Magpie

James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy, co-founders of Hackney’s Michelin-starred Pidgin, branch out with Magpie. Tucked into Heddon Street, just off Regent Street, Magpie’s focus lies in a modern British interpretation of traditional dim sum. Diners choose plates straight off the trolley, such as mackerel crudo with blueberry kosho and fennel pollen, or Hoi An-style terrine with nukazuke pickles. While the menu is certainly designed for sharing, both James and Sam say the focus lies in having fun with “damn delicious food”, and not, as Sam implores “fretting over how to halve the third croquette”. Breakfast holds just as many pleasant surprises: Croissants are crusted with miso, refreshing rice milk coolers topped with lightly pickled cucumber and don’t leave without trying the hoisin-cured pork belly with fermented potato bread; a worthy contender to any lingering hangover.