The 5 BEST Places to Eat in London!

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

I’m retired now, but my badge number was nearly 50,000 before yours. 29302 issued June 19th 1981. The licence was free in those days as licensing cabbies was deemed to be in the interest of the public, not to pay telephone number salaries to incompetent oafs at TfL Palestra - Met Police at 15 Penton Street in those days. All we had to pay was 15 pence for the badge. Watching your videos brings back happy memories as I loved every day of the 37 years I ‘Pushed the droshky’ Also notice that Mauncel street, beside the Astral cafe, is one of the last, probably the very last, residential street in London to be exclusively lit by gas lamps.

[@alcatrazgh7593]

thats crazy. just looked on street view and there are 4 lamp posts on that road. how on earth do you remeber that infomation?

[@concreteoverwater]

Best London food review I’ve ever seen, exactly the sort of no nonsense places I’ve been looking for

[@FallowLondon]

Come and try us Tom!

[@Baldrick_dogsbody]

I was in front of sapori last night, charging my car at the electric charging point. The whole road was full of parked up black taxis. I looked inside the restaurant and it was packed with what seemed like middle aged black taxi drivers. I have never seen the restaurant so packed before. Looks like your video has made them popular with a huge surge in business. Sapori needs to say thank you for this !

[@Cabdrum1]

Top tip. Beigel Bake : when you get a salt beef Beigel get a plain Beigel too. There’s so much meat in one you can make two !

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Now that is a pro tip right there, thank you sir!

[@silversurfertraveller]

How about Pellicci's in Bethnal Green. Delicious breakfast and fantastic pasta meals.

[@paulvbennett]

Good afternoon Tom. My usual subscriptions are for cycling or walking around London. I gave your site a punt and was really impressed with the content and delivery. Your insights into many aspects of being a London cabbie are really interesting and informative. Looking forward more of your work. Cheers, Paul.

[@JakeMay]

Cycling around London you say?

[@paulvbennett]

Only on a Sunday morning. Train + bike from Fareham (Hants) to Waterloo. 0% chance on any other day as it's not safe.

[@andrewryder9642]

Excellent recommendation with Jonny Schnitzel. I’d never heard of it but I took the opportunity of a long lunch break from jury service at the Old Bailey to wander up for lunch. It was excellent and I did finish it all in one go. I’ve also been up to Beigel Bake a couple times when I get a long enough break. Although I have been here before. I even brought my parents once when they visited.

[@Mr.M1STER]

I'm not a cab driver but I still appreciate that some of those places offer cab drivers a discount.

[@oracleoftruth]

Why?

[@Mr.M1STER]

@@oracleoftruth Why not? Cab drivers work hard and their income might be worse some days than others so a little discount on their meals helps.

[@oracleoftruth]

@@Mr.M1STER Thats the same for lots of people. Why not do it for everyone who needs a little help?

[@Mr.M1STER]

@@oracleoftruth Maybe ask them, they might do you a discount lol

[@grantosgroover6556]

I'd say cabbies would be ideal to give a discount to. Who better is likely to return AND almost certainly mention/recommend the establishment to other cabbies, customers and YT viewers. Word of mouth goes a long way...that can't be measured. When I first moved to Brighton from London it was through talking to a black cab driver I found out the best Chinese restaurant in the area.

[@marsy1480]

My grandad used to supply The Seashell with their greengrocery orders as he had a shop around the corner. Loved having food from there.

[@goldieandblackie]

Nice to see a fresh outlook from a young taxi driver with outstanding content and presented in an easy flowing format.🚕🚖

[@briansymmes7917]

When I was at Uni I lived in Balham and there was a very small Pakistani curry takeaway place that didn’t even have tables that was all home-cooked and run by a beautiful family. It is still the best food I’ve tasted in London, you could get everything , it was half the price of most Indian/Sylhet places and never disappointed me, until they closed down.

[@nopy99]

Are you talking about Punjab House? An original 1970s authentic family place but sadly it closed over covid

[@briansymmes7917]

@@nopy99 I don’t think so, it closed down a long time ago. It was next to Du Cane Court but they redeveloped the whole block. It was such a gem, for £5 you could get more food than you could eat, and it was heaven.

[@MotorStorm66]

Wow, it's kind of surprising to find someone who's heard of Sylhet

[@briansymmes7917]

@@MotorStorm66 yes, I don’t think that a lot of people in the UK area aware of what part of the world their food comes from. Kerala has some great food, as does the Punjab, Goa, Kashmir and Rajasthan, but the Sylhetti people who came to Britain changed our culinary landscape in the best way, we owe them a huge thank you. ( Obviously they didn’t only bring wonderful food with them, I don’t mean to suggest that it is their only contribution! ) I’m going back to Rajasthan not month, can’t wait for my first veg Thali and my favourite dish called Labori ( not sure of the spelling! ).

[@hxcadillac]

Always sad when we lose a place like that, sounds like it was brilliant. Head a bit further south on the A24 / Balham High Road into Tooting Broadway and there's no shortage of great curry joints that will load you up with good food for a decent price (nothing like the £5 bargain you mentioned, but less than £10 and you're set). Lahore Karahi's my go-to, but plenty of others worth a stop.

[@letmelooktv]

Cant believe you were at Regency Street and didnt mention the regency cafe. One of the best fry ups in london!

[@ogdrummer3826]

I love how your channel has grown over the past 2 years 💪 keep it up matey 😎

[@Paul-oe2yj]

Doorstep on Blandford street is always a good shout for a sandwich very well priced. Or the Bosporus on old Brompton road best Kebbab in London for me hands down 👍🏼

[@vincezab1]

I live on Vincent Square just next to Astral Cafe, and I can say that the place is hugely popular with cab drivers. The prices look astounding for central, I think I will pop in tomorrow and give it a go.

[@trinihammer]

its only popular because its opposite public toilets.

[@Flixio-6]

I live in Liverpool only ever been to London twice and yet you’re still one of my favourite channels I just love the passion I guess keep it up mate!

[@jerrymccarthy2744]

astral for me is spot on. get in there 6.30 ish then poodle about between 8 and 10. great vids tom keep em coming

[@Brian-zl6ib]

As soon as I saw the title and that it was made by a taxi driver - Brick Lane Beigel was the first thing that came to my mind. You did not disappoint me Sir.

[@grantosgroover6556]

Same here hahaha. I had money on it. Legendary London landmark.

[@JustJayme]

Love that you're expanding your content Tom!

[@chuuu4244]

Highly recommend Dibs on Red Lion Street (the lunch deal with a fold is out of this world), Brunel sandwich shop on Fleet Street, Dilieto’s also on Fleet Street, the Smithfield 24hr cafe, John Charlick on Gray’s Inn Rd (recommend the sausage sandwich) and the best of all is the Falafel stand at the Warwick Way market (best Falafel in London!).

[@kieran7409]

Why are so many decent cafs on red lion st? Is it a cabby spot?

[@WeirdNeville]

​@@kieran7409Dunno but becks cafe on red lion street is also awesome! There's just tonnes of trade from office workers and legal offices in that areas.

[@bk1147]

I worked in central London for the express for 25 years and never heard of Johnny's. Great knowledge mate!

[@iandrew6347]

Love watching your videos my go to place is Gino’s cafe bar Great central St Marylebone station I always pop in for breakfast and coffee when I visit London it’s always busy specially breakfast time plus I pop in on the way back from London to pick up a sandwich to eat on the train back to the West Midlands

[@MattGrayYES]

I can recommend Fernandos, opposite that Chipotle on St Martin’s Lane. Definitely get value for money with portion size.

[@seanjamescameron]

Do you remember Fuzzy Grubs? We had one on Fleet Street and it was a Sunday roast but in a very large bread roll, yes even with gravy. If you timed it well and arrived just before they closed you ended up with extra meat. LOVED IT!

[@gavinchauhan6320]

This comment made my day, I miss Fuzzy's so much

[@seanjamescameron]

@@gavinchauhan6320 Glad to know I didn't dream it because none of my friends worked in The City/Fleet Street so don't remember it.

[@JamesRussell-wv7hs]

Camisa & Son on Old Compton St is one of the best sandwiches you can get in London. Choose your bread and delicious fresh fillings and they make it up for you. Plus you can also grab bits to cook for dinner later on (meats, pasta's etc)

[@philburtonfrench]

When working in the area, I always used to love the ‘A Roma Cafe’ on St John St in Clerkenwell. Huge take away boxes of really tasty pasta, speedy service too. Also, great shout on Chipotle, I used to live on that stuff!

[@snaxcat]

Been watching london food videos and never heard of all these great places! Thanks for sharing

[@schmoosmith]

I’ve cycled past the Schnitzel place so many but never stopped, now I will! Check out Le Péché Mignon at the bottom of Ronalds Road, N5. Best coffee and pastries in London, all made fresh daily. Also Devotion on the corner of Cross St and Essex Road.

[@NH00531]

I’m ‘in town’ a couple of times a month from here in Devon and have got bored of visiting Subway! This is really useful local knowledge, will definitely be checking some of them out, thanks Tom. 👍

[@Drdee1]

Thanks for this Tom - cabbies know all the good spots! My recommendation is Chequers Sandwich Bar, Bedford Street just off the Strand. Open from 7AM till 2ish. It's like the first place in your video but take away only

[@jorgfarooqi7084]

Thanks Tom, plenty of notes taken. Look forward to the next 5.

[@Ruby_Mullz]

It’s a popular one but I love borough market at London Bridge. Either there or camden market. Both have so many good stalls with some of the best street food in london.

[@kiradotee]

Maria's Market Cafe. Perfect breakfast at lunch time. 👌

[@ads2829]

Bernies cafe on goswell Road used to be absolutely amazing. I lived right near it and could smell the bacon every morning at 5:30. It was like an alarm for me. There was always loads of cabbies there all throughout the day.

[@temery28]

Kebab kid in Fulham is one of my faves!

[@npdarcy123]

Looks like you just revealed the five best places in London to get a taxi!

[@gibbodub247]

😂 didn’t even think about it like that!!

[@DarcyDigs]

The tagliatelle ai funghi looks scrumptious! And was that a bucket of parmesan?? Bloody hell. Gorgeous recs, Tom! Off to Sapori I go.

[@wanderluster4241]

We’re coming to London this Summer and plan to try as many of your recommendations as possible! Thank you! Subscribed.

[@malthuswasright]

Like a few others here I was surprised the Regency Cafe didn't get in - just up the road from the Astral (which is indeed very good too).

[@haimarz9262]

Can see you don't go south of the river, mate. Pop in at Waterloo on your way back at Marie's on Lower Marsh or Masters Superfish.

[@FlyingScud]

Yes. I can vouch for Jonny Schnitzel. Amazing!!😋

[@bazil83]

Seashell of Lisson Grove is an absolute percy! I live just up the road in St John's Wood, but it's always number one on my list for fish & chips.

[@dh1380]

Sapori! Yes!!! My personal favourite. Respecttttttt. I've actually never seen it that quiet 🤣 Just whilst I'm here I feel like I need to shout out Pimlico Fresh as well. 😋

[@expatlivinginthailand]

I used to work in Alie Street and once a week I would walk to Beigel Bake for a salt beef sandwich. After moving to Thailand 20 years ago there's not a lot I miss about the UK but places like this and authentic pie-and-mash shops are something I do miss. Thanks for the memories!

[@nickjames5366]

You must have worked in NatWest Goldman’s Fields in Alie Street. I regularly went to Brick Lane.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

@@nickjames5366 Exactly! That huge red building has gone now. Unbelievable. Replaced with apartments.

[@nickjames5366]

@@expatlivinginthailand I know, I did a walk around in December after living in the Middle East since 2000. There were 2 people that I worked with in Goodmans Fields are now in Bahrain.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

@Dominic Eagling Since leaving for Thailand in 2003, I've only been back to the UK once very briefly and didn't get a chance to go into London. However, I've used Google Maps to take a look around and the changes are dramatic. I only really keep in touch with one person from my time there and he's now in Western Canada.

[@shahesfelazi8549]

@@expatlivinginthailand heya!

[@disrealnow9664]

Great video and some really tasty looking food - this should be a ongoing series of videos.

[@itsmephil2255]

Tim has a camera-person...living the dream right there 👍

[@jaserobert2758]

Even Tom has one too

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

His name is Logan, he also edits these videos 🙌🏻. It ensures I can hopefully get a video out every week 🙌🏻

[@CallieMasters5000]

He gets paid in food.

[@LoganSpooner]

@@CallieMasters5000Oh yes I do 😂😂 (Joking obviously 😂)

[@itsmephil2255]

@@CallieMasters5000 only the best I hope

[@DeepDiveMovieReviews]

I visit that Chipotle on St. Martins Lane every time I'm in London and I have them wrap double for the "to go" burrito I take on the evening flight back to Hong Kong for my wife. The staff always gets a kick out of knowing that wrap they are assembling will be eaten 8000 miles away in Asia

[@amazinggermany8431]

I love Schnitzel ... i'm german/austrian. I have to go to Jonny Schnitzel!

[@sombersombrero9338]

Hey good shout with Beigel Bake, but on a similar note, I'd recommend Rinkoff. There's one on Pollard Road, and another (which is attached to the bakery) on Jubilee Street, in the courtyard of a small estate. Pretty much everything I've had from them has been good, but I'd go out on a limb and say that their beigels are on par with Beigel Bake. They don't stack it as high with the salt beef, but the consistency of the beigel itself is just incredible.

[@victoria42417]

The bagel shop you went in opened second to the original one further up , loved then both

[@ursulaclarke6066]

Polo Bar on Bishopsgate was where we all went when we were doing an all nighter when working in banking

[@billy4rocks]

That was excellent, proper places serving proper food. Kennedys what you showed at the end is great, go in there a fair bit, and just down the road from there on the corner of St John st off clerkwnwell road, Anfa Cafe, lovely chicken salads, super filling, and some friendly abuse from the owner Omah, top bloke, top cafe. Cheers, love the London cabbies.

[@jameshill8711]

Hi Tom, this upload goes to the top of my list of London restaurant reviews. Thankyou very much indeed.

[@RickardEB]

If I as a Swedish Taxi driver visits London on my holiday, would I be let in inside a green hut to have something to eat and a chat with a local cabbie?

[@johnny207]

No, it’s for only London cab drivers, sry buddy.

[@havingalook2]

That was brilliant - I am going to certainly check some of these out. I am ready for your next five please!!!!

[@toddpardoe1352]

Being from America I was with you until you hit Chipotle. There are so many here in the States. Really want to try the Bagel place when I come in May

[@ぺすか-v5f]

Next march, I will finally visit London, that’s one of my dreams, so this is really useful for me. 🇯🇵

[@parduph]

It's been a while since I was in London with the university I was attending. I always enjoyed going to Toffs in Muswell Hill.

[@philliphargreaves1602]

Tom, have you ever tried Cafe Fresco on Tothil Street? I happened to pop in there just before the New Year and for a hot sausage and bacon sandwich and a canned drink, £3.60. Many other options too

[@tahd93]

For something a bit like Astral Cafe, there's a great cafe in Seven Dials called Franx Sandwich Bar that I can wholeheartedly recommend. It's my go-to for lunch when I'm in town.

[@lizzyloughton7501]

glad you mentioned the bagel shop in brick lane don't think it ever shuts and always packed always a few cab drivers there

[@noelb4768]

Just off Old St,the Mola Cafe is one you should check out,no nonsense food done properly,reasonable prices & good portions,if the garlic sausage is available get some with your fry up,you won't be disappointed.

[@danielfinley47]

I work all over London and there’s a couple there I’ll definitely be trying out Tom,normally for me it’s a stop at the Regency cafe if I’m Westminster/Chelsea way ,great post mate 👍🏻

[@missmississippi16990]

Sushidog is basically chipotle for sushi rolls (you can customise it however you want) would recommend for fast good food

[@BrockMak]

0:45 8:07 IS-lington? Ah, I was having an internal struggle with people in New Lynn, Auckland for the last month, even with some older English customers over the phone. There is an Islington Avenue in West Auckland which is a suburban residential area, and I keep saying it with a silent 's', especially when I had previous calls going to anything that ends in "Island".

[@dalebaker9109]

I have just started watching these videos, this one is awesome, Job well done. With food at a fantastic price. Absolutely ace.

[@dukeofdevon5608]

I can highly recommend Maria’s cafe in Borough Market. The breakfast bap I couldn’t finish it was so big lol

[@rayuk3899]

So glad I got recommended your channel = really interesting content - Thank you

[@sahinayiasoumi3495]

Great I’m always on the look out for new haunts so nice one👍

[@didboy74]

Brick lane Beigel is the boom and the coconut pastry is lush

[@joits]

Can’t wait to visit London, all the way from the US, to visit Chipotle! lol. Kidding. Other than that recommendation, the other 4 sound really good.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Relatively small here. Healthy and fresh, quick and tasty. Ticks a lot of boxes for me 👍🏻

[@joits]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver Oh for sure! But I usually try to eat at places that I don't have back at home as I'm looking at it from a visitor's point of view of course. Cheers!

[@sarahbennett9820]

Pilpel - there's one by Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese off Fleet Street and one in Aldgate. I never liked falafel until i went to Pilpel. It is monumentally delicious!!

[@FlyingPigUnited]

This is a brilliant idea! sharing your knowledge and making content on London in general I could see be great for this channel!

[@barrysouthern8493]

Enjoyed watching your video about the cabdrivers eating places .although I retired from the trade I still have great memories of those places ,especially the characters who ran them. One place especially was Guido's in Kingsway .keep up the good work .Be lucky!!

[@barrysouthern8493]

Best shelter was Kensington Park Road ,especially Friday for great fish and chips

[@firsthobbit]

Oh my goodness, walk past Johnny's Schnitzlel all the time! Will deffo stop next time for a bite!

[@zulfqarali905]

Hi Tom you are doing a great job showing good and food show some bad parts of London which would be great job Ali Walsall west midlands do you know we're the town of Walsall is

[@GeographyChallenges]

I love Johnny Schnitzel, went for the first time a few weeks ago

[@TheGhiaDriver]

I really loved this video and would love to see more like this, really shows more of London and options for cabbies out there. Thanks Tom! Also if you ever get a chance are we able to see inside the mysterious green shelters?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Thanks Carl! My colleague Mark Monroe is having a look inside, his video will be up in the coming weeks!

[@mrstanhope1516]

Some good recommendations there. You lived on leftovers for the rest of the week? If you want somewhere cheap in Mayfair I can recommend La Strada on Landsdowne Row at the bottom of Berkeley Square. The rancher breakfast is a knock out.

[@chriskelly5099]

You have charisma… 👏👏 excellent articulate reviews … keep it up

[@robsterbob580]

I like to go to My Old Dutch in Holborn for a pancake. Really nice pancake restaurant, sweet and savoury toppings, gorgeous!

[@SouthWestGrizzle]

Kebab Kid in Fulham very popular with the cab drivers. Good food aswell.

[@absbse]

Also super kebab is good

[@dean6431]

im a london taxi driver myself and now visit johnny schnitzel once a week after a 5k run with my pal, it makes the 5k run worthwhile thanks for the recomendation.

[@janeknight3597]

So glad the green huts are still doing their job. ❤

[@gossipmongersaunt774]

Yes mate. Love it! Whoever goes to the Beigel shop to the left of the one you went to don’t know their stuff

[@BomberFletch31]

Thanks, Tom. Last time I visited London I didn't get the chance to go to a proper British chippy. I've saved all your recommendations onto Google Maps for the next time I visit.

[@davidotoole9328]

Go to Fryer's Delight, Theobalds Road, and you will realise that only beef fat will do for Fish and Chips. Even the smell outside is enough reason to visit.

[@georgie16zzz26]

When I used to drive a cab I loved a chicken kebab. Warwick way, top of laddbroke Grove and best Turkish in Stoke Newington were all nice. Loved the pasta in sappori aswell.

[@PaulGodfrey]

Some great places to eat. Thanks for sharing. I really liked the video.

[@flyingwarrior7155]

Becks Cafe off Red lion street , near Holborn , also a very popular place for cabbies to eat . A bit more expensive than Astral , but open till 10pm during the week .

[@mach1nefan]

THANK YOU! going to ldn in february, so excited!

[@FK-zr9fn]

Thanks for sharing that’s a great video with great places to visit 👍 for well priced and affordable food

[@vjary8142]

Thanks for recommendations of great places to get quick food, nice

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

Superbious offerings Tam, I'll give them a go when I get the opportunity. 😋😋😋

[@John-gw3mj]

If you ever start early, you should check out Moro's stall on Exmouth Market (opposite Pret / The Exmouth Arms) on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. £7.50 for bread, couscous, spiced lamb, salad & sauce. It's as tasty as Johnny Schnitzel but feels a little healthier.

[@houseofmeza]

Have you ever tried Crystal Kebab at Kings Cross on York Way? Right next to the maccers, amazing value, great food!

[@dronesandramblings]

If you like schnitel / escalopes and youre around Airstreet in Picadilly, give Petit Dejeuner a try. Build your own. Focaccia, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, mayo, chilli sauce and a little salad.... oh my god its good!

[@avamiller5087]

Oddly enough I have visited most of the places mentioned with exception the 1st one in Islington. There are some excellent South American cafe's in Brixton mkt. Good sized portions & well priced

[@1eddwood]

Crazy salad in Bloomsbury, and the North Sea in Leigh st behind Euston , which is a great chippy with a restaurant next door . I’ve tried all the others but I reckon it’s the best from one cabby to another

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yes to Crazy Salad, was difficult finding a late night eat following Covid, they were on it!

[@shane491]

Astral cafe ......try the chicken curry and rice......spent a while doing a different job during covid and only hired a cab recently over Christmas......first stop was astral 4 the curry.....b lucky tom

[@hublanderuk]

At least you go to the right Beigal shop the other shop never has a queue but then it does not have fresh baked beigels priced by the ½ dozen. But when I am in the area I do the same just I have carrot cake with my Beigel.

[@kellyk5946]

If your up Muswell Hill Bdwy one evening, May I recommend La Pochetta for a Great Pizza.