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Eating healthily in London is like trying to steal a church: there are so many options available and literally not a week passes without a new raw or vegan deli opening up. The most difficult think is ranking them, which I tried to do for you just in case you have are visiting and have limited time so can only got to a place or two. So here is my top 5 suggestions:
- NAMA, 110 Talbot Road, W11 1JR, Notting Hill http://namafoods.com/ Nama was among the first restaurants in London to start the raw food movement- they call themselves a raw food nirvana. It is more like a tiny Scandinavian deli with a few tables and seats for dining, but the food is the clearly the big attraction here. It is simply divine: I totally recommend their zucchini past and pizza. The luscious lucuma smoothie is to die for and all the desserts are amazing too. I am usually greedy and go for the platter which offers a selection of all their desserts. Apart from great food they also offer raw cooking classes, which is among my to do list!
- Tanya’s Café, myhotel, 35 Ixworth Pl, London SW3 3QX http://www.tanyascafe.com/. Tanya is definitely a favourite: herself is so bright, positive and full of energy just as her food. This is another raw eatery but believe me the food is so great that you wont mind it being uncooked. The pad thai is aromatically delicious but my fave option is by far the thai curry kelp noodles- I tried to make the recipe at home from her book (The Uncook book) but it simply not as good. Apart from the food, the space is really unique too adding to the experience: it’s like being in a nursery with the hanging flowers on the walls and feels like there is always a ray of sunshine even if its raining dogs outside. If raw eating is not your thing, then the super food cocktails menu is another reason to visit tanya’s café. Overall the place is a great hang out for a good catch up with friends. And don’t leave without drinking the matcha milk latte!
- Ethos, 48 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8DX http://www.ethosfoods.com/. Just a throw from Oxford Street, Ethos is your best shot for a quick lunch in between shopping. The concept is quite unique: you’ve got a buffet of plant based delicacies to chose from and then pay by weight. The salad bar is rich and the hot food quite diverse: from scotch eggs , to falafels and stir-fry’s, all of them made with the highest quality of ingredients and delicious taste.
- The detox kitchen,10 Kingly Street, W1B 5PJ.https://detoxkitchen.co.uk/ I’ve only been to the Kingly court deli after a class at Triyoga but apparently they have opened a space in Harvey Nichol’s (to be visited soon). The detox kitchen is the most nutritional pit stop if you are out and about around Oxford circus. The deli is tiny, it has only 8 seats so don’t even bother to go if you are more than two, but the food and smoothies are more than rewarding and you can always pick up something on the go. The menu changes all the time but whatever they make is of the freshest produce and really good tasteful.
- The Redemption bar, 6 Chepstow Road, Westbourne Grove, London W2 5BH (Notting Hill), http://www.redemptionbar.com/ This was a close contender to Wild Food café, but won on concept & atmosphere. With it’s industrial art nouveau design and big bar it has more of an edge vs. the other healthy eateries. I also find the idea of a non alcoholic cocktail bar with super food drinks in fancy glassware quite unique- and sure that the mums to be will appreciate the coco-tinis and mock-jitos! The food is good too, with both the sushi and the zucchini Bolognese being delicious. Best a nice lunch or relaxed weekday dinner!
Next top 3 on the list are Good Life Eatery http://www.goodlifeeatery.com/#about . Their breakfasts and smoothies are delicious, I just find the queuing insane that’s why it didn’t make the cut. Wild food café http://wildfoodcafe.com/ is an institution, being the oldest vegan restaurant in London with super tasty food and is definitely worth the visit if you are in Covent Garden. And if you are a big porridge fun or looking for a unique brunch in London then 26 grains is your place http://26grains.com/.