From matcha lattes to rhubarb and almond croissants – these are the West London hot spots that foodies need to know

Looking for the best places to eat in Shepherd's Bush and the surrounding area? Local resident and expert Helena Busiakiewicz shared her must-visit recommendations, from a Japanese bakery to an original London gastropub.

For more London food recommendations, check out our reviews of the best restaurants in Shoreditch, best restaurants in Notting Hill, best restaurants in Mayfair, best restaurants in Marylebone and best restaurants in Paddington.

The Bird in Hand, Brook Green

Hammersmith, at its best, is colourful and exciting, and at its worst, intense and smelly. (I am a local, so I’m allowed to say this).

Luckily for me, nearby, you have the calm oasis that is Brook Green, and in it, a deli-cious spot for a pint and a meal; The Bird in Hand. The pub is immaculately presented with a seasonally changing menu. They also have chef residencies, which keeps things exciting.

Start with some house-made focaccia, fluffy and generously studded with roasted garlic. Brown crab and parma ham croquettes are an irresistible morsel, though I could have done with one more than the three served, but maybe I’m just greedy. This is a pub which serves the neighbourhood well, you can swing by for a glass of wine and a pizza, which were very popular across the room, with interesting toppings (Tuscan sausage and porcini piqued my interest).

Equally, you can order a bottle, make a night of it and share a perfectly cooked pork chop for two with apricots and mustard. Finish off with a rich and boozy tiramisu and wobble your way home. thebirdinhandlondon.com

The Hawthorn, Shepherd’s Bush

The Hawthorn is a reasonably new addition to Sheppy B, but already a firm favourite.

Its food feels a similar style to Rochelle Canteen or St John, but with pub classics such as fish and chips and a cheeseburger with fries. I maintain that a roast dinner is always better in your own home, but I make two exceptions: one for The Hawthorn, which does a great one (get the beef IMO) and one for the Anglesea Arms (see below).

We had a sticky toffee pudding there that my partner has not stopped talking about since. A great spot for taking family for a leisurely meal, or equally, a cheeky pint and delicious snack. thehawthornpub.com

The Anglesea Arms, Hammersmith

Perhaps the best roast dinner in west London.

Have a stroll around Ravenscourt Park, then, when you get chilly, slip into The Anglesea for a delicious meal. This is a tucked-away spot that is always busy, and with good reason. The menu is ever-changing, but I have often had its ham hock croquettes and squealed with glee.

It has everything you could want from a pub, in my opinion! angleseaarmspub.co.uk

The Hawk’s Nest, Shepherd’s Bush

If you're planning a date night or girls' night out, or just fancy a great spicy marg, head to the Hawk’s Nest. It has a fully retractable roof, so is the venue for all seasons – cosy and warm in winter, then bustling and breezy in summer.

Sunday to Friday, it has a fantastic £14 ‘marg and a marg’ deal, which is a lovely excuse to sip on a margarita and not have to cook my own dinner. the-hawks-nest.co.uk

Mr Dumpling, Goldhawk Road

This is our ‘shall we have a quick bite before the cinema’ spot – no frills, but all the flavour. You can see the chefs making dumplings in the window, which is always a good sign.

The portions are generous, so share a beef noodle soup, then get wontons in chilli oil and crispy fried dumplings, and thank me later. instagram.com/mr.dumpling888

Frankie’s, Turnham Green

Frankie’s is a new addition to Chiswick, and bakes some excellent pastries.

It's run by bakers Jamie and Eleni, the shop having originally been a cobbler's in Eleni’s family for over 50 years. I normally eschew a cruffin, often finding them not as satisfying as having either a croissant or a muffin, but its cruffins changed my mind – perfectly balanced, not too sweet and with lovely, flaky pastry. The classic viennoiserie is excellent too, which makes sense, as both Jamie and Eleni note that their favourite thing to bake are croissants.

I’ve been delighted by everything I’ve had from Frankie’s. Plus, the coffee is smooth, strong and very reasonably priced. I don’t know the last time I paid £3 for an oat flat white anywhere else. instagram.com/frankiesbakerylondon

Konveni Matcha, Hammersmith

Konveni will always have a place in my heart. It's a family run spot offering some of the best matcha in London – one for hardcore matcha lovers and newbies alike, as it offers different matcha grades, so you can get authentic, traditional matcha, or flavours such as strawberry, mango, ube and sticky date.

I love the iced Spanish matcha latte – a touch of condensed milk is just enough to offset a little of that classic bitterness. It does great ube and matcha soft serve ice cream in the summer, too. instagram.com/konvenimatcha

101 Thai Kitchen, Hammersmith

I am always craving 101 Thai Kitchen – I have a personal mission to eat my way through the menu, and I’ve made a strong start. Some of my favourites are the tom kha soup – which is very healing during a hangover – and the mini-menu of som tum salad (I love the addition of soft shell crab in the tum pu nim).

Make sure you get a Thai iced tea to cool down, too. In summer, the mango sticky rice is worth the trip alone. 101thaikitchen.uk

Burnt, Askew Road

This is my go-to brunch spot. It does fantastic coffee and has a seasonally changing menu with exciting additions – though you can always get some impeccably done classics made with quality ingredients.

The scrambled St Ewe eggs with a side of Maldon deep smoked salmon is divine. It has a great range of sandwiches and pastries for takeaway, too – the forced rhubarb and almond croissants are something I look forward to every January.

In warmer weather, it has a private garden that opens for alfresco lunches. It is always busy though, so make sure you book ahead – it's open on Friday evenings for small plates and wine, too. burntrestaurant.co.uk

Happy Sky Bakery, Askew Road

This Japanese bakery is full of the most delicious pastries and breads, from melon pan and adzuki bean buns to teriyaki chicken and mochi matcha custard pastries – there's something for everyone.

This is a takeaway-only spot and it sells out fast, so go early, load up your tray and take it to nearby Wendell Park for scoffing on a park bench. happyskylondon.com

Mazi, Hillgate Street

Tucked away down Notting Hill's pastel-lined streets, Mazi takes a modern approach to Greek dining with a cosy vine-covered garden terrace that is one of our favourite summer spots in London. It reimagines the classics with an innovative twist, without feeling pretentious, so you can expect familiar comforting flavours updated to feel new and exciting.

Dishes are made for sharing, with a sizeable menu sectionined into jars, raw and salads, hot plates, bigger signature dishes and desserts. Begin with a jar of thick garlicky tzatziki and crispy homemade grilled leek bread, then move on to delicate slices of tuna crudo bathed in a citrus dressing, or scene-stealing parcels of feta tempura topped with zingy lemon marmalade and caper meringue. Order the deeply savoury prawn risotto with lobster head bisque for a picture-perfect centrepiece, then finish with the crisp and nutty baklava and pistachio ice cream sandwich.

The drinks list celebrates Greek wines, alongside playful ingredient-led cocktails, such as halkidiki martini olives served dirty, and a herby thyme margarita. mazi.co.uk Check out more London restaurant guides here: