3 cosy places to dine at in London this autumn

September has arrived, with promises of warm days fading into crisp evenings, early sunsets and, as it’s London, significant levels of rain. Whether you’re looking for a cafe to settle into and shelter from the elements, or seeking a comforting warming meal, here are three London spots that fit the autumnal bill.

Oshpaz

This Uzbek restaurant has long been a food market favourite, introducing many to a regional cuisine that isn’t particularly well-known in London. Dishes of plov – rice cooked with marinated meat, vegetables and spices – emerge steaming from the kitchen, accompanied by salad, pickles and sour cream. Lagman, freshly-made noodles either bathed in an aromatic broth or pan-fried, are an equally popular choice.

The manty, though, is where the spirit of autumn really comes in here. The beef and chicken dumplings are delightful, but the standout choice is the vegan offering. Pumpkin, onion and cumin are melt-in-the-mouth smooth, barely held together by a delicate dough steamed to perfection. Everything on the menu at Oshpaz is well worth trying, and excellent comfort food as the nights draw in but the pumpkin manty should not be missed.

Seven Dials Market, WC2H | oshpaz.co.uk

Cacciari’s

If you’re angling for something a bit more fancy, look no further than Cacciari’s. Their Earl’s Court location may be in a less-than-picturesque location, but step inside and you’ll be transported to a cosy Italian trattoria. With soft lighting and deep red furnishings, it’s somewhere that immediately feels special.

Generous bowls of pasta are comforting yet refined, the flavours well-balanced and the meals delivered on tone-appropriate red-rimmed crockery. The tagliolini with crab, prawns, tomato, and chilli and garlic is a must-order, a warming dish that’s not only a hearty meal for the colder months but also, with its fresh prawns cutting through the richness of the sauce, serves as a gentle reminder of summer months.

Cacciari’s is the sort of place where you linger, and it will certainly be a shock when you emerge, perhaps mildly lethargic from your meal, and remember you’re moments away from an A-road.

Earl's Court, W8 | cacciaris.co.uk

Woolley’s

Near Red Lion Square in Holborn is Woolley’s, the office worker’s best friend and the indecisive eater’s haven. It’s unlikely you’ll see this small cafe without a queue during the lunchtime rush, but an efficient system means you’ll never have to wait too long. Serving a range of pasta, stews and sandwiches, the offerings here are ideal for lunch on a drizzly day or just to brighten up an otherwise dull 9-5.

There’s the bonus of an array of salads on offer to add to your bowl, which is certainly welcome as back-to-school bugs start to pick up and the Tube is soundtracked by sniffles and coughs.

If you can get a table, all the better. With the fogged-up windows of a busy cafe and the contented hum of happy diners, Woolley’s offers a step away from the hustle and bustle of weekdays in the city and encourages you to take a seat and enjoy a warming, home-cooked meal.

Holborn, WC1R | woolleys.co.uk

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