Hoppers

"We haven’t met a dish at this Sri Lankan restaurant that we didn’t like. Everything is excellent, from the dosas to the lamb shank buriani, to the biggest prawns you will probably ever lay eyes on. Plus, the food is designed for groups, which means your food envy can take a day off. They’ve got locations in King’s Cross, Soho, and Marylebone—but if you’re rocking up in a big group, we’d go for their more spacious King’s Cross restaurant." - rianne shlebak

"There are restaurants we like. And then there are restaurants that make us want to bulk order megaphones and walk the streets of London guiding unsuspecting hungry people towards some bone marrow varuval. Hoppers in King’s Cross falls into the latter category. As well as the signature egg hoppers, bone marrow varuval, and lamb shank buriani, there’s the World’s Buffest Prawns, that from here on out we’ll refer to as BBQ Zeus. Outside of the excellent dosas, hoppers, and Sri Lankan bites, you’ll definitely want to get involved in the karis and realistically, as many dishes as you can fit on your table." - rianne shlebak, jake missing, heidi lauth beasley

"There are three things you need to know about Hoppers. Firstly, this cupboard-sized Frith Street spot is always busy. That means bookings should be made in advance. Secondly, it’s one of the best Sri Lankan restaurants in London. And thirdly, the lamb kothu roti is a must-order. The bone marrow varuval curry is also (rightly) popular and the tender roasted kalupol chicken is perfect for sharing. Come with one other person for your best shot at a walk-in, but we prefer this place in a small group to get a little bit of everything." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, daisy meager

"Things we think about with alarming regularity: otters using their little otter hands to open things, whether Eeyore is a prime candidate for cognitive behavioural therapy, and Hoppers’ indulgently buttery bone marrow varuval. It’s a fixture on the menu of this Sri Lankan spot’s three London outposts—the cosy Soho original, the shiny one in King’s Cross, and this sophisticated Marylebone kari house that has an aesthetic that is part spa day trip, part week-long escape to a leafy holiday resort with a climate that calls for strappy sandals. photo credit: Hoppers photo credit: Hoppers On the ground floor, friends tuck designer shopping bags beneath the black banquette as satellite-sized hoppers arrive at their table, and couples chat weekend plans while mopping up the luminous remnants of a fiery prawn kari. But downstairs is where you want to be for a good time. With a low, wood-panelled ceiling, it feels like a prohibition knees-up bunker sponsored by exuberant chutney consumption and several rounds of the aromatic, coconut-y pandan Negroni. It’s the ideal space for bedding in for a double date destined for a notable two-day hangover, or a fun, spice-fest birthday where your guests of honour will definitely be in attendance: the epic tear-and-share hoppers, the tropical mindset cocktails, and of course, our permanent cardamom crush, that bone marrow varuval. Food Rundown photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Egg Hopper There is a certain childlike thrill we experience every time one of these hoppers arrives at our table. Spaceship Yolk has landed and there’s something uniquely satisfying about tearing at this paper-thin scooper. It's light on flavour which makes it ideal for letting the karis take centre stage. photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Bone Marrow Varuval & Roti This is the kind of curry that is so fragrant and so indulgent that we want to text it to invite it over for dinner every Friday night and feel sad that it doesn’t let us know if it can’t make it. The roti is flaky, chewy, and just as obsession-worthy buttery. photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Prawn Kari Hoppers has a history of giving us big feelings over big, fat prawns. This turmeric show-off kari is no different. It’s a real sizzler with a heat that sticks around long after you’ve fished out all of those chunky crustaceans." - Heidi Lauth Beasley

"“I tried Hoppers for the first time on my birthday, approximately a month before the whole world went to shit. It was magical. Since then I’ve been countless times, each time taking someone new who I’d told over and over how great it is, and each time ordering the lamb kothu roti. Quite simply, it’s one of my favourite things to eat. Ever. The pieces of lamb are tender and spicy and are cooked with the onions in a delicious gravy before being combined with shredded roti. It has a very special place in my heart.” - Rianne Shlebak, Editorial Assistant" - oliver feldman, heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak