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$ | Victoria |
The area between Victoria and Westminster is something of a wasteland in terms of independent quick-bite eateries, but this minimalist café serves excellent coffee, salads, wraps, and more. Peak office lunchtimes can get pretty busy, so aim to avoid the rush if you want to dine in.
1 Howick Pl., London, Greater London, SW1P 1WG, England
Known For
- Vegetable peels and trimmings made into soups, stocks, and pickles to minimize waste
- Frequently changing lunch menu
- Indulgent treats like buttermilk banana bread
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No dinner
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$ | Soho |
Generous dishes of Indian street food fly from the open kitchen at this informal party spot right off Piccadilly Circus. Sit at the L-shaped, lava-topped counter and watch the chefs haul out bone marrow–smeared kulcha flatbread from the blazing clay tandoor oven alongside a heap of other funky dishes. Options include yolk-topped kedgeree, garlic butter crab, and puffed rice bhel puri starters, pepped up with Greek yogurt and tamarind sauce. The place is full of neat touches, from the vintage Indian herb holders to the ornate wooden Haveli doors found in the basement cocktail bar and communal dining den.
12 Denman St., London, Greater London, W1D 7HH, England
Known For
- Pepped-up Indian street food faves
- Colonial cocktails in the raucous downstairs dining den
- Hip, young crowds
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$ | Notting Hill |
Located on the northern stretch of Portobello Road, this quintessential neighborhood café specializes in delicious coffee, cakes, breakfast, and brunch, all served up on classic English crockery. Grab one of the window seats and watch Notting Hill wander by.
339 Portobello Rd., London, Greater London, W10 5SA, England
Known For
- Chill, welcoming vibe
- Great vegan and gluten-free options
- Build-your-own breakfasts and brunches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Soho |
This eccentric French pâtisserie (London's oldest) has been around since 1871. Not the finest coffee around, but a nice range of teas and glasses of wine, plus fab French cakes, tarts, and savory quiches more than make up for that.
28 Greek St., London, Greater London, WID 5DQ, England
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$ | Camden Town |
This long-established ice cream parlor near Camden Lock has been serving authentic artisan gelato and sorbet since the 1930s (originally a few doors down) and ranks among London’s best. Cones and scoops made from an Italian family recipe come in flavors like Cinnamon and Honey, Dulce de Leche, and Toffee Crunch, as well as more conventional choices, and make the perfect accompaniment to strolling through Camden Market.
61 Chalk Farm Rd., London, Greater London, NW1 8AN, England
Known For
- Wide range of flavors
- Fresh ingredients, many from Italy
- Authentic Italian gelato
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | Bloomsbury |
Deepest Bloomsbury might be the last place to expect superior Chinese street food, but think again. Tucked down an alleyway just off Southampton Row, this unpretentious eatery features the spicy, surprising cuisine of Xi'an, the city in northwest China that's home to the famed Terracotta Army statues (pictures of which hang above the bar). Popular dishes include the spicy cumin beef "burger" (minced meat inside a flattened bao), fried pot-sticker dumplings, and delicate homemade coldskin noodles called liángpí.
13 Cosmo Pl., London, Greater London, WC1N 3AP, England
Known For
- Flat, wide biang biang noodles, served in a variety of sumptuous broths and sauces
- Authentic, fresh, and flavorful Chinese cuisine
- Prompt, efficient service
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$ | Islington |
This Islington institution is a foodie's heaven. With the accent on North African and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, the inventive, tasty, and healthy veg-centric dishes, along with fresh salads, flaky pastries, and artisan cakes, make this deli-bakery-café worth an hour of anyone's time. Go home with a knockout chocolate meringue or a plum-and-quince tart, and pick up Ottolenghi's outstanding Israeli- and Palestinian-inspired cookbook, Jerusalem, on the way out.
287 Upper St., London, Greater London, N1 2TZ, England
Known For
- Zingy veg-centric Middle Eastern salad combos
- Fabulous meringue-filled window displays
- Weekend brunches
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$ | Primrose Hill |
This "greasy spoon without the grease" has become a neighborhood hot spot thanks to its modern reinterpretation of traditional British “caff” food (with the nontraditional additions of a wine list, vegan options, newspapers, and books) as well as its well-connected owners (the restaurant was officially opened by local resident Helena Bonham Carter and the vintage jukebox is “curated” by none other than Robert Plant). Lunch and dinner options feature healthy, homemade takes on British comfort food like bangers-and-mash with onion gravy, salmon fish cakes, and mac-and-cheese. There's also the option of interesting salads like grilled halloumi cheese with heritage carrots and oranges, while breakfast offers a vegan Full English. The ambience is a cross between an American diner and a Parisian bistro, and the service is welcoming if sometimes erratic.
40 Chalcot Rd., London, Greater London, NW1 8LS, England
Known For
- Healthy takes on British comfort food
- Upscale but friendly ambience
- Excellent all-day breakfasts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Wed.
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$ | Kensington |
This hole-in-the-wall restaurant, a neighborhood favorite for more than 30 years, is an amazing bargain for this pricey part of town, serving good basic Chinese food at reasonable prices. Standouts on the extensive menu include ma-po tofu, barbecued pork with noodles, and seafood ho-fun. It’s not fancy, but service is fast.
31 Kensington High St., London, Greater London, W8 5NP, England
Known For
- Great prices
- No-frills, speedy service
- Simple but delicious Chinese dishes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends
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$ | Bloomsbury |
This informal eatery serves scrumptious Asian fast food in generous portions at reasonable prices. Popular with students from the many nearby universities, the accent is on freshly prepared, flavorful fare—from sushi and ramen to tempura and delicious noodle and rice dishes.
Brunswick Sq., London, Greater London, WC1N 1AF, England
Known For
- Tempting array of starters and side dishes, such as panko honey king prawns
- Friendly staff
- Tasty, well-priced sushi boxes
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$ | Marylebone |
As the name suggests, The Monocle Café isn't quite a restaurant, but thanks to its sheer weight of personality, it still lends itself as an important Marylebone food stop. Salads, bagels, open sandwiches, and breakfasts represent a diverse menu of international bites that can always be accompanied by something from the drink menu, whether that's artisan coffee or something stronger like the yuzu gin and tonic. As one would expect from Monocle magazine's very own drinking and dining spot, both the interior and exterior are impeccably tasteful, making for the ideal place to pause and soak up the Marylebone neighborhood.
18 Chiltern St., London, Greater London, W1U 7QA, England
Known For
- Serious intellectual credentials (it's run by Monocle magazine)
- Excellent snacks and takeaway treats
- In-house pop-up shop
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$ | Greenwich |
Healthy snacks and lunches are served at this bright café next to the Royal Observatory. Homemade soups and sandwiches are good for a quick refuel, or try one of the delicious stone-baked pizzas for something more substantial. Check out the fancy weather vane on the roof of this quirky octagonal building, which depicts Lord Nelson looking through his telescope.
Charlton Way, London, Greater London, SE10 8QY, England
Known For
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Large garden seating area
- Ideal location at the top of Greenwich Park
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$ | Bayswater |
A laid-back, airy, art deco--inspired gastropub serving up quality Modern British food, The Prince Bonaparte offers a fine selection of ales and carefully chosen wines. A stone's throw from Portobello Market, it's the perfect place for a drink or a bite to eat.
80 Chepstow Rd., London, Greater London, W2 5BE, England
Known For
- Super-helpful wait and bar staff
- Relaxed and friendly atmosphere
- Legendary Sunday roasts
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$ | Mayfair | Café
With its walls covered in Gilbert Spencer murals, the Royal Academy's café is almost as beautiful as the art hanging in the galleries. The accent is on variety, with hearty dishes like fish pie, cold cuts, and upscale salads and sandwiches. It's open daily 10:30–5:30.
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, Greater London, W1J 0BD, England
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$ | South Bank |
This canteen-style outpost of the eco-conscious chain serves mildly spiced Mexican food like a buttermilk fried chicken taco or ancho mushroom enchiladas, plus the usual burritos and quesadillas along with rainbow bowls. There's also a street-food truck parked beside the river.
119 Waterloo Rd., London, Greater London, SE1 8UL, England
Known For
- Quick and affordable lunches
- Modern Mexican street food
- Good vegan options
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$ | Marylebone | French
Bringing the outside in, this café and restaurant is in the Wallace Collection's glass-roofed courtyard. It's open (daily 10–4:30) for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, and for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings (last seating is at 9:30 pm). The menu includes lamb rump, pan-roasted lemon sole, and other tasty offerings. If you don't want to strain your budget too much, you can just linger over coffee in the gorgeous surroundings.
The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Sq., London, Greater London, W1U 3BN, England
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$ | City of London |
This friendly coffee shop at St. Katharine Docks serves outstanding breakfasts (with fresh juices and baked goods) plus homemade soups, cakes, and light bites for lunch. In an area too readily associated with chains, this charming independent eatery is a breath of fresh air, particularly for long, leisurely brunches when the sun is shining.
D3 Ivory House, London, Greater London, E1W 1AT, England
Known For
- Delicious breakfast bowls
- Charming waterside location
- Weekend brunch