Christmas Shopping: The best places to eat near high street hotspots in London

From Oxford Street to Westfield, make sure you don't take on the crowds on an empty stomach
The ultimate post-shopping afternoon tea: Sketch
Ailis Brennan24 December 2017

If your readying yourself for the high street dash, then you’ll need to make sure fuel factors in your gameplan.

To avoid grabbing the first thing you see in Pret for the 247th time this year, we have the top tips for best eats in shopping hotspots.

Whether you’re looking for a cosy spot to escape the crowds, need a quick bite, or are looking to finish the day with a festive treat, we’ve got it covered.

Oxford Street

Pretty as a picture: Berners Tavern at The London EDITION

At times vaguely indistinguishable from a fairy-light-strangled nightmare, Oxford Street is London’s necessary retail evil. If you’re already regretting your decision to shop there, be comforted by the thought of the nearby foodie pit stops. You can of course wander happily into Soho, but close to the epicentre you can pick up a quick takeaway bite at Golden Union, a fish and chip shop that could warm the soul of even the most dedicated Scrooge, or take the weight off your feet at Honest Burgers, and dig in to one of their magnificent patties with a generous side of rosemary fries. Fancy something fancy? Reward your endeavours at Berners Tavern, where the elegant dining room is filled with food by Michelin-starred super-chef Jason Atherton.

Regent Street

London favourite: Pizza Pilgrims

You did it. You survived Hamleys. Now get yourself to the atmospheric antithesis at Nopi, the restaurant from acclaimed chef and deli entrepreneur Yotam Ottolenghi, where light, bright flavours come wrapped in light, bright décor. If you have found yourself straying over towards Carnaby Street, wind your way to Kingly Street for a slice or several at Pizza Pilgrims, or end the day with a beer at John Snow (the pub not the Game of Thrones character, or the newsreader for that matter) and a Ruby Murray at either Dishoom (you may have to wait, but it’s worth it) or Cinnamon Soho (Cinnamon Bellini with my meal? I think I shall). For something a little extra special, take in afternoon tea at the fabulous sketch, curled up in marshmallow armchairs and sampling the special Christmas menu. Book before you go, and have something to look forward to.

Piccadilly

Swish and sumptuous: 45 Jermyn Street

There is one foodie pit stop that should be on everyone’s Christmas list. A trip to Fortnum & Mason is a London festive must, even if it’s just for a packet of biscuits. Before your shopping trip, start with breakfast at The Wolseley – practically perfect and not unreasonable – and if you can’t bear to leave the luxury lifestyle behind post-Fortnums, then there is solace round the corner at 45 Jermyn St, where the accidentally festive colour scheme comes with a winter truffle menu that includes – wait for it – a melted cheese and truffle toastie. For a penny-saving version, Brasserie Zedel offers subterranean, surprisingly well-priced French fare. Grab sweet relief in the form of a sourdough doughnut at Crosstown Doughnuts, or wind down in The Windmill pub.

Knightsbridge

Is it a plum? Is it a damson? No, it's chicken liver parfait: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
John Carey

If you’re doing your Christmas shopping in Harrods, we’re going to assume you like the finer things in life. The restaurateurs around Knightsbridge whistle to a similar tune with some of London’s finest (and most expensive) restaurants situated in tantalising proximity. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel plays host to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – home of the iconic Meat Fruit and a £45 weekday lunch menu – and Bar Boulud, the slightly more affordable American-French, which offers a £20-£24 weekday lunch menu. For some serious fuel, get yourself to Hawksmoor Knightsbridge, where unbeatable steaks, stonking Sunday roasts and bountiful breakfasts are the name of the game, or head to the Fifth Floor of Harvey Nichols, where Zelman Meats offer flavourful (and reasonable) ribs and some of the best Wagyu steak in the capital, if you’re feeling flush.

Covent Garden

Artisan? Mais oui: Balthazar Boulangerie
Steven Joyce

Successfully manoeuvring Christmas shopping among legions of street performers is hunger-inducing work. Luckily Balthazar is on hand just off the corner of Covent Garden Market for your all-day needs. Dine in the Parisian style brasserie of pick up a bite to eat from their boulangerie, where sandwiches are made from freshly baked artisan breads. For serious comfort food, head to Korean restaurant On the Bab for fried chicken that is traditionally eaten with an ice cold beer. If you’re around the Neal’s Yard end of things Homeslice’s 20-inch pizzas are a sight for sore eyes or you can pick up coffee and some really fabulous cake at Jacob the Angel. For a total ultimate escape from the outside world head into Flesh and Buns, where full-flavoured Japanese drinking food means full tummies.

Westfield White City

No need to be snappy: Balans Soho Society

There is no way you can enter Westfield and not leave tired. It is impossible. Yet within its colossal maze there are morsels of sustenance. Balans Soho Society has branched out west and offers a welcomingly cosy hangout (no glass jungle in here) with dishes to satisfy and cocktails to resuscitate. If you’ve managed to come through the experience with enough energy to wander over Shepherds Bush Green, then be sure to spice up your shopping trip at Killer Tomato, where you can tuck into tacos, tostadas and burritos brimming with pork belly to your heart’s content – they even offer mobile phone charging, so you can recharge everything.

Westfield Stratford

Bravissimo: Signorelli

Having dutifully tackled the corridor of doom, there is light at the end of the Westfield Stratford tunnel – and it’s a pub. Tap East is, more specifically a microbrewery with a bar selling some very good homebrews, including a Jonny Park Bitter and a Coffee In The Morning stout. Let Levi Roots’ Caribbean Smokehouse put a little bit of sunshine into your shop with their superb jerk chicken and spicy Bajan fish cakes, or find some of Stratford’s best food a short walk away in East Village, where Village Vanguard offers up an eclectic but tasty menu, Hand and Signorelli serve good coffee and Greek and Italian treats respectively, and Darkhorse is one of the best restaurants in East London you don’t know about, serving a refined but rambunctious Mediterranean menu.

Spitalfields

Mexican vibes: Breddos 

Old Spitalfields Market has welcomed a few new traders recently, but you won’t find any niche glam rock records and wartime Bovril tins at their stalls. An influx of foodies has seen the likes of shawarma kings Berber & Q, serious meat enthusiasts Flank, and taco connoisseurs Breddos set up street food stops under the rafters. If you’re looking for sit-down salvation as well as food happiness, Poppies, one of London’s oldest fish and chip shops offers up light, crispy battered fish and proper chip shop chips in vintage surroundings with a rockabilly soundtrack. For a more refined repose, take yourself to the balconies of Galvin La Chapelle and indulge in Michelin-starred French inspired dishes – head there on a Fine Wine Monday to get 30% off a very nice Christmas treat. If your beverage designs are a little less lofty, then take a turn to The Ten Bells or pop to The Pride of Spitalfields for a remedial beer or two.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in