Whether you're an Editor or just a spectator, we give you the best places to eat during LFW...
With LFW at Somerset House no more (RIP breakfasts at Spring and cheeky mid-afternoon burgers at Shake Shack) we’ve handily put together a list of the best places for the fash-pack and for those who want to observe them in their (un)natural habitat to settle down for some chum inbetween Bora Aksu and FYODOR GOLAN. Antidote Wine Bar 12a Newburgh Street, W1F 7RR
A five-minute walk away from Brewer Street and just up from Carnaby Street for those who are doing some shopping and a bit of LFW eavesdropping, Antidote is the best place to sip on some wine post-Peter Pilotto while lining your stomach with some of head chef Michael Hazelwood’s tasty food.
Le Bab Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, W1B 5PW
Thought kebabs were just for when you were drunk? Think again. Le Bab in the hidden away Kingly Court is the perfect place to chow down without being spotted by your non-carb eating fash rival whether you've had too many champers or not.
Frenchie 16 Henrietta St, Covent Garden WC2E 8QH
Sick to death of Pret soups and fancy gorging on good food to toast the success of the Emilia Wickstead show as if it were your own? Frenchie is the place. While Covent Garden may be a bit of a walk away (swap those Sophia Websters for a pair of Stan Smiths) you won't regret it.
Hoppers 49 Frith St, W1D 4SG
Lost all your tickets and now have a massive gap inbetween shows and presentations? Spend your time wisely and queue for Hoppers on Frith Street for dosas and rotis galore while checking out who is posting what on Instagram. They might have some stellar photos of the Molly Goddard presentation, but you'll have a great #foodporn pic.
Cahoots 13 Kingly Street, W1B 5PG
Late night bar, Cahoots will transport you back to the 1940s with it's disused tube station decor to wallow in the fact that all your AW15 clothes that you've just bought seem woefully out of fashion after watching the Joseph show. Blanchette 9 d’Arblay Street, W1F 8DR
Just round the corner from the action on d’Arblay Street, Blanchette is a quirky space full of antiques, mismatched furniture and vintage crockery run by three French brothers (so basically a place you’ll want to come back to to catch a glimpse of them). We suggest pigging out on the cheeses and charcuterie boards while you Instagram away. Bob Bob Ricard 1 Upper James Street, W1F 9DF
Need we say more than it has a ‘Press for Champagne’ button? No, we thought not. Get booking now, this one is bound to be a fashion week favourite.
The Running Horse 50 Davies Street, W1K 5JE
Making your way lazily back to Brewer Street after attending a fabbbbbulous presentation at Claridges? Well, The Running Horse – aka Mayfair’s oldest pub – has got to be the place. Drop in for a drink (or two) and watch buyers fly past to their next appointment. Ember Yard 60 Berwick Street, W1F 8SU
Test out those new heels by making the short five-minute walk to Berwick Street to dine at Ember Yard. Grab a few small plates with your friends and discuss the Molly Goddard presentation before heading down to the cocktail bar in the basement (and sacking off the rest of the shows on your schedule) for smoked cocktails and more grub.
Heddon Street Kitchen 3-9 Heddon Street, W1B 4BE
Need some hair of the dog after ending up slamming shots the night before with the team behind palmer//harding? Sip on a Bloody Mary with all the extras at Heddon Street Kitchen to calm that hangover...just don't have too many or you'll be back to square 1 again. House of Ho 55-59 Old Compton Street, W1D 6HW
The most appropriate place to head to after the House of Holland show? Obviously, House of Ho. Tuck into some modern Vietnamese grub (we’ve already got a hankering for the crispy skinned seabass) just around the corner from the Brewer Street Carpark. L’Escargot 48 Greek Street, W1D 4EF
Need to have a serious DMC (deep meaningful conversation) with your fellow fash-friend about the SIBLING show but don’t want anyone to hear? L’Escargot has a maze of rooms to hide away in for a good gossip. We say head up to the Salon Noir on the top floor to hear the inevitable LFW rain tapping away on the glass roof. Lina Stores 18 Brewer Street, W1F 0SH
This Italian deli is capitalizing on the Soho fashion takeover and we’re liking it. Forgot your packed lunch in your Camilla Elphick x PEZ lunch box? Then head over to Lina Stores where you can pick up one of their Fashion Pack(ed) grab ‘n go lunches which have anything from a Prosciutto di Parma and Mozzarella panino, salad and lots and lots more inside while you peruse their bespoke window display which has been curated by Shrimps' Hannah Weiland. Faux Fur and pasta - what a dreamy mix! Amanzi Tea 52 Brewer Street
Newly opened on Brewer Street just in time for LFW (it’s like they knew), Amanzi Tea is the perfect place to pick up a cuppa inbetween presentations. Not your old Earl Grey, these babies come in a variety of innovative flavours with their own Matcha bar. We suggest trying the Matcha Ginger Lemonade if you’re feeling a bit queasy after the House of Holland party the night before… NOPI 21-22 Warwick Street, W1B 5NE
Starting early? Head to NOPI to try Ottelenghi’s legendary Shakshuka (braised eggs with piquante tomato sauce and smoked labneh) to start the day off on the right foot and reap the Instagram rewards when you take to social media with this one.
Social Eating House 58 Poland Street, W1F 7NR
Are you a fashion outsider who just happened to manage to stroll into a presentation? Continue your fashion-packed day by heading to the Social Eating House and rubbing shoulders with the editors while sipping on cocktails and tucking into your smoked beef tartare darling.
Riding House Café 43-51 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7PQ
Head to the Riding House Café and order one of their fashion-week inspired cocktails such as the ‘Only Show Her Back’ (named after Karl Lagerfeld’s legendary quote about Pippa Middleton post-Royal Wedding) and ‘The Nobody’ (referring to Anna Wintour’s claim that everyone apart from her is a ‘nobody’). We suggest ordering a ‘Basic Bitch’ for your fash-week nemesis and sending it across the bar. Suvlaki 21 Bateman Street, W1D 3AL
Looking for a cosy space to park your bum after sitting on the unforgiving benches of the FROW? Suvlaki has cosy, cushioned seating and comforting food aplenty. Just try not to get any olive oil on your Topshop Unique velvet skirt for God's sake.
The Nordic Bakery 14a Golden Square, W1F 9JG
Fancy a sweet treat without having to chow down on a croissant in front of Anna Wintour and co? Head to the relatively low-key Nordic Bakery in Golden Square for a baked pancake (surprisingly great – why didn’t we think of this one?) or one of their legendary cinnamon buns. Perfect for those wanting to fly under the radar…
The Ivy 1-5 West Street, WC2H 9NQ
…if, however, you want to be seen and heard, then it’s got to be The Ivy. A little bit more of a trek away, The Ivy has always been known as a place de jour. Newly renovated, the legendary eatery reopened in June and remains as one of London’s most iconic restaurants. The new menu – which still features their signature Shepherd’s Pie – now has a lighter touch with a tossed salad of barbecued squid, chorizo, toasted quinoa and preserved lemon. The Vault 3 Greek Street, W1D 4NX
Looking to escape the endless fashion parties? Hidden beyond a bookshelf door at the back of Milroy’s of Soho, The Vault is the perfect place to party away with your non-fashion friends without ending up on the Instagram feed of a big brand with your lipstick smeared and your heels off. Vico One Cambridge Circus, WC2H 8PA
The perfect pitstop between shows, Vico is the newest opening from Jacob Kenedy and Victor Hugo (no, not that Victor Hugo) who are the team behind Bocca di Lupo and Gelupo. While it may not have a menu it embraces the Italian street food trend with the offering changing throughout the day. You can buy food BY THE KILO guys so you know, there is that too.
