BAO
A fresh Taiwanese bun is a mighty fine thing and BAO’s buns have seriously captured London’s tastebuds with these dreamy treats. BAO started (as most of London’s best restaurants do these days), as a humble street food van, with 3 20-something siblings behind the cooker. Now at it’s permanent Soho residence, joing forces with the Sethi family (behind Bubbledogs, Kitchen Table and Lyle’s) they are serving soft pillowy buns with magical fillings of hot fried chicken and lamb shoulder to name a few. Expect to queue if you’re heading to the brand new Soho spot, a wait that you couldn’t possibly be dissapointed about when you taste this affordable offering.
How much? £3-5 per bun, go classic with the braised pork (£3.75) or one for the veggies, try the panko crumbed daikon radish, daikon pickle, hot sauce and coriander (£3). And finish with the fried Horlicks ice cream (£4). Oh yeah.
Where is it? Lexington Street, Soho, London.
Follow @bao_london
Filthy Cow
Burger mania is still going strong and this new juicy joint might just be the best in Manchester for all of your beef patty needs. The woman behind it all is Jordan Gallimore, bored of the local food scene she decided to quit her day job to take matters into her own hands, the result – the best burgers in the city. A must go not just for the amazing food, but the décor too…
How much? The Filthy Classic is £6, add 50p for cheese, the filthy sauce will have you coming back for more! Upgrade to the Filthy Special – it changes every month. And while you’re at it, order the moreish onion rings for £2.50, and rosemary seasoned fries too of course… So good you’ll be grunting like a cow as you eat it.
Where is is? 10 Tib Lane, Manchester.
Follow @filthycowuk
Ice & Slice
What could be better than pizza + ice cream? That’s right we thought not. This italian pizzeria meets galateria is the best of both worlds. Deliciously traditional Italian flavours, from the chicken Pollo to the spicy salami Diavola. Gelato comes in glorious ever-changing flavours, in a cute tub with a cone stuck in the top- what’s not to love? Oh, and they deliver too. Double the fun.
How much? You can get pizza by the slice at around £4, or get the whole thing (over 2ft long!) and share between 2-3 for around £18/20. Splitting the bill never looked so sexy.
Where is it? 24 Jerdan Place, Fulham, London.
Follow @iceandsliceuk
Chick n’ Sours
A new place that’s popped up in east London, the guy behind Disco Bistro (Carl Clarke) has now got some pretty special fried chicken and sour cocktails to satisfy your appetite, for the coolest food in town. Choose the ‘House Fry’ – a succulent drumstick and thigh with ‘seaweed crack seasoning’ and pickled watermelon on the side and wash it all down with a Negroni Sour (or 6). You’ll find it hard to leave without patting your belly with pure happiness.
How much? Chicken starts at £8 for the House Fry. Sour cocktails start from £6 and include home-made mixtures comprising of tequilas, bourbons and pisco greatness.
Where is it? 390 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London.
Follow @ChicknSours
Ox 184
Fuller Thompson is a well known name around these parts, already responsible for some of the best joins in town (Red Squirrel, The Southern, Hollyrood 9a to name a few), so it comes as no surprise that his latest dining venture is a total hit. Ox 184 is quite simply a late night restaurant-come-bar with a wood fired grill serving the very best in juicy meats in buns, with some wonderful wold whiskey and craft beers to choose from too. First date, fun with friends? Come here with everyone.
How much? Shrimp and lobster sliders are just £5.50, or you can go whole hog (literally), with the pulled pork bun with pickled cabbage for £7. Cheap as chips, or we should say ‘seasoned homefries’, which we’ll be having too thanks.
Where is it? 184-186 Cowgate, Edinburgh
Follow @OX184
The Melt Room
Grilled cheese sandwiches have never been so good, these oozing gormet recipes are stuff that dreams are made of. With cheesy offererings (including the music) in a cool central setting, these lip-smakingly good toasted sarnies also include a Nutella and mascerpone melt for pud. And if dessert doesn’t quite cut it for you, then you’ll want to try the Bennedict Melt for brekkie, with vintage cheddar and hollandaise sauce. Cheese fans rejoice!
How much? Melted chesse of epic proportions start at £4.50 for veggie and up to £7 for the meaty ‘wiches and around £4-6 for brek – say hello to your new obsession.
Where is it? Noel Street, Soho, London.
Follow @melt_room
Mussel Men
If you love seafood as much as we do, then Mussel Men will seriously blow your socks off. Captian Bob’s pop up proved so successful he found a permanent address not far down the road in trendy Dalston (yes we said trendy). The clue is in the name, the mussels here are the best and rival even those of the seaside towns. But the oysters too (avail from at least 3 different UK shores) are top notch, as is the rest of the fishy menu, that in our opinion desrves a michelin star. Visist asap, plus now the garden has opened, with live music often on the weekend bill. Long live seafood filled summers in the sun.
How much? A bowl of mussels are £12.50, which serves 2 easily and include an abundance of perfectly crispy skinny fries. Add the cider & chorizo or berre blanc sauces for 50p extra – something you won’t regret. And seeing as you’ve saved so much on the main why not splash on a bottle? Or the butter poached squid to start… Salivating yet?
Where is it? 584 Kingsland Road, Dalston, super close to Dalston Junction Overground station.
Follow @Mussel_Men
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Follow Lexxi On Twitter: @Lexxi_Elizabeth
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.