Say cheese! The UK now produces over 900 varieties of cheese, even more than France or Italy, and it is in demand all over the world. It's no surprise then, that London's restaurants have teamed up with artisan cheesemakers to create the world's tastiest, freshest and cheesiest dishes. And that's a pretty good reason to smile, right?
We have done the research and found the top places that every dairy-lover must visit. From cheese fries to cheese cakes, London is bursting melting with cheesy goodness.
Click through to see our favourite cheese dishes in the capital
Best For Cheese Toasties
The Cheese Truck's offerings go beyond any grilled cheese you may be used to. Whether you go for the classic sandwich, oozing with Keen's cheddar and Ogleshield, or try something a little different – perhaps the goats cheese, honey and walnut or the Stilton with bacon and pear – you are in for the cheesiest sandwich you have ever tried.
From the end of March you can find all of this melted cheese goodness in it's first permanent home in Camden's iconic Stables Market. Otherwise you can usually find this artisan sandwich truck in London's Maltby Street Market or Peckham. But they do go on tour for part of the summer, so watch out for this bright yellow haven of goodness at your favourite festivals as well.
The Cheese Truck
Check Website For Location
Photo: Courtesy of The Cheese Truck
Best For Cheesy Chips
Le Bab's mission is to reinvigorate the humble kebab, rescuing it from the 3am foodstuff of choice and elevating it to new gastronomic heights. From creating their own gourmet brown sauce and fashioning a shawarma so delicious you can barely recognise it as a shawarma, they have definitely succeeded. But there is one dish where they have outdone themselves: the cheesy chips.
No, these are not limp, fat little chips with a dusting of grated mild cheddar. These are long, elegant frites, double-cooked until they are the perfect shade of golden brown and served "fondue" style with a cheese and stout reduction on the sidg. These are not just any cheesy chips, these are the perfect cheesy chips. Our advice: Don't wait until you've had your second round of Jägerbombs to order these. Also, order two. Definitely order two.
Le Bab
Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby St, London W1B 5PW
020 7439 9222
Photo: @hashtag_foodie
Best For Cheese And Wine
Just like peanut butter and chocolate, bacon and eggs and Doritos and cream cheese (trust us, that last one is definitely a thing), cheese and wine goes down as one of the world's best food combinations.
Head to London's oldest wine bar to truly indulge in this marriage made in food heaven. Gordon's Wine Bar not only has a staggering number of wines, it also offers over twenty cheeses. Load up your cheese selection with anything from Manchego to Stilton and enjoy either in their famous underground, vaulted cellar bar or – if the sun is shining – outside in their courtyard. Wherever you choose, if you take the advice of their extremely knowledgable bartenders, you will be sure to find a great cheese and wine match.
Gordon's Wine Bar
47 Villiers St, London WC2N 6NE
020 7930 1408
Photo: @nomi_malonez
Best For Fondue
Ursula Andress' white bikini, Heidi's plaits, Roger Federer's totally silent tennis game – Switzerland has given many great gifts to the world. But none are as great as fondue, the traditional Swiss dish where you dip bread, meat or vegetables into a hot mixture of melted cheese and wine.
For the real deal, head to St Moritz, London's oldest Swiss restaurant which specialises in melting, bubbling, creamy, fondue. They not only offer the classic of course but also fondue Moite-Moite, served with Vacherin cheese and new potatoes, and fondue Forestiere, where the cheese is mixed with wild mushrooms, and a chocolate fondue, which we are quite pleased to say doesn't contain any cheese at all.
St Moritz
161 Wardour St, London W1F 8WJ
020 7734 3324
Photo: @stephaniechan14
Best For Something Different
Cheese and Oysters.
Well, we did say this one would be different!
This New Orleans classic of fresh oysters chargrilled with pecorino, garlic, butter and hot sauce has been brought to London by Louisiana-obsessed British chef Tom Browne. If you think you don't like oysters, this dish proves what we always knew – that cheese makes everything better! Instead of sea water or tabasco, these oysters taste of the perfect mix of salt, sweetness and spice. And cheese, always cheese.
If you still can't stomach an oyster (even with cheese) then this Southern inspired menu still has plenty of other cheesy options. Try the Kentucky beer cheese – a combination of cheese, beer and horseradish – slathered over warm, sourdough bread.
Decatur at Pamela
428 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AA
020 7686 3212
Photo: Courtesy of Pamela
Best For Buying Cheese
Not all cheese is created equal, and if a cheese has made it into one of the Neal's Yard Dairy shops, you know it is going to be really good. For over 25 years they have sourced, matured and sold the best farmhouse cheese from around the UK and Ireland and are now at the top of their game, cheese-wise.
Pop in to pick up a selection box of their favourites or chat to their incredibly well informed staff about what you're after. If you want to know even more about cheese than that, you can attend one of the many cheese classes they offer - including cheese making and cheese and champagne tasting. Where can we sign up?
Neal's Yard Dairy
Locations Across London
Photo: Courtesy of Neal's Yard
Best For Macaroni Cheese
Not many people know that, despite macaroni cheese now being an American staple, one of the earliest recipes for this mouth watering blend of pasta and cheese can be traced back to 14th century England. What we do know is that it has been perfected, in 21st century England, by Anna Mae's.
Find this roving mac dealership anywhere from festivals to street feasts to markets, always serving up their tasty mac and cheese from a giant cast iron skillet. All their dishes are made on site, from scratch. They range from The Annie Mac, elbow macaroni in three cheese sauce, to The Kanye Western, served with a beef hot dog, bbq sauce and crispy onions. Now your only problem is which one to choose. And maybe your arteries.
Anna Mae's
Check Website For Location
Photo: Courtesy of Anna Mae's
Best For Cheese Gifts
What do you give the person who has everything? Might we suggest - cheese.
Lina's Stores, an Italian deli that has been serving Soho for over 70 years, has put together the perfect gift for any cheese lover you may want to spoil. Three of their most popular cheeses, 24-month aged Parmigiano, Pecorino and Provolone, are presented in a beautiful wooden case alongside all the accompaniments like paté and chutney, that any connoisseur will love. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, father's day or just Thursday - this box of cheese couldn't be a better gift for those you love.
Lina Stores
18 Brewer St, London W1F 0SH
020 7437 6482
Photo: Courtesy of Lina Stores
Best For Eco-Friendly Cheese
If you like your food served in as sustainable way as possible and without a big carbon footprint, you have come to the right place. Island Grill might offer a cracking seasonal menu and views of Hyde Park but save room for the end of your meal to try their Forty Mile Cheese Board.
This is not, as we first thought, a cheese board which stretches for forty miles (though we would like to see that). Each cheese on this board is created, matured and sold no further than 40 miles from central London to ensure they are as fresh and eco-friendly as possible.
Island Grill
Lancaster Terrace, London W2 3PF
020 7551 6070
Photo: Courtesy of Island Grill
Best For Cheese Cakes
No, we're not talking about anything with a digestive biscuit base, La Fromagerie's cheese cakes are on a whole other level. It's pretty perfect for a wedding, birthday or any special event you think could be improved by a vast amount of cheese.
If you don't need quite such a large amount of cheese at the moment then pop in to La Fromagerie to pay a visit their Cheeseroom, stuffed with farmhouse cheeses from all over the world. To take your time enjoying your cheese check out their café, N o. 6, for a cheeseboard and a glass of wine or two.
La Fromagerie
Two Locations Across London
Photo: Courtesy of La FromagerieLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Harry & Meghan Will Have Food Trucks At The Royal Wedding Because Why Not?