London's Top Winter Warmers

Best thing about winter? The food. Even research says so: food of comfort is Britain’s favourite remedy to the bitterer months. And in the capital, we’re spoilt for choice – check out some of our favourite dishes around London to bring back a bit of warmth this winter. 

Sunday roast, at 1251

Given chef James Cochran’s experience at The Ledbury, usually from the ‘less is more’ school of thought is his restaurant 1251. On Sundays, however, they roast. And it’s certainly a mouthful in more ways than one – a serving includes aged sirloin and brisket, roast potatoes, carrots, chargrilled hispi cabbage, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire puddings, truffle mayonnaise, smoked bone marrow, horseradish cream, and beef gravy. 

Ragu pappardelle, at Trullo

This right here was many Londoners’ pasta awakening. Even now you can’t mutter ‘fresh carbs’ without thinking of Trullo and sister restaurant Padella’s ragu – rabbit, beef shin, or otherwise – and pappardelle. Having been on Trullo’s menu for over nine years, there it’ll surely forever stay. 

Today’s pie and mash, at Quo Vadis

Chef Jeremy Lee’s pies are engineered for the British weather. It could be chicken, leek and tarragon; pheasant and duck; or venison, pork and bacon – whatever, critic Jay Rayner regards Lee as the (yet to be formally anointed) ‘god of pies’. 

Stinco di vitello, at River Café

Est. 1987, The River Café is London’s game-changing Italian restaurant. Here they are, arguably at their best, warming the cockles with veal roasted as slow as you like with garlic and thyme in red wine, served alongside risotto and gremolata. 

Braised pork meatballs, at Gold

Gold is the new kid on the block, hoping to warm the hearts of its Notting Hill locals. With this dish, they’re doing a good job of it already – Gloucester Old Spot meatballs, braised in San Marzano tomatoes, and served with a wedge of grilled sourdough has become their hero dish, and just what chilly Sundays are for. 

With so many restaurants to choose from, we better get eating!