Our favourite London fried chicken joints

Nothing quite pairs with spicy fried chicken like a cold glass of beer, which is why Mikkeller Brewpub in Exmouth Market has brought Lucky’s Hot Chicken into their kitchen. Here, you’ll find Nashville-inspired chicken sandwiches, strips and wings all served in Instagrammable style with classic red and white checked branding. The chicken is double fried and then spiced on a scale of one to six (which are aptly named ‘country’ and ‘good luck’…), while the sandwiches are stacked in a brioche bun with vinegar slaw, comeback sauce and pickles. Our mouths are watering at just the thought.

Coppa Club Tower Bridge is a real crowd-pleaser when it comes to its food and drink offering, plus it boasts some of the best views along the Thames from its sunny terrace. You can sit back and marvel at Tower Bridge as the sun goes down and the landmark’s lights reflect upon the water. The all-day menu offers a range of cuisines and drink options, including sharing platters and small plates, which feature melt-in-the-mouth buttermilk fried chicken served with sriracha mayo and pickled red cabbage.

This underrated Korean spot is tucked away in a skyscraper on the Isle of Dogs, and has been named a real hidden gem by a number of food bloggers and influencers. You’ll find plenty of chicken-based dishes including succulent fried morsels and wings with a selection of flavourful sauces. You’ll also be able to slurp brothy, umami hotpots and even try out a traditional Korean table bbq, where you cook the ingredients yourself on a hot plate in front of you!

This Korean corner venue specialises in Tiger fried chicken, and offers a selection of different styles, including boneless, Tiger Kick Original with cashew nuts, Tiger Punch Spicy and Tiger Padak with spring onion salad and Korean spicy vinaigrette dressing. You’ll find refreshing Korean beers here too, including Kloud and Cass—a welcome cooler after a plate of zesty chicken. If you want to really make a night of it, then you can rent out one of their karaoke booths too and keep the ice-cold beers and fried chicken flowing well into the evening!

The first mention of a schnitzel was apparently in a German cookbook in 1831, making it surely one of the earliest examples of a fried meat dish. While the traditional filling is veal, the chicken schnitzel is now an incredibly popular alternative! At the sleek speciality restaurant Schnitzel Forever, they’ve really perfected the art of the delicacy and each one is freshly prepared per order. You can choose between the classic, or if you’re feeling adventurous, there are Mexican, Katsu and Cordon Bleu alternatives—the latter is wrapped around Emmental cheese and ham and served with mashed potato! If it’s good enough for The Guardian restaurant critic Jay Rayner…

At The Pig’s Head, a fancy carbon neutral boozer in Clapham, you can guarantee that you’ll be served some of the best cuts of meat that are sourced from local and organic suppliers. The buttermilk chicken, for example, is sourced from Lyons Hill Farm in Dorset and is butchered onsite. It comes with an intriguing treacle and malt vinegar glaze and some Earl Grey yoghurt to dip into—it might sound unusual but it’s one of the most raved about dishes on the menu! 

TGI Fridays in Wembley, conveniently close to Wembley Stadium, is a great spot for fried chicken lovers. Known for its crispy, golden fried chicken, TGI Fridays offers a range of options from chicken wings with delicious sauces to hearty fried chicken sandwiches that are perfect for a pre- or post-event meal. The Wembley location’s lively atmosphere adds to the experience, making it a fantastic choice for fried chicken cravings. For places to eat at Wembley Stadium, TGI Fridays is a no brainer.