London’s top places for the October Half Term

Breddos was founded by Nud and Chris in 2011 in a makeshift car park taco shack in Hackney, East London. Since then, the duo have gone on to do residencies and pop-ups around the world, written a cook book, and found a permanent home for themselves in Clerkenwell. Their food is influenced by the hundreds of roadside taqueria and restaurants encountered on their travels throughout America and Mexico, cooked using top-notch British produce. Perfect for large groups, there are tasty small plates (like tamarind chicken wings, and guacamole and totopos: that is, corn chips), and an array of tantalising tacos. Meat eaters will go mad for the masa fried chicken tacos (complete with habanero mayo, red cabbage and pico de gallo), as well as the braised beef shin and short rib number with ancho chile. Lighter options include the fish tacos – filled with delicate tempura cod – and the flavour-packed smoked aubergine and halloumi option. Yum! Adults will love Breddos’ expertly crafted cocktails, and the homemade churros with strawberries and whipped cream are bound to please the kids.

Black Bear is, according to its website, “not your typical burger joint”. The team have little time for gimmicks (everything in their burgers is there for a reason – flavour!), and aside from their burgers, which are made to spec by a local butchery, the team make everything else from scratch, in-house. The menu is uncomplicated and unpretentious. There’s a handful of beef burgers (one topped with a delightful miso honey-butter mayo, wow), a juicy buttermilk fried chicken burger, and potentially the finest vegan burger you’ll get in London (yes, we said it), complete with garlic mayo, onion jam and cheese. If you’re visiting with kids – or in particular, hungry teenagers – there are plenty of tasty sides and sharers to bulk-up the meal. From buttermilk chicken nuggets to beef brisket spring rolls and hand cut skin-on fries, there’s loads on offer. Polish off your meal with a (complimentary) soft serve waffle-cone ice cream, and soak up the chilled atmosphere.

Even the fussiest eaters can’t say no to pasta or pizza. There’s tonnes of Italian restaurants in London, so it can be tricky to navigate the best! Happily, we’ve done the hard work for you. Enter Wildwood, a restaurant that prides itself on serving freshly prepared food, delivered by friendly staff in a relaxed, homely environment. The menu is extensive. From simple dishes like spaghetti pomodoro and margherita pizza, to more adventurous choices like the seafood risotto (jam-packed with squid, prawns, mussels and prawns), and hoisin duck pizza – topped with spring onions, cucumber, and coriander – no one will leave hungry. The atmosphere is chilled, and the restaurant is incredibly child-friendly: there’s a killer kids’ menu, where little ones can get a main course, dessert and drink for under £7. Budget friendly and tasty? Sign us up!

This one’s for the adults — we’re looking at you teachers, it’s time to unwind! Cépages is an independent bistro serving up French tapas, charcuterie and wines in chic and sophisticated surroundings. Perfect for date night or a catch-up with friends, the interiors are light and airy, and the service is friendly but professional. The team imports its wines from places that promote the quality of their terroir and work with the deepest respect for their vines. If you’re unsure about what to order, the knowledgeable staff are always on hand to advise. Food wise, small sharing plates are the order of the day, but the dishes are so tasty you’ll have great difficulty stopping yourself from scoffing it all! Real highlights include the Pommes Dauphines, (fluffy potato beignets) served with lemon and coriander sour cream, the sea bass ceviche with radish and pardon peppers, and the guinea fowl leg, served with mashed potatoes and chicken miso jus. The Cannelés Bordelais (teeny alcohol-soaked cakes) with vanilla ice-cream are a perfect way to finish your meal. Not to be missed!

It’s the holidays, which means that it is time for a treat! And there’s no better place to indulge than at Lola’s Bakery. Alongside an all-day menu, complete with sandwiches and salads, is a whole menu dedicated to sweet treats. From pancake stacks topped with grilled bacon and maple syrup, and French toast loaded with bananas and Nutella, the greatest challenge will be choosing what to order. We love the mini cheesecakes, as well as the double chocolate cookies, but if you’re into something a bit more adventurous, there’s a fabulous lemon polenta cake, topped with blueberry compote. Happily, there’s tonnes of options for vegans too: the dairy-free chocolate fudge cake is super-decadent, and the vegan apple pie is warming and comforting. Arrive hungry – portion sizes are large! Bound to satisfy any sweet-cravings, a trip to Lola’s is always a pleasure.