Late summer traditionally sees a slowdown in new venues, as Londoners board planes for beaches and adventures abroad. But August still presented enough new spots to keep those sticking around the capital busy: an east London cafe that’s already got a devoted following, Afghan dishes below a railway arch and more.
• All-day Hoxton cafe Cremer is fast becoming east London’s second living room, thanks to a space designed for lingering, and a menu of home-style dishes, pastries and fresh lemonade.
• A sister to Paris’s beloved queer-friendly bar Sister Midnight has arrived across the channel in Margate – at Modern Love, every seat is turned towards the sea and mini Martinis are a cool £6.
• Below a railway arch in Leyton there’s new restaurant Azra, a family-run Afghan spot where the kabuli pulao with meltingly soft lamb takes four hours to perfect.
• Popular pizza pop-up Doctor Dough has gone permanent in Chiswick, doing NYC-style pies with thin and crisp bases and toppings like vodka sauce and pepperoni.
• One of this year’s most talked-about openings is a fro-yo brand that’s just landed in Notting Hill from Australia – with queues galore.
