From gourmet restaurants and gastro pubs to sensational sushi and perfect pizza, Ealing is sure to have a culinary treat for you.
A pub-lover’s playground, Ealing is peppered with inns. Head to the newly refurbished Ealing Park Tavern near South Ealing station for something above gastro-pub grub. In the historic 200-year-old pub you’ll find a brewery that dates back to 1728, as well as a proudly British menu. With locally sourced produce and Chef Matt Burgess showcasing his culinary passion with excellence, this is a treat.
Just down the road is a hidden gem, L’Oro di Napoli. Recently opened, this typically Italian pizza restaurant is filled with native Italians, tucking into their pizzas and antipasti, which use Italian ingredients only and come served with welcoming smiles from staff. On the wooden walls hang images of Italian superstars and traditional scenes. You could almost be sitting in Napoli.
Nearby, Charlotte’s Place restaurant sits on the grassy edge of Ealing Common. Awarded for its seasonal fine-dining, Charlotte’s Place deems itself a neighbourhood restaurant and although the neighbours are their closest fans, foodies flock from far and wide to enjoy the cuisine. Head Chef Lubos Vaskanin keeps sustainable practices and seasonal and local produce at the heart of his cuisine.
Head across Ealing Common towards the tube station to the traditional Japanese Atari-Ya sushi bar. Sourcing the freshest fish and authentic products, the sushi bar boasts a variety of sushi and sashimi and a relaxed and friendly environment. Compared to the other Ealing-based sushi restaurants, Atari-Ya has always pulled at my fish-loving heartstrings.
In amongst the many pubs of Ealing are some true gems that, depending on your agenda will treat you to a drinking dream. From trendy pubs like the North Star in Ealing Broadway, to traditional and historical pubs like The Haven Arms – built in 1861 – and The Drayton Court – where Ho Chim Mihn worked in the kitchen in 1914, and the Ealing Park Tavern as aforementioned.
Although pubs have a strong reign in Ealing, the ‘burb is also home to a few good bars. Crispin’s Wine Bar is a must, having been a part of the drinking scene for over 30 years; today, it’s still a shabby-chic lair to prop yourself up against the bar and enjoy some excellent wine. If you’re lucky, you’ll be catch some stars who illustriously pop in for a few drinks after filming at Ealing Studios.
If something a bit more music and cocktail-filled is up your street, head to The Lodge Tavern near Ealing Common. Mixologists, a weekend DJ and the quirky décor make it a nice escape from the plethora of pubs.
So far, I have only focused on alcohol-centric drinking venues (not a reflection – I hope – on my interests). But rest assured, Ealing certainly is a coffee-loving suburb! The likes of South Ealing’s Munson’s Coffee and Ealing Broadway’s Electric Coffee Co. make for a lovely cuppa, fresh coffee, great sandwiches and snacks to accompany you watching the world go by.
Walking around Ealing, you’ll find the Broadway’s shopping centre at its heart with a few chain stores and your day-to-day shops. However, take a wander further afield and you’ll come across a peppering of independent shops. Near Ealing’s centre, Farm W5 is small produce market that only sells organic products that are certified by the Slow Food Movement. While browsing, pick up a fresh lemonade or fair-trade coffee, and don’t feel shy to ask the friendly staff for recommendations.
Across the road, For Arts Sake is a printmaker’s gallery that has been in Ealing for over 20 years. With regular exhibitions and a quick turn around of art on sale, get in there quickly to nab a beautiful print, frame or ceramic work.
A shop that I hold dear is The Silver Grove behind Ealing Broadway. As a child I used to squash my nose on the windowpane, ogling the beautiful handmade silverware. Designed by contemporary designers, they showcase beautiful pieces, as well as an incredible amber collection.
Being known as ‘The Queen of the Suburbs’, Ealing has a whole lot of leafy rambles to go on, and parks to discover: from the Broadway’s Walpole and Lammas Parks to further out Pitshanger and Gunnersbury Parks.
Ealing’s renowned for it’s film studios where some of the biggest stars have shown their faces. Take a tour around the studios to find out about life in the Ealing show light since 1902. Another highlight of Ealing is its annual summer Jazz Festival. Walpole Park becomes home to the weekend-long day festival where some of the finest jazz artists come to perform. I strongly suggest grabbing some Pimms and relaxing in the park to some jazzy tunes.