Choosing London Restaurants - what process do you use?
 

I rarely go to London and so when I do I want to make the most of it. I am busy researching restaurants (alongside other things) and would love to read your views.

With so many possibilities, I hope you don’t mind me reflecting on my process of choosing restaurants which I may book.

I had a good experience when I saw a chef on UK TV whose fish dish inspired me to book his place. I wasn’t disappointed, but interestingly, I also ate nearby which was equally as good. Armed with pen and paper I went on the TV Programme website to identify London chefs invited to cook there. The results of this appear below.

A new TV series of Masterchef has started and could be a way of identifying “up and coming” chefs.

But there are many more methods for identifying places to eat.

1 Sunday (etc) newspapers. I have articles dating back to the beginning of the century (!) with captivating titles such as “50 Most Romantic Restaurants”. And, if they are still operating, they can’t be too bad.

2 Michelin Guides. A good way of finding expensive places? I have eaten at Michelin recommended restaurants and they haven’t been expensive. I haven’t been disappointed to eat at one.

3 Social Media. I was overwhelmed by the response to a question about places to eat in a Greek holiday destination. So much so, that I was able to tally up the mentions in order to identify the most recommended and in September I will be putting this to good use as long as I don’t mislay the A4.

4 TA/Google Reviews. I am influenced by these and contribute myself. TA has a good forum for most Cities, Towns which I use to help inform my choice.

5 Radio Programmes. I am so lucky to live in the UK and love BBC Radio and their food programmes often throw up some unusual ideas of places to eat.

6 Fodors, of course. Pure gold with contributors giving valuable recommendations especially for the usual suspects: London, Edinburgh, and York.

Now my long-list: Anglo Thai; Barshu; Chishuru; Cinnamon Club; Cucina Italiana; Dorian; Gina; Honey and Smoke; I Made Syrian Kitchen; Jang; Myrtle; Kanishka; River Café; Quo Vadis; Wahaka.

Great to hear any opinions – favourite restaurants or favourite ways to choose.

My system:

1) Is it open?
2) How's the menu look?
3). Can they seat me?

I'm with F-D. Better still, did they sound busy the night before when I walked by.

Sitting on a London doorstep eating takeaway fish and chips in crunchy paper with malt vinegar dripping in my lap. A rotisserie chicken bought on the street in Paris and taken to the park, or another doorstep, to consume. These are my most precious memories. We had no money, but those memories....

Thanks wildiowa - gives me permission to go cheap regarding my wife's birthday treat in London. Fish and chips out of a bag sounds lovely - although as a Lancashire lad I used to eat it out of a Daily Mirror newspaper ... a bag was upmarket.

The Hardens Restaurant Guide is my bible. Mind you, I live in North Yorkshire and rarely visit London. But no reason why Hardens wouldn’t work for London! Certainly works up here!

Don't get the newsprint ink in your chips!!

I used to have my fish and chips with the Sun.
Was much more interesting than your usual rag

Went to London probably 10 times in the last 15 years and my faves were The Barbary, Barrafina on Drury lane, Koya in soho and numerous times at Dishoom although it can be a long wait. Hoppers in Soho is good. Also have eaten at a few of the Ottolenghi restaurants but not for awhile. I think we’ve been to Honey and Smoke. My husband was always working during the day so we ended up at places we could walk to easily most of the time. Haven’t done many of the more English places although we did go to the London Edition restaurant just for the spectacular dining room.

I visit London usually 2 or 3 times most years. It is soooooo hard to keep up on new openings, closings, new chefs at existing places, new formats, etc etc. One thing I do is read every weeks restaurant reviews in the Times/Telegraph/Guardian and keep an on-going list of the ones that seem interesting/to my liking (the newspaper reviews include everything from multi-michelin starred grand dames, to hotel dining rooms to neighborhood spots to 'exotic' or odd 'fusion' places, to even greasy spoons) I also am in private communication with a few Fodorites UK-based local friends who suggest places/special finds.

mjs - I used to have my fish and chips with the Sun.
Was much more interesting than your usual rag

That's tested my ability to censor myself - all around the possible effects of eating off Page 3. An idea is brewing in my head but need to apply a risk management strategy before sharing.

Thanks macdommom - I might narrow my focus to those but do like the idea of London Edition (I've never heard of it!) - I will check whether I can afford it; if I cant, I will get Mrs Lyon to pay - afterall it is her birthday.

If you use instagram check out the posts of Marina O'Loughlin. I can't post the link here but you can google her name and Instagram.

Friends in London follow her. It is how we found Mamapen in the Sun and 13 Cantons pub (it was a pop up but I think it is now permanent) and now Barang in Borough Market - going next week so no experience yet. Both are Cambodian cuisine.

If you mean Wahaca I would not bother, it is a chain and in my opinion the food is mediocre. If you want Mexican I would get tacos at the street food market by Southbank.

There are so many good Middle Eastern restaurants - Imad's was pretty good but I only went once, I love Amber (close to Aldgate East station) and Brother Marcus (a chain, but a very good one.)

Usually I do not plan ahead and just check google reviews of places around. That is how I found Amber which is one of my favorite restaurants now.

This could be good for a birthday meal - https://ldn.celavi.com/
I am staying at Paddington for a couple of days and noticed the elevator that goes up to the restaurant. What the heck is that, I asked myself, and google came to the rescue. Have not tried it yet, but it looks pretty sweet.

Yes the setting is spectacular and food was good. It’s helmed by a fairly well known chef. We went there to celebrate my birthday when we were in London one year. I don’t remember all those candles though.

Heres a link to the happening places of the moment and a few standards. I’ve read lots of good things about the Ledbury and is also good for a birthday dinner.
https://www.eater.com/maps/best-lond...rants-eater-38

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9f5aedf2f.jpeg

I kinda liked when you traveled to countries and dug into their local fare and culture and traditional dishes. I'm not saying blasting into a London pub in the 90s and having a selection of gelatinous crusted mystery meat pies in a glass front warming oven was the height of culture, but it was real. And I felt I was in the UK. Who would not want to go to London for Cambodian or Mexican or curry? I'm in Mexico right now....eating wonderful traditional food. Somehow, I am not seeking out the Cambodian restaurant. I will do that if and when I am in Cambodia. To each their own!

London is a very multicultural city and I always enjoyed on my visits eating lots of different cuisine reflecting that multi culturalism. In California I eat the same way- Mexican, Indian, Italian and Thai can be on the menu in one week. The great thing about Britain now is that it’s full of British chefs celebrating local cuisine and making it more delicious and healthy.

macdogmom- a great list . We've eaten at 2 of them Bar Italia and The Ledbury. Lookkng forward to trying some of the others on our next trip this year . We will go back to The Ledbury -love Aussie Brett Graham's food

Wow - bit overwhelmed by the choice - thank you - no, honestly, thank you.
The Ce La Vi looks amazing with fabulous views and its Asian. London Edition also looks amazing.
Some great tips for Cambodian restaurants.
I need to go for longer than planned.

"Great to hear any opinions – favourite restaurants or favourite ways to choose."

I live in London for much of the year and eat out fairly regularly, usually I choose where to eat by recommendation of friends, sometimes by checking reviews (often Open Table or Google). Time Out is also pretty good if you want "go to : lists of particular cuisine
Some specific suggestions -

Bibi - modern Indian -Mayfair
Gymkhana - traditional Indian - Mayfair
Charlies (@ Browns Hotel) - British - Mayfair
Kol - Michelin * tacos - Mayfair
Fish Works - Unsurprisingly fish! - Marylebone
Rambutan - Sri Lankan - Borough Market
Three Falcons - Indian Desi Pub -St Johns Wood -
Belt Noodles - Chinatown
Sabor - Modern Spanish Soho
Hispania - Spanish - City

One practical London tip that works very well is choosing by neighborhood clusters (Soho, Fitzrovia, Marylebone, Borough), so you can keep a couple of nearby backups and stay flexible if bookings or moods change. With this level of planning, you’re very likely to have an excellent run of meals.