Where to buy good meat in London for home cooking

For proper meat to cook at home, skip the big supermarket and go to a butcher.

Independent butchers

A local butcher's meat is usually fresher, cut to order, and they'll advise on cuts and cooking. Less popular cuts are cheaper and taste great.

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Halal and ethnic butchers

Turkish and Middle Eastern butchers (for example in Haringey, Dalston, Green Lanes) often offer excellent value and quality, especially lamb and chicken.

Farmers' markets

Farmers' markets sell meat from named farms — dearer, but you know the source and quality.

Supermarkets: check the ranges

If you use a chain, pick the premium ranges ('finest', 'taste the difference' and the like) — clearly better than the basic lines.

How to save

• Buy a whole piece and portion it at home; freeze in batches.
• Ask what's freshest and best value today — butchers will often tell you.