Fryer's delight: the best deep fried dishes to try in London right now

Catherine Hanly 20 February 2024

They’re the kind of dishes that would fill any health food guru with horror; but if you’re focusing on more overall happiness then any one of these deep-fried delights are guaranteed to give you pleasure. Here are our current, fresh-from-the-frying-pan favourites to order in London right now.

Akaras at Akara

Borough Yards - Arch 208, 18 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD

For his follow-up to Akoko, chef Aji Akokomi brought Londoners a new take on deep-fried West African akaras. These black-eye bean fritters are deep-fried before being cut open for fillings that include ox cheek, scallops, mushrooms, and tiger prawns. Get plenty of their hot sauce on them for the best impact.

Deep-fried lasagna at Detroit Pizza

Islington - 137 Upper St, London N1 1QP

Ostensibly it’s the deep pan pizzas that are the draw at this very popular and growing pizza group. But those in the know head to the new branch in Islington where they can add an order of the deep-fried nugget of pasta goodness, buried by shavings of Grana Padano.

Buffalo oyster at Pearly Queen

Spitalfields - 44 Commercial Street, London E1 6LT

There are plenty of takes on the fried oyster to be had in London, but there’s something about the one here at Pearly Queen that takes it to the next level. Fried and then served up with cayenne sauce and ranch dressing, it’s an intense one-bite pop of flavour.

Spicy tuna crispy rice at Nobu

Mayfair, Marylebone and Shoreditch

Something of a guilty pleasure, when you feel you should be enjoying the skills of the sushi team here unadulterated, the crispy sushi rice is still always one of our orders. Dip into the soy and then top with spoonfuls of the spicy sriracha and kewpie mayo-covered raw tuna.

Confit potatoes at Quality Chop House

Clerkenwell - 92–94 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3EA

Yes, we know the Quality Chop House didn’t invent confit potatoes, but they have made the dish very much their own here in London. It’s a labour-intensive process taking two days, but never you mind that as you fight everyone else at the table for your fair share.

Popcorn shrimp at Taka

Marylebone - 109 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4RX

Tempura prawns may be on menus across London, but there’s something about the wafer-thin battered popcorn shrimp here at Taka that sticks in the mind. Maybe it’s that butter ponzu they serve it with, or maybe we’re just greedy fans of perfectly deep-fried seafood.

Bread and butter pudding at Cafe Cecilia

Broadway Market - Canal Place, 32 Andrews Rd, London E8 4RL

If you’d ever wondered what could improve on the joys of a generous serving of bread and butter pudding with custard, then let chef Max Rocha tell you. Because it’s clear to us that deep-frying it and serving it up with a scoop of Guinness ice cream is the way forward.

Whole fried chicken at Chick n Sours

Haggerston and Seven Dials

Very much channeling John Belushi’s famous order to Aretha Franklin’s unimpressed fried chicken shop owner, this special at Chick ‘n’ Sours needs to be pre-ordered 48 hours in advance. That gives the team time to brine it before it’s plunged into the oil. Then choose between a dressing or chilli vinegar and gochujang mayo or kung pao glaze with spring onion, pickled chilli and peanuts.

Deep-fried rarebit at St John Marylebone

Marylebone - 98 Marylebone Lane London W1U 2QA

This homage to the original rarebit that’s been on the St John Smithfield menu for decades, this take may be “structurally different” but also “very much part of the same vernacular”. Tim Hayward in the FT put it best. "Somewhere in the disputed territory between a custardy beignet and an as-yet-unimagined fried cheese trifle."