Lots of traditional charming country pubs around the area, but it can a bit hit and miss. A really friendly one with amazing food (and a unusually large veggie selection…) is the Beehive in Epping Green; close to the Great Wood. It's friendly enough you dare going there by yourself with the paper and are not at the mercy of local rubbernecks ("the rubberneck" = person who stares at strangers without any sign of guilt)

I've only just discovered this fantastic little salad bar-come-florist right round corner from my studio. It serves freshly made salads that are not only delicious but cheap too! Either take away, or grab the one and only table and eat in.

An obvious choice but no 'best of London' list is complete without the Barbican

Zédel is my absolute favorite restaurant in London. Beside the fact that I love french cuisine, Zédel is aesthetically pleasing, very reasonably priced, is good for any occasion, and of course - delicious. My favorite is the bouillabaisse and a bottle of the Bordeaux Superior.

A beautiful and spacious (outside of rush hour) way to get from Highbury, through east London to south of the river in minutes. The train snakes epically through Hoxton and Shoreditch and opens up the Jubilee Line via the beautiful Canada Water / Bermondsey stations.