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10 London Restaurant Dishes That Were All Over Instagram In 2016

The ragu, Bloody Mary oyster shots and venison doughnuts every foodie in the capital wanted on their feed

Headshot of Olivia OvendenBy Olivia Ovenden
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Thanks to social media foodies have more ways to brag about their culinary adventures than every before, and hashtags can transform individual dishes into cult favourites before most of us have had a chance to taste them. Here are dishes we've seen trending on screen this year.

Pappardelle with Dexter Beef Shin Ragu - Padella

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Fresh pasta maestros Padella have gained a serious following for their perfect pappardelle that comes with this 8 hour cooked beef shin sauce. Smooth as velvet and rich without being overbearing, it disappears frustratingly quickly.

@Padella_pasta

Keralan Fried Chicken - Kricket

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Indian food had a makeover this year, and one restaurant leading the charge was Kricket whose KFC (Keralan Fried Chicken) is tender and crispy without trace of chicken shop grease and served with bright tangy curry leaf mayonnaise. Their second spot in Soho opens in January, hurry along.

@KricketLondon

Braised Pork Bao - Bao

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If you're a regular in Soho you've likely witnessed the queues for Bao, even if you haven't made it inside yet yourself. Patience is key here as their braised pork bun is rich, sweet and the perfect marriage of textures. Head to their Netil Market post or new Fitzrovia restaurant to skip the wait.

@Bao_London

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Popcorn Chicken, Bacon and Egg Cong You Bing - Chinese Landry

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Dishoom's bacon and egg naan won the breakfast crown last year and rightly so. But if you've overdone it on bombay brunch then Chinese Landry has a spring onion breakfast pancake with your name on. Fried egg, bacon and crispy salty fried chicken - the ultimate hangover cure.

@Chinese_laundryroom

Octopus and Whey - Pitt Cue

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Despite its intimidating curling shape and fleshy pink hue, Pitt Cue's octopus definitely holds its own amongst their grilled meat dishes. Flame-grilled and served with whey, it's as vibrant in your mouth as on the plate. 

@PittCut

Deep Dish Brigadeiro Cookie with Milk Ice Cream - Temper

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Pretentious puddings are waved in favour of indulgent nostalgic flavours in Temper's cookie dough pan dessert. Flash grilled for a crisp topping with molten chocolate goo underneath, it feels like licking the batter pan as a kid.

@TemperLondon

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Cauliflower Shawarma, Pomegranate, Tahini and Pine Nuts - Berber & Q

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Cauliflower was right up there with the trendy health foods of the year. This shawarma camouflages itself with unrecognisable flavour courtesy of the tahini, pomegranate and Middle-eastern spices.

@BerberandQ

Spicy Venison and Vermicelli Doughnut - Gunpowder

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Another Indian spot, Gunpowder focuses on home-style cooking and their small Spitalfields location has been crammed since opening. Though it has some competition on the menu, this venison doughnut in a crispy vermicelli coating with Indian spicy ketchup is a feed favourite.

@Gunpowder_london


Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter - The Richmond

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In a year when every brunch menu had a Bloody Mary on it, The Richmond went one further and turned it into an indulgent shot. The creamy silky oyster is perfectly offset by the kick of the vodka and spices, a whole meal in 25ml.

@TheRichmond_Hackney

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Gai Yaang - Som Saa

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Som Saa reinvented Thai cuisine this year, bringing Bangkok fire to their curries, meats and broths. It won't blow your head off, but these grilled chicken legs with tamarind dip are packed with heady spices and are mouth-meltingly succulent.

@SomSaa_London

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