Most of the itinerary is finished for the London portion of our trip in July except where to eat. We’d appreciate suggestions on your favorite places to eat, especially Indian and Mediterranean. We’re looking for dinner places that might be special or celebratory in nature, as well as hearty lunch places. Placed in a central London location is all that matters since we plan on sightseeing in several areas. Thanks!

Thrishna is fantastic, off Marylebone High Street, or its sister restaurant Gymkhana, in Albemarle Street.
Amaya in Knightsbridge is more glamorous, beautiful restaurant. Great food too, with an open kitchen.

Yotam Ottolenghi has brought a fresh approach to Medditeranean cooking using intresting combinations of herbs, spices and flowers.

http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/locations

The restaurants are not formal but the food is excellent.

Thanks. These places look terrific especially Trishna and Amaya. Any idea how far in advance they'd need to be booked for dinner?

And since the Ottolenghi group of restaurants are in various areas of London, and somewhat informal as you say, we're likely to find one and stop in. Menus look exciting with a variety of items.

It's been a couple years, but we LOVED Tas - Anatolian food. It was delicious! http://www.tasrestaurants.co.uk/

Thanks. I see that one is located just minutes from our hotel in Bloomsbury and there are a few in the south bank area. Might be a good first day place to eat or on the day when we're linking all our south bank sights. Nice that they're open throughout the day too!

When we were last in London, we were determined to eat a different nationality cuisine every day. We were not disappointed with choices! Tas was our favorite of the bunch.

LOVE Ottolenghi, though I go to the one in Spitalfields.

Yala Yala is somewhere we like, on Green's Court in Soho, it's Lebanese street food.
http://www.yalla-yalla.co.uk

In terms of an evening meal we like Dishoom which is a take on a Parsi Bombay Cafe, it's a little different than the average Indian options. I think there's one in Kings Cross and perhaps Covent Garden too.

WE also liked Zayne on new Quebec street which is a rather upscale indian/Pakistani restaurant with very good food and excellent service.
http://www.zaynarestaurant.co.uk/menus.php

Some of the Ottolenghi's have only take-away, and maybe one or two tables to sit down. Ottolenghi's restaruant Nopi, off Regent Street, requires a reservation - though there's a large shared table in the basement near the kitchen where you may find a place.

For Thrishna, book as far in advance as you can. Lunch is easier to book.

I'd highly recommend Rasoi in the Sloane Square area. I've been there twice and it was great both times. It's expensive however.

http://www.rasoi-uk.com/index.php

You must have a reservation for dinner at any Ottolenghi restaurant, they are deservedly very popular. For lunch, go early and you may get in.

Or take-away Ottolenghi and picknick in the park. Take a lemon tart for dessert.

The Ottolenghi in Ledbury Road only has a small communal table, no booking.

These all look fantastic! I spent some time looking each up and noting their menus. I'm making a list with names, phone numbers, and street addresses to take with me. Before I leave home I'd like to reserve one, maybe two for dinners. It's hard since we'll not know where we'll be on each of our days. Even the best laid (sightseeing) plans change all the time! Lunches might be easier to book on the spot, and maybe we'll try for a couple of those. Picnics in a park with take-out from Ottolenghi sound great too.

Thank you all so very much. It's a great help. Well definitely be eating well with all these suggestions and with some great historic pub recommendations from others' previous posts, since some in our family also love a good brew!

I just love "Taste Of Nawab" this is one of excellent Indian restaurants in London, it's food is simply delicious. I recommend you to try it once.

Recently ate at Veeraswamy on Regent Street (April 15) - very good, especially the shared appetizers.

http://www.veeraswamy.com/

Katiebell, I checked the restaurant you suggested but it seems to be too far away for us. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Inspired, Your suggestion on the other hand is wonderfully located and it look simply beautiful. Both suggested restaurant menus looked great.

I haven't made a dinner reservation yet, but need to do so, soon. I'm down to considering this one - Veeraswamy, or Dishoom, Zayne, Tas, or Trishna. I'm thinking of keeping the Ottolenghi locations for a lunch or two.

Have you considered:-

http://www.benaresrestaurant.com/

OR

http://www.cinnamonclub.com/

OR

http://www.chutneymary.com/

kathleen: I <i>think</i> katiebell was advertising for Taste Of Nawab - not only is it likely pretty far from wherever you are staying -- it would be a biatch to get to since it is at least 1.5 miles from the nearest tube or rail station.

Veeraswamy is pretty much a London institution -- it is pretty expensive and the service can be iffy.

If it was between Veeraswamy and Dishoon I'd personally choose Dishoom - in Covent Garden so convenient to everywhere and good food. But Trishna would be very good.

Odin, Now I have more restaurants to check out!
Janisj, I wondered about katiebell's post, but I'm checking all suggestions. In an case it was way too far away to seriously consider though. I'll take a good long look at Dishoom again. Veeraswamy looked so beautiful!

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