Restaurants
The British culinary scene is abuzz in London, with innovative chefs rethinking traditional British classics and creating new favorites — all with an emphasis on fresh, local produce. Thanks to London's rich mix of cultures, the capital's restaurants serve up delicious food from all corners of the globe. Whatever cuisine you fancy, you're sure to find it in London. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Caribbean, Polish, French, Italian, Afghan, Ethiopian, American, Spanish, South African, Persian — the list goes on. With Michelin Star restaurants, family-friendly eateries, cozy gastropubs, fast food joints and quirky cafes dotted all over the city, there's something for every budget too. Food halls and street food are on the rise, too, with new ones popping up seemingly every month.
DisobeyArt/Shutterstock.comArcade Food Hall
Arcade Food Hall is an upscale, digital food hall — London's first — housing multiple restaurants, cafes and bars from up-and-coming food and drink talent under one roof. Guests are treated to culinary offerings from all over the world: from Thai curries, Indonesian street food, and North Indian fast food to Spanish tapas, Japanese sushi, and American-style burgers. Plus, daily provisions counter serving coffee, lunchtime sandwiches and pastries, and an immersive dessert experience from the UK's most exciting confectionery connoisseurs.
bezikus/Shutterstock.comKanada-Ya Piccadilly
Arguably London's best ramen chain now has three location across town. They specialize in tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen; some bowls feature chicken bone broth or a combination of the two. All locations except the original one in Covent Garden serve a vegetarian option.
Artit Wongpradu/Shutterstock.comBang Bang Oriental Food Hall
Quite possibly the only place of its kind in Europe, Bang Bang Oriental Food Hall is a massive food court with spacious seating. Totally worth making the trip to Colindale. The top floor hosts a couple dozen restaurants representing cuisines from all across the Asian continent, with a 360-seater Chinese restaurant occupying the ground level.
Artem Beliaikin/Shutterstock.comM.Manze
M.Manze is a bit of Cockney heritage dates back to 1902 and serves an all-time classic menu of pie, mash and jellied eel. Arrive Mon–Sat before 2pm to get your serve. This Tower Bridge eatery holds significance in the gastronomic history of the area, but it’s also earned a place in British popular culture appearing in numerous books, TV shows, and films, and formed the backdrop for Elton John’s music video for his single ‘Made in England’. Celebrities pop in for a meal quite often, too!
Chris Lawrence Travel/shutterstockJ Sheekey
Tucked away between Leicester Square and Covent Garden, J Sheekey has been in business since the 1890s and is the place to go for sustainably sourced fish, oysters and shellfish. From Sheekey's Fish Pie to potted shrimps (plus vegetarian and meat options), there's plenty of selection for everyone.
Cesarz/Shutterstock.comInamo Soho
Inamo is a pioneering Oriental fusion restaurant and bar where the control of the dining experience is placed firmly in your own hands, thanks to an interactive ordering system. Instead of reading a long list of dish names, you simply pick your favorite from an illustrated food and drinks menu projected onto your table surface. The pan-Asian menu includes influences from Japan, China, Thailand, Korea and beyond.
Ekaterina Smirnova/shutterstockThe Wolseley
Housed in a former car showroom on Piccadilly, The Wolseley is an elegant cafe-restaurant inspired by the grand European style of years gone by. The food follows the same classic European thread, with favourite dishes including veal Holstein and chicken soup with dumplings. Pop in for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.
Chef photography/Shutterstock.comRestaurant Gordon Ramsay
If the name alone doesn’t sell it, the three Michelin stars that Restaurant Gordon Ramsay was honored with should. Located in affluent Chelsea, the restaurant serves up modern French food from carefully picked ingredients in an elegant, intimate atmosphere. Wear something smart to feel right at home.
vichie81/Shutterstock.comBorough Market
London's Borough Market is unsurprisingly popular — it's been gaining momentum since the 12th century, after all — but those who arrive for an early lunch can take advantage of this London fixture's ample offering of street food from all over the world, followed by a stroll through the stalls vending local produce.
I Wei Huang/Shutterstock.comDinner by Heston Blumenthal
Heston Blumenthal's restaurant Dinner is known for its inventive menu of historically inspired British dishes. Choose from dishes such as Earl Grey Tea cured Salmon (c.1730), Spiced Pigeon (c.1780) and Tipsy Cake (c.1810). Alternatively, let the chef do the choosing by going for the Set Lunch Menu or splashing out on a seat at the Chef's Table, which directly faces the restaurant's custom-built show kitchen. Garden terrace tables are perfect for warmer days.
Shaiith/Shutterstock.comWild Heart
Located on the ground floor of the stylish Sanctum Soho Hotel, Wild Heart serves modern, seasonal British cuisine from breakfast through afternoon tea to dinner. A bar as well as a restaurant, it's also a great spot for a coffee, evening cocktail or glass of wine on their covered roof terrace.
Shebeko/Shutterstock.comPoppies Fish & Chips
On your way back from Camden Market and want to stop for a meal? At Poppies, you can experience the traditional dish of the British working classes the way it should be enjoyed. Why not sit down to a nice portion of tasty, sustainably caught cod with a serving of crisp and fluffy chips complete with tartare sauce and a slice of lemon on the side? Decorated with quirky 1940s memorabilia on the walls, Poppies is known as one of the capital's finest fish and chip shops. As well as the branch in Camden, you'll find another two in Spitalfields and Soho.
from my point of view/Shutterstock.comOXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie
Dine in true British style with a beautiful raised view across the River Thames. The OXO Tower restaurant, bar and brasserie is a great place for a romantic meal, especially when combined with a casual stroll along the South Bank before and after your meal. Book ahead to make sure you get an alfresco table on the outdoor terrace and enjoy the scene with St Paul's Cathedral in the background. You can also expect to enjoy live jazz in the brasserie.
ariadna de raadt/Shutterstock.comMestizo Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar
Colourful and welcoming, Mestizo Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar serves quality, traditional Mexican cuisine with a refined touch. Downstairs from the relaxing restaurant you'll also find a stylish tequila bar serving cocktails, tequila and 'antojitos' (Mexican tapas).
Sofia Felguerez/Shutterstock.comGaucho Piccadilly
The glitzy Piccadilly branch of Argentinian restaurant Gaucho spans four floors. Alongside the main restaurant is the Cavas De Gaucho wine boutique, a ground-floor wine bar and a supper lounge on the top floor. Steaks, of course, are high on the menu, but there are many other dishes to try too, from Ecuadorian ceviche to Scamorza and potato ravioli.
hlphoto/Shutterstock.comSketch
Sketch is an eccentric, original and elegant venue off Regent Street founded by French master chef Pierre Gagnaire and restaurateur Mazouz. The unique millenial pink space comprises five dining areas: The Parlour patisserie and restaurant, The Glade bar, The Gallery brasserie, the two Michelin-starred Lecture Room & Library dining room and The East Bar.
My Good Images/shutterstockMasala Zone Bayswater
Colourfully decorated with Indian folk art and collages of firecracker labels, the Bayswater branch of Masala Zone is as warm and welcoming as the other restaurants in this growing chain. The menu takes inspiration from Indian street food and home-cooked dishes, with Indian grills and regional curries as well as tapas-style Thali platters.
Sahil Rattanaphas/Shutterstock.comSarastro
Sarastro is renowned for its flamboyant interior: part stage set, part old curiosity shop. Taking a nod from the nearby West End theaters, the dining room features opera boxes, luxuriant velvet tablecloths and cosy booths. The menu is Mediterranean and live shows regularly take place, with live opera on Sundays and Mondays, swing and Motown on Thursdays and Latin rhythms on Fridays.
Travers Lewis/shutterstockRainforest Cafe
Rainforest Cafe brings the sights and sounds of the jungle to London's famous Piccadilly Circus, with trumpets of elephants, gorilla roars, tropical fish tanks, an indoor waterfall and roaring thunderstorm sounds. Feeding time is a fun, family-friendly affair, with steaks, burgers, pasta and salads on the menu.
Quality Stock Arts/Shutterstock.comThe Blues Kitchen — Shoreditch
The Blues Kitchen is a well-established live music and burger restaurant in London's trendy East End. Pop in for lunch, brunch, dinner or an evening of cocktails at the bar while you enjoy the blues and soul acts on almost every day of the week. Bite into the big brisket burger, share the shrimp taco salad or dig into the szechuan chicken wings with creamy mango dip. And don't forget to choose a succulent side dish of onion rings and fries to accompany your meal.
zygonema / Shutterstock.comLocanda Locatelli
Michelin-starred restaurant Locanda Locatelli serves top-quality, traditional Italian food created with panache by head chef Giorgio Locatelli. Stand-out dishes at the Central London eaterie (according to the Michelin guide) include scallops, celeriac purée and saffron vinaigrette; and wild sea bass baked in salt and herb crust, escarole, sultanas and pine kernels.
Kzenon/Shutterstock.comDuke of Cambridge
The Duke of Cambridge is the first and only British pub to be certified as organic by the Soil Association. The menu at the Islington gastropub unsurprisingly features an excellent range of delicious organic food and drinks, and changes daily according to what seasonal food is available.
Magdanatka/Shutterstock.comHide
Distinguished with a Michelin star only 5 months after its opening, Hide is the result of an ambitious collaboration between acclaimed chef Ollie Dabbous and Hedonism Wines. The ground-level restaurant features great value lunches (prices aren't low, but adequate for the level), while the fine dining affair "Above" has made a splash with its refined dishes and extravagant presentation. Interiors draw clear inspiration from Green Park across the road.
Vershinin89/Shutterstock.comBrick Lane
Brick Lane is the heart of London’s Bangladeshi community. Road signs here appear in both English and Bengali, and the restaurants are authentic and unpretentious. Some iconic restaurants like the the Bengal Village, Aladin, Smokestak, Hawksmoor, All Star Lanes canbe found here. Beigel Bake, where you can get a traditional Jewish-style filled bagel with salt beef or smoked salmon is an absolute must.
EQRoy/shutterstock