‘Standards have slipped’: Lily Allen doubles down on criticism of London food

She is back from New York for a London show
Lily Allen
Dave Benett/Getty Images
Ethan Croft5 July 2023

Lily Allen is back in London but she may not be welcome in her local pizzeria this week after airing her views about London cuisine on Twitter.

Yesterday the singer turned actor, who has moved to New York but is back in town for a West End show, said London’s restaurant scene has declined since she was last living here.

In response, Evening Standard food writer Josh Barrie wrote a piece in defence of the capital’s eateries. He said: “London restaurants are as exciting, progressive, and as fun as ever. Our city has had a torrid time since the pandemic yet it still turns out some of the best restaurants in the world.”

Allen read the piece but was unconvinced. Last night she doubled down. “I stand by my comments,” she tweeted in response to the Barrie’s rebuttal, “my local curry houses, local Lebanese and pizza joints have all slipped.”

She did give a hat tip to Mangal II in Dalston, so it isn’t all doom and gloom. “Mangal 2 is a good shout actually i ate there a couple of weeks ago and it was delicious, however it was the first time i’ve eaten there so i can’t say whether it was better pre covid or not,” she said.

While back in town she has been enjoying the high life with American husband, Stranger Things actor David Harbour. Yesterday they were at Wimbledon for a GQ x Evian lunch. Hope the food was up to scratch.

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