebar.co.uk Swift, Borough Acclaimed London bar Swift has brought its trademark art deco style and speakeasy vibes to Borough. The two-storey space is modelled after the original Soho site (there's also one in Shoreditch), with a lighter, airy bar on the ground floor, with a no-reservation policy and an aperitivo drinks offering – perfect for post-work drinks. Downstairs, discover an intimate, glossy and dimly lit subterranean set-up. Named the Back Pocket, it’s a seated-only area with a new menu of original cocktails (although you can still find Swift classics including its impeccable Irish coffee) inspired by the history and people of the surrounding Borough area. Drinks are free of fussy garnishes yet complex and nuanced. Highlights include the Biscuit Town – malted milk scotch, cacao, demerara, chocolate and vanilla bitters – and full of comforting creamy chocolate and biscuit notes. The Golden Hinde, featuring mead, anejo tequila and brown butter, is perfectly balanced: toasty, rich and layered. The Pilgrim marries peaty, smoky scotch and spicy bourbon with juicy, fruity notes from cherry to make a fabulous fruity whisky cocktail. barswift.com Cellar at Kindred, Hammersmith The hectic roundabout at Hammersmith Broadway is an unexpected setting for cocktails, but members’ club Kindred, in the elegant Grade-II listed Bradmore House, has launched Cellar, a laidback café and bar open to the public. In relaxed and casual surroundings, cocktails come courtesy of resident mixologist Julian de Feral (Milk & Honey, Lutyens and Hawksmoor) and offer plenty of accessible, crowd-pleasing twists on classics. Try the Brambl-ita – Curado Cupreata smoked tequila with lime, spiced chocolate bitters and blackberry liqueur – for a vibrantly fruity, satisfyingly zingy twist on a margarita. Those looking for a lighter tipple should opt for the Kindred Spritz, using flavour-packed non-alcoholic aperitif Everleaf to add extra oomph alongside cherry aperitif, peach and jasmine soda and sparkling wine for a delicate, floral drink. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Cellar takes a classic espresso martini and injects it with tropical character with the addition of Aluna coconut and coffee liqueur, Cargo Cult banana spiced rum and spices for an opulent serve. wearekindred.com Sweeties, King's Cross Step into the Standard hotel’s sleek red pill lift and zoom up to the 10th floor for this luxe bar that combines retro interiors with playful, off-beat cocktails and unrivalled views of King’s Cross and St Pancras. In keeping with its home, a restored 1970s Brutalist office block, Sweeties takes its cue from the same decade, with opulent interiors including velvet sofas, mirrored tables, gold accents, wood panelling and patterned carpets. The cocktail menu features ‘feel-good ingredients and mood-enhancing mixes’ designed to be energising and uplifting. We’re not sure if we felt these effects but regardless the drinks are very good. Pick Me Up – made with eight adaptogens (ingredients that help the body deal with stress) mushrooms, vodka, rum, caramel and burnt butter drank like an elevated espresso martini, layered and earthy, with rounded depth. Roots Manuva – riesling vermouth, golden beet caramel, turmeric, ginseng, ginger, orange and mead – is vibrant, honeyed and fresh, with a vegetal edge. No Whey Jose, blanco tequila with strawberry, red rice, rose and a salted hot coconut foam, was the delightful cocktail equivalent of a Campino strawberry candy. Purple Rain – Johnny Walker whisky, amazake, salted plum, cherry bark and blossom wine – was like an extra fruity old fashioned, bursting with berry flavours, smoky and subtly savoury. standardhotels.com/sweeties Seed Library, Shoreditch Ryan Chetiyawardana’s latest venture is a slinky drinking den in the basement of the One Hundred Shoreditch hotel. Whereas his flagship bar – Lyaness at Sea Containers in Southbank – showcases a high-concept approach to mixology, Seed Library is deliberately more casual and low key. Walk-ins are encouraged and the space, with its sultry lighting, wood-panelled walls, red velvet chairs and warm palette, feels retro and slightly louche, yet very welcoming. Expect elevated riffs on cocktail classics with a touch of whimsy. The vibrant Breakfast Bellini with Patrón tequila, century beans, breakfast fruit and champagne is served with a fried egg sweet balanced on top of the glass. Asteriod Garden is a celestial spin on the English Garden, lifted with shochu and pink meteor wine, while apple blossom and tundra tea bring refreshment. A Coriander Seed Gimlet is gorgeously executed – clean and citrusy with a backbone of gentle, warming spice. Bar snacks include the likes of nocerella olives, spiced nuts and chilli rice crackers - everything you want from a nibble: savoury, salty and crunchy. Analogue lovers can find East London's Diggers Dozen spinning vinyl at the weekend. seedlibraryshoreditch.com Dona, Stoke Newington There’s something soothingly womb-like and seductive about descending into Doña, with its basement setting and sumptuous, lavishly trimmed décor of wall-to-wall rich reds and pinks scattered with prickly cacti, velvet seating and a fabulous pink-fringed bar. It’s an all-female affair – founded by friends Thea Cumming and Lucia Massey, and functions as both mezcal bar and community arts platform – there’s music and performance most nights, with an emphasis on female and queer artists, and a lively cultural programme. There's also tacos on tap, thanks to Tigre Tacos upstairs. Thea has her own mezcal brand, Dangerous Don, and founded London Mezcal Week, so it’s no surprise Doña is a treasure trove of rare and small-batch mezcals. If you’re new to mezcal then we recommend starting with the short but hard-working cocktail list, which explores the versatility of this smoky agave spirit. Take the Fiorella: made with Quiquiriqui mezcal, dry vermouth, Italicus and Empirical Ayuuk, it has the clean, crystalline feel of a martini but with a herbaceous, earthy backbone. Or try the Monika, with Dangerous Don Café, chocolate, crème de cacao, Cocchi Americano and amaretto, which tastes like a refined, elevated espresso martini, replete with coffee, chocolate and nutty notes. Doña also makes a cracking house margarita – we asked for a spicy version and the end result was superb, poky and zesty with a savoury, briny twang at the end. bardonalondon.com Connaught Bar, Mayfair Low-lit, slinky, plush luxury is the name of the game at this acclaimed hotel bar, whose tastefully decadent surrounds – metallic accents, mirrors, a mutedly rich palate and plenty of seating to sink into – is matched by impeccable service and even more impressive cocktails. If you only order one drink let it be the martini – made at a trolley by your table with theatrical, expert aplomb (watching them pour the martini in a high, silvery stream into your glass is a sight to behold). Tanqueray No Ten is the recommended serve, along with a blend of vermouths and your choice of homemade bitters (ranging from tonka bean and lavender to cardamom, on our visit). The end result is spot on, silky textured and very generous in size – don’t drink one on an empty stomach. Their latest menu, Formae, also has much to explore, drawing inspiration from the shapes and forms of the surrounding bar. We tried the Voronoi – a fruitier, lighter take on a margarita with Tapatio tequila, Michoacan mezcal, vetiver liqueur, lime and timur sherbet, vermouth, grapefruit hops bitters and agave water. Thought has gone into the zero-alcohol offering, too – we enjoyed the sprightly Pietra with ginseng and bergamot kombucha, osmanthus honey syrup and sauvignon blanc juice. Complimentary buttery olives and crackers are continuously refilled by meticulously attentive staff, and winning canapés include ultra-light and crispy tempura made with seasonal veg, crispy salmon sashimi with chipotle mayo and velvety guacamole. the-connaught.co.uk/connaught-bar Three Sheets, Dalston A stripped-back cocktail bar with a succinct list of drinks, Three Sheets has raked in the plaudits over the years but still retains a buzzy neighbourhood hang-out vibe. It was the first venture from the Venning brothers, originally from Manchester, who have worked in leading cocktail bars for years, most notably Max’s experience with Tony Conigliaro’s Drinks Factory and 69 Colebrooke Row and Noel’s time in Manchester at tequila bar Crazy Pedro’s. More recently, they've also helped found Crouch End's Little Mercies (see below) and Highbury wine bar Top Cuvée – as well as its roaringly successful shop, Shop Cuvée. Max and Noel aren’t big on the showy side of cocktail making – behind the bar is a simple shelf of bottles containing only what the mixologists need for the short cocktail list. This no-frills approach allows the brothers’ northern charm to shine through; they chat away and recommend local haunts while shaking up drinks as though hosting you in their own home. The pithy drinks list changes seasonally, but usually features their famous fizzy pre-bottled French 75, made with gin, verjus, clarified lemon juice, moscato and orange flower. Poured straight into your glass like champagne, it’s dangerously easy to drink (you can buy it buy the glass, or, even better, by the bottle).threesheets-bar.com SOMA, Soho This understated bar occupies subterranean premises on Soho’s Denman Street, next door to sister restaurant Kricket. Inside, expect pared-back yet polished cocktails served in low-lit, slinkily minimalist surrounds – think a stainless steel bar, indigo walls and walnut furnishings. SOMA – like Kricket – takes inspiration from the Indian subcontinent, serving snappily executed riffs on classic cocktails that showcase clever spicing and an eclectic approach to ingredients. Start with the mooli, a crystalline affair of vodka with curry leaf-infused vermouth served ice-cold from the freezer and garnished with a sliver of pickled mooli. Savoury and peppery, delicate and clean, it may be a Marmite drink for some, but fans of a gibson martini should make a beeline for it. The chaat – mezcal, tequila, chaat masala, kumquat and a moreish gooseberry salt – is winningly clean, zesty and saline, while the oak is a silky, nutty, opulent marriage of cardamom, aged gin, amaro, vermouth and amontillado sherry. It's the perfect nightcap to end the evening. somasoho.com Little Mercies, Crouch End Modern, easy-drinking cocktails are the focus at Alan Sherwood’s (Peg + Patriot, Scout) laidback establishment. Inside, it's calm and composed – expect a minimalist interior of exposed brick, a concrete bar, pendant lamps and inky blue walls. The cocktails here are elegant, with plenty of homemade ingredients – most recently, a negroni made with the bar's own passionfruit vermouth. There's also a fun yet innovative approach to classic drinks, think bellinis made with lacto-fermented peach, kiwi gimlets and 'Snickers' old fashioneds. littlemercies.co.uk Nightjar, Shoreditch The busy City Road in Shoreditch seems an unlikely setting for a stylish, subterranean speakeasy bar but that’s exactly where you’ll find Nightjar. On the outside, a tall wooden door sandwiched between two cafés is the only evidence of its existence, but go inside and discover a plush space replete with candlelit tables, leather banquette seating and flatteringly dim lighting. The bar’s characteristically detailed drinks menu riffs on old cocktail recipes (ranging from the pre-prohibition to post-war periods) but adds its own twist. Try the Honeymoon – a short, fresh yet punchy blend of Glenfiddich 21-year-old whisky, Nightjar’s ‘forbidden fruit liqueur’ (a mix of citrussy pomelo, sherry and dry vermouth), Cynar, mead, lemon and geranium leaf. It's a complex drink, dry and delicately smoky, with subtle honey and aniseed notes. Drink nerds should investigate the bar’s vintage spirits menu, which is full of rare, aged spirits dating from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. barnightjar.com Photography: Laura Aziz (Muse at RSA House)
Best Christmas foodie hampers to buy 2025
Whether you want to stock your cupboards with treats or need a gift for the foodie in your life, these are the most indulgent hampers to buy
Looking for the best Christmas hamper to treat a lucky loved one? Whether you're looking for the ultimate cheese box, a wicker basket full of sweet and savoury treats, we've gathered the best Christmas foodie hampers to buy this year, whether as a treat for yourself or friends and family. Looking for more gifting inspiration? If you've got someone specific to buy for try our specially tailored gift guides for beer enthusiasts, coffee lovers and gin fans. If you fancy making your own gifts this year, we've gathered our best edible gift recipes for delicious homemade presents. Read on for our picks of the best gourmet food hampers for Christmas. Best Christmas foodie hampers to buy at a glance Best unique produce hamper: The Flavours of Oldstead Hamper, £190 Best luxury Christmas hamper: Daylesford Organic 12 Days of Christmas Hamper, £130 Best luxury artisan hamper: The Osip Christmas hamper, £165 Best Spanish hamper: Brindisa Indulgence Hamper, £165 Best Christmas breakfast hamper: Ginger Pig Butcher’s Champagne Breakfast Box, £78 Best afternoon tea hamper: British Hamper Company afternoon tea gift basket, £63.97 Best hamper for cider lovers: DukesHill Whisky Cask Cider Savoury Hamper, £85 Best Cornish hamper: The Fruit Scone Cream Tea Hamper, £23.95 Best hamper for keen gardeners: Petersham Nurseries Gardening Hamper, £95 Best for Chinese cooking: Poon’s Heritage Hamper, £70 Best Christmas cheese hamper: Paxton & Whitfield 12 Days of Christmas Cheese Hamper, £85 Best Christmas foodie hampers to buy 2025 The Flavours of Oldstead Food Hamper Available from Made in Oldstead (£190) Best unique produce hamper A unique hamper with handmade products featuring seasonal ingredients grown and foraged by Tommy Banks and his team in North Yorkshire, this will keep someone going with delicious treats throughout the festive season. As well as a tomato leaf and lemon verbena candle, there are a selection of seasonal British cheeses like Young Buck, jars of spruce tip honey and red onion chutney, salami, Yorkshire lomo and classics such as beerglazed ham and chicken liver parfait, as well as a homemade beef shin ragu. Available from: Made in Oldstead (£190) Daylesford Organic 12 Days of Christmas Hamper Available from Daylesford Organic (£130) Best luxury Christmas hamper A selection of 12 festive treats to enjoy in the run-up to the big day including sweet and savoury snacks, a log fire candle, Christmas cocktail and the bestselling rosé frizzante sparkling wine. Available from: Daylesford Organic (£130) The Osip Christmas Hamper Available from Maison Osip (£165) Best luxury artisan hamper This hamper delivers a taste of gourmet luxury. A celebration of local producers and artisans from Maison Osip, it is a carefully curated selection of festive treats. The centrepiece is a hefty Christmas pudding, arriving in a ceramic bowl to reuse year after year. There's a wedge of Westcombe cheddar for festive cheeseboards, a bottle of English sparkling wine and a bottled fig leaf negroni – a chic twist on the classic cocktail. Coffee, chocolate from Pump Street Bakery and a tote bag round out the wicker hamper. It's expensive, but each item has been carefully chosen for quality. Available from: Maison Osip (£165) Brindisa Indulgence Hamper Available from Brindisa (£165) Best Spanish hamper Jam-packed with a wealth of luxury Spanish food gifts, from La Solana truffled cheese to Amatller white chocolate coated marcona almonds. The contents would all make brilliant snacks for a gourmet Christmas drinks party. Available from: Brindisa (£165) Ginger Pig Butcher’s Champagne Breakfast Box Available from The Ginger Pig (£78) Best Christmas breakfast hamper Create a festive breakfast of champions with thick-cut streaky and back bacon, sausages and black pudding, homemade rhubarb and blood orange jams, and tomato sauce, all served with a chilled glass of champagne. Available from: The Ginger Pig (£78) British Hamper Company afternoon tea basket Available from British Hamper Company (£63.97) Best afternoon tea hamper This smart hamper from British Hamper Company, delivered in a wicker basket and with every item in signature navy and red packaging, would make a great classic gift for someone with a sweet tooth. There's tins of earl grey and English breakfast tea, a dark and rich fruit cake loaded with nuts and cherries, a jar of strawberry jam and two boxes of biscuits – buttery shortbread or, our favourite, crunchy stem ginger cookies, that are perfect with a cup of tea. It is traditional classics done well for a simple sharing hamper. A personalised gift message can be added to the delivery. Available from: British Hamper Company (£63.97) DukesHill Whisky Cask Cider Savoury Hamper Available from DukesHill (£85) Best hamper for cider lovers Cider fans will love this sumptuous hamper. Inside, discover three bottles of Dukeshill’s rich and warming cider aged in whisky, accompanied by Isle of Mull cheddar and a lavish selection of sliced charcuterie including pastrami, bresaola, lomo and porchetta, plus accompaniments like fig chutney and multi-seed crackers. Available from: DukesHill (£85) The Fruit Scone Cream Tea Hamper Available from Not on the High Street (£23.95) Best Cornish hamper For a taste of the Cornish countryside, this hamper contains everything you need for the perfect Cornish afternoon tea (that's jam then cream). As well as freshly baked scones for four you'll find Rodda's clotted cream, strawberry jam, Cornish tea and two flavours of biscuit. Available from: Not on the High Street (£23.95) Petersham Nurseries Gardening Hamper Available from Petersham Nurseries (£95) Best hamper for keen gardeners A great gift for budding kitchen gardeners that includes a hand trowel and fork, herb and heirloom veg seed collections, and a smart pair of Niwaki gloves. Available from: Petersham Nurseries (£95) Poon’s Heritage Hamper Available from Poon's Pantry (£70) Best for Chinese cooking A striking red box with signature Poon’s artwork, this brings together Bill Poon’s wind-dried meats made from a traditional family recipe with daughter Amy Poon’s signature chilli oil and WO sauce. Available from: Poon's Pantry (£70) Paxton & Whitfield 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' Hamper Available from Paxton & Whitfield (£85) Best Christmas cheese hamper Because Christmas isn't complete without a good selection of cheese. This hamper is a true celebration of artisan cheese and luxurious accompaniments. It includes rich Cropwell Bishop stilton, creamy Aldwych and bakeable Celtic Soft, plus sea salt fudge, Taylors LBV port, spicy chutneys and crispbreads. Available from: Paxton & Whitfield (£85) Related reviews Best baking gifts Best cheese gifts Best vegan hampers and gifts Best advent calendars Best coffee advent calendars Best alcohol advent calendars Best Italian cookbooks Best gifts for cheese lovers Best gifts for foodies Best tea advent calendars Best matcha tea powders
Warm up the season with comforting, wintry dishes that bring big flavour to the table, perfect for slow evenings, good company and a touch of fireside calm
As the days draw in and the cold settles, the kitchen becomes a place to linger. This is the moment for generous flavours, slow-cooked comfort and dishes that invite people to gather. Whether you’re craving something rich and bubbling from the oven or a bowl that brings instant warmth, these recipes lean into the pleasure of winter cooking – relaxed, rustic and made for sharing. Light the candles, pour a glass of something good and settle in. Looking for more cosy cooking inspiration? Try our comfort food recipes, hearty pasta recipes and traybake dinner recipes for further inspiration. Cosy winter feasting recipes Ham hock, spinach and cheeseboard lasagne Turn your leftover festive cheese and ham into a lush, crowd-pleasing lasagne. Mix and match whatever you have in the fridge: grated cheddar, gruyère or any firm cheese; softer cheeses can be crumbled into the sauce. The ricotta provides a smooth, creamy base for the cooked ham, creating easy layers with plenty of flavour. Bring it to the table bubbling hot and serve with a crisp green salad for balance. Slow roast rotisserie-style chicken with chicken fat potatoes This uses a classic three-turn method in which the chicken is cooked first on either side, then on its back. This helps redistribute the juices and keeps the flesh extra moist. Soy butter and mushroom pappardelle Meaty mushrooms and mouth-warming sichuan peppercorns make this a lovely bowl of comfort. Using pappardelle or tagliatelle as a substitute for flat noodles works well and gives you that essential slippery mouthfeel. Chocolate truffle cake This flourless cake is rich, indulgent and perfect for after dinner. The cake puffs up then falls after baking, creating a delicious fudgy texture. We’ve given it a seasonal makeover, piling it high with chestnut cream, borrowed from the classic Alpine dessert.
Irish spice-rubbed loin of venison in pancetta with whiskey sauce
The sharpness of the whiskey cuts through the cream in the sauce, and the mushrooms add depth of flavour. I love this served with mashed carrots and swede
Try our Irish spice-rubbed loin of venison in pancetta with whiskey sauce, then check out our venison stew, venison curry, venison pie, venison steaks, venison burgers and more venison recipes. In this recipe the venison loin is gently rolled in herbs and spices before being wrapped in pancetta, and browned before being roasted. The sharpness of the whiskey cuts through the cream in the sauce, and the mushrooms add depth of flavour. The sauce can be made in advance and swirled around in the pan after the venison has been cooked. I love this served with mashed carrots and swede. Cook, preserver, baker and author Cherie Denham says: "To truly understand Irish food you need to cook in simplicity, shaped by the land and sea, and passed down through generations. It’s not about fancy techniques or elaborate dishes, it’s about honest, comforting, down-to-earth food made with care and shared with others. "I was brought up on a farm, nestled in County Tyrone in rural N Ireland. My Mummy, Aunties and Grannies cooked with what they had to hand: potatoes pulled from the garden, wild berries gathered from the hedgerows, soda bread fresh from the oven and homemade butter. The press was stocked with homemade jellies and jams made from crab apples and rosehips, damsons, blackberries and strawberries. "The flavours are clean and comforting, and the ingredients aren’t trendy, they’re traditional. Creamy dairy from grass-fed cows, tender lamb, wild Atlantic seafood and earthy root veg. I often went to the local market with mummy on a Wednesday after school if we ran out of vegetables. She’d buy a huge sack of potatoes, a bag of carrots and a few swedes or turnips, as they were called, still all with mud on them. Apples and rhubarb were very popular, and used predominantly to make tarts. Bramley apples have a Protected Geographical Indication in County Armagh, which is affectionately known as The Orchard County. "To cook here is to respect the seasons and surroundings – it’s warming the teapot before pouring the first cup, baking something sweet and welcoming for when guests are due, and always sending them home with a loaf of fresh bread, jar of jam or tin of biscuits. It’s food that brings people together, whether it’s a Sunday dinner, bowl of stew at the kitchen table or cup of tea and soda bread in your hand. Eating and drinking in Ireland is welcoming, unpretentious and full of warmth – whether it’s a pint of Guinness in the local pub or oysters by the sea, the experience is always the same, rooted in place, people and tradition." Recipes extracted from The Irish Kitchen by Cherie Denham (£30, Montgomery Press). Photographs: Andrew Montgomery. Recipes are sent by the publisher and not retested by us. Irish spice-rubbed loin of venison in pancetta with whiskey sauce recipe
It’s a man’s world – and it’s bad for our health
From drug tests to getting a diagnosis, here’s how women have it harder than men when it comes to our health. But when can being a woman actually work in your favour?
Other articles you might find interesting include our exploration of whether we're going backwards on body confidence, why we don't need to worry about testosterone in our diet, and 7 ways your diet can ease hormone symptoms. If you’ve not seen the viral video ‘Female Body’ by Canadian musical comic Farideh, go and watch it right now. It’s a hilarious, honest and heartbreaking look at how women are often dismissed by their doctors – and an absolute banger. Farideh says she was inspired to write it after struggling to get a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) for 10 years. “I was told I was making it up or I’d just put on a lot of weight because I was fat,” she says. But an incident with her husband in their local A&E made her even more determined to write the song. “He was struggling to lift up his hand or walk up the stairs, which was really weird, so I thought we should take him to the ER,” she says. “But I started to prepare for that trip like he was a woman – I was saying ‘They’re probably not going to believe you’ and ‘You’re going to have to assert yourself’ but the complete opposite happened. “He walked into that ER, and it was like he was Beyoncé! The nurses rushed over to help him. The doctors were like ‘We’re going to run this test, and we’re going to run that test’. No one thought he was making it up. No one thought he was being silly. No one told him he was just anxious because he was a busy dad. And it made me realise no woman on earth would get the same treatment.” The heart of the matter Luckily, Farideh’s husband was fine, and she ended up creating an anthem for all unheard women across the globe. And that’s a lot of women; even though it’s 2025 we are still getting the short end of the stick when it comes to our health. The publication of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invisible-Women-Exposing-World-Designed/dp/1784706280/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GVN5VKCEHMKM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rnVE971KQg8HvK2K3u_oRywHM9SxpMMVf35SM9FYrddQGwrWEQbLrEwkBQHdV9DVzPonChAsuCRsyFt9sUa0HH39ZqfDxjIHbIu6I1LVMoUcifoVGE_0zLbpMxk0pBru8CNIbDBf38Gk-1iSDxO8oS7eQpFUuIQKo4K7lgb6Wjn4ggxs_e_-TZw5j4xs_FFQ6wZSlgg5KgmkZjgy0GbRnnuUhFXbM4_E7PFa8RAx3dA.OHL25AeF3ZBvnn-aFYlwuk98cyFc4AngpHs0c432Iuw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Invisible+Women&qid=1764608214&sprefix=invisible+women%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-1&tag=olivemag-21&ascsubtag=olivemagazine-276032" rel="sponsored" target="_blank">Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, six years ago, shocked people with its data-backed exposé of how medical research, doctors’ opinions, getting a diagnosis and a whole lot more are stacked against women’s health – it only become law that women must be included in clinical trials, including drug tests, in America in 1993. One of the most shocking realisations for many of us is that men and women have different symptoms during a heart attack. While men might show up with agonising chest and arm pain, women are more likely to have stomach pain, nausea, breathlessness and fatigue. Women do get chest pain but it’s not so obvious and may be just one of their symptoms. The result is we’re more likely to be misdiagnosed, so vital treatment is delayed and our chances of successful recovery are dramatically reduced. In fact, women are up to three times more likely to die following a heart attack thanks to unequal medical treatment. But since this research was revealed, things have got better – right? Melanie Evans*, a physiotherapist, says, “I work in a multidisciplinary practice. One day, a man came in to see the GP complaining of bad indigestion and arm pain. He got a full cardiac workup that day, which included blood tests, an ECG, X-rays and an ultrasound of his heart. “A week later, his wife came in complaining of indigestion, arm pain and generally feeling unwell, but she was also feeling quite anxious. The GP dismissed her symptoms as mental health issues and gave her antidepressants. She died three weeks later after suffering a massive heart attack.” Pain and pleasure Even getting a prescription for simple painkillers can be a problem if you’re a woman. A recent study found doctors and other healthcare staff frequently underestimate women’s pain, believing women are oversensitive to pain or will exaggerate how much pain they’re in. This means they often ‘under-treat’ it, either prescribing low-dose painkillers or offering women psychological treatments instead. But at least doctors are happy to prescribe us the contraceptive pill. The only downside to all that sexual freedom is the lone responsibility of taking it every day and a long list of potential side-effects including acne, weight gain, anxiety and depression. However, a male contraceptive pill may finally be on the horizon. Scientists say the new pill has just been declared safe in clinical trials. Safe, presumably, because it has no side-effects such as weight gain, mood swings and changes in libido. So, it was fine for women to suffer all those side-effects for decades – and to keep experiencing them – but men couldn’t possibly be expected to do the same? Or is our pill bad for our health? It’s an unsolvable mystery. If you’re not convinced that women’s health isn’t as thoroughly researched or well-funded as men’s, how about the fact there have been approximately 32,000 published studies about erectile dysfunction and, up until 2018, fewer than 3,000 on both premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)? Or that start-ups focusing on erectile dysfunction attracted around $1.24 billion of funding from 2019 to 2023, but those focused on endometriosis only received $44 million in the same time frame? FYI, it still takes nearly nine years for women in the UK to get a diagnosis of endometriosis. Erectile dysfunction can be traumatic, but the amount of time, money and effort devoted to studying something that only 19% of men will experience compared to PMS, which affects 90% of women at some point in their lives, feels laughably out of proportion. The fight for information One of the best ways to keep pushing for better medical treatment is to arm yourself with the facts and present them to your GP. But where do you find the facts? There are a huge number of resources available, but you might not even be aware they exist. Research by CensHERship, the campaign to tackle social media censorship of women’s health and sexual wellbeing content, found 95 per cent of women’s health creators experienced some form of censorship in the last year on sites including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn. Clio Wood, co-founder of CensHERship, explains that posts about vaginal cancer, for example, have been banned because they contain the word vagina, which is seen as explicit content by the platforms. “But you don’t see a lot of actual explicit content using the word vagina,” she says. “I know the word ‘pussy’ is used and pussy and vagina might refer to the same thing, but the context is absolutely key here.” In another example, a Spanish breast-feeding support app not only had their ads banned but their entire YouTube channel of advice and support taken down because it was deemed to be sexual content. But ads for Playboy, which did feature naked breasts in clearly sexual content, were approved. “The only difference we can see is that one is for a female audience and one is for the male gaze,” says Clio. Advantage women It’s not all bad news for women’s health, though. There are a number of conditions where we are taken more seriously than men with the same symptoms. Dr Dawn Harper, Embarrassing Bodies presenter and author of Live Well to 101, says, “Osteoporosis is one – any older woman who comes in with a fractured hip or wrist is now given a bone density scan, but we may not routinely offer one to a man.” Autoimmune conditions are also more common in women, so, according to Dr Harper, “We might be more aware of looking for things like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis in a woman presenting with fatigue and joint pain, but we wouldn’t be so quick to think of them as a possible diagnosis in men.” More women tend to be diagnosed with depression than men, but this isn’t because women are naturally predisposed towards depressive illnesses. Dr Harper says, “Women will often be more tearful, lose motivation or confidence, or withdraw – all classic symptoms we might expect to see in somebody’s who’d depressed. “However, a man with depression might be more prone to outbursts of aggression, risky behaviours like gambling or drinking, or becoming obsessed with a new hobby to distract him from real life. If his GP isn’t aware that those are also signs of depression, he could go under the radar.” Women are generally better at talking to healthcare professionals, too. We are much more used to seeing our GP to get contraception, get a smear test or register our children (if we have them). “We have an ongoing relationship with our doctor, so it’s not that intimidating to talk to them about any new health issues,” says Dr Harper. But a lot of men may only need medical help if they get injured doing sports or have an accident – even then, this will only get them to A&E. Dr Harper says, “I’ve known adult men who were still registered with their childhood GP! If they don’t have a relationship with their doctor, it makes it a lot harder to bring up any health worries. So, in that respect, I think women do get a better deal when it comes to our health.” Close the gender health gap It may be a while before there are enough comprehensive studies done on women’s health, for that information to be taught in medical schools and then passed on to practicing healthcare professionals. But it will happen. As long as people like Farideh and Clio keep raising the issue – both in different but equally effective ways – the gender health gap will get smaller. Until then, if your GP tells you to lose weight for a headache or do some meditation for endometriosis, you could just show them this article… * Names changed for privacy
7 of the worst things I've eaten in the name of health in 2025
Healthy food certainly doesn’t need to taste worse. So why were the main trends of the year so revolting? Plus, a nutritionist reveals whether they’re even that good for you…
If you’re looking for healthy and tasty dishes, check out Olive’s collection of budget healthy recipes, high-fibre meals or recipes to help you pack in 30 plant foods. As a food writer, I’ve tested my fair share of weird and wonderful things. But in 2025 I spent most of the year trying to eat better, or – more accurately – trying things the internet claimed were healthy. All in the name of journalism, of course. For me, it was the year of high-protein cakes, neat vinegar, frogspawn-texture breakfasts and olive oil shots at 7 am for “longevity”. A phrase so bleak it made me immediately rush to Pret for a chocolate croissant. Below is my honest audit of the worst things I ate (and drank) in the name of health, plus expert insights from registered nutritionist Zara Hiridjee on whether any of them were actually worth it. 1. Cacao water Up first, cacao water, marketed as “hydration plus antioxidants” and pushed as this sunny, tropical drink that boosts mood, brightens skin and somehow energises you. I’m a sucker for a good sports drink, and was excited at the prospect of a tropical, zingy lemonade. In reality? Nothing of the sort. It’s slightly sweet, a tiny bit acidic, not offensive, just a bit bland. I didn’t get the mood-boosting magic, and my palate wasn’t exactly thanking me for the experience. It hasn’t fully landed in the UK yet, but it’s huge in the US, so I’m sure it’ll be on our shelves soon. At nearly £4 a bottle, though, I’m not convinced. With the explosion of electrolyte powders and hydration tablets, there are far better, and cheaper, ways to quench a thirst. Personally, a pinch of Cornish sea salt in water does more for me than any “supercharged” cacao infusion. Not glamorous, makes me cringe slightly, but absolutely effective. What the nutritionist says: “Cacao water is one of those products that sounds innovative but, nutritionally speaking, doesn’t offer much. People assume that because cacao is rich in antioxidants, cacao water carries similar benefits. However, most of the antioxidant compounds come from the bean and the nib, not the pulp or husk that cacao water is made from. That means by the time it’s filtered, diluted and bottled, the flavanol content is very low, certainly not enough to have a measurable impact on health. That said, it isn’t harmful and is naturally hydrating, so if someone enjoys the taste and it helps them drink more fluids, that’s fine!” What to try instead: olive’s cacao, banana, date and cashew bars are a much tastier way to enjoy cacao. 2. Olive oil shots A personal low point of 2025 but the longevity crowd swore by it. Basically, take a straight shot of oil at 7 am and suddenly you’re an Italian Nonna with glowing skin and an enviable zest for life. Reader, I believed them. I poured out a shot of my most expensive Citizens of Soil bottle, convinced I was about to become that woman. Instead, I immediately realised there is a reason olive oil is meant to be drizzled, gently, lovingly over tomatoes, not thrown down your throat before breakfast. It’s not the flavour that’s the problem. Good olive oil tastes lovely. It’s the texture. A whole mouthful of warm, velvety oil slides down your oesophagus in a way that feels slightly alarming. It coats every surface on the way down. My gums felt moisturised for hours. The Mediterranean diet is wonderful, but it works because of actual meals: vegetables, beans, fish and olive oil on things. What the nutritionist says: “Olive oil shots come from a place of good science, but the idea has been taken a bit further than the evidence supports. Extra-virgin olive oil is genuinely one of the healthiest fats we have, it’s rich in monounsaturated fats and polyphenols, which support heart health and help reduce inflammation. Where things get murky is the belief that drinking it straight somehow boosts those benefits. There’s no strong evidence that taking a shot on an empty stomach offers anything extra. In fact, having olive oil with food may actually help your body absorb certain vitamins and antioxidants more effectively.” What to try instead: Drizzle your olive oil over sliced tomatoes, salads or cooked veggies. 3. Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar had another big year in 2025, fuelled by TikTok nutrition hacks promising everything from better digestion to magic blood-sugar control. The trend? Take a neat shot of ACV every morning “with the mother,” that cloudy, cobweb-like substance that bobs around in the bottle. The burn is immediate. It hits your lips, then your throat, then your stomach in one continuous fiery slide. My eyes watered. And the floaty strands of bacterial culture bobbing around made me feel like I was drinking something out of a Victorian apothecary. It just doesn’t feel normal to stand in your kitchen before work knocking back a shot of something fiery. Here’s the thing: adding a splash of ACV to a salad dressing is lovely and far more civilised. Taking it like a shot of bootleg tequila? Horrendous. What the nutritionist says: “Apple cider vinegar actually has a bit more evidence behind it. The acetic acid can help moderate blood-sugar rises after a carbohydrate-heavy meal by slowing gastric emptying and slightly improving insulin sensitivity. But that doesn’t mean you need to drink it neat. Undiluted vinegar can damage tooth enamel and irritate the throat or stomach, especially if you’re taking it regularly. A tablespoon diluted in plenty of water is more than enough if someone wants to try it and using it in dressings or marinades is an even easier, more sustainable way to include it.” What to try instead: A simple salad dressing of apple cider vinegar, honey, mustard and olive oil. 4. Baking with protein powder I am a big protein powder fan, but in smoothies, with lots of fruit and peanut butter. But with the humungous tub it comes in, I thought I should broaden my horizons in 2025. I made brownies with whey. I made banana bread with whey. I made pancakes with whey. Everything came out with the same miserable energy: dry, rubbery and chalky. Protein powder does many things well, but what it does not do is behave like flour. The moment it hits heat it turns into a strange spongy foam that tastes of disappointment. What the nutritionist says: “Protein powder absolutely has its place but works best when it’s used in ways that actually taste and feel good. For some, it can be a really practical way to meet daily protein needs. Where people run into trouble is when they start baking it into everything. There’s nothing harmful about it, it just isn’t necessary. And it’s worth remembering that not every snack needs to be ‘high protein’. What really matters is your total intake over the day, ideally from a foundation of whole foods.” What to try instead: These pancakes contain a whopping 30g of protein per serving, without any powder in sight. 5. Chia seed pudding While nothing new, chia pudding had a full renaissance this year, pushed as the gut-friendly breakfast. Aesthetically, it looks great on Instagram, but I can’t quite get over the fact it feels like frogspawn and tastes thick, gelatinous and cold. I want to like it. I tried adding berries, cinnamon, fancy milks, all the toppings. But there is no escaping the fact that chia seeds can swell to the size and texture of tapioca balls and turn your breakfast into something that feels mildly amphibian. I also regrettably tried what TikTok was describing as “the internal shower”, mixing chia seeds, lemon juice, water and (if you’re truly unhinged) psyllium husk. Then drink it quickly “before it gels”. My verdict? Don’t. What the nutritionist says: “Chia seeds have earned their place in the wellness world, even if they’ve been a little overhyped at times. They’re genuinely nutritious, rich in soluble fibre, which helps slow digestion, steady blood sugar and keep you feeling full for longer. They also provide plant-based omega-3s, magnesium, calcium and antioxidants, so a small amount does go a long way. The key is how you use them. A chia pudding can absolutely be a balanced breakfast, but it’s important to add some protein and healthy fats so it isn’t just fibre on its own. Mixing chia with milk or yoghurt and topping it with fruit or nuts is usually enough, a few tablespoons is all you need to get the benefits. The ‘internal shower’ drink is where things get a bit unnecessary and isn’t any more effective than simply eating enough fibre and staying hydrated. It won’t harm most people in small amounts, but too much fibre at once without enough fluid can actually make you feel bloated or uncomfortable.” What to try instead: Try sprinkling chia on top of your smoothie bowl or yoghurt without soaking them, for the nutrition without the goo. 6. Sea moss gel Sea moss gel was crowned the superfood of early 2025, touted as containing “92 essential minerals” and capable of transforming energy, digestion and skin. I bought a jar in a moment of weakness (and targeted ads). It looks like translucent jelly and tastes like the inside of a tide pool. Mixed into smoothies, it adds a faintly marine flavour and a texture that’s more specimen jar than superfood. It sat in my fridge for two weeks before I admitted defeat and threw it away. Even the bin seemed offended. What the nutritionist says: “Sea moss gel is one of those wellness trends that exploded online because it sounds incredibly nutrient-rich, but the science behind it is still pretty limited. Sea moss (or Irish moss) is a type of red seaweed, and like most seaweeds, it does contain iodine, potassium, magnesium and other trace minerals. Those nutrients are real, but the actual amounts depend entirely on where the moss was grown, how it was processed, and how much you’re taking. By the time it’s blended into a gel, those levels can vary massively. The most consistent benefit is likely the iodine, which supports healthy thyroid function, but that can be a double-edged sword. Too much can actually disrupt thyroid hormone balance, especially if you’re already getting iodine from other foods or supplements. That’s why it’s important not to overdo it or assume that more equals better.” What to try instead: Different seaweeds have different nutrition profiles, but most are good sources of various minerals. Japanese food is a great place to incorporate some naturally into your diet. 7. Savoury protein pudding No trend shocked me quite as much as savoury protein pudding: cold, oaty or silky puddings flavoured with things like bone broth. I watched people online make ones with chicken gravy, eggs and chia seeds loaded up with salad. I’ll admit one variation almost fooled me. It was cottage cheese blended with olives, tomatoes and herbs, and it actually looked delicious… until I remembered that, fundamentally, it was still a chia-heavy pudding masquerading as lunch. And look, I know in some cultures savoury puddings are a delicacy (like Turkish milk pudding, and Sichuan tofu pudding which I think I’d genuinely love), but these 2025 interpretations were not that. What the nutritionist says: “The ingredients in these savoury ‘protein puddings’ aren’t the issue – eggs, cottage cheese and chia seeds are all nutritious. The problem is the form. When you blend everything into a pudding-like texture, you lose the taste and sensory satisfaction that come from eating a normal meal. You may get the nutrients, but it’s rarely filling or enjoyable, and that can actually lead to more cravings later. You’ll get the same benefits, and usually far more pleasure, by eating those ingredients in a simple, balanced meal.” What to try instead: Pretty much anything! But these high-protein meals are a good place to start. I’ve finally accepted that the best health hack is painfully unsexy, just eat a balanced diet. It’s not glamorous and it won’t get viral, but it’s the best thing to do. While part of me is still on the hunt for that miracle superfood, if 2025 taught me anything, it’s this: don’t take your nutrition advice from social media health warriors unless they actually have qualifications. A lab coat emoji in a bio does not a dietitian make.
Some of the capital's best spots for a glass (or two) of wine, from cult natural wine bars to laidback neighbourhood joints
Looking for the best London wine bars? I've spent the past eight years writing about London's drinks scene for olive, and one of the things I'm most excited about is the explosion in new-wave wine bars across the capital. From trendy natural wine spots in Shoreditch to Gallic boltholes in Covent Garden and vermuterias in King's Cross, there's something to cater for every taste. So whether you're in the mood for a glass of funky orange wine, a fizzy pét nat or a big, bold Italian red, we've got you covered. Make sure you keep coming back here for updates, as I'll be refreshing this guide with the latest openings and discoveries. Next discover the best new restaurants in London, best dining experiences in London and best food and drink festivals to visit. Also discover some of our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Covent Garden, best restaurants in Kings Cross and best restaurants in Shoreditch. If you're partial to a cocktail served with stellar sound systems, discover our favourite listening bars in London. Best wine bars in London Bar Levan, Peckham Peckham's answer to the Parisian wine bar comes in the form of Bar Levan, where bottles line deep red walls, candles flicker alongside vintage Ricard vessels and co-owner Mark curates the list of regularly rotating European natural wines chalked up on the board. Staff wind through the handful of tables to make recommendations - a chilled, crunchy Austrian red perhaps as a progression from a rosé on a warm summer's evening, a honeyed Georgian orange (find out where to eat and drink in Tbilisi here) with nutty finish to warm up on a colder night or a fresh, salty, appley Bavarian pinot blanc to accompany the succinct food menu. Smoked sausage embedded into a slice of brown butter brioche is a rich uplift on a hotdog. Beautiful orange peaches with creamy burrata and glistening crispy sage sit alongside Vesuvio tomatoes as fantastic vehicles for warm, crusty baguettes delivered at 2am each morning. An eclectic rotation of DJs on a Friday night add an extra je ne sais quoi to the already buzzy vibes of Peckham punters that spill out onto the pavement in the warmer months. There's also a short aperitif list including refreshing Lillet and soda or the floral negroni made with Suze, Lillet rouge and ELLC gin. barlevan.co.uk Sager + Wilde, Hackney With its many wines by-the-glass, its adventurousness (bottles from the Balkans and beyond), and its legendary cheese toasties, this East End venue was the first of the capital’s new-wave wine bars, and it's still one of our favourites. sagerandwilde.com Dynamic Vines, East Dulwich Dynamic Vines, the UK’s leading importer of premium biodynamic and organic wine, has opened its first wine bar, offering European wines alongside charcuterie, cheese and bread to Dulwich denizens. The candle-lit space can be found on upper Lordship Lane – one of London’s best independent shopping streets – harbouring a cornucopia of much loved suppliers including neighbouring Mons Cheesemonger (which supplies the snacks), Moxon’s fishmonger and Bora & Sons greengrocer. A pithy, seasonal menu showcases independent winemakers, with wines sourced from minimal intervention, sustainable vineyards. When we visited we enjoyed a glass of IGT Venezia Giulia Slatnik, a chardonnay-dominant Italian orange with notes of stone fruits and baking spices with a touch of paprika. We also loved the gently sweet Jurançon Marie Kattalin, a French dessert wine with a rich nose of stone fruit, caramel popcorn and a hint of coconut. With a few individual tables as well as a large, eight-seater communal table and an outdoor terrace for sunnier days, this is a space which can be enjoyed all year round, with wines to take home or enjoy in the bar without any corkage fee. dynamicvines.com Marjorie's, Soho Though slap bang in the middle of Soho, its locals rather than tourists who frequent this Parisian-inspired wine bar, tucked away on a side street. Perch at the large counter table on the ground floor while owner Michael and team pour wines. A wooden dresser showcases the 100% French wine line-up, covering a diverse mixture of regions and styles. New bottles are opened each day to keep the ‘by the glass’ list interesting, with a sparkling, a couple of skin contacts, three reds and three whites on rotation – that might be a pétillant, oak-aged chenin blanc from the Loire, a chilled beaujolais or a robust Crozes-Hermitage. To pair alongside the wines, there's baguette with French butter and La Fromagerie cheese plates as well as Morello cherry rolled in chicken liver parfait and hazelnuts for a savoury Ferrero Rocher twist. Other highlights include lamb tartare studded with summer vegetables – sliced radishes, peas, broad beans and edible flowers – and comforting poached chicken and nutty rice bathing in a rich, frothy brown butter emulsion, with radicchio and leaves doused in floral orange blossom dressing to pair. For dessert, a towering slice of puff pastry mille-feuille comes layered with silky crème diplomat and strawberries, while cocoa nib and hazelnut-flecked warm chocolate mousse is spoonable comfort. marjorieslondon.co.uk La Compagnie Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden This stylish little wine bar hidden away in Neal’s Yard is the perfect cosy bolthole for a glass or two in this tourist-thronged patch of central London. La Compagnie has been a fixture on London’s new-wave wine bar scene since 2014 – it has sister bars in Paris and New York – and is set over two floors and a terrace, the latter a particularly lovely spot for drinking in warmer weather. The focus is very much on smaller producers and hard-to-find bottles, with friendly staff on hand to make suggestions. Those looking for a bottle have a hefty slab of a menu to investigate but there’s also an impressively lengthy list of wines by the glass – perfect for trying lots of different things. Spot-on recommendations from our server come paired with seasonal European small plates from new head chef Ranieri Raimondi. Highlights include a delicious Jura chardonnay, zesty and minerally, with plump, buttery drunken scallops in a rich foie gras sauce; and torched mackerel with breadcrumbs and endive paired with a light and velvety Corsican red full of juicy red fruits. compagniewinebar.com/london Farm Shop Wine Bar, Mayfair True hidden gems are hard to come by in London but Farm Shop’s underground wine bar truly feels like one. By day it’s a fancy Mayfair deli on South Audley Street, supplied by the company farm in Bruton, among other artisan producers. There are piles of fresh fruit and veg, stacks of chutneys and jams, and loaves of sourdough and pastries laid out in the window. From the afternoon, the basement space comes into its own. There’s no signage from outside, so it’s just the arrows inside the deli that guide you downstairs to a warm, cosy room, speckled by candlelight with a relaxed, welcoming vibe where you can sit along the windows to people-watch. The menu includes classic treats like rotisserie chicken and cheese toasties, alongside sharing boards of charcuterie and cheese from Somerset, near the company farm, as well as a selection of Swiss offerings. Clearly experts in cheese, with temperature-controlled rooms to store it, this is a great place to try Yarlington, Montgomery cheddar and a creamy Bath Blue. Most importantly, the wine list is 150-strong with some varieties from the company’s vineyard. Prices for a glass of house of red start at just £4.50, so it’s a surprisingly reasonable option for such a high-end area. A particular highlight is the Maid of Bruton sparkling rosé, which is ideal for a celebratory drink. farmshop.co.uk/london/wine-bar/ Carousel Wine Bar, Fitzrovia Carousel reimagines the wine bar format, doing away with cheese and charcuterie in favour of flavour-packed small plates, like Cornish tuna crudo in a lemon vinaigrette with crispy leeks; rye and Westcombe cheddar toast kimchi; fried chicken with pickled cucumber and scotch bonnet honey; and ceps tagliatelle with butter emulsion and parmesan, wiped clean with lofty sourdough spread with cultured butter. Make sure to finish with the large scoop of chocolate mousse, elevated with crunchy hazelnuts, sea salt flakes and olive oil. A list of minimal-intervention wines focusses on small, independent producers, with a concise list available by the glass or carafe, as well as an impressive bottle offering. carousel-london.com/winebar Trullo Wine Bar, Islington Feted Italian restaurant Trullo has opened a small but perfectly formed wine bar next door with punchy, moreish antipasti and intriguing left-field bottles. It’s a small space, and interiors are kept clean and simple – white and grey walls, black-and-white photographs of past and current Trullo staff and a long counter lined with wine bottles. It feels suitably cosy compared to the traffic rush of St Paul’s road outside. The seasonally changing wine menu, chalked up on a blackboard, flits everywhere from Catalonia to Cyprus, with plenty to entice. There’s lots available by the glass and pours are pleasingly generous. Adventurous wine drinkers will find much to explore on the list. We tried Georgian Okro’s Wines Rkatsiteli, a supercharged orange wine with cider-like funkiness and spicy, savoury intensity, but more crowd-pleasing, accessible natural wines are also available, like the tangily fresh Can Sumoi Xarel-lo from northern Spain. Equally appealing is the short and sweet antipasti menu: pillowy, salt-flecked focaccia; luscious whipped cod’s roe with salted crisps for scooping; crisp arancini and flavour-packed crostini – try the whipped ricotta and confit garlic. trullorestaurant.com Sol's, Bayswater Sol’s sees the team behind Margate’s Fort Road Hotel serving Iberian-inspired dishes in a sleek, wood-decked delicatessen and wine bar in flourishing foodie neighbourhood Bayswater. Highlights include tinned sardine pâté on sourdough; roast pumpkin, braised coco beans and taleggio; half a roast chicken with peppers and aïoli; and perfectly plump jamón croquettas. Don’t miss the chocolate mousse: rich, glossy, studded with sea salt and topped with a cluster of toasted hazelnuts. The drinks list includes low-intervention, European-focussed wine curated by food writer Mina Holland. Perch at the window-side counter with a glass of chilled Côtes du Rhône for a cosy date night spot (and if you really enjoy it, you can pick up a bottle from the fridge to go). instagram.com/solslondon/ Half Cut Market, Holloway Positioned halfway between Camden and Islington (hence its name) on York Way, Half Cut Market redefines the dining experience with its unique restaurant, wine bar and bottle shop blend. This charming venue, vibrant with a lively atmosphere, boasts an impressive selection of low-intervention and natural wines curated by the expert Holly Willcocks, inviting you to sip in style. Enhance your tasting experience with small plates thoughtfully crafted by the talented Aidan Richardson, a chef celebrated for his outstanding experience at Brat. The menu evolves with the seasons, ensuring that even the most devoted regulars – affectionately dubbed 'cutlets' – always have something new to enjoy. Among the standout dishes, the mackerel with lovage and dandelion deserves special mention – it’s so exquisitely tender that it melts in your mouth. halfcut.world Oranj, Shoreditch Oranj started as an online bottle shop and wine delivery service in 2020, specialising in natural wines. At its first bar, off Brick Lane near Shoreditch, unmarked double doors lead into a warehouse space that ticks all the trendy east London boxes – dim lighting, concrete and stark industrial fittings galore – enlivened by splashes of orange, bottles dripping with wax on the tables and high ceilings. The mood is relaxed (founder Jasper Delamothe describes the bar as a “pub for wine drinkers”), and staff are friendly. While there’s a lengthy bottle list for natural wine nerds to plough through, a pithier list of wines by the glass (as well as cocktails including dry gin martinis and spicy margaritas) is a good place to start. Highlights include Domaine Pierre Frick Pinot Gris Fischbach Maceration, an incredible skin contact wine with notes of tangerine, apricot and raspberry; and Magna Carta Wines Uthando Syrah, fresh and zippy with crunchy red fruit. Oranj also has rotating kitchen residencies. Our visit saw Nigerian-Colombian fusion cooking from Ayo Collective (highlights include zingy prawn tartare with lime apple and tropical lulo fruit; and lamb cutlets with incredible crispy sweetbreads), while previous residencies have included New Orleans-inspired outfit Decatur, and cult Vietnamese pop up Ha's Đặc Biệt from New York City. Check out @oranjwine for what’s up next. oranj.co.uk Bottle + Rye, Brixton This intimate wine bar and restaurant from Robin and Sarah Gill brings a slice of European café culture to Market Row in Brixton Village. The team behind Sorella, Bermondsey Larder, Darby’s and Rye by the Water took the classic Parisian bistro as their starting point for the interiors, dominated by an elegant marble, brass and walnut bar. Nab a seat here to watch the kitchen and bar team whip up cocktails and plate dishes. A menu of simple, deftly executed Gallic classics delivers. Succulent, well-seasoned pig’s head brawn terrine comes with cornichons, delicate rings of pickled onion and hunks of sourdough, and a luscious dollop of creamy smoked eel brandade is served with Pink Fir crisps for scooping. Veggie dishes also shine – especially summery pea and broad bean ragu and a salad of green beans and leeks with crunchy hazelnut praline. Don’t miss out on dessert – a beautifully made blackcurrant and fig leaf choux éclair on our visit. A mostly European list of minimal intervention wines includes plenty by the glass (try Judith Beck’s delicious Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch rosé) as well as natural ciders from the likes of Little Pomona, Brixton Brewery beers and a succinct cocktail list including a peach and jasmine americano. bottleandrye.com Bedales of Borough, Borough Located in the middle of Borough Market, Bedales of Borough is the labour of love of three childhood friends – Rob Dann, Jamie Watts and Mario Sposito – who took on a failing wine shop in 2012 and transformed it into one of London’s best-loved wine bars, with delicious food to match. With a wine list focussed on celebrating and supporting the diverse and colourful world of small, independent winemakers, and a menu where much of the produce is sourced from neighbouring shops within Borough Market itself, it’s little wonder that Bedales of Borough – affectionately known as ‘BoB’ to regulars – is still going strong a decade on. bedaleswines.com Bar Crispin, Soho With its stylish continental vibes, this poised bar on Soho’s Kingly Street serves lavish small plates ranging from native oysters, Neal’s Yard cheeses and Trealy Farm charcuterie, and elegant sharing dishes from head chef Brendan Lee. Make a beeline for the anchovy and potato focaccia; a decadent double-carb affair of bread topped with golden piped swirls of mashed potato, whole anchovies and salsa verde. We also loved the day-boat fish – sole on our visit – which arrived, soft and flaking, in a luscious pool of brown butter, topped with briny capers. Alongside this, a natural wine list focusses on indigenous, rare and old-world grapes, featuring smaller producers who use biodynamic, organic and sustainable practices. Expect to see wines from French regions such as the Loire, Jura, Savoie and Burgundy, as well as further afield, from Slovenian orange wine to Greek assyrtiko. The menu is ever-changing, with some wines only available in finite qualities so novelty is guaranteed. Staff are imaginative and generous with their recommendations, rustling up for us their last-ever bottle of Kiss Kiss Maddie’s Lips; a juicy yet elegant German pink fizz with creamy red fruit notes. barcrispin.com The Mulwray, Soho This plushily intimate, grown-up wine bar is hidden away above the Blue Posts pub on the edge of Chinatown, a setting that inspired its name (that of Evelyn Mulwray, Faye Dunaway’s character in the classic 1970s noir film). In contrast to the bustling surrounds of the pub downstairs,The Mulwray exudes a sense of lush calm, with a pin-sharp décor that includes high ceilings garlanded by foliage, dusty pink stools and sweeping midnight blue banquettes framing a panoramic window. The seasonally changing natural wine list – created by sommeliers Honey Spencer (previously Noma Mexico) and Sarah Wright – is playfully divided into sections such as ‘Firm Favourites’, ‘The Path Less Trodden’ and ‘Wild + Free’ and accordingly there’s a wealth of interesting wines to try if you’re in the mood to explore, from crisp and crunchy Austrian rosé to funky Portuguese co-ferments. Adventurous wine drinkers should make a beeline for the Sortevera Taganana Blanco, a gorgeously smoky, stony Tenerife white. theblueposts.co.uk/the-mulwray Noble Rot, Holborn Noble Rot is unique in that it started out as a cult wine and food magazine, which then grew into a wine bar and restaurant in Lamb’s Conduit Street. Since it opened in 2015 it has won numerous awards for its wine but also its food, which is overseen by executive chef Stephen Harris (of the acclaimed Sportsman in Whitstable) who backed owners Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew. The self-styled ‘Franglaise’ menu includes the likes of beef bourguignon with kale and mash; and braised turbot with fennel and saffron velouté, which can be matched with wines ranging in price from a £24 bottle of Portuguese vinho verde to a 1985 bottle of red burgundy at £6,750. Do visit their other – equally excellent – sites: in Soho's Greek Street and Mayfair's Shepherd Market. noblerot.co.uk The Nook Deli & Wine Bar, Highbury This cosy venue on St Paul's Road in Highbury delivers quietly impressive small plates and a vibrant wine list in intimate, friendly surroundings spread over two compact floors. It's a joint effort from husband-and-wife team Angus and Lale Oztek-Pook, who both worked at the likes of The Mash Inn and Arthur Hooper's before opening their own place. The wine list – Angus's baby – is ever-changing and skips from exciting English wineries such as Renegade and Tillingham to wines from Austria, Turkey and Hungary, plus plenty in between, with a focus on organic, minimum intervention and biodynamic bottles. Highlights for us include Weninger Rozsa Petsovits, a deliciously funky Hungarian rosé, and La Fea Tambe, a tangy, floral orange wine. The petite cocktail list also impresses: try a lemony, herbaceous martini made with mastiha liqueur. The food is Lale's domain and seriously impresses, with masses of precise, vibrant flavours. Described as European with a Turkish twist, the menu, like the wine list, skips gaily across the continent. Try super-sized, golden, crisp pork schnitzel with fruity plum sauce; impeccably crisp, dainty seasonal salads; pillowy burrata with an umami garland of samphire, chilli and almonds; and hummus punchily spiked with naga chilli oil. Even the sides deliver, such as properly crispy potatoes with dips of piquant walnut ketchup and a ferocious yet moreish hot sauce made with Carolina Reaper chillies. Leave room for dessert: hazelnut parfait with miso caramel and cocoa nibs was as exactly as good as it sounds. There's also a chance to do some shopping before you leave, thanks to the restaurant's little deli and small selection of records from indie labels. thenooklondon.co.uk Passione Vino, Shoreditch Wine importers Luca Dusi and Federico Bruschetta have run this Shoreditch shop since 2013, supplying Italian wines from 75 different producers to top restaurants including Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and The River Café. Behind the shop itself is a ‘secret bar’ which also spills downstairs to the basement with small tables which can be booked. There’s no wine list or menu as customers are encouraged to discuss their tastes so the team can recommend something just a little out of their comfort zone. passionevino.co.uk Top Cuvée, Highbury This friendly, understated neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant on Blackstock Road is a relaxed affair but there’s some serious drinks talent behind it, from owner Brodie Meah (ex-Heston Blumenthal drinks expert) to business partners Max and Noel Venning, owners of acclaimed cocktail bar Three Sheets in Dalston. Their wine list changes regularly but focusses on interesting low-intervention bottles, with mostly light reds and textured whites on offer. The menu lists only a few options by the glass but this is deceptive – staff are happy to let you try most wines, depending on what’s open. Winners on our visit included Lucy M 3 Colours Red: a juicy, gluggable red made, unusually, with pinot noir and two white wine grapes – pinot gris and sauvignon blanc. Another hit, Podere Pradarolo Vej 210, was a lovely malvasia with bold stone fruit notes. They also have a cocktail list courtesy of Three Sheets, featuring an elegantly tropical take on a G&T as well as a deliciously tannic margarita made with an orange wine reduction. Drinks are accompanied by an affordable, seasonal small-plates menu – try the likes of beef dripping potatoes with aïoli, charred leeks and smoked cream, and Blythburgh pork chop with burnt apple purée. Do check out their online shop – Shop Cuvée – launched in 2020 to roaring success – for everything from natural subscriptions to superlative bottled cocktails. topcuvee.com The 10 Cases, Covent Garden The name stems from the fact that this buzzy little Covent Garden bar and bistro only ever buys 10 cases of the wines on the concise list in a quest to offer customers new experiences each time they visit. It was opened in 2011 by Ian Campbell and Will Palmer, who were bored of overpriced wine lists that never changed. Will says: “I think part of the success of 10 Cases is the constantly changing wine list and having more than 300 wines with very small cash mark-ups and small corkage charges. I think the ability to be able to drink really good and interesting wine in an unpretentious setting strikes a chord with many people.” 10cases.co.uk <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2018/10/Interiors-at-The-10-Cases-London-0f6afdd.jpg" width="3976" height="2652" alt="A restaurant has white walls with wine bottles painted onto them. There is a distressed wooden bar with blue leather high stools dotted around it. The bar is laid with napkins, cutlery and wine glasses" title="Interiors at The 10 Cases Wine Bar, Covent Garden" /> 40 Maltby Street, Bermondsey Located under the railway arches where the weekly Maltby Street food market takes place, this bar is owned by nearby Gergovie Wines, an importer of natural wines free from pesticides and fertilisers. The wines from the shop can be enjoyed in the bar with seasonal dishes such as crab quiche and lamb sweetbreads with creamed broad beans. 40maltbystreetcom Quality Wines, Clerkenwell There are around 200 bins at any one time and, since it opened in June 2018, almost 2,000 different wines have graced the shelves. Gus says: “We try to keep things interesting and ever-changing, with around 18 wines by the glass. Many of our customers end up talking to each other and sharing wine – that is a particular source of pride.” qualitywinesfarringdon.com Peckham Cellars, Peckham Elegant floor-to-ceiling Crittal windows frame this breezy, laidback wine bar on Queen's Road in Peckham. Start with a glass of lemony Gusbourne fizz from Kent before delving into a wine list defined by sustainably minded, small-scale producers, with plenty of affordable options by the glass. We try another Kentish stunner – Westwell's Ortega Amphora 2019, fermented in terracotta jars – with fragrant apricot and honey suckle notes before moving onto summery, cherry-tinged chilled gamay, available on tap at the bar. A quietly industrious open kitchen amiably sends out plates of unfussy yet deceptively indulgent food. Highlights include springy sourdough with whipped lemon and rosemary butter, porchetta layered with crispy, salty shards of crackling and filo-wrapped asparagus with a soft-boiled duck egg for dipping. Save space for pudding – a decadent lemon meringue pie sundae is the childhood dessert of dreams. South-East Londoners looking for interesting wines to drink at home should also check out PC's Club Del Vino, which delivers curated cases of wine, as well as discounts and offers on the bar's online wine shop. peckhamcellars.co.uk Vermuteria, King's Cross Vermuteria opened at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, in October 2018 and it’s the first café and bar created by chef Anthony Demetre and designer Michael Sodeau. As well as charcuterie and dishes combining European and British influences (think rabbit in mustard sauce, potato and kale; Galician octopus and chickpeas; or venison ragu and gnocchi), there are more than 70 vermouths on the list. The vermouth takes centre stage in the form of simple aperitifs and a base for cocktails such as the sbagliato (Cinzano Rosso, Campari and prosecco). vermuteria.cc The Winemakers Club, Holborn A shop and wine bar in the Victorian arches beneath the Holborn Viaduct, the site of this bar was a wine cellar for more than 150 years, including a spell as the Oddbins’ fine wine store. The bar offers wines from small organic and biodynamic producers from around the world, all them working with the same philosophy of focussing on the region and the grape varietal, and not using chemicals. The short weekly-changing seasonal menu includes root vegetables with farro and yogurt, and pigeon, bread sauce and hazelnuts. thewinemakersclub.co.uk Elliot’s, Borough Market Since opening in 2011 in the buzzing surroundings of Borough Market, Elliot’s has focussed on working with small-scale producers for both its drinks and produce, much of it sourced from the market itself. The bar adopted an all-natural or low-intervention wine list early on and has worked with Master of Wine Isabelle Legeron on its wine list. All the wine producers share the same mindful approach to wine-making as chef-owner Brett Redman does to cooking simple dishes such as grilled sweet and sour squash with chicory and Tunworth cheese, or cauliflower caponata and flaked almonds. Elliot’s also makes its own soft drinks and seasonal infused spirits. elliotscafe.com Le Bar a Vin, Blackheath Parisian Jean-Philippe Tessier has created his own corner of France in this Blackheath wine bar, where cheese and meat platters are served alongside Gallic classics such as quiche lorraine, chicken chasseur and duck leg confit. What was once a neighbourhood Indian restaurant has been given the full French makeover, right down to the vintage belle époque posters. Jean-Philippe runs his intimate, minimalist and relaxed bar almost single-handedly and is always willing to share his wine knowledge, whether it’s about his beloved natural and biodynamic wines or which French cheeses work best with them. lebaravin.co.uk Photography credits: Aleksandra Boruch (Carousel Wine Bar) Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Mayfair Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants near Oxford Street Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
Discover our favourite London hotel bars, from contemporary drinking dens to venues that exude old-school glamour
Looking for the best London hotel bars? I've been olive's drinks writer for the past eight years, and trust me when I say that London has some of the best hotel bars in the world. With cutting-edge mixology, iconic cocktails and opulent environments, many have become destinations in their own right. And with that in mind, I've curated a list of the best ones to visit right now, from sleek Mayfair outfits to funky Shoreditch drinking dens. You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to seeking out a classy drink or two. Don't forget to check this guide for updates, as I'll be refreshing it with new openings and must-visit favourites. Now, find out the best dining experiences in London, best restaurants in London with a view and the best food and drink festivals to visit. We also have our round-up of the best London pubs for food lovers. If you like your cocktail served with stellar sound systems, discover our favourite listening bars in London. The best London hotel bars to visit Vesper Bar at The Dorchester, Mayfair The vesper martini first appeared in James Bond’s debut, Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale, a potent mix of gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc. The drink – and Fleming’s frequent patronage of the hotel – provided inspiration for when The Dorchester revamped its own longstanding bar into a destination venue. Vesper Bar is a thirties-inspired golden, glimmering confection, with polished wood and shimmering surfaces, plump blue armchairs, racing green bar stools and a beautiful 1930s palladium leaf ceiling. It’s plush, luxe and comfortable, with seamless service. The latest menu, Eterna, explores the golden ratio, a mathematical ratio seen throughout nature and art, and expressed in the menu through different flavour profiles – from savoury to herbaceous, floral and smoky. The Venus Observed, with coconut pisco, Seatrus gin, Italicus, tomato and caperberry, is a savoury delight, while Thunderball’s combination of Enemigo blanco tequila, pineapple and sage sauvignon blanc is a smoky, spicy winner. The Green Knight deploys diverse ingredients including vodka, mastiha, feta, gentian and watermelon in a balanced, gluggable drink, full of herbaceous character. It would be remiss to miss out on drinking an actual vesper, made with Stolichnaya vodka, the hotel’s own old tom gin, forbidden fruit liqueur and dry sherry. It’s icy, boozy perfection. dorchestercollection.com <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2025/06/TheDorchester-VesperBar-Hero-DorchesterCollection-1-3e2476c.jpg" width="11648" height="8736" alt="Vesper Bar interiors, a thirties-inspired golden, glimmering bar, with polished wood, plump blue armchairs, racing green bar stools and a 1930s palladium leaf ceiling" title="TheDorchester-VesperBar-Hero-DorchesterCollection (1)" /> Velvet at Corinthia London, Embankment Hidden away in the grandly opulent surrounds of the Corinthia hotel, Velvet is as lush and lavishly swagged as the name suggests. Hidden behind velvet curtains, with soft lighting and plumply upholstered sofas and chairs in rich jewel shades, it’s an intimate, plush showcase for cocktails courtesy of award-winning drinks maestro, Salvatore Calabrese. The bar’s current menu, The Quote Book, is inspired by the words of the great and good, and has plenty to discover. Start with the bright and silky Calypso – a lovely way to use whisky in a long cocktail with Hibiki Harmony, umeshu sake, Amaro Lucano and an almond butter fat wash adding mellow nuttiness. V=SC² is a forward-thinking spin on a martini, featuring Tuscan Ginepraio gin, a bell pepper distillation and a trio of cabbage, saffron and basil oils, plus Muyu Jasmine liqueur. It’s a complex, aromatic affair with interplaying vegetal and floral notes. If more martinis are your thing, then the cocktail menu comes with a pleasingly lengthy list. Try a Salvatore classic, Spicy Fifty, with Stolichnaya Vanilla, elderflower, chilli and lime juice, full of spicy, floral and citrus flavours. Elsewhere, there’s a lengthy roster of champagnes on offer and luxe bar snacks including caviar and blinis, buttermilk-fried Norfolk chicken and Devon crab bao bun sliders. Classy live music can accompany your libations from Tuesday to Saturday until late. corinthia.com Side Hustle at The Nomad London, Covent Garden What was once the former Bow Street police station now feels like a slice of Manhattan real estate, with Side Hustle’s grand marble-topped bar and dark wood, and leather-lined booths with brass rails. This is very much in keeping with the NoMad hotel itself, a New York import, but when it comes to the drinks and food this lively bar and restaurant takes its cue from much farther south, with a cocktail menu centred around Latin American flavours and agave spirits. There’s a delightful menu of seasonal margaritas – a rhubarb expression with yuzu and Aperol is tangy and full bodied, while a bergamot and chilli creation has lovely floral notes with tingle of heat. Other classics include a zingy paloma but it’s also worth exploring the roster of house cocktails that explore the variety of agave spirits. We dived into the agave martinis, highlights of which include a dirty tequila-based variation with savoury depth from fino sherry, and a spicy martini using corn-infused mezcal and Thai bird’s-eye chilli for a cocktail with a proper poky punch. Bar snacks are not to be missed, including an on-point guacamole, prawn croquettes, charred Padrón peppers with umami salsa macha, plus delicious tacos including baja fish, chicken tinga and pork carnitas. hilton.com Connaught Bar at The Connaught Hotel, Mayfair Low-lit, slinky, plush luxury is the name of the game at this acclaimed hotel bar, whose tastefully decadent surrounds – metallic accents, mirrors, a mutedly rich palate and plenty of seating to sink into – is matched by impeccable, meticulously attentive service and even more impressive cocktails. So impressive, in fact, that it was voted World's Best Bar in 2021. If you only order one drink let it be the martini – made at a trolley by your table with theatrical, expert aplomb (watching them pour the martini in a high, silvery stream into your glass is a sight to behold). Tanqueray No Ten is the recommended serve, along with a blend of vermouths and your choice of homemade bitters (ranging from tonka bean and lavender to cardamom, on our visit). The end result is spot on, silky textured and very generous in size – don’t drink one on an empty stomach. the-connaught.co.uk Punch Room at The London EDITION, Fitzrovia Hidden in the depths of the glamorous London EDITION hotel, this bar is a cocoon of wood panelling and blue-grey velvet banquettes where creatives gather for hushed conversations over iconic punch-style cocktails. An electric fire casts a cosy ambience across the lounge area and there’s a steady stream of shaking and stirring at the free-standing bar in the corner. The menu plays with light, and drinks are split into three sections – opaque, translucent and transparent. From the latter, completely clear drinks include the silky, mezcal-based Halo of Smoke with a kick from cayenne pepper, fragrant Bergamot liqueur Italicus and a fresh, grassy lift from coriander, basil and parsley oil dropped in. Fireball Punch has a tropical edge while negroni fans should order the unique Mother of Pearl, with Campari playing its part in a bittersweet pink foam that sits atop a clear Sakura cherry vermouth infused liquid. An eclectic choice of bar food ranges from the likes of toasted brioche rolls filled with tempura prawns, marie rose and trout caviar to crisp chicken tenders lifted with jalapeño and even mini versions of Berner Tavern comfort food, such as mac and cheese with braised beef blade. editionhotels.com Seed Library at One Hundred Shoreditch, Shoreditch Ryan Chetiyawardana’s latest venture is a slinky drinking den in the basement of the One Hundred Shoreditch hotel. Whereas his flagship bar – Lyaness at Sea Containers in Southbank – showcases a high-concept approach to mixology, Seed Library is deliberately more casual and low key. Walk-ins are encouraged and the space, with its sultry lighting, wood-panelled walls, red velvet chairs and warm palette, feels retro and slightly louche, yet very welcoming. Expect elevated riffs on cocktail classics with a touch of whimsy. The vibrant Breakfast Bellini with Patrón tequila, century beans, breakfast fruit and champagne is served with a fried egg sweet balanced on top of the glass. Asteriod Garden is a celestial spin on the English Garden, lifted with shochu and pink meteor wine, while apple blossom and tundra tea bring refreshment. A Coriander Seed Gimlet is gorgeously executed – clean and citrusy with a backbone of gentle, warming spice. Bar snacks include the likes of nocerella olives, spiced nuts and chilli rice crackers - everything you want from a nibble: savoury, salty and crunchy. Analogue lovers can find East London's Diggers Dozen spinning vinyl at the weekend. seedlibraryshoreditch.com Le Magritte at The Beaumont, Mayfair The bar of Mayfair’s opulent art-deco hotel, The Beaumont, is enveloped in old school American elegance. Jazz legends rotate on the soundtrack as well as featuring in black and white photographs on wood-panelled walls. Intimate seating areas are arranged around mirrored tables topped with lamps casting their soft glow. Or hop up at the bar to be dazzled by the mirror-backed array of bottles. There’s a line-up of bitter aperitif classics such as manhattans, negronis and boulevardiers, or choose something unique in the zesty Empire of Light laced with smoky mezcal. The Six Elements makes for a delicate, grown-up, non-alcoholic option. Superb bar snacks include dinky Hereford sliders, crisp, bechamel-filled french toast squares topped with bacon jam and the famous prawn cocktail in which six giant plump prawns perch on the rim of a large sundae glass with a pot of Marie rose sauce on ice. thebeaumont.com/dining/le-magritte The Painter’s Room at Claridge’s, Mayfair This intimate hotel bar is a pretty, blush- hued, 1930s-inspired hideaway in Mayfair. A beautiful pink onyx bar and art deco-inspired skylight and light fixture dominate a room lined with dusky banquettes and a delicate mural from artist Annie Morris. Drinks here are pure and pared-back, inspired by the flavours of southern Europe. The Painter’s Negroni, with The Lakes gin, Mancino vermouth, Campari and tonka is a light spin on the Italian classic. The Flamingo with Belvedere vodka and aperitifs Savoia and Cocchi Rosa is fresh and floral with summer berry notes. A bar snack of decadent Claridge’s fried chicken is a must. claridges.co.uk The American Bar at The Savoy, Mayfair Voted the World’s Best Bar on multiple occasions, thanks to spot-on cocktails and lashings of Art Deco glamour, The American Bar’s iconic status has long been established. Despite its reputation, it’s not a bar that’s out to intimidate – while the sleek, 1920s-style cream fittings are smart, and the helpful, white-jacketed waiters impress, the vibe is quietly tasteful, low-slung leather chairs are comfortable, the tinkle of jazz piano and the sound of cocktail shakers your only soundtrack for the evening. The latest cocktail menu, Re:Invented, is self-explanatory, offering smart and assured spins on classic drinks. The Hanky Panky Highball, with gin, white rum, sweet vermouth, Cynar and tonic, is freshly tart and herbaceous, while To the Moon & Back, with Bowmore 15-year-old whisky, oloroso sherry, chilli, green apple and soda is full-bodied and smoky yet long and refreshing – a next-level whisky soda. Those willing to try something different should make a beeline for the Savoy Bells, a complex marriage of blanco tequila with white port and a red wine float that is bright with herbaceous agave flavour, silky with a sweetly fruity edge. thesavoylondon.com The Donovan, Mayfair Mayfair isn’t lacking in swish hotel bars, but The Donovan Bar is plushly discreet, ideal if you’re after a cocktail in a low-key, luxurious setting. Tucked away in Brown’s Hotel, wood-panelled and decked out in soothing greys with green velvet armchairs, nab a seat at the sleek, glass-topped bar to watch your drinks get whipped up in front of you. The bar is named after 60s photographer Terence Donovan, whose black-and-white photography adorns the space. The cocktails are inspired by iconic figures connected to Brown’s, from Oscar Wilde to Oliver Reed, and are co-created by powerhouse bartender Salvatore Calabrese (whose own signature drinks, like the vanilla- and chilli-spiked Spicy Fifty, are also on the list). Not Shaken, Not Stirred is the delicious love child of a martini and an espresso martini – Ciroc vodka redistilled with Lucano coffee cordial, plus coffee caviar. It’s clear and crystalline with a warming, spicy undertone. Another hit, Read Between the Lines, gives an old fashioned some buttery, saline oomph with salted-butter-washed Dewar’s whisky. Lighter cocktails include the Honey Bear, refreshing and tart with Campari and rhubarb cordial, plus Normandy cider, adding fruity funkiness. Non-alcs also impress – try the spritz-like Virgin Falls, crisp yet creamy and spicy. roccofortehotels.com Lyaness, Sea Containers Hotel, Southwark Drinks maestro Ryan Chetiyawardana’s flagship bar is lauded for its innovative mixology, and also happens to be one of the nicest places to enjoy a cocktail on the South Bank. On the ground floor of the Sea Containers hotel, it combines a light, bright palette of sky blue walls, electric blue banquettes, opulent gold accents and a sleek emerald green marble bar (leftover from the site’s previous iteration, the award-winning Dandelyan) with glorious views of the Thames. Lyaness is a fresh, modern take on what a hotel bar should be, with yearly changing cocktail menus a product of meticulous research and freewheeling creativity. The latest, Collaboration Menu, is themed around cooperation and the coming together of ideas. If that all sounds rather serious then, rest assured, the drinks themselves are fun and full of flavour. The menu makes use of 12 housemade ingredients, from savoury and creamy KitKat-so, a koji and KitKat combo, to the sweet-sour-umami Bitterless Aperitif, a fusion of grapefruit, radicchio and plantain. The zippy Vantapink Gimlet is a tangy, tart confection of Botanist gin, ‘spite cordial’ made with dock leaves, rhubarb and fermented nettles, while the No Spoon Old Fashioned, matching Del Maguey mezcal with walnut honey and hibiscus-based ‘purple bitters’ is punchily smoky and spicy. Top billing on our visit went to the Pitstop Fix, using Port Charlotte 10 whisky, KitKat-so, linden honey, tropical chilli and lemon for a delicious next-level sour – smoky and savoury, creamy and silky. lyaness.com The Coral Room at The Bloomsbury, Bloomsbury This luxe Bloomsbury hotel bar, tucked away on a quiet side street in a busy area of central London, combines bold interiors with an intriguing wine list. Saturated coral walls, huge white murano glass chandeliers and a sweeping, marble-topped art deco-style bar, super-sized pot plants everywhere and low, plushly upholstered chairs and sofas set a striking tone at the bar, matched by an extensive list of English sparkling wines, curated by master of wine Anne McHale, with options by the bottle and a small, ever-changing list of wines by the glass. thecoralroom.co.uk Dukes Bar at Duke's, Mayfair This bar might be world-famous but it still feels like one of London's best kept secrets, discreetly tucked away in a quiet Mayfair cul-de-sac. Inside, discover a lushly outfitted parlour that feels little changed since the hotel first opened its doors in 1908, with antique portraits on the walls, plump armchairs, courtly white-jacketed waiters and a cosy wood-panelled bar. Martinis are the name of the game here. Waiters will bring a trolley to your table stocked with ice-cold bottles of gin, vodka and decanters of vermouth and bitters, and assemble your drink with streamlined efficiency. If you ever tire of overly elaborate mixology and cocktails then a Dukes Bar martini is a delicious palate cleanser: clean, crystalline and, it has to be said, enormous – the two martini maximum at the bar is a wise one. dukeshotel.com Dover Yard at 1 Hotel Mayfair, Mayfair This sleek bar is hidden away in eco chic oasis, 1 Hotel Mayfair. Natural aesthetics include low gnarled wood tables with sofas and throws in soft, muted tones. A striking bar showcases delicate racing pigeon feathers worked into a gentle wave beneath the glass. Repurposed ingredients take the limelight in the eclectic range of sophisticated cocktails. Rum-based falernum liqueur is fat-washed with left-over breakfast pastries and shaken with the bar’s own lemon sour mash, made from squeezing surplus lemon and lime husks, to create the unique Pan Brioche cocktail, reminiscent of a whisky sour and topped with a tiny croissant. Rotating seasonal classics include the vibrant Purple Carrot Garibaldi that infuses vodka with English purple carrots, while the lower-ABV Palomito is a long, bittersweet and refreshing concoction of Campari, Mancino Chinato vermouth and pink grapefruit. 1hotels.com Beaufort Bar at The Savoy, Picadilly Tucked away deep at the back of The Savoy, you’ll find the hidden gem that is the Beaufort Bar. The vibe inside is dark and moody with dim lighting, black walls and opulent gold highlights for an intimate feel, but there’s also a surprisingly modern DJ and upbeat playlist as the night goes on. Early in the evening you’ll find a pre-theatre crowd, plus hotel guests and post-business meeting groups. Lounge on the comfy sofas and padded chairs with low tables. Take your pick from the complex signature cocktails on the menu with long ingredients lists, or the expert bar staff can make you the classics. A simple gin sour has been upgraded to the complex Seasonal Sour with an impressive nine ingredients, including port, pisco and sloe gin, topped with a pale vanilla foam. For a long drink, try the Good Fortune – a fruity blend of St Germain, grapefruit juice, sparkling wine and more. We were also tempted by the Croissantini, made with ‘croissant vodka’ – fans of a strong drink should give it a try. There’s also a selection of sustainable cocktails and alcohol-free options. It’s worth paying attention to the bar snacks on offer, too: there’s bumps of caviar and platters of oysters for ultimate decadence, but it was the plate of moreish sticky gochujang fried chicken topped with pickled ginger that we’d happily return to have a second time. Sweeties at The Standard, King’s Cross Step into the Standard hotel’s sleek red pill lift and zoom up to the 10th floor for this luxe bar that combines retro interiors with playful, off-beat cocktails and unrivalled views of King’s Cross and St Pancras. In keeping with its home, a restored 1970s Brutalist office block, Sweeties takes its cue from the same decade, with opulent interiors including velvet sofas, mirrored tables, gold accents, wood panelling and patterned carpets. The cocktail menu features ‘feel-good ingredients and mood-enhancing mixes’ designed to be energising and uplifting. We’re not sure if we felt these effects but regardless the drinks are very good. Pick Me Up – made with eight adaptogenic (ingredients that help the body deal with stress) mushrooms, vodka, rum, caramel and burnt butter drank like an elevated espresso martini, layered and earthy, with rounded depth. Roots Manuva – riesling vermouth, golden beet caramel, turmeric, ginseng, ginger, orange and mead – is vibrant, honeyed and fresh, with a vegetal edge. No Whey Jose, blanco tequila with strawberry, red rice, rose and a salted hot coconut foam, was the delightful cocktail equivalent of a Campino strawberry candy. Purple Rain – Johnny Walker whisky, amazake, salted plum, cherry bark and blossom wine – was like an extra fruity old fashioned, bursting with berry flavours, smoky and subtly savoury. Artesian at The Langham, Marylebone With its opulent surroundings – soaring ceilings, baroque chandeliers, a gilded bar and scalloped purple sofas – and equally illustrious heritage (it’s won multiple World’s Best Bar gongs), this decadent hotel bar, minutes from Oxford Circus, is a must visit. The menu on our last trip paid tribute to retro drinks, with sleek, minimalist takes on camp classics. A Woo Woo is a pleasingly silky, light affair, with peachy fruitiness and complexity from vermouth and Chivas Regal. The flirty, ditzy cosmopolitan is reimagined as a punchy short drink, with sultry earthy notes from Cynar, rounded fruitiness and a spicy kick thanks to rye whisky. The Zetter, Marylebone and Clerkenwell Both the bars at the branches of this London hotel are reminiscent of an eccentric Edwardian sitting room – cosy, luxurious drinking den with earthy red walls, richly patterned rugs on wooden floors, a profusion of gilt-framed pictures and portraits, velvet sofas, carved wooden chairs and oriental vases. Pilgrm Lounge, Paddington A quirky, design-led, 73-bedroom hotel with lounge-bar and café that’s brought a fine Victorian building in London’s Paddington back to life. This boutique hotel on a pretty Victorian terraced street in Paddington has a hidden secret at the top of its original mahogany staircase. A retro-chic lounge, scattered with coral and olive velvet chairs, and marble tables, is the perfect hideaway for pre-batched cocktails from top London bars such as Bar Termini and Three Sheets. Doors open onto a sun-soaked terrace, where you can sit beneath straw parasols and enjoy the bustle of Paddington from a distance. Fitz's at Kimpton Fitzroy, Russell Square Original stained glass windows, a glittering disco ball, scalloped velvet sofas and contemporary artwork bring together the old and new in this luxurious drinking den at the Kimpton Fitzroy London. Its latest menu, The Theory of Colour, is a high-concept affair that explores how colours can influence moods, emotions and choices. The bar has created 14 different cocktails inspired by a 17th-century still life flower painting by Flemish artist Nicolaes van Verendael. On the menu, each drink is matched with a different treatment of the artwork, and guests are invited to select their drink based on which image is most appealing. Chrome Yellow is a gorgeously bright and tropical affair. With clarified banana, Mount Gay XO rum, cognac, pimento bitters and a passion fruit float, it’s impressively balanced, delivering bold flavours while remaining light and silky. On the more sultry end of the spectrum, Rothko’s Abyss features Toki whisky, Mancino rosso amaranto vermouth, coffee beans, vanilla and Campari. Intense and full-bodied, it’s perfect for fans of boulevardiers and negronis.
Meaty mushrooms and mouth-warming sichuan peppercorns make this a lovely bowl of comfort
Try our soy butter and mushroom pappardelle, then discover mushroom pasta, mushroom gnocchi and mushroom ravioli. Using pappardelle or even tagliatelle as a substitute for flat noodles works really well and gives you that essential slippery mouth feel. Soy butter and mushroom pappardelle recipe
Support your gut through the indulgent festive season with our nourishing recipes, all picked for their use of gut-healthy ingredients such as miso, sauerkraut, oats and sourdough
Our digestive system really takes a hit at Christmas. With all the alcohol and rich food, it's no wonder so many of us suffer from indigestion during the festive period. This year, why not go for gut-supportive ingredients like miso, sauerkraut, oats and yogurt? These contain beneficial bacteria and probiotics, helping your gut and digestive system to function. To help you and your gut feel better this Christmas, we've picked 18 festive recipes which include gut-supportive ingredients. Enjoy sourdough bread sauce, homemade nut roast, red cabbage kimchi and more. Have a look at all our joyfully delicious Christmas recipes, as well as recipes for kicking off celebrations on Christmas Eve. Next find out how to eat 30 plants a week. Gut-friendly Christmas recipes Brussels sprout sauerkraut Made from fermented cabbage, sauerkraut is easy to digest and is a good source of probiotics. Try making your own while putting seasonal brussels sprouts to use by shredding the veg and mixing with zingy ginger, caraway seeds and peppercorns, then fermenting over a few days for a spiced kraut. Kimchi eggs Kimchi is a great way to keep friendly gut bacteria in check. These punchy fried eggs make a brilliant breakfast to enjoy during the Twixmas period, served on top of toasted rye bread. Healthy turkey stir-fry Sauerkraut adds a delicious tang to this simple turkey stir-fry, balanced with earthy broccoli and mushrooms and zingy fresh ginger. Its coated in a sweet and salty sauce that gives this supper an added kick. Kimchi Time and patience is what you need to make kimchi, a Korean staple of fermented vegetables. This makes a perfectly soothing weekend project and a great way to use up any leftover vegetables hanging about in your fridge. Sticky miso roast sprouts There are so many ways to make the most of sprouts while they're in season –here, they're slicked with miso and zingy lime and roasted until golden and caramelised. Fermented foods, including miso, are thought to help a range of health issues, including digestion and gut health. Shredded Brussels sprouts salad Looking for ways to use up your leftover Brussels sprouts? Check out this fresh and crunchy salad with crispy pancetta and toasted walnuts. Brassica vegetables like sprouts are rich in sulphur, which supports gut health. Spiced pickled shallots Fermented foods, like pickles, contain good bacteria which help support your gut microbiome. For a thoughtful gut-friendly gift, make our spiced pickled shallots. Check out our recipes for pickled beetroot and pickled cherries. Leftover turkey ramen noodles Turn that leftover Christmas turkey into a cosy bowl of ramen, complete with ginger-spiked broth, thick noodles and fresh coriander. Ginger soothes digestive discomfort and relieves nausea. Christmas cheeseboard This glorious spread is perfect for festive parties. It's full of complementary flavours and textures and looks really impressive – plus, it's super easy to prep. Be sure to include fresh figs, as these are especially high in fibre so promote a healthy digestive system. Some cheeses also have probiotic properties, including aged cheddar and gruyère. Browse all our effortless entertaining ideas. Stuffed butternut squash with blue cheese and leeks Butternut squash is impressively high in fibre, which has been linked with improved gut health. Here, it's roasted whole to make a wonderful meat-free centrepiece — the combination of nutty grains, sweet leeks and blue cheese is truly delicious. Next, enjoy butternut squash risotto and more butternut squash recipes. Christmas nut roast We think this is our best ever nut roast – it's packed with smokiness and sweetness from squash, lentils and dates. Your gut will benefit from the lentils, as they're packed with prebiotic fibre. Be inspired by our vegetarian Christmas dinner ideas. Sourdough bread sauce A nice twist on an old classic, this sourdough bread sauce is the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas day feast. Unlike regular white bread, traditional sourdough goes through a slow fermentation process – this means it may be easier to digest. Don't forget to make our boozy cranberry sauce. Crispy spud salad with sauerkraut, ham hock and peas Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) is not only healthy and good for your gut, but its distinct flavour lifts this simple salad with super crisp potatoes and salty ham. You could even use leftover potatoes. Interestingly, as potatoes cool, they become richer in resistant starch, which causes less gas then other fibres – great for those with a sensitive gut. You'll love our ham hock stew. Turkey curry Delicately spiced with coconut and ginger, this turkey curry is suitable for the whole family. It's a brilliant way to use up leftover cooked turkey and the golden turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory, may help to soothe your gut. Miso Christmas stuffing Miso adds a deep savoury sweetness to this stuffing. Flecked with pistachios and cranberries (and wrapped in streaky bacon), it's an absolute must on Christmas Day. Red cabbage kimchi Lacto-fermenting is an ancient way of preserving food – the term ‘lacto’ refers to the lactic acid created during the ferment, which increases levels of nutrients and probiotics. Here, it transforms red cabbage into kimchi, great for adding to sandwiches and salads. For another favourite way with leftovers, tuck into our kimchi bubble and squeak cakes. Miso roasted cauliflower, avocado and lentil salad For those days after all the Christmas excess when you find yourself craving something healthy, there's this satisfying salad. Fibre-rich cauliflower is roasted in a miso dressing – also filled with probiotics – and turned into a rustic salad with pickled onions and lentils. It's delicious and great for your gut, too. We've got lots more healthy salads for you to try. Date flapjacks Turn a handful of storecupboard ingredients into an easy bake and keep for moments when you're craving something sweet. Oats are another food that's rich in prebiotic fibres, so contribute to a properly functioning gut. Browse all our bakes using oats.
10 cocktails for a Christmas drinks party
From Friendsmas and family gatherings to Christmas Day fizz and New Year's Eve cocktails – check out our guide to the best festive party drinks and which snacks to serve alongside
Our Christmas drinks party guide has everything you need for a next-level celebration, including twists on classic drinks (hello, Christmas spritz), sharing cocktails and plenty of festive fizz. Alongside this we've also got plenty of snack and canapé ideas for you to try. If you're short on time it's easy to give even simple drinks a festive makeover by using the right garnishes – we love using citrus wheels, whole spices such as cinnamon sticks and star anise and seasonal fruits like cranberries and pomegranates. For extra visual Christmassy appeal, try garnishing drinks with rosemary or mint dusted with icing sugar. For more festive cocktail inspiration explore our collection of 62 Christmas cocktails, 38 winter cocktails and our favourite Christmas mocktails, plus, check out the best Christmas canapé recipes. Best Christmas party cocktails Aperol spritz punch Punches are perfect for parties and this crowd-pleasing recipe uses all the components of a classic Aperol spritz plus other festive ingredients like cranberry, ginger and pomegranate. Serve alongside Italian-inspired nibbles like crostini, tarrallini and green olives. Christmas spiced negroni A negroni lends itself well to a festive makeover as all its component parts – gin, Campari and sweet vermouth – are bold enough to take extra flavourings. The homemade spiced gin in this recipe makes 500ml, so if you also scale up the Campari and sweet vermouth you can save on time and make up a big batch to serve at parties. Serve with our mozzarella sticks with spicy dipping sauce or chunks of good-quality parmesan. Paloma champagne cocktails It turns out herbaceous tequila, biscuity champagne and tart grapefruit are a match made in heaven in this easy fizzy aperitif – serve with our spicy jalapeño poppers or roasted chilli corn. Christmas mojito A summery mojito gets a Christmas makeover thanks to the addition of cranberry juice, which nicely complements the fragrant mint in the drink. The ingredients are easy to scale up so it's ideal for serving in jugs at a festive gathering. Sip alongside our sweet potato and cranberry fritters. Christmas spritz A spritz is a classic summer cocktail but a few simple tweaks can turn it into a delicious Christmas aperitif. We swapped the usual sparkling water for warming ginger beer, and added lots of seasonal garnishes like pomegranate, orange and whole spices. Swap the Aperol for Campari if you'd like a spritz with a more bittersweet character. Match these punchy flavours with equally vibrant snacks, like our deep-fried olives stuffed with ricotta and guindilla chillies. Sloe gin fizz This is where that batch of sloe gin you've had infusing away in the cupboard will come in handy (or shop-bought also works beautifully). The rich berry flavours and tart-sweet character of sloe gin balance perfectly with the lemon in this super quaffable cocktail. For an extra decadent twist, try swapping the sparkling water for dry sparkling wine or champagne – it is Christmas, after all. Serve with our fig and goat's cheese puffs. Cranberry and ginger fizz Cranberry and ginger are classic festive flavours and work well in this gently tart, pretty pink cocktail. A winner with our turkey, stuffing and cranberry sausage puffs. Christmas gin cocktail Campari adds festive colour to this supercharged gin sour cocktail – make sure you garnish with cocktail cherries for extra kitsch factor. Our tangy pickled beetroot mini tacos with goat's cheese would be a great snack pairing. Poinsettia If you’re bored of buck’s fizz, try serving this rosy-red fizzy cocktail – it’s just as easy to make and great for groups. Just as straightforward are our classic cheese straws featuring four ingredients. Mulled port with bay and rosemary If you can mull wine then port is the natural next choice – there's always lots of the stuff around at Christmas and this recipe is a great way to use it all up. It also works well cooled then served chilled with tonic water or lemonade. Try with these maple-glazed sausage blinis.
Impress guests over the festive season with our best Christmas baking ideas, from classic mince pies, stollen and Christmas fruit cake to decorated cookies
Looking for the best indulgent Christmas baking recipes? We've got everything from Christmas cookies to classic mince pies, Baileys chocolate tiffin to Christmas cupcakes, plus a crowd-pleasing white chocolate Christmas cake to treat yourself and loved ones during the festive season. We've also got plenty more indulgent Christmas pudding and dessert recipes to serve to your family and friends during the holidays. For quick and easy festive entertaining, check out our no-cook Christmas entertaining ideas, or for fun bakes which mash up festive flavours, check out our Christmas mash-up recipes. Get the big day off to a delicious start with our Christmas breakfast ideas and if you're looking for last-minute present ideas for the foodie in your life, our homemade edible Christmas gifts are sure to bring a smile to their face. Best Christmas baking ideas Bûche de Noël Serve this bûche de noël for a Christmas dessert showpiece. This festive log features layers of chocolate sponge, chantilly cream and chocolate buttercream. Cinnamon biscuits These crisp iced biscuits are flavoured with warming cinnamon and ginger spices. They are sure to fill your kitchen with enticing festive aromas. Buttermint madeleines Edd Kimber reimagines the nostalgic flavour of Murray Mints in these festive madeleines, made with browned butter and finished with a smooth white chocolate shell – perfect for afternoon tea. Classic mince pies It's just not Christmas without a mince pie. Making your own shortcrust pastry is easy, and investing in decent shop-bought mincemeat makes all the difference. Make-ahead Christmas cake Get ahead for Christmas by baking this classic festive fruit cake, covered in marzipan and fondant icing. With gentle spices, citrus flavours and ginger wine, this easy bake is full of flavour and sure to impress a crowd. Classic stollen This gently spiced, festive bake is bursting with dried fruit and marzipan. A great homemade gift or afternoon pick-me-up. Baileys cake A real showstopper of a cake, this three-tiered beauty is all dark chocolate and Baileys Irish Cream. It's perfect for an impressive Christmas dessert. Vegan gingerbread men Enjoy some festive nostalgia with a batch of vegan gingerbread men. They're easy to bake and fun to decorate. Stollen bites Make these pretty stollen bites for a fun Christmas baking project – you can use any mixed dried fruit, such as cranberries, sour cherries or apricots. Gingerbread cupcakes These moreish spiced cupcakes are great fun to make over the festive season for the whole family. Vegan Christmas cake Everyone will enjoy a slice of this Christmas cake, which can be baked and matured up to eight weeks before Christmas. Feed the cake weekly with your choice of brandy, rum or whisky for extra moisture and a warming flavour. Stollen buns The marzipan and dried fruit in stollen are quintessential Christmas flavours, reworked here into a snowball-like bun by London's Fortitude Bakehouse. Gluten-free chocolate fudge cake Turn your hand to baking this festive chocolate fudge cake this Christmas, which just happens to be gluten free. Cozonac Bake this sweet Christmas bread from Prestige Patisserie in Tottenham this Christmas. It’s studded with raisins, nuts, chocolate and Turkish delight and infused with rum. Pistachio and cherry nougat pandoro Cut corners by assembling this impressive festive centrepiece with shop-bought pandoro – it’s a bake which will get everyone in the festive spirit. Gingerbread pie Bake this glorious gingerbread pie, showcasing a blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, for a Christmas bake that’s designed to impress. Chocolate panettone We've given this sweet Italian bread a decadent twist with dark chocolate – the perfect treat to serve visitors over the festive season. Tiramis-czhoux tower You can guarantee friends and family haven’t come across this hybrid before, where balls of choux pastry are stuffed with coffee-drenched ladyfingers and boozy pastry cream. Christmas lamingtons Give lamingtons a festive makeover in this recipe from Morny Bakehouse, with white chocolate icing, a cherry yuzu jam centre and a buttercream crown. Christmas pavlova Individual pavlovas are filled with caramelised pineapple, topped with vanilla-infused cream and finished with a passionfruit coulis. This is a truly showstopping dessert by Covent Garden restaurant, Ave Mario. Christmas tart Fill a shop-bought tart case with brandy-soaked dried fruit and two types of almond for an effortless festive dessert, best eaten with brandy butter. Pandoro semifreddo This easy yet standout pandoro recipe is sure to bring the wow factor to any Christmas table. The chocolate and amaretto semifreddo is all encased in an Italian pandoro bread and topped with a crown of crunchy pistachios. Ecclefechan tarts A must-try alternative to festive mince pies, flavoured with very strong tea, grape molasses and brown butter. Christmas crumble Expand your Christmas repertoire with this festive take on your fave pud. Use up left-over mincemeat – jarred or homemade – for extra flavour. Lebkuchen Honey-sweetened German treats spiced with cinnamon and ginger, lebkuchen are famously festive biscuits. Bake a batch this winter to really get into the Christmas market spirit. Vegan raspberry and lemon trifle Impress your guests with this classic layered dessert. The easy homemade custard uses vanilla-flavoured soya milk and gives a traditional flavour and colour to the custard. Caribbean rum cake This decadent and boozy cake from Caribbean chef Keshia Sakarah is fed with spiced rum and traditionally served during the festive season. Panforte This Italian dessert is popular during the festive season. Chewy, nutty and sweet, it's packed with pistachios, almonds and dried fruits. Florentines A great little Christmas treat to bake at home. Hang them from ribbons as an edible Christmas tree decoration or stack them on a plate and enjoy with a comforting cup of tea over the festive season. Christmas fudge Check out this festive gingerbread fudge that takes just a few minutes to prepare. You can easily double the recipe to make two batches, so you have plenty for gifting. Christmas biscuits Looking for a foodie festive activity to do with children? Our spiced Christmas biscuits make perfect edible decorations to hang from your tree or mantle. You can leave them out for Santa or wrap them up as a gift, the possibilities are endless! Rum and raisin cake Stir up this make-ahead Christmas cake with a spiced, boozy twist and your kitchen will be filled with alluring, festive smells. Chocolate yule log Need a show-stopping dessert recipe to impress guests over the Christmas period? Check out our indulgent festive yule log with a boozy Baileys cream and crunchy hazelnut brittle, the perfect festive bake. Baileys chocolate tiffin Looking for an easy edible gift to give friends over the festive season? Check out these indulgent chocolate tiffins with our favourite Christmas drink in solid chocolate form. You don’t have to include the edible glitter but it does give added bling. Check out our other Baileys recipes here. Christmas cupcakes Looking for Christmas treats to bake? Soak up the cuteness of our melted chocolate snowmen cupcakes. These easy-to-make cupcakes are great fun to bake with the whole family and make for quick and easy Christmas party food. Street cart soft pretzels Soft yet slightly chewy, with a dark golden skin from being boiled before baking, these pretzels are slow-fermented for a richly flavoured dough. Finish with fat crystals of salt. Indonesian pandan, raspberry and white chocolate blondies Pandan and raspberries give a colourful and festive edge to these blondies, while the tartness offsets the sweet white chocolate perfectly. White snowball cake Need a show-stopping cake to serve family and friends over the festive season? Check out our indulgent white chocolate Christmas cake recipe. It might not be snowing outside, but one bite of this cake and you'll feel like you're in a winter wonderland. Filled with coconut and covered in white chocolate, it's sweet and indulgent. Sour cherry stollen bars Looking for Christmas treats to bake? Jazz up your stollen this Christmas with our easy sour cherry flavoured bars. The ingredients list may look lengthy but it’s all about building up the textures and flavours to make this the most moreish bar ever – way better than regular stollen. Check out our best cherry recipes here. Snowball madeleines Give the English madeleine a festive spin by infusing with the flavours of a classic snowball cocktail. After Eight cake This showstopping cake is a glorious combination of chocolate and mint that makes an excellent dessert for a festive party. White chocolate cranberry cheesecake blondies Make your blondies extra special with a festive sprinkling of cranberry flavour and a swirl of decadent cheesecake filling. White Christmas cake Want a show-stopping easy Christmas bake? Check out our super light vanilla cake, an easy alternative to serve on Christmas Day in place of a normal fruit cake. In order to keep the colour as white as possible, use a very light-coloured butter such as Lurpak or keep beating the butter until it lightens in colour. Looking for other show-stopping cake recipes? Click here. Mexican chocoflan This festive flan cake, featuring chocolate, caramel and cinnamon, is known as 'flan imposible' and combines two popular Mexican desserts. Black cake Make this classic Caribbean as a Christmas cake alternative – featuring port, dark rum and dried fruits, it's rich and decadent (and amazing at Christmas). Black forest gateau Turn the clock back with our nostalgic black forest cake with a modern twist. Christmas rocky road Traditional digestives are swapped for ginger biscuits, whilst cranberries and pistachios add some festive colour in this crowd-pleasing Christmas rocky road. Whisky crumble mince pies We've added a splash of booze and morello cherries to this classic Christmas treat and topped with buttery crumble for extra indulgence. Moldavian layered pie with hemp cream Traditionally made on Christmas Eve in Eastern Romania, this pie sees layers of flatbread soaked in a honey syrup and spread with a hemp seed filling. Rum and almond fruit cake Want an easy fruit cake with no fuss? Impress your guests this Christmas and jazz up your cake with rum and a simple almond buttercream. Make it now or save the recipe to whip up an easy Christmas baking idea. Nepali spiced fruit and nut tart Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger give this nutty tart a real festive edge. With a kick of spiced rum, it's a grown-up dessert that's perfect for Christmas. Baileys truffles Treat someone special this Christmas with these melt-in-the-mouth chocolate truffles with a boozy kick from Baileys cream. Gluten-free mince pies Christmas baking, gluten-free style. These boozy mince pies with meringue tops don't compromise on flavour or texture, plus they look impressive, too. Boozy mincemeat pie Want a boozy pie to feed a crowd over the festive season? Our elegant recipe turns the humble mince pie into a fantastic Christmas dessert. Use shop-bought shortcrust pastry and a good-quality mincemeat to save time. Finish with a dusting of silvery icing sugar. Click here for other exciting sweet pie recipes... Chocolate-dipped honeycomb Looking for easy edible gifts for Christmas treats to bake at home? Ready in 20 minutes, our quick and super fun honeycomb recipe is dipped in dark, milk and white chocolate, the perfect Christmas treat for someone with a sweet tooth. Try one of our other edible gift ideas here... Russian honey cake Check out our impressive Russian cake recipe with moreish burnt-honey icing. This layer cake takes a bit of effort to make but it's the perfect cake to show off to friends and family for any special occasion over the festive season. This Russian honey cake recipe is created by original GBBO winner and expert baker Edd Kimber. Baileys fudge Homemade fudge is a great little sweet treat for Christmas. Perfect with coffee to finish off a meal or as an energy booster, it keeps for up to a month in an airtight container. Plus we've got an easy how-to video and it only requires 4 ingredients, the perfect festive bake. Spiced rum bamkuchen Present this show-stopping dessert on Christmas Day for an impressive festive bake, packed with golden marzipan and dark rum. Slice it open to reveal the many layers which will wow your guests. It might take a bit of time to prepare, but it's worth the effort! Try more of our boozy cake and bakes here. Clementine yoghurt cake Move over Christmas fruit cake, our gluten free festive clementine cake is in town and it's zesty and super moist. Slice it up and watch everyone come running for a piece of this fruity and sweet, yogurty deliciousness. Mini Viennese mince pies How do you make mini mince pies taste even better? Add even more buttery goodness with a Viennese swirl biscuit topping, zesty oranges and boozy amaretto of course! Cranberry and ginger tiffin Make this simple, indulgent tiffin to treat someone you love this Christmas. You can swap the white chocolate for dark or milk – go for the recipient’s favourite. The cranberry and ginger flavours really lift the buttery biscuit. Ready in only 30 minutes. Gingerbread Advent cookies Looking for fun Christmas baking ideas? Make your own edible Advent calendar with our quick and easy gingerbread cookie recipe. The kids can eat them one day at a time or all at once! We have more biscuit recipes here. White chocolate roulade with Baileys Treat your loved ones to a great dessert with this luxurious festive bake made with white chocolate and Baileys. It's easy to make and requires very little effort – prepare it next time you host a festive dinner party. Chocolate, hazelnut and cinnamon kugelhupf Kugelhupf is a light Christmas cake similar to brioche or baba and is popular in central Europe. This version is made with chocolate, hazelnut and cinnamon, a great alternative to the traditional British Christmas cake recipe. Plus, it's easy to make, too. Christmas muffins These tangerine and marzipan muffins are easy to make and ready in under an hour – serve with an afternoon cup of tea or for an indulgent festive breakfast treat.
Try our favourite Christmas sides, from classic brussels sprouts to indulgent cauliflower cheese, roasted carrots and parsnips, we've got trimmings covered
Looking for the best Christmas side dishes? From brussels sprouts to red cabbage and roast parsnips, plus winter greens and indulgent gratin recipes, we've covered all bases. We also have plenty of Christmas trimmings ideas, from pigs in blankets to the perfect gravy. Once the sides are sorted, find out how to cook the perfect turkey with our expert guide. If you're going all-out vegetarian this Christmas, try our Christmas vegetarian recipes. Make sure you try our best roast potato recipes for perfectly crispy, golden-brown spuds. After, take a look at our festive entertaining ideas for more inspiration. Explore our christmas breakfast recipes packed with seasonal flavours to get the big day off to a great start. Need last-minute inspiration? For quick and easy festive entertaining, check out our no-cook Christmas entertaining ideas. Jump to: Brussels sprouts recipes Carrot recipes for Christmas Christmas Cabbage recipes Parsnip recipes for Christmas Christmas greens recipes Vegetable gratin recipes Christmas stuffing recipes Roasted root recipes Christmas roast potato recipes Easy Christmas side dish recipes Brussels sprouts recipes The Christmas side dish that everyone loves to hate. We've given some love to this versatile veg in our collection of brussels sprouts recipes. Air fryer Brussels sprouts All you need is an air fryer and a splash of olive oil to get the most out of brussels sprouts. Cacio e pepe sprouts Take your Christmas feast to the next level with these jazzed up salt and pepper sprouts tossed with pecorino cheese. Sticky miso roast sprouts Sprouts will be the favourite side dish this Christmas thanks to our sticky miso roast sprouts recipe. Marmalade-glazed sprouts with chestnuts Give Christmas sprouts an effortless twist with marmalade, chestnuts and thyme. Frying steamed sprouts in butter lends colour and a velvety shine to your veg. 'Nduja-fried sprouts Jazz up your sprouts this Christmas with punchy 'nduja. ’Nduja adds a touch of fiery spice in this easy brussels sprouts recipe, ready in 30 minutes. Caramelised shallots and brussels sprouts Try our gluten free caramelised shallots and brussels sprouts for an easy but moreish side to go with your Christmas dinner. Caramelising the shallots and the sprouts gives this classic side a deeper flavour, and the calvados adds an extra zing. Sprouts with ginger and orange Spruce up your sprouts with warming ginger and zesty orange to make sure everyone will be coming back for more. Soy and sesame sautéed sprouts This Asian soy and sesame twist on brussels sprouts makes a great alternative way to serve this unloved veg for Christmas dinner. Check out more of our Christmas dinner ideas here Carrot recipes for Christmas From citrus-flavoured baby carrots to a Middle Eastern-inspired salad and Gochujang roasted root veg, see our festive carrot ideas below, then check out more carrot recipes. Roasted baby carrots Clementines add a festive touch, and lemon lifts the whole dish in our vegetable side dish recipe. Roasted whole baby carrots look beautiful, and feel that little bit more special than 'carrot coins'. Middle Eastern roast carrot salad with herby carrot top yogurt Impress your friends and family this Christmas with our zesty carrot salad. It's easy to make, and a great way to use up carrot tops as well. Gochujang roasted root veg Carrots come dressed in gochujang, sesame, soy and lime before being roasted until tender and golden. Serve scattered with spring onions and lime wedges to squeeze over. Roast carrots and parsnips A simple side to any roast dinner. These roasted carrots and parsnips are quick to prepare before cooking and will elevate any dish you serve them with. Red cabbage recipes for Christmas Sticky, spiced red cabbage not only brings a touch of flavour to Christmas meats like turkey, but also fill your house with wonderful festive flavours whilst cooking. Discover more of our red cabbage recipes, from slow-cooked dishes to crunchy salads. Red cabbage with redcurrant jelly Adding redcurrant jelly and balsamic vinegar gives this red cabbage a sweet and sour edge. If you want to get ahead, this veggie side can be made up to two days before and reheated on Christmas Day to save time. Braised red cabbage with apples Want an easy vegetable side dish for your Christmas Day feast? John Torode’s braised red cabbage side dish is spruced up with apples, smoked bacon, cinnamon and orange zest, and given a boozy red wine hit for a festive feast. Spiced red cabbage This slow cooked red cabbage and apple dish spiced with cinnamon is fragrant and warming. Just 20 minutes of preparation is required from you to make this veggie side dish, a simple side for your Christmas dinner. Parsnips recipes for Christmas Serve a traybake of crispy parsnips glazed in honey or with one of our special flavour twists like whisky or salt and pepper. Then try more perfect parsnip recipes. Honey roasted parsnips Bring an extra serving of veg to your Christmas dinner with crispy, golden, honey roasted parsnips. Whisky-and-maple-glazed roast parsnips Take your parsnips up a notch with a boozy hit of whisky and the sweetness of maple syrup. Salt and pepper roast parsnips Try our sweet parsnips with a hot, peppery edge for a vegetable side dish. They're super easy to make and require minimum effort. Parmesan-baked parsnips This alternative Christmas side dish recipe sees thin parsnip fries tossed in Parmesan, polenta, English mustard powder and salt, then fried until crisp. Greens recipes for Christmas Long-stemmed broccoli, grain tabbouleh and romesco sauce Make this impressive broccoli side for when you have vegan friends over for a festive feast. Kale with raisins and pine nuts This is a seasonal selection of veg if ever we did see one. Serve this bed of peppery kale, succulent raisins and sweet, garlicky shallots alongside your turkey on Christmas Day. Winter greens with pine nuts, chilli and garlic Get some greens into your Christmas dinner side dish spread. An easy way to feed a crowd, this punchy dish of winter greens with pine nuts, chilli and garlic is ready in just 20 minutes. Crisp greens with shallot, pancetta and chestnut butter Try this new take on brussels sprouts for your Christmas dinner. You can have the greens blanched and butter made for this in advance, then you just need to heat through to serve. Charred Hispi cabbage with parmesan dressing This recipe makes for a perfect side dish at dinner parties. The creamy dressing is layered with flavour from the parmesan, mustard and lemon, and pairs perfectly with the sweet, charred cabbage. Kale with parsnips and cream Want an easy veggie dish for your festive dinner? Check out this kale recipe with parsnips. Kale has a robust texture and flavour and can be used instead of cabbage or spinach in recipes. Cooked with parsnips, cream and nutmeg it makes an indulgent Christmas vegetable side dish. Vegetable gratin recipes for Christmas With luxuriously creamy fillings and a crisp top, these cheesy baked vegetable gratins are the ultimate indulgent side for your festive fest. Check out more of our gratin recipes. Brussels sprouts gratin This epic festive side dish combines brussels sprouts with streaky bacon, baked until golden and crisp. Winter veg tian Impress friends and family over the Christmas season with our stunning vegetable tian recipe. We love the look of golden and candy beetroots but if you can’t find them, simply replace with extra purple beetroots, celeriac and swede. Check out our best beetroot recipes here. Leek gratin with crispy leek topping Elevate your Christmas feast with a delightful twist on a classic favourite. Transform traditional leek sauce into an extraordinary veg side with this delectable gratin. Finocchio al forno (fennel baked in cream and Grana Padano) Put fennel at the heart of this easy Italian bake, it's the ideal indulgent side to serve for a festive feast. Creamy squash and sage gratin Try our indulgent creamy butternut squash gratin recipe with sage. This veggie side dish is an easy alternative to potato gratin to serve this Christmas. Plenty more butternut squash recipes here Best ever cauliflower cheese Is it really a Christmas dinner if there’s no super cheesy, crispy-topped, piping hot cauliflower cheese on the table? Follow these handy hints and tips to make it unreal this year. Creamed spinach with nutmeg and gruyère If you fancy an indulgent Christmas vegetable side dish, this is the one for you. Full of cheese and cream, it's the perfect accompaniment to turkey and roast potatoes (here are our top recipes). It'll go down well with even the fussy eaters! Swede, kale and sweet potato gratin This vibrant recipe for swede, kale and sweet potato gratin is the perfect Christmas side dish if you want to serve lots of veg. It's a two-step recipe, and most of the time the veg is spent in the oven. Baked, spiced sweet potato mash Don't fancy potatoes this Christmas? Try our spicy baked sweet potato mash instead – it's just as good as roasties. Prep your mash ahead then have it ready to finish off in the oven when people arrive. Roasted roots recipes for Christmas Candied root veg Roast your root vegetables in butter and maple syrup for extra extravagance. Perfect for Christmas, or a special Sunday lunch. Roasted roots with umami dressing Add some extra flavour to your dishes with umami, a deep savoury taste sensation that can be used as a salad dressing or to perk up a side dish of roasted vegetables. Pomegranate-glazed roasted vegetables with grapes Give your roasted veggies an impressive sticky glaze with pomegranate molasses, honey and blackberry jelly for a colourful Christmas side dish. Ghee-roasted spiced roots A Christmas side dish with a twist. Check out our vegetarian ghee-roasted spiced roots recipe for a vibrant dish that can be shared around the table. Stuffing recipes for Christmas Sage and onion stuffing Make your own stuffing balls for Christmas Day, or serve them alongside a Sunday roast. Add plenty of ground mace and sage for flavour. Vegan stuffing It wouldn’t be Christmas dinner without a dish of stuffing, and this version has the traditional flavours of sage and onion, alongside Puy lentils for added substance. It's also delicious in a Boxing Day sandwich, with leftover roasted root vegetables and lashings of cranberry sauce. Chestnut stuffing with dates and molasses Impress guests over the festive period with our epic stuffing recipe, featuring chestnuts, sausagemeat, sage leaves and sour cherries. Pomegranate and walnut stuffing balls A side of these stuffing balls, made with sausagemeat, pomegranates and walnuts, makes a rich addition to Christmas lunch. Potato recipes for Christmas Best-ever roast potatoes Want to know how to cook the perfect roast potatoes? With a few simple tricks you can achieve super crunchy and super fluffy roasties, every time Beef dripping roast potatoes Elevate your roast dinner by roasting your potatoes in hot beef dripping with garlic, rosemary, thyme and butter. Garlic and rosemary roast potatoes Thought roast potatoes couldn’t get any better? Once you learn to add butter for extra crunch, you’ll never go back. Parmesan roast potatoes
Check out our favourite trifle recipes for year-round easy entertaining – from a classic sherry to rich chocolate and even a Dubai chocolate trifle
Looking for the most impressive trifle recipe? We have plenty of twists on the classic trifle for an impressive summer dessert or a wintry festive showstopper. Our summer trifles use seasonal ingredients such as strawberries and peaches to festive showstoppers like sherry trifles, chocolate trifle and gingerbread flavour. Plus we have plenty of other sweet treats to choose from including our decadent chocolate recipes and indulgent cheesecake ideas. For more festive sweet treats, discover our Christmas desserts and Christmas baking recipes. Best trifle recipes Classic trifle Want a Christmas trifle recipe with a boozy twist? This indulgent sherry trifle uses Amaretti biscuits for a lovely texture and flavour. It's a perfect way to conclude your Christmas day meal. Baileys tiramisu trifle Our stunning Christmas trifle recipe with boozy Baileys, chocolate swiss roll and lightly whipped cream with espresso makes for an impressive centrepiece at your festive feast. Sherry trifle Want a classic family dessert recipe with a twist? Make our easy trifle recipe with boozy sherry. Dubai chocolate trifle Layer a chocolate Swiss roll, pour over amaretto and top with custard and pistachio cream to make a trifle inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate bar – it takes just 35 minutes. Raspberry trifle fridge cake All the flavours of trifle but in a layered no-bake cake. This is a great one to make ahead as it needs overnight setting. Lemon trifle Try this zesty spin on a classic for an impressive centrepiece at a feast. Vegan raspberry and lemon trifle Impress your guests with this classic layered dessert. The easy homemade custard uses vanilla-flavoured soya milk and gives a traditional flavour and colour to the custard. Mascarpone raspberry trifle terrine Impress your festive guests with our beautiful mascarpone trifle with juicy raspberries – it’s easy to slice and easy to make. It will keep for up to three days in the fridge, so you can make it ahead of Christmas day. Chocolate trifle Rich dark chocolate custard and hazelnut liqueur takes this trifle to chocolatey new heights – the ultimate Christmas dessert for chocolate lovers. Gingerbread trifle Add a hit of ginger to your English trifle this Christmas with these gingerbread trees. This creamy trifle with rum cardamom custard is the perfect sweet hit to finish your Christmas Day feast. Sour cherry trifle with almonds Dazzle your guests with the perfect Christmas day dessert – a trifle featuring irresistible layers of vanilla-flecked custard cream, sherry-soaked sponge, toasted almonds, and sour cherries. Sherry trifle cheesecake Impress guests during the festive season with this nostalgic pud with a modern twist. More cheesecake recipes to try here... Blood orange and amaretti trifles Need an easy yet impressive dessert for guests at your next festive dinner party? Try these quick individual trifle recipes with amaretti and blood orange. Clementine and prosecco trifle This boozy trifle recipe with clementines is a worthy dessert for all your festive gatherings. Our easy trifle is a great, modern twist on a traditional trifle. Freeze the egg whites until you want to make the prosecco sabayon. Winter berry trifle Want an easy berry trifle recipe for winter? Our impressive trifle pudding is an easy winter berry dessert recipe. Check out our collection of best ever fruity puddings for more inspiration. Stem ginger trifle Want to mix up your classic trifle recipe? Add ginger cake for an easy Christmas trifle recipe with a twist. This ginger cake trifle is an easy spiced grown-up dessert ready in 30 minutes. Check out more of our ginger recipes here... Cherry crunch trifle These individual chocolate cherry trifles make the best individual pudding to try over the festive seas0n. More cherry recipes here... White forest trifle Need a stylish Christmas dessert to make during the festive season? Ready in only 30 minutes, our fruity trifle will become a crowd favourite in no time. Raspberry trifle This impressive trifle, with sherry-soaked scones, juicy raspberries and silky clotted cream custard, couldn't be simpler to put together. A perfect, sunshiny dessert for a crowd. Strawberry trifle The easiest, quickest trifle recipe for summer: made with Madeira cake and strawberries. Topped with custard and cream, these individual pots make a perfect pudding. Peach and raspberry trifle Peaches and raspberries make the best fruit trifles. Shop-bought cake makes this classic pud so easy and individual desserts always look impressive. Summer fruit trifle Want an easy summer dessert? Check out this show-stopping trifle recipe with chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream, this easy trifle recipe is a technicolour trip back in time. We've got plenty more strawberry recipes here too.
Discover wholesome meal ideas using butter beans, green beans, black beans and more
Eating more beans has many benefits to your health. Beans are packed with fibre which supports good digestion and contributes to a healthy gut. They are also high in protein, so you can either replace the meat or fish with beans, like we do in our vegan chilli, or you can double up on protein, like we do in our baked cod with butter beans. Beans also count towards your 30 daily plant foods, so if you're keeping count you'll be impressed with our five-bean chilli and green bean and grain salad, both of which contribute multiple plant points. To see more of our delicious, hearty and filling bean ideas, check out our butter bean recipes, black bean recipes, borlotti bean recipes and broad bean recipes. Plus see all our high-fibre meals. Healthy butter bean recipes Healthy beans on toast Ditch the processed variety and make your own baked beans using tomatoes, spices and honey. They are truly delicious on wholegrain toast for lunch. Turmeric and ginger butter bean stew Nourish yourself with a big bowl of our butter bean and kale stew with a zingy ginger, turmeric and creamy coconut milk broth. Harissa, butter bean and red pepper orzo Tuck into a comforting bowl of butter bean orzo with the fresh, punchy flavours of harissa and red pepper. Baked cod and butter beans Cod is topped with a rosemary parmesan crust then baked in a rich tomato and butter bean sauce to make this seriously high-protein dish. Cheesy bean omelette wraps These cheesy bean omelette wraps make a quick, protein-packed lunch ready in just 20 minutes. Filled with spinach, giant baked beans and mature cheddar, they’re hearty, satisfying and freezer-friendly for up to a month – perfect for easy make-ahead lunches. Tuscan pork loin steaks For a speedy dinner that's low in calories and fat but high in protein, try this speedy supper with Mediterranean flavours. Healthy black bean recipes Healthy chicken and black bean stew Make a rich and warming chicken stew with black beans for extra protein. Top with soured cream and grated cheese then dig in. Slow cooker black bean chilli This easy chilli with black beans and fiery chipotle chilli paste is a great low-calorie veggie version the whole family will love. Quinoa and black bean chilli For a meat-free alternative to regular chilli, try this quinoa and black bean version, it's high in protein and low calorie. Healthy green bean recipes Orzo, bean and tuna salad Turn storecupboard staples into this vibrant, nutritious orzo pasta salad with roasted red peppers, black olives and green beans. Green bean curry You can use frozen green beans to make this simple low-calorie curry, but use fresh while they're at their best in the summer to add crunch. Serve with wholegrain rice and yogurt. Green bean salad with mustardy dressing For a light side salad, try charring green beans on a griddle pan and mix with a mustardy dressing. Grains, greens and beans salad with pesto dressing On the table in 15 minutes, this nutritious salad is packed with green veggies, wholegrains and tossed in fresh pesto. Healthy cannellini bean recipes Five-bean chilli Make the most of storecupboard tins in this easy vegan bean chilli. Serve this comforting one-pot with brown rice, avocado, coriander and dairy-free yogurt for a nourishing dinner. Mediterranean nourish bowls Full of flavour, colour and texture, make these Mediterranean nourish bowls for a fast and simple midweek dinner. Harissa chicken and white bean bake Chicken thighs are coated in harissa and cooked in a rich tomato sauce with beans and olives to make this healthy, high-protein dish. Cod, kale and marinated beans For a high-protein and fibre-rich dinner, try this light cod recipe with kale and cannellini beans. Chorizo, greens and bean stew This hearty, healthy and high-protein chorizo stew dinner is flavoured with sweet smoked paprika and peppered with cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes and kale. Braised courgettes and cannellini beans This low-calorie one-pot recipe with courgette, cannellini beans and parmesan makes a delicious filling lunch. Spiced cod one pot Cod is simmered with beans, tomatoes and ’nduja to create a flavourful dish that's low in calories yet high in protein. Healthy kidney bean recipes Tahini chicken chilli con carne with kidney beans Packed with protein from tender chicken and nutty tahini, plus kidney beans and nutritious wild rice, this one-pot wonder deserves a spot in your recipe rotation. Vegan chilli A sweet 'n' smoky chilli with vegan mince, two types of beans and plenty of spices for kick. Healthy bean salad Ready in just 20 minutes, this colourful salad is packed with green beans, kidney beans and cannellini beans, all drizzled with a green tahini dressing. Healthy mixed bean recipes Spiced steak with bean salad and avocado sauce Serve tender paprika-spiced sirloin steak with a punchy pineapple, bean and red chilli salad, finished with a creamy avocado sauce. Bold, fresh and full of colour, it’s the perfect midweek pick-me-up.
Be inspired to make the most of November's best ingredients, from crunchy, nutty celeriac to sweet, chewy dates and rich, gamey duck
Want to know what’s in season in November? Looking for November recipe ideas? Use crunchy, nutty celeriac, rich and gamey duck, and sweet leeks from your local greengrocer to make these seasonal dishes and bakes. We’ve included plenty of tips for shopping for specific varieties, as well as prepping guides and recipes to showcase and make the most of the fruit or vegetable. After, check out our best October recipes, December recipes and January recipes and read our guide by nutritionist and chef Nicky Clinch explaining the power of eating seasonally and why it's better for all of us. Pork Pork was traditionally eaten in months ending in ‘r’ – in those months it is colder and, due to the lack of refrigeration, this stopped the meat from spoiling as quickly as in the hotter months. Pork belly with beans and pistou Pistou is a French sauce made simply with garlic, fresh basil and olive oil. It's perfect for spooning over this dish of slow-cooked pork with silky cannellini beans. Pumpkins Pumpkins are a type of winter squash with a sweet, delicate flavour and pleasing yellow-orange flesh when you cut through the hardy orange or green skin. They are incredibly versatile – steam and purée to fold into cake batters, sweet pies and breads, or roast in chunks and stir through risottos, salads, soups and sandwiches. You can eat the seeds, too – roast the washed and dried seeds in olive oil until crisp and toasted, and use as a topping for salads and soups. Pumpkin curry Make the most of pumpkin season with this easy, warming one-pot. Kale One of the most well-known and versatile cruciferous vegetables. It has flat or tightly curled leaves (called curly kale) around a thick stalk and comes in a few colours, including green and purple. Try to find whole-leaf kale so you can pull the leaf from the very tough stalk yourself. Pre-shredded kale comes with the stems still attached, which can be tough when eaten raw or after blanching. For a healthy snack, try roasting for 5-8 mins to create moreish crisps, similar to crispy seaweed. Sautéed kale with caramelised onions and anchovies Combine sweet caramelised onions and salty anchovies with kale to make this easy but impressive side dish, perfect for pairing with roast meats. Turmeric fried eggs and kale salad This vibrant veggie bowl brings together turmeric-fried eggs, crisp kale and roasted chickpeas for a punchy, satisfying plate. A quick drizzle of tahini ties everything together. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a brilliant gluten-free option for a fresh, energising lunch or a savoury brunch. Kale and gnocchi parmesan bake Our veggie gnocchi bake is a clever way to transform shop-bought gnocchi. A simple, homemade tomato sauce is the base for this cheesy midweek dinner. Top your bake with mozzarella, kale, parmesan, and breadcrumbs, then put it in the oven until bubbling and browned. Brussels sprouts Brussels sprouts are part of the cabbage family. When buying, look for bright green outer leaves that are tightly wrapped around each other. Sticky miso roast sprouts There are so many ways to make the most of sprouts while they're in season –here, they're slicked with umami-packed miso and zingy lime, and roasted until golden and caramelised. Brussels sprouts gratin Even the staunchest Brussels sprouts sceptic will waver at this festive side. The key to the convert: cheese, bacon and lots of it. It’s rich, savoury and almost guaranteed to win over the table. Brussels sprouts bhajis with raita For a playful twist on classic onion bhajis, swap in seasonal Brussels sprouts. Shredded and lightly spiced, they fry to crisp little clusters that are brilliant for sharing. Pair them with a cool, minty dip and you’ve got a standout starter for a winter dinner party. Clementines A type of mandarin that is small and sweet, and is in season over the winter months. When buying, look for unblemished skin. Clementine posset These silky, zesty desserts only require 15 minutes of hands-on time but look really impressive – perfect if you're hosting a dinner party or planning a special meal. Chocolate and clementine torte Make the most of clementine season with this luxurious dinner party dessert. It’s hard to believe this elegant torte comes together with just seven ingredients. Serve with generous swirls of boozy Cointreau cream for a bright, citrusy finish. Pears There are thousands of pear varieties but the most commonly found ones are Conference, Comice, Red Williams and Concorde. When buying, look for pears that have a little give at the top or bottom – they ripen from the inside out – and avoid any that are bruised or mushy. Pear, ginger and almond tart Impress at your next dinner party with this frangipane tart, studded with juicy pears and flavoured with warming stem ginger. Autumn fruit salad with pomegranate dressing Who says autumn has to be dull? Brighten up your weekend brunch with this vibrant fruit salad, where juicy seasonal fruits meet creamy Greek yogurt and a sweet, tangy pomegranate dressing. Celeriac Derived from wild celery and similar in flavour, celeriac is a large, bulbous root with thick skin. It also sometimes comes with a bunch of wild celery still attached (you can use this as you would celery). Its crunchy, nutty, creamy and firm flesh makes it extremely versatile – use in curries, slaws, salads and soups. Buy it with the leaves on, if possible, as they are the best indication of freshness and quality. Check out more celeriac recipes here. Celeriac shawarma Here, humble celeriac is given punchy flavour with a marinade of garlic, honey, cumin, ginger and paprika, before being roasted in the oven to bring out its tender, silky texture. Curried celeriac Celeriac works really well in this curry as the roasted cubes soak up the flavours of the spices. Serve with steamed rice for a warming vegan dinner. Venison Wild venison is a wonderfully lean meat and is incredibly versatile. With its slight gamey taste it can be paired with strong flavours and can be used similarly to beef. Sear steaks on a barbecue or griddle pan, and serve with mash for a wintery dish, or slice and serve with red fruits in a summery salad. It can be slow-cooked, roasted or stir-fried. It’s one of the most sustainable meats to eat, high in protein and low in cholesterol. Venison pastitsio Put a seasonal spin on classic Greek pastitsio by swapping beef for venison mince. Its rich, gamey flavour pairs beautifully with the warming spices in the sauce, creating a hearty, comforting dish with a sophisticated twist. Venison steaks with caraway crushed swede Pair venison steaks with buttery crushed swede in this winter warmer – it will be ready and on the table in less than an hour. Venison, thyme and port lattice pie Rich venison in port gravy is encased in buttery lattice pastry to create the ultimate winter pie – serve with potatoes and greens for a weekend treat. Duck With a rich, gamey flavour, duck can handle being paired with strong, punchy flavours. It has a thick layer of fat covering it that needs to be rendered, but this makes for delicious meat. The breast is best eaten medium or blushing pink inside; the legs should be slow-cooked or confited, as they do in France. Take a look at more duck recipes here. Hoisin duck Serve this sticky hoisin duck with vegetable fried rice for a speedy weeknight dinner to feed two. The secret to good fried rice is using cooked, fridge-cold rice. This gets crispy and fluffy without the worry of it overcooking, breaking down and becoming mushy. Duck ragu How's this for a winter warmer? Get cosy with slow-cooked duck legs in a garlicky red wine sauce, tossed through pappardelle. Dates Dates are the fruit of date palms, which originate in the Middle East. The fruit grows in clusters at the top of the palms, more than 50 feet off the ground. They have an intense sweetness and mild fruitiness, making them great to use in both savoury and sweet dishes. Peanut butter and date flapjacks Turn a handful of storecupboard ingredients into an easy bake. Mixed seeds and a peanut butter drizzle make these flapjacks look impressive but they only need 10 minutes hands-on time. Date and walnut cake If you’re after a bake that’ll earn you serious praise at a coffee morning, make this date and walnut cake. It’s wonderful sliced and toasted, then topped with a spoonful of seasonal stewed apple and a drizzle of custard. Some may say that’s a bit much for a mid-morning treat, but they’d be entirely wrong. Winter Cabbage Savoy is the most popular of the winter cabbages, with crinkly leaves and fairly dense, packed heads compared to the spring/ summer varieties such as spring greens. You can avoid any unpopular cabbage smells by roasting the leaves instead of boiling them, and they gain a smoky flavour by charring them first. You can also stir-fry, air-fry or barbecue cabbage to make the most of its flavour. Charred winter cabbage with caesar dressing and bacon croutons A comforting medley of charred cabbage (we suggest Savoy), chunky sourdough croutons, bacon bits and a quick yogurt and anchovy dressing. Leeks From the same family as onions and garlic but with a sweeter flavour. Choose small or medium leeks, as larger ones tend to be a bit woody. Leeks are incredibly versatile and can be used in place of onions in most recipes – just remember to cook them well, as they can be raw-tasting and stringy if undercooked. Discover more leek recipes here. Leek carbonara The oniony kick of leeks adds a richness to classic carbonara. Freeze any left-over egg whites in a small sealed container – they defrost quickly and are handy for making a pavlova or Swiss meringue buttercream. Leek fritters Softened leeks and cheddar cheese come together in these golden fritters – serve with a watercress salad for an easy veggie dinner, or top with avocado for a weekend brunch. Caramelised baby leeks with balsamic The balsamic vinegar adds sweet and sour notes to the savoury, oniony depth of the baby leeks. Serve these alongside a simple roast chicken or fish. Swede Also known as rutabaga or neeps, swede is a root vegetable that’s a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. It has a mild cabbage flavour, with a hint of spicy mustardy pepperiness. Traditionally mashed with potato (neeps and tatties) or with carrot, it can also be thinly sliced and layered with cream in a gratin, roasted in wedges with cheese, or simply mashed with butter. It’s also the traditional veg in a Cornish pasty. Make the swede the hero of your dish by roasting with spices and tossing through noodles or pasta. Teriyaki swede bowls Swede is a great carrier for strong flavours – the slightly sweet edge it takes on when roasted pairs well with teriyaki sauce. Gochujang swede noodles Roast cubes of swede in a sweet and salty gochujang dressing for a moreish, simple midweek noodle dish. Mussels These dark blue/black, shiny shelled bivalves are best eaten when the waters are cool, from October to March. Look for fresh, live mussels rather than pre-cooked, to ensure freshness. Discard any with chipped or broken shells, give them a sharp tap on a worksurface to make sure they close, and discard any that don’t. Remove their beards – the tuft of fibres sometimes attached to the mussel. This is where they’ve attached themselves to the seabed or rope, if rope-grown. Surprisingly quick and easy to cook, mussels can be an effortless yet impressive main. Simply steam and stir into rice or pasta dishes, or serve on their own with fries. Popcorn mussels Serve these crispy breaded mussels as a pre-dinner snack or canapé at your next party, with sriracha mayo, hot honey vinegar and ranch dressing for dipping. Mussel flatbreads with tarragon butter Serve these flatbreads soaked in mussel butter and topped with tarragon as an impressive starter or light snack with drinks. Mushrooms Mushrooms truly come into their own during the autumn months, when wild varieties are in season. Their earthy, savoury notes make them a natural pairing with robust autumn produce such as squash, root vegetables, nuts, and herbs like sage and thyme. Mushrooms work beautifully in a wide range of dishes, from rich risottos and hearty pies to creamy sauces and comforting stews. For the best results, cook mushrooms gently to allow their natural juices to release and concentrate, enhancing their umami depth. Wild mushroom pappardelle Turn foraging for wild mushrooms into a fun date-night adventure, then toss them into this creamy pasta for two. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy and rewarding meal after your endeavours.
The Japanese listening bar concept has landed in London. Expect hifi sound systems, stellar cocktails and moody surroundings for soaking up the music
Looking for the best hifi bars in London? If you're partial to a carefully curated cocktail or two, you may have noticed the term 'listening bar' appearing on the London cocktail bar scene in the last couple of years. Think: intimate, low lighting, stylish, mid-century décor and most importantly, high-fidelity sound systems. Inspired by Japanese "kissaten" culture, which emerged in the post-war era, the experience of sound is placed firmly centre stage. Although while the music may be a key focus, food and drinks menus are by no means an afterthought, with high-quality, seasonal ingredients, global-inspired flavours and rotating chef takeovers. As an east London resident myself, you might call me biased but my favourite spots also happen to inhabit this side of the capital. For a cute and cosy date night destination, Chiave is a no-brainer, where you can continue the night and throw shapes on the luxe downstairs dance floor complete with bespoke sound system (trust me, it's nothing like the sweaty basements you may have frequented in the past). If you're looking for a more substantial meal, I would never fail to recommend Mad Cats's east Asian-inspired menu packed with punchy, umami-rich flavour. And that pandan crème brûlée, wow. Of course, the whole of London is blessed with a wealth of stellar options, so whatever your taste, peruse my list below and find something to suit you. Next, discover the best cocktail bars in London, London hotel bars to visit and the best rooftop bars in London. For an off-the-beaten track new spot to visit, read about these neighbourhood gems according to London locals and find out where our drinks writer goes for summer drinking in London. Best London listening bars Chiave, Shoreditch Meaning ‘key’ in Italian, Chiave cuts a subtle exterior on Shoreditch’s Redchurch Street bar the large, polished brass-effect key on the door. Naturally lit during the day from the sash windows, stay until sundown for the bar to transform into a cosy drinking den with dark mahogany tables and palo santo incense swirling up towards the alluring red ceiling. Chiave’s nine signature cocktails are the crowning glory, each of which is named after a song. Street Spirit (named after Radiohead’s 1995 track) is a vibrant twist on a Moscow mule with aniseed notes from raki – Turkey’s national spirit – effortlessly blended with a subtle salted caramel vodka. Margarita fans will not be disappointed with a Tommy margarita mixing equal quantities of Ojo de Dios mezcal and Don Julio tequila, with chilli liqueur and a spicy sumac rim. For crisp and aromatic herbal refreshment don’t miss Sunbeams with Tanqueray No Ten gin, chinotto nero and a blend of clarified sea buckthorn and basil. The team’s Turkish heritage is carried into the small but thoughtful snack selection. Nibble on dainty, rice-stuffed vine leaves with pomegranate molasses for dipping, or hummus-filled cucumber bites. If you want to carry on the night, pop downstairs to the small but compact dance floor with custom-made speakers and a stylish HiFi mixer. Mad Cats, Shoreditch Another listening bar has landed in Shoreditch – and this one is more than worth a visit. With a compact cocktail selection that chooses quality over quantity, Asian-inspired flavours sing with Muyu Jasmine Verte Liqueur, junmai sake and lemongrass, while there’s a dash of Lebanese inspiration with the Zaza cocktail: a spin on a classic tequila martini with infused za’atar oil. Red, white, rosé, orange and sparkling wines are available from traditional and new world regions, as well as five varieties of sake. East Asian flavours are carried across to the menu. The yellowtail carpaccio with jalapeño sauce and ponzu dressing is beautifully presented, and citrusy without being too sharp. Towering brioche toast with crab and gochujang aïoli was a highlight, although there truly were no misses: charred hispi cabbage is accompanied by an umami-rich wafu sauce, and the miso hake with chilli oil and samphire is buttery and delicate. Finally, the Greek cantaloupe sorbet makes the perfect palate cleanser ahead of the silky pandan crème brûlée. Attention to detail goes beyond the menu, with chopsticks resting on hand-painted model cats, DJs spinning vinyl only and an abundance of high-fidelity speakers to keep audiophiles content. Don’t miss a trip to the bathroom through the blue velvet curtain where The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is played on a speaker directly into your cubicle. The Listening Room, Soho Soho’s Wardour Street contains a secret. Downstairs from Japanese-inspired grill and omakase restaurant MOI – and via an impressive retro-futuristic spiral staircase – resides The Listening Room, a spacious underground listening bar. Serious about audio, bespoke speakers are from London-based sound system maker Friendly Pressure, and the walls are covered in soundwave-like textured curves for great acoustics. The drinks menu is led by ex-Langham Dino Koletsas and infused with Asian flavours. The shiro negroni, a refreshing white spin on a negroni with yuzu sake, potato shochu and chrysanthemum bitters has a pleasantly floral nose. Them Apples cleverly recreates the flavour of fresh green apple without using the ingredient itself: instead sparkling green tea, whisky, tomato liqueur and marigold combine for an ultra-refreshing sip. The extensive sake and natural wine list is accessible to both the more experienced and more nascent sipper. Order sushi, small plates and skewers hot off the grill from the upstairs kitchen by executive chef Andy Cook who worked with Gordon Ramsay to open his outpost in Tokyo. The crisp, warm and slightly sweet steamed buns served with smoked cod’s roe was a strong start. Sushi is not one to miss either – we chose Icelandic sea urchin and chutoro tuna temaki delicately wrapped in nori, whose rich flavour was perfectly complemented by dots of wasabi and slices of pickled ginger. Nipperkin, Mayfair Situated inside NIJŪ Japanese grill and sushi bar, Nipperkin is heavily inspired by 1950s Japanese listening bars. Step through ornate curtains into an intimate, mid-century space with plush seating, and marvel as expert mixologists fan perfectly cuboid ice, with an impressive record collection and vinyl set-up behind them. Centred around micro-seasonality, the drinks menu from award-winning mixologist Angelos Bafas is split into four harvest seasons. Hyper-seasonal British ingredients such as wild garlic, spring flowers and blackberries expertly coalesce with the classic Japanese ingredients, such as yuzu, shiso and matcha. The highball pickled cucumber was seriously refreshing, as was the Granny Smith and yuzu with Exmoor raw wildflower honey. Macerated blackberries and sloes make a pleasantly herbaceous and bitter sip with Axia Extra Dry Mastiha and Cambridge red bitters, while there’s umami savouriness on offer from the likes of Nipperkin’s aged mushroom spirit, Cambridge truffle gin and tomato liqueur. Don’t overlook the ‘dry’ season – the sour green gooseberries with a non-alcoholic citrus spirit and English wasabi tastes like a lemon meringue pie with a whisper of warmth. Dunk crunchy bar snacks from NIJŪ of seasonal vegetables and lotus chips into creamy tofu with shiso oil and buttery grilled aubergine – and you can even peep into NIJŪ’s kitchen when paying a visit to the adorned bathrooms. Encore, Mayfair Downstairs from Lebanese rotisserie joint Toum, Encore successfully ticks off two cocktail bar buzzwords in one fell swoop: listening bar and speakeasy. Just steps away from Regent Street, this stylish subterranean bar unites a heady mix of Lebanese and French influences across the polished cocktail and snack menus. Twelve signature cocktails showcase inventive twists on classics – a sumac-spiced negroni with tequila is balanced by pomegranate, while the refined mezcal spritz brings in zingy and refreshing yuzu, lime and coconut water. Those sweet-inclined will enjoy the unique yet familiar taste of the tarte tatin: oak aged brandy, vanilla liqueur, coconut water and honey give a balanced sweetness that is never saccharine. The Encore batanga is a stand-out with added depth from sherry and spidery strands of red chilli scattered on top. Unctuous and warm comté madeleines were particularly irresistible from the elevated bar snack menu. Habibi funk and Arabic disco deep cuts can be heard spinning on vinyl, thanks to the sound-diffusing ceiling and speakers dotted around the intimate space. Rich red carpets, mid-century wood panelling and stylish contemporary artwork make the bar the perfect spot for a date night or cosy catch-up with a friend. Stereo, Covent Garden Beneath the depths of Covent Garden’s cobblestones sits Stereo, a cocktail bar that harks back to the analogue era with its 70s-esque brown wood panelled décor, vintage cocktails, vinyl-only DJ sets and live bands. From the focal point bar surrounded by orb-shaped lamps, disco punch bowls are mixed with STEREO house vodka and Thames Distillers gin, as well as 70s- and 80s-inspired cocktails using vintage vermouth and other aged spirits. Negroni and espresso martini are on draft, or choose from the likes of Flying Paper’s black sesame seed-encrusted tumbler with Buffalo Trace bourbon hibiscus, amaro Montenegro and lemon, or Sunset in Oaxaca’s evening pick-me-up with Tapatio tequila blanco, mezcal, rhubarb cordial, Aperol, lemon and orange blossom. Kick off the night with à la carte American-inspired dishes of dredged fried chicken sandos and macaroni cheese with a brioche crumb – chef-restaurateur Andrew Clarke of Acme Fire Cult consulted on the menu – accompanied by the smooth house band. You can dance until the early hours with their rotating line-up of DJs. If you get peckish, late-night bar snacks and nibbles will keep you going, with the likes of warm popcorn with espelette salt and STEREO hot wings. Viajante87, Notting Hill Gate Don’t be deceived by the Barbie pink door with neon graffiti on the street outside – descend the staircase into Viajante87 to find yourself in an underground bar with moody lighting and flickering candles. Sit up at the long bar, a beacon of light in the otherwise dark space, and chat to the friendly staff or get cosy at one of the more intimate tables. The substantial cocktail menu is inspired by Latin America and celebrates a diversity of agave as well as more unusual ingredients. Creations include the likes of Blood Moon with Patrón reposado tequila, Aperol, pomegranate and hibiscus, with plenty of lemon and smoked Oaxacan Pasilla chilli to offset the sweetness. Alcohol-free 0087 has a very pleasant savouriness from pico de gallo with Seedlip Grove, oolong cordial and sancho pepper. On Thursdays from 7-11pm Latin-inspired jazz, funk and disco vinyl spins on the decks, accompanied by a pared back cocktail menu (in addition to the regular one) with classic cocktails such as spicy margaritas and palomas served with a choice of two tequilas and one mezcal. Nibble on fresh guacamole with crunchy, seasoned tortilla chips or three well-considered tacos to accompany your liquid refreshment. Sunken ceiling panels ensure impeccable acoustics. Equal Parts, Hackney Michael Sager has partnered with Matteo Vaccargiu to open an Italian aperitivo bar in a green tiled-fronted corner spot, a few doors down from the original Sager + Wilde wine bar. It’s an elegant, unfussy space, with plenty of wood panelling, flickering candles and vinyl twirling on the decks. Perch at the window ledge to watch trendy passers-by or bag a spot at the bar to see the team shake and stir signature cocktails in front of an impressive line-up of amaros, aperitivo and bitters. The Flor cocktail combines fino sherry and olive oil vodka with Matteo’s elevated clarification of fresh tomato, basil, chilli and a tiny touch of garlic for a bright, fresh finish, alla liquid bruschetta to evoke the Sardinian coast. The Orange is a concoction of orange wine, Meletti amaro and pear and elderflower syrup, while the ACE makes a refreshing twist on the garibaldi (combining carrot cordial, fresh orange juice, Campari and soda). A seasonal infusion makes its way into a trio of classics; on our visit a strawberry and fig leaf martini combo that brightened the negroni, sbagliato and americano. Nine Lives, London Bridge Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of London Bridge is a cosy oasis of a bar, serving up some of London's best cocktails. Nine Lives has a buzzy atmosphere, balancing the vibe of a live DJ with the volume at just the right level so you can still chat comfortably. Their new cocktail menu is headed up by William Campbell-Rowntree. The Mello cocktail, a mixture of vodka, Cocchi Americano and honeydew was beautifully refreshing. Equally good was the Godfather sour made with bourbon, which had a pleasantly balanced taste. To eat, there's a small but enticing menu from head chef Ramon Ramos, consisting of tacos – from baja to barbacoa – and small plates. We liked the ceviche sampler, which was citrusy and refreshing. This cosy, romantic spot also has a bottleshop, offering takeaway cocktails, and outdoor seating to soak up the sun. Seed Library, Shoreditch Ryan Chetiyawardana’s latest venture is a slinky drinking den in the basement of the One Hundred Shoreditch hotel. Whereas his flagship bar – Lyaness at Sea Containers in Southbank – showcases a high-concept approach to mixology, Seed Library is deliberately more casual and low key. Walk-ins are encouraged and the space, with its sultry lighting, wood-panelled walls, red velvet chairs and warm palette, feels retro and slightly louche, yet very welcoming. Expect elevated riffs on cocktail classics with a touch of whimsy. The vibrant Breakfast Bellini with Patrón tequila, century beans, breakfast fruit and champagne is served with a fried egg sweet balanced on top of the glass. Asteriod Garden is a celestial spin on the English Garden, lifted with shochu and pink meteor wine, while apple blossom and tundra tea bring refreshment. A Coriander Seed Gimlet is gorgeously executed – clean and citrusy with a backbone of gentle, warming spice. Bar snacks include the likes of nocerella olives, spiced nuts and chilli rice crackers - everything you want from a nibble: savoury, salty and crunchy. Analogue lovers can find East London's Diggers Dozen spinning vinyl at the weekend.
Pack in the good fats, gut-friendly fibre and nutrients with these recipes, in order to support your brain and mental health
The food you eat can have a powerful effect on your mental health and how you feel day to day. There is a strong connection between your gut and your brain, often called the gut-brain axis, which means that nourishing your body with the right foods can help regulate mood, motivation and stress levels. Certain nutrients play a key role in supporting brain health – omega-3 fatty acids, for example, are essential for maintaining healthy brain cells and have been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety. Choline, found in foods like eggs, is also important as it supports the production of neurotransmitters involved in memory and learning. If you want to boost your mental wellbeing, try to include more foods rich in these beneficial nutrients. Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are excellent sources of omega-3 fats, while walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds are great plant-based options. Eggs are not only packed with choline but also provide B vitamins, which help with energy production and brain function. Leafy greens, beans, lentils and fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi can all support a healthy gut and stable mood. Watch out for highly processed foods and refined sugars as they can lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes, contributing to mood swings and tiredness. Excessive caffeine and alcohol may also disrupt sleep and increase feelings of anxiety or low mood. Next, discover recipes that pack in the plants, recipes for a healthy gut and eat the rainbow with our healthy, colourful recipes. Recipes that support your mental health Kimchi eggs Start your day with these punchy fried eggs, served on toasted rye bread alongside tangy kimchi to support friendly gut bacteria. Masala mackerel Mackerel's oily flesh means it can withstand strong flavours such as chilli and citrus – both of which are used in this dish alongside ginger, tamarind, cumin and garam masala Energising breakfast bowl Avoid the sugar spikes and crashes by swapping your morning cereal to this colourful, fruity breakfast bowl, which also helps to support your immunity. Sardine spaghetti Tinned sardines are a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and essential oils. Let them shine in this quick and easy Sardinian spaghetti dish. Cumin-roasted carrots and bulgur salad with sticky spiced walnuts and feta Carrots provide gut-friendly fibre, walnuts are a good source of healthy fats and there's a plenty of nutrient-dense plants in this colourful winter salad. Harissa roast salmon with warm herby grains and yogurt dressing Harissa-honey salmon served on top of herby wholegrains, with a quick yogurt dressing on the side. Spanish mackerel This simple recipe makes great use of storecupboard staples like fibre-rich chickpeas, tinned tomatoes and 'nduja, all topped with perfectly cooked fillets of mackerel. Cavolo nero, pink grapefruit, avocado and walnut salad You'll get plenty of good fats, which support brain health, from the walnuts and avocado in this nutritious salad. Kale is also high in fibre. Healthy granola Start your day with a dose of bran, which supports gut health and digestion, as well as walnuts and seeds, both loaded with good fats. Çılbır (Turkish-style poached eggs in garlicky yogurt) Soft poached eggs on a bed of garlicky gut-friendly yogurt topped with herbs and red pepper flakes, çılbır is best served with bread for scooping. Sumac salmon with spring fattoush This nourishing sumac-frilled salmon recipe packs in 10 different plant foods thanks to a vibrant, no-cook fattoush made with beetroot, cucumber, feta and plenty of fresh herbs. Protein pancakes Start your day with these protein pancakes made with bananas, wholemeal spelt flour and yogurt – drizzle with maple syrup or nut butter before serving. Berry and nut butter porridge Packed with nuts, fruit and oats, this hearty porridge bowl will provide a sustained hit of energy, without the dreaded crash later on. Buddha bowls with sweet potato and chickpeas Eat the rainbow with these colourful lunch or dinner bowls, packed with veg and served with a creamy tahini drizzle. Winter veg pilaf This hearty winter veg pilaf is loaded with fibre-rich ingredients, like parsnips and kale. Finished with a sprinkle of antioxidant rich pomegranate seeds, it’s a great one for dark winter months.
Best restaurants in Soho: where to eat and drink
Discover our favourite places to eat in and drink in the buzzy central London neighbourhood, from Taiwanese fine dining to pasta joints and intimate cocktail bars
Looking for the best Soho restaurants? Check out our ideas for eating and drinking in Soho from Brewer Street to St Anne's Court, from Old Compton Street to Chinatown (find the full list of the best restaurants in Chinatown here). For more London food recommendations, check out our reviews of the best restaurants in Covent Garden, best restaurants in Kings Cross, best restaurants in Mayfair, best restaurants in Marylebone and best restaurants in Paddington. Best places to eat and drink in Soho Mamapen, Great Pulteney Street – London’s only Cambodian pops up in Soho This lively pop-up is currently the only place to eat Cambodian in London. Chef Kaneda Pen’s classic and contemporary cooking is inspired by his mother, his love of BBQ and his Scottish partner. So sour pineapple curry with roasted sweet potato and pickled mango; and Khmer BBQ chicken with shaoxing teriyaki glaze with tuk trey koh kong dipping sauce, sit alongside braised beef tattie mince noodles with cucumber, spring onion and chilli. Lunchtime specials for takeout keep local workers happy. Find it until the end of the year in one of Soho’s busiest pubs. http://sunand13cantons.co.uk/cambodian-food-london <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2024/08/London-Food-and-Drink-Photography-Mamapen-at-Sun-and-13-Cantons-London-2024-Nic-Crilly-Hargrave-102-copy-fa88d56.jpg" width="8256" height="5504" alt="London Food and Drink Photography - Mamapen at Sun and 13 Cantons London 2024 - Nic Crilly-Hargrave-102 copy" title="London Food and Drink Photography - Mamapen at Sun and 13 Cantons London 2024 - Nic Crilly-Hargrave-102 copy" /> The Palomar, Rupert Street — for vibrant sharing plates This small but mighty restaurant has carved its reputation as a Soho institution thanks to ten years of warm hospitality and top-notch cooking. Perch at the counter to get close to the lively action or take a seat at one of a handful of cosy tables in the back for a quieter evening. Head chef Dan Murray takes influence from Southern Spain, North Africa and the Levant to create a succinct menu of dishes packed with texture and flavour. Think silky lamb croquette cubes topped with pickled walnut HP sauce, smacked baby cucumbers with pickled slices, green tahini, candied almond clusters and crispy chilli oil, and charcoal chicken slathered in chilli butter with yogurt and charred onion. Bookend with saffron-infused negronis alongside swirly Yemeni kubaneh bread and mezcal old fashioneds paired with bitesize cubes of pistachio baklava ice cream sandwich. thepalomar.co.uk Marjorie's – for Parisian-style wine bar vibes Though slap bang in the middle of Soho, this Parisian-inspired wine bar is tucked away, its happy punters spilling out onto the pavement giving neighbourhood feels. Upstairs is dominated by a large counter table where you can perch beside owner Michael and team as they pour wines. A wooden dresser showcases the 100% French wine line-up, covering a diverse mixture of regions and styles. New bottles are opened each day to keep the ‘by the glass’ list interesting. There’s always a sparkling, three reds, three whites and two skin-contacts on rotation – that might be a pétillant, oak-aged chenin blanc from the Loire, a chilled beaujolais or a robust Crozes-Hermitage. Downstairs, in full view of group tables in whitewashed alcoves, is where the open kitchen action happens under the guidance of Giacomo Peretti. After the obligatory baguette with French butter, up your amuse-bouche game with a savoury twist on the Ferrero Rocher – a Morello cherry rolled in chicken liver parfait and hazelnuts. Soft lamb tartare follows, studded with a pretty riot of summer vegetables – sliced radishes, peas, broad beans and edible flowers. My highlight, spotted on a fellow foodie’s Instagram, was the ever so comforting poached chicken and nutty rice bathing in a rich, frothy brown butter emulsion. Order radicchio and leaves doused in floral orange blossom dressing to pair. For dessert, a towering slice of puff pastry mille-feuille comes layered with silky crème diplomat and strawberries, while cocoa nib and hazelnut-flecked warm chocolate mousse was greedily spooned up like custard. marjorieslondon.co.uk Khao-Sō-i, Market Place – for northern Thai cuisine London doesn’t lack for Thai restaurants but at Khao-Sō-i – named after the curry noodle dish of Chiang Mai – chef Win Srinavakool has created a menu shaped by the flavours of northern Thailand, with smoke from a wood-fired grill and bold (okay, hot) spice. We began with moo ping: wafer-thin Norfolk pork belly skewers grilled over wood with a sticky, caramelised edge and a deep, savoury warmth. Tum khanun – young jackfruit salad tossed with northern herbs – whacks your tastebuds with refreshing and tingling heat and zest. It’s a perfect spot for an after-work or after-shopping catch-up, buzzing with chatter, the throb of music and the theatre of the open grill. The main event is the namesake khao soi. We tried it two ways: gai (chicken) and bai pye (torched beef chuck eye). The pleasure is in shaping it. Each bowl arrives with coconut cream, chilli flakes, herbs and crisp noodles on the side, so you build your own version: richer, hotter, crunchier, or all of the above, before you pull the noodles from the creamy spiced broth and slurp like no one’s watching. There’s an extensive drinks list but ice-cold Neckstamper pale ale is the way to go to douse the fire and cleanse your palate before diving in to luxurious cha thai cheesecake or bai toey ice cream with cloud-like cubes of brioche. Olive tip: If you go as a two-some order separate dishes and share. You’ll want to experience as much of the menu as possible. khaosoilondon.com Fonda, Heddon Street – for contemporary Mexican Tucked just off Regent Street on Heddon Street, Fonda feels like a secret. Co-owned by Santiago Lastra of Kol, Fonda is a more relaxed cousin – casual yet quietly refined. Start with the frozen margarita or a salt-rimmed, non-alcoholic paloma – refreshing, sharp, all edge and sparkle. The ceviche leans into fresh and floral: soft tuna, basil and tomato meet fresh cherry in a combination that’s quietly brilliant. The Baja taco is everything a fish taco should be – lacy crisp batter, tender cod you can actually taste and a pistachio mole that brings it all together. Octopus tacos layered with Ratte potatoes and bruléed bone marrow are deeply rich (ask for the pickled vegetables to cut through). Finish with the mezcal rice pudding - silken, smoky and punctuated with cherries that burst and bloom. It’s a place to settle in, let the plates keep coming and forget the busy city just round the corner. fondalondon.com Ham Yard Hotel, Ham Yard – for a leisurely Sunday roast Ham Yard Hotel’s ethos matches its bold name: expect bags of character, typical of all Firmdale Hotels, from co-owner Kit Kemp’s bright and colourful interiors, with patterned textiles, unique finds such as reclaimed African prints and plenty of original artwork. The Long Lunch is Ham Yard’s take on a leisurely Sunday roast. Expect an elevated experience but in a relaxed and friendly setting – think musicians playing jazz and glasses of wine being poured from magnums. The sharing menu lets you choose your own roast (from lamb leg with braised shoulder to a smart monkfish wellington if you want to try something different) and then have endless sides for the table to share. Gooey Montgomery cheddar cauliflower cheese and impressively crisp roast potatoes were highlights that you’ll definitely be asking for more of. As the lunch service goes on, you’ll spy the extravagant dessert trolley being loaded up and wheeled around to be served tableside. Make sure you save room for your choice of profiteroles (with a range of sauces to add), tiramisu, baked cheesecake and more. firmdalehotels.com KILN, Brewer Street – for Thai food Ben Chapman’s latest outpost has all the ingredients for yet another frustratingly brilliant Soho restaurant – small, no-reservation policy, sterling reviews. But, it’s worth any queue. Grab a spot at the pass, where the flames of the charcoal fires will keep you as warm as the spices from the confidently succinct, regional Thai menu. As well as delivering on atmosphere, Kiln actually offers the lesser-known and ever rarer phenomenon of good value in London. Aged lamb skewers, delicately fragrant with cumin and Szechuan pepper and cranked-up in flavour with the lick of those flames, are £2.90 for two. A delicious main of clay-pot baked glass noodles with Tamworth pork belly and brown crabmeat, which comes with an intense, zingy herb dip on the side, is a highlight. We’re warned about the heat of the roasted long pepper and Tamworth pork shoulder curry but its tingle was just the right side of numbing, mellow and spicy sweet. Wild mushroom salad seasoned with soy and lime, inspired by the region of Isaan, in the northeast of Thailand, was precisely the sort of plate that the term umami was coined for. kilnsoho.com Platapian, Greek Street – for stylish Thai dining Find this sleek space from the people behind Patara on one of London’s busiest streets. We started with crispy chicken skin with a squeeze of lime – think gourmet pork scratchings. Stuffed snub nose chilli stuffed with minced chicken and prawn is big enough to share, plump and aromatic, and, despite its name, only mildly hot. Then a pandan-leaf wrapped parcel of miang kham scallop, beautifully silky and smoky. Of the many surprising dishes at Platapian, one especially stood out: cabbage roasted until soft yet still with bite, the wedges dressed with fish sauce and whole chillies to deliver a sweet-salty heat that works beautifully with the vegetable’s faint sourness. Mains kept the balance between comfort and freshness. Short rib beef in five-spice ‘paloh’ with grated salted egg yolk is the stand-out. Flake-apart meat in a rich gravy was positively swoon-worthy. While southern-style yellow curry with crab, mellow and light, saucy with coconut, was a hug in a bowl. Together they showed how Platapian’s menu celebrates the whole of Thai cuisine. From the drinks list, Tom Yum-tini and a whisky sour are smart, punchy and in simpatico with the elegance of the restaurant, while desserts use Thai ingredients to twist familiar Western dishes, such as a smooth pandan crème brûlée. olive tip: When we went on a Thursday night, Platapian was packed, buzzing and loud – so if you want to talk ask for a counter seat near the front. pataralondon.com Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, Kingly Court — for Syrian sharing plates Imad Alarnab’s story is a remarkable one. After spending years as a successful restaurateur in Damascus, his businesses were destroyed by the war, and he was forced to flee the country for safety. Shortly after arriving in London in 2015, he began cooking Syrian food at supper clubs and pop-ups (at which he raised thousands of pounds for refugee charity, Choose Love), before crowdfunding for his own permanent restaurant. Located on the top floor of Soho’s Kingly Court, the restaurant has the feel of a family-run taverna, with white walls accented by bright blue windows and tiles, dotted with heart-warming photographs from Imad’s past. As for Imad’s food, its every bit as uplifting as his story. Every dish we tried from his sharing-style menu of Syrian dishes was a hit, from the super-crisp, perfectly seasoned falafel with lightly pickled, sumac-dusted red onions, to the pool of chickpea-topped hummus with hot, fluffy pittas for dunking. Other highlights include the fattet macdous – a dish of silky soft baby aubergines filled with cumin-spiced minced lamb, served with tahini, crispy pittas, pine nuts, herbs, and juicy pops of pomegranate – and the shish tawook, which combines beautifully tender, charred chicken with homemade paprika crisps, tomato mayo and pitta. imadssyriankitchen.co.uk Bubala, Poland Street – for Middle Eastern small plates The second spot from Marc Summers (Berber & Q) and Helen Graham (Palomar) is decked out in the same earthy-chic style as the original Spitalfields restaurant. Gather round the table at the back to get a slice of action from the open kitchen and peruse jars of ferments and infusions that make their way into dishes and cocktails. Peanut-infused bourbon is stirred with chocolate bitters for a warming old fashioned, blood orange syrup is shaken up with tequila in a rose petal and Persian salt-rimmed margarita, and citrus syrups are topped up with sparkling water and fresh herbs in the non-alcoholic gazoz options. To start, order fresh laffa flatbread to dip into silky baba ganoush, followed by charcoaled leek swirl skewers and corn ribs, slathered in a punchy chipotle, Aleppo chilli, black garlic and cumin sauce. Lip-smacking mains include buttery hispi cabbage coated in a dried orange, nori and sesame crumb, and deep-fried, brined cauliflower served with caramelised spiced spinach bkeila. Potato latkes are given a modern twist, pressed with garlic butter into stacks and fried to order, and fresh vesuvio tomatoes and mango are soaked in a sweet and tangy tamarind and date syrup dressing. Finish with coconut and tahini fudge, subtly laced with blood orange and coated in crackly sesame seeds. bubala.co.uk/soho Bao, Lexington Street – for Taiwanese buns Bao began life as a tiny bar in Hackney, selling pillowy soft ‘baos’ (steamed milk buns) stuffed with various fillings. Following its success, the team opened a restaurant in Soho. Husband and wife team, Shing Tat Chung and Erchen Chang, alongside Shing’s sister Wai Ting Chung are behind the venture, and it was the trio’s travels across Asia that inspired the menu.Their signature bao take centre stage – try classic braised pork and panko-crumbed daikon radish bao – but there’s also xiao chi (small eats) on offer. As for drinks, expect hot oolong and cold foam tea, plus cider, sake and whisky. It’s a cosy space with shelves lined with homemade pickles – including golden kimchi. baolondon.com Crunch, Dean Street – for smash-hit sandwiches Landing on the buzzy corner of Dean Street and Old Compton Street, Crunch brings its cult-followed Spitalfields sandwiches to a permanent Soho address – and the result is part elevated sandwich shop, part stainless steel lined sandwich theatre. The vibe is sleek but casual, with polished metal counters, high stools and a front-row view of the sandwich station, where flat iron steaks hit the grill and brioche buns get that signature toast. The menu is concise but clever – the main event is the Soho-exclusive steak sandwich, a decadent, juicy, grass-fed beef patty in golden, crisp-edged brioche. Don’t skip sides: the thousand-layer crispy potatoes with bloody mary ketchup are addictive, and the lasagne bites are punchy, deep-fried delights. For something sweet, the deep-fried french toast made from brioche offcuts, custard-soaked and topped with apple, chocolate chunks and dulce de leche, is reason enough to linger. The service is fast and friendly, perfect for solo diners perched at the bar or a quick lunch with a friend. A breakfast menu is on the way, too – worth keeping an eye on for early morning indulgence. sandwichuprising.com Gaucho, Swallow Street – for steak Step through the doors of Gaucho Piccadilly and you step into the original. The flagship that launched a now 20-strong group, this is where the magic started. Dark walls and flickering candlelight – the décor remains familiar just like the head chef Mario, who’s been grilling here for 25 years. That longevity brings serious consistency. Argentinian beef is sourced from farms committed to regenerative practices. The signature cut, churrasco, is a must: spiralled lomo (fillet), chorizo (sirloin), ancho (ribeye) or rump (cuadril), marinated in parsley, lemon, garlic and olive oil, and grilled to perfection. There are elegant starters – crispy prawn chicharrón with sweet-spicy aji amarillo and lime-bright crab tostada – but you’re here for steak and a serious glass of something red. Ask the sommelier for a pairing from the knockout New World wine list, and trust the superb waiting staff – they’re as much part of the institution as the steak. Once the haunt of power lunchers, today it’s shoppers and tourists looking for post West End indulgence. And they find it – topped off with a rich dulce de leche cheesecake crowned with chantilly, hazelnuts and cherries. gauchorestaurants.com 123V Bakery, Stephen Street — for vibrant vegan fare Chef Alexis Gauthier – vegan pioneer at his eponymous Soho restaurant – recently opened a nearby diffusion venue, housing a “fun, unbuttoned” restaurant, Studio Gauthier, and bakery-café 123V. The latter serves vibrant vegan sushi, brunch dishes and plant-based burgers. 123vegan.co.uk Sucre, Great Marlborough Street — for Argentinian fine dining Sucre has to be one of Soho’s most beautiful (and impressive) dining rooms, with sky-high ceilings (the room was formerly a concert hall for the London College of Music), huge chandeliers made from more than 1,000 glass decanters and a room-length open kitchen at one end where you can watch chefs cooking over charcoal. Executive chef Jack Godik has given the menu a recent refresh but it remains centred around South American fire cooking. Seasonal small plates of chargrilled Trombetta courgettes with ricotta and a seaweed and almond crumb, and red Alistado prawns with wafer-thin pickled pineapple sit alongside classics like the melt-in-the mouth cheese-stuffed empanadas. Monkfish tail cooked on charcoal and served with a punchy salsa macha, and tender iberico pork matambre are the main course highlights, along with baked shellfish rice with langoustine and mussel aïoli. For dessert, a beautiful creamy Basque cheesecake with a strawberry compote just screams summer, and there’s a really inventive cocktail list – try the spicy, sharp Peperita with green pepper infused tequila, agave and lime. There’s also a newly launched fire-fuelled tasting menu which offers a selection of menu greatest hits for £80pp. sucrerestaurant.com Bar Termini, Old Compton Street – for negronis and espresso Fifties-style Italian café-bar Bar Termini is known for its pre-bottled negronis, but pop in during the day to sip an espresso at the marble-topped counter or recline on a green-leather banquette with a bicerin espresso, stirred up with thick chocolate and foamed milk. bar-termini-soho.com Kati Roll Company, Poland Street – for Bengali kati rolls For many years, this unassuming eatery – located just off Oxford Street – was a secret spot for diasporic Indians in London who were in the know. It’s decked out in a fiesta of bright orange paint and faded Bollywood posters, with rustic wooden benches and a silver serving counter at the very end. They specialise in kati rolls – the iconic Bengali street food from Kolkata – which consists of vibrantly spiced fillings, wrapped up in your choice of either buttery fried paratha or iron-griddled roti. Their ‘Achaari Panner Roll’ marinated in spicy pickle is especially tasty. Order extra chutney on the side if you like it especially saucy. tkrc.co.uk Long Chim, Rupert Street – for casual Thai from renowned chef David Thompson’s bright pink book Thai Food is on every enthusiastic cook’s bookshelf. Now the Australian chef, with restaurants in Sydney and Bangkok, is back in London with a residency hosted in Rupert Street’s Hovarda, revamped with Thai murals and neon art. Order street food classics like skewers of spicy grilled squid, southern-style with pickled ginger; cockle salad with smoky chilli paste and thai basil; sweet crispy pork with five-spice; and curry of monkfish with cucumber relish. Watch a whole load of wok action in the open kitchen as you enjoy classic cocktails with a Thai twist, like coconut and lemongrass gimlet. The spontaneous will love its communal tables reserved for walk-ins. longchim.london Kapara – for fun Middle Eastern feasts Channelling Tel Aviv, this vivacious Soho complex mixes music, food and cocktails. Chef Eran Tibi’s creative food revels in theatrical presentation and playful dish names. Dessert ‘gramp’s cigar’ very much looks like it, while deep-fried paprika marinated chicken thighs, with orange harissa kimchi and wild garlic mayo, are subtitled ‘crispy crunchy bums’. kapara.co.uk Bocca di Lupo – for regional Italian dishes Bocca Di Lupo (along with its ice cream shop Gelupo that sits opposite) has been a Soho institution for regional Italian cooking and wine since its 2008 opening. Friendly and knowledgeable Italian staff will help you navigate the impressive seven sections (from fritti to grill) of the somehow still concise menu – a tour of Italian regions and specialities, the daily changing offering adapts with the seasons, too. Go sharing with six to seven plates between two, or go with a classic starter and main, with most dishes available in both small or larger sizes to suit your choice. Sit at the bar to watch the kitchen in action, or the smart dining room at the back. Puffy sage and anchovy fritti make the perfect snack to kick off your meal with drinks – cocktails are also divided by region, with plenty of wines by the glass. Sea bream carpaccio doused in rosemary salt and blood orange is a highlight, along with mini fried flatbreads stuffed with fennel-studded finocchiona and soft squacquerone cheese. The chefs make strong use of seasonal ingredients – tender rabbit orzo and trofie with wild garlic pesto on our spring visit elevated familiar dishes. If it's on the menu, don't miss the silky pappardelle ragu either. Gelupo is across the street so don’t miss the ice creams in house for dessert – the prettiest pale pink rhubarb sorbet is almost vegetal in its intense flavour and not too sweet, while blood orange granita is a refreshing end to a decadent tour of Italy. boccadilupo.com Japan Centre, Panton Street – for Japanese snacks The sushi fridges at Japan Centre – in a back street right behind Piccadilly – are a brilliantly overwhelming place to browse; complete with abundantly filled fridges of freshly prepared sushi rolls, sashimi and perfectly triangular onigiri. However, the hot deli counters are even more exciting – with things like karaage chicken, tonkatsu udon noodles, katsu curries and donburi rice bowls all available for very reasonable prices, to dine in on their communal benches or to takeaway. The okonomiyaki stick is a perfect bite – a pancake stick with octopus, tangy brown sauce, nori seaweed dust and umami rich bonito flakes sprinkled all over the top. Ask them to warm it up, it’s even tastier hot! japancentre.com Yasmin, Warwick Street – for rooftop dining with Middle Eastern flavour Come for the sunny terrace and jewel box interiors, stay for the sharing plates at chef Tom Cenci’s latest venture at Piccadilly Circus. Inspired by a stint in Istanbul, the menu majors on superior dips, flatbreads and zingy salads and grills. Sesame seed hummus gets a lift with raisins and peanut dressing; whipped sheep’s cheese features hot honey and isot biber (dried chilli pepper). The sumac smoked duck salad with grilled corn is a must order. Pair salmon and olive skewers with smashed cucumber and batata harra potatoes. Signature desserts are the pistachio ice cream sandwich and turkish delight cheesecake. Delicately spiced cocktails work throughout dinner – try Shapash, which blends tequila with chili, watermelon, strawberry and citrus. yasminsoho.com Singapulah, Shaftesbury Avenue – for Singaporean comfort food Londoners and tourists queue for up to 40 minutes at key times to bag a seat at restaurateur Ellen Chew’s celebration of Singaporean food, with beloved suppliers namechecked on the menu (such as fishball supremo DoDo, and Udders ice cream – its durian flavour has a Marmite response). Head here for comforting bowl of noodles, nasi goreng and beef rendang. Singapore laksa is served over mee tai bak – short noodles which make it easy to eat with a spoon (less of a slurpfest!). Snacks and small bites include fried chilli crab bao and kueh pie tee savoury pastries topped with prawns and peanuts, best shared with three or more. The utilitarian space is softened with a pastel colour scheme, colourful ads as artwork with shelves lined with ceramics and products. Signature cocktails and mocktails feature ingredients such as Yeo’s chrysanthemum tea. singapulah.co.uk Paradise – for Sri Lankan cuisine After a brief revamp, Dom Fernando has relaunched his critically acclaimed restaurant Paradise in London’s Soho with a new design and dining experience. There’s now a tasting menu in the evenings (with a choice of vegetarian or meat options) that continues to draw on Sri Lanka’s diverse and multicultural history, as well as Dom’s heritage. An à la carte option is available at lunch, closely aligning with the highlights from the tasting menu. Accompanying the menu is a comprehensive wine list of ever-evolving natural biodynamic wines that can be ordered by the bottle – or there’s the option of suggested wine pairings or Sri Lankan inspired cocktails that highlight ancient fermenting and clarification techniques. paradisesoho.com Chotto Matte, Frith Street– for Nikkei cuisine Blending Japanese and Peruvian cuisines, Nikkei combines ingredients from both, so along with gyoza, sashimi and nigiri there are ceviches, tostadas with chilli, corn, casava and coriander. Chotto Matte’s owner Kurt Zdesar and his team make regular trips to Peru to ensure the menu at this glamorous bar and restaurant is constantly evolving. Cocktails play a starring role, from the classic Peruvian pisco sour to twists like kumquat margarita. Raw starters include tuna sashimi with miso mustard and honey; and yellowtail with yuzu truffle soy and jalapeño. There’s drama, too, with some dishes flamed at the table, and luxurious touches in otoro (premium tuna) and wagyu, alongside more humble corn ribs, and lamb chops with coriander and chilli miso. Chilled tunes and vibrant art walls create a club-like vibe. chotto-matte.com Bébé Bob, Golden Square – for rotisserie chicken and champagne Bébé Bob is younger sibling to Bob Bob Ricard (of champagne button fame), so high glamour is the name of the game. Ultra-comfortable and gorgeous to look at, the venue is a clever backdrop to what is essentially a menu centred around roast chicken (Vendée or Landes). But, what roast chicken. Rotisseried and served with roast potatoes (chicken fat, of course) and/or chips, and a salad, if you like. Super-luxe starters include three types of caviar or VSOP prawn cocktail, and desserts offer an option of lemon-infused vodka served at -18C, or a perfectly formed paris-brest. Drink champagne, or choose a wine, of which there are a commendable amount served by the glass. The menu has recently expanded to include a chicken burger – a 12 hour brined chicken breast encased in a crunchy coating, spicy gochujang mayo, crisp pickled slaw, an incredibly umami cured egg yolk and, naturally, topped with Oscietra caviar. In keeping with Bébé Bob’s MO, it’s an elevated version of a classic fried chicken burger, and it’s a treat. bebebob.com Nessa, Brewer Street – for a modern, seasonal menu Nessa is a sophisticated restaurant situated right in the bustle of London’s Soho. Enter the striking horseshoe bar and you’ll see a range of UK producers on display, including no- or low-alcohol options – as well as the option to order snacks and small plates. The space has been fully renovated with the style of the neo-baroque building in mind – it’s stylish with lots of marble, oak and brass fixtures, and fittings on the art-lined walls. In the dining room, you’ll find booths and an open kitchen, where Executive Chef Tom Cenci (formerly of Loyal Tavern and Duck & Waffle) has devised a menu of British influences with global flavours, focusing on seasonality. Signature dishes include celeriac carbonara with pancetta and truffle, Sirloin grass-fed Irish beef and roast rump of West Country lamb, courgette cassoulet with white beans and lemon herb crumb, and poached Cornish cod with parsley root purée and hazelnut crumb. For sides, try the spice bag or charred broccoli with caesar dressing. Nessa offers a relaxed yet stylish dining experience, perfect for anything from a quick snack to a full meal, all served in a space that’s as inspiring as the food. nessasoho.com Kricket, Denman Street – for Indian small plates Contemporary and cool, Kricket specialises in Indian small plates using local vegetables along with fish and meat sourced within the British Isles. Expect to queue at these no-reservations restaurants but dishes like samphire pakoras and Keralan fried chicken are more than worth the wait. We have the recipe for Kricket's kichri. Kedgeree as we know it was an adaptation of the original recipe for kichri, which consists of rice and lentils. You can use poached eggs rather than raw egg yolks, if you like. kricket.co.uk NOPI – for Ottolenghi's vibrant small plates When Yotam Ottolenghi opened NOPI in 2011, it was quite a departure from the more casual cafés he was known for, and reviews commented as much on the glamorous mirrored loos, marble floors and burnished light fittings as the quality of its Med-meets-Middle-Eastern menu. Since 2024, NOPI’s newly appointed head chef Elaine Goad has embraced a fresh perspective on the restaurant’s iconic menu. The small plates tick all of the Ottolenghi boxes; fresh, vibrant, veg-rich dishes, including roasted aubergine with cashew tahini and tomato sambal, and crispy mushrooms with wild garlic aioli and Thai basil. Cod is elevated with a smoky miso glaze served on an artichoke purée and peas. Finish with the coffee financier, a delicate sponge with crunchy pecan running through it, served with a soft maple cream. There’s a more casual arrangement downstairs, where diners share a large farmhouse-style table that offers a front row seat to the open kitchen so you can watch the talented team at work. ottolenghi.co.uk Three Sheets – for sleek cocktails Max and Noel Venning need no introduction in the cocktail world. The original Three Sheets in Dalston is a bartenders’ institution, thanks to its stripped-back interiors, late-night vibes and innovative. The brothers were pre-batching cocktails before it became a trend, setting standards high with their floral sparkling French 75 served in a champagne bottle. This iconic cocktail is still on the menu at the new spot in the heart of Soho, joined by many new stand-out contenders. An elegant version of a dirty martini has a delicate floral finish thanks to Ethiopian Koseret tea-infused Belvedere and a silkiness courtesy of an olive oil fat wash. Mezcal Sunrise is a juicy, long drink with smoky depth and floral bergamot notes from earl grey-infused mezcal, bright and citrussy freshly squeezed mandarin juice and a touch of marigold powder for subtle earthiness. Sazzaquack makes a short, smooth whisky number with notes of black treacle and a subtle spice finish thanks to homemade five spice tincture. The vibe is a little sleeker than the original, with marble tables, teal blue booths and black and white photographs of Soho's characters reminding punters that they are in the hearty of London's drinking district. threesheets-bar.com Humble Chicken, Frith Street — for nose-to-tail yakitori and modern cocktails Humble Chicken’ name gets straight to the point. This intimate Soho restaurant from chef Angelo Sato is all about grilling every part of the bird (from gizzard to thighs) over binchotan charcoal (a high-quality charcoal used in Japanese cooking). Start with a selection of refined snacks, including a delicate, umami miso foie gras tart and creamy freshly made tofu with tangy kimchi, before diving into the yakitori menu with gusto. Skewers — smoky, juicy, delicious — arrive speedily from the open kitchen, with highlights including meatball with salty tare sauce and egg yolk for dipping, rib with spicy miso and chives, and (our favourite) absurdly tender chicken oysters with smoked garlic and ponzu. Larger plates include crispy chicken leg with rice, and save room for dainty desserts such as deconstructed strawberry cheesecake, and purin, a Japanese dessert akin to a creme caramel, and just as delicious. There’s Asahi on draft and a small selection of sakes, wines and Japanese whiskies, but it’s the cocktails that deserve most attention on the drinks list, including a tangily fruity lychee martini; a silky Nikka whisky, coconut milk and oolong highball, and a sultry miso and coffee old fashioned. humblechickenuk.com Dram – for whisky cocktails You’d be forgiven for walking past the low-key, unassuming Soho frontage with its sanded wooden shutters on Denmark Street, but step inside and this Grade II listed building starts to slowly unfold with surprises. There's a basement bar, an open garden terrace, an upstairs pool table room, a private events space and even a hidden drinks development ‘lab’. The more you explore, the more you begin to appreciate the creative vision behind the venue. Founders Chris Tanner, Martyn ‘Simo’ Simpson and Jack Wallis have masterfully reimagined what a bar can be. The concept shines particularly through the venue's duality of flavour, with a brilliant upstairs-downstairs twist. Upstairs, the menu offers light, highball-style cocktails from Dram's tapped cocktail bar, while the basement bar features complex, sophisticated concoctions. For instance, the Tomato & Peach lets its savoury elements shine in a bright tomato spritz upstairs, while the peach notes take centre stage in a more refined rum-based martini downstairs. drambar.co.uk Speedboat Bar, Chinatown – for fiery Thai cuisine Despite London having possibly the best nightlife in the UK, it feels rare to get a spot like Speedboat Bar. Open until late on the weekend (you can get your fill of fiery cuisine and party vibes until 1am), this Thai canteen in Chinatown, brought to you by Plaza Khao Gaeng’s Luke Farrell, has décor almost as bombastic as the flavours. Once you’re done looking at the framed pics of the Thai royal family or playing a game of pool, get your tongue tingling with a menu that would satisfy any chilli fanatic. And don’t forget to cool down after with a creamy cocktail or a tower of beer. speedboatbar.co.uk Maresco, Berwick Street – for fish-focussed, modern tapas Following successful openings in Crouch End and Stoke Newington, the team behind local favourites Bar Esteban and Escocesa has ventured into central London with this intimate 48-cover space in the heart of Soho. Billed as a modern tapas bar (with a more formal dining room on the basement floor), expect a seafood-focussed menu at Maresco, featuring top-quality Scottish produce served with Spanish flair and (a lot) of Spanish wine. maresco.co.uk The Listening Room – for Japanese-inspired cocktails and omakase small plates Soho’s Wardour Street contains a secret. Downstairs from Japanese-inspired grill and omakase restaurant MOI – and via an impressive retro-futuristic spiral staircase – resides The Listening Room, a spacious underground listening bar. Serious about audio, bespoke speakers are from London-based sound system maker Friendly Pressure, and the walls are covered in soundwave-like textured curves for great acoustics. The drinks menu is led by ex-Langham Dino Koletsas and infused with Asian flavours. The shiro negroni, a refreshing white spin on a negroni with yuzu sake, potato shochu and chrysanthemum bitters has a pleasantly floral nose. Them Apples cleverly recreates the flavour of fresh green apple without using the ingredient itself: instead sparkling green tea, whisky, tomato liqueur and marigold combine for an ultra-refreshing sip. The extensive sake and natural wine list is accessible to both the more experienced and more nascent sipper. Order sushi, small plates and skewers hot off the grill from the upstairs kitchen by executive chef Andy Cook who worked with Gordon Ramsay to open his outpost in Tokyo. The crisp, warm and slightly sweet steamed buns served with smoked cod’s roe was a strong start. Sushi is not one to miss either – we chose Icelandic sea urchin and chutoro tuna temaki delicately wrapped in nori, whose rich flavour was perfectly complemented by dots of wasabi and slices of pickled ginger. moirestaurant.com Manzi’s, Bateman's Buildings – for fish and seafood dishes Latest off the block from the Wolseley Hospitality Group, Manzi’s is as glamorous as nautical comes. Set over two floors and with bright, airy blue and white interiors, this is a place of comfort and attention to detail. Head chef Christian Turner’s menu encompasses a beautifully executed monkfish wellington and cioppino fish stew, as well as oysters and dressed crab, Galician-style octopus, fish finger sandwiches and lobster rolls. Non-fish dishes are also available, including leeks mimosa and devilled egg, and roast Landes chicken. manzis.co.uk Chung’dam, Greek Street – for modern Korean cooking Named after the bustling Cheongdam-dong district in Seoul, Chung’dam is a contemporary Korean restaurant combining modern Korean cooking with traditional cooking techniques, paired with the finest ingredients in a sleek and refined space that’s designed to facilitate an interactive dining experience taking you on a journey through all your senses. With an impressive cocktail list that features rice wine and soju alongside a global wine list, Chung’dam attempts to live up to the vibrant reputation of its namesake. chungdam.co.uk The Seafood Bar, Dean Street – for quality, sustainably sourced seafood Already a raging success in the Netherlands because of its commitment to serving quality, sustainably sourced seafood at a reasonable price, this is the first international branch to open in London on Dean Street, Soho. The restaurant occupies the ground floor of a Georgian townhouse and the grand dimensions, pale wood and white interior and high ceilings give the space a luxurious but airy feel. The menu is comprehensive with several different sections covering hot and cold starters, crustaceans, oysters, fruit de mer platters, mussels, mixed seafood grills, caviar and even fish and chips. We almost go for the full bells-and-whistles giant double-decker fruit de mer platter that every table seems to be ordering, but our waiter after a hunger check-in advises a smaller platter, plus a couple of hot starters, which are both winners; sweet, juicy clams in a delicate wine and garlic sauce, and plump creamy, gratinated scallops in the shell. Our fruit de mer platter is a shellfish-lover's dream with some more unusual offerings such as razor clams, periwinkles and whole brown shrimp alongside mussels, cockles, clams, prawns, crab, seaweed salad and oysters. Everything is served simply on ice with lemon and mayo allowing the freshness and quality of the seafood to shine through – a perfect pairing with a crisp glass of Grüner Veltliner. theseafoodbar.com Yeni, Beak Street — for wood-fired modern Turkish food With most dishes at Yeni given the funk of fermentation or seasoned with smoke, this is food that’s big on flavour but handled with enough respect to let the quality of the ingredients shine. The open fire kitchen is centre stage in the tall-ceilinged room, start with a G and house-made T (tonic meets kombucha) then it’s all about choosing sharing plates for the table or letting the chef choose for you with a daily changing tasting menu. About half the menu is creatively vegetarian – beetroot is almost sticky from being slow braised in olive oil then punctuated with sour cherries, salty galomizithra cheese and a crunch of hazelnuts. Choose a filling of either beef or dried aubergine for the Turkish manti dumplings which come in a broth made so complex and creamy from using double-fermented yogurt that you’ll be ordering more wood-fired puffy tava bread to mop the bowl clean with. yeni.london Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza, Wardour Street — for impeccable pizzas in laidback surroundings London is no stranger to a good pizza — from Yard Sale to Homeslice, Theo’s, Vicoli dio Napoli and Voodoo Ray’s (and many more), there’s stiff competition for who serves the best slice in town. Rudy’s outpost in Soho (they have pizzerias scattered across the north of England, including Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds) makes a worthy addition to the scene. Start with an aperitivo of Campari and soda, which arrives premixed in a dinky little bottle alongside a bowl of salted crisps for snacking, before moving onto generous sharing platters loaded with deli treats and house-baked bread. Pizza toppings are crowd-pleasing, from parmigiana with roasted aubergine to spicy calabrese with ‘nduja sausage and cinghiale with wild boar salami. Our lavishly topped capricciosa with creamy fior de latte, prosciutto, mushrooms, Kalamata olives and artichoke hearts ticked all the boxes, but it was the base that really impressed — well-flavoured and pillowy while still being satisfyingly chewy. All of Rudy’s pizzas — baked daily using 24-hour fermented dough — are made by trained and accredited pizzaiolos and it shows. rudyspizza.co.uk/soho/ Dishoom, Kingly Street – for Indian food Breakfasts at Dishoom, the small chain of Bombay-café-inspired restaurants, have won a cult following. Not least for the bacon naan rolls – crisp bacon wrapped in tandoor-charred naan with a dollop of chilli tomato jam and cream cheese. Pair with a breakfast lassi or house chai. See our full round up of the best Indian restaurants in London. Lina Stores deli, Brewer Street – for Italian produce Pretty Italian deli Lina Stores has been a destination for local foodies since 1944. The mint-tiled corner store is packed with anything from metre-long pasta frills to pretty bottles of passata – perfect for stocking fillers and souvenirs. There’s also a fresh pasta bar and a counter piled high with ’nduja, finocchiona and gorgonzola. linastores.co.uk Lina Stores restaurant, Greek Street – for pasta Head chef Masha Rener has kept the menu simple and seemingly authentic at the Italian deli's original restaurant opening, with every ingredient hailing directly from Italy – from bright and buttery Cerignola olives right down to the sugar used in exemplary Italian desserts and cakes. Fresh pasta, handmade an hour before service, is given pride of place, served as the main event rather than traditional pre-main primi. Bright yellow strands of pappardelle soak up light, gamey rabbit ragu, perfectly formed gnocchi is brightened up with popping peas, and a vibrant mint and courgette mixture is stuffed into little tortellini parcels. Pici alla norcina is the highlight, though – springy worms of pasta in a creamy, nutty sauce of porcini mushroom and Norcia sausage (often celebrated as the best in Italy). The antipasti menu includes silky aubergine fritters in a crunchy golden shell, crisp radicchio salad with anchovy dressing, and little bowls of almost-too-pretty-to-eat baby artichoke hearts. Creamy lemon sorbet refreshes after so many comforting carbs, the little half-lemon bowl a nostalgic nod to Italian holidays, and is served with a shot of limoncello to send you merrily on your way. linastores.co.uk Duck Soup, Dean Street – for date night For a post-shopping drink or two, head to wine bar and restaurant Duck Soup. It’s pared-back but cosy, and super friendly. Its range of natural and biodynamic wines, served by the glass, changes weekly, as does the short menu of European dishes chalked up on a board. You can even browse the in-house vinyl collection and choose your own soundtrack. ducksoupsoho.co.uk Blacklock, Great Windmill Street – for a chophouse Go for the ‘all in’ option at cool and casual restaurant Blacklock and you’ll be faced with pre-chop bites (duck rillettes, kimchi, pickle) followed by huge sharing platters of skinny chops (including short rib beef, lamb cutlets and pork loin) plus chargrilled flatbreads to soak up the juices. The £5 cocktails are fab, too. theblacklock.com Bar Swift, Old Compton Street – for cocktails From the team behind Nightjar and Oriole, Swift is a classy spot that covers all your cocktail needs. Stand at the slick upstairs bar for a pre-theatre aperitivo (we love the refreshing lemon sorbet, prosecco and Italicus sgroppino) or sink into a sofa in the basement for your whisky of choice from an extensive list. barswift.com Koya Soho, Frith Street – for noodles Duck through the curtains at Koya Bar and you’re transported straight to Tokyo. A wooden counter spans the narrow space: punters huddle over bowls of springy udon noodles on one side, while chefs add eggs to breakfast bowls, and slip noodles, prawn tempura, tofu and miso pork into hot broth on the other. koyabar.co.uk Daroco, Manette Street – for great Italian food in glitzy surroundings Pizza isn’t hard to come by in Soho, but truly great pizza is more elusive. Daroco’s menu of elevated Italian dishes features amped-up classics like tonnato, arancini and tiramisu, but it’s the pizza menu that really shines. The super-soft, charred crust (less ‘crust’, more a pillow) is a masterclass in dough work, while toppings are simple but just that little bit extra – we had the “mortadelight” with mortadella, Stracciatella and pistachio cream. Pasta dishes are luxurious and included paccheri with lobster bisque and pappardelle with venison Genovese. Our chocolate mousse pudding was rich and finished with sea salt and olive oil, while the cannoli was served deconstructed with serious flourish. Speaking of flourish, the Daroco aesthetic is fun and just a little ostentatious, with a buzzy open kitchen, plenty of mirrors and velvet – a hidden gem feel and a very memorable pizza oven covered in blue ceramic butterfly frieze. In short, it’s the place to go if you want to eat a really huge, delicious pizza but feel a bit extra while you’re doing it. daroco.com Robata, Old Compton Street – for Japanese robata grill cooking Located on Old Compton Street in the heart of Soho, Sonny Huang’s Robata restaurant specialises in robata grill cooking, a Japanese tradition that was first introduced by ancient fishermen who took boxes of hot coals with them on their boats to cook the food that they gathered from their day’s catch. The menu is broken down into five sections – small plates, raw and sushi, bao buns, robata skewers and robata large – and diners are encouraged to share dishes. Stand-out plates include miso aubergine topped with pickled shimiji mushroom and red chilli; sweet soy glaze and spring onion pork belly skewers; and Chilean wagyu smoked and cooked over burning hay. Robata also serves an extensive selection of sake and sake-based cocktails including the Umetini (Roku gin, umeshu plum sake and orange bitters). Head chef Charles Lee worked in a number of Michelin-starred restaurants during his career before arriving at Robata, and his menu shows the diversity of Japan’s food, highlighting traditional cooking techniques and contemporary flavours, along with using high-end British produce. robata.co.uk Berenjak, Romilly Street – for Iranian food This is a buzzy casual restaurant and tables are a tight squeeze. Out front, the open kitchen spills out its sights, sounds and smells onto the counter diners – there’s a flaming tandoor (oven), mangal barbecue, and vertical rotisserie. The menu at Berenjak is broken down into mazeh that are designed to be mopped up with house-made flatbreads – either taftoon, seeded sourdough, baked in the clay tandoor, or whole wheat sangak cooked on hot pebbles – kababs and khoresht (stews), and sides, including various pickles, rice and beans. It’s hard not to order everything but we’re reliably informed by our enthused German waitress that jigar (mangal-grilled calves liver) is a good place to start. She was right, as were all her recommendations. Served on soft and blistered lavash bread with mellow sliced red onion, a wedge of lemon to squeeze over, and shredded mint, the offal was burnished, buttery and blushing. berenjaklondon.com Hoppers, Frith Street – for Sri Lankan dishes Named after the lacy, bowl-shaped pancakes that are a staple of Sri Lanka, Hoppers has quickly established itself as one of London’s hippest hangouts. From the can-do-no-wrong team behind Michelin-starred Gymkhana, Hoppers references the food of southern India and Sri Lanka. There’s a succinct menu starring traditional hoppers: light fermented rice and lentil pancake bowls, with a softly steamed egg and a selection of confidently spiced karis.Load up on the ‘short eats’, though. Mutton rolls are like crunchy cigars – with a golden crumb, shredded gamey meat and lightly spiced tomato chutney. Bone marrow is so seductively sauced that you would be forgiven for refusing to share. The best, perhaps, are buttered devilled shrimps: juicy and fiery. There a fab and refreshing cocktails also. hopperslondon.com Try our egg hoppers recipe here… Temper, Broadwick Street – for BBQ Blink and you’ll miss Neil Rankin’s barbecue restaurant in London’s Soho. From ground level it looks like just another wine bar, but head underground and it’s a dark den of mezcal, smoke, meat and, er, Pickled Onion Monster Munch. Temper is cavernous, with booths and tables filling every corner, but if you want a piece of the real action, grab a counter seat around the open kitchen where tacos are hand-pressed, flatbreads are blistered, and whole animals are butchered and roasted over glowing coals. It’s not for the squeamish but this waste-little, love-food attitude did it for us. (As did the surprisingly ergonomic bar stools and Irn Bru spritzes and mezcal negronis). temperrestaurant.com Pastaio, Ganton Street – for pasta Chef Stevie Parle’s Pastaio brings handmade pasta and affordable wines to Soho. The agnoli was a triumph of pared-back cooking; perfectly cooked and crafted pasta, a generous game filling and a seriously moreish sage-butter sauce. pastaio.co.uk Korean Dinner Party, Kingly Court —for Korean flavours and sharing snacks Head to the top of Kingly Court in Soho to discover this this lively opening inspired by Korean flavours and LA’s Mexican food scene, with menus designed by prolific chef duo Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng of Tata Eatery, and craft sake from London’ only sake brewery, Peckham’s Kanpai. Inside, expect stripped-back interiors with concrete walls, neon lighting and Korean wall art. An eclectic menu covers everything from Korean corn dogs to tacos and kimchi pancakes. There are larger dishes on offer — go for the Korean tacos with 48-hour slow-cooked beef short rib, ssamjang, slae and homemade wrappers — but it’s the sharing snacks and cocktails that especially impress. Bacon mochi, fudgy chewy rice cakes wrapped in caramelised bacon with gochujang caramel are succulently umami, while ‘chikin’ turns out to be a mound of tender nuggets and rice sticks decadently blanketed in garlic cream and parmesan. The drinks list features fresh twists on classic drinks, such as a plum Americano made with Korean plum wine and Kanpai umeshu. We tried the pleasingly fiery Michelada Boilermaker — spiced Korean beer served with a shot of sake alongside — and the sultry and silky burnt rice old fashioned to finish. koreandinnerparty.com Bob Bob Ricard, Upper James Street – for an impressive dinner Bob Bob Ricard is a Russian-inspired restaurant in Soho that exudes luxury, with ornate interiors loosely based on the Orient Express (train-carriage style booths, brass rails and coat racks), slick service and iconic ‘press for Champagne’ buttons. It’s all about excess, with hearty portions, theatrical presentation and copious amounts of fizz. The menu focuses on English classics, with Russian influences highlighted in pink (think plenty of truffle, shots of -18 degree vodka and caviar). Highlights include traditional truffled potato dumplings served with crispy onions and shimeji mushrooms, puff-pastry-topped fish pie with chunky pieces of smoked haddock, sole and cod and the perfectly pink 28-day aged Scotch beef fillet wellington accompanied by silky truffled mash. Chocolate Glory’ is a showstopping dessert or keep things lighter with a zesty trio of lime, lemon and pink grapefruit sorbets served with Platinum vodka. bobbobricard.com L’escargot, Greek Street – for a Soho institution L’escargot was big news in the 80s and is somewhat of a Soho institution but it’s sparkle faded over the years. Now, after a refurb and now with a brunch menu, it’s worth putting on your radar once again. The 280-year-old town house is also a member’s club, and it shows in this room: dark wood and comfortable, red velvet-covered chairs, it hasn’t lost the French bistro charm. lescargot.co.uk Photography Credits: Leigh Griffiths (Long Chim) Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Mayfair Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants near Oxford Street Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Battersea Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Kings Cross Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
We’ve found the best tequilas to buy, from silver varieties for cocktails to rich aged spirits perfect for sipping
Looking for the best tequila to buy? Want to try new varieties of the popular agave spirit? Check out our round up of the best tequilas brands to try this summer... For more drinks inspiration, check out our expert guides to the best mezcal to buy or best premium rum to try. Best tequilas at a glance Blanco tequilas Best tequila for easy drinking: Espolòn Blanco Tequila, £30.50 Best pink tequila: Código 1530 Rosa Blanco, £49.99 Best smooth blanco tequila: 1800 Blanco Tequila, £34.20 Best tequila for beginners: Cazcabel Honey Tequila, £32.18 Best silver tequila: Don Fulano Blanco Tequila, £45.50 Best flavoured tequila: Beeble Honey Tequila, £35 Best coffee tequila: Hacien Coffee Tequila Blanco, £37.50 Añejo tequila Best value añejo tequila: El Mayor Añejo Tequila, £41.75 Best tequila with a whisky twist: Storywood Tequila Speyside 14 Añejo, £56.95 Best tequila for sipping: VIVIR Tequila Añejo, £69 Best tequila for a Manhattan: Código 1530 Añejo, £112 Best herbaceous tequila: Tapatio Añejo Tequila, £32.89 Best añejo for special occasions: Komos Anejo Reserva, £184.62 Reposado tequila Best reposado tequila: Casa Noble Reposado, £65.90 Best delicate tequila: Mijenta Reposado Tequila, £60.49 Best blow out tequila: Komos Reposado Rosa Tequila, £139 Best mellow tequila: Herradura Reposado Tequila, £42.70 Best single-estate tequila: Ocho 8 Resposado Tequila, £29.50 Best reposado for sipping: Codigo 1530 Reposado Tequila, £51.75 Other tequilas Best charcoal-filtered tequila: Maestro DOBEL Diamante, £61.50 What is tequila? Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the cooked and fermented juice of blue agave. Most tequilas fall into three categories. Blanco tequila is unaged and bottled within two months, and is typically used in cocktails. It usually has strong agave and earthy flavours. Reposado tequilas have been aged in wooden casks for at least two months – which mellows the spirit and imparts oaky notes. Try them in cocktails like margaritas, or drink them neat. Añejo tequilas are barrel-aged for at least one year and are typically very smooth to drink, with spice, vanilla and caramel notes – they’re perfect for sipping. 20 best tequilas to buy 2025 Best blanco tequilas Espolòn Blanco Tequila Available from Master of Malt (£30.50), Ocado (£34.85) Best tequila for easy drinking A great-value, unaged tequila, smooth and sweet, with lime peel notes and a subtly peppery finish. Easy-drinking, this works well in most cocktails. Available from: Master of Malt (£30.50) Ocado (£34.85) Código 1530 Rosa Blanco Available from Amazon (£46.95), The Whisky Exchange (£46.95), Selfridges (£54.99) Best pink tequila This blanco tequila gets its pretty pink hue from ageing in Californian cabernet sauvignon barrels. It's light and delicate, with subtle sweet red fruits. Available from: Selfridges (£54.99) The Whisky Exchange (£46.95) Amazon (£46.95) 1800 Blanco tequila Available from Master of Malt (£34.20), Amazon (£36.70), The Whisky Exchange (£41.25), DrinkSupermarket (£39.99) Best smooth blanco tequila This silver tequila uses 100 per cent blue agave and is double-distilled for a smooth, rounded finish – a versatile pick for sipping neat or using in cocktails. A selection of white tequilas are blended together for the finished product, adding some extra complexity and depth of flavour: fruity on the nose but light and refreshing to finish. Available from: Master of Malt (£34.20) Amazon (£36.70) The Whisky Exchange (£41.25) DrinkSupermarket (£39.99) Cazcabel Honey tequila Available from Amazon (£32.18), Master of Malt (£25.95), Spirits Kiosk (£29.50) Best tequila for beginners A winning marriage of blanco tequila with Yucatán and New Zealand manuka honey, this is a fragrantly rich but not sickly sweet flavoured tequila – a good entry-level option for those new to the spirit, or those who prefer liqueurs. Available from: Amazon (£32.18) Spirits Kiosk (£29.50) Master of Malt (£29.55) Beeble Honey tequila Available from John Lewis (£35) Best flavoured tequila Honey spirits brand Beeble had the rather delicious idea of combining its Wiltshire honey with Mexican blanco tequila – the sweetness of the former is a winning match with the earthy agave notes of the spirit. One for after-dinner sipping and, thanks to its pretty recyclable box, gifting, too. Available from: John Lewis (£35) Hacien Coffee tequila blanco Available from Master of Malt (£35) Best coffee tequila A pleasingly light, coffee-flavoured tequila with dark chocolate notes – it would be a hit in a tequila-based espresso martini. Available from: Master of Malt (£35) Best añejo tequilas El Mayor añejo tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£41.75) Best-value añejo tequila Aged for at least 18 months, the richly fruity agave heart of this spirit is complemented by a touch of smoke. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£41.75) Storywood Tequila Speyside 14 Añejo Available from Hard to Find Whisky (£56.95) Best tequila with a whisky twist Tequila with a Scottish twist! Aged for 14 months in single-malt Scotch whisky barrels, expect inviting notes of caramel and nuts, and rich oakiness. Available from: Hard to Find Whisky (£56.95) VIVIR Tequila Añejo Available from Waitrose Cellar (£69), Master of Malt (£58.50), Fenwick (£69) Best tequila for sipping Matured in bourbon casks for 18 months, this aged tequila has a lush vanilla and oak character, alongside agave herbaceousness. One for sipping slowly. Available from: Waitrose (£69) Master of Malt (£58.50) Fenwick (£69) Código 1530 añejo Available from Master of Malt (£112), Amazon (£111.99) Best tequila for a Manhattan Aged for 18 months in Californian cabernet barrels, agave herbaceous oomph is matched with a backbone of caramel, oakiness and spice. Sip neat or try in a manhattan. Available from: Master of Malt (£112) Amazon (£111.99) Tapatio Añejo Tequila Available from Amazon (£32.89), The Whisky Exchange (£37.25), Master of Malt (£37.25) Best herbaceous tequila Ageing for 18 months in oak gives this tequila a rich and almost creamy character, with subtle spice and caramel notes that complement a delicate herbaceousness. Available from: Amazon (£32.89) The Whisky Exchange (£37.25) Master of Malt (£37.25) Komos añejo reserva Available from Master of Malt (£184.62) Best añejo for special occasions An opulent añejo with wonderful coffee and chocolate flavours and aromas, alongside caramel, red fruits and vanilla. One for special occasions. Available from: Master of Malt (£184.62) Best reposado tequilas Casa Noble Reposado Available from The Whisky Exchange (£77.50), Master of Malt (£65.90) Best reposado tequila This reposado has been aged for exactly 364 days, one day shy of being classified as an añejo. This extra ageing imparts vanilla notes and woody oakiness that complement the sweet agave character of the spirit. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£77.50) Master of Malt (£65.90) Mijenta Reposado Tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£61.25), Master of Malt (£60.49) Best delicate tequila Aged for up to six months in oak and acacia casks, this has delicate vanilla, honey and floral grassy notes. Use to give a margarita depth. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£61.25) Master of Malt (£60.94) Komos Reposado Rosa Tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£137) Best blow out tequila Pink tequila typically gets its colour from barrel ageing, as is the case with premium brand Komos’s reposado expression. Aged for two months in Californian red wine barrels, which tinges the spirit a delicate blush hue, it’s full of summery red berry notes as well as grassy agave herbaceous character. Enjoy in a refreshing long drink with soda or tonic water. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£160) Herradura Reposado Tequila Available from Amazon (£44.75), Master of Malt (£49.99), Spirits Kiosk (£49) Best mellow tequila Aged in wood for 11 months, this tequila has a really mellow burn, more like a fine whisky than a tequila. Smoky, smooth and a little sweet. Available from: Amazon (£44.75) Master of Malt (£49.99) Spirits Kiosk (£49) Ocho 8 Resposado Tequila Available from Great Wine Co. (£29.50) Best single-estate tequila A single-estate tequila (meaning all the agave used was taken from the same field) rested for two months in oak barrels: this is extremely smooth and balanced, with restrained vanilla notes. Available from: Great Wine Co. (£29.50) Código 1530 reposado tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£51.75) Best reposado for sipping Aged for six months in ex-Napa Valley cabernet barrels, this reposado has soft oakiness and warmth, along with pepper-like spice that matches the soft, sweet agave heart of the spirit. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£51.75) Best other tequilas Maestro DOBEL Diamante Available from Amazon (£61.50), Master of Malt (£61.50) Best charcoal-filtered tequila This blend of aged tequilas is charcoal filtered, resulting in a bright, light and sweet spirit with an appealingly soft and silky character. Available from: Amazon (£61.50) Master of Malt (£61.50) Don Fulano Blanco Tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£45.50), Amazon (£49.49) Best silver tequila Silver tequilas are usually seen as a great base for drinks such as margaritas, but this delicate number, with its herbal and fruity notes, is just as enjoyable sipped neat. If you do want to mix it, try pairing with tonic water. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£45.50) Amazon (£49.49) Related reviews Best gins to try - our favourite bottles Best premium rums to try Best English whiskies to try Best British gins to try Best gin subscriptions and clubs Best gifts for gin lovers Best international gins Best citrus gins to try Best pink gins to try Best flavoured gins to try
Digestion and exercise: the 7 common mistakes you might be making
How do you balance fuelling against the risk of stomach cramps or the need for an emergency toilet stop on your run? Our personal trainer has the answers
For more wellbeing guides, check out our 10 ways to boost energy, 12 fitness habits to kickstart a reset, a fitness instructor's guide to why your wearable is a waste of money and our health expert guide to serotonin – what it is and how to boost it for your health. Feeling heavy or bloated during your workouts? Perhaps you’ve been caught short mid-run and it’s made you hyper-aware of what you’re eating before you exercise. Whatever exercise-related gut issues you’ve faced, they can seriously hinder performance and make working out feel hard. “Everyone’s gut reacts differently during exercise,” says Rob Hobson, a sports nutritionist with 15 years’ experience. “Some people can run for miles on a full stomach, while others feel queasy after just a banana. It depends on your body and, often, how anxious or relaxed you feel.” During exercise, your body sends more blood to your muscles and skin to help with movement and temperature control. “This means there’s less blood going to your digestive system, slowing down digestion and causing bloating or nausea,” Rob explains. You might also get a strong urge to race to the loo, as many runners have experienced. To help reduce the chances of digestive mishaps, avoid these common mistakes… MISTAKE #1: Eating too close to your workout If you’ve gone for a jog or folded into a Downward Dog immediately after eating, you’ll be familiar with the discomfort of indigestion. If you’ve just had a main meal, it’s best to wait two to three hours before exercising, especially for endurance sports such as running. “This allows time for digestion and glycogen (fuel) replenishment without discomfort,” says Rob. “Eat a meal that contains carbs, lean protein (such as chicken, tofu or fish) and minimal fat and fibre. Chicken with white rice and veg is a good shout.” If you only have one to two hours until you exercise, tuck into a lighter snack of carbs and a small amount of protein. A smoothie with banana and protein powder or yogurt with fruit are good options here. “In the final 30 to 60 minutes, stick with easily digested carbs only. This could be a banana or a rice cake with honey,” suggests Rob. MISTAKE #2: Overdoing the fibre As a nation, we don’t eat enough fibre. It’s the number-one nutrient for smooth digestion and comfortable number twos. But, too much fibre before exercise, especially running, can also cause bloating, cramping and excess gas, according to Nichola Ludlam-Raine, registered dietitian and author of How Not To Eat Ultra-Processed. Fibre slows digestion and increases bulk in the gut. But, because blood has been diverted away from the gut as you exercise, these high-fibre foods could end up sitting in the gut for even longer, making you feel sluggish. “Avoid large amounts of high-fibre cereals such as bran flakes, Weetabix and granola, especially those with dried fruit,” says Nichola. Give a miss to large amounts of wholemeal or seeded bread, beans, lentils or chickpeas and big portions of cruciferous veg such as broccoli or cabbage too. “Aim for easily digestible carbohydrates with some protein: white sourdough toast or a bagel with nut butter and half a sliced banana is great,” recommends Nichola. MISTAKE #3: Not drinking enough water The general recommendation for adults is around 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid per day, but if you’re exercising and sweating, you will need more. Plus, water can help avoid any gut-related drama. “Water helps break down food and moves waste through the gut. Even mild dehydration can slow digestion and lead to constipation or sluggishness,” warns Nichola. To avoid a heavy, blocked-up feeling before a training session, Nichola recommends drinking some water 20 to 30 minutes before or after your pre-workout meal, to help food digest and ‘settle’. Just avoid chugging large amounts of water right before exercise. “A good rule of thumb is around 400-600ml of water two to three hours before exercise and a further 150-250ml 20 to 30 minutes before you begin,” says Nichola. MISTAKE #4: Loading up on sports drinks They promise energy and faster recovery, but realistically you probably don’t need to keep downing brightly coloured sports drinks. “Too much sugar, artificial sweeteners or acids, often found in sports drinks, can irritate the stomach, causing bloating and diarrhoea, especially if you’re not used to drinking them,” warns Nichola. To avoid tummy distress, choose drinks with around 4 to 8g of carbohydrates per 100ml. Sensitive stomach? Leave 30 minutes between a sugary drink and intense exercise. “Check labels for sweeteners sorbitol or xylitol, which can cause gas or diarrhoea. It’s also best to sip rather than gulp, so you're not swallowing excess air,” adds Nichola. “Water is usually fine, though you could consider an electrolyte drink during exercise instead, if it's over an hour. Some people suggest orange juice and a pinch of salt as a natural alternative too,” adds Nichola. MISTAKE #5: Relying on gels Energy gels might seem like the obvious quick fix for fuelling your workouts – they’re portable and high in quick-release carbs – but they can be a gut’s worst nightmare. “Energy gels are concentrated sources of carbohydrates, usually glucose, fructose or maltodextrin, which draw water into the gut via osmosis,” explains Rob. This means that if you don’t drink enough water alongside them, or if the concentration is too high, these gels can pull fluid away from your bloodstream and into your intestines causing bloating or an urgent need for the loo. “Some gels also contain caffeine, artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, further irritating the gut,” says Rob. “If you’re sensitive, look for gels that use a 2:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio, which helps maximise absorption and reduce gut upset.” For workouts beyond an hour, aim for 30-60g of carbohydrate per hour, roughly one gel every 20 to 30 minutes. Ideally, take your gels with around 200ml of water to help them digest a little easier. MISTAKE #6: Getting your advice from social media There’s a whole world of ‘do this, don’t do that’ on social media, often from people who aren’t in any position to be handing out advice. But, no two guts or bodies are the same. “Social media tends to oversimplify or generalise nutrition advice when, in reality, it should be highly individualised,” says Rob. Digestive tolerance is shaped by various factors such as genetics, how fit you are, what your diet usually looks like and even stress levels. “Fuelling strategies should be tested and refined over time.” It’s also worth remembering that many online influencers focus on aesthetics rather than performance, which is not how sports nutrition should be approached. MISTAKE #7: Not training your gut Big event coming up? Whether it’s a Hyrox competition, a parkrun or even a marathon, gut training is one of the best things you can do to prepare your body. “Just like your muscles, your gut can adapt,” says Nichola. “Gut training involves gradually practising your nutrition strategy in the weeks leading up to an event, so your digestive system learns to tolerate the type and timing of food or drink you’ll use on the day.” Start small, introducing small amounts of your pre-race meal or sports drink during training. Make sure you practise with the same foods and timing you’ll use for the event. “Lower your intake of fat and fibre 24 to 48 hours before the big day if you’re prone to tummy troubles and make sure you stay hydrated,” adds Nichola. How to avoid fuelling mistakes on your next run The best advice is to avoid anything new on race day. Instead stick to what you’ve trained with. Trust your body and your training, and good luck! More wellbeing guides How to pack protein into your diet Benefits of cold water swimming 'Why am I always tired?' An expert explains Skip the coffee, here are 10 natural energy boosters to try 10 ways to boost energy when tired 10 foods to improve your mood Expert explains: the Mediterranean diet Expert explains: how ayurveda can help digestion
13 experts on why you’re always tired – and how to get your energy back
It’s a common refrain, but why are so many of us so tired? Thirteen health experts with different specialisms offer their solutions
For more wellbeing guides, read 11 ways to have a better night's sleep, sleep hygiene and how to improve it, 10 foods to improve your mood and 5 tips for a mindful evening routine. It’s the time of the year where everyone is running on 10% battery. We wake up tired, stay tired, and talk about being tired as if it’s a personality trait. The morning coffee doesn’t touch the sides, the afternoon slump hits harder than ever, and even a full night’s sleep doesn’t seem to fix it. It’s not just in our heads. A survey found that one in eight of us say they felt tired all the time. We’ve built lives that drain us in ways we barely notice, screens that keep us alert long after dark, work that seeps into our weekends and diets built for convenience, not nourishment. Add to that hormones, stress, poor sleep, and pressure to 'keep up', and it’s no wonder so many of us feel like we’re running on fumes. So, what’s actually going on, and how do we fix it? We asked a line-up of experts – from doctors and sleep experts to osteopaths and productivity specialists – to untangle what’s really behind our collective fatigue and how to combat it. Some say it’s our circadian rhythm, others our hormones, our blood sugar, our posture, or even our decision load. The truth? It’s probably a bit of all of them. The Sleep Expert Stephanie Romiszewski, leading sleep physiologist and author of Think Less, Sleep More One of the biggest misconceptions is that tiredness means you need more sleep, says Romiszewski, one of the most trusted voices in sleep health. “Often it means you need better timing of sleep, or to stop fighting normal human fluctuations in energy,” she explains. “We’ve created a culture where every dip in alertness is treated as a failure, when in fact your body’s natural rhythm works in waves.” And that consistency can waver, especially at the weekends, when your social calendar shifts. “Your brain’s timekeeper, the circadian rhythm, isn’t flexible just because your calendar is,” Romiszewski says. Her number-one rule is to keep a consistent wake-up time. “Your body cares more about when you wake than when you go to bed. When you shift your sleep and wake times on weekends, your body experiences the same internal confusion as mild jetlag.” Her quick-fix trio: set one wake-up time and stick to it, get light in your eyes within an hour of waking, and stop trying to ‘rest’ your way out of fatigue. “Move, get daylight and eat at regular times. Fatigue often improves faster when you stabilise your daytime rhythm, not when you add more sleep.” The Hormone Specialist Dr Louise Newson, @menopause_doctor and founder of menopause app, Balance Hormonal shifts are one of the most overlooked causes of fatigue in women, says Dr Newson. Chronic tiredness often stems from fluctuating or low levels of progesterone, oestradiol and testosterone, “which play important roles in our brains and can regulate mood, sleep and energy”. These hormones also influence how mitochondria work, meaning low levels can affect how efficiently we produce energy. Extreme fatigue, she explains, is particularly common in women who are perimenopausal, menopausal or affected by PMS, PMDD or postnatal depression. “When fatigue becomes persistent, or affects daily life despite adequate rest, it may be due to a hormonal cause.” Other clues include low mood, brain fog, palpitations, joint pains and night sweats. Early perimenopausal symptoms, fatigue, anxiety, low mood and reduced concentration “can appear years before periods stop completely,” she says. “Being prescribed the right dose and type of hormones can really improve symptoms.” The GP Dr Tony Banerjee, founder of HarleyDoc “Feeling constantly tired is one of the most common concerns patients raise with their GP,” says Dr Banerjee, “and yet it’s one of the most misunderstood.” There’s no single cause. “Anaemia, thyroid disorders, sleep problems, post-viral fatigue, mental health issues and hormonal or metabolic imbalances are all common culprits,” he says. “Lifestyle plays a major role. I’d estimate around 60-70% of fatigue is primarily lifestyle-related: late nights, stress, caffeine dependence, poor nutrition and irregular routines.” He’s seeing a shift in age, too. “People in their 20s and 30s are reporting chronic tiredness once reserved for older adults. Screen time, disrupted sleep, blurred work boundaries and economic stress have created a generation that’s overstimulated yet under-rested.” His takeaway: “Fatigue isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a message. Persistent tiredness deserves proper investigation.” The Nutritionist Zara Hiridjee, registered nutritionist If you’re constantly flagging, the culprit might be what’s missing from your plate. “The big ones I see most often are iron, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, magnesium and sometimes iodine or zinc,” says Hiridjee. “Iron helps carry oxygen around the body, so when levels drop, you feel fatigued, dizzy, low in mood and poor in focus.” Blood sugar swings are another hidden cause. “When your blood glucose rises and falls sharply throughout the day, your energy levels rise and fall with it.” Over time, repeated spikes make your cells less sensitive to insulin, so “you can have high blood sugar but still feel tired because your cells aren’t actually getting the energy they need.” Her advice: build balanced meals with complex carbs, protein and colour. “A day of eating for steady energy isn’t about perfection, it’s about balance, consistency and quality. When you nourish your body with real, nutrient-dense food, your energy naturally becomes stable and sustainable.” The Workplace Wellbeing Specialist Becky Baines, business psychologist at Robertson Cooper For many of us, fatigue starts at work. “Habits that lead to cognitive overload are the most likely to drain energy,” says Baines. “That’s when our brains have too much information to process at once, leaving us mentally exhausted.” In Robertson Cooper’s Good Day at Work insights report, 61% of workers reported periods of constant tiredness, with one in five saying it happens often. “Although technology has enabled us to work more flexibly, a sense of ‘constant connectivity’ is one of several factors that impact how tired we feel.” Her advice? Set clear boundaries. “We don’t have an unlimited source of energy, so we can’t say yes to everything. Boundaries are about being clear on when you need to say no. Having open, proactive conversations about these with your manager helps set expectations on both sides.” The Pharmacist Umar Razzaq, co-founder of Pharmacy Online Fatigue is one of the most common complaints pharmacists hear, often dismissed as part of a busy lifestyle. Yet, as Razzaq explains, it usually reflects a combination of subtle, overlooked causes. “Certain medications, while effective for their intended purpose, can inadvertently reduce energy,” he says. Sedating antihistamines, found in many night-time cold and flu products, are well known for causing morning grogginess. Beta-blockers, antidepressants and pain medications such as gabapentin, pregabalin and opioids like codeine can all contribute to tiredness, particularly during the first weeks of use. Supplements can help, but only when a deficiency exists. “Iron supplementation is beneficial for those with iron deficiency, particularly people with heavy menstrual periods or restrictive diets,” Razzaq explains. “Vitamin B12 and vitamin D are other common culprits.” But he cautions that many over the counter “energy blends” or high-dose B vitamins have limited evidence for improving everyday tiredness. Before starting any supplement, Razzaq advises checking with a pharmacist. “Sometimes a simple blood test is more appropriate than adding a supplement,” he says. Simple tweaks can make a difference: “Iron is absorbed best on an empty stomach. Reserving sedating medications for night-time use, staying hydrated, and getting daylight and regular movement can all help support daily energy.” His takeaway: “Fatigue is rarely the result of a single factor. Understanding the role of medication, appropriate supplementation, hydration and daily habits can lead to small, manageable changes that noticeably improve energy.” The Rheumatologist Dr Raj Amarnani, consultant in sport, exercise and musculoskeletal medicine at Naya Health “Not all sleep is restorative,” explains Dr Amarnani. “For example, people with sleep apnoea experience repeated pauses in breathing that shift them into lighter sleep stages, leaving them tired even if they don’t recall waking.” Other hidden culprits include insomnia, restless legs, medication side-effects and mental health issues such as depression or chronic stress, which “disrupt sleep architecture and drain motivation”. His energy advice starts with foundations: manage stress, move regularly and eat wholegrains and fibre-rich vegetables. “It’s also a good idea to stop smoking and limit alcohol and caffeine,” he says. “Nicotine is a stimulant that disrupts sleep, while alcohol has a sedative effect that leads to a mid-afternoon slump.” Staying hydrated, he adds, “is one of the simplest, most overlooked energy tools.” The Naturopath Katie Poyasov, naturopathic nutritional therapist For Poyasov, fatigue is the body’s way of signalling imbalance. “Mitochondria are the body’s energy powerhouses, and when they don’t function properly, cells can’t produce enough energy,” she says. This can be driven by poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal shifts or chronic stress. Her work focuses on improving mitochondrial function through nutrition and lifestyle. She recommends nutrients like magnesium, B-vitamins, CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine, which “act like spark plugs, helping cells turn food into energy more efficiently.” Her practical advice: “Build meals around protein, healthy fats and fibre; limit caffeine after midday; avoid long gaps between meals. Moving regularly, even gentle strength or resistance exercises, boosts mitochondrial function, while getting to bed when melatonin naturally rises sets the mood for rest.” The ADHD specialist Suzy Jackson, ADHD business coach For Jackson, fatigue in ADHD isn’t about laziness, it’s about effort. “I think about an ADHD brain as having this ‘interest periscope’, and it’s always scanning the horizon for things that are more interesting than the thing that is currently going on,” they say. “ADHD needs much more dopamine just to function and burns through it faster than neurotypical brains do.” That constant drive to keep up takes its toll. “People with ADHD are always trying to live up to a standard of ‘normal’ that was built for other people and their brains,” Jackson explains. “That requires a lot of additional energy, effort and resources, which inevitably leads to tiredness and burnout.” Their energy advice? Create realistic systems and boundaries. “It’s not about finding the perfect system, it’s about having one you can stick to,” they say. “Some boundaries should be firm, others flexible, like a bungee cord.” The Psychologist Dr Rebecca Ker, practitioner psychologist and clinical director of Carlton Psychology “Chronic stress involves being in a constant state of alert,” says Dr Ker. “The HPA axis, our body’s stress response, evolved for short bursts of danger, not for being ‘on’ all the time.” When cortisol stays elevated for weeks or months, receptors down-regulate and hormone rhythms disrupt, resulting in exhaustion. She sees fatigue accompanied by muscle aches, headaches, digestive problems and poor concentration. “Even when we sit down to rest, our work emails and messages follow us, social media distracts us, and little bursts of dopamine tempt us away from ‘doing nothing’,” she says. Her fix? Reclaim rest. “We have glamourised busyness and sacrificed celebrating rest. Learning to say no, setting boundaries and challenging the idea that rest is lazy are vital steps toward recovery.” The Productivity Expert Sarah Cave, leadership coach and founder of The Leadership Secret “Sometimes it feels like you have to make decisions constantly and eventually that can become wearing,” says Cave. “Even small decisions can wear you down. It’s a different sort of tiredness to the physical kind.” Her antidote is awareness and structure. “We all have energy rhythms throughout the day. If you can work out when your high points and low points are, you can schedule tasks accordingly.” For her, that means 10-11.30am, 2.30-4pm and around 7.30-8.30pm for deep work, with easier tasks or breaks in between. When life feels hectic, Cave recommends movement and fresh air. “Whether that’s a walk, run or just a dance in the kitchen, movement releases endorphins and instantly lifts your energy.” The Osteopath Carla Pozner, registered osteopath “When the body is out of alignment, muscles have to work harder to support basic posture, creating constant low-grade tension that subtly drains energy,” says Pozner. “Poor posture can also restrict breathing and circulation, meaning less oxygen reaches the body and brain.” She points to stiffness through the upper back, neck and hips as “major culprits”. “When those areas are restricted, the body compensates with extra effort elsewhere. Jaw or cranial tension, especially in people who clench when stressed, can also quietly drain energy.” Her advice: move more, little and often. “Stand up every 30-45 minutes, do shoulder rolls or mindful deep breaths. Walking meetings or stretching while the kettle boils are easy ways to weave movement into your day.” The Natural Health Expert Nadine Bowen-Price, BANT-registered nutritionist and naturopathic practitioner Bowen-Price focuses on re-balancing the body’s systems rather than chasing quick fixes. Her approach starts with blood-sugar stability: “Build meals around protein, fibre and healthy fats. It helps reduce energy crashes, cravings and cortisol spikes.” Next, she recommends circadian support: “Get morning daylight for 5-20 minutes and keep a consistent wake time. Dim lights after 8-9pm and keep caffeine before midday.” Movement and breathwork are her other essentials. “Five minutes of extended-exhale breathing, four seconds in, six out, can shift you out of that wired, stressed state,” she says. “Two to three short strength sessions a week plus gentle daily walks help circulation and energy.” And for those overwhelmed by wellness noise? “Anchor your day, daylight, regular meals, gentle movement and consistent sleep. Energy follows rhythm, not restriction.” When tiredness doesn’t lift While lifestyle tweaks can make a profound difference, persistent fatigue shouldn’t be ignored. If tiredness lasts for more than a few weeks, or is accompanied by weight change, night sweats, palpitations or low mood, speak to your GP. Conditions like anaemia, thyroid dysfunction, sleep apnoea and hormone imbalances are common and treatable once identified. Fatigue may be your body’s way of asking you to slow down, or it may be its way of asking for help. Listen either way. More wellbeing guides 'Why am I always tired?' An expert explains Skip the coffee, here are 10 natural energy boosters to try 10 ways to boost energy when tired 10 foods to improve your mood Expert explains: how ayurveda can help digestion
Make the most of this winter root vegetable with our easy turnip recipes. Choose from elegant starters to simple side dishes and comforting bakes
Looking for some easy turnip recipes? Want the best vegetable side dishes? Celebrate this winter root vegetable with our easy turnip recipes. They make a great addition to a Sunday roast or a simple traybake. See our recipes below and for more inspiration, see our celeriac recipes, beetroot dishes and parsnip recipes.