Are you jaded with congealed leftovers? Does cheese and pickle leave you cold? Are you sick of the sight of the staff canteen? If so, it may be time to break out the lunch-break rut and embrace London’s sizzling street food trend.
When pay day’s a distant dream, a cheapish thrill can still be had by sneaking out the office in search of an illicit street-food fix. Providing instant gratification, you can feast for under a tenner and be back at your desk in the space of half an hour. Read on for a liberating lunch-break every day of the week.
No need to venture to Mexico for a belting burrito when Wahaca can be found in a van in Canary Wharf. Bringing street food back to the streets, the van caters for those who want to eat-on-the-go. Get the week started with a tantalising taco or two. (Canary Wharf under the trees, Canada Square Park, Mon-Fri 11.30-3.00 or Southbank, Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, Mon-Sun 12.00-10.00, check facebook.com/wahaca for updates on locations).
Bringing Scottish fare to the capital, Deeney’s is the new street-food sensation taking London by storm. Ditching deep-fried Mars Bars, the dish du-jour is now the MacBeth Haggis Toastie. A sophisticated melange of haggis and melted cheese, complemented with zingy mustard, caramelised onion and spicy rocket. (Greenwich market Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays, follow @deeneys for updates and news on other locations).
If you’re experiencing a mid-week slump, spice things up with some exotic, veggie fare. The sizzling specialities at Horn Ok Please include fried samosas topped with chutneys, yoghurt, sev and chickpea curry and Bhel Puri (puffed rice tossed in spices, mint and tamarind chutney.) (Borough Market every Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, KERB, King’s Cross Boulevard every Wednesday, Real Food Market, South Bank Fri, Sat & Sun, follow @horn_please for updates on locations).
For a late week indulgence, what could be classier than a pizza baked off the back of a three-wheeler? Specialising in authentic, Neapolitan-style pizzas, this Trotter-esque emporium is packing a punch with Soho’s thin-and-crispy devotees. Choose from fennel and oregano Margheritas or spicy Ndjua sausage sensations. (Berwick Street Market 12-2.30pm, follow @pizzapilgrims or see website for updates on locations). Watch this space for a Pizza Pilgrims restaurant coming soon!
It’s Friday and time to push the boat out. Treat yourself to some gourmet street-food courtesy of Whitstable Shellfish. A whole half lobster is grilled for your delectation and served up with lashings of lime mayonnaise and fresh tartar sauce accompanied by home-cut chips and salad all for under a tenner. Who said street food’s not posh nosh? (Fridays only, Real Food Market, Southbank Centre Square, SE1).
Where do you get your street-food fix? Share the love with us here!
Maltby market is a good spot. Still unspoilt, no tourists!!
Thanks for the tip Jaklien