The pop-up has been one of the cultural and economic successes of recent years. Whether that be the pop-up shop, gallery or restaurant the idea of using what was underused or vacant for something new and exciting seems to have worked. It cuts down on the outgoing costs and, if you do it right, can create it owns buzz of excitement. Which is exactly what The Seagrass is doing right now.

Housed is the still-operating 19th century Manze pie and mash shop on Chapel Market in Islington, The Seagrass is using the fantastic decor (original tiles, wooden pews and marble counter) of what would be a closed evening space to create a fantastic ‘new’ restaurant.

Three courses for £ 30 (cash only payment) and it isn’t licensed, so it is a BYOB (normally the mongrel of the restaurant world) but that just means you save money on the wine and can be guaranteed to be drinking something you enjoy. 

I had the lobster and crab bisque, the sea bass fillets and the chocolate brownie. All were excellent, although I think I should have had the roast duck starter judging from the comments around my table!

As with all pop-ups it is hard to tell how long The Seagrass will stay at this venue, but judging from how many smiling faces were tucking into the food last night, I think it will be here for a while. Let’s hope so. 

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The Seagrass | Restaurants (British) | Three courses £ 30
74 Chapel Market N1 9ER | North-East | +447902015200
Thu – Sat 19:00 – 23:30

For me, spring in London is when it’s at its best – the city has woken from its winter cocoon and the excitement of long nights, picnics in the park and a continuous stream of festivals generates an infectious buzz in the city. Therefore, with the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics set to take centre stage – so will your social life – regardless whether you like the royals or have even seen the Olympics.

To kick-start the celebrations off, the historic Andaz Hotel, next to Liverpool Street station, is running a series of Jubilee Afternoon Tea ceremonies in the exquisite 1901 restaurant until June. Themes include, the Brandy Man and the Empress of India, and pay homage to the Queens of England – and their most famous legacies.

March is dedicated is to Queen Elizabeth I, and aptly named ‘The Virgin Queen’- as she never married. Expect miniature hamburgers and hotdogs, chocolate brownies and peanut brittle to celebrate her American connections, mixed with a quintessential favourite – cream and jam fresh scones. Ensure you save enough room for the cocktail, made with Appleton Estate Rum, mandarin and passion fruit purée, ginger beer – possibly the best I’ve ever had.

If the American theme doesn’t float your monarchist boat, the next few months will have Austrian, Indian and traditional British themes.

To help you feel even more royal, each guest will also go in the draw to win a pair of diamond stud earrings!  God Save the Queen indeed!

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Andaz Hotel | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Sandwiches) | Jubilee Afternoon Tea £ 45
40 Liverpool Street, EC2M 7QN | East
Mon – Sat High Tea 15:00 – 16:30

Located south east of central London and perched on the Thames is Greenwich, a village like area of London which is rich in British maritime history. While Greenwich is known for its markets and the meridian line, evidence of its maritime history can be seen everywhere you look.

Come the weekend, Greenwich is flooded with Londoners and tourists alike, so at some point refuge and a glass of wine is needed. And to offer you that protection is the Trafalgar pub, which is tucked away along the river and located on the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site.

Built in 1837, The Trafalgar, is bursting with history and use to be one of Charles Dickens’ favourite watering holes. And despite being over 170 years old, it has maintained its Victorian charm; wooden floors, cosy fire places and large bay windows facing out onto the river – making it a perfect hiding place on a dark and cold London winter’s day.

The Trafalgar also has a small but charming restaurant and the main pub serves up all the usual favourites including their specialty – fish and chips.

So next time you’re in Greenwich be sure you stop off at the Trafalgar to really get a feel of Greenwich’s past.

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The Trafalgar | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (English) | Mains £ 13.00
Park Row | South-East | +442088582909
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 00:00, Sun 12:00 – 22:30

One of the best ways to spend an afternoon on a cold London day is tucked away in an old pub. And for some true old London charm go to the George Inn in Borough. This pub was rebuilt in 1676 after a fire swept through it, however despite it not being the original building, ye old London is still very present in this beautiful old Inn.

The George Inn was once a coaching terminus, and it’s rumoured that Charles Dickens used to frequent the middle bar which was previously a coffee shop. So you don’t get much more ‘olde England’ than this little place.

Hidden down in one of the many alleyways in Borough, the George welcomes you with a huge cobble stoned courtyard area which is always full of punters during summer. Once inside you are greeted by the low beamed ceilings and cosy little rooms, complimented by dimmed lighting. The only downside is that seating is limited inside and it can get very crowded, so best to get in early.

The George also makes its own Ale, George’s Ale, and has a range of other beers and alcohol to send you on your merry way. The restaurant serves up the usual pub favourites – which could be better – however the pub is a historic little gem, certainly worth the visit.

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The George Inn | Bars, Restaurants (Pub)
77 Borough High Street | Central | +442074072056
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 23:00, Sun 12:00 – 22:30

Located just up the road from the debauchery that is Camden, lies Primrose Hill – a quaint village like area that is known for its celebrity residents and some of the best views of London.

The most picturesque way to get there is by walking along the canal from Camden, where you’ll pass houseboats and buskers before popping out at the Primrose Hill exit. The streets are lined with beautiful mansions and perfect gardens, leaving you feeling like you’ve stumbled across a quintessentially English film set. This is quite fitting considering many English film stars have made this little area their home.

The high street (Regent’s Park Road) has a distinct village like feel to it, complete with a continental food store, cafes, specialty stores and restaurants. Come the weekend in summer, alfresco dinners and punters from the pub spill out onto the pavement, creating a lively yet relatively relaxed atmosphere. However, if a picnic in the park sounds more like your cup of tea, be sure to pass by Shepherd’s continental food store for delicious French pastries, bread and tasty Italian treats.

From there, head up the steep hill in the park until you reach the summit – and you’ll be welcomed by fantastic views of the city. During summer, it’s packed with sunbakers, ball games, picnics and people drinking cider in the sun. All in all, a very English way to spend an afternoon!

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Primrose Hill | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (Various)
Primrose Hill | North-West
24 hours daily

Located along ubér cool Upper St in Islington, the Gallipoli Bazaar restaurant is a combination of Lebanese, Turkish and Mediterranean cuisines – offering a huge variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

The restaurant is one of the ‘Gallipoli’ branded restaurants along Upper Street, and offers a reasonably priced menu with all the traditional favourites such as kebabs, tangines and cous-cous. The set menu is fantastic value at £16 per person, which includes a vegetarian starter followed by any main, dessert and a coffee.

The restaurant is split on two floors, however still manages to illuminate a very warm and inviting feel to its customers. Deep red fabrics line the chairs and sofas, and beautiful coloured glass fittings hang from the ceiling – creating a cosy atmosphere.

However if word gets out it’s your birthday, be prepared to partake in some forced chair dancing whilst gyrating to excitable Turkish music. Fortunately, they sell a good selection of alcohol which makes the chair dancing exercise slightly less horrifying.

To complete your experience, take a seat outside and choose from a variety of fruit flavoured tobacco before lighting up a traditional shish pipe and watch the world go by.

It’s Gallipoli Bazaar’s authentic food and lively atmosphere that keeps the regulars coming back, always ensuring for a romantic night evening or great night with friends.

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Gallipoli Bazaar | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Turkish/Lebanese) | 2 course set menu £ 14.50
107 Upper St | North-East | +442072265333
Mon – Fri 18:00 – 23:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 00:00

Situated in London’s China Town is legendary Wong Kei’s. Rude staff, crammed shared eating arrangements and the ambience of a school canteen. However without a doubt, cheap and authentic Chinese food every time.

Split over three floors and as packed as a train at peak hour in China, even its worst critics haven’t managed to tarnish its reputation. In fact, some people actually come to Wong Kei’s not just to sample the traditional Chinese food, but to experience the main issue that got the critics tongues wagging in the first place. The rude staff.

Faithful customers of Wong Kei’s are be able to recall the days they were yelled at by the staff, being told to put down their chop sticks, hurry up and leave. Where talking leisurely with friends over a bottle of wine and a three course meal would lead to an outburst from a waiter and your table being cleared just as you were tucking into your Cantonese beef steak. Therefore, I’m slightly disappointed to admit that every time I’ve eaten at Wong Kei’s I’ve never been yelled at – I actually even received a thank you on my last visit!

Regardless of the staff, if you’re looking for a fine dining experience, Wong Kei’s is not the place for you. However if you’re after cheap and cheerful Chinese, potentially minus the cheerful, be sure to stop past on your next night out in the West End.

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Wong Kei | Restaurants (Chinese) | Mains from £ 5.00
41-43 Wardour Street | Central | +442074378404
12:00 – 23:00 daily

Gilgamesh was the son of the greatest King in biblical times, and is believed to have lived a heroic and adventurous life. To his tribute, Gilgamesh encapsulates his greatness by creating a breathtaking visionary restaurant. The construction of the place alone appears to have been bigger than Ben Hur; it hosts the world’s longest bar, which was hand carved in India by an impressive 10,000 men.

The food is Asian fusion, everything ranging from Dim Sum at lunch to a large selection of sushi followed by a few Thai favourites. The prices are also varied, ranging from £ 9.35 for scallop sushi, to £ 30.25 at the higher end of the scale for the hoba miso chilean seabass. Gilgamesh also caters for larger groups and offers the exclusive chef’s table for groups of 8-12 people, where you will be served a range of dishes from Grilled Wagyu with Spicy Ponzu and Truffles.

Gilgamesh also boasts a glass tea room which is lit with candles at night, in addition to a private bar, the Babylon Lounge Bar – where you can sip your cocktail while dangling on a hanging sitting chair.

Gilgamesh’s grandeur is certainly in keep with the biblical king’s reputation, therefore if you’re after a bit of magnificence, you’ll really enjoy the Gilgamesh experience.

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Gilgamesh | Bars, Restaurants (Asian fusion)
The Stables Market Chalk Farm Road | Central | +442074284922
12:00 – 00:00 daily

Hardly a hidden gem I’ve picked is it, seeing as star chef Yotam Ottolenghi has had a worldwide success with his cookbooks and he can now be found gracing the TV screens, but even so his flagship restaurant on Upper Street in Islington is amazing.

Mixing influences and ingredients to a frightening but dazzling effect Ottolenghi somehow makes it all work, look amazing and taste even better. Sample salad for example: grilled pear with Roquefort, spicy macadamia, mixed leaves and orange blossom dressing. Sample main: seared scallops with juniper and celeriac mash, pickled cucumber and walnut salad and crispy pancetta. But to be honest, I could have picked anything off the menu and it all sounds and tastes fantastic. 

Dinner is rightly very popular so I have booked in the past, but whatever time you come you will not be disappointed. The selection of a three of four salads I had last time I went for lunch was brilliant – the roasted cauliflower with celery, pomegranate seeds, almonds, herbs and cinnamon being the best. 

There are a few other, smaller, locations to what I presume will be an expanding Ottolenghi chain in Notting Hill, Kensington and Belgravia but the Islington branch is the largest and the only one to open for dinner in the evenings although Ottolenghi has now opened a ‘proper’ restaurant (Nopi) if you can’t get in at Islington.

Go, queue if necessary, but go as it really is that good.

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Ottolenghi | Restaurants (Middle Eastern) | Mains £ 12
287 Upper Street, N1 2TZ | North-East | +442072881454
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 23:00, Sun 09:00 – 19:00

Chilli Cool is a revelation. I only discovered it by accident as I was heading to the brilliant (and recommended) Norfolk Arms on the same road, but it was full so we turned around and saw Chilli Cool and thank God we did. 

Tucked away from the hordes around Kings Cross, Chilli Cool is what I can only presume is a very authentic Sichuan restaurant. The Sichuan bit is the important bit. This isn’t your typical Anglocised Chinese – it is a full on nose-to-tail Sichuan experience. With added chillis. Lots and lots of chillis.

If you have ever had a ‘Sichuan style’ noodle dish you will know these can get pretty spicey. But they have no place here. The other dishes would laugh at them. Seriously, you need to like your chillis. My friend doesn’t and I got a text from him five hours after we ate saying ‘my lips are still smouldering’.

We had the Gong hao chilli chicken with peanuts (excellent), the deep fried chicken with hot chilli, the shredded pork with pickled vegetable noodle (no chillis here and a very good balancing act to the chicken and heat) and a couple of bowls of rice. 

We steered clear of the more ‘interesting’ dishes like the hot & chilli crispy pork intestine, the hot & spicy pig’s feet, or the beef and ox tripe in chilli sauce but I have no doubt that if you are slightly more adventurous than me these will be excellent too.

Not one for the fussy eater perhaps.

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Chilli Cool | Restaurants (Sichuan) | Gong hao chicken £ 7.50
15 Leigh Street WC1H 9EW | Central | +442073833135
12:00 – 22:30 daily