I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A NEW WEBSITE BUILT. I AM STILL UPDTING THIS ONE, BUT FOCUSSING ON THE NEW ONE SO YOU WILL NOTICE CHANGES LOCALLY THAT I HAVEN’T YET HAD THE CHANCE TO AMEND HERE.

 

Food

We are surrounded by some amazing food shops. In St John’s Wood itself there is of course the legendary Panzer’s where you can find almost anything it seems. They carry a lot of specialist food (including American and Russian produce to name but a few). They are quite pricey though.

Just on the other side of Maida Vale (the road), there is Clifton Greens whom a few of my friends go to regularly now. I am told the fruit and veg of high quality.

We have two fishmongers in the area: Browns of St John’s Wood (minutes from the High Street) and Coastline on Abbey Road.

Boxes delivered to your house is another good option. We have used Abel & Cole for over ten years and have been very happy with them. On the odd occasion where there has been a problem, they have been brilliant. You can get a huge variety of boxes from them including a weaning box as well as add lots of produce such as fish, meat, dairy products, cleaning products and much more.

Other companies delivering boxes are Riverford and Farmdrop and I know people who are very happy with them.

 

Cafes & Restaurants

My favourite place in the area which I think has THE best coffee is Unico Caffe and it is situated on the High Street. All situated on or by the High Street are Gail’s and The Good Life Eatery. We also have Starbucks and Pret-a-Manger.

One of the most family friendly place in St John’s Wood is probably Pizza Express on Abbey Road.

 

Here are some other places that spring to mind:

The Ivy Cafe – Situated on the High Street itself, this has quickly established itself as must go place. Lovely, sumptuous and also very family friendly.

L’Aventure – A French restaurant that has been around forever. It has seen many a proposal…

Oslo Court – This is another restaurant that has been around for longer than one can imagine. It is quite an experience to go!

The Duke of York – One of the longest standing pubs in the area and situated at the top of the High Street.

Cafe Med – A real neighbourhood restaurant with an open fire for winter and a wonderful terrace too.

The Clifton – A gastro pub where you can get a good Sunday roast.

Singapore Garden – Here you can find lots of interesting dishes. This is technically in South Hampstead, but just on the border of St John’s Wood, so many locals go.

Atari-Ya – My Japanese friend loves the sushi here; since the Covid-19 pandemic, this has turned into a shop, but you can still order sushi to take away.

Crocker’s Folly – Delicious Lebanese food in a stunning setting.

Soutine – Parisian chic on St John’s Wood High Street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers’ Markets

There are farmers’ markets everywhere around London and they are wonderful to go to. The nearest one to St John’s Wood is on Eton Avenue in Swiss Cottage and about 30 seconds away from Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre on the other side of Hampstead Theatre. This farmers’ market is on every Wednesday morning till around 2 pm. We get most of our food there (apart from what we get in our box) including our fish and meat. We introduced one of our friends to the fish monger and she tells me it is some of the best fish she has ever had. She now goes there every week too! For the past few years we have ordered our Christmas meat from the Marsh Farm stand and it has been amazing.

There is also a farmers’ market in West Hampstead (outside the new rail station building), one in Queen’s Park and one in Marylebone in the parking lot behind Waitrose on Marylebone High Street.