Dua Lipa isn’t just a tastemaker when it comes to her insanely catchy songs and hugely influential book recommendations – it turns out her guide to London is pretty spot on too.
The queen of pop culture – who married Callum Turner in London earlier this week – has quietly released her list of the top 12 restaurants in the capital.
From iconic Persian street food in Soho to an “unassuming” family-run Italian spot that makes her “feel fuzzy inside”, the Houdini singer has got your next dinner date sorted.
Dua Lipa didn’t disappoint with her top London picks (Instagram)
Number one on her list is The Lore of the Land, a smart Fitzrovia pub from Guy Ritchie serving British pub grub with an elevated twist.
Ahead of her rumoured Italian wedding, Lipa told Google Maps the venue, spread across three floors, is her go to for a Sunday roast, counting the “venison and the Lore doughnut as non-negotiables”.
Next up is The Hero, an expansive Maida Vale pub and dining room with pub dishes, wood-fired cooking and a rooftop terrace.
“Sometimes what you want is a really good pub and The Hero is exactly that,” Lipa said of the London institution.
“Easy drinks, warm atmosphere, and you feel welcomed the moment you walk in. An honest neighbourhood spot.”
Another relaxed option is Canteen, a neighbourhood eatery on Portobello Road focusing on simple sharing plates that Lipa called “one of my favourite new spots”.
“It’s proper cooking: no nonsense, just delicious! I love the variety of pastas and risottos, it’s all locally sourced. I love the simplicity of their cocktails – they do a great negroni. And that chocolate mousse. Even when you’re full, out comes the second stomach,” she said.
Coming in at number four is Levan, a Peckham favourite combining modern European small plates with a hefty natural wine list that will make you “feel lucky to be in London”.
Over in Mayfair, Santiago Lastra’s modern Mexican restaurant Fonda made the cut with its tortillas and seafood that take tacos to a more refined setting.
”The tlayudas, the mezal list, all of it has made it a real favourite,” Lipa shared.
North London fans will be glad to know that Islington favourite Trullo also made the list.
The Italian restaurant, best known for its handmade pasta and charming decor, is one of the hardest tables to get into in the area.
Lipa hailed the eatery for never “trying too hard” and being “consistently brilliant” – adding that the hand rolled pappardelle is “worth making the reservation”.
Another Highbury classic, restaurant and wine bar Westerns Laundry, was praised by the New Rules singer. The menu changes daily depending on what arrives fresh and much of the cooking is done over fire.
Moving into central London, Berenjak Soho got a shout-out for “making street food into a whole experience”.
The Persian restaurant inspired by Tehran’s hole-in-the-wall kabab houses is known for grilled skewers, saffron rice and small sharing plates.
The Quality Chop House, a historic Farringdon restaurant that’s been serving British cooking since 1869, also got a mention.
Lipa urged fans to try the Michelin-recognised food over a “long, slow lunch”, remarking: “The confit potatoes are iconic and the wine list is one of the best in London.”
It wouldn’t be a guide to London’s hotspots without a mention of BRAT, Tomos Parry’s Michelin-starred Shoreditch restaurant and Lipa revealed she’s just as taken with the eatery as everyone else.
“I love the food, love the vibe, never lets me down,” she said of the establishment, which focuses on wood-fired dishes taking inspiration from Basque cooking.
Another Italian restaurant to make the list was Ida, a beloved family-run Italian restaurant in Queen’s Park with handwritten menus and classic pasta dishes.
“Ida is just such an Italian family run restaurant. It’s quaint. Warm, and unassuming. It’s down this little residential street. It makes me feel fuzzy inside,” Lipa said.
The Levitating singer rounded off her guide with Mountain, Parry’s follow-up to BRAT.
The restaurant delves deeper into Spanish-inspired wood-fired cooking, with larger sharing plates and a greater lean on seafood.
Lipa didn’t hold back on the praise: “It just never disappoints. I always leave happy.”
Dining and Cooking