More permanent than a street stall, but a more casual alternative to eating in, the hatch is the friend of anyone suddenly seized by hunger. Fancy breakfast on the hoof, or need a mid-morning sweet treat to-go? Or maybe you’re just window shopping and need something to nibble on before you get into trying and buying mode. Here are some of our favourite spots in London for a streetside snack.
Kung Fu Burger
Chinatown - 104 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5EQ
If you can’t be doing with the queues for Noodle Inn, head down the road to Shaftesbury Avenue where you’ll find this little hatch. From the same group, it serves up a small selection of the flat noodle dishes that Noodle Inn became such a hit with, alongside flaky Chinese sourdough buns stuffed with fillings like pork belly, braised beef or shredded duck with hoisin.
Baudry Greene
Covent Garden - 20 Endell St, London WC2H 9BD
You’ll never go back to a basic breakfast once you’ve tried the filter coffee and bacon bun combo for a fiver being served up at Baudry Greene in Covent Garden at their hatch. At lunchtimes, things switch up to superlative sandwiches such as next-level coronation chicken or a perfect Jambon Beurre. They also do a nice line in cakes, pastries and homemade choc ices.
Bao Borough
Borough - 13 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD
If you’re looking for something to grab and go while you peruse the stalls at Borough Market then swing by the hatch at BAO’s Borough branch. The truncated takeaway menu includes a bao deal of a bao and Taiwanese fried chicken for a tenner, and they also do a nice line in bubble teas.
Astrid Bakery
Muswell Hill - 118a Alexandra Park Rd, London N10 2AH
This self-described ‘London’s tiniest bakery’ operates from a very compact space in Muswell Hill, hence the need for a hatch for service. From Thursday to Sunday there’s always a queue of North Londoners patiently waiting to get hold of one of baker Charlotte’s amazing croissants or savoury danishes.
The Pie Hole
Holborn - 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
It’s all about the pies (and Wellingtons) at this Holborn restaurant and head chef Nokx Majozi has a dedicated pie room to create them in. If you fancy a pie or pastry but aren’t in the mood for a full sit-down meal you can order ahead to pick up a pork pie, sausage roll or miniature versions of their best-known pies from the streetside hatch.
Eat Momo
Borough - Arch 229, 1 Bank End, London SE1 9FJ
When all the tables are taken at this new Nepalese spot in Borough Yards, or you just fancy grabbing something to snack on down by the river, look for their hatch on Stonecutter Lane for momos to go. They also do a nice line in snacks including Dungri Ra Makai (chickpea flour chips mixed with popcorn and butter) and there's a good lunchtime meal deal too.
Crumb
Islington - 8 Charlton Place, London N1 8AJ
If you get hungry perusing the antique stalls on Islington's Camden Passage, look out for this vegan bakery hatch. Baker Amy's NYC-style chunky cookies are perfect for eating on the hoof. Popular options include her amazing oatmeal and raisin cookies along with The Bisc Goes Off made with biscoff and lotus biscuits. They also do very good coffee.
The Hatch
Notting Hill - 21 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JQ
Created during lockdown, the Coffee Hatch at the Notting Hill Arts Club proved so popular it’s been open ever since. It’s a great place to go if you fancy a coffee (they’re supplied by Climpson’s) and the pastries come from local restaurant Sally Clarke - recent options have included pecan and cinnamon wheels and a cherry Danish.
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