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$$ | Soho |
Candlelit at night, with a haunting Dickensian vibe, Andrew Edmunds is a permanently packed, old-school Soho dining institution. Tucked away behind Carnaby Street in a charming 18th-century town house, it's a cozy favorite whose unpretentious and keenly priced dishes draw on the tastes of Ireland, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Desserts like warm treacle tart or bread-and-butter pudding offer few surprises, but the wine's superb and famously reasonable. It could be larger, less creaky underfoot, and its wooden church pew seats more forgiving, but it's a deeply romantic way to get a taste of what Soho was like in days gone by.
46 Lexington St., London, Greater London, W1F 0LP, England
Known For
- Deeply romantic, Georgian-era town house setting
- Unpretentious, daily-changing, handwritten menus
- Bargains galore on the acclaimed wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Covent Garden |
One of London's favorite Spanish tapas bars, modeled after the famed Cal Pep tapas spot in Barcelona, has only a few raised bar stools within the open-counter kitchen just off Trafalgar Square. Lunchtime lines form from noon daily for a top-quality succession of impeccably sourced small plates, ranging from giant Spanish carabineros red prawns and Iberian pork cheeks to black squid ink risotto with cuttlefish. There's a neat selection of Spanish reds, whites, sherries, and sparkling white Cava, and be sure to leave room for noted desserts like the almond-based Santiago tart.
10 Adelaide St., London, Greater London, WC2N 4HZ, England
Known For
- Long lines starting at noon
- Notable offal dishes like milk-fed lamb kidneys
- Great Cava and Spanish sherry selection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Closed Sun.
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$$ | Soho |
At this cult favorite Persian kebab hole-in-the-wall, it's best to sit at the raised counter overlooking the tandoor grill and clay oven and indulge in the expansive meze spreads, hot sesame breads, and richly flavored coal-cooked marinated lamb, chicken, and poussin kebabs. With exposed brick walls and a delightfully edgy atmosphere, you can sip non-alcoholic cocktails and sharbat cordials in cozy side booths or hide out in the green foliage backroom snug.
27 Romilly St., London, Greater London, W1D 5AL, England
Known For
- Copious celebrity sightings
- Popular £28 kebab meal deals for Friday lunch
- Sociable outdoor dining in spring and summer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
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$$ | Soho |
This upscale Italian institution is always crowded and the tables are jammed too close together, but everyone still loves the glorious spread of regional Italian small plates here. Located off Theaterland's Shaftesbury Avenue, the famous trattoria offers magnificent peasant-based pasta, stews, fritti, salumi, and raw crudi, spanning regions from Lombardy to the Veneto. Try the deceptively fine Romani fried sage leaves with anchovy, the salt-baked fossil fish from Lazio, or roast suckling pig from northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna. Start with a refreshing Aperol spritz before enjoying the majestic all-Italian wine list, which weaves from Super Tuscans to ballsy Barolos.
12 Archer St., London, Greater London, W1D 7BB, England
Known For
- Open chef's counter serving a medley of rustic Italian small plates
- Majestic all-Italian wine list
- Crowd-pleasing Sicilian lobster and pappardelle pasta with rich venison ragù
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Piccadilly Circus |
Enjoy the great value, prix-fixe menus of classic French dishes at Piccadilly's ever-bustling subterranean Parisian-style brasserie. Dripping with Beaux-Arts gilt mirrors and monumental marble pillars, you can enjoy satisfying French standards like steak haché, choucroute, Niçoise salad, and crème brûleé. Old-school waiters in dapper black uniforms glide across the vast parquet dining room floor, while the attached art deco-style Bar Américain cocktail lounge and late-night live cabaret provide wonderfully suave post-dinner shows.
20 Sherwood St., London, Greater London, W1F 7ED, England
Known For
- London's most spectacular Beaux-Arts brasserie
- Fantastically cheap set-meal deals
- Nightly live music, cabaret, comedy, and burlesque
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Spitalfields |
Eschew the myriad copy-and-paste curry houses of Brick Lane and opt instead for this broom cupboard–size Spitalfields restaurant serving flawless small-plate Indian cuisine. The charming waitstaff is happy to offer guidance when it comes to the menu, with its highly original takes on authentic flavor combinations from the subcontinent.
11 White's Row, London, Greater London, E1 7NF, England
Known For
- Ingredients not normally found on Indian menus, such as duck or sea bass
- Good value multi-dish "feast" menus
- Rasam ke bomb, a puff of spiced potato served atop a flavorful Bloody Mary--style shot
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$ | Bayswater |
Run by the same Greek-Cypriot family since 1966, this friendly taverna is a local institution and is considered by many to be the best Greek restaurant in the whole country. With its rustic interior and a mouthwatering menu of Greek culinary classics, it's the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch or a memorable evening out. The grilled meats are a must, as are the extensive selection of cold and warm mezze.
18 Leinster Terr., London, Greater London, W2 3ET, England
Known For
- Authentic Greek food, perfectly done
- Relaxed, informal vibe
- Excellent oven-cooked lamb
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$$ | Covent Garden |
Seemingly everyone involved in the West End theater world hangs out at this legendary subterranean spot for its ever-enchanting blend of New York comfort food, nightly jazz piano, and wall-to-wall signed theaterland memorabilia. Established in 1977, enduring classics include Joe's slow-braised smoked baby back ribs, New York strip steak, a not-so-secret off-menu hamburger, and a classic PB&J ice cream sandwich.
2 Burleigh St., London, Greater London, WC2E 7PX, England
Known For
- West End theaterland luminaries like Dame Judy Dench and Sir Ian McKellen
- Speakeasy cocktail bar vibe
- Nightly resident jazz pianists
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, No lunch Mon.
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$$ | East End |
Globally acclaimed Brit chef and co-owner James Lowe forsakes heavy sauces and sorcery at this stripped-back, informal British dining mecca in Shoreditch. Stark but highly inventive locally sourced dishes may include house-cured cod with radiant nasturtium flowers or 24-hour Cornish Helford Estuary monkfish with wood sorrel and pick-your-own East Sussex greengages. A firm slice of treacle tart comes with a blob of raw double cream. All the sourdough bread, butter, charcuterie, pickles, and preserves are made in-house. Look for the Neal's Yard cheese plates (try Tymsboro and Stichleton). Dinner is served as a six-course set menu, while lunch is an à la carte small plates affair.
56 Shoreditch High St., London, Greater London, E1 6JJ, England
Known For
- Highly modern and airy dining space
- Serious new-wave British neo-bistronomy
- Excellent cheese plates and wines by the glass
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. bank holidays, Reservations essential
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$$ | Soho |
It's all beach coastal cool at this sleek Aussie stunner, tucked away in a modern courtyard enclave off Greek Street. The seafood- and vegetable-forward menu is inspired by the Sydney food scene and has wide-ranging hints of the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, like a fine raw kingfish crudo bathed in macadamia milk or a crunchy gluten-free grilled aubergine karaage. At night, the lighting's low, the tunes are upbeat, and the fun and friendly service is relaxed but on point.
Manette St., London, Greater London, W1D 4AL, England
Known For
- Raw bar starters like Jersey rock oyster chased down with sake
- Chill, low-key vibes
- Beach-style eating in the outdoor courtyard
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Hampstead |
The "oak" in this all-day restaurant is a hand-crafted wooden "tree" that sits under a retractable roof that combines with blonde oak furnishings and pink walls to create a light, airy feel. The menu ranges from comfort food favorites like mac-and-cheese croquettes and mini-slider burgers to Asian-influenced dishes like duck bao buns or lime-glazed salmon with egg noodles, bok choy, and shiitake mushrooms to Mexican-influenced plates like fish tacos with pickled slaw and chipotle mayo or pulled-beef quesadillas. There are also inventive cocktails and indulgent brunch dishes like buttermilk pancakes with berries that have made the place a favorite with locals often accompanied by attendant children and dogs.
48 Rosslyn Hill, London, Greater London, NW3 1NH, England
Known For
- International comfort food dishes
- Creative cocktails
- Family- and dog-friendly despite chic atmosphere
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$$ | Hackney |
If you've ever wondered what the future tastes like, it might just be the 11-course tasting menu here at Silo, a sleek zero-waste restaurant opened by pioneering chef Douglas McMaster in this on-trend area of East London. Clever use of techniques like smoking and dehydration will change how you think about everyday ingredients like carrots and potatoes, while the occasional meat dishes—game and offal feature often—are melt-in-the-mouth delectable (those not in the mood for the full 11 courses can go à la carte with the small plates menu). The local neighborhood may still be a bit rough around the edges, but Silo, with its beautiful high-ceilinged dining room, black-clad staff, and wow cooking, is one of the chicest dining experiences in town.
Unit 7 Queens Yard, London, Greater London, E9 5EN, England
Known For
- Atmospheric views of London Stadium and the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower
- Innovative design is full of surprises, including a bar made of recycled Italian shoe leather
- Ingredients like house-churned butter and house-rolled oats that typify the zero-waste philososphy
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch Wed.–Fri.
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$$ | Covent Garden |
Scrub up like Eliza Doolittle and perch at the pewter bar sipping a My Fair Lady (with homemade gin and orange blossom) at this busy but laid-back little sister to the flagship The Ivy restaurant. You'll find bargains galore here on the something-for-everyone brasserie menu—from crispy duck salad and poached lobster cocktail to chicken Milanese and blackened cod. For dessert, be sure to try the chocolate bombe, a chocolatey mush of milk foam, vanilla ice cream, and gooey hot salted caramel sauce. The raucous salon atmosphere fits in perfectly with the green-leather banquettes, dark timber floors, and copious 19th-century brass lamps.
1a Henrietta St., London, Greater London, WC2E 8PS, England
Known For
- Vespar Martinis at the sizzling central bar
- Green leather booths and antique pics galore
- Popular brunch menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Piccadilly |
It feels like a cinematic reinterpretation of 1930s Taipei at this glamorous jewel box on the edge of Chinatown. Peerless dishes like tomato and smoked eel cold soup and marinated Shou Pa chicken with rice, ginger, and white pepper are complemented by a tea kiosk, a tea master, railway clocks, two hidden mahjong rooms, and a collection of cute solo dining seats.
30 Rupert St., London, Greater London, W1D 6DL, England
Known For
- Taiwanese classics like Char Siu Iberico pork with grilled cucumber
- Sparkling Hong Yu cold brew tea
- Taiwanese whisky
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$$ | Knightsbridge |
New York–based French superchef Daniel Boulud combines French brasserie classics like escargot, salade nicoise, and poule au pot with American-style gourmet burgers at this sophisticated but casual restaurant located within the Mandarin Oriental. The excellent grazing menu has something for everyone, and the professional but informal waitstaff enhances the convivial vibe. Platters of delicate charcuterie and luxury seafood compete with the signature foie gras/beef/short rib burgers on black onion or sesame-seed buns. The two-course prix-fixe deals from noon until 6:30 are good value.
66 Knightsbridge, London, Greater London, SW1X 7LA, England
020-7201–3899-for reservations only
Known For
- Excellent foie gras/beef/short rib burgers
- Affordable set meals from noon until 6:30
- Superb take on French brasserie classics
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$$ | Clerkenwell |
Every night feels as bustling as downtown Tel Aviv at Exmouth Market's superb and hip shawarma bar. Enjoy challah toast with tahini-rich meze before delving into slow-cooked, harissa-heavy lamb shawarmas and the best mejadera (rice with lentils and onions) this side of the Middle East. Be sure to leave room for malabi, a delicious Israeli milk pudding, for dessert.
46 Exmouth Market, London, Greater London, EC1R 4QE, England
Known For
- Tel Aviv–style trendy hangout
- Wondrous chargrilled lamb and beef shawarmas
- Unmissable barbecued cauliflower shawarma
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$ | Bethnal Green |
You'll need some help finding this East End fashionista headquarters located down a side alley in happening Bethnal Green. Once inside, check out the striking loft dining space and the bar, Manchichi, in its postindustrial chic setting, before polishing off light French and English dishes. Choices range from steak tartare and Croque Madame to cod and clams and Longhorn beef with red wine sauce. Be sure to catch the resident pianist at weekend brunch, camping up everything from Katy Perry to Girls Aloud on the baby grand.
23–27 Wadeson St., London, Greater London, E2 9DR, England
Known For
- Classic choices like steak tartare and Croque Madame
- Weekend brunch with pancakes and maple syrup
- Resident pianist at brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No lunch Thurs. and Fri. No dinner Sun., Reservations essential
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$$ | Soho |
French tapas may sound sacrilegious, but Gallic gem Blanchette hits the spot at this family-run hipster bistro where jazzy French sounds complement the charming bare-brick and oak table candlelit interior. Visually feast on the eclectic Paris flea market bric-a-brac and then order a host of smaller plates to share, like the crispy frogs' legs and truffle saucisson (sausage) or baked scallops with Café de Paris sauce. The cramped tables can be a touch intimate, but desserts like chocolate tart, tonka bean syrup, and macerated cherries are a fitting Left Bank finale.
9 D'Arblay St., London, Greater London, W1F 8DR, England
Known For
- Unusual French tapas-style dishes and shared plates
- Cool Soho crowd with romantic, jazzy soundtrack
- Roasted wild sea bass with sea herbs and langoustine butter
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Closed Sun.
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$$ | Spitalfields |
Within a magnificent Kew Gardens–style tropical garden and plant conservatory, you'll find this stylish brasserie backing out onto Old Spitalfields Market. Housed in a converted former Victorian bank, Blixen offers evergreen European comfort food. You'll find options like tiger prawn and roast pig's trotters or courgette flower and curried mushroom on its short, sweet, and relatively inexpensive menu. There's neat blueberry pancakes, potato rösti, or a raclette-rich Croque Madame for breakfast and brunch. Check out the small, nautically themed basement cocktail bar.
65A Brushfield St., London, Greater London, E1 6AA, England
Known For
- Captivating, palm-filled tropical conservatory
- Great cocktails in the basement bar
- Popular weekend brunches
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$$ | Mayfair | Burger
Don plastic bibs at this mobbed, limited-choice burger and lobster shack, where there are no reservations (apart from larger groups), no starters, and no printed menu—the blackboard says it all: "Burger or lobster or lobster roll. All with chips & salad. £22." Of the three choices available, the Nova Scotia lobster is the best value; it comes in a butter-soaked brioche bun, with truffle and tarragon mayo and a sturdy pot of fries. Sweet halved lobsters are served with lemon and garlic butter, while the Worcestershire sauce–seasoned burgers are a mix of Irish grass-fed beef and corn-fed cuts from Nebraska, with streaky bacon or Monterey Jack cheese on top.
29 Clarges St., London, Greater London, W1J 7EF, England
Known For
- Wonderfully simple menu of lobster, burgers and chips
- One-and-a-half pound jumbo Canadian lobster with salad
- Lively, fun-loving crowd
