London is a city of endless culinary options, catering to all tastes and budgets. We’ve asked our Dames for their favourite places and curated a guide for you. From budget-friendly gems to Michelin-starred indulgence, here’s your definitive guide to dining in London, organised by the experts themselves.
For a lavish meal, The Ledbury is top-tier.
Josephine Bouchon delivers an authentic bistro experience in Fulham. For upmarket Indian street food, visit Dishoom at either Kings Cross or Battersea Nine Elms.
If you’re feeling extravagant, don’t miss The River Café.
Six by Nico is great for value tasting menus inspired by different themes. For delightful tapas, check out Barrafina near Trafalgar Square. Cichetti in Piccadilly specialises in Italian small plates.
The Harwood Arms is a Michelin-starred pub located in Fulham.
For a quintessential afternoon tea, visit The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum and Mason.
Duke’s Bar at Dukes Hotel, St. James’, is known for exceptional cocktails. Finally, enjoy elevated Irish dishes at Myrtle, crafted by the renowned Dame Anna Haugh.
For a fresh and seasonal menu, Elliot’s in Borough Market is a fantastic pick. The ingredients are always top-notch, and the vibe is casual yet vibrant.
Fun Night Out
If you’re looking for a fun night, head to Casa do Frango in London Bridge. They serve amazing Portuguese chicken that’s perfect for sharing, and the atmosphere is always lively.
For a taste of Mexico, Santo Remedio is the place to be. It’s authentic and full of flavour, a great spot for tacos.
Sustainable Dining
For a top-notch sustainable option, check out Apricity. This restaurant has earned a green Michelin star for its dedication to sustainability.
You’ll also want to explore Bubala for delightful vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Baked Goods
Lockdown Bakehouse in SW London is a must visit.
Legendary Butcher
Ginger Pig at Borough Market is the spot for famous sausage rolls.
Trullo is known for simple, seasonal Italian fine dining at Highbury Corner, serving hand made pasta anda truly delicious European menu.
Noble Rot in Bloomsbury, Soho and Mayfair never dissapoints.Each individual branch has its own identity.Exquisite food, wine list to die for.
Quality Chop House on Farringdon Road has been there for over 150, serving the finest meats from their listed building in Clerkenwell.
For an authentic taste of India on a budget, don’t overlook Pooja in Tooting. This takeaway-only spot serves the best Indian snacks and dishes around. If you’re feeling adventurous, try to snag a reservation at Darjeeling Express for a fantastic sit-down meal.
Treat yourself to a special evening at Medlar on Kings Road, a hidden gem that many overlook. It’s the perfect place for a memorable meal in a cozy atmosphere.
Looking for a classic pub experience? Head over to The French House in Soho. With its warm vibe and great menu, it’s a favorite for both locals and visitors alike.
Don’t miss the Fumoir Bar at Claridges. The Art Deco interiors are stunning, and their cocktails are nothing short of perfection.
For solo dining, Bao is a solid choice any branch will do, but the new one in Battersea Power Station is especially worth it. Alternatively, grab a spot at the bar at St John in Smithfield and enjoy their bar menu; you have to try the madeleines!
If you're up for something different, Hunan on Pimlico Road is a must. There’s no menu just let them know your spice tolerance and dietary needs, and they’ll take care of the rest. For a lively atmosphere, check out FKA Black Axe Mangal it’s loud and unforgettable.
A Wong Michelin-starred and exceptional in Chinese cuisine.
Andrew Edmunds A cozy London establishment that’s a classic.
Brasserie Zedel Famous for its fabulous decor and central location.
Cambio de Tercio A beloved Spanish restaurant.
Camille at Borough Market is known for fresh, seasonal dishes.
CERU on Bute Street serves delicious Middle Eastern cuisine.
Chez Bruce is consistently brilliant and worth the journey.
Ciao Bella and Cigalon are both local favorites.
Daquise serves traditional Polish fare, while Elystan Street and La Trompette are high-end options that never disappoint.
Maison François is conveniently located and highly regarded.
National Portrait Gallery by Richard Corrigan offers fantastic views over Trafalgar Square.
Norma is a stylish Italian eatery.
Oslo Court is a nostalgic trip back to the 1950s.
Poule au Pot is perfect for outdoor dining.
Rochelle Canteen offers a lovely, informal setting.
Rules is steeped in history, especially during game season.
Six Portland Road and St John are beloved spots for casual yet high-quality dining.
The Polish Hearth Club is ideal for vodka enthusiasts.
Tozi is conveniently located behind Victoria Station.
Trinity offers exceptional dining south of the river but is accessible via the Northern line.
Wild Honey St James is a delightful choice for lunch or dinner.
Take a trip on the Northern Line and explore the vibrant and diverse neighbourhood of Tooting. Not a tourist trap, this area will give you a real taste of London life. The two neighbouring indoor markets of Broadway Market and Tooting Market are home to a plethora of stalls from fabrics and jewellery to a vast array of eating and drinking options, including absolutely delicious and authentically served Ethiopian coffee at Elsa’s Erathean and Ethiopian vegan food, locally made gin at Graveney Gin house, an incredible range of craft beers at We Brought Beer, a cosy bar at Craft Tooting, Jamaican fayre at Dub Pan Jamaican style, gorgeous Filipino dishes at Ading Ysa’s Filipino. The market is worth the visit just to see all the international vegetables and groceries alone.
Juliet’s Quality Foods cafe is a Tooting favourite with really innovative up to date cafe dishes, Mixed blessings bakery is a great example of Carribean baking and breads (grab a rum sponge), Lahore Karahi and Dawat are the Indian restaurants that the local Indian and Pakistani families frequent and you’ll soon see why. Dawat is especially known for its lamb specialty dishes. If you’re a lover of visiting international supermarkets and convenience stores then Tolian’s opposite Tooting Bec station is a gem, don’t skip on their baklava and other baked Turkish treats. Taro in nearby Balham offers some of the best authentic Japanese food in town and Apple Blue also in Balham is a hot brunch spot.
East London has a constantly evolving and exciting food scene where innovative new places and long established stalwarts jostle for space. It’s eclectic, bohemian and downright fun. A walk along Brick Lane is always rewarding, Brick Lane Beigel Bake is open 24 hours 365 days a year, their salt beef beigels are legendary and unmissable ,but don’t sleep on the onion platzels either. The rivalry between the Beigel bake (white sign) and Beigel Shop (yellow sign) is as legendary and historic as the places themselves. Jen swears by the white one, but compare and let me know! Manteca in Shoreditch has queues most nights and it’s easy to understand once you try their food, the beef fat fudge on the dessert menu is eye opening deliciousness. Silo in Hackney Wick is a zero waste spot and they mean it, no green washing here. Flour is milled in house and they have a green Michelin star. Quick cheap eats abound in East London too, take a walk around Old Spitalfields Market and sample Dumpling Shack for handmade Chinese dumplings, Humble Crumble for a fantastic take on the British classic dessert and Bleeker Burger for some top notch burgers from a female founded and led business.
If this is your first trip to London then you’re going to want to try the famous classics, pie and mash, fish and chips, a roast etc. Here is a guide to our favourites.
For proper fish and chips you are spoilt for choice but Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden, which has been in business for over 150 years is a solid choice, Poppies on Old Compton Sreet in Soho, or their Shoreditch branch. Pie and mash is sadly dying out, but there’s still F Cooke in Hoxton, M Manze on Tower Bridge Road or Goddard’s in Greenwich, which has the bonus of being a really nice area to explore but is the most touristy of the three. For a real greasy spoon cafe experience, including a full English breakfast and other classics then E Pellici in Bethnal Green is truly legendary, in operation since 1900 and the walls are lined with photos of famous faces, they also are known for their welcoming vibe and have a podcast that is worth a listen. Regency Cafe near Westminster Abbey in Pimlico is a wonderful slice of art deco London history and Maria’s on Lower Marsh in Waterloo has one of the best retro store fronts still around, and serves classic greasy spoon dishes by day on old formica tables and incredible, affordable and authentic Thai food by night. For a completely new take on a Sunday roast then The Tamil Crown in Islington serves an Indian twist on a roast, get the masala lamb shank. If you’d prefer to stick to the traditonal style then Blacklock (several branches) is a carnivores delight, all meat is ethically sourced from family farms, The Orange on Pimlico Road near Sloane Square is a neighbourhood gem but book because they are popular with the locals.
London’s street food scene is sensational and the new-ish addition of upscale dine in market halls are a great way to experience lots of what the city has to offer under one roof.
Arcade has a couple of outposts but the one in the newly renovated, absolutely stunning building that is Battersea Power Station is particulary good. After a shop around the stores, or a cocktail in the old power station control room Control Room B, then head up to Arcade where you can order drinks and food direct to you by scanning the code on your table. Highlights are indonesian street food from Bebek! Bebek! and Nepali dishes from Tipan Tapan.
Mercato Metropolitano is another string of food halls, and their Elephant and Castle site is the original, but Mercato Mayfair would be our pick for the stunning setting, which is an old church, complete with stained glass windows.
Seven Dials market in Covent Garden is another indoor collection of stalls and larger restaurant units, with a centralised seating area. Some of the small vendors are great, but we’d skip those in favour of Pick & Cheese, the worlds first cheese conveyor belt, which has over 40 options swirling around at any one time and each cheese is paired on the plate by what they deem suits it the best. The wine selection is ace too.
Not indoors, but iconic is the Southbank Food Market in Waterloo at the base of the monument to brutalist architecture that is the Southbank Centre. indian dosas, naan wraps, korean bbq and so much more is on offer here. Grab a bite and stroll along the Thames Path.