London Kosher Options for the 2012 Olympics

With the Jubilee celebrations in June, and the Olympics and Paralympics less than a week away, there has never been a better time to visit London. As a native Londoner here is a brief guide to where to eat and what to do during your stay, and where to find more information.

Contributed by Nadia Dellal (@NDellal) | London native

Kosher Info:

Olympics Venues

The most dedicated sports fans will be able to purchase and order kosher food during the games, with sandwiches and other products from Kosher Suppliers being available at the main site. The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has ensured that in planning menus and food options at Olympic Venues, consideration has been given to kosher dietary laws. If bringing food to the Olympic venues from outside, don’t plan on bringing any liquids into the Olympics, you will be able to bring a small amount of food in a small backpack, following guidelines set out on your ticket. Corporate ticket holders in the corporate entertaining areas will also have kosher food available to them. For tourists and locals with smartphones, downloading the Kosher Food application listing all foods certified Kosher in the UK will assist with choosing suitable products (KLBD Kosher London App) that are available at the venues.

Avoid bringing food with you into the Olympic venues. They may allow it if it fits inside your bag, but be prepared to lose it if security doesn't allow it. Review the London Olympics security info here.

City Centre

When keeping kosher in London, the hardest decision will be where to eat, with so many great options available throughout the city. There are more kosher restaurants in the London area… We are giving our recommendations below.

West End

I recently had lunch at the Deli West One, which opened earlier this year, and offers home cured salt beef, pastrami, turkey, as sandwiches or platters of meats which come with salads on the side. Their location in upscale Marylebone is close to museums and the centre of town, and is a little hub of New York in the centre of the city. Delivery available for shabbat food and during the week free within half a mile or to your hotel. 51 Blandford Street

Almost next door on the infamous Baker Street, made famous by Sherlock Holmes, is another household name: Reubens. Established in 1973, they have a formal dining menu and a deli/takeaway menu, offering both formal dining and a casual eatery upstairs. I love their chicken soup, perfect for a rainy day, the dover sole and quintessentially British Beef Wellington as mains. From the deli menu I enjoy the schnitzel, salt beef, and the lemon meringue pie sells out every day. You can also order for shabbat and pick up from the restaurant. 79 Baker Street W1

Adafina has two branches, one in the food hall at Selfridges, selling sandwiches, bagels, fish, salads and prepared foods for those on the go. There is also a small section of dried products including crackers and snacks, and a Kosher wine selection, ideal for getting gifts. (400 Oxford Street W1). The second branch, located on Abbey Road, close to the Beatles crossing and Abbey Road studios in St John's Wood, a beautiful residential neighborhood. It has a full range of Ashkenazi and Sephardi favourites, wines, and has beautiful seating as a lunch stop. They also provide delicious prepared shabbat food, including chollent and roast chicken, and deliver to most central London and West End hotels.

Other restaurants include:

• Bevis Marks The Restaurant: 4 Heneage Lane, London

North London / Golders Green

Soyo is a fun and colourful new addition to the restaurant scene in Golders Green. I have sampled the quiches, the crepes and create your own salads, and all day breakfasts. The restaurant has outdoor seating, and is always buzzing, and is open until 1am. A copy of the menu is available here. 94 Golders Green Road, Golders Green

Pizaza is perfect for create your own pizza's, and the most delicious fries in North West London. Part of the fun includes ordering from an interactive screen, which has an app to take photos and upload to facebook of your meal. 53 Brent Street, Hendon & 100 Golders Green Rd., Golders Green

White House Express: Casual eatery offering Israeli grills. I go for a grilled schnitzel in a laffa or the tempting shawarma. During the Olympics, this is the place to grab a bite and watch the games being screened on the TV. 102 Golders Green Rd., Golders Green.

Other kosher restaurants include:

• Aviv: 87 High Street, Edgeware
• Eighty Six Bistro Bar: 86 Brent Street, Hendon
• Isola Bella: Ariel Way, Westfield
• Isola Bella: 111A-113 Golders Green Rd., Golders Green
• Kaifeng: 51 Church Rd., Hendon
• Met Su Yan: 134 Golders Green Rd., Golders Green
• Orli: 295 Hale Lane, Edgeware

Other Kosher London notes:

• Buying kosher food in central london, head to Waitrose Edgeware Road, John Lewis Waitrose, Sainsbury’s Holborn, Waitrose Marlybone, or Holland and Barrett Health Food stores for Yarden products, hummous and light deli snacks.
• In Golders Green, Stamford Hill, and Hendon there are several supermarkets and more restaurants to choose from.
• Many products in the UK are Kosher, but may not be labeled. Refer to this KLBD site to search for a particular product.
• Please note that while visiting the Visit Jewish London website, not all the restaurants listed are Kosher.
• There are multiple hechsharim in London. While KLBD is the largest one, here is a full list on the London Kosher Guide website.

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