London has heaps of amazing restaurants to gorge, nibble or spend a long evening grazing the night away. The city is huge (and filled with epic places to see), which means there are so many diverse, authentic and totally incredible restaurants to try in London. There are thousands to choose from, with well over twenty thousand local foodie gems to choose from.
Now, this all means that there’s a great London restaurant to experience, regardless of the area of London you choose to visit. Best of all, you’ll find most of them around the most amazing places to visit in London, with most restaurants within walking distance of the main London sights.
London has heaps of amazing foodie markets, and some really exciting cocktail spots that are dotted around the city. You’re going to be spoiled for choice.
After living in London for so many years, I’ve come to try my fair share of little gems and duds of places to eat. This is exactly why I wanted to share some of my very favourite spots to eat in London, from Michelin-starred restaurants to fish and chips, Indian curries, and everything else in between. After all, the best restaurants in any city aren’t just fine dining! This way, you’ll be guaranteed to find a fair few gems I know you’ll love. Take a look, below, at some of the best restaurants in London to visit.
1.) Saison by Mauro Colagreco, Whitehall
Nestled within the stunning, iconic Raffles Hotel in Westminster, Saison by Mauro Colagreco is a Mediterranean-influenced restaurant in the most gorgeous room. It’s perched right within the Old War Room that was once the centre of WWII planning before being renovated today. Gone are the days of James Bond, and in its place, there’s a whole level of luxe and incredible food waiting inside.
Now, the thing we love about Saison is that it’s relatively informal for a high-end London restaurant that serves up some of the best food in the city. Head over for breakfast or lunch, and you’ll be spoilt for choice. Just make sure to book a table before arriving. They conjure up the freshest Scallop Crudo for starters, and their Lake District Lamb, with roasted chickpea farinata and drizzles of mint, is just too good to miss. You will love it.
Read more: Best things to do in London when you visit
2.) The Culpeper, East London
Looking for one of East London’s best pubs? Then make sure to head over to The Culpeper. It’s something of an institution in East London, and not just for their tipples. Beyond the brews, you’ll find a seasonal menu that’s actually incredible. This isn’t your regular pub food. It’s seasonal, fresh and always yummy.
We’ve always loved this spot for its fresh seafood, which is sourced from local suppliers in London and is always so good. It’s even better on the rooftop on a warm summer day. You can easily spend the whole evening here, and you can even stay overnight in one of their cosy bedrooms if you fancy.
Read more: Best things to do in East London
3.) Gordon’s Wine Bar, Embankment
Officially, London’s oldest wine bar, Gordon’s Wine Bar subterranean gem, is like a cave filled with wines, candlelight tables, and enough charcuterie to throw a stick at. Now, their menu is predominantly wine, but it’s still one of the best restaurants in London to visit if you want a slow evening of nibbles of Iberico ham, matured cheese and heaps of tipples to choose from.
Now, Gordon’s does get busy, and there’s a limited number allowed inside, so if you fancy going, make sure to give ample time to wait for a table. I think we waited around 30 minutes, which was perfect to have a glass of wine in the bar area. We love it here.
Read more: Best things to do in London when you visit
4.) Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich
Easily one of London’s best restaurants, the Trafalgar Tavern is a traditional British pub right on the banks of the River Thames in beautiful Greenwich. We absolutely love coming here for a trandtional sunday roast dinner or just a nibble in their Nile Restaurant in the evenings. They have all sorts, from starters like traditional scotch eggs to homemade pasta for mains. They’re so good.
Also, in the summer, there’s a stunning outdoor seating area on the banks of the Thames, right across from the Royal Naval College and the iconic Painted Hall. Though don’t fret if you’re visiting in Winter, the Trafalgar Tavern has a roaring fire in the pub area and even live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. It’s a truly authentic London pub.
Read more: Best things to do when visiting Greenwich
5.) Wild Honey, Central London
Nestled within the Sofitel St James, just a stone’s throw from Picadilly Circus, Wild Honey is a Michelin Starred resturant you can’t miss when in Central London. Now, the great thing about Wild Honey is that it doesn’t need to be too expensive, which is great for a Michellin Starred eatery. You see, they have a ‘working lunch’ menu that’s significantly lower in price than dinner, and the seasonal menu is just as good as dinner.
Once here, try their Grilled squid and ragu starter and devour the Loire Valley rabbit that’s roasted in-house. It’s so tasty. Just make sure to book a table before arriving; tables can fill up fast, especially for supper.
6.) Boot & Flogger, Southwark
Not too far from London Bridge and Borough Market, the Boot & Flogger is a traditional wine bar in Central London. Now, don’t be mistaken in thinking this spot is all about the wines – there is so much more. Yes, it’s one of the best restaurants in London for its wine selection, but you’ll also find a scrumptious menu. Make sure to try their baked burrata and the king prawns, crab and chilli linguine. It’s perfect with a crisp glass of Chardonnay.
7.) Parsons’, Covent Garden
Parsons‘ is something of an unassuming restaurant in Covent Garden. Blink, and you’ll miss it. It’s a cosy little eatery, tucked away on Endell Street; you can easily walk past this gem of a restaurant without even batting an eyelid. And that would be a mistake! Parsons’ is incredible, cosy, warm and serves the best seafood this side of the Thames.
Make sure to try their Dover Sole, or the Monkfish, which is equally as good. Not only that, their Devon Crab Tagliolini is so tasty. Now, being a seafood restaurant, it’s going to be a fish-first spot. So, if you’re a vegetarian or a red meat eater, you might want to give it a miss. That being said, if it’s fish you’re after, you will love Parsons’. It’s one of the best restaurants in London for seafood – hands down!
Read more: Best things to do in Covent Garden
8.) Italian Greyhound, Marlybone
Perched within the Marylebone area of London, the Italian Greyhound is a neighbourhood eatery that serves up some incredible Italian dishes. Open all day, it’s one of the best restaurants in London that focuses on small plates, serving dishes in a tapas style to share between your table. Though, fret not! If you’re not into sharing, they do have larger plates, too!
After arriving, make sure to try their Aubergine parmigiana and their signature Lamb ragu tagliatelle. It’s one of the best we’ve tasted outside of Italy.
9.) Maine, Mayfair
Maine is a New England-style eatery, and it is one of the best restaurants in London to visit if you’re looking to make a whole evening of it. You see, there’s typically a live band, good food and a party atmosphere on weekends, and it’s the perfect place to grab a table if you’re heading out with friends.
Make sure to grab their fresh oysters, with lashings of hot sauce. Oh, and don’t forget their steak selections, too. So good. Finally, wash them all down with a bottle of champagne whilst enjoying the live band. It’s so much fun. Like most places in Central London, make sure to reserve a table in advance – especially on Friday or Saturday.
Read more: Best things to do in Central London
10.) Kin + Deum, Southwark
Just shy of Bermondsey Street (about 10-minutes from London Bridge Station), Kin + Deum is a Thai restaurant that focuses on dishes from Bangkok and the surrounding regions in Thailand. All the dishes are freshly made, without any MSGs. Ingredients are locally sourced, and all sauces are homemade. Every single dish we’ve had is delicious.
Make sure to try their prawn tom kha, which is infused with the tastiest coconut and kaffir lime leaves that make it so fragrant.
Afterwards, take a stroll down nearby Bermondsey Street (Google Maps pin) for all the intimate little bars and pubs for an evening tipple. It’s one of our favourite areas in London for a relaxed and chilled night out.
Read more: Best things to do in London when you visit
11.) Casa do Frango, London Bridge, Mayfair & Victoria
Looking for one of London’s best chicken restaurants? Then look no further than Casa do Frango that serves up the tastiest grilled piri-piri chicken in all of the city. Now with three restaurants in London, Casa do Frango specialises in the freshest meats and Portuguese dishes and wines that you’d come to expect from eating on the coastline of Portugal.
Of course, you have to order the piri-piri chicken, but make sure to also try their garlic prawns and their amazing orange wine selection, which is so good. It’s a relatively informal restaurant and perfect to visit with friends without feeling too stuffy. We love it.
Oh, and don’t forget that the London Bridge Casa do Frango has a secret speakeasy where you can stop for a tipple before (or after) dinner. So good.
Read more: Best things to do in London when you visit
12.) Dishoom, Covent Garden, Canary Wharf, Shoreditch, Kings Cross
Love Indian food? Then you have to check out Dishoom. Over the last 10 years, starting with just one restaurant (or cafe, as they like to call it), Dishoom has opened quite a few restaurants in London and some outside the city itself. Focusing on dishes and street food from Bombay, it’s the kind of place that’s perfect to order heaps of small plates and try a little of everything.
Their lamb biryani is so good, and don’t forget about their freshly-made mango lassi, which is perfect to cut through the spices. We love it.
Also, if it’s Indian food you’re looking for, and you’ve already visited Dishomm, make sure to stop off at Tayyabs in East London. This local eatery has been going since 1972 and still serves up some of the best grilled meats and Karachi chicken in all of London. Another firm favourite for us is Kricket in Soho. Their dishes take a modern twist on traditional Indian receieps and it’s such a yummy spot. Also, not too far away is Darjeeling Express, something of a celeb haunt in Central London and has quickly made a name for itself as one of the city’s best spots for Ma’s Chingri (a yummy prawn curry), Keema Aloo Mattar (a frangrant beef based dish) and their Chicken Momos (dumplings). It’s so worth a visit. Oh, and don’t forget about Gymkhana for their two Michelin-starred dishes. This place is so special, and their aloo chat, salmon tikka and wine pairing are all so tasty.
Read more: Best things to do and visit in Central London
13.) OXO Tower Restaurant, Southbank
The OXO Tower Restaurant is easily up there as one of the best restaurants in London, especially for the views and food. Perched at the top of the OXO Tower building, the Restaurant has a tasty menu of British dishes that is perfect for dinner and an evening treat in the city.
Also, it has some epic views across the Thames and is a great place to catch the sunset when an orangey glow transforms the view over the city. When we visited, we had their yummy, fresh Lobster and salty fingers starter, followed by the incredible Rib-eye steak with bone marrow crust (which is best served medium-rare). Oh, and if you have room for pudding, go for the OXO Chocolate Plate – I nearly inhaled this when it arrived. It’s so good!
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14.) Barrafina, Covent Garden, Charing Cross, King’s Cross
Barrafina is one of my favourite tapas spots and easily up there as one of the best restaurants in London if you love Basque and Spanish dishes. Perched in three spots (Drury Lane, Dean Street and Adelaide Street (which is our favourite)), it’s a delicious treat of a place to gorge.
Now, although you can’t reserve a table here, arrive just before the midday crowd, and I guarantee your wait won’t be too long. Also, make sure to try their fresh fish plates (which vary depending on what can be sourced). Although lunch in Barrafina will be a little pricier than other tapas joints, the food is well worth it. Once inside, you could be fooled into thinking you’d arrived in Spain.
Read more: Best things to do in Covent Garden
15.) Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden
Clos Maggiore is one of my favourite restaurants in Covent Garden and totally worthy of being one of the best restaurants in London that you’ll want to visit more than once.
Not only is the restaurant atrium gorgeously decorated, but the food is also incredible. Close Maggiore creates some of the best contemporary French dishes in London, which is so nice. Plus, if you go for their lunch menu, it’s a little cheaper and easier to get a table. After all, if you’re looking to eat at peak times, make sure you reserve your table well in advance (otherwise, head for dinner or lunch a tiny bit earlier than you normally would). Make sure to try their herb-smoked Welsh lamb. Being Welsh myself, I can attest to how tasty this is!
Read more: Best things to do in Covent Garden
16.) Bala Baya, Southwark
After heading to Tel Aviv, I picked up a proper love for the food of this region; thankfully, Bala Baya is one place to grab some whilst in London. Just south of the river and about a 10-minute walk from Borough Market, Bala Baya is an awesome little joint in London under the railway arches. The Yemeni Ceviche cured spiced salmon with rhubarb, and their yummy cocktails (my favourite was ‘peach’) are too good to miss.
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17.) Wolkite Kitfo, North Islington
Don’t expect any fancy decor or à la carte service, Wolkite Kitfo is not that type of place at all. It’s a simple, local family-run spot that’s built up a reputation as one of London’s most authentic Ethiopian restaurants. It’s the kind of place you go for the food, less so about the atmosphere and pomp around some more prestigious restaurants in London. The delicious Ethiopian food they create is totally authentic.
Based in North London, Wolkite Kitfo is tucked away from Holloway Road, making this a little gem of a place to visit. They honestly serve some of the best Ethiopian food in the city. Though, as I mentioned, it’s far from fine dining, and you really go for all the yummy food.
Read more: Best things to do in North London
18.) Kerridge’s Bar And Grill, Whitehall
Perched downstairs of the Corinthia Hotel in London, Kerridge’s Bar and Grill is one of the best restaurants in London to visit if you want a celebrity chef meal.
Here, Tom has a menu of old British favourites with a totally modern twist that’s so tasty. For instance, Yaya went for the pig cheek pie, and it was so good. The salty pork cut through the zingy sauce, and it’s just so good. Just make sure to book a table on a weekend, as this can get a little busy.
Read more: Our stay in the Corinthia London
19.) Poppies fish and chips, East London
Okay, this is a firm British favourite, and I had to include one of the tastiest fish and chips spots here. Now, fish and chip shops are typically a takeaway meal for most Brits; that being said, there are a few spots that have down areas that are totally traditional.
For me, Poppies is one of the best restaurants in London for fish and chips, especially for their fried cod! Though, to call it a restaurant would be a little far-fetched if I’m honest, as most as fish and chip shop with informal dining areas inside.
In spots like Camden and Shoreditch, Poppies cook their fish fresh and have the yummiest chips. It’s nothing fancy, totally informal, but if you’re looking for some proper fish and chips experience, then this is the place to be.
Read more: Best things to do in East London
20.) Fortnum & Mason’s: The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon or Royal Exchange
Based in Fortnum and Mason’s, the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon is one of the best restaurants in London to visit if you want a totally refined afternoon tea experience. Open for almost 100 years, the tea salon bakes a yummy batch of scones daily that are so yummy with clotted cream and jam. Also, their selection of teas is just mind-boggling, it’s so good! Just make sure to book a table in advance, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.
Alternatively, book a table at the Royal Exchange. This spot is a little less formal, but with no less focus on quality. It’s the perfect place to visit for lunch or breakfast, and their wild mushroom gnocchi is too good to miss.
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21.) Harwood Arms, Fulham
A Sunday roast is something of a British institution (just like these classic British eats), and a must when visiting the UK.
Typically, devoured on a Sunday afternoon, it consists of mountains of veggies, potatoes, beef, lamb, pork, chicken or veggie options that are piled with a yummy Yorkshire pudding (especially with beef), mint sauce (with lamb) and lashings of gravy. The Harwood Arms in the Fulham area of London makes an epic roast, and one that you should book if you want to reserve a table. It’s easily one of the best restaurants in London to visit for a Sunday Lunch on a lazy weekend.
That being said, if you’re not in the area, check out some local haunts, too. Most good pubs will serve a tasty Sunday lunch.
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