It’s never been easier to hit that five a day target, thanks to the creativity of London’s chefs. Here’s our pick of freaking delicious green veg dishes to try in restaurants around town right now.
Sartoria - Zucchine fritti
20 Savile Row, London W1S 3PR
Obviously, Francesco Mazzei’s Savile Row restaurant isn’t the only place in town to enjoy these deep-fried veggie delights, but there’s something almost ethereal about the zucchine fritti here. Wafer-thin batter works the magic; order a bowl each, you won’t want to share.
Follow on Instagram: @sartoriarestaurant
Kahani - Tandoor Broccoli
1 Wilbraham Pl, London SW1X 9AE
Chef Peter Joseph has turned broccoli into the star of the show at Kahani where it’s marinated in gram flour, ginger, green chillies, Kashmiri chilli and honey and blasted in the tandoor before being served with nigella seeds and wheat crisps.
Follow on Instagram: @kahanilondon
Black Axe Mangal - grilled hispi with fermented shrimp butter
156 Canonbury Rd, London N1 2UP
Everyone’s favourite cabbage dish at BAM came about by accident when a load of shrimp paste ended up forgotten and fermenting in the restaurant’s fridge. It turned out to be the fundamental basis of the most incredibly funky butter which marries perfectly with the chargrilled hispi. We also love the katsuobushi flakes waving gently on top.
Follow on Instagram: @blackaxemangal
BAM is closed at present but will reopen once some essential maintenance is completed.
Hawksmoor - creamed spinach
Is it the chopped anchovies adding extra umami or the perfect blend of herbs and spices infusing the cream that makes this dish the perfect accompaniment to one of Hawksmoor’s excellent steaks? Whatever the answer, it’s a great bowl of comfort.
Follow on Instagram: @hawksmoorrestaurants
Din Tai Fung - Green beans with minced pork and dried shrimp
5 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8PS
You’ll find this dish at every Din Tai Fung from Shanghai to London - the dry-fried beans are topped with pork and shrimp, so it’s not a vegetarian-friendly recipe by any measure, but it is seriously addictive.
Follow on Instagram: @dintaifunguk
Decimo - charred leeks with romesco sauce
10th Floor, 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
Charred to a deep black on the outside and then cut to reveal the lurid green inside, the leeks dish at chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’ rooftop restaurant in King’s Cross gets a further hit of colour when it’s served with a sunshine hit of romesco sauce.
Follow on Instagram: @decimo.london
Scully - Cucumber Carosello with Alphonso mango
4 St James's Market, St. James's, London SW1Y 4AH
All vegetable dishes are not created equal, as evidenced by this at Scully in St James which features cucumbers from southern Italy, served with fresh mango pulp and Nata de Coco. It’s finished with dittander herb and a sprinkling of toasted sunflower seeds in burnt butter.
Follow on Instagram: @scullyrestaurant
Photo: Devina Shah
Kricket - samphire pakoras
Soho, Brixton and White City
If there’s a dish on the menu at Kricket which exemplifies their approach to Indian food, it’s their samphire pakoras, taking inspiration from India and applying it to British produce. A signature dish - and one of the most popular on the menu, it’s served with chilli garlic mayo and a date and tamarind chutney. Snack heaven.
Follow on Instagram: @kricketlondon
Sarap BAon - Kale Laing
14D Market Row, London SW9 8LD
Normally made with shredded taro leaves, at Brixton’s Sarap BAon they switch up their laing recipe, using kale which is then braised low and slow in coconut milk with chilli, garlic and ginger. It’s a game-changer for any kale haters out there.
Follow on Instagram: @sarap_baon
Photo: Nic Crilly Hargrave
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