Miraculously, London’s resturant scene just continues to exceed itself. The influx of superb eateries trickles out from the city to leafy neighbourhoods, spanning cuisines from around the globe, or even better a fusion mix! From mindblowing Caribbean vegan food in North London to authentic Sicilian street food in South West London, below delve into our pick of restaurants that are Hip & Healthy approved.

Jam Delish, Islington
Tucked behind Angel, Jam Delish has made a name for itself in the restaurant scene. First starting out at food markets, founder Jordan Johnson found his niche through a passion for plant-based food and his Jamaican heritage. Jam Delish has outgrown the stalls, stepping up to a pop-up at the Sun & 13 Cantons pub in Soho, renowned for incubating big names in the resturant world. Fast forward to now, the concept has transcended into ‘the’ place to devour plant-based Caribbean food, with a flagship in Islington. Capturing the tastebuds of vegans as well as carnivores, the uncanny fried ‘chicken’ and curry ‘goat’ would fool die-hard meat-eaters, with a texture that mimics tender, succulent cuts of meat. Spring welcomes a new menu, developed by head chef Nathan Collymore, harnessing Caribbean flavours and ingredients to create a tantalising array of dishes that will have you ordering the entirety of the menu. Bajan “codfish” tacos with sweet peppers, okra, plantain crisps dolloped with a Caribbean rendition of tartar sauce and the jerk aubergine drizzled with sorrel teriyaki topped with pineapple kimchi are two crowd-pleasing small dishes not too miss. The ‘chicken’ skewers are where the lines between faux and fur become very faint, on a bed of fluffy rice, embellished with scatterings of pomegranate and lashings of herbs, this is a top pick on the big plates that will not disappoint. If you’ve got room for dessert, the banana cake with coconut caramel, caramelised banana and a scoop of ice cream is a signature fave for a reason…think sticky toffee pudding meets banana split!

Mildred’s Victoria
The OG plant-based restaurateur, Mildred’s has opened its doors in Victoria. The new all-day outpost is spacious inside and boasts an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining. Contemporary touches embellish the interiors, with a fresh colour palette that reflects the food. As the season rolls, Mildred’s menu is spruced up for spring/summer with new dishes to accompany returning favourites that are engrained into the menu. The chefs steal flavours from global cuisines to create an amalgamation of dishes, from the Italian-influenced Arancini Rossi to the Mexican-inspired Mojo Verde Chick’n Skewers and the Thai-imagined Pineapple Som Gaeng Rice Noodles. As a purely plant-based resturant, Mildred’s creative take allows humble veggies to take the spotlight, sourced sustainably and locally where possible.

Nobu Café, Shoreditch
If you’re yearning for Nobu’s exquisite sushi minus the formal setting, look no further than the new café menu at Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch! Offering their iconic sushi maki and crispy sushi buns alongside lunchtime favourites like sandos and salads, this café presents a stripped-down version of Nobu’s renowned dishes. The laid-back Japanese café and bar provides an ideal setting for solo dining or bringing your laptop for remote work, accompanied by chill lofi beats. Top picks from the menu include the Tuna Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing, Daikon and Paper-Thin Vegetables and the Salmon and Avocado Cut Roll with Ginger and Wasabi.

Café Petiole, Somerset House
If Café Petiole lives up to the standard set by Tendril, the (mostly) vegan restaurant master-crafted by Rishim Sachdeva, we’re in for a treat! Renowned for his flair with vegetables, Rishim Sachdeva’s newest venture shapes this month at Somerset House in the form of a plant-first café. Serving up an elevated take on a café menu, dishes include blue corn tostadas with smoked artichoke and lime puree and mushroom focaccia with daikon pickle. Available to ‘grab & go’ or dine in the charming neoclassical courtyard, Café Petiole is one to add to your list this summer for an alfresco lunch! Whilst you’re there, stock up on Rishim’s exclusive home condiments to level up your home cooking, from the ‘chilli garlic’, ‘white bean spread’ and his ever-popular ‘Chinatown soy glaze’.

Volonté, Fitzrovia
Volonté is on a roll, opening doors to a third location in Fitzrovia. The brainchild behind PT, Haylene Ryan Causer and chef, Vidushi Binani, Volonté is a cafe-come-studio, drawing in a wellness-loving crowd. The menu showcases healthy lunch dishes that are brimming with nutritious ingredients for a well-balanced meal. From grain bowls to salads, wraps, sandwiches, protein shakes and refined-sugar-free sweet treats, the meals promise to leave you fuelled and satisfied. The whipped egg omelette is a winner, with a fluffy cloud-like consistency that’s packed with protein. In the basement you’ll find the studio, facilitating Pilates, yoga sessions and mindful meditation classes. The hybrid space offers a new wellness hangout in a prime spot, whether you need somewhere to sift through your emails whilst sipping on a smoothie or you’re catching up with a friend over yoga and lunch.

Noci, Richmond
Opening doors in one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in SW London, Noci is soon to become the go-to spot for pasta in Richmond, boasting quality and affordability. Beautifully decked out, the restaurant leads itself well to date nights or dining with friends, boasting a collection of small plates for sharing. The menu hauls pasta dishes and Sicilian-street food-inspired snacks with a changing menu, focusing on seasonality. Firm favourites include the mouth-watering ‘brown butter cacio e pepe ziti’, the ‘tiger prawn gnocchetti with roasted red peppers, red onion, orange and tarragon’ and signature ‘silk handkerchiefs with sautéed leeks, mint, peas, walnuts and confit egg yolk’.  

By Isabelle Shury