We are back with TONE’s 5 Places to Eat in London this week. The dining scene isn’t slowing down this summer. From a bargain Northern Thai lunch in Soho to rooftop Japanese cocktails, a Champagne tasting in Notting Hill and one of the hottest bagel collaborations of the season, these are the five places worth booking this week.
1. Khao Bird, Soho
The Lowdown: If you’re looking to upgrade your weekday lunch without stretching the budget, Khao Bird’s new £15 Workers Lunch is one of Soho’s best-value dining deals. Available Monday to Friday from 12pm until 4pm, the menu celebrates the bold flavours of Northern Thailand with dishes designed to be served quickly without compromising on flavour. Choose from BBQ chicken with fragrant Chiang Mai coconut curry, slow-cooked Lanna pork shoulder served with ginger broth and nutty Riceberry rice, or crispy Shan Burmese tofu with chilli crisp and forest peppers. Every dish comes with a refreshing Yum Ta-Krai lemongrass salad, while those with room for dessert can add a deep-fried bao served with Bermondsey ice cream for £6.90. Fast, flavour-packed and perfect for a working lunch, it’s another reason Khao Bird continues to be one of Soho’s most exciting Thai restaurants.
Address: 31 Rupert Street, Soho, London W1D 7PA
2. ROKA Charlotte Street
The Lowdown: Summer evenings call for great cocktails, and ROKA Charlotte Street has delivered with its new House of Suntory Happy Hour Cart. Running Monday to Friday from 5pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 6pm until 10pm, guests can enjoy expertly mixed Japanese-inspired cocktails for just £7 each. Highlights include the Cedar & Pear with Haku Vodka, pear and cedarwood soda, the refreshing Apple & Barley with Toki Whisky and yuzu honey, and the vibrant Blueberry & Shiso featuring Roku Gin and jasmine liqueur. Pair your drinks with Happy Hour snacks including ebi furai avocado maki, yakitori negima yaki and tempura padron peppers for £9, then settle into the Charlotte Street terrace for one of Fitzrovia’s best after-work spots.
Address: 37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
3. Cafe Kowloon, London Fields
The Lowdown: One of East London’s favourite Cantonese restaurants has unveiled its new covered summer terrace, making it even easier to enjoy its inventive menu outdoors. Created by the team behind Mr Bao and Daddy Bao, Cafe Kowloon combines classic Hong Kong flavours with contemporary cooking. Signature dishes include Carlingford oysters with calamansi, prawn toast topped with crispy prawn heads and Hong Kong chilli oil, rich short rib with Hong Kong curry sauce and indulgent Hong Kong French toast. Alongside the food is an impressive cocktail list and carefully curated low-intervention wines, making this one of the best terrace openings of the summer.
Address: Arch 255, Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PH
4. The Barbary, Notting Hill
The Lowdown: Wine lovers won’t want to miss The Barbary’s latest Kitchen Counter dinner. On Tuesday 4th August, the acclaimed Westbourne Grove restaurant welcomes legendary Champagne house Billecart-Salmon for an intimate evening of exceptional food and wine. Limited to just 15 guests, the experience features a five-course tasting menu paired with a carefully selected range of Champagnes, from Brut Réserve served from magnums through to vintage cuvées, Rosé and Demi-Sec expressions. Inspired by the flavours of the Barbary Coast, stretching from Southern Europe to North Africa, each course has been designed to showcase both the ingredients and the wines in equal measure. It’s set to be one of London’s standout dining events this month.
Price: £150 per person Book HERE Includes a special 5-course tasting menu & full wine pairing
Address: 112 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5RU
5. It’s Bagels x Farmer J
The Lowdown: Two cult London favourites have joined forces for what could be this summer’s most talked-about lunch collaboration. Available from 3rd to 16th August only, the Harissa Chicken Salad Bagel combines Farmer J’s smoky harissa-marinated chicken with It’s Bagels’ freshly baked New York-style bagels. Packed with crisp salad, plenty of crunch and bold spices, it’s everything you want from a summer lunch. The limited-edition bagel is available from Farmer J Marylebone, all It’s Bagels locations in Primrose Hill, Notting Hill and Soho, plus Deliveroo. At £10, it’s likely to sell out quickly each day, so don’t leave it too late.
Price: £10
Available at: Farmer J Marylebone, It’s Bagels Soho, Notting Hill and Primrose Hill until 16th August.
