After the pressures and constraints of the pandemic, the London restaurant scene is buzzing again. And it seems that the city is opening up its doors to customers hungry for new flavors and experiences.
The idea of public dining as we know it today didn’t develop in London until the 18th century. While taverns and chop houses proffered bread-and-meat dishes for clerks, laborers and travelers, the emphasis wasn’t on enjoyment or celebration – but rather on survival. The modern concept of heading out for a meal in a restaurant and choosing from a menu and a wine list was a French concept that began in the 1780s.
How times have changed! London has long been a hotbed of exciting and innovative cookery. From tasting menus to pop-ups and snack bars to Michelin stars, the city has it all. Today, London is welcoming diners with open arms and inviting them to join a more vibrant, eclectic and creative food scene than ever before. The city is brimming with flavors from every corner of the globe. And if you’re keen to sample the very British tradition of Afternoon Tea, take a look at our pick of the best.
Here at the Window Seat, we’re more than happy to share our foodie secrets. Read on for our scrumptious guide to the best restaurants in London.
The best new restaurants in London
Saltie Girl Seafood Bar, 15 North Audley Street, Mayfair.
Answering (in their own words) “the mermaid’s call”, this is the naughty sister to two other spots in Boston and L.A. Now, they’ve brought the glamour to London with a gleaming, under-the-sea themed delight. Smooth, aquamarine colors, mermaids on the walls and cute seashell-shaped lampshades all whoosh you far away from the city with a relaxed cocktail vibe that gets you in the mood for some serious – and sustainable – seafood. You’ll see towers and plates of all sizes, plus raw, fried and smoked options and an endless tin list. Word is, the SweetBoy chocolate chip cookie dessert is to die for.
Bar Kroketa, 21 Beak Street, Soho
North-Spanish Bar Kroketa is an intimate, flatteringly lit ode to the ubiquitous tapas staple of croquetas. Rustic and comfortable, it’s equally suited to a quick pick-me-up or a slow walk around the menu. Either way, this welcoming space, intensely loyal to the regional Spanish bar culture that inspires it, won’t disappoint. A chalkboard menu sets out starters, croquetas, large dishes and desserts, which change every week or so. The croquetas always come in twos, with five savory options and two sweet ones for dessert. Grill the waiters for wine recommendations and sit near the back to watch the chefs work their magic at one of the best new restaurants in London.
Jacuzzi, 94 Kensington High Street, Kensington
If you’re looking for a sumptuous, camp-and-candelabras style eatery, this is your place. The opulent Jacuzzi serves show-stopping Italian classics, along with tasty cocktails and an equally tempting wine list. Dripping with splendid indulgence, the surroundings here are as entertaining as the food itself. And gorgeously subtle flavors are definitely peeping out from underneath all that decadence. If you can take your eyes off the light-up staircase, colorful murals and myriad indoor trees, you’ll be rewarded with some seriously intense flavors. From the salty focaccia to the cioccolato fondue, this is top quality cooking. Maximalism is – apparently – back. And over four glitzy floors, one of the best Italian restaurants in London will satisfy your cravings for both high glamour and outrageously good food.
The best outdoor restaurants in London
Dalloway Terrace, 16–62 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury
The beauty that is Dalloway Terrace belongs to The Bloomsbury Hotel, who had the inspired idea to convert their terrace into a restaurant. Both walls and ceiling of this beguiling terrace are dressed with strings of lights, flowers and foliage to create a cozy and romantic haven. It’s a soothing al fresco space that works all year round. Don’t forget there’s a gazebo and outdoor heating, so if the rain starts falling, you’re safe! Dalloway Terrace serves British food with a nod to the French. After breakfast and brunch, an all-day menu encompasses afternoon tea, while the top-notch international specials change daily. Pretty and civilized, Dalloway Terrace is beautiful British dining at its best.
Plaza Pastor, Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross
Another rain-safe outdoor table comes in the pleasing form of Plaza Pastor, a relaxed Mexican joint in London’s vibrant new development, Coal Drops Yard. You’ll find joyful, multicolored tables grouped around a central bar under a covered and heated terrace. Plaza Pastor delivers spicy Mexican favorites such as smoky rotisserie chicken, tortas and tacos – dynamic and imaginative flavors lift the menu to the next level. For example, the pork shoulder boasts an orange, spicy achiote marinade with charred garlic. A mezcal menu is organized by flavor profile, and there are ten types of margaritas. A super-fun stable of house cocktails includes a negroni rosita.
Garden Museum café, 5 Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth
The award-winning Garden Café is at the Garden Museum, Britain’s only museum dedicated to the art, history and design of gardens. Part of the deconsecrated Church of St. Mary-at-Lambeth, it’s adjacent to Lambeth Palace on the south bank of the Thames. Cozy and quirky, the café tables are arranged around the modern courtyard, an open-air garden atrium adjacent to the palace’s 15th century churchyard. You’re essentially dining in a light-filled glass box, made chic with Scandi-style interiors.
The Garden Café is one of London’s best outdoor restaurants for light, sustainable, ingredient-led British fare. Expect a daily changing menu of modern British and European food with a firm nod towards Italy. You could try the lemon sole, pink firs and tartare sauce, with steamed marmalade pudding and custard. Cakes and biscuits are of course offered for tea.
The best restaurants in London on a budget
Koya, 50 Frith Street, Soho
Small and intimate, Koya charms all of the senses by evoking the traditional atmosphere and spirit of a Japanese udon-ya. Koya specializes in udon, the long noodles “footmade” by kneading the dough on site, every day, in the traditional way – with the chef’s feet. The noodles are superlative, the sauces vibrant and full of depth. Try their joyous take on the full English breakfast: a bowl of udon topped with smoky bacon, a fried egg and silky shiitake mushrooms. Koya does one thing (udon) and does it with perfection. Tables are shared and there’s no booking system – you may have to join in that classic English tradition: lining up!
Noble Rot, 51 Lamb’s Conduit Street, Bloomsbury
If you’re looking for the best London restaurants on a budget, this Bloomsbury townhouse on characterful Lamb’s Conduit Street is a great option. The self-styled “shrine to the vine” comprises not only two restaurants (there’s another in Soho), but a wine, food and culture magazine and now a book about wine, too.
With astoundingly affordable set menus changing through winter and summer, you’re going for wonderfully flavorful “Franglais” dishes paired – of course – with suggestions for superlative wines. Even the desserts get their suggested libations. Buttermilk pudding and blood orange with Hétszőlő late-harvest Tokaj, anyone?
BAO Soho, 53 Lexington Street, Soho
BAO’s cool Lexington Street emporium is still the benchmark for Taiwanese street eats. Fun and lively, and without bookings, it’s definitely worth waiting in line to access BAO’s gorgeous menu. Xiao chi (snack) bao buns are the stars of the show, the classic being moist shreds of braised pork with coriander and peanuts. Try the confit pork option for added crispy shallots and hot sauce. One of the best London budget restaurants, BAO serves up mouth-watering bao with authentic and delicious Asian tastes. Packed with flavor, there’s something for everyone here.
The best vegan restaurants in London
Tofu Vegan, 105 Upper Street, Islington
Tofu Vegan, located in North London’s leafy Islington, is entirely plant-based – along with an eclectic mix of grains, vegetables and tofu, you’ll encounter delicious mock meat and bean curd. This is unpretentious, fabulously delicious Chinese cuisine, with the wontons in a house special sauce the highlight of your meal. Try the stir-fried lotus root slices, cloud ear fungus salad, gong bao and maocai.
Farmacy, 74–76 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
Chic and airy, Farmacy is a fully vegan, wellness-focused, farm-to-table affair. Committed to plant-based organic eating and a chemical free approach, all ingredients are either grown on their biodynamic farm in Kent or sourced from environmentally conscious suppliers. Alongside soups and juices, you’ll find a range of “earth bowl” dishes featuring delights such as quinoa, seaweed and sauerkraut. The burgers are made from millet and beans, the ice cream from African tiger nut. But Farmacy doesn’t take itself too seriously. Alcoholic drinks are on hand, plus sulfite-free biodynamic wines, as well as the obligatory matcha lattes. This is fashionable “clean eating” in a fun setting – and the food is delicious.
123V, Lower Ground Floor, Fenwick of Bond Street
This vegan breakfast and lunch café and sushi bar is in the basement of London stalwart Fenwick’s department store, on ritzy Bond Street. That makes it a perfect and truly flavorful vegan dining destination when you’re laden with shopping in the center of town. Proudly proclaiming that “the future is vegan”, 123V offers a fully plant-based menu with multiple international influences. That means an amazing range of classics-with-a-twist from salads, burgers and quesadillas to bao buns and tiramisu. Excitingly, 123V is also a sushi bar, the Bottomless Sushi menu delivering amazingly realistic looking sashimi that also tastes fantastic.
The best vegetarian restaurants in London
Rasa, 55 Stoke Newington Church Street
Born in the trendy northern climes of Stoke Newington (and now with several outposts), Rasa has quietly won numerous awards for its rich south Indian dishes, all of them entirely meat-free. Decorated in soothing pinks, it’s warm, down to earth and one of the most decorated vegetarian restaurants in London. Not only that, you’ll also find some of the most affordable food in the city here, with those wonderful main courses all under £10. Go with the vegetarian or vegan set menus or take your pick from the list. Choose from addictively crunchy “tiffin” snacks, flavorful curries and breads, to intoxicating madhuram (desserts).
Bubala, 15 Poland Street, Soho
Londoners love a good pop-up – and that’s how chic Bubala, now twin restaurants in Soho and Spitalfields, began. Bubala (the word for “darling” in Yiddish) is the home of vibrant food and warm Middle Eastern hospitality. The playful, small-plates vegetarian (and vegan) restaurant serves up refreshing new meat-free takes on family favorites. The vibe is fun, healthy and natural here, and they use the freshest of vegetables instead of meat substitutes. Expect mouth-watering dips and Laffa breads, alongside the most gorgeous mezze. Take a peek at some of the menu highlights – halloumi, chamomile & fennel honey; smacked cucumbers, tahini, chili crunch – and you won’t be able to resist one of London’s best vegetarian restaurants.
The best riverside restaurants in London
The River Café, Thames Wharf, Rainville Road
If you want to push the boat out, head to The River Café, an iconic London institution in a stunning, riverside setting. Serving fresh and inventive seasonal Italian cuisine and fine wines since 1987, the River Café delivers breezy, pared back glamour with outdoor dining and wonderful views. The restaurant won a Michelin star in 1998, which it still boasts today, and is famous for the handful of successful British chefs who earned their youthful stripes in its kitchen. (Tip: you can try your hand at creating your own fresh and minimalist dishes with the excellent River Café cookbooks.) This is quintessential modern London dining, perfect for a special occasion at one of the best riverside restaurants in London.
Solstice
This hip and delicious café, a stone’s throw from Tate Modern, off the norther side of the Millennium Bridge, is something of a hidden gem. New on the London restaurant scene, it’s located inside Shaman, a co-working space at St. Paul’s. Digital nomads, take note! It’s the perfect spot to catch up with some emails. The menu changes with the seasons with a solid veggie, meat and fish selection for each, along with mixed platters. Don’t miss out on the desserts, including the wondrous dark chocolate and tonka mousse with whipped cream, shortbread and mint. All that – and a prime spot right on the river where you can sit outside on the terrace.
Ombra, 1–5 Vyner Street, Hackney
For canal-side dining, try the covered terrace at Ombra, located in a former art gallery next to Regent’s Canal. Ombra serves authentic, home-made Italian plates with a brilliant selection of traditional Venetian “spritzes”, along with selected fine Italian wines and digestifs. There’s also a very reasonably priced a tasting menu. Choose from a simple menu of seasonal cicchetti nibbles such as burrata pugliese or baccalà mantecato, plus tried-and-tested mains – the pasta is all made on-site. Scrumptious Italian desserts feature a famously pitch-perfect tiramisu. The heated outdoor seating allows you to soak up the almost-Venetian canal-side atmosphere in all weathers.
The best restaurants in East London
Palaette, 415 Mare Street
The weekend brunch queue snakes around the block at Palaette, in hipper-than-thou Hackney. Dreamed up by an architect, the design smarts come through with industrial-chic interiors setting off the thoughtful, elegant presentation and beautifully fresh ingredients. It’s the attention to detail you’ll notice here, with signature flower petals, gorgeous tableware and pretty, marble-topped tables. Witness the most Instagrammable waffles in town. Palaette is welcoming and family run, using local produce wherever possible. No wonder people are flocking here – it’s one of the best restaurants in East London. There are even blankets for the terrace outside.
Planque, 322-324 Acton Mews
Located within a pair of former railway arches, you can’t get more stylish than Planque (the French word for “hideout”). Calling itself a “wine drinkers’ club house” (there is a club for regulars), this is an intriguing, light-filled, intricately designed space that’s surprisingly homely, too. Try to bag the cove-like alcove painted in rich, cobalt blue walls. With a distinctly Francophile vibe, Planque takes direct inspiration from the Parisian food scene. Hence the straightforward, wine-friendly menu focusing on superb quality cheese and charcuterie that changes weekly. One of the best restaurants in East London and an elegant cut above the rest, Planque evokes a wonderful sense of occasion.
Towpath, 42 De Beauvoir Crescent, Hackney
This mouth-watering comfort zone couldn’t be closer to the water. It’s located right on the canal path, under the Whitmore Bridge on the Regent’s Canal. One of the best restaurants in East London, Towpath is quirky and lovable, sparking intense loyalty among its devoted clientele. It’s seasonal, opening each year in March and signaling the joyful stirrings of spring, then closing for hibernation again when the weather changes in autumn. During the winter months, it’s simply too cold to sustain the footfall on these pretty and quiet environs. The menu – like the premises – is tiny, but rich with imagination and love. Expect Mediterranean influences, excellent lemonade and delectable cakes and cookies. Takeouts are welcome.
Special mention: E5 Bakehouse at 396 Mentmore Terrace in London Fields provides superlative sourdough and ethical cooking that’s based around the notion of community.
The best restaurants by cuisine in London
The Barbary, Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden
For a refreshingly hands-on eatery that’s slap bang in the center of town, head to The Barbary in the iconic Neal’s Yard. This exotic Covent Garden favorite boasts a delectable modern-day North African menu with a strong focus on the barbecue. The Barbary is up close and personal – you’ll be rubbing shoulders with fellow diners at a 24-seat, horseshoe-shaped counter, circling an open kitchen bar. And it works – this animated space is alive with laughter, music and charcoal smoke. Try the hummus pitriot and the octopus masabacha: soft, charred tentacles served in a melting chickpea sauce, alongside mango flavored yoghurt.
Nandine, 45 Camberwell Church Street
This simple and extraordinarily good value, family-run restaurant regularly serves up some of the best Kurdish food in the entire city. Originally a kiosk, then a market stall, it’s now a pared down café and an absolute powerhouse of unforgettably flavorful cooking. Nandine (meaning “kitchen” in Kurdish), offers an intensely nourishing and colorful mix of smoky, sweet, sour and salty. There are mezze dips, wonderfully rich brunch choices and the renowned rose petal baklava – all of them profoundly easy on the eye, as well as the stomach. The herbed and decorated house fries are something to behold.
Noodle & Beer, 31 Bell Lane, Spitalfields
This gloriously down to earth Chinese restaurant serves up authentic, regional Sichuan delights in a contemporary setting. A varied menu is designed around the star of the show: Chongqing xiaomian, a bowl of spicy noodles richly seasoned with chili, pepper, garlic, preserved Sichuan pickles and chili oil. These are eaten with or without soup. You’ll discover 11 Chongqing xiaomian options on the menu, each one created with selections of different herbs and spices. Why not try the noodles with braised beef, Chinese herbs, cabbage and coriander? There are endless small plates, too, and a couple of Chinese beers to wash it all down.
The best Michelin starred restaurants in London
The Clove Club, Shoreditch Town Hall
The Clove Club, recently awarded a second Michelin star, resides in the historic period rooms of Shoreditch Town Hall. It serves up a no-choice, constantly changing menu of engagingly avant-garde British food. Bold, brash and super-confident, this is a fine dining restaurant to see and be seen in. But the top-notch food reigns here, and your tastebuds will soon be distracted by the elegant, stripped-back cuisine. There’s a choice of tasting menus (including vegetarian), comprising show-off dishes such as seabass ceviche, smoked pollock brandade and grilled habanero granita. The open kitchen never fails to mesmerize.
Pied à Terre, 34 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia
Pied à Terre is an opulent London fine-dining favorite, and the longest standing Michelin-starred restaurant in both London and the UK. This is meticulous, modern French cuisine with an intriguing nod to Greece. Offering award-winning tasting menus, this is the place for supremely high-quality modern dishes in smart and exquisite surroundings. It’s a visual and sensory treat, with a serious devotion to gastronomic perfection that will delight those in pursuit of culinary bliss. An impressively consistent place of imagination and reinvention, Pied à Terre should fulfill the gastronomic fantasies of all who eat here.
Galvin at Windows, London Hilton, 22 Park Lane
If you want a view of the London skyline with your Michelin-starred food, this one is for you. You’ll enjoy glorious, sweeping 28th-floor views of the green paradise that is Hyde Park, while you enjoy a pampering feast of haute French fare that will leave you feeling very special indeed. There are a couple of Asian flavors here, too. The sommelier will choose exactly the right wine for your meal. Highlights include marbled duck liver, wild sea bass with pomme dauphine and the delicious apple tarte tatin with calvados. Think Portland crab custard, Bodmin venison and Valrhona millot éclair. For an unforgettable dining experience high up in the clouds, you can’t go wrong.