Ugly Gems
It's the inside that countsIt’s the inside that counts.
Honoring Flavour Over Fancy: the ‘Ugly’ Gems.
‘Ugly’ Gems is a global series hosted by Jono Lancaster, spotlighting flavour-first restaurants that favour soul over style.
From flickering neon signs to handwritten menus, these spots might not look the part, but the food speaks for itself.
Because real beauty lives in the taste.
Discover your next 'Ugly' Gem.
‘Ugly’ gems episodes
London, United Kingdom
7 Floor Malaysia Tea Room
Copenhagen, Denmark
Chicky Grill Bar Copenhagen
Find your gem
Share your ‘ugly’ gems
Share your ‘ugly’ gems
Share your gem
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR IN THE ‘UGLY’ GEM RESTAURANTS
A restaurant that doesn’t fit the typical idea of “beautiful”
Full of soul, character, and story
Local, authentic, and all about taste
Visual quirks that show they care more about food than aesthetics
Bonus points if it’s a local secret or run by a family
Your ‘Ugly’ gems
Copenhagen, Denmark
Ali Bageri
London, United Kingdom
Alounak
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Annapurna Kitchen Indian Restaurant
London, United Kingdom
Aphrodite Taverna
London, United Kingdom
Babel Grill House
London, United Kingdom
Banh Mi Ancient Saigon
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Basilico Fish & More
London, United Kingdom
Beigel Bake
Amsterdam
Belly Pepper
Copenhagen
Chicky Grill Bar
London, United Kingdom
Chinese Tapas House
London, United Kingdom
City Best Mangal
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dumplings
London, United Kingdom
Durbar Tandoori
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Effendy
London, United Kingdom
Falafel Shack
London, United Kingdom
Fennec & Parsley
London, United Kingdom
Fez Mangal
London, United Kingdom
Garum
Copenhagen, Denmark
Hidmona
London, United Kingdom
Huong viet
Copenhagen, Denmark
Husmanns Vinstue
London , United Kingdom
Italina385
London, United Kingdom
Jupiter Burger
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Kokkita
London, United Kingdom
Kolam
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
La Casa Di Michael
London, United Kingdom
Lahore One Restaurant
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Little Italy
Amsterdam
Lucky House
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Mangia Pizza and Wine
London, United Kingdom
Med Salleh Kopitiam
London, United Kingdom
Normah s
London , United Kingdom
One Club Row
London, United Kingdom
Phat Phuc
London
Putera Puteri
London, United Kingdom
Roti Joupa Stratford
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Roti Shop Gieta
London, United Kingdom
Roti Stop
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Sari Citra
London, United Kingdom
Singburi
London, United Kingdom
Sohaila
London, United Kingdom
Song Que Cafe
London, United Kingdom
SONORA TAQUERIA
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Taco Lindo West
London, United Kingdom
Taste of Lahore
London, United Kingdom
Tayyabs
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Old Soul
London, United Kingdom
The Tiroler Hut
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Toko Bamboe
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tokyo Ramen Takeichi
Copenhagen, Denmark
Toldbod Bodega
London, United Kingdom
Troy Bar
London, United Kingdom
Uzbek Corner
London, United Kingdom
Warung Putera Puteri
London, United Kingdom
Yemane s
London, United Kingdom
Yum Bowl
London , United Kingdom