Travel Gourmet' s Favourite Food Places Richmond &Twickenham, London, England

The prestigious Observer Food Monthly Awards are published today and I was delighted to see one of my favourite restaurants, The Palomar, voted Best Restaurant in UK. It reminded me that I’ve had on my mind writing a post about my favourite food places in my local area: Richmond and Twickenham. People are often asking me which are my favourite restaurants and while I’m lucky enough to get out to eat a lot, I’d by no means pretend to have a wide knowledge of London restaurants. I do, however, know enough, I think, to recommend my favourite places in my local area - not just places to eat but places to buy food too. So … here we go …

Anyone who knows me well knows I can’t get far into the day without a good coffee. I have become totally addicted to the Antipodean flat whites served at Butter Beans in Richmond. Since they were voted best coffee in West London by Time Out in 2010 (when called Taylor St Baristas), I’ve been a regular. Other artisan coffee shops have flooded London since; there is good coffee to be had everywhere if you know where to go. But none have bettered Butter Beans. It’s still my favourite.

My absolute favourite croissants (anywhere in London, let alone just Richmond & Twickenham) are to be found at Your Bakery in Whitton. They are just so fantastically buttery and flaky. They are wonderful. I only discovered Your Bakery when Jonathan and Lyndsey moved to Whitton (part of Twickenham) 18 months ago. Their coffee is good too so a great place for a morning treat. Their other pastries are fabulous too; they sell the best little quiches I know and amazing cakes. If you haven’t been there - go! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).