A guide for what to eat in London, plus a mini city guide for our favourite attractions while in London! Lots of delicious places to eat at!
London Town! We enjoyed our trip to London SO much!! We went to London in August of this year for two weeks for the World Championships. Many of you may know I’m Jamaican – so we went to support our Jamaican athletic team and to see Usain Bolt’s last run. That was a bittersweet moment – I was sad to see him go but happy for the endless excitement over the last few years.
Needless to say we had a blast. Not only did we go completely decked out from head to toe in Jamaican gear every single day to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium, we also got to really enjoy Central London. I’m sharing with you my perspective through the food – where we loved, what you need to eat in London and what you can’t miss.
This wasn’t my first time in London, actually. We went in 2012 for the Olympics, and did all the tourist things then. I really enjoyed that trip so much as I do our family trips in general – they’re a great opportunity to spend quality time with family while exploring a new city. Since we’ve been before, there were many things we didn’t on this trip, tourist wise. If it’s your first time I would definitely recommend visiting London Bridge, watching a play and of course checking out something fun like Madame Tussaud’s wax museum.
We stayed at the DoubleTree Hilton in Central London and spent about two weeks in London. Our priority when travelling is always to find great places to eat. I think I’ve said this before – I truly believe you discover a country or a town or a city through its food. Visit all the tourist attractions, but make space for at least one truly local meal (aka not a fast food chain) to really delve into the culture.
So I had a few missions while in London: start the hunt for the best veggie burger (worldwide) and eat more local food. My 2012 trip was not satisfying food wise, but this one DEFINITELY was. I found a whole lot of vegetarian food to eat in London which pleasantly surprised me! Out of everywhere we ate, Dishoom, a traditional Bombay cafe/Indian cuisine restaurant was my absolute favourite meal. More of the veggie burger madness (I ended up eating 11!!)
BREAKFAST
Borough Market, Borough Market, Borough Market
From Turnips Borough
Freeze frame, record scratch! If you’re going to London, go to Borough Market. This trip was so unique from our usual trips because I normal list a bunch of different restaurants all over, but Borough Market puts a lot of divine restaurants, stalls and shops all into a few blocks of space. Go on an empty stomach, eat breakfast there, and then keep exploring. I had way more than breakfast here, and the options were truly amazing. This is a great spot if you want to get some unique food souvenirs from family and friends. More on this under lunch and dinner.
Mandira, London
Jessica in the Kitchen turned 3 while we were in London! We revamped the entire website AND changed the logo and honestly by the time it was the actual anniversary, I was pretty exhausted. Our hotel had breakfast every morning, and on this special day the Mr. let me sleep in and surprised me with this treat. I’m a sucker for made from scratch, so loved this in store made yogurt with all the delicious toppings. Mandira has a nice choice of healthy, fresh dishes when you want to refresh a bit.
LUNCH & DINNER
Dishoom
Sigh. I honestly want to cry thinking about this meal. The best meal we had on that entire trip. The Mr. and I have different views about having divine meals – he wants to preserve the memory, I want to eat, eat and eat more!! We ended up only having it once because of time constraints, and I’m actually glad because the next time we go it’ll be even better. Everything I had on this menu was divine.
For reference I (we? haha) had the Pau Bhaji , House Black Daal , Garlic Naan , Mango & Fennel Lassi and the Pineapple & Black Pepper Crumble . I can’t even remember what the Mr. ordered because I was so enthralled by my food. No, mere “food” doesn’t give it justice. By the complete treat for kings that I was presented. The flavour. The presentation. The atmosphere. The authenticity. Dishoom is levels above itself. The House Black Daal absolutely blew me away and was the reason I came home and made this Vegan Red Lentil Curry. I want to perfect everything I ate and share the recipes with you because you deserve this meal.
Okay okay, on to the rest of the meals! I think it’s obvious I enjoyed Dishoom.
Bill’s
Bill’s was the very first place we ate, and as with a lot of other countries we visit, the place we chose as our “ home base “. I’ve discussed the importance of having a home base before – a well priced restaurant you know is a sure win in case you can’t/don’t want to find somewhere new to eat. Bill’s was around the corner from our hotel so it was the perfect location, and satisfied 6 jet-lagged (well I was jet-lagged – both ways) Jamaicans INCLUDING a teenager so it definitely wins the family seal of approval. I got introduced to some divine drinks here and the London phenomenon of the halloumi vegetable burger. That tomato soup above went perfect with the pesto garlic bread sticks it was served with too. We went back to Bill’s a few more times since it was so conveniently located and so tasty. They even gave us a jug of Pimm’s on the house!!
Bronte
We visited Bronte on the recommendation of a blog post (I can’t remember it now). Okay let me say this – did I enjoy what I ate? Yes. Was it ridiculously expensive? YES. The sweet potato dish with cranberries and quinoa and crispy kale chips was heavenly, and I ate every bite. Below was my appetiser or battered zucchini blossoms which was SO innovative and creative and so yummy!!
Covent Garden– We ate atAubaine
When I first read about Covent Garden, I thought it was just a shopping district. Wrong – it is so much more than that. Covent Garden is THE place to be on a Saturday for lunch after you’ve had breakfast and nibbles at Borough Market. It’s loaded with restaurants from top to bottom, it has its own market, and lots of entertainment. We strolled around, ate, listened and watched performers and then strolled some more. I got to stop by the Caudalie store (my favourite vegan natural brand of skincare products) and shop, then we headed back to get ready for another night of the games. You’ll find so many places to eat here!
Borough Market
announcer voice We are back with Borough Market! Again, you’ll get so many great options here, ensure that you check it out!
Balkan Bites – I had a divine Spanakopita Bureka for breakfast! Flaky, delicious and well priced!
Big V London – OMG. Can you say the best veggie burger ever?! Okay, they absolutely hit it out of the part with this. If we go back to London, I am definitely heading to their store on an empty stomach to enjoy their entire range, then taste some of what the Mr. orders!! Do NOT miss this one out – this burger was filling and SO so so good! Best veggie burger I have EVER had and I don’t say that lightly! Like I said, I’ve started an official mission to rate veggie burgers around the world. So far I only have London, Jamaica and America and Mexico for veggie burgers, but it’ll be a fun little passion project as we continue to travel to try the best veggie burger in that country/city!
Stadium Vendors
So we also ate a lot of our dinners at the stadium, since we spent most of our nights there. I’ll be honest – stadium food isn’t the most appealing, and it’s hard to serve a large crowd. Out of everything we ate there, I would recommend trying West Cornwall Pasty Co. They achieved quality pasties (YUM!!) and had a divine Thai Green Curry Vegetable Pasty!!
DESSERT
Peggy Porschen Cakes
Okay, so fun fact: back when I ran my own baking company, Peggy Porschen was the first cookbook I ever bought., I was obsessed with her gorgeous cakes and studied all her tips perfectly. So it was a real full circle moment to end up in Peggy Porschen at tea time, to snag the very last table. The manager looked at me and I could tell he knew how special this was to me and said “hold on, I’ll ensure you get a seat.” If we are friends, you probably know my love of Disney and that erm, Siri calls me Princess Jessica. I really was in my own fantasy world then. The store is so beautifully decorated and oh my gosh the desserts!! The Mr. ATE his entire dessert! I was sort of hoping he wouldn’t so well, I could, but I’m so happy enjoyed his too. The tea was perfect and needless to say, we enjoyed ourselves. Apparently a line outside is NORMAL – we just beat it – so you know that this is a real treat.
Borough Market
- The Free From Bakehouse – gluten free, vegan and delicious large and mini desserts!
- Artisan Foods – real deal, divine cheesecakes, breads and pastries!
Lola’s Cupcakes in Covent Garden
I ate this so quickly I forgot to take a picture. A great stop for delicious, vegan, mini cupcakes (or larger ones if you’d like!)
To wrap up, without a doubt, ensure you eat/drink:
at Dishoom
from Borough Market
dessert from Peggy Porschen
a pasty!
Because this post wouldn’t be compete without including some of our favourite attractions…
ATTRACTIONS WE LOVED
Helicopter Ride withthe London Helicopter
This was SUCH a fun trip!! We took a helicopter ride of the entire city and got to spot everything down below. It was a great introduction/re-introduction to the city.
London Eye
Of COURSE you need to try the London Eye. It moves really slowly, so you get another stunning panoramic view of the city, plus opportunities to take great photos!!
World Championships
Do I even need to explain this? This was the reason we went to London – and it did not disappoint! We bumped into lots of friends and family while there, and had an amazing time together as a family. There’s SO much excitement, so much anticipation (because of the races!!) and SO much screaming!! You go to bed each night exhausted, guaranteeing a proper sleep, to do it all over again the next day. It doesn’t hurt of course when people want to take pictures with you JUST because you’re Jamaican!!
National Gallery (Trafalgar Park)
Because I can’t end this post with a rainy picture!!
5 Tips for finding amazing food and having a blast in London:
- Accept that you can’t do everything. London is such a great city to explore, but it is absolutely huge. Unless you’re spending a solid month, it’ll be impossible to do everything. Instead of stressing about it, do your research and focus on activities you know you’ll enjoy, and ensure you have a blast doing everything you’ve planned out.
- Ask a local where to eat! We found lots of great food options from just asking our Uber drivers where they enjoyed. It’s a great way to find local approved spots without reading endless reviews on critic sites.
- Go to Borough Market. This tip is super specific for a reason: EVERYTHING at Borough Market is absolutely delicious!! You’ll find so many amazing choices here, and it’s open almost every day so you’ll have lots of opportunities to stop by.
- Have/attend tea time. Tea time is HUGE in London. We stumbled upon Peggy Porschen Cakes (Okay okay, I totally pre-planned that trip, but the timing was a coincidence) and got the last table for tea. Oh my gosh, it totally changed my life experiencing such a delicious and welcoming different kind of meal! It’s a great opportunity (and excuse) to have lots of desserts around 4PM.
- Check out Covent Garden . Another very specific recommendation here that is so worth it. Covent Garden is covered from head to toe in restaurants of all different cuisines. It’s buzzing on the weekend and a really fun food scene, so it’s equally as entertaining and satisfying. There are also lots of mini markets, so you can try lots of mini desserts and also grab from unique souvenirs!
I hope this post helped to guide you if you plan to visit London anytime in the near future. Until next time friends!
These Baked Apples are tender, moist, and stuffed with a warm, crunchy yet soft, cinnamon oat crisp filling. Top with ice cream and caramel sauce for decadent yet simple fall dessert.
I’ve never had baked apples before making these. I’ve always heard of them, seen them, and marvelled at them. Of course, baked apples into chips and baked pears but never baked apples. That’s of course all changed now.
One bite into these warm, welcoming apples loaded with melty ice cream on top and warm caramel sauce pouring down let me know exactly what I had been missing. I’m 100% welcoming fall in with open hands with these babies.
For more irresistible apple desserts, check out my apple cranberry crisp , vegan apple pie , and apple pie bars.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Apples Recipe
- Soft and tender apples. You can see the colour transformation in these pictures from pre-baked to baked apples, and it’s also reflected in the taste. The apples become moist, soft, juicy and so tender once baked.
- Oat crisp filling. The oat crisp filling used in these baked cinnamon apples is my absolute favourite. Think of it like a quick granola. It remains crisp on the inside yet gets warm at the same time.
- Warm cinnamon flavour. The oat filling is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, giving these that classic warm fall flavour.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below to find the measurements.
- Apples – I like to use a combination of Gala or Honeycrisp and Granny Smith.
- Old fashioned oats – Steel cut oats and other varieties will result in a different texture.
- Flour – I used all purpose gluten free flour but einkorn/whole wheat flour will work too.
- Cinnamon & nutmeg – Add the classic warmth to these baked apples.
- Coconut sugar
- Sea salt
- Chopped pecans – An optional topping for additional texture.
- Coconut oil
How to Make Baked Cinnamon Apples
Here’s an overview of how to make this baked apples recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Prepare the apples. Slice off the very tops of the apples then use a melon baller to scoop out the core and the seeds. Place upright in a baking dish.
- Make the filling. Combine the oats, flour, spices, sugar, and salt, along with the pecans if you’re adding them. Stir in the coconut oil to form a crumble texture that’s moist but not too crumbly. Add to the centre of the apples, packing tightly and leaving some on top.
- Bake. Bake for 35 minutes. Test the softness of the apple – the outside should be soft and wrinkled but the inside should be slightly crisp. Bake an extra 5 minutes if needed.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making these baked cinnamon apples.
- What are the best apples for baked apples? I used a mix of Gala and Granny Smith apples, but the Granny Smith apples are my absolutely favourite. The tartness paired with the sweet crisp stuffing go perfectly together.
- Don’t core the whole way through the apple. You want to remove the center of the apple but not cut all the way through, as the filling needs something to sit in.
- Cover the pecans. If you add the pecans, try to make sure that none of them are exposed on top of the apples as they will burn in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these baked cinnamon apples warm from the oven, topped with your favourite vegan ice cream and caramel sauce.
If you want a yummy caramel sauce to use, you can try my vegan caramel sauce . I kind of want to drink it straight from the jar, but somehow seem to manage to resist. It goes SO well with these baked apples.
More Apple Recipes To Try
- Apple Streusel Muffins
- Hot Spiced Apple Cider
- Apple Pie Overnight Oats
- Apple Pie Pancakes
Ingredients
- 5-6 apples , I like a mix of Gala/Honeycrisp and Granny Smith
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup all purpose gluten free flour mix , or einkorn/whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- pinch sea salt
- ¼ cup chopped pecans , optional
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
Instructions
Baked Apples Stuffed with Cinnamon Oat Crisp (Vegan)
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare the apples by slicing off the very tops, then using a melon baller to scoop out the core, scooping out up to the seeds of the apple (scoop those out too). Set aside in a baking dish upright. Remember not to go right through, since the filling needs something to sit in.
- Mix the oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, coconut sugar and salt. If using the pecans, you can stir them in now. Once combined, stir in the coconut oil until it becomes a crumble/crisp texture. You can use a fork or your hands to combine. You want it moist, not too crumbly, so you can pack it together between your fingers.
- Add the stuffing to the centre of the apples, packing tightly and leaving some on top too. If using pecans, ensure none of them are exposed on top else they’ll burn.
- Bake for 35 minutes in the oven. Remove from oven and test the softness of the apple – you want the outside to be soft and wrinkled, and the inside soft yet still crisp. You can bake for an extra 5 minutes if you want them even softer.
- The apples will be very hot. Remove carefully and top with ice cream and homemade vegan caramel sauce , if desired. Enjoy!
