London is a melting pot of cultures, with hundreds of thousands of people from all around the world calling this vibrant city home. As a result, the options for food are practically limitless. From Argentinian to Zambian cuisine, fine dining to street food… London truly has it all. 

As a Londoner born and bred who visits often, I am regularly asked where to eat. Luckily eating out in London is something I take very seriously! I have eaten at so many places over the years that it’s actually quite difficult to quickly think of recommendations, so I have decided to compile a list to make things easier.

There are some 20,000 restaurants in London so the thought of making a “Best restaurants in London” list is preposterous (plus I’d be in serious debt if I attempted to try them all). This list is more about some of my favourite places that I am more than happy to revisit again and again, as well as restaurants where I’ve had fantastic meals for special occasions. 

London has a reputation for being a pricey city, but I have included recommendations for a range of budgets, from cheap street food to blow-out meals. I’ve also included a variety of different cuisines that celebrate London’s incredible diversity, and restaurants located in popular areas that visitors usually visit or stay in. While it may seem that a lot of these places are meat-focused, most – if not all – restaurants in London offer vegetarian and vegan options these days, so you won’t feel excluded if you are not a meat-eater. 

Budget: £ cheap(ish) / ££ mid-range / £££ expensive / ££££ special occasion

I’ve included some British restaurants in the list to challenge the stereotype. British cuisine is often looked down on as a lot of people seem to think the country is still in the midst of rationing. While there are of course some very average meals to be had in the UK, British cuisine has come a long way since the dark days of boiling everything to get rid of industrial pollution, with many restaurants now led by world-class chefs championing the excellent produce grown in the UK. 

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Blacklock

This fun and lively British chophouse is a meat lover’s dream, offering burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and, you guessed it, chops. Blacklock is well-known for its “All In” platter. This mountain of food includes nibbly starters, a variety of “skinny chops” on flatbreads, and your choice of sides (Get the bone marrow garlic spread!). Blacklock also does a generous Sunday roast consisting of various cuts of meat, as well as a veggie option. These are popular though, so make sure you book in advance. 

Multiple branches including Blacklock Soho, Blacklock Covent Garden, Blacklock City, and Blacklock Shoreditch (££)

Hawksmoor 

Using only the finest British bred beef, this legendary steakhouse serves some of the best steaks you are likely to find anywhere. From rib-eyes to huge porterhouses for two, everything here is cooked to perfection. It isn’t just steaks though, as Hawksmoor also serves seafood, such as whole native lobster. Hawksmoor has one of the best cocktail lists in the world too, so be sure to have a few tipples whilst here. Things can quickly become rather expensive here, so maybe close your eyes when the bill comes… especially if you’ve knocked back a few.

Multiple branches including Hawksmoor Seven Dials, Hawksmoor Spitalfields and Hawksmoor St Pancras. (£££)

Manteca 

This buzzy modern Italian restaurant in Shoreditch prides itself on its in-house salumeria, hand-rolled pasta, and creative takes on traditional Italian food. Think brown crab cacio e pepe, duck ragu, ‘nduja steamed mussels, and crispy potatoes with salami butter *drool*. Dishes are designed for sharing, so be sure to try a good few plates. Just save some space at the end of your meal for the beef fat fudge!

Restaurant address & opening times. (££)

Max’s Sandwich Shop

The British love a good sandwich, and there are few better out there than at Max’s Sandwich Shop in Finsbury Park, the neighbourhood where I grew up. This hidden gem serves up several creative sarnies, but the signature dish is the Ham, Egg, & Chips. Consisting of slow-roasted ham hock, an oozy fried egg, punchy piccalilli (a British condiment), crispy shoestring fries, and malt vinegar mayo, this generously packed sarnie is seriously delicious.

Restaurant address & opening times (£)

The Harwood Arms 

If you are looking to eat at a classic British pub then you can’t go wrong with a meal at The Harwood Arms in Fulham – London’s only Michelin starred gastropub! The Harwood Arms offers modern British food at its best, with a particular focus on game. Being a pub, there are several bar snacks to enjoy with your beer too, including the sublime venison scotch egg.

Restaurant address & opening times (£££)

Roti King

If you are after some top-notch Malaysian food then head to Roti King by Euston station or Battersea Power Station. Everything here is as good as anything I’ve eaten in Malaysia. The beef rendang is gloriously tender and aromatic, the laksa is comforting and warming, and the roti canai is crispy, buttery, flaky, and perfect for mopping up the accompanying kari. Even the morning glory is great. It’s walk-in’s only so get there early as a line forms quickly! 

Roti King also has a sister market stall called Gopal’s Corner, which can be found at market halls in Victoria, Oxford street, and Canary Wharf. 

Multiple branches including Roti King Waterloo, Roti King Spitalfields and Roti King Battersea. (£)

Sutton and Sons

Many people who come to the UK want to try fish and chips, and rightly so! When done well this classic British dish is genuinely delicious. Sadly, Central London has a ton of awful fish & chip restaurants all proclaiming to be the world’s best. There are, however, still some good ones to be found, one of them being the family-run Sutton and Son’s. Also a fishmonger, Sutton and Son’s serves up traditional fish and chips with all the typical sides like mushy peas and curry sauce, as well as grilled fish options for those after a healthier option. During the Christmas period they even do battered Brussels sprouts and deep-fried mince pies! 

Multiple locations including Stoke Newington, Essex Road and Hackney Central (£)

Bocca di Lupo

Located in London’s Soho district, Bocca di Lupo has been serving up fantastic regional Italian cuisine since 2008. Everything at this charming restaurant is delicious, from the fritti and salumi to the pasta and risotto, all the way to the scrumptious grilled mains. Some of my favourites are the orecchiette with ‘nduja, red onion & tomato, and the pappardelle with chicken liver ragu. For dessert, pop across the street for one of the best gelato in London at Bocca’s offshoot gelateria, Gelupo.

Restaurant address & opening times (££)

The Tamil Prince

Beer and Indian food is one of the best partnerships I can think of, which is why you should head to Tamil Prince in Islington. This “Indian-boozer” is from the same people as Roti King, so the quality of food is very high. We really enjoyed the chicken lollipops with sweet chilli chutney and the pulled beef masala uttapam. The beer selection also perfectly compliments the dishes. Bookings are strongly advised as there are only a handful of tables. They also have a second restaurant in Angel called Tamil Crown.

Restaurant address and opening times (££)

Lahpet

Burmese is often underrepresented when it comes to South East Asian cuisine, but it is no less delicious than Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian. Lahpet can be found in Shoreditch and Soho and is a modern Burmese restaurant, focusing on small, sharing plates. Be sure to get the mixed fritter starters, coconut noodles with chicken, hake masala with lemongrass rosti, and the tea leaf salad. However, you can’t really go wrong with anything here.

Multiple locations including Lahpet West End and Lahpet Shoreditch. (££)

Dishoom

This much-loved Indian restaurant inspired by the old Irani cafés of Bombay offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner to hoards of hungry people every day. Curries, grilled mains, biryanis, and more are all available, but Dishoom is quite possibly best known for its legendary bacon naan roll with delicious chilli jam. If you are feeling particularly indulgent, you can double up on the bacon. While you’re there, make sure to try their warming, perfectly spiced chai (which comes with unlimited refills – result!).

Multiple locations including Dishoom Covent Garden, Dishoom Kensington, Dishoom Carnaby, Dishoom King’s Cross and Dishoom Shoreditch (££)

Xi’an BiangBiang Noodles

This Chinese restaurant specialising in hand-pulled Xi’an Biang Biang noodles has become somewhat of a regular of mine, as it’s just very comforting, casual, tasty and close to where my dad lives (lucky him!). Many of the dishes here are spicy and mouth-numbing thanks to the liberal use of sichuan peppercorns. I’m a big fan of the braised beef with ribbon noodles, as well as the chongqing noodle broth with chickpeas.

Restaurant address and opening times (£)

Berners Tavern

This upscale, all day dining restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton offers contemporary British cuisine in an elegant and atmospheric setting. Breakfast is classic British with top quality ingredients, including the legendary full English breakfast. Meanwhile, lunch and dinner serve up modern dishes like Isle of Wight tomatoes and burrata with jalapeno and avocado puree, and mac and cheese with braised beef or poached lobster. The creative cocktails are also not to be missed. Forewarned, Berners Tavern is definitely one for a special occasion, with most starters averaging £19! It is in the fancy Fitzrovia neighbourhood after all.

Restaurant address and opening times (££££)

Plaza Khao Gaeng

London has tons of Thai restaurants, but one that I have found to have truly authentic flavours is Plaza Khao Gaeng. Conveniently located by Tottenham Court Road Station in the Arcade Food Hall, it offers delicious dishes from the country’s beautiful southern provinces. Think lots of aromatic and spicy curries such as beef shoulder massaman curry and sour orange curry with sea bass, papaya, pineapple. There are also some tasty Thai-inspired cocktails on the menu, and of course Thai iced tea, which can help with the spiciness!

Restaurant address and opening times (££)

Borough Market

This sprawling market hall south of the River Thames is chock full of amazing places to eat and is hugely popular with visitors. With so many places to choose from, it’s difficult to know where to begin. To make things a bit easier for you, here are a few of my suggestions; The Black Pig for tasty Italian-style pork sandwiches with generous amounts of Parmigiano-Reggiano, Brindisa Shop for a spicy chorizo sandwich, The Ginger Pig for a wonderfully meaty sausage roll, Kappacasein Dairy for high quality cheese toasties, and Bread Ahead Bakery for some indulgent doughnuts. The surrounding streets are also full of great restaurants, so you are not likely to leave the area hungry.

Market address and opening times (££)

Hoppers

This restaurant serves up tasty Sri Lankan and South Indian inspired cuisine, i.e. lots of beautiful coconut-based dishes. Famous for its namesake – Hoppers also offers small plates like the must-try bone marrow varuval with roti, kothu, curries, and dosas. If you can’t decide, opt for the ‘Taste of Hoppers’ deal which provides several of the restaurant’s favourite dishes (also available for vegetarians). 

Multiple locations including Hoppers Soho and Hoppers King’s Cross (££)

Copita

This small and lively Spanish restaurant in London’s buzzing Soho neighbourhood is a great place to go for some Spanish wines, sherry, and top quality tapas. The menu is seasonal, with regularly changing specials. Classic tapas dishes include Jamón ibérico, croquettes, and boquerones, as well as modern dishes like lamb rump with sumac yogurt and beef onglet with chimichurri. The seating here is bar stools at shared high wooden counters, so expect a buzzing and social atmosphere. 

Restaurant address and opening times (££)

Chuku’s

For something a bit different, head to Chuku’s in Tottenham. Thought to be the world’s first Nigerian tapas restaurant, this small local eatery brings the flavours of West Africa to North London with sharing plates like fried cassava with scotch bonnet sauce, quinoa jollof, spicy stews, and salted caramel chicken wings. 

Restaurant address and opening times (££)

Koya

This Japanese restaurant chain specialises in freshly made udon (thick and chewy noodles). These come either hot or cold in warm broth, or cold with cold sauce. There are plenty of options to choose from, but I’m a big fan of the curry udon and the lamb cumin miso. Small plates are available too, like Chicken Kara-age, homemade pickles, and light and crispy tempura. There are tables available, but grab a seat at the counter. This adds to experience and really reminds me of similar restaurants I’ve been to in Japan

Restaurant address and opening times (£)

Chick ‘n’ Sours

This restaurant is somewhere I often come when I am craving some perfectly cooked fried chicken, but with a spicy Asian twist. Elevated fried chicken sandwiches are the order of the day here, with the signature ‘K-Pop’ consisting of fried thigh, gochujang mayo, chilli vinegar, Asian coleslaw, and sriracha sour cream. Chicken pieces like wings and tenders are also available, as well as zingy sides like the pickled watermelon salad. As the name suggests, sour cocktails are served here too. 

Restaurant address and opening times (£)

Wow, all this talk of food has made very hungry! I hope this blog post have given you lots of ideas about where to eat in London and how to enjoy a wide variety of delicious food. London is a dynamic city and new places are always popping up, so if I’ve missed any of your favourite places please add them to the comments below so I can try them next time I’m back home.

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow