The best restaurants in London to add to your hit list ASAP
London's restaurant scene is better than ever before, being host to an impressive range of cuisines from across the world that cater to all tastes and needs. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new go-to or are after some much needed inspiration for your next date night, save yourself the frantic last minute searching with our round up of the best restaurants in London.
From fine dining favourites to casual eats, established institutions of the capital’s restaurant scene to the new kids on the block, we’ve got you covered whether you’re after a sharing type of situation with the girls or simply a comforting dish to tuck into for some quality you time.
We're looking for several things when it comes to picking the best restaurants. Naturally, the quality and taste of the food is paramount, but beyond this we're after a buzzy atmosphere, attentive service, reasonable value and generally excellent vibes.
So, if, like us, eating out is one of your favourite things to do but sifting through underwhelming restaurants on Google Maps not, then look no further. Promising delicious food and sterling service to match, uncover local gems to add to your regular rotation, from unfussy eateries with flavourful food that hits right every time to elevated dining experiences you won’t quickly forget.
With more variety of restaurants in London than ever, there really is no excuse to settle for uninspiring meals anymore. Whether you're after a cosy Italian spot or fusion restaurants with effortless elegance, we’ve eaten our way to a definitive list of the best restaurants London has to offer. You’re welcome.
Best for hearty pasta that hits the spot
214 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3TQ
Cosy and charming, Flour & Grape does pasta and does it well. Promising hearty pilings of pasta at fair prices, this Bermondsey restaurant makes for a warm and welcoming setting with tasty plates to match.
A perfect pick for sharers or likewise those seeking a quick craving hit, you can’t go far wrong when it comes to their fresh handmade pasta. If we had to pick favourites we’d recommend their truffle taglierini or beef short rib ragu pappardelle, but really, all dishes are sure to go down a treat here. Friendly staff make the whole experience that much better, always on hand to recommend the best wines to complement your dishes. You can believe the hype with this one!
Best for vegetarian and vegan Middle Eastern sharing plates
15 Poland St, London W1F 8QE
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65 Commercial St, London E1 6BDWhether you’re vegetarian or not, Bubala is sure to earn a place as one of your favourite restaurants once you do get a chance to try it. With locations in Soho and Spitalfields, this is one you’ll want to book in advance as it’s a popular pick.
Featuring a totally vegetarian menu, Bubala is a testament to the depth of tastes and textures that can be crafted with Middle Eastern flavours and pure vegetables. We advise going hungry and keeping things simple by choosing their ‘Bubala knows best’ menu which includes a generous selection of all their fan favourites and has a vegan equivalent.
If, however, you’re going freestyle, we would highly recommend sampling their silky hummus and burnt butter, charred oyster mushrooms and eye-wateringly good halloumi with chamomile and fennel honey. You’re in for a real treat.
Best outdoor terrace in the West End (even in the winter!)
11-13 Market Pl, London W1W 8AH
The Oxford Market is perfectly situated for a welcome break from the madness of Oxford Street, nestled in Market Place, just one road back, north east of Oxford Circus across the road from what was once mega Topshop (RIP).
Since it opened its doors in spring 2023, it’s rapidly become a go-to destination for its delicious cocktails and hearty sharing plates of food for tourists and the local workforce alike. Service is friendly and quick, but the real draw is the newly opened outdoor terrace, which is completely covered and serves up blankets and heaters to keep you warm during the winter or spill out onto the pavement for after-work / after-shopping drinks in the summer months too!
Venture downstairs and into the basement and you’ll also find an incredible space for birthday parties, hen dos, Christmas parties or club nights!
Thomas AlexanderBest for mouthwatering South American cuisine (and a show)
8-9 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF
This South American gem, nestled in the heart of the West End just off Oxford Street, is the perfect date night spot. The newly-launched ‘Eclipse’ series sees a new chef's tasting menu take centre stage, where fresh ceviche and mouthwatering seabass and wagyu tomahawk are served to a backdrop of incredible Latin dance and vocal performances. Don't miss the show-stopping cocktails; we had ‘The Sun’ (South American gin blended with refreshing citrus) and the ‘Paloma Picante’ (tequila and cointreau with sweet agave and grapefruit). A truly special experience for a special occasion.
Best artisan tasting menu with views to match
Bōkan 37 is a Canary Wharf restaurant that takes ‘dinner with a view’ to a whole other level. Sitting on the 37th floor of Novotel, while the impressive cityscape views definitely make for a memorable dining experience, the food itself takes centre stage here.
With 2 and 3 course options available at £49 and £59 respectively, their 7 course tasting menu is perhaps a treat reserved for special occasions at £99 per person, though we wholeheartedly advise you to indulge yourself. Each course is thoughtfully created to produce perfectly balanced flavours and textures in each bite.
The melt in your mouth duck breast is a standout for us, though each offering hits a different delicious note, from the decadent scallop course to the rich short rib with shitake mushroom. Meanwhile, service is attentive and efficient, elevating the entire experience all the more.
Come for the views but stay for the food - Bōkan 37 is a delight for your taste buds.
Best for al fresco Japanese dining
Ground Floor, Pantechnicon, 19 Motcomb St, London SW1X 8LB
Situated in the now TikTok famous Pantechnicon, Sachi is a celebration of Japanese food at its finest. Better still, just in time for summer is the aptly named Sachi Summer Terrace, giving diners the chance to enjoy the delights of the restaurant al fresco.
With an extensive menu offering everything from rib eye robata to mushroom tempura maki rolls, Sachi is a real treat for the senses. After all, what's better than sushi in the sun?
Enjoy a drink at the Pantechnicon's roof garden before heading back down to the summer terrace to enjoy Japanese delicacies at their best. Staff are exceptionally attentive, while food is of the highest quality and the setting itself makes the perfect evening wind down spot. All tastes are well catered to here - your only issue will be narrowing down your choices from their mouth-watering selection!
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Jerome GallandBest for showstopping Italian fare in a lively setting
77-78 Marylebone High St, W1U 5JX
The latest opening from the beloved Big Mamma Group, whose Italian institutions Gloria and Circolo Popolare you're probably already familiar with, Carlotta is a more ‘intimate’ setting tucked away in luxurious Marylebone. But there's nothing small-time about the interiors – as Instagrammable as ever, with toilets decorated in floor-to-ceiling mirrors, red lighting and a statue of the Virgin Mary – or the menu.
This time, there's no pizza; instead, the menu is split into antipasti, primi and secondi. The truffle fettuccine with lashings of parmesan isn't to be missed, nor is the ‘wedding cake’ dessert, a sponge dripped in strawberries, cream and marshmallow chunks. So, let it be known that we warned you: make sure you save room for dessert.
Best for Brazilian-fusion with a party atmosphere
4 Mill St, London W1S 2AX
New to this bustling part of Mayfair just off Regent Street is Mano, a Brazilian-Japanese fusion restaurant-come-club where guests can "begin and end their night". Food is prepared by chef Rafa Gomes, winner of Master Chef Brazil and owner of Itacoa restaurant in Paris, and his flair for authentic Brazilian cuisine really shines at Mano.
Tuck into plates including grilled salmon with pickled cucumber, tzatziki and cilantro syrup; slow-cooked lamb shoulder served with sweet potato, red onions and black sesame sauce; or our personal favourite, seared tuna with caponata and pine nuts (make sure you order a plate of the citrus rice as a side). After dinner, stay for cocktails and dancing till the early hours.
Best for Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine
Multiple locations:
49 Frith St, London W1D 4SG
77 Wigmore St, London W1U 1QE
Unit 3, 4 Pancras Sq, London N1C 4AGA Sri Lankan and South Indian restaurant with several London locations, Hoppers is well worth having in your dinner planning arsenal. Offering everything from paneer and kothu to rich karis, there’s ample options for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
We recommend going in a bigger group to ensure you can try as many different dishes as possible, with egg hoppers and a warming kari being a must. Other fan favourite dishes include the bone marrow varuval, black pork curry, and naturally the hoppers themselves which come in a variety of flavours and toppings! With restaurants in Soho, Marylebone and King’s Cross, each has its own unique decor, though all offer uncompromising, tasty food and a welcoming atmosphere.
Best for small plates in boujee west London
184A Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2ES
If you love picky bits and tapas-style plates, add Notting Hill eatery Haya to your list, stat. With a Levantine-inspired menu that fuses Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours, it’s an ideal spot for a sharing dinner with friends. Haya’s homemade breads are a particular hit, made for dipping in creamy hummus and melty baba ganoush – but make sure you save room for main (the slow-cooked lamb shoulder and grilled aubergine raheb are musts). The bar serves cracking cocktails, too.
Best for a quality Italian tasting menu
Theo Randall at The Continental
One Hamilton Place, Park Ln, London W1J 7QY
If you're after a memorable, elevated dining experience, look no further than Theo Randall at The Continental. Bringing a taste of Italy to the heart of Mayfair, Michelin star chef Theo Randall's restaurant has an extensive menu offering delicacies that range from yellowfin tuna tartare to beef ragu pappardelle.
The perfect pick for a special occasion, however, has to be their thoughtfully selected regional tasting menu. Changing monthly, diners are given the chance to sample a selection of dishes inspired by a particular area of Italy, with past menus having taken influence from Veneto and Sardinia. Including wine pairings for the first three courses and at £75 per person, you'll be hard pushed to find a better value tasting menu which delivers on quality in every bite. With attentive service to match, Theo Randall at The Continental is a gem that you need to tick off your London restaurant list.
Best laid back, Thai-inspired eatery
58 Brewer St, London W1F 9TL
Kiln is a low-key Soho eatery serving Thai-inspired dishes fresh from their wood-burning ovens and grills. A prime spot for sharing dinner post-work with mates or a casual date setting alike, Kiln’s short but sweet menu features a selection of small plates and sharing dishes that will have you planning your next visit as you’re taking your second bite.
We insist that you try their cull yaw and cumin skewers, clay pot baked glass noodles and curried monkfish. Sit upstairs at the lively bar and look on as chefs magic up little pieces of heaven, or tuck yourself away downstairs and prepare for yourself for some bold, complex and downright delicious flavours.
Corrochio'sBest for authentic Mexican flavours
76 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 7XB
Corrochio’s is a warm and welcoming Dalston eatery that prides itself on serving up authentic Mexican food and cocktails. Feeling more like a Mexican cantina than a London restaurant, Corrochio’s menu is concise but carefully curated. Birria beef tacos are the obvious the go-to for meateaters, while veggies are well catered to with juicy jackfruit and hearty banana blossom options.
A laid back setting with friendly staff and excellent food to match, Corrochio’s offers home comforts that are true to tradition. Placing equal importance on food and cocktails alike, you’d be hard pushed to find a better place for mezcal and tequila, with their extensive cocktail menu offering combinations you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, make it down before 7pm and indulge in their tangy margarita happy hour.
Best for grilled delicacies in a warm, communal setting
4 Redchurch St, London E1 6JL
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374 Helmsley Pl, London E8 3SBA rustic Shoreditch restaurant featuring an open wood fire grill, Brat is a must for your next meal out. With a buzzy communal table atmosphere and open kitchen, you immediately feel welcome upon walking in. This is the kind of place where you’ll want to order several dishes, with grilled bread and anchovy needing to be at the top of your list, promising to be crisped to perfection.
While this might sound simple, at Brat the quality of the food is allowed to be the focus. Straightforward dishes are done exceptionally well, with favourites being the john dory and lamb chops. Pair with their extensive wine list and you’ve got a match made in heaven.
Best for bold, unpretentious fusion fine dining
4 St James's Mkt, St. James's, London SW1Y 4AH
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, Scully is a celebration of international flavours and seasonal ingredients with a focus on creative and bold flavour combinations. Set in a refined yet relaxed space, the eponymous restaurant is synonymous with excellent food.
The brainchild of chef Ramel Scully, a former chef of Ottolenghi, dishes showcase the best of the culinary traditions from its chef’s background, having been born in Malaysia and brought up in Sydney to a mother of Chinese and Indian heritage and an Irish Balinese father.
Meticulously prepared and beautifully presented, Scully is a fail-safe choice for a special occasion. While the taster menu will set you back £120 or £90 for their vegan option, this is a truly unique culinary experience you won’t quickly forget. A fixed price 2 or 3 course is also available at £50 and £60 respectively.
Best for pure pizza goodness
Multiple locations, including:
65 Balham High Road, London SW12 2AP
61 Blythe Road, London W14 0HP
157 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LXIf you like decent pizza, chances are you’ll like Zia Lucia. Carefully crafted with high-quality ingredients that deliver on taste, Zia Lucia’s USP is its four different doughs, with diners having a choice between traditional, wholemeal, vegetable charcoal and gluten-free.
However, beyond offering gluten-free pizza that’s so flavourful it’ll have you questioning whether it’s really gluten-free, what sets Zia Lucia apart is the variety of flavours and toppings on offer. From the arianna sbagliata which features gorgonzola, fresh sausage, honey and truffle oil to the burrata and parma ham pizza, we’d be just as happy with the simply yet wonderfully rich tomato base and fresh mozzarella on their margherita.
Though it has locations across London, there’s no compromise on the quality here. Take your pick from branches in Islington, Stoke Newington, Aldgate East, Hammersmith, Wandsworth, Balham and Wembley Park.
Best for gourmet tapas
10 Seymour Pl, London W1H 7ND
Serving up Basque inspired tapas and pinxto (small dishes), Donostia makes for a special date night venue. With all the classics like patatas bravas and prawns accounted for on the menu, everything at Donostia is prepared to the highest standard and using the very best ingredients. Seafood dishes such as squid and monkfish are exceptionally fresh, while simple favourites such as tortilla are well executed.
It’s the type of place that no matter how full you are, you can always manage one more bite. And make sure that you do, because you won’t want to leave without having tried their deliciously light Basque cheesecake. Watch from the counter as your food is carefully crafted, or dine at a table - either way, you’ll leave feeling well satiated.
Best for a twist on Asian classics
16 Garway Rd, London W2 4NH
Self described as an oriental tapas restaurant, CHOJO is one of Westbourne Grove’s best hidden gems. Serving up everything from Taiwanese classics such as braised pork on rice to Korean favourites like spicy chicken, CHOJO makes for an ideal sharing restaurant for smaller groups wanting to try a few different dishes.
Run by a friendly and welcoming husband and wife duo, dishes are delicately prepared and composed of thoughtfully balanced flavours. Intimate and charming, dining here is a pleasure not only because of the excellent food on offer, but moreover because of the warm yet elegant atmosphere they have managed to curate.
Best for relaxed fine dining
52 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG
With a taster menu that changes weekly, Pidgin is an effortlessly cool modern European restaurant that sits on a quieter back road in Hackney. While we can’t tell you what dishes will be on offer when you visit given it’s constantly changing, we can guarantee that it will make for a memorable dining experience. Experimental and creative, this is one London restaurant that pays attention to detail and serves up high quality food which you can tell has been prepared with great care.
Open Wednesday to Friday and Saturday to Sunday, Pidgin makes for a perfect date night location, with delicate flavours that allow the food to take centre stage.
Best low-key neighbourhood bakery come restaurant
21 Newington Grn, Mayville Estate, London N16 9PU
A relaxed Newington Green restaurant with an ever-changing menu, Jolene is part of the well loved Primeur, Westerns Laundry and Big Jo family. Matching good food with friendly service, Jolene makes for a prime day date spot or equally a relaxed brunch with friends.
A namesake of the treasured Dolly Parton hit, this all-day restaurant and bakery is a failsafe spot to have in your restaurant recommendation arsenal. Though the menu is constantly changing you can expect fresh and flaky pastries by day and piles of pasta by the evening, amongst other delights. With its own mill where bread, pasta and fresh pastries are made on site, combine with their vast natural wine selection and you’re in for a treat.
Best for authentic Uyghur comfort food
235 Hoe St, London E17 9PP
Understated yet undeniably delicious, Etles is a Walthamstow based restaurant serving up authentic Uyghur cuisine. Think blissfully slurpy, hand-pulled noodles, spiced skewers and wonderfully plump dumplings.
Family owned and operated, staff are warm, knowledgeable and happy to help with menu recommendations. A must for anyone looking to sample authentic Uyghur flavours, our favourites include their laghman noodles, manti dumplings and grilled lamb skewers.
Edmund DabneyBest for Instagrammable settings with delicate dining to match
9 Conduit St, London W1S 2XG
If you haven’t already been to Sketch, why? Beloved for its iconic and unique decor, eating at Sketch is a real treat for the senses. Art surrounds you in this Mayfair venue - on the walls, in the food and even in the bathrooms!
Featuring five distinctively decorated dining rooms, each intriguing in its own way, take your pick from The Parlour, The Gallery, The Glade, The Lecture Room & Library or The East Bar & Pods. Newly renovated, The Gallery offers golden interiors with dishes ranging from grilled red mullet to beef tartare while The Glade will see you transported to a mythical forest with a fluffy carpet to boot.
Though renowned for its afternoon tea offering, Sketch’s lunch and evening menus will not disappoint, promising balanced flavours, pristine presentation and attentive service.
