Top 10: Sweetcorn Fritters in LondonBy Alicia Grimshaw
Sweetcorn fritters are largely overlooked when they’re pitted against breakfast heavyweights like porridge, granola and pancakes. But let’s not forget about the humble fritter. We absolutely adore them at About Time HQ. If you do, too, here’s the best in London to whet your appetite:
1. For the Mexican Fritter: Gail’s
What: Sweetcorn fritters with tomato relish, avocado salsa and sour cream (£7)
The Lowdown: Gail’s Bakery is a London favourite. Serving some of the best cakes, breads and salads in town, it’s a great one-stop shop for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Apart from their incredible freshly baked loaves, their carrot cake is up there with the best.
The Dish: This brekkie dish is what breakfast dreams are made of – it’s not greasy and far from oily. This dish is all about big Mexican flavours thanks to the sour cream, avocado salad and tomato relish. It’s just the right portion of toppings – not a soggy, limp fritter in sight.
Where: Locations here
2. For the Meaty Fritter: Lantana
What: Corn fritters stacked with streaky bacon, fresh spinach, roast tomatoes, smashed avocado and lemon crème fraîche (£11.80)
The Lowdown: Aussie owned, this quaint cafe is somewhere you would find abroad, not down a side street just off Goodge Street. For a relaxed weekend brunch, you can’t beat Lantana Cafe – with locations in Fitzrovia and Shoreditch, this cafe serves up some wickedly good brunch dishes.
The Dish: First off, these corn fritters are cooked to perfection. Crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. It’s served with heaps of sides and that lemon creme fraiche is something else. Best pair with one of their flat whites.
Where: Unit 2, 1 Oliver’s Yard, 55 City Rd, London, EC1Y 1HQ and 13 Charlotte Place Fitzrovia, London, W1T 1SN
3. For the Sweet Fritter: The Providores and Tapa Room
What: Sweetcorn and blueberry fritters, avocado, pomegranate and rocket salad (£10.50)
The Lowdown: Under the charge of Peter Gordon, the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of The Providores and Tapa Room, this all-day dining restaurant serves up fusion food, small plates and a New Zealand wine list to rival all else.
The Dish: In true Peter Gordon style, The Providores give their own funky twist to the dish with the addition of blueberries in the fritters. It’s a mix of savoury and sweet that come together to create something pretty special. The pomegranate seeds give an added crunch, with the rocket salad adding a peppery taste. Sack off the Turkish eggs and try this next time.
Where: 109 Marylebone High Street, London, W1U 4RX
4. For the Filling Fritter: Granger & Co
What: Sweetcorn fritters, roast tomato, spinach and bacon (£13.50)
The Lowdown: Granger & Co is seriously good for breakfast. The Aussie-inspired cafes serve up healthy favourites, such as bircher muesli with granny smith apple, medjool date and almonds, and the best fluffy scrambled eggs. And we mean, the best.
The Dish: What’s not to love about this dish? It has everything. The sweetcorn fritters are reminiscent of those hash browns you were given as a child, but these ones are so much better, and healthier, too. It’s, dare I say it, better than a fry up. Spinach and sweetcorn are a killer combo.
Where: 175 Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2SB
Photo Credit: ltmillinery
5. For the Eggy Fritter: The Table
What: Sweetcorn fritters served with a chargrilled plum and cherry tomato compote, fresh baby-leaf spinach, hollandaise and two poached eggs (£9)
The Lowdown: The Table Cafe is an gem of a place in Southwark. On weekdays they bash out incredible British dishes using the finest seasonal produce around, and come the weekends they’re a popular spot for their waffles, pancakes and coffee.
The Dish: This is an excellent eggs Benedict hybrid. The muffins are history and instead have been replaced with The Table’s homemade sweetcorn fritters, baked fresh onsite every morning. Mop up the yolky dregs with their hearty tomato compote/stew. Totally dreamy.
Where: 83 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0HX
6. For the Classic Fritter: The Exhibit
What: Sweetcorn fritters, poached eggs and tomato salad (£7.50)
The Lowdown: The Exhibit is an all day drinking and eating hub with a revolving programme of events and flexible spaces for hire. Inspired by their roots in SW London, they created a informal creative space with carefully curated drinks, food, art, comedy and cinema – so come let your hair down over a boozy brunch.
The Dish: The Exhibit have done something pretty epic with their sweetcorn fritters. It’s less about the toppings here and more focus on the main event – the fantastic fritters. One bite and you’ll be hooked. The fritters are as comforting as it gets, they really are the cat’s pyjamas.
Where: 12 Balham Station Road, London, SW12 9SG
7. For the Veggie Fritter: Ben’s Canteen
What: ith halloumi, balsamic roast tomato chutney and a poached egg (£8.50)
The Lowdown: First off, if you’re coming to Ben’s Canteen and not getting a Bloody Mary, you’re doing something wrong. Ben’s is a very informal neighbourhood hangout, with locations in Earlsfield and Battersea, and they are a great spot for catching up friends on the weekend.
The Dish: Whoever decided to team sweetcorn fritters with grilled halloumi deserves a stonking medal – its like porridge and banana, sausage butty and tomato ketchup – it just works. Unlike many other sweetcorn fritters, these are more deep-fried balls than pancake-esque. Still good, still tasty.
Where: Locations here
What: Corn fritter stack with avocado, chilli jam and a Burford brown egg
The Lowdown: MUD Tooting is an independent, laid-back, antipodean-style café located in the heart of Tooting, South West London. They pride themselves on providing great tasting coffee, awesome brunches and freshly-prepared cakes and sandwiches.
The Dish: Let’s get straight to it – portion size is spot on, you really can’t complain with the lashing of guacamole here. The chilli jam gives the fritter a much needed heat, and there’s the option of adding on bacon. It’s generous, filling, and damn delicious.
Where: 141 Mitcham Rd Tooting, London – SW17 9PE
9. For the Indian Style Fritter: Workshop Coffee
What: Corn fritters with baby spinach, grilled halloumi, kasundi and poached eggs (£12)
The Lowdown: Workshop Coffee is the place that can nail a cappuccino like no other. This cafe come restaurant is not only one of London’s leading specialty coffee sourcers, but it’s a great spot to grab a quick lunch or a lazy brunch with friends at the weekend.
The Dish: Everything on this plate works. The kasundi is a wonderfully spiced Indian chutney that is the perfect partner in crime with the moist, dough-like fritters. This dish is hearty, filling but will definitely not leave you in a post-breakfast slump.
Where: 27 Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell, EC1M 5RN
Photo Credit: foodtata
10. For the Lunchtime Fritter: Brew
What: Sweetcorn fritters with avocado, tomato jam and lime aioli (£10.90)
The Lowdown: This small cafe offers creative breakfasts, plus modern Mediterranean lunches and evening meals. If you’re looking for value for money, you can’t get much better than Brew Cafe. Come for homey vibes and a lovely neighbourhood feel.
The Dish: Did you read the description? This is everything we love all on one plate, and compliments each flavour so well. The sweetcorn fritters, are thin and light – the type where you pull off the crispy bits first and eat separately. We’ve got a lot of time for the lime aioli – this dish really takes some beating.
Where: Locations here
