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The House of Commons according to where politicians eat
All inspiration c/o Cold War Steve

Where Politicians Eat in London

Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn, and more

by Adam Coghlan and Apoorva Sripathi
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All inspiration c/o Cold War Steve
by Adam Coghlan and Apoorva Sripathi

The general election and the intersection of politics and food — like Boris Johnson’s Voyage of Culinary Discovery — has opened the door to an unspoiled pantry of seasonal content. And, in that spirit, allow Eater London to present a different kind of a London restaurant guide. This is crucial not just because everyone’s obsessed with how and what politicians eat, but because eating and drinking is inherently political. It is entirely at the discretion of you, the reader, to decide whether the below represents a recommendation or somewhere to avoid.

We’re always interested to learn where politicians are eating, so don’t hesitate to let us know if you have a sighting. You can let us know via this link. Remember, tipping goes a long way in this industry.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Mamma Mia

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No prizes for guessing the cuisine: Italian staples including the likes of bresaola, rigatoni with beef ragu or escaloppe Milanese. Prizes for guessing the politician? Here’s the answer. It’s Boris Johnson.

459 Upper Richmond Rd W, East Sheen, London SW14 7PR, UK
020 8878 6725
020 8878 6725
Candidate For The Conservative Party Leadership Boris Johnson Arrives At His Girlfriend’s Home
Mamma Mia...Here I go again... is an apt song
Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images

Boisdale of Belgravia

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Old-school restaurant serving steaks, gammon, and chips seeks old-school er... gent for a customer. Clearly Nigel Farage likes this place as he’s been spotted here on many occasions. Once with Boris Johnson. Once with “friends”. And last Tuesday, when the restaurant celebrated its 30 year anniversary. Obsessed much?

15 Eccleston St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9LX, UK
020 7730 6922
020 7730 6922
The Brexit Party Campaign in Hull and Grimsby
Is Nigel Farage obsessed with Boisdale?
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Archway Kebab

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The leader of the Labour party loves his kebabs, but make it vegetarian please. Jeremy Corbyn is such a fan of this takeaway that he nominated Archway Kebab for the Best British Kebab Awards, which it won. He then promptly ate said veggie kebabs. Runner up for a Corbyn favourite is the El Comandante pub near the Emirates Stadium. Old pub with Che Guevara memorabilia and an R&B soundtrack. That checks out. 

26 Junction Rd, Archway, London N19 5RE, UK
020 7263 9163
020 7263 9163
The Labour Party Launch Their Election Manifesto
“One veggie kebab please, my good man.”
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Ottolenghi Spitalfields

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This one’s a genuine puzzler. Former prime minister and boogie queen Theresa May loves Ottolenghi, but just his cookbooks — there is no evidence that she has dined at one of his London restaurants, so one can only speculate. Further questions: Should we look forward to a Loyle Carner ft. Theresa May single soon? Has she heard of the Ottolenghi dictionary?

50 Artillery Ln, Spitalfields, London E1 7LJ, UK
020 7247 1999
020 7247 1999
BRITAIN-ATTACK
There’s always Alottolenghi in Theresa May’s kitchen
Photo credit should read BEN BIRCHALL/AFP via Getty Images

Kennington Tandoori

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A number of British politicians — Ken Clarke, David Cameron, Anna Soubry — name Kennington Tandoori as their favourite. Is this the Parliament’s official curry house?

313 Kennington Rd, London SE11 4QE, UK
020 7735 9247
020 7735 9247
UK Government Readies For Change In Prime Minister
Fancy a curry tonight?
Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Gadz Café

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Jeremy Corbyn has many favourites — he’s a man of the people! He offered to do the dishes here! He also loves the falafel here! The rumour is that the cafe’s Christmas tree has a picture of him on the tree instead of an angel or a star.

44 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP, UK
020 7263 0871
020 7263 0871
Jeremy Corbyn Campaigns For Labour In Stoke
“I’ll have a giant falafel wrap please”
Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

Rudie's

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Diane Abbott seems to be generally enamoured by Stoke Newington Church Street, but that really isn’t surprising considering she has been the Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987. Rudie’s, which serves Jamaican food, in Stokey has apparently been her favourite since it opened, where rum and coke is the drink of her choice. That is when M&S Mojitos don’t make the cut. She also occasionally frequents Peppers & Spice in Islington when she wants a West Indian takeaway of jerk chicken, rice and peas.

50 Stoke Newington Rd, Clapton, London N16 7XB, UK
020 7249 9930
020 7249 9930
Labour Leader Calls For A General Election
Rum and coke on my mind
Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images

The Reform Club

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Jacob Rees Mogg was seen dining here with with Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the French Ambassador. A very ‘man of the people’ vibe. The Somerset MP, it has to be noted, makes his own cider — impressive?? — and likes to drink it...flat — not so impressive. Cheeky pint after, at Wetherspoons perhaps.

104 Pall Mall, St. James's, London SW1Y 5EW, UK
020 7930 9374
020 7930 9374
Jacob Rees-Mogg MP Joins Wetherspoons Owner At Somerset Pub Opening
Mmm...flat cider
Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Orient Express Turkish Kebab, Grill & Meze

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Chuka Umunna likes his jazz funk — he’s all about keeping it real — and his cocktails at Shochu Lounge, and apparently spends well over £150 a month on coffee. But the more important intel is that he prefers his burgers, unlike George Osborne, to be under a fiver.

12, Leigham Hall Parade, Streatham, London SW16 1DR, UK
020 8677 6808
020 8677 6808
Lib Dems Unveil Plan For Equalities And Human Rights
A burger should not cost more than £5!
Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Aubergine

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Now closed, this erstwhile Gordon Ramsay restaurant is (was?) a favourite of Jeremy Hunt or, he who ate cold pizza to prove he’s just a regular guy.

11 Park Walk, Chelsea, London SW10 0AJ, UK
Theresa May Holds Final Cabinet Before Stepping Down As Prime Minister Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images

The Colony Grill Room

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A plotter favourite, apparently. So Gavin Williamson makes the cut, when he was plotting a Tory leadership bid. Of course, nothing compares to the time when the Secretary of State for Education gave people some influencer-worthy Instagram content on McDonalds (!). Ice cream sundae (!!). He’s back on his reelection bid: Williamson was seen casually grabbing a cuppa and proclaiming that Brussels sprouts has “nothing to do with Brussels”.

The Beaumont, 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair, London W1K 6TF, UK
020 7499 9499
020 7499 9499
Gavin Williamson’s sacking by Theresa May over Huawei leak leads to a culinary journey
An impressive culinary transformation that is Williamson
Gavin Williamson/Instagram

Also featured in:

Simpsons Tavern

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The site of Nigel Farage’s lunch with the Financial Times, in which he chastised his interviewer for ordering goats’ cheese, ate a well-done pork chop, and drank a lot of ale.

38 1/2 Cornhill, London EC3V 9DR, UK
020 7626 9985
020 7626 9985
Autumn Racing & CAMRA Beer Festival At Ascot
It’s ale good...
Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Also featured in:

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Mamma Mia

459 Upper Richmond Rd W, East Sheen, London SW14 7PR, UK

No prizes for guessing the cuisine: Italian staples including the likes of bresaola, rigatoni with beef ragu or escaloppe Milanese. Prizes for guessing the politician? Here’s the answer. It’s Boris Johnson.

459 Upper Richmond Rd W, East Sheen, London SW14 7PR, UK
020 8878 6725
020 8878 6725
Candidate For The Conservative Party Leadership Boris Johnson Arrives At His Girlfriend’s Home
Mamma Mia...Here I go again... is an apt song
Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images

Boisdale of Belgravia

15 Eccleston St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9LX, UK

Old-school restaurant serving steaks, gammon, and chips seeks old-school er... gent for a customer. Clearly Nigel Farage likes this place as he’s been spotted here on many occasions. Once with Boris Johnson. Once with “friends”. And last Tuesday, when the restaurant celebrated its 30 year anniversary. Obsessed much?

15 Eccleston St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9LX, UK
020 7730 6922
020 7730 6922
The Brexit Party Campaign in Hull and Grimsby
Is Nigel Farage obsessed with Boisdale?
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Archway Kebab

26 Junction Rd, Archway, London N19 5RE, UK

The leader of the Labour party loves his kebabs, but make it vegetarian please. Jeremy Corbyn is such a fan of this takeaway that he nominated Archway Kebab for the Best British Kebab Awards, which it won. He then promptly ate said veggie kebabs. Runner up for a Corbyn favourite is the El Comandante pub near the Emirates Stadium. Old pub with Che Guevara memorabilia and an R&B soundtrack. That checks out. 

26 Junction Rd, Archway, London N19 5RE, UK
020 7263 9163
020 7263 9163
The Labour Party Launch Their Election Manifesto
“One veggie kebab please, my good man.”
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Ottolenghi Spitalfields

50 Artillery Ln, Spitalfields, London E1 7LJ, UK

This one’s a genuine puzzler. Former prime minister and boogie queen Theresa May loves Ottolenghi, but just his cookbooks — there is no evidence that she has dined at one of his London restaurants, so one can only speculate. Further questions: Should we look forward to a Loyle Carner ft. Theresa May single soon? Has she heard of the Ottolenghi dictionary?

50 Artillery Ln, Spitalfields, London E1 7LJ, UK
020 7247 1999
020 7247 1999
BRITAIN-ATTACK
There’s always Alottolenghi in Theresa May’s kitchen
Photo credit should read BEN BIRCHALL/AFP via Getty Images

Kennington Tandoori

313 Kennington Rd, London SE11 4QE, UK

A number of British politicians — Ken Clarke, David Cameron, Anna Soubry — name Kennington Tandoori as their favourite. Is this the Parliament’s official curry house?

313 Kennington Rd, London SE11 4QE, UK
020 7735 9247
020 7735 9247
UK Government Readies For Change In Prime Minister
Fancy a curry tonight?
Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Gadz Café

44 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP, UK

Jeremy Corbyn has many favourites — he’s a man of the people! He offered to do the dishes here! He also loves the falafel here! The rumour is that the cafe’s Christmas tree has a picture of him on the tree instead of an angel or a star.

44 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP, UK
020 7263 0871
020 7263 0871
Jeremy Corbyn Campaigns For Labour In Stoke
“I’ll have a giant falafel wrap please”
Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

Rudie's

50 Stoke Newington Rd, Clapton, London N16 7XB, UK

Diane Abbott seems to be generally enamoured by Stoke Newington Church Street, but that really isn’t surprising considering she has been the Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987. Rudie’s, which serves Jamaican food, in Stokey has apparently been her favourite since it opened, where rum and coke is the drink of her choice. That is when M&S Mojitos don’t make the cut. She also occasionally frequents Peppers & Spice in Islington when she wants a West Indian takeaway of jerk chicken, rice and peas.

50 Stoke Newington Rd, Clapton, London N16 7XB, UK
020 7249 9930
020 7249 9930
Labour Leader Calls For A General Election
Rum and coke on my mind
Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images

The Reform Club

104 Pall Mall, St. James's, London SW1Y 5EW, UK

Jacob Rees Mogg was seen dining here with with Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the French Ambassador. A very ‘man of the people’ vibe. The Somerset MP, it has to be noted, makes his own cider — impressive?? — and likes to drink it...flat — not so impressive. Cheeky pint after, at Wetherspoons perhaps.

104 Pall Mall, St. James's, London SW1Y 5EW, UK
020 7930 9374
020 7930 9374
Jacob Rees-Mogg MP Joins Wetherspoons Owner At Somerset Pub Opening
Mmm...flat cider
Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Orient Express Turkish Kebab, Grill & Meze

12, Leigham Hall Parade, Streatham, London SW16 1DR, UK

Chuka Umunna likes his jazz funk — he’s all about keeping it real — and his cocktails at Shochu Lounge, and apparently spends well over £150 a month on coffee. But the more important intel is that he prefers his burgers, unlike George Osborne, to be under a fiver.

12, Leigham Hall Parade, Streatham, London SW16 1DR, UK
020 8677 6808
020 8677 6808
Lib Dems Unveil Plan For Equalities And Human Rights
A burger should not cost more than £5!
Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Aubergine

11 Park Walk, Chelsea, London SW10 0AJ, UK

Now closed, this erstwhile Gordon Ramsay restaurant is (was?) a favourite of Jeremy Hunt or, he who ate cold pizza to prove he’s just a regular guy.

11 Park Walk, Chelsea, London SW10 0AJ, UK
Theresa May Holds Final Cabinet Before Stepping Down As Prime Minister Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images

The Colony Grill Room

The Beaumont, 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair, London W1K 6TF, UK

A plotter favourite, apparently. So Gavin Williamson makes the cut, when he was plotting a Tory leadership bid. Of course, nothing compares to the time when the Secretary of State for Education gave people some influencer-worthy Instagram content on McDonalds (!). Ice cream sundae (!!). He’s back on his reelection bid: Williamson was seen casually grabbing a cuppa and proclaiming that Brussels sprouts has “nothing to do with Brussels”.

The Beaumont, 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair, London W1K 6TF, UK
020 7499 9499
020 7499 9499
Gavin Williamson’s sacking by Theresa May over Huawei leak leads to a culinary journey
An impressive culinary transformation that is Williamson
Gavin Williamson/Instagram

Simpsons Tavern

38 1/2 Cornhill, London EC3V 9DR, UK

The site of Nigel Farage’s lunch with the Financial Times, in which he chastised his interviewer for ordering goats’ cheese, ate a well-done pork chop, and drank a lot of ale.

38 1/2 Cornhill, London EC3V 9DR, UK
020 7626 9985
020 7626 9985
Autumn Racing & CAMRA Beer Festival At Ascot
It’s ale good...
Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images