Every Great London Park Deserves An Even Better Takeaway, Here’s The Ultimate Pairing Guide

There’s a time and a place for an elaborate picnic spread, but sometimes all you really need is a great takeaway and a patch of grass. Luckily, London has both in abundance. From bagels destined for Primrose Hill to pitas made for London Fields and pizza just for Hyde Park, I’ve paired some of the capital’s best parks with the nearby takeaways that deserve to come with you.

Regent’s Park x Ottolenghi Deli

To me, Regent’s Park feels like the destination to a long walk. Perhaps it is the way it sits, acting like a crown atop central London; perhaps it is because what it sits above is such fabulous stomping ground. Marylebone village is the way, walk up and down, pop into book and charity shops, and find the Ottolenghi Deli that sits within it. A box salad, an overpriced pastry, it’s all welcomed with a waterside perch beneath the willows of Regent’s.

Where: 63-65 Marylebone Ln, London W1U 2RA
Website: www.ottolenghi.co.uk

Hyde Park x Florencio Pizza

Hyde Park is probably the most typical London park to sit in. It’s crowded with smiling faces, bikini-clad swimmers and tinnie-drinking teens – it is one of the only central London areas where I welcome this sort of congestion. It’s all in good fun. It is for this reason, its predictability, that I say we become even more stereotypical with a very good pizza. Florencio Pizza sits right around Marble Arch. A charming spot with decent, personal-sized sourdoughs and very good side salads. Get one pizza; sure. But get a feast if you’re looking to get stuck into the chaos.

Where:  14 Seymour Pl, London W1H 7NF
Website: www.florenciopizza.com

Kensington Gardens x Dishoom

Whoever said Dishoom was a sit-in restaurant was kidding themselves. To me, Dishoom is one of the greatest takeaways in London, and Kensington Gardens is one of the poshest places to set up camp. Why not combine two high-end things? I think for an outdoor takeaway, bail on the curries. Instead, get samosas, the chilli broccoli salad, a roomali roll, and some lassis. PS, breakfast is also available for takeaway!!

Where: 4 Derry St, London W8 5SE
Website: www.dishoom.com

Greenwich Park x Jack The Chipper

In my very confident opinion, Greenwich Park is one of the finest parks in London; a hill that overlooks the city skyline as it pokes above The Queen’s House (my favourite museum). History of naval development throughout the area and the Greenwich Meridian running through the top of the hill… It’s quiet, the air is fresh, the dogs are happy, and I, too, am full of joy. Nothing screams fish and chips more than Greenwich. Jack The Chipper is a fabulous choice, with homemade tartare sauce and perhaps some scampi on the side. Drenched in lemon and vinegar and enjoying the sense of relief from the illusion of being outside London — this duo is elite.

Where: 334 Creek Rd, London SE10 9SW
Website: www.jackthechipper.com

St James Park x Farmer J

There’s nothing more luxe than a little picnic in St James’ Park. While my first suggestion would be to grab all the bits needed to make a makeshift charcuterie board, my second suggestion would be a grazing plate – a field tray, if you will. A trip to St James’ Park should not leave you heavy or bogged down by too-rich a meal; you should practically float off, sustained by grains, flank steak, and charred greens, with a side of baba ghanoush. This is your 5-a-day, in the classiest sort of takeaway way.

Where: 8-9 Orchard Pl, SW1H 0BG
Website: www.farmerj.com

Hampstead Heath x Souvlakia

A good pita wrap, side of halloumi and tzatziki in the comforting shade of a large tree or in the famous tall grass of Hampstead Heath is truly unmatched. For some reason, the thought of taking a little dip, preceded by a chicken gyro from Souvlakia, as you dry off in the blazing sun, is incredibly appealing. This is makeshift Greece, the closest we might get to it whilst staying on a tube line.

Where: 104 Heath St, London NW3 1DR
Website: www.souvlakia.uk

London Fields x Pockets

London Fields is a tough park to pair with a takeaway. Why? Because it is surrounded by some of the best London has to offer. World Famous Gordos serves slices that make heads roll. Hiya Fried covers hot wings. Bread Meats Sauce has sandwiches on lock, and Zapata Burger’s Turkish burgers are simply outstanding. But I am here to suggest Pockets, whose stuffed pitas rival all of the above. With a couple of beers on the green, heaven is a place called London Fields.

Where: 367 Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3RT
Website: www.instagram.com

Green Park x Three Sisters

Again, takeaway does not always have to mean rich, filling cheat meals — it can also mean colour, veg, nourishing bowls of health and wellness. This is Three Sisters, a gorgeous ritual of a salad bowl. Bases of red rice or vadouvan chickpeas with crunchy greens or blueberry and red cabbage sauerkraut and seaweed and citrus medleys with dressing of pistachio matcha or ginseng coconut or spiced honey tahini. To me, this is innovative brilliance for the salad community (which I am absolutely a part of). This and an impulse £5 purchase of a lawn chair… Nice.

Where: 22 Brook’s Mews, w1k 4dy
Website: www.threesisterslondon.com

Clapham Common x Brorritos

In Clapham Common, the safe choice is to go for pizza. Rudy’s, Slab City, Berbere, Fireaway, Common Pizza; they hug the green with the security of good options. But, to me, Clapham is trendier than that — we love a unique twist over here. So I raise you, Brorritos. This is Uber Eats’ restaurant of the year in 2026, with nearly 5 stars in reviews. It is incredible the flavour and quality which this pair have pulled off – beef and chicken birria, house tacos and bowls, gravy fries and churros; there is no going wrong.

Where: 13 North St, London SW4 0HN
Website: www.brorritos.co.uk

Primrose Hill x It’s Bagels

Primrose Hill has a similar allure to Greenwich Park in the sense that it sits above the city, so you can admire the skyline. To me, this is a finger food park. Give me carbs wrapped in paper. Give me sandwiches… give me bagels. It’s Bagels sees fabulous bagels with glistening schmears, sandwiching everything from bacon, egg and cheese to chicken salad to salt beef to peanut butter and jelly. Give me one, maybe give me three, give me a bag to take home with me.

Where: 65 Regent’s Park Rd, London NW1 8XD
Website: www.itsbagels.com

Battersea Park x Roti King

Perhaps it is ridiculous to say “bring a curry to the picnic”, but in this case, the picnic is an excuse to try the curry. Roti King has quickly and significantly taken over the takeaway space, gaining notoriety for its authentic Malaysian street food, with flaky, buttery flatbreads served alongside rich, vibrant curries. Everything from chicken satay to beef rendang, mutton to laksa. It’s right there, across the street in the Power Station, practically begging for everyone to try it.

Where: Battersea Power Station, 16 Arches Ln, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AB
Website: www.rotiking.com

Richmond Park x Via Romana Deli

Richmond Park itself is a bit of an escape. Sort of like a day trip meets a weekend getaway, wind in your hair as you saunter round the place as if you’ve been picking up flowers from that florist every weekend of your life (like that’s in the budget). It calls for a romanticised version of a sandwich – a Roman sandwich – oozing in all its Straciatelli glory. A visit to Via Romana Deli will play into this fantasy, the one where you stop into small businesses on winding cobblestoned alleys and the owner pretends as if he knows you. An Il Gladiatore, one with mortadella and pistachio and mozzarella, courgette and pesto, or the classic Romolo & Remo of buffalo mozzarella, tomato, pesto and basil is an order followed by a bite in the park, a point to a deer, and an all too predictable pint at The Roebuck.

Where: 12 Paved Ct, Richmond TW9 1LZ
Website: www.viaromanadeli.co.uk