Regent Street Eats According to One of Instagram’s Biggest Foodies

We spoke to Hope Batchelor, former MasterChef contestant and the foodie behind the Instagram account @toast_with_hope, to find out her top Central London drinking and dining picks for the summer season. 

Regent Street is a gastronome’s dream. From Italian trattorias and French brasseries to sushi bars and cocktail haunts, you’ll be spoiled for choice on where to eat and drink. Lucky, then, that there’s three meals in a day.  

And talking of foodies, who better to deliver the inside scoop on the must-try eateries than gourmand, influencer and serial bruncher, Hope Batchelor? Admired by hundreds of thousands of people on Instagram and TikTok for her inventive culinary videos and lifestyle content, we invited her to chat about the hottest dining spots on her radar this summer.  

To begin... if you had to eat one cuisine every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

I’m a sucker for South East Asian food, but I also love Mexican. I think it’s the bold flavours and vibrant ingredients. I like to be smacked around the face with flavour and be left thinking: “How the heck did they make that?!”.  

Which restaurant can you not wait to try on Regent Street or Heddon Street? 

I’ve heard AMAZING things about the suckling pig at Sabor on Heddon Street, so that’s up there to try.  

If you had to recommend one spot on Regent Street to someone this summer, what would it be? 

Fonda! Tucked away in Heddon Street, this place is a little oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the main shopping street. Take a break from your shopping and sit in their lovely outside area with a margarita (and tacos) and you’ll be rested and well set for some more shopping in the afternoon!  

Fonda happens to be a favourite among celebrities, too! Take it from Salma Hayek...

 Have you noticed any major changes in the Regent Street dining scene over the last couple of years? 

Definitely. It feels like Regent Street has become much more of a destination for food in its own right, rather than somewhere you simply grab a bite while shopping. There are so many genuinely exciting restaurants opening, particularly around Heddon Street, that I'd happily travel into central London just to eat there. It feels much more diverse too, with everything from incredible Mexican and Spanish cooking to brilliant cafés and cocktail spots, all within a few minutes' walk. It's become somewhere you can easily spend an entire afternoon or evening, rather than just passing through. 

What bar would you recommend for people looking to enjoy the evening sunshine? 

If you’re after a cold pint, I'd head to The Starman on Heddon Street. I love that the whole street has such a relaxed, tucked-away feel despite being moments from Regent Street. Grab a drink outside as the sun starts to dip and suddenly you've got one of those lovely London moments where everyone seems to slow down a little. If you're making an evening of it, it's also the perfect place to stop before or after dinner nearby.  

If you’re after a cold rosé or cocktail, Ziggy Green is a great option - also on Heddon Street. There’s something wonderful about sitting outside with a cold glass of wine or a really good cocktail as the street starts to buzz in the evening. It has that European feeling of people lingering over drinks rather than rushing off somewhere else. If you can time it with golden hour, even better. It's one of those spots where one drink somehow turns into three hours of catching up with friends.  

What do you think makes the perfect dining experience for the summer? 

Al fresco seating with dappled shade, paired with relaxed service and dishes you can graze on! That’s the perfect combination for me. A moment to pause while enjoying the (hopefully) beautiful weather and sipping on a cold drink. There’s such romance in taking time for yourself; in a time where it’s all about takeaway salads and packaged sandwiches, I think it’s important to sit and enjoy your food at a slower pace. We could all do with more self care, and treating yourself to a long pause and a lovely lunch? That’s the ultimate self care in my opinion.  

If your tastebuds are tingling, then it’s definitely time to head to one (or three) of Hope’s recommendations while the sun is putting in overtime. We’ve got all you need to know about making your day in London unforgettable, including the best al fresco dining options, your guide to a fab day out according to our team, and even the most inviting hotels to rest after you’re sufficiently indulged.  

Don’t forget to share your moments with us over on @RegentStreetW1 on Instagram and TikTok - we love to see what you’re getting up to!