14 London restaurants selling groceries, from Darby’s to the Quality Chop House

When this list was first put together back in April of last year, the idea looked like something of a well-meaning novelty: restaurants ridding themselves of stock to avoid waste, then going on as greengrocers to keep their staff in work, support their suppliers and maybe, just maybe, make a bit of money.

To put it lightly, it’s been a wild ride since then. A third lockdown might not be the “welcome to 2021!” we were hoping for, but at least little has changed food-wise: deliveries and takeaways are still allowed – though takeaway booze is now out – and the lockdown order means Londoners should stay local. With the rules likely to be in place until at least March, upping your “essentials” game is one way to keep spirits up through this bleakest of midwinters; these are the restaurants-turned-delis offering to add a little pizzazz to your provisions.

Please email david.ellis@standard.co.uk for anywhere missing from this list. 

Joy at Portobello

Stevie Parle and Tom Dixon’s Portobello Dock co-operative Joy has expanded its grocery, Shop Joy. Now open seven days a week, it offers just about everything to keep the fridge, cupboards and larder full: there’s a huge range of fruit n’ veg, cheeses and hams, fresh fish, a fully operating butcher and a bakery to boot.

Portobello Dock, W10 5BU, joyatportobello.co.uk

Darby’s

The excellent wine list might now be out, but the ever-popular hatch is back serving pastries and coffee alongside fresh pasta, charcuterie, cheese and bread. Meal kits ordered through the website can also be collected, though they’re available for delivery too. The hatch opens every Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–4pm.

3 Viaduct Gardens, SW11 7AY, darbys-london.com

Sam’s Riverside

The deservedly popular riverside restaurant is battening down the hatches until mid-February, when it’ll offer a Valentine’s Day menu for home delivery. In the meantime, Sam’s Larder – a small deli just around the corner – is staying open seven days a week, offering everything from homemade pies to smoked trout, with plenty of wine to boot. 

1 Crisp Road, W6 9DN, samsriverside.co.uk

The Quality Chop House

Highlights at the Quality Shop Chop include fresh produce boxes (choose between "basic" and "peak" provisions), chutneys, sauces, ferments, cakes, pasta, plenty of those colourful Ortiz tins of fish, jams and jellies. Pies and bits to finish at home are also offered – including their famous confit potatoes, at £5 a pop for a pack of six. A worthy indulgence.

88-94 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3EA, thequalitychophouse.com

The  Melusine

The dockside seafood specialists have fresh fish arriving daily, with the likes of lemon sole, bream and brill coming usually on the list, alongside scallops, crab, octopus and oysters (joyfully at just a quid a pop). They also do dishes to finish at home. Details are on the website, but the Whatsapp group is the way to go: message them on 0207 702 2976 to get involved.

St Katharine Docks,  E1W 1AT, themelusine.co.uk

Homestead

One time Ritz chef Sven-Hanson Britt somehow managed to open London City Island’s first fully-fledged restaurant back in November, during lockdown two. They’ve now gone back to what they’ve started with, selling meat, fish and cheese from the counter, as well as takeaway meals and bits to finish at home. 

45 Hope Street, E14 0QG, homestead-lci.com

The Clarence Tavern

The Clarence can still be your local – only instead of popping in for a pint, stock the pantry. The pub is working with the likes of Neals Yard Dairy, Swaledale Foods, Spence Bakery and Brindisa for their supplies; it sells meat, fish, fruit n’ veg and various essentials, including everything from milk and butter to pasta and oil, alongside meals to heat up at home.

102 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0LA, clarencetavern.com

Arch Rivals

This east London bar was always good for its food – the fried chicken was a particular hit – so perhaps it’s not a surprise that their HG Walter butcher shop, which returns soon, looks excellent (orders can be made online and collected on Wednesdays and Saturdays). Takeway is also available; hardly a freezer staple, but the negroni ice-cream sandwich is surely a must-order. 

Arch 361, Winchelsea Road, E7 0AQ, archrivalslondon.com  (though Instagram may be more useful)

Ombra

Just as they did back in March of last year, Hackney Italian Ombra is once again remodelling itself as a pastificio and delicatessen for those channelling their inner Nonna. Fresh pasta is the big draw here, which comes accompanied by an array of takeaway sauces, and is sold alongside everything Italian, from truffles to tiramisu. 

1 Vyner Street, E2 9DG, ombrabar.restaurant

Westerns Laundry 

The Drayton Park favourite is opening each Friday through till Sunday with sandwiches, sourdough and sausage rolls alongside pastries, coffee and cakes, all from Jolene and the Big Jo bakery, alongside plenty of fresh vegetables. Sweetly, it also has bunches of flowers to brighten things up with.  

34 Drayton Park, N5 1PB, westernslaundry.com (but more information on Instagram)

Brunswick East Bakehouse

Alongside coffees, teas and iced drinks, the Brunswick East bakehouse has plenty of baked treats going, including croissants and cheesymite scrolls, as well as well as a range of sourdoughs, including white, rye and and tumeric and sesame loaves. They’re also selling brunch bites to go.  

17 Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT, brunswickeast.london

Parlour

The Kensal Green favourite launched Parlour’s Market Place last lockdown, and while it’s not leaning into that as much this time around – focusing more on takeaway meals, including a cracking looking roast – it’s still selling a range of cheeses, freshly baked breads and smoked salmon.

5 Regent Street, NW10 5LG, parlourkensal.com

Augustine Market

Better known to Battersea locals as the Augustine Kitchen, this cosy French restaurant has returned as a self-styled “gourmet traiteur and delicatessen”, selling charcuterie, cheese, pastries, seasonal produce and chocolates. The chocolate eclair looks particularly good. 

63 Battersea Bridge Road, SW11 3AU, @augustinemarket

Farang

Farang’s Thai larder has been one of the few consistent things since Covid first hit. Opening way-back-when in the first lockdown, it returns after the Christmas break on January 13 with the usual array of in-house marinated meats and fish, spices, snacks, beers and wines, as well as Thai recipe kits. Ready-to-heat meals are also available, as is hot food to go.

72 Highbury Park, N5 2XE, faranglondon.co.uk

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