We love finding quirky places to eat and HipChips is no exception. Who knew that London needed a restaurant for crisps?
This new concept opened only last month and we were delighted to try it out.
Located in Old Compton Street, in the heart of Soho, London, it’s an interesting concept – that your meal should be made up of crisps and dips. But you know what? It works. And it’s got that different kind of vibe which makes it great fun for a different way of eating out (in that way, it reminded me of the Cereal Cafe, which is also great fun for adults, teens and tweens). Mind you, Jess was supremely irritated that it was called HipChips and not Hipcrisps.
There are different options when it comes to the food. We chose a mixture of the savoury and sweet dips, a good decision as it made it a bit more like a conventional meal (we had the savouries first and then the sweet). The crisps, by the way, are made on site and from a variety of different potatoes.
You can choose your own dips, with a choice of two for £4.50, three for £6.75 and six for £11.50. Yes, I know it sounds mad to pay that kind of money for crisps and dips, but actually it’s lunch – and the six dips were enough for us, meaning it wasn’t actually that expensive for a London-based snack. And that’s disregarding the fun value.
We all particularly liked the baba ganoush (aubergine) dip, while Brian scoffed his way through nearly the entire pot of veggie ceviche (basically a kind of salsa made up of tomato, lime, coriander, onion and chilli) and we also enjoyed the katsu curry. I had a taste of the smoky cheese fondue, and the Moroccan Yoghurt also sounded good.
The salted caramel sweet dip was absolutely delicious, but the chocolate praline mousse (nutella, praline crème fraiche) which we thought would be our favourite, was a bit too rich – even for us! Both the kids really liked the strawberry cheesecake one and polished it off, although we didn’t quite finish the crème brulee.
Robert was not a big fan of the crisps themselves, although the rest of us were very happy with them. They are a bit like “posh” crisps and not like the thicker, machine formed ones you buy in average packs (my son is not particularly one for posh food and that may be true of other younger children too). The ones for the sweet dips have a cinnamon sugar coating, but this was quite subtle. We all enjoyed our drinks – which were the German make Fritz and a combination of apple juice, cola and lemonade. There is also wine, beer and soft drinks on offer.
All in all we enjoyed our unusual lunch and thought it was a great place for sharing. We also think it’s good fun for kids – and were impressed by how busy it was!
Read Jess’s piece on five cool places to eat in London
Read about our chocolate walking tour
Kara
I have never heard of such a place – looks interesting. Will have to give it a try when I am next in Lonson
Lianne
I’ve heard of this place before, it definitely looks quirky! I’d love to try it!
Cathy (Mummytravels)
I did wonder if this was just a quirky concept to get people in or whether it would work in practice but sounds unexpectedly fun. The sweet crisps and sweet dips still seem a bit of an odd combination but worth a try! #citytripping
Christine @afamilyday
Oh wow, I need to go. I say this having just eaten the best part of a large bag of ‘posh’ crisps. It does sound expensive, but absolutely worth it for the novelty factor. I was trying to avoid the London crowds before Christmas but might need to pop in and check it out!
Sarah Ebner
It was fun – could wait till new year though! And definite novelty factor…
Charles McCool
We visited London in June and will be back next July. I did not hear about Hip Chips until now but I will surely seek it out on my next trip. I mean really, chips and dips is a dreamy combo.
Gracie
I will visit this place when I visit London again next year 😊I love crisps and mostly dips! I’m so crazy about dips so this place is really for me, I think 😊
Jessica The Dining Traveler
Yum, this concept sounds delicious! Will check it out on my next trip to London…
Elaine J Masters
Never encountered a concept like this. Tasty for a snack and especially with young ones but anyone trying to watch their waistlines would be sadly tempted!
Keryn
Can’t say I have ever been to a chip factory, but this sure does look good!
Katja
What a strange but fun concept! My kids would love this – how could they not if they get to eat nothing but crisps for dinner?!
Beth Henry
Looks like yummy fun! I’m with Jess, a Chips place in London should be called Crisps, not Chips!
Nichola - Globalmouse
I love the idea of this, crisps are my weakness so I would be in heaven! I agree though, should be hipcrisps not hipchips!
beatravelling
Wow! This is different! Wanna try! #citytripping
Elizabeth (wander mum)
I’ve not heard of this place! Really interesting concept and some of the dips sound amazing – the salted caramel one in particular. It’s not really ‘lunch’ but good if you need a snack while out and about in London! Thanks for linking #citytripping
Nell (the Pigeon Pair and Me)
The dips sound delicious. I’d heard of this place – nice to read more about it. Baba ganoush would be top of my must-try list!