The Best Food Specialists In London And Beyond

Words by
Urmi Pandit

22nd May 2024

For all your gifting and dinner party needs, SPHERE highlights the best food specialists in London, and beyond, that have really found their niche. From luxury balsamic vinegars straight from southern Italy, to sweet and rich herbal fruit teas, to a range of unconventional craft chocolate flavours, we’ve got it all.  

If you’re looking to indulge in some of the finer foods in life, look no further. It can be hard to know where to start, as the culinary scene in the UK today is flourishing from wines, to fish, to fresh produce. So, to narrow down the search, we’ve put a spotlight on the best food specialists to suit whatever you need.

All dedicated to providing luxury, artisanal, unique and even organic goods, these companies are the leading suppliers in a range of specialties. Each store takes inspiration from around the country or the globe, to bring you a taste of France, India, the Mediterranean and the Cotswolds through the art of cuisine.

BEST FOR COFFEE - Algerian Coffee Stores

Best Food Specialists - Algerian Coffee Stores
Algerian Coffee Stores, Soho

For all your quality coffee needs, head to the time capsule that is Algerian Coffee Stores. Since opening its doors in 1887, the independent business has remained rooted in the family that first established it. Visitors can take in the vintage gallery-style decor in the Soho store, while choosing from a huge range of single origin coffees and exclusive house blends like the dark Formula Rossa and the limited edition Carob Spice. The company proudly freshly roasts its coffee twice weekly, before preparing it for purchase by its loyal and new customers alike.  

Located at 52 Old Compton St, London W1D 4QE

BEST FOR OLIVE OILS - The Olive Oil Co.

The Olive Oil Co. has been supplying the top olive oil selections to restaurants and delis across the UK through its retail store found among the hustle and bustle of London’s Borough Market. Founder Danilo Manco hails from Puglia in Southern Italy, a region that produces nearly half of the country’s fresh cooking essentials. From a classic extra virgin olive oil to a specialty Black Truffle Bartolini, they’ve got you and your homemade Mediterranean dishes covered. 

Located at Borough Market, Stoney St, London SE16 2DB.

BEST FOR CHEESE - La Fromagerie

Best Food Specialists - La Fromagerie, Bloomsbury
La Fromagerie, Bloomsbury

La Fromagerie is a master of many – most importantly, cheese. With restaurants, shops and cheese rooms across London, this is your go-to for a taste of tradition and quality in a luxury cheese selection. There’s plenty to choose from, whether that’s a gift package (our favourite is their Camambert and Truffle Honey Box) or their bespoke Celebration Cheese Cake service, which offers a number of stacked and decorated cheeses and seasonal fruits for special occasions.  

Located in Highbury, Marylebone and Bloomsbury

BEST FOR CHOCOLATE - Pump Street Chocolate

Best Food Specialists - Pump Street Chocolate
Pump Street Chocolate, Suffolk

In the quaint village of Orford in Suffolk's heritage coast sits a dream for all premium craft chocolate lovers. Pump Street Chocolate proudly stocks all the award-winning, limited edition bean-to-bar craft sweet treats you could hope to divulge in, as well as cookery books and equipment for perfecting at-home chocolate making. Each novelty flavour – from Hot Cross Bun to Sourdough and Sea Salt – is made in small batches at the local Suffolk chocolate factory, so you can be sure this is the best of the best. 

Located at Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge IP12 2LZ

BEST FOR GLOBAL TEAS - Postcard Teas

Best Food Specialists - Postcard Teas, Mayfair
Postcard Teas, Mayfair

For a soul-soothing, aromatic brew like no other, look no further than Postcard Teas in the heart of Mayfair. Born from the journeys of its founders, who once travelled to the world’s best tea growing regions, the store hosts over 70 tea blends, and supplies Harrods, L’Enclume, Asprey and more. Highlights include the fragrant French Lemon Verbena, the sweet Japanese Shizuoka Secret and the rich Indian Assam Chai

Located at 9 Dering St, London W1S 1AG.  

BEST FOR TOMATOES - The Tomato Stall

As we head into another British summer, The Tomato Stall is making sure all our favourite heritage varieties are back in season and ready to be enjoyed. Grown in the rich soil of the local land in Arreton Valley, the fresh produce is made with a combination of traditions and modern innovations to ensure quality. Whether their organic cherry vines or San Arrentino plum tomatoes catch your eye first, you can order straight to your door and take inspiration for their many recipes online. 

Located on Main Road, Arreton, Isle of Wight PO30 3AR

 BEST FOR ORGANICS - Daylesford

At each of Daylesford’s stores dotted across the country, nature is at the core. High-quality larder staples, fresh farm shop fruit and vegetables, artisan bakery loaves, and organic dairy and meats are the highlights of the pure goods on offer. For any upcoming picnics or outdoor dinner parties, Daylesford’s delicious deli selection includes Kalamata Olive Houmous, Rosemary & Sea Salt Crackers and Mushroom and Truffle Pâtés, to name just a few. 


Located in the Cotswolds and London – Marylebone, Notting Hill & Pimlico

BEST FOR JAMS - London Borough Of Jam

Best Food Specialists - London Borough Of Jam
London Borough Of Jam, Clapton (Photography: Sarah Victoria Bates)

Handmade, artisanal, small batch jam makes the perfect gift for any number of occassions, and the London Borough of Jam in Clapton is always here to deliver. Founder and former pastry chef Lillie O’Brien describes the flavours as “honest and unadulterated”, as well as fruit-driven. Each jar is dairy-free, vegan and packed only with seasonal fruit, natural sugars and a variety of unconventional additions. Mandarin and Sherry jam, anyone? 

Located at London Borough of Jam, 51D Chatsworth Rd, Clapton, E5 0LH

BEST FOR NUTS - Carpo

London’s Carpo stores are home to the finest nuts and dried fruits around. Inspired by Greek mythology, in which Carpo refers to the Goddess of autumn and harvest, the brand has certainly followed suit. Each store provides an immersive tasting experience, allowing visitors to curate their perfect gift hamper to include either raw, roasted, Himalayan-salted, unsalted or coated nuts and seeds from around the world. Or, all of the above. 

Located in Piccadilly, Knightsbridge and Selfridges on Oxford Street

BEST FOR SMOKED SALMON - Smokin' Brothers

Best Food Specialists - Smokin' Brothers
Smokin' Brothers, The Cotswolds

Though based in the Cotswolds, Smokin’ Brothers is among the finest in London’s culinary scene, delivering the highest quality smoked salmon to customers and vendors alike, always through sustainable processes. Having won several awards for its state-of-the-art, hand-crafted selection, the brand delivers Whisky and Soy Glazed Salmon, Smoked Tartare, Imperial Beluga Caviar, Crispy Canapes, and more. Make sure to pair your chosen delicacy with one of their carefully matched wines or spirits, also ready for delivery at the click of a button. 

Available to order from https://smokin-brothers.com/.