While London's restaurants and pubs remain closed, many are finding new and inventive ways to help them survive. Here's our guide to the ones converting to shops where you can get the very best provisions and a meal or two to take away.
Update: As a new lockdown has been announced, it looks as though wine and beer retail from restaurants and pubs isn't allowed - but all the other lovely stuff they sell is up for grabs and some - like the Red Lion & Sun in Highgate have moved to delivery for booze.
Arch Rivals
Arch 361, Winchelsea Road, London E7 0AQ
This popular Forest Gate bar and restaurant is now a very handy pitstop for shopping. There's a click and collect HG Walter butchers along with dried and baked goods too.
Follow them on Instagram: @archrivals_e7
Find out more about Arch Rivals
Augustine Market
63 Battersea Bridge Road, Battersea, London SW11 3AU
While this Battersea restaurant can't reopen, it has turned itself into the "ultimate French deli". There's traiteur style dishes to take home along along with fresh cheese and classic French patisserie with delights like pistachio choux on sale.
Follow them on Instagram: @augustinemarket
Find out more about Augustine Market
The Clarence Tavern
102 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0LA
This North London gastropub (from the folks behind the Anchor & Hope) has transformed itself into a grocery store. In addition to being able to pick up dishes to reheat at home there's grocery items like cheese and meats and deli items from suppliers such as Neals Yard Dairy, Swaledale Foods, Monmouth Coffee, Spence Bakery, Sarah Green, Brindisa, England Preserves, The Little Bread Pedlar and Natoora
Follow them on Instagram: @theclarencetavern
Find out more about The Clarence Tavern
Darby's
3 Viaduct Gardens, Nine Elms, London SW11 7AY
January sees the return of Darby's hatch which means they'll be selling everything from Natoora veg, and Estate Dairy milk, through to truffled Baron Bigod and chef Dean Parker's sourdough. They also do meals to take away along with pasta, sauces and more. It reopens on 5 January. Trading hours are Tuesday - Sundays 10am-4pm.
Follow them on Instagram: @darbyslondon
Farang
72 Highbury Park, Highbury East, London N5 2XE
In the first Lockdown, Seb Holmes' Highbury restaurant transformed itself into London's first Thai deli and what a joy it is. You can pick up ready to heat meals from Farang along with all manner of Thai spices, condiments and provisions. Enjoy the browsing too (just the SMELL of this store is enough to make you hungry). Reopens 13 January.
Follow them on Instagram: @farangldn
Joy at Portobello
Portobello Dock, 344 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5BU
Grocery shopping was a key element at Stevie Parle's Joy when it first opened at Portobello Dock last summer. But while the restaurant can't open, the grocery part of it has been expanded. They're selling Kentish produce and cheese, freshly baked bread and pastries, Cobble Lane cured meats, hand-rolled fresh pasta and pasta sauces from Pastaio plus other larder essentials, wine, plants and more.
Follow them on Instagram: @joy_at_portobello
The Melusine
Unit K, Ivory House, St Katharine Docks, E Smithfield, London E1W 1AT
In St Katharine Dock, this seafood restaurant has turned itself into a general store with a seafood focus - selling everything from Dover sole to oysters at a pound a pop. They have great smoked salmon and finish at home dishes alongside fresh fruit and veg, fresh pastries and more.
Follow them on Instagram: @themelusine_skd
Find out more about The Melusine
Parlour
5 Regent Street, Kensal Green, London NW10 5LG
Parlour is open daily - they do coffee, there's cookie dough, their own home smoked salmon, cheese, dry goods - you name it. They also sell fresh bread, pies and do a nice line in feasts for special occasions.
Follow them on Instagram: @parlouruk
Westerns Laundry
34 Drayton Park, Highbury East, London N5 1PB
Westerns Laundry has transformed into a provisions store selling fresh veg, eggs and flowers along with a range of sausage rolls, sandwiches, sourdough, baguettes, pastries, coffee and cakes from Big Jo and Jolene. Reopens Friday 8 January. Hours are Friday - Sunday only. Fri 10am - 2pm. Sat & Sun 9am - 3pm
Follow them on Instagram: @westernslaundry.
Find out more about Westerns Laundry
See also:
Dalston Bar Three Sheets has turned itself into a takeaway place for coffee and toasties
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