LDNGuide
Where To Eat Near Shepherd's Bush Empire
Where to eat before or after seeing a concert in Shepherd’s Bush.
Shepherd’s Bush has about 34 million places to eat. Great when you’ve got all the time in the world. Stressful when you have a 90-minute window to leave work, eat something that isn’t a packet of McCoys, and make it in time for the show at 8pm. Don’t stress. Instead head to one of these five spots for a quick pre-show snack, or alternatively, a nice sit-down meal once you’ve ticked ‘be entertained’ off your list.
THE SPOTS
A super relaxed, super easy, neighbourhood Thai restaurant, Esarn Kheaw is an excellent choice for a casual and tasty pre-gig meal. It’s a perfect spot to pre-book for a few people and share a load of northern Thai food. And it’s under a 10-minute walk from the Empire.
So it’s not exactly a formal, sit down, would-you-like-still-or-sparkling sort of place, but Mr. Falafel does one the best falafel wraps in London. It’s quick, delicious, and very cost-effective. Plus, there’s a halloumi option which is always good. You won’t be able to drink here, but you will be able to inhale a wrap while sitting at one of their inside tables before wandering over for the gig.
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Irori’s website homepage has ‘Delivery & Takeaway’ plastered all over it, but you should know that this small, casual Japanese spot on Shepherds Bush Road also has a couple of tables and some high window seats inside. Order their refreshing California roll, which comes topped with spicy mayo swirls, a crunchy prawn tempura dragon roll, or their good-value sharing box for two, which has 42 pieces of sushi. The sushi is made to order and is an ideal in-and-out spot for when you’re looking to fill up on kaburimaki before a gig.
A spacious Syrian restaurant on Uxbridge Road, with a name that translates to ‘the old days’ and a rustic, exposed brick dining room to match, this is an excellent spot for Middle Eastern classics. Come here for some of the best mezze in the area in a lively setting where you won’t be told to keep it down. It’s more of a sit-down, starters and mains type of situation so come here if you’ve got an hour or so to kill before heading to the Empire.
Sometimes—read: all the time—your whole ‘arrive a couple of hours before the show so we can have a nice sit-down meal’ doesn’t go to plan. When you need a quick grab-and-go situation, this Caribbean spot on Uxbridge Road is the one. Their menu has everything from fish tea soup, to curry goat and jerk chicken, but the excellent Jamaican patties are the perfect on-the-go snack. Our favourite of the patties is the meat. It’s peppery and warming, and £2.50 a piece. If you see a small queue and start stressing that you won’t make it in time—don’t. The wait is usually short and the food is definitely worth it.
