London’s best locally sourced menus

Daylesford Farm celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, marking two decades of seriously impressive and award-winning organic produce. Luckily, we can sample some of this in the capital — you’ll find farm shops and cafes in Pimlico, Notting Hill and Brompton Cross. Decorated with cross sections of fallen trees from the Daylesford Estate, these bright and inviting spots serve seasonal menus and daily-changing specials from breakfast through to supper. Everything from the chickens and eggs to the ham, bread, and even the cheese is nurtured, baked and churned at Daylesford Farm, making for a truly traceable and nutrient-rich meal.

Everything about this February opening in Hackney has been, and continues to be, carefully considered. The plant-based eatery is based on principles of ‘root to fruit’ cooking, which aims for zero waste and low impact production methods. The menu changes every day, depending on what is sourced from local farms and foragers — recent highlights include British barley risotto with broad beans, green peas and wild garlic. This environmentally conscious attitude can also be felt in the decor: architect-turned-restaurateur founder Elly Ward used reclaimed furniture, rescued red terracotta tiles and renewable cork and timber to create a warm, Scandi-style space.

One of east London’s current coolest spots, The Spread Eagle, sees hungry patrons travelling in from all over to get a taste of the famous pub food. A humble pub situated on Homerton High Street in Hackney, the team at The Spread Eagle have revolutionised traditional pub culture by opening London’s first 100% vegan pub.

The kitchen runs a fully seasonal menu, working closely with local foragers and producers to build each dish and provide sustainability whilst dining out. Expect to see pub classics such as whole baked ‘shamembert’, pie, mash, and liquor, burgers, sausage rolls, flat bread and hummus, and an epic Sunday roast.

If a tried and tested quintessential British pub is what you’re looking for, The Waterman’s Arms is the spot! Located in east London’s Docklands, the gastropub offers a brand new extended bar area, mezzanine, and country yard garden in the centre of Canary Wharf. On the menu, you’ll find reimagined classics; your favourite dishes with a twist. The main menu changes regularly, offering what’s in season from some of the UK’s most reputable producers. Expect to find free range pork scotch eggs, Cornish mussels in a white wine sauce, Scottish smoked haddock, native breed rump steak, and Yorkshire rhubarb and apple crumble to finish.

Better yet, The Waterman’s Arms also offers rooms to stay, for any out-of-towner guests looking for some delicious nosh and cosy accom.

Eleven98 is a love letter to the local community where founder and head chef Aidan Brooks grew up. He’s so passionate, in fact, that he proudly and exclusively sources all of his ingredients from the London Borough of Hackney. He grows what he can in his mother’s back garden in London Fields and forages for wild ingredients; fruit, vegetables and herbs are sourced from local farms and gardens; meat and fish is bought from independent businesses; and all other goods are strictly from Hackney-based traders — even his honey is made by a family friend! Since the ingredients he has to work with are ever-changing, the nine-course tasting menu is also constantly in flux! Recent highlights include goat’s cheese and buttermilk croquette with Clapton rhubarb, followed by Stoke Newington apples, almond and toasted brioche. And just in case the menu wasn’t intriguing enough, the Stoke Newington venue is kept a total secret until you make a booking…

Nestled into the heart of southwest London, 1833 is a staple for the patrons of Clapham, come rain or shine. By day, enjoy a sun-soaked al fresco experience and watch the bustle of Old Town Clapham pass by. By night, cosy up in the blue bistro with a bespoke cocktail to take in the warm atmosphere.

The menus are subject to change daily, with seasonal ingredients making up each dish – that’s how you know it’s good! 1833 is often serving up cheese and charcuterie boards, scallops and crispy pork belly, herb crusted cod, wild mushroom risotto, and super grain salads for something fresh, as well as an epic weekend brunch menu with every egg dish under the sun and a pancake sharing platter for 2!

AT feast founder Maggie Bolger creates comfort food with a conscience. Her family-friendly St John’s Wood restaurant only uses meat reared in the UK using regenerative farming practices, cheese churned in North London, and honey produced on the capital’s rooftops… This isn’t a menu that you’ll need to Google surreptitiously under the table though, it’s full of mouthwatering favourites like fish and chips, burgers, Caesar salad and banoffee pie. The warmth doesn’t end with dessert though, AT feast hosts cookery lessons for children as well as a buzzy evening event series, featuring supper clubs, live music and tequila Tuesdays, if you dare…

Farmacy’s flagship restaurant in Notting Hill, which opened in 2016, offers a diverse menu of seasonal plant-based cuisine, free from dairy, refined sugars, additives and chemicals. This  virtuous approach doesn’t mean it’s not indulgent though — think decadently topped pancakes, truffle ramen, and sticky toffee pudding made from sweet, fudgy dates. Farmacy even offers a garlic and onion free menu, as well as an afternoon tea offering that features the classic scones with jam and a lemon poppy seed cake. The restaurant sources its ingredients from its biodynamic farm in Kent, which works in harmony with the cycles of nature with the least interference possible.

All the food at The Winchmore in Enfield is made from scratch in the kitchen by an experienced team of chefs. The team here has sourced all its suppliers locally, while the meat and fish is brought in daily. Led by a friendly team who strive to do the best on a daily basis, The Winchmore is welcoming and relaxed. Couple this with excellent food alongside an outstanding drinks collection, and you’re onto a winner.