It’s late. You’re hungry. And no-one can agree on what or where in town they want to eat. Nightmare scenario, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be any more, for we’ve put together what we reckon is the definitive guide to the best restaurants in London.
Representing everything from Michelin-Star winning joints to neighbourhood favourites, and from cult institutions to a few that you’ve (hopefully) not heard of yet, it’s the ultimate in d’inspiration – that’s dinner inspiration, FYI. So, without further ado, here’s our rundown of 50 of the best restaurants in London:
Kicking off this roundup of the best restaurants in London is one of the Secret London teams’ favourites. Named for the formidable Italian woman ‘Lina’ who opened it in 1944, Lina Stores quickly became the spot for finding the best Italian produce in the capital, and after over 75 years of perfecting their authentic pasta recipe, the store branched out in a restaurant on Greek Street.
Now with five restaurants on their roster – including their latest in fashionable Marylebone – you can expect to indulge in some of the most delectable pasta dishes in town.
Winning dishes include ‘tagliolini al tartufo’ – a heavenly mix of 30-egg yolk tagliolini, black truffle, creamy butter and rich parmigiano reggiano – and the ‘crudo di orata’ – a melt-in-the-mouth sea bream crudo dusted with basil and pine nuts.
📍You’ll find Lina Stores at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
2. Dishoom, Various Locations
Another London staple here, Dishoom is one of the go-to places if you’re looking for Indian food in the capital – and it’s easy to see why.
Across their six branches they rustle up cracking breakfasts (the bacon naan and big Bombay brekkie are both worthy of a mention here), vegan-friendly and gluten-free fare as well as some pretty banging curries and sides.
Highlights for us include the mattar paneer, the chole puri – a yummy chickpea curry served with puffy bread – and the spicy gunpowder potatoes. Word of warning though – they’ve got a fair bit of a kick! You can also get their takeaway version too.
📍You’ll find Dishoom at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
3. Ikoyi, Temple
Upgraded from one Michelin Star to two in 2022, Ikoyi has made plenty of waves since it first swung open its doors at the tail-end of 2017. Named after a district in the Nigerian capital of Lagos, this polished African restaurant offers a distinctly contemporary twist on authentic West African flavours.
Head chef Jermemy Chan has built his whole menu around a vast collection of spices – all sourced from West Africa – which he combines with seasonal British ingredients. The result is an eclectic melting pot of flavours which is always changing. It ain’t exactly cheap – the tasting menu is a whopping £300 – but it’s bloody delicious!
📍You’ll find Ikoyi at 180 Strand, Temple, London, WC2R 1EA.
🚇 Nearest station is Temple.
From one end of the spectrum to the other, as Euston-based Roti King is one of the best cheap eats in the capital. It’s also BYOB (always a winner in our books) and has some of the most delicious Malaysian grub you’ll find outside of actual Malaysia – trust us!
Their signature dish is the ‘roti canai’ – a warm, fluffy and fresh roti packed full with chicken, mutton, dhal or fish – and other options on the menu include nasi goreng, beef rendang and piping-hot laksas too. They’ve also recently brought their magic to the Battersea Power Station – a cause to celebrate we say!
📍You’ll find Roti King at 40 Doric Way, London, NW1 1LH and at Battersea Power Station, 16 Arches Lane, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Euston and Battersea Power Station.
One of Peckham’s many culinary gems, Kudu is run by owners Amy and Patrick, who originally hail from South Africa. Their seasonal menu (which is designed to celebrate both hunters and foragers) sources as much as possible from local suppliers, and dishes include onglet with hispi cabbage, enoki mushrooms and truffled potato moose, and a yummy scallop potjie with sea rosemary. Neighbouring bar Smokey Kudu is also well worth a visit for a cocktail or two.
📍You’ll find Kudu at 119 Queen’s Road, London, SE15 2EZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Queen’s Road Peckham.
Rika Moon whips up tasty Japanese fusion food in luxe surroundings and channels warm, ambient and family-run vibes – reason enough to add it to this roundup of the best restaurants in London we say. The menu comprises dishes made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and the creative cocktails perfectly complement the food and the decadent restaurant interiors.
Standouts here include the wagyu tataki with crispy shallots and brown butter yuzu truffle sauce, and the Chilean seabass with garlic, ginger dashi, and sea vegetables. There’s even a disco loo!
📍You’ll find Rika Moon at 120 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2PW.
🚇 Nearest station is Notting Hill Gate.
7. Fish, Wings & Tings, Brixton
Brixton is full to the brim with loads of eatery options, (especially of the Caribbean variety) but Fish, Wings & Tings is a standout. Taking well-known Caribbean street food options and turning them into modern variations is a big ask but this menu spans everything from reggae wings, split pea fritters and lots of yummy curries.
Perhaps our favourite things on the roster though are their Creole fish stew – served with rice and peas, pineapple, coleslaw and mango and ginger chutney – or their jerk chicken, with is slathered in a spice-infused tamarind barbecue sauce. Both are delicious – especially washed down with an ice cold and homemade ginger beer.
📍You’ll find Fish, Wings & Tings at Granville Arcade, Unit 3, Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8PR.
🚇 Nearest station is Brixton.
A major reason to head to Deptford (as if there weren’t enough already), Marcella is an easygoing, laidback spot which we think has some of the best pasta in the whole of London. Their menu changes throughout the week, but sample dishes include tagliatelle with pheasant, wild mushroom and tarragon and cuttlefish with fennel and iberia tomatoes.
Add in one of the best wine lists around and an exquisite olive oil cake with crème fraîche – one of the best desserts in town we think.
📍You’ll find Marcella at 165A Deptford High Street, London, SE8 3NU.
🚇 Nearest station is Deptford.
Another fantastic place to scoff on some pasta, Padella has won legions and legions of fans for the refined classic pici cacio e pepe (simply pasta, parmesan, and black pepper) they serve as well as the melt-in-your-mouth pappardelle with Dexter beef shin ragu. And that’s before we mention the seven quid negronis, lovely wines and namesake martinis… No wonder the queue can sometimes wrap all the way around the block.
There are two different branches – the original in Borough Market and one just over the river in Shoreditch – so whether you’re north or south of the river, you can easily join the queue!
📍You’ll find Padella at 6 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TQ and at 1 Phipp Street, London, EC2A 4PS.
🚇 Nearest stations are London Bridge and Old Street.
Now, when it comes to Ethiopian food, Camberwell’s Zeret Kitchen should be your go-to spot. Granted, it’s not near a tube stop or station, but with charming, welcoming staff and some bloody good food, it’s well worth hopping on a bus to get here!
Not only are their flavours consistently excellent, but it’s also great value; very few restaurants can offer this quality while still keeping prices low enough, fitting most budgets. If you’re really hungry, go for the ‘zeret surprise’ – a delectable combination of beef wot, chicken tibs, atkilt alecha, misir wot, azefa, shuro wot and a garnish of salad.
📍You’ll find Zeret Kitchen at 216-218 Camberwell Road, London, SE5 0ED.
🚇 Nearest station is Elephant and Castle.
11. Marie’s Cafe, Waterloo
Hangover-essential fry-ups in the morning and brilliant budget Thai food by night – what more could you ask for right? How about a BYOB policy too? Now you’re talking…
Waterloo gem Marie’s Cafe has been attracting punters far and wide for years now, and for good reason – the food is impeccable. Standout dishes here include their cashew nut stir fries, their spicy jungle curries and their pad thais (what else?), but you really can’t go wrong to be honest!
📍You’ll find Marie’s Cafe at 90 Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7AB.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
12. Caldera, London Fields
Situated on the ever-cool Mare Street in Hackney, the ethos behind the independently-run Caldera is all about ‘serving up traditional Mexican cuisine with an international twist’. While there’s a whole host of delicious dishes on the menu, the tacos here are really well worth a punt.
Flavours include melt-in-the-mouth Baja cod with chipotle aioli and ‘cochinita pibil’ – a braised pork dish that originates from the Yucatán – with crispy pork belly and pickled red onions. Need we say more?
📍You’ll find Caldera at 143 Mare Street, London, E8 3FW.
🚇 Nearest station is London Fields.
13. Core by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill
Firmly deserving of its spot on this roundup of the best restaurants in London, Core by Clare Smyth is a chic, Michelin-starred spot which was actually voted the second-best Michelin-starred restaurant in the whole of the UK for 2022. High praise indeed!
The emphasis here is on natural, sustainable food – sourced from the UK’s most dedicated farmers and food producers. Dishes on the classic tasting menu include roasted cod with Morecambe Bay shrimps, Swiss chard and brown butter and Isle of Harris scallop tartare.
Sure, it ain’t cheap, but makes for one hell of an event meal.
📍You’ll find Core by Clare Smyth at 92 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2PN.
🚇 Nearest station is Notting Hill Gate.
14. The Clove Club, Shoreditch
Situated within the historic Shoreditch Town Hall, The Clove Club recently featured in the list of the ‘World’s 50 best restaurants’ – and it’s easy to see why. They’ve perfected the classic, laid-back East London vibe, matched by casual – but not at all inattentive – service.
Again it’s all about the tasting menu here, and they really focus on modern British fare and give it a cutting-edge twist. What else would you expect in this neck of the woods hey?!
📍You’ll find The Clove Club at Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LT.
🚇 Nearest station is Old Street.
15. The Coal Shed, Tower Bridge
Another one of the best restaurants in London here – The Coal Shed made seismic waves when it first opened in Brighton, and its first London outpost is a welcome addition to the capital. Specialising in both seafood and steak – which are inspired by Founder Raz Helalat’s Persian roots – and situated mere steps from the iconic Tower Bridge, it’s a great spot to while away the hours and soak up the views.
As well as sharing platters that’ll practically make you salivate, they also have a banging Sunday roast and a range of expertly-mixed cocktails too.
📍You’ll find The Coal Shed at One Tower Bridge, Potters Fields, London, SE1 2QR.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
16. Bar Duoro, London Bridge and The City
We’re eternally grateful for all that Portugal has given the world, but especially for the holy trinity of port, pasteis de nata, and azulejos. You’ll find all of this in spadeloads at this pretty spot, which has two different branches in London Bridge and The City.
The focus here is on small plates – from tasty salt cod hash to mouthwatering onglet steak with slow-cooked egg yolk. The wine list is also 100% Portuguese – so expect plenty of vinho verde here!
📍You’ll find Bar Duoro at 35B Arch, 85B Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 0NQ and Unit 3, 1 Finsbury Ave, London, EC2M 2PF.
🚇 Nearest stations are London Bridge and Liverpool Street.
This London kebab house has become something of a legend in this neck of the woods, and it’s easy to see why. Opening in 1994, it was an evolution of Mangal 1 – the first Turkish charcoal grill (or ocakbaşi) to open its doors in London – all the way back in the early 90’s.
Further reinvented over the lockdown of 2020, the menu at Dalston’s Mangal 2 has now been streamlined by owner brothers Ferhat and Sertaç Dirik. Everything here is absolutely delicious, but their Poole Bay clams with Jerusalem artichoke and mutton lardo and mushroom manti with roasted chanterelles and black trompettes are the real winners for us.
📍You’ll find Mangal 2 at 4 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 7XN.
🚇 Nearest station is Dalston Kingsland.
18. Brat, Shoreditch and London Fields
A warm and cosy spot off Redchurch Street – that has been named one of the ‘best restaurants in the UK’ in years gone by by the way – the Michelin-starred Brat is all about rustic Spanish grub. And boy is it good…
Start with some fresh chorizo or langoustines then tuck into john dory or lemon-drizzled sole – all washed down with a crisp glass of vino – and you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in town! All the fish served here is sustainably caught, using targeted and specific methods of fishing, and they’ve got some great sides here too including smoked potatoes and wood roasted greens. They also recently opened up a branch in London Fields.
📍You’ll find Brat at 4 Redchurch Street, London, E1 6JL and at 374 Helmsley Place, Hackney, London, E8 3SB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Shoreditch High Street and London Fields.
19. Arabica, King’s Cross and Borough Market
Another fantastic London restaurant here, Arabica is all about the Levantine cuisine, meaning you can expect fab falafel bites, heavenly hummus and tasty tabbouleh should you pop in for a visit. And you damn well should.
Rifling through the menu at Arabica, you’ll find that a smorgasbord of tasty meze goes hand in hand with kofte and shish kebabs, and the ‘Spring Freekeh’ – a smoked green wheat risotto with broad beans, asparagus, lemon, dill and toasted almonds – is well worth a try.
📍You’ll find Arabica at 3 Rochester Walk, London, SE1 9AF and at 7 Lewis Cubitt Walk, London, N1C 4DT.
🚇 Nearest stations are London Bridge and King’s Cross St. Pancras.
20. Nandine, Camberwell
Now, when it comes to Kurdish food in the capital, Nandine is perhaps the best place to head in London Town. Winning rave reviews from restaurant critics and punters alike since opening back in 2019, it’s run by the lovely Baban family, whose matriarch Pary is the head chef.
Expect everything here from flavoursome mezze platters to juicy kebabs – and don’t forget the Kurdish biryani which is out of this world. They’ve also got another spot just off Vestry Road which does takeaway bits too.
📍You’ll find Nandine at 45 Camberwell Church Street, Southwark, London, SE5 8TR.
🚇 Nearest station is Denmark Hill.
21. Casa do Frango, London Bridge, Regents Street and Shoreditch
If you’re wanting to find some piri piri chicken (or ‘frango’) in London, then Casa do Frango is a pretty damn safe bet. But it’s not all about the chicken here – this ain’t Nando’s after all (though nowt wrong with that).
There’s also an extensive list of sharing plates and salads, including octopus rice and salt cod and chickpea salad, as well as veggie options such as grilled vegetables in piri piri. Of course, for dessert, there’s Portugal’s famous pasteis de natas, as well as chocolate mousse and bica (Portuguese coffee). Meanwhile, the drinks menu features the classic port and tonic, a Casa g&t, and some lovely Portuguese wines too.
📍You’ll find Casa do Frango at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
A worthy addition to this roundup of the best restaurants in London this one. From squid stuffed with spicy rice to a roasted tomato and calçot onion paella – every dish at this Spanish-influenced-spot sounds totally dreamy. Located on fashionable Bermondsey Street, it’s the second London restaurant of the critically-acclaimed Chef José Pizarro, so expect real top-of-the-range fare.
There are also some fantastic desserts here – from chocolate tart with a cream cheese ice cream and an almond tart with raisins and flavour-infused dry figs. So if you’ve got space after main, then you’ll find more than enough to keep you satisfied!
📍You’ll find Pizarro at 194 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3TQ.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
Firmly ensconced among the best pasta restaurants in London, Bancone serves up winning dishes with more than a little flair – with one plate in particular being a firm favourite in the foodie corners of Instagram and Tik Tok.
That one plate? Their melt-in-the-mouth ‘silk handkerchiefs’ with walnut butter and a pretty-as-a-picture confit egg yolk in the middle. Add in salt-baked celeriac with almonds and rigatoni and spicy pork and nduja ragù, and you can see why they’ve got a Michelin Star. They’ve also got some damn fine negronis – cheers!
📍You’ll find Bancone at 8-10 Lower James Street, London, W1F 9EL and at 39 William IV Street, London, WC2N 4DD.
🚇 Nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross.
24. Kiln, Soho
Another entry on 2022’s ‘best restaurant in the UK’ by the National Restaurant Awards, Kiln is the brainchild of Ben Chapman – the man behind Shoreditch’s Smoking Goat – and we argue that it’s just as mouth-watering as, if not better than, its sibling.
You’ll be so occupied digging in to all this yummy BBQ food that you won’t even notice the smears of grease and marinade that run down the corners of your lips, from aged cull yaw and cumin skewers to clay pot baked glass noodles with Tamworth belly and brown crab meat. Yum, yum.
📍You’ll find Kiln at 58 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9TL.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
Inspired by the cafes and hole-in-the-wall eateries of Tel Aviv, Bubala – which means ‘darling’ in Yiddish we’ll have you know – serves delicious Middle Eastern small plates – and bloody hell are they good.
From hummus and burnt butter to halloumi with chamomile and honey, these flavour-packed dishes do not disappoint. You can either hand-pick your own selection or feast on the ‘Bubala knows best’ set menu, which is just £40 per person and offers you a whole host of amazing dishes. There’s also a vegan option available too.
📍You’ll find Bubala at 65 Commercial Street, London, E1 6BD and at 15 Poland Street, London, W1F 8QE.
🚇 Nearest stations are Liverpool Street and Oxford Circus.
26. The Gate, Hammersmith
Arguably one of the best veggie restaurants and best restaurants in London, The Gate in Hammersmith is nothing if not charming – and we’re not just talking about aesthetics here. Granted, they do have a foliage-covered interior, al-fresco seating and a secret garden here – but they also do some mean veggie food too.
With vegan and gluten-free options on the menu too, this place caters to everyone (except meat obsessives), and there’s everything from wild mushroom risotto cake to aubergine schnitzels and artichoke terrine. Winner, winner.
📍You’ll find The Gate at 51 Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9QL.
🚇 Nearest station is Hammersmith.
Upper Street in Islington is no stranger to great food it has to be said, but if you’re really looking for somewhere which is out-of-this-world, then get yourself down to 12:51 by James Cochran. Awarded two AA rosettes and another Michelin-star winner, it’s all about the Sunday roast here.
There’s only beef on the menu here – sorry veggies and vegans – but it’s the sides where this roast really makes its mark. Dishes rotate depending on seasonality and availability, so you could end up with chargrilled hispi cabbage, braised onions, or carrot puree, along with shredded beef and gooey cauliflower cheese. Roasties of course too!
📍You’ll find 12:51 by James Cochran at 107 Upper Street, London, N1 1QN.
🚇 Nearest station is Angel.
28. Mu, Dalston
Excellent Japanese food, live jazz, sexy interiors and a bar that’s just begging to be a date spot – what’s not to love at mu?! Based in Dalston, it swung open its doors last year, and it has won rave reviews ever since – including from our resident Staff Writer Sam.
Small plates range from yellowtail with yuzu and pomegranate, to scallop skewers with yuzu koscho, and larger main plates include such offerings as nikiri glazed tofu, dry aged dexter beef striploin with caviar, and smoked salmon teriyaki.
📍You’ll find Mu at 432-434 Kingsland Road, London, E8 4AA.
🚇 Nearest station is Dalston Junction.
29. Manteca, Shoreditch
A strong addition to this roundup of the best restaurants in London, Manteca is the place to go if you’re looking for some indulgent Italian. It’s also another of the ‘best restaurants in the UK’, so they’ve definitely got a fair few fans at this one.
As well as hand-rolled pastas and wood-fired breads, they’ve also got divinely-good mains like pheasant cotoletta, line-caught sea bass crudo and house-made ricotta with almonds and wood-roasted grapes. Add in delightful wines and coffees and you’re in for a good’un here.
📍You’ll find Manteca at 49-51 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3PT.
🚇 Nearest station is Old Street.
Joining the Koya family, which already counts Koya City and Koya Soho among its members, is little sister restaurant Koya Ko Hackney. But don’t be tricked by the size of the venue, or its ‘little sister’ status – the udon rustled up here is definitely some of the best in the capital.
And everything else on the menu, from the toppings to the sides to the curry and the rotating specials, is bang-on delicious. Many of the udon dishes also come cold – perfect for a refreshing slurp to combat the hot days of London Summers. On your way out, don’t miss a chance to gorge on some delectable ice-cream sandwiches from neighbouring Happy Endings.
📍You’ll find Koya Ko at 10 Broadway Market Mews, London, E8 4TS.
🚇 Nearest station is Cambridge Heath.
31. Barrafina, Various Locations
Expect to see hoards of people stretching all around the block for this one – especially at their Soho branch where bookings aren’t allowed. Ever-popular, Barrafina was once named the ‘best restaurant in Britain’ at the National Restaurant Awards, and it’s secured itself a Michelin Star too. When you get a taste of their tortilla, you’ll understand why.
With caramelised onions and an oozing centre so sloppy you could spread it on bread – it’s probably the best pincho you’ll eat outside of Spain itself. Other things on the menu include cured monkfish, gambas rojas and a whole host of Spanish cheeses.
📍You’ll find Barrafina at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
32. Le Gavroche, Mayfair
It translates as ‘the urchin’ in French – though you won’t see many of them at this place. Le Gavroche is based in swanky Mayfair, is run by none other than frequent Masterchef guest Michel Roux Jr and has TWO Michelin Stars on its roster. Is there anything this place can’t do?
Well, no in a word. The food here is as you’d expect, out of this world. And if you’re really looking to go all out, they do a seven-course tasting menu too! Go on – why not?
📍You’ll find Le Gavroche at 43 Upper Brook Street, London, W1K 7QR.
🚇 Nearest station is Marble Arch.
33. Mallow, Borough Market
Based right in the heart of Borough Market and from the folks that brought you Mildred’s, Mallow is an 100% plant-based restaurant which ‘serves seasonal, sustainable food – inspired by cuisines from all over the world’.
They do a fantastic weekend brunch and a real standout dish is their ‘market thali’ with kiri hodi, tamarind laam, coconut cashew basmati, gujarati dal, hari mirch cauliflower, pineapple achar and flatbread. Add in laksas, porcini chestnut croquettes and dumplings with kimchi and you’ve got one hell of a great spot here.
📍You’ll find Mallow at 1 Cathedral Street, London, SE1 9DE.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
34. Speedboat Bar, Chinatown
Set right in the heart of London’s Chinatown, Speedboat Bar is Luke Farrell’s second Thai restaurant that is designed to transport you all the way to the frenetic canteens of Bangkok. Named after the speedboats that ply the waterways of the Thai capital’s canals, it’s a lively spot that offers aromatic curries, classic stir fries, drunken noodle dishes and zingy seafood salads – all garnished with some of the best flavours from South East Asia.
Add a pool table and eclectic Thai pop and rock beats to the mix – as well as a 1am curfew on the weekends – and you can get the party started! As long as you invite us of course.
📍You’ll find Speedboat Bar at 30 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DL.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
35. Babur, Forest Hill
A popular South London spot and a worthy addition to this best restaurants in London roundup, Forest Hill-based Babur has been keeping peoples’ bellies satisfied since it first opened its doors way back in 1985, and for good reason. The food here is absolutely out of this world.
From lip-smackingly-good kasundi king prawns with a green papaya murabba and Bengali mustard to a jackfruit and young peas dosa with potato, curry lead and crispy pancakes, you really can’t go wrong here. They also do an incredible array of cocktails – no wonder they’ve got themselves a Michelin Star.
📍You’ll find Babur at 119 Brockley Rise, London, SE23 1JP.
🚇 Nearest station is Honor Oak Park.
Our next entry to this list of the best restaurants in London is certainly… unique. At Archipelago, the mains range from the fairly normal (Massaman chicken) to the downright outlandish (marinated kangaroo skewers). Anyone hankering for a true taste of Peru can plump for the jerked alpaca, served with cornmeal slices and buttermilk jelly.
For something with a little more snap, why not try the crocodile curry? Be warned though: it’s got a bit of a bite… You can also have a side salad with a sprinkling of… ants. Ok, you get the jist.
📍You’ll find Archipelago at 53 Cleveland Street, London, W1T 4JJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Goodge Street.
37. Trullo, Islington
This celebrated, Islington-based spot is another one that focuses on the best seasonal produce, specifically from British farmers using fresh ingredients and livestock. Trullo promises a new menu daily, and they hand-make their pasta for each and every order and use a charcoal grill to cook their fish and meat dishes too.
Everything here is – as you’d expect – great, but if you’re here when their pappardelle with beef shin ragu or grilled fish are on the menu then you’re guaranteed a culinary sensation. Trust us – we’ve been.
📍You’ll find Trullo at 300-302 St Paul’s Road, London, N1 2LH.
🚇 Nearest station is Highbury and Islington.
38. Four Seasons, Various Locations
If there’s one thing you’ll see a lot of in London’s Chinatown, it’ll be roast duck hanging temptingly in the windows. Four Seasons is famous for it and rightly so – order a quarter per person for a substantial offering and of course, go off the bone. It’s less hassle and means you’ll get more time spent chowing down on some of the best roast duck you’ll get in the capital.
No wonder then that this was billed as the ‘best roast duck in the world‘ – which the restaurant proudly displays on their website of course.
📍You’ll find Four Seasons at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
39. Xi’an Impression, Islington
Another restaurant here that won’t stretch your budget, Xi’an Impression is a snug little spot that serves some of the best Chinese food in the whole of London. Fact! Set right by Arsenal stadium – football fans you can thank us later – it’s a 12-seater kinda affair here and is BYOB too.
They serve everything here from slurpable, hand-pulled noodles to wonton chicken soup and delectable dumplings. Pretty much every dish is under a tenner, so if you’re looking for some real bang for your buck, then you’ve really come to the right place.
📍You’ll find Xi’an Impression at 117 Benwell Road, London, N7 7BW.
🚇 Nearest stations are Arsenal and Drayton Park.
40. Akoko, Fitzrovia
Raved about by this author’s fellow Staff Writer Tamsin, Akoko is undoubtedly one of London’s finest African restaurants. Based in Fitzrovia (perfect for pre-theatre dining), this fine-dining spot is under the helm of Theo Clench, who has been working closely with founder Aj Akokomi to really nail the intricacies of traditional West African cooking, before adding modern British twists.
Whether you choose to indulge in the six- or nine-course tasting menu, you can expect the highest quality British produce, seasoned with a mix of spices usually seen in West African dishes. Carlingford oyster, cooked on coals in a Gambian stew; smoked Jollof rice, served with carrot terrine and Ivorian aubergine sauce; and Isle of Mull scallops, peanut oil and shito are just three of the courses you can expect here – and they’re all bloody delicious it has to be said.
📍You’ll find Akoko at 21 Berners Street, London, W1T 3LP.
🚇 Nearest stations are Goodge Street and Tottenham Court Road.
41. Lusin, Mayfair
With eateries in Saudi Arabia and London, the Armenian restaurant Lusin boasts delicious dishes and a dedication to homely service – and it makes for a winning recipe.
The two-time Michelin-starred chef whips up some pretty out-of-this-world dishes as you can imagine. Specialities here include the ‘manti’ – a dumpling stuffed full with meat, matzone yoghurt and tomato sauce – and the ‘lamb gigot’ – a braised lamb shank with aromatic rice, nuts and pumpkin puree. Sign us up.
📍You’ll find Lusin at 16 Hay Hill, London, W1J 8NY.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
42. Tozi, Pimlico
Sitting a short walk from Victoria Station, and the theatres showing Wicked and Hamilton, you’ll find Italian restaurant Tozi. Meaning ‘group of friends’ in Venetian slang, it’s a great spot to socialise as they specialise in authentic small plates which are perfect for sharing.
We’d recommend grabbing at least three or four plates each from the menu – spanning raw, fritti, salad, pasta, soup, grilled and baked dishes – and a couple of mains too. The jewel in Tozi’s crown though is most definitely the maccheroni and pork cheek ragout, served with porcini and sage. Freshly-made, it’s one of those pasta dishes that really has to be tried to see how good it is.
📍You’ll find Tozi at 8 Gillingham Street, Pimlico, London, SW1V 1HJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Victoria.
43. Seabird, Southwark
As you wander over the bridge from Blackfriars station towards the south side of the Thames, you’ll see the glittering rooftop of The Hoxton Southwark hotel clearly from the street below. This towering, lit-up location is the home of Seabird, one of the best restaurants in London, set on the 14th floor of the hotel.
The proud owner of the longest oyster list in London – as well as some of the best panoramic views of the city – this sky-high spot whips up some pretty fantastic seafood inspired by both the Portuguese and Spanish cuisines.
Standout dishes include the whole lobster rice with Manchego and porto branco and the whole tiger prawns with aioli and parsley. They also do a banging Sunday brunch and even an ‘oyster happy hour’ on Monday through to Thursday afternoons.
📍You’ll find Seabird on the 14th Floor of 40 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NY.
🚇 Nearest station is Southwark.
Berenjak is modelled on the hole-in-the-wall eateries of Tehran, and chef Kian Samyani takes pains to reinterpret signature dishes using seasonal British produce. It’s one of Dua Lipa’s favourite restaurants in town, and no wonder. Their a la carte menu is stuffed to the brim with delicious delights, while the feast menu mixes meat-heavy mains with the likes of black truffle olivieh and mirza ghasemi (coal-cooked aubergine with garlic, tomato, and cacklebean eggs) – best mopped up with an array of flatbreads and sourdoughs.
They also do bottomless kebab nights – no, seriously – on Tuesdays through to Saturdays until 9.30pm. Yep, 90 minutes’ of limitless kebabs, with the option to add on bottomless booze to boot. What more could you ask for!
📍You’ll find Berenjak at 27 Romilly Street, London, W1D 5AL.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
45. Blanchette, Soho
An ambient, Parisian-style bistro right in the heart of Soho (and in Brick Lane too), Blanchette is arguably one of the best restaurants in London – and for good reason. The food here is all about sharing – with smaller snacks like Croque Monsieur, charcuterie and cheese, to larger traditional French dishes with a distinct Blanchette twist.
Go for the moules marinière or the confit duck leg with caramelised endive and you’ll practically be in French heaven.
📍You’ll find Blanchette at 9 D’Arblay Street, London, W1F 8DR.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
46. Brawn, Columbia Road
A neighbourhood restaurant and store based on Columbia Road, Brawn champions locally-sourced produce and seasonal fare. A charming and airy spot decked out with Scandi-style decor, they specialise in Mediterranean fare, with dishes on the menu including ox cheek with beetroot and roscoff onion and brown crab spaghetti with green olive and winter tomato.
Wash it all down with a crisp glass of skin-contact wine or two and a plate of Gorwydd caerphilly cheese with damson jelly and crackers and you’re in for a real treat here!
📍You’ll find Brawn at 49 Columbia Road, London, E2 7RG.
🚇 Nearest station is Hoxton.
Launched on the site of the landmark pub The Oxford Tavern following its unfortunate closure, The Parakeet has brought in heavy-weight cooking talent for what just might be some of the best food you can get in a pub. They also recently launched their bar food menu, with snack-y versions of the restaurant’s signature dishes to enjoy over a few pints.
Head Chef Ben Allen previously worked at the incredible Brat restaurant (hello above), and was shortlisted as one to watch at the National Restaurant Awards 2023. Dishes of note here include the smoked chicken hot dog (made in-house), oysters of the day, and the leeks, smoked mushroom and pecorino on skewers. However, you should not that the menu changes often, so ask your server for advice.
📍You’ll find The Parakeet at 256 Kentish Town Road, London, NW5 2AA.
🚇 Nearest station is Kentish Town.
48. LARDO, Hackney
One of Hackney’s coolest spots, LARDO is a great little Italian joint where they serve antipasti, pizza, pasta, natural wines and all around good vibes. Flavours here include zucchini, tomato, chilli, mint, salsa verde and braised leek, with mozzarella, romesco and almond.
Best part of all, all their pizzas are cooked in a mirror ball encrusted pizza oven – so they really are bringing the party vibes at this one. Choose a bottle of vino from their extensive wine list and get the night started. Rock on.
📍You’ll find LARDO at 197-201 Richmond Road, London, E8 3NJ.
🚇 Nearest stations are London Fields and Hackney Central.
49. Farmacy, Notting Hill
Our penultimate entry onto this roundup of the best restaurants in London is Farmacy in Notting Hill – a plant-based eatery which is free from dairy, refined sugars, additives and chemicals, so the food is not only delicious, but also incredibly healthy too.
All the ingredients used here are either grown on their own farm in the Kent countryside, or sourced from local, sustainable and environmentally conscious suppliers. They also do a great brunch menu here too – good reason to add it to this list of the best restaurants in London we say.
📍You’ll find Farmacy at 74-76 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5SH.
🚇 Nearest station is Bayswater.
50. Pidgin, Hackney
Rounding off this list of the best restaurants in London is Pidgin, an intimate neighbourhood restaurant that has a simple mission – to serve a menu that changes every week, with nothing ever repeated! It punches well above its weight regarding creativity, and how could it not? It’s the collaboration of a pop-up supper club chef and a food writer – so go figure.
The set menu features inventive and tasty dishes. While you’ll never get the same meal twice, you can always expect seasonal British cuisine with a focus on local ingredients. Vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians can all be catered for, making this a great spot for a gathering of your best mates with different diets.
📍You’ll find Pidgin at 52 Wilton Way, London, E8 1BG.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Central.
Phew! Wait, you’re not still hungry after reading this best restaurants in London roundup are you? Alright then, try our restaurant roundups for Covent Garden, London Bridge, Shoreditch, Hoxton, Soho, and Camden for even more feasting.
Also published on Medium.
