London is a goldmine for bizarre food trends, and this map doubles up as both a map and a bucket list.
From cronuts to ice cream nachos, London’s imagination runs notoriously wild when it comes to food. Wren Kitchens decided that what we were really missing in our lives was a concise map that tells us what crazy foods are out there, and precisely where to find them. You can view the entire map here, but here are some of our highlights:
Marble Arch → The Avolato
This crazy creation is made with avocado ice cream and a peanut butter ice cream stone, all made to replicate an actual avocado and served in a real avocado skin. (We made a video about it, which you can watch here.) You’ll find it at Snowflake, Selfridges Foodhall, 400 Oxford Street, Marylebone, W1A 1AB.
Bayswater → Liquid Gold Latte
It sounds a lot more regal and expensive than it is, because in reality it’s just a turmeric latte with coconut milk and a cute little Frenchie on the top. Nevertheless, it is still absolute vital that you go and purchase one. Head to Farm Girl at 59A Portobello Road, W11 3DB.
King’s Cross St. Pancras → Bacon & Egg Naan
Now this is a food craze worth chasing after. Light puffy naan bread surrounds layers of crispy sugar cured bacon, saffron-yellow runny yolks, melted cream cheese, coriander and chilli tomato jam. The Dishoom bacon and egg naan quite literally laughs in the face of the British bacon butty. Head to their King’s Cross restaurant – or any of them, really – and tuck in. (5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB.)
Old Street → Unicorn Poop
“Glittery fruity cereal rings and flakes with freeze dried marshmallows”. Glittery cereal? Named after excrement? I’m not sure if I’m excited or repulsed. (Okay, I’ve thought about it and I’m definitely repulsed.) Anyway, you’ll find it at Cereal Killer Café, 192a Brick Lane, E1 6SA.
Tottenham Court Road → Ice Cream Nachos
Ice cream nachos are one of those things that nobody asked for but, actually, you don’t know what you’d do without them. Okay, that’s BS, but they’re still pretty cool. Choose your ice cream flavour and your sauce, and they’ll come with chocolate mole truffles, chargrilled pineapple and blue corn tortilla waffle chips. You’ll find the nachos at Chin Chin Dessert Club, 54 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 3DS.
Goodge Street → Fried Horlicks Ice Cream
Bao down to the real heroes amongst this list. BAO‘s fried bao filled with Horlicks ice-cream is an true winner. Find it at 31 Windmill Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 2JN.
Green Park → Pink Beetroot Lattes
Possibly the most instagrammable place in the whole of London, this perfectly pink café doesn’t stop at the interiors. Get your hands on a beetroot latte with a cute little bear face on it, just because. Head to Élan Cafe, 48 Park Lane, W1K 1PR (or their other branch on Brompton Road).
Victoria → The Cronut
Every now and then, a dessert comes along which changes the game. The Cronut, the madcap invention of pastry whizz Dominique Ansel, did exactly that when it arrived in London a few years ago. Part croissant, part doughnut, very sugary, much delicious. Find it at Dominique Ansel Bakery,
Charing Cross → Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich
I’m not really a dessert person, but macaron ice cream sandwiches could potentially lure me over to the dark side. Take a look at this blueberry cheesecake one, for example. Who could say no to that?! You’ll find this dream at Yolkin, 24 Rupert St, W1D 6DQ.
Check out the whole map here.
(Big thanks to Wren Kitchens for doing the research.)