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As part of our special Takeaways Week, we asked top London chefs to share the independent takeaway spots they really rate.
Tomos Parry, head chef and owner, Brat
‘Massala in Stoke Newington is the best Indian, hands down. The food is so vibrant. Their Bengal lime lamb (pictured above) is my favourite – they braise these limes from Bangladesh and it makes the most delicious, aromatic dish.’ 9 Cazenove Rd, N16 6PA.
Aman Lakhiani, chef patron, Junsei
‘I love the Keralan restaurants in East Ham and Ananthapuram is one I always return to. Try the fried netholi (anchovies fried in Keralan spices), which are amazing.’ 241a High St North, E12 6SJ.
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Meedu Saad, head chef, Kiln
‘Caribbean food is so comforting and I’ve been eating it since I was a kid growing up. Peppers & Spice on Tottenham High Road does it very well, especially the oxtail, brown stew chicken and peanut porridge. This place is an institution.’ 541 High Rd, N17 6SD.
Julian Denis, head chef and owner, Mao Chow
‘Ararat Bread on Ridley Road is a place of dreams. You can become hypnotised watching the flatbread getting made right before your eyes. As well as doing some of the best bread in town, they also have a small takeaway-only menu of bread with toppings. Cheese bread, meat bread, egg with bread, sesame bread… you get the picture. It’s all killer, no filler.’ 132 Ridley Rd, E8 2NR.
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Sally Abé, chef, The Pem
‘There’s a great Sri Lankan and South Indian restaurant in Tooting called Apollo Banana Leaf. Everything is beautifully spiced and well-balanced. The aubergine curry is to die for, and the mutton rolls are second to none.’ 190 Tooting High St, SW17 0SF.
Sean Garrett, chef, The Pig & Butcher
‘I love the pizzas at Stef’s at Oregano, just off Islington Green in Angel: it’s close to work and the crust is delicious. I usually get the toscana pizza with salami, shaved pecorino and fresh tomato slices.’ 18-19 St Alban’s Place, N1 0NX.
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Adam Handling, chef-owner, Adam Handling Restaurant Group
‘It has to be Kishmish. I order it about five or six times a month. I love Indian food and theirs is full of flavour. I always get three servings of the lamb samosa, they’re the best I’ve ever had!’ 10 Greyhound Rd, W6 8NX.
Sarit Packer, co-founder, Honey & Co
‘One of my favourites is Tsunami, a Japanese restaurant in Clapham. It was the first place we ordered from after lockdown. We were sick of our own cooking. We ordered the prawn shumai and it reminded us how good it was.’ 5-7 Voltaire Rd, SW4 6DQ.
Johnnie Crowe, head chef and co-founder, Nest
‘My favourite takeaway would be Fortune Cat in Bow. Amazing Chinese food: they serve all the classics. Their dry-rub pork ribs are spicy, salty and crispy: so, so good.’ 31 Bow Business Triangle, Eleanor St, E3 4UR.
Rohit Ghai, chef patron, Kutir and Manthan
‘There’s a family-run Chinese place called Hei Hing in Isleworth. They have great soups, noodles and steamed dumplings, as well as the best satay chicken and crispy duck.’ 14 South St, TW7 7BG.
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Lulu Cox, co-founder, SSAW Collective
‘Singburi is a truly authentic Thai café in Leytonstone. The constantly changing menu is always full of colourful, fresh and delicious food. It’s well known amongst [food] industry folk for its bold flavours and affordable prices.’ 593 High Rd Leytonstone, E11 4PA.
Daniel Alt, head chef, The Barbary Next Door
‘Carrots + Daikon in Kentish Town is a family-owned Vietnamese place that does the best banh mi in London. I’ve been going there for years and now my two-year-old daughter comes with me. The lemongrass chicken banh mi is my go-to, but also try the wok-seared beef. The menu is quite small and there are no bad choices.’ 10 Highgate Rd, NW5 1NR.
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Ivan Tisdall-Downes, head chef, Native at Browns
‘My favourite takeaway is Maria’s Market Cafe in Borough Market. It’s a wonderful step back into the London of old where you can order your caff classics made with produce from the market and then be shouted at like you stole something when your order is ready. If you get called ‘darlin’, then you know you’ve been welcomed into the inner circle of customers.’ 9 Stoney St, SE1 9AA.
Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya, head chef and founder, Sarap Filipino Bistro and Sarap Baon
‘Pino’s Warung in Camden Market serves some of the best Indonesian food in London. My wife is Indonesian and I’ve spent half my life enjoying and eating her family’s cooking. Pino’s satay ayam reminds me of all the family barbecues we used to have at the in-laws’. It’s where we go whenever we’re missing family those dinners.’ Stables Market, NW1 8AH.
Joshua Owens-Baigler, chef and co-founder, Angelina and Dai Chi
‘I’ve been going to Four Seasons in Queensway for more than ten years. Their roast duck travels so well it’s good for breakfast the next day. In the summer, you can collect and enjoy it in the park.’ 84 Queensway, W2 3RL
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Sameer Taneja, executive chef, Benares
‘Dastaan in Epsom is the one I go for. I order from them at least once a month! Their tandoori broccoli is to die for.’ 447 Kingston Rd, KT19 0DB.
Vivek Singh, executive chef and founder, The Cinnamon Collection
‘My favourite takeaway is Babur in Brockley – a south-east London institution that’s been going for 37 years. They always send three different homemade chutneys with the poppadoms, which my kids love. My favourite dishes are the coastal lamb bhuna, chicken lababdar, masala fries and the pillowy garlic naans.’ 119 Brockley Rise, SE23 1JP.
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Avinash Shashidhara, head chef, Pahli Hill
‘I’d recommend Esarn Kheaw in Shepherd’s Bush. It’s a family-run business and the kids and relatives serve. They have been around for more than 25 years serving excellent Thai food.’ 314 Uxbridge Rd, W12 7LJ.
Joe Laker, head chef, Fenn
‘I'd have to say Coqfighter in Soho. I highly recommend their green chilli cheese burger. It grew rapidly during the pandemic into one of London’s hottest chicken shops. Shout out to Tristan!’