On 20th November 2024, something rather curious happened. The London Tube map underwent its biggest overhaul in years, despite the trains themselves having barely changed at all. This was the result of what was formerly monolithically called the London Overground being rebranded into six separate lines – each with their own new name and colour on the iconic transport map.
The move makes sense, really, as the London Overground in its old form proved continuously confusing by all looking like it was the same route but with the multiple strands actually having very little to do with each other. So, with the new plan now in place, we thought we’d do our duty to London’s hungry diners and point you in the direction of where to eat along each of the new Overground lines.
Angelina, an innovative restaurant near Dalston Junction. © Laura Horta
Windrush Line
The most restaurant-dense of all the freshly monikered Overground lines, this one is named after the Windrush generation and their impact on London – as the route goes through some areas historically associated with these communities. Many of the line’s restaurants are clustered around its east London end: near Dalston Junction, there’s the innovative Japanese-Italian fusion of Angelina; at Hoxton, you’ll find The Marksman, one of London’s finest pubs; and when you get to Shoreditch High Street you’re frankly spoilt for choice, from the Bib Gourmand barbecue of Smokestak to the MICHELIN Starred class of Brat.At the other end of the Windrush route, there’s a good selection of eateries in the trendy neighbourhood of Peckham, served by both the Peckham Rye and Queens Road Peckham stations. Around here you can enjoy a double-header of South African-inspired goodness at Kudu and Kudu Grill, comforting vegan fare at Naïfs or the wine bar vibe of Peckham Cellars.
Head to Caledonian Road & Barnsbury for the Indian flavours of Tamil Prince. © Anton Rodriguez
Mildmay Line
The Mildmay Line does a bit of overlapping with the Windrush, particularly in the Hackney area. This results in them sharing a few stations which are home to enticing MICHELIN Guide restaurants. At Highbury & Islington, you’ll find the Italian delights of Trullo; in Canonbury, there’s famed bakery Jolene, which also operates a restaurant; and at the other end of the lines is Clapham Junction – also a busy train station – where you can dine at Francophile wine bar Soif.The route’s other prong stretches out to the suburbs of south-west London, where a good 30-minute walk from Richmond station will take you to both Petersham Nurseries Café, recipient of a Green Star, and the One Star Dysart Petersham. Don’t forget the Mildmay Line’s north London section, either, which is well-served by Tamil Prince at Caledonian Road & Barnsbury and The Parakeet at Kentish Town West. The line itself is named after Mildmay Hospital, a charitable institution which played a key role in helping those affected by the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
Galvin La Chapelle, located near Liverpool Street station. © Patrician Niven
Weaver Line
Firmly an east London line, the Weaver is named after the area’s historic ties to the textile trade. Its most central point is Liverpool Street station, a bustling hub that takes you from the capital’s financial district out to the towns and cities of East Anglia. Near Liverpool Street you could get MICHELIN Starred cuisine with a French accent at Galvin La Chapelle, or great value Indian cooking at the Bib Gourmand awarded Gunpowder Spitalfields.Further east, there’s several restaurants clustered around Cambridge Heath station, including family-run Korean operation Miga and stripped-back bistro Cafe Cecilia. Nearby, you’ll find a trio of brilliant dining options in London Fields: the exuberant cuisine of Whyte’s, the delicious homemade pasta of Pophams and the One Star chef’s counter at Behind.
One of the delicious French bistro dishes at Les 2 Garçons. © Thomas Alexander
Suffragette Line
Running from Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside, the Suffragette Line – named in honour of the women who fought tirelessly for their right to vote – gives central London a wide berth, always keeping itself north and/or east of the busiest areas. This means it’s not the most populous transport route when it comes to restaurants, although there are two eateries located within walking distance of Crouch Hill station. Les 2 Garçons is a terrific Bib Gourmand spot, revelling in the delicious flavours of classic French bistro cooking. Lyon’s, meanwhile, is a seafood restaurant run with a welcome warmth by its enthusiastic team – the use of oft-discarded ingredients is particularly laudable.
Decimo, within walking distance of Euston station on the Lioness Line. © Charlie McKay
Lioness Line
The Lioness Line – named after the England women’s football team and their heroic exploits at Euro 2022 – unfortunately isn’t blessed with a great deal of MICHELIN Guide restaurants. Most of its stops are in the suburbs, reaching out towards north-west London and eventually taking you to Watford Junction. The other end, however, is Euston station, one of London’s main railway interchanges. Decimo, where Peter Sanchez-Iglesias fuses Spanish and Mexican influences on the top floor of The Standard hotel, is under a 10-minute walk from here. King’s Cross St Pancras is an even closer station, though, and is easily accessed by the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria Lines.Liberty Line
It’s no great surprise that there’s not many restaurants located on the Liberty Line, given that it only includes three stops in London’s north-eastern corner. Running from Upminster to Romford, the line passes through Havering, an area known for its historical independence – hence the name!Where To Dine Along The...
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Hero Image: © Lyon's/Maria Bell
