LOBSTER, PRAWNS, AND PLENTY OF CARBS: MY TASTE OF LONDON HIT LIST

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon

Taste of London is two weeks away, and of course, I’ve already been studying the menus. If you’re looking for salads and sensible choices, you’ve come to the wrong girl. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve got something for everyone. But for me… lobster, prawns, meat, pasta, potatoes and anything involving cheese are where my attention will be. So, after stalking this year’s lineup, I’ve made a list of the dishes currently at the top of my must-try list.

If you’ve never been to Taste of London before, food and drink are purchased using Crowns, the festival’s currency. Think of them as tokens that allow you to work your way around the restaurants and sample dishes from some of London’s biggest names. The challenge is deciding where to spend them because there are a lot of tempting options this year. Trust me, the planning starts long before you walk through the gates. Half the fun is plotting your route and convincing yourself you’ll somehow fit everything in.

THE SEAFOOD DISHES I’LL BE HUNTING DOWN FIRST

Orion: Lobster & Prawn Toast – Lobster, and prawn in brioche, with black sesame, lime, chilli and carrot purée
Rondo: Crayfish & Prawn Roll – Crayfish and Prawn Roll, fresh gooseberries, compressed pickled celery and old bay mayonnaise (Taste Exclusive Dish)
Dim Sum by Chai Wu: Golden Prawn Toast with Snow Crab – Golden fried prawns and snow crab toast, topped with kizami wasabi and caviar
Singapulah: Singapore Lobster Laksa – Rich coconut curry broth with dried shrimp, accompanied by lobster, quail’s egg, fishcake, bean curd puff and silver pin noodles (Taste Exclusive Dish)

Anyone who knows me knows prawns are practically a personality trait at this point. If they’re on the menu, I can’t help myself; it’s an instant yes. And lobster is one of those things I rarely order unless it’s a special occasion, but if money was no object, a seafood bar would hate to see me coming. With both appearing multiple times across this year’s festival, I already know a significant chunk of my Crowns are disappearing here.

THE MEAT DISHES THAT COULD TAKE ALL MY CROWNS

Roka: Wagyu No Sumiyaki – Westholme Cross wagyu beef rump with confit garlic and soy sauce (Taste Exclusive Dish)
Oblix: NY Striploin – New York striploin with mushrooms, pearl onions and hot bacon jam (Taste Exclusive Dish)
Rondo: 18 Hour Short Rib Skewer – Beef short rib with preserved wild garlic, bone marrow mayonnaise and togarashi
Roti King: XL Lamb Chops – Lamb chops glazed with an aromatic spice mix and served with peanut sauce (Taste Exclusive Dish)

Now, whilst prawns are my favourite, they don’t have my whole heart. When I’m not hitting the seafood stalls, you’ll find me sniffing out the meat. Wagyu, short rib, lamb chops, and striploin all appearing on the same festival lineup feels slightly dangerous for both my budget and my self-control. The 18 Hour Short Rib Skewer from Rondo sounds like exactly the sort of slow-cooked, melt-in-the-mouth situation I gravitate towards, while the Wagyu from Roka is giving luxury treat energy. Ideally, I’d love to order all four.

THE CARBS, CHEESE AND COMFORT FOOD I CANNOT IGNORE

Harry’s Dolce Vita: Truffle Arancini – Crispy fried rice balls with truffle and aged Italian hard cheese
Eataly: Mozzarella in Carrozza – Breaded and fried mozzarella cheese bites, fresh tomato dipping sauce
Roti King: Chicken Kari – Flaky handmade roti with authentic chicken curry
Steak and Company: Pork Belly Bites – Pork belly bites with a sticky bourbon sauce

As much as I love seafood and a good steak, sometimes it’s the comfort food dishes or small plates that steal the show. Truffle arancini, crispy fried mozzarella, fluffy roti and picky bites are all speaking my language. These are the kinds of dishes I can see myself ordering between some of the bigger ticket items, partly because they sound delicious and partly because I have absolutely no willpower when cheese is involved.

THE WILDCARD PICKS I KEEP THINKING ABOUT

Prince Arthur, Belgravia: Serranito Pintxo – Chicken fillet pintxo with serrano ham, cherry tomatoes and confit egg yolk (Taste Exclusive Dish)
Taro Japanese Restaurants: TakoTori Feast – Takoyaki octopus balls and karaage chicken combo (Taste Exclusive Dish)
Gallio: Lamb Shoulder Pita Pocket – 8-hour braised lamb with homemade pita, Lebanese slaw, tahini yoghurt and harissa butter (Taste Exclusive Dish)
Harry’s Dolce Vita: Neapolitan Ice Cream Sandwich – Neapolitan-inspired ice cream sandwich with strawberry parfait, chocolate sorbet, and vanilla ice cream, layered between brown sugar shortbread

Every year, there are a few dishes that don’t make it on the initial list but somehow keep finding their way back into your thoughts. These are mine. The Lamb Shoulder Pita Pocket sounds packed with flavour, the Serranito Pintxo has that perfect combination of ingredients that makes me curious, and the TakoTori Feast feels like great value if you’re trying to maximise your Crowns. As for the Neapolitan Ice Cream Sandwich? How did it take so long to get a dessert on my list!

Of course, all of this is based on menu stalking rather than actual eating. Ask me again after Taste of London, and we’ll see how many of these dishes I managed to get through or what else made the cut. And more importantly… whether they lived up to my imagined hype. For now, though, this is the fantasy version of my upcoming visit. The reality will probably involve me getting distracted and just eating my body weight in prawns. If you’re heading to Taste of London, I’d love to know what’s calling to you.

WEBSITE

DATES

Wednesday 17 June – Sunday 21 June 2026

TIMINGS

Wed 17 June 17:30-21:30
Thurs 18 June 12:00-16:00 & 17:30-21:30
Fri 19 June 12:00-16:00 & 17:30-21:30
Sat 20 June 12:00-16:00 & 17:30-21:30
Sun 21 June 12:00-17:00

TICKETS

Taste Pass (General Entry): £24 Tasting
Tickets: from £39
Flexible Single Session Pass: from £32
All Sessions Pass: from £42
VIP Tickets: from £62
Child Ticket: £10 (excluding Friday sessions, where advance Child Tickets are free)