A Spotlight On… Victoria, London

Welcome to 'A Spotlight On…', a brand-new series from The Knife shining a light on the most dynamic dining scenes across the UK. Each edition will focus on a different destination, uncovering the chefs, restaurants, bars, and hotels redefining what it means to eat, drink and stay there – right now.

First up is Victoria, a neighbourhood transformed into one of London’s most exciting culinary hubs, where creativity meets craftsmanship at every turn. From sleek new openings to quietly brilliant stalwarts, this is your insider’s guide to where Victoria’s food and drink story is being written today – and it’s only the beginning, with more cities and regions coming soon.

ScandiKitchen Victoria entrance

ScandiKitchen: A Nordic Hug in the Heart of Victoria

Eighteen years after first bringing a slice of Scandinavia to Fitzrovia, husband-and-wife team Brontë and Jonas Aurell have finally unveiled the next chapter in their Nordic story: ScandiKitchen Victoria. Sitting proudly on Buckingham Palace Road, this second site carries the same comforting, minimalist charm that made the original so beloved: clean design, warm hospitality, and food that feels both homely and quietly sophisticated.

Victoria might be best known for its grand hotels and railway bustle, but ScandiKitchen adds something different – a sense of calm, community and fika (the cherished Swedish ritual of pausing for coffee, cake, and connection). Early risers can slip in for homemade porridge topped with berries, or a still-warm cinnamon bun that manages to be fluffy, buttery and perfectly spiced all at once. Later, the open sandwiches take centre stage: Nordic smoked salmon with pickled fennel, sweet herring with rye, or those iconic Swedish meatballs with beetroot salad – every bite a postcard from the North.

What makes ScandiKitchen’s new Victoria opening so special isn’t just its food, but its spirit. The Aurells have built a community around their love of authentic Scandinavian fare; from their café and deli to their thriving online store delivering over 1,000 Nordic products across the UK. Their story is one of staying power and evolution, growing through London’s changing food scene while staying true to what makes them unique – honest flavours, warmth, and consistency.

Whether you’re stopping in for a steaming mug of coffee and a bun, or settling in for lunch with colleagues, this is the kind of place that quietly becomes part of your routine, a comforting constant in an ever-changing city.

Perfect for: slow mornings, cinnamon bun breaks, and casual catch-ups that turn into real conversations.

Open sandwiches at ScandiKitchen

HANBAAGAASUUTEEKI: The Smashburger, Reimagined

Victoria’s food scene isn’t short on burgers, but none quite like this. HANBAAGAASUUTEEKI – this year's most viral burger sensation in the capital – is the creation of chef Fatih Alkan. The smashburger here is reborn through an Asian lens; all the heat, tang and precision of the East folded into the indulgent Americana of the West. Sitting in the "holy Bermuda triangle" of Shake Shack and Bleecker, it’s the confident new kid daring to rewrite the rules.

At first glance, the menu reads minimalist. But behind that simplicity lies an almost obsessive commitment to craft. Every pickle, patty and spice blend has been tested, tweaked and tasted again. The result? Burgers with intent. The Isan Burger fires off flavours of northeast Thailand – holy basil, lime, and Bird’s Eye chili – while the Kimchi Burger captures the funk and soul of Korea through slow-fermented house kimchi. For traditionalists, the Another Double Cheese Burger keeps things pure: two patties, two cheeses, zero distractions.

Even the sides refuse to play second fiddle. The Kimchi Loaded Fries are unapologetically wild – drenched in tangy kimchi and gochujang mayo – while the Miso Loaded Fries go deep and dark, butter-rich and umami-heavy. They’re not accompaniments; they’re statements.

Alkan’s global pedigree runs through every bite. With more than 25 years in fine-dining kitchens – spanning Italy, France and Japan – he brings a chef’s precision to street food’s most democratic dish. Designed by architect Tolga Tuğcu, the space mirrors that same precision: red neon glow, slick steel lines, and a sense of constant movement. It’s kinetic, loud, intentional, and exactly what Victoria needed.

HANBAAGAASUUTEEKI isn’t about fast food. It’s about flavour with purpose, built for the new generation of London diners chasing affordable luxury and global edge.

Perfect for: burger purists, fusion fiends, and lunch breaks that turn into obsessions.

Another Double Cheese Burger at HANBAAGAASUUTEEKI

The Clermont: Where Travel Meets Timeless Glamour

Hidden within the walls of Victoria Station’s former first-class lounge, Reunion Bar at The Clermont brings the golden age of rail travel back to life, only this time with sharper cocktails, better lighting, and a distinct London swagger. Once the exclusive domain of passengers boarding the legendary Brighton Belle, this elegant drinking den has relaunched with a new menu that merges heritage with modern indulgence, paying tribute to Britain’s storied railways while catering to today’s cosmopolitan crowd.

The new offering feels both nostalgic and daring. Guests can settle into plush surroundings and sample the Trackside Dumplings or graze from the Snack Trolley – a playful nod to train travel’s most charming ritual. Dishes like Spicy Beef Sui Mai, Gochujang Popcorn Chicken, and Wild Mushroom Arancini turn quick bites into refined small plates, equally suited to solo travellers killing time or groups seeking something more elevated than the usual station pint.

Behind the bar, things get even more theatrical. The Signature Cocktail lineup runs from sultry to experimental; think Popcorn Noir, blending tequila, espresso and popcorn syrup, or the Cognac Negroni Sour, a smoky remix of a classic. The Absinthe Express revives the ritual of the green fairy with traditional French pours served from an ornate fountain, while the Dry Departures section proves abstinence can still be artful with mocktails laced with lychee, coconut and spiced mango.

And for the gin devotee, there’s no ticket more coveted than the Grand Gin Tour – twelve local gins sourced within 50 miles of Victoria, from Notting Hill to Brighton, paired with Fever-Tree tonics and bespoke garnishes. It’s a celebration of British distilling that feels both regional and glamorous.

Part speakeasy, part time capsule, Reunion Bar has transformed the humble station stop into a destination in its own right, a place to pause, sip and savour before the next journey begins.

Perfect for: pre-train sophistication, date-night drinks, and cocktail lovers with a soft spot for old-world charm.

Reunion Bar at The Clermont

The July: Modern Living, Mediterranean Dining

Tucked just five minutes from the bustle of Victoria Station, The July London Victoria is rewriting what it means to eat, drink and stay in the city. This apartment-hotel might be designed for flexible living, complete with sleek kitchens, co-working corners and calming suites, but its real soul lives downstairs at The Idler – a restaurant and bar that feels less like a hotel dining room and more like London’s next neighbourhood favourite.

Helmed by Chef Jay Campbell, The Idler brings a contemporary British menu with a Mediterranean heartbeat – the kind of quietly confident cooking that keeps you coming back. Expect seasonal, produce-led dishes cooked with finesse but without fuss, paired with a smartly curated wine list and cocktails that reward curiosity. Breakfast might mean house-baked pastries and perfectly brewed coffee from the adjoining deli, while dinner flows into small plates designed to share, and mains that celebrate quality ingredients treated simply.

For something more casual, The July has partnered with DELLI Market, which serves as the hotel’s daytime heartbeat: flaky croissants, gourmet sandwiches and ready-to-cook provisions for guests using their in-room kitchens. Everything feels effortless yet intentional; honest flavours, elegant presentation, and a rhythm that moves with the day. The bar extends that tone into the evening, with a confident mix of seasonal spritzes, classics reimagined, and a few creative signatures to keep regulars on their toes.

Design plays its part, too. Created in collaboration with Fettle Studio, The Idler’s space is a blend of Art Deco elegance and modern warmth; parquet flooring, marble-topped counters, vintage furniture and a hand-painted ceiling mural by artist Eliza Downes. It’s the kind of restaurant that makes you forget you’re technically in a hotel. Beyond the food and drink, The July’s open-plan concept – kitchen, bar, and front desk flowing together – keeps conversation and connection at its core, extending from locals sipping cocktails to guests settling in for the long stay.

In a city full of sleek new openings, The July feels genuinely human: thoughtful, relaxed and alive with possibility. And The Idler isn’t just a hotel restaurant, it’s a reason to stop by, even if you’re not checking in.

Perfect for: stylish suppers, post-work cocktails, and guests who believe great stays begin with great food.

The July London Victoria

From Nordic comfort to Japanese precision, from station-side sophistication to Mediterranean ease, Victoria’s dining scene is in full bloom – proof that this once-transit-only postcode has evolved into a true culinary destination.

'A Spotlight On…' will continue to chart the UK’s most exciting neighbourhoods next, so stay tuned as The Knife turns its lens to where flavour, creativity and character collide next.