Best restaurants at Nova Food in Victoria – London's exciting foodie hotspot

By CW Contributor on 24/8/2018

in partnership with Nova Food in Victoria
The UK's second busiest rail station, a congested coach station and a history of building works have historically made Victoria a place to rush through rather than head to. But as Hamilton raises the bar for theatre, Wicked continues to defy gravity and the pretty stuccoed streets of Pimlico and Belgravia offer some cultural and retail gems, there are plenty of reasons to explore SW1. And there are even more enticing eating options to discover while you’re there.
The sleek new destination Nova Food in Victoria is a hub of eating, drinking and snacking. With 18 restaurants and a sunny public square, there's something for all tastes – whether you’re looking for a post-gym snack or a wow-factor dinner. We’ve eaten our way around Nova Food to find the highlights.

The Train Picnic: Ole & Steen, Crosstown donuts, Sourced Market

Whether you’re heading on a day trip to Brighton beach or embarking upon a global adventure via the Gatwick express, no journey is complete without a picnic. Bypass the fast-food chains within the station and head to nearby Nova Food for the kind of grab and go grub that will make even a packed commuter carriage feel first class. Scandi bakery Ole & Steen launched our obsession with gooey cinnamon rolls and open rye sandwiches. The gourmet groceries at Sourced Market make it a mecca for fans of fancy crisps and moreish nuts. And then there’s cult favourite Crosstown, the bakery that elevated the humble doughnut with fresh sourdough, a changing selection of inventive fillings and especially impressive vegan options.

The pre-theatre dinner: Hai Cenato, Rail House Cafe

Hamilton, Wicked and the ever-changing rosta of new works at The Other Palace make Victoria a hotspot for theatre. It’s easy to make a night of it at Nova Food, where many of the restaurants offer special pre-theatre menus served swiftly enough for you to take your seats in the theatre without rushing. For a crowd-pleasing blend of Italy and New York, the two-course anti-pasti, pizza or pasta menu at Jason Atherton’s chic Hai Cenato is a bargain at £18.50.

The Leisurely Brunch: Timmy Green

Don’t be too fooled by the fresh flavours and Instagrammable brightness of the brunch dishes at Timmy Green – this Aussie restaurant is only as virtuous as you want it to be. Yes the smoothies are delicious and nutritious, but you can also chose to splice them with a shot of vodka if in need of a hair of the dog. To really start the party, book the bottomless brunch. For less than £40 you can feast on a savoury dish (think smashed avo on charcoal toast), something sweet (buttermilk blueberry pancakes? Coconut French toast?) and as much prosecco as you can drink.

Family Days Out: Sticks ‘n Sushi, Greenwood

Thanks to its proximity to Westminster, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, Victoria is popular for family days out. If you want to introduce the children to something a little more inventive than the standard chains, we love the lively, friendly feel of Sticks ‘n’ Sushi. For a reasonable £7 there are special kids' omakase with sushi, yakitori and combinations of both. Each comes with a drink, a chocolate fish and colouring materials. For adults and more sophisticated sushi-loving children, order one of the awesome mega sushi platters. Or kids big and small can get stuck into the board games upstairs at Greenwood, where a menu of pizzas, burgers and small plates will have something to please the whole family.

First Date Drinks: Vagabond Wine Bar

Spice up the standard drinks date by embarking upon a wine-tasting odyssey at Vagabond. Instead of just looking at drinks lists and taking a punt, you get to load up a card with cash. Then you swipe that card each time you sample a different wine. With 240 different wines on tap you stand no chance of sampling them all. But the activity of taste-testing is at once an insightful way to hone those sommelier skills and an antidote to any first date awkwardness. There are also nine beers and a menu of sharing platters to soak up some of the booze.

Fitness fuel: Pure, Ahi Poke

With a hub of boutique fitness studios and chic gyms, Victoria has become quite the destination for fitness fans. Whether you’re here to sweat hard at 1Rebel or carve out ballerina muscles at Frame’s Barre class, it’s vital to fuel your workout. We love the fluffy scrambled egg pots and hearty salads at Pure. And Ahi Poke’s zesty take on raw fish offers a hit of omega and protein.

Special Occasion Dining: Aster

From the al fresco seating and floral arches to the muted Nordic interiors, Aster feels special as soon as you arrive. This is latest opening from luxury restaurant group D&D (Bluebird), and we encourage you to start the evening upstairs in the champagne bar to soak up the hyyge chic. Chef Helena Puolakka artfully blends her Finnish roots and French training to craft a menu of fresh and delicate dishes, with plenty of seafood and smoked fish.

Sunday Roasts: Stoke House

If your perfect Sunday is swimming in gravy, get ready for a mammoth roast at Stoke House. The wood fired oven gives meat a smoky, charred flavour – whether you pick the 28 day dry aged rump of Dexter beef or the smoker beer can chicken. Sides are generous and gut-busting: yorkshires, cauliflower cheese, garlic roast tatties, honey glazed carrots and lashings of proper gravy.

Cheap eats with mates: Franco Manca, Bone Daddies

For fuss free midweek dinners with mates, you need something affordable and simple. You can’t beat the charred, chewy sourdough pizzas at Franco Manca, the legendary burgers at Shake Shack, or the comforting ramen at Bone Daddies. All have branches at Nova – and thanks to the spacious design there is typically far smaller queues than you’d find in other central locations.