London is a food lover’s paradise, with a vast range of restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world. Here are some top restaurants to consider visiting during your 4-day trip:
1. Dishoom (Covent Garden)
- Cuisine: Bombay-Style Indian
- Vibe: Casual, lively, and nostalgic with a touch of 1940s Bombay.
- Must Try: Bacon Naan Roll (breakfast), House Black Daal, and the Chicken Ruby curry.
2. Sketch (Mayfair)
- Cuisine: French Contemporary
- Vibe: Artistic, playful, and Instagram-worthy, with unique pink décor in the gallery.
- Must Try: Afternoon Tea experience or the set tasting menu in The Lecture Room & Library (3 Michelin stars).
3. Hakkasan (Mayfair or Hanway Place)
- Cuisine: Modern Cantonese
- Vibe: Chic, sleek interiors with a luxurious, club-like atmosphere.
- Must Try: Dim sum platters, Crispy Duck Salad, and the Black Cod with Champagne & Honey.
4. The Ledbury (Notting Hill)
- Cuisine: Modern European
- Vibe: Elegant fine dining with a focus on seasonal, innovative dishes.
- Must Try: The tasting menu for an immersive dining experience.
5. Gymkhana (Mayfair)
- Cuisine: Indian (Michelin-starred)
- Vibe: Refined and sophisticated with a colonial Indian club atmosphere.
- Must Try: The Game Bird Biryani, Wild Muntjac Biryani, and the Tandoori Lamb Chops.
6. Roka (Charlotte Street)
- Cuisine: Japanese Robatayaki
- Vibe: Sleek, with a bustling robata grill at the heart of the restaurant.
- Must Try: Black Cod, Tuna Tataki, and the famed Wagyu Beef Gunkan Sushi.
7. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (Knightsbridge)
- Cuisine: British Historical
- Vibe: Modern yet historically inspired, blending traditional British dishes with a modern twist.
- Must Try: Meat Fruit (chicken liver parfait), and the Tipsy Cake.
8. Nobu London (Park Lane or Shoreditch)
- Cuisine: Japanese-Peruvian Fusion
- Vibe: Chic, stylish with minimalist interiors and a trendy crowd.
- Must Try: Black Cod with Miso, Yellowtail Jalapeño, and Nobu-style Tacos.
9. Duck & Waffle (City of London)
- Cuisine: British-European
- Vibe: Located on the 40th floor with stunning views of the city, open 24/7.
- Must Try: Duck & Waffle signature dish, Bacon-Wrapped Dates, and the Whole Roasted Corn-Fed Chicken.
10. Hawksmoor (Multiple Locations)
- Cuisine: Steakhouse
- Vibe: Laid-back with an upscale, British steakhouse feel.
- Must Try: Porterhouse Steak, Bone Marrow with Onions, and Sticky Toffee Pudding.
11. Ottolenghi (Islington, Spitalfields, Notting Hill)
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern/European Fusion
- Vibe: Bright and fresh, with an emphasis on sharing platters and bold flavors.
- Must Try: Roasted Cauliflower, Labneh, and their incredible pastry selection.
12. A. Wong (Victoria)
- Cuisine: Chinese (2 Michelin stars)
- Vibe: Modern and artistic, offering creative Chinese dishes with a twist.
- Must Try: The Dim Sum Menu and ‘Taste of China’ tasting menu.
These restaurants offer a great mix of styles and cuisines, ensuring you’ll have a varied and memorable dining experience during your London visit!
If you're looking for lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path restaurants in London, here are some hidden gems that locals love:
1. Evelyn’s Table (Soho)
- Cuisine: British-European with Japanese influences
- Vibe: Intimate, 12-seat chef’s counter in a basement of an old pub.
- Must Try: Tasting menu, which changes daily based on seasonal ingredients.
2. Llewelyn’s (Herne Hill)
- Cuisine: Modern European
- Vibe: Charming neighborhood restaurant with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.
- Must Try: Grilled fish, seasonal vegetables, and homemade pasta dishes.
3. Farang (Highbury)
- Cuisine: Thai
- Vibe: Laid-back, modern, with an emphasis on bold, authentic Thai flavors.
- Must Try: Thai curries, Som Tam, and their famous crispy pork belly.
4. The River Café (Hammersmith)
- Cuisine: Italian
- Vibe: Nestled by the Thames, this Michelin-starred restaurant is understated yet elegant, with a focus on fresh, seasonal Italian cuisine.
- Must Try: The ever-changing seasonal pasta dishes and wood-fired grilled meats.
5. P. Franco (Clapton)
- Cuisine: Modern European
- Vibe: Tiny, no-frills wine bar with a rotating guest chef. Seats are limited, creating an intimate, social experience.
- Must Try: The menu changes regularly, but expect inventive small plates paired with natural wines.
6. Brunswick House (Vauxhall)
- Cuisine: British with a European twist
- Vibe: Quirky and eclectic, set in a Georgian mansion filled with antique furniture.
- Must Try: The seasonal tasting menu or dishes like BBQ Middlewhite Pork and Jersey Royals with Wild Garlic.
7. José Tapas Bar (Bermondsey)
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Vibe: Tiny, cozy tapas bar with an authentic Spanish atmosphere.
- Must Try: Jamón Ibérico, Padron Peppers, Croquetas, and other classic tapas with a glass of sherry or wine.
8. Darjeeling Express (Kingly Court, Soho)
- Cuisine: Indian (Bengali)
- Vibe: Tucked away in a vibrant shopping courtyard, Darjeeling Express serves authentic home-style Indian food.
- Must Try: Puchkas (street food), Bengali Prawn Malai Curry, and Chicken Chaap.
9. Marcella (Deptford)
- Cuisine: Italian
- Vibe: Neighborhood gem with a minimalist design and a focus on simple, seasonal Italian dishes.
- Must Try: Handmade pasta, especially the pappardelle with slow-cooked beef ragu.
10. Palomar (Soho)
- Cuisine: Israeli
- Vibe: Lively, bustling, with counter seating right by the open kitchen for an immersive dining experience.
- Must Try: Polenta Jerusalem-style, Shakshukit, and the Kubaneh bread.
11. Bright (London Fields)
- Cuisine: Modern European
- Vibe: Relaxed and trendy, serving inventive dishes with a focus on seasonal produce.
- Must Try: Menu changes regularly, but expect dishes like charred lamb, smoked eel, and raw seafood dishes.
12. Morito (Exmouth Market)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean and North African small plates
- Vibe: A cozy spot with vibrant, colorful dishes perfect for sharing.
- Must Try: Tapas-style dishes like fried aubergine with honey, and labneh with pomegranate.
13. Ombra (Hackney)
- Cuisine: Italian (Venetian)
- Vibe: A rustic canal-side spot offering Venetian-inspired small plates and handmade pasta.
- Must Try: Seasonal pasta dishes and Venetian-style cicchetti (small plates).
14. The Quality Chop House (Farringdon)
- Cuisine: British
- Vibe: Victorian dining room with a focus on nose-to-tail eating, offering hearty, comforting British dishes.
- Must Try: The famous confit potatoes and anything from the daily-changing menu, which emphasizes locally sourced meat.
15. Little Georgia (Islington and Hackney)
- Cuisine: Georgian
- Vibe: Quaint and cozy, offering authentic Georgian cuisine in a relaxed setting.
- Must Try: Khachapuri (cheese bread), Khinkali (dumplings), and Chashushuli (beef stew).
These hidden gems offer a more intimate and authentic side of London’s vibrant food scene, away from the usual tourist hotspots.