What you’ll find in this guide
Tip: book ahead for evenings & weekendsThese picks are grouped by vibe—so whether you want a classic British institution, a buzzing market meal, or a memorable “London night out”, you can jump straight in.
Classic London institutions
Heritage • Atmosphere • “Only in London”Rules — London’s oldest restaurant (Covent Garden)
Address: 35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7LB, United Kingdom
If you want to feel the weight of London history in the walls, Rules is the move. Established in 1798, it’s famous for traditional British cooking—game, oysters, pies, and puddings—served in rooms that feel like a private club from another century.
Tourist tip: perfect before theatre in the West End—Covent Garden is an easy walk.
The Wolseley — grand café culture on Piccadilly
Address: 160 Piccadilly, St James’s, London W1J 9EB, United Kingdom
The Wolseley is a London staple for “I want it to feel like an occasion” without going full formal. Think European café elegance—breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and late-night suppers—set in a dramatic room that makes even a quick coffee feel cinematic.
Brasserie Zédel — Paris under Piccadilly Circus
Address: 20 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7ED, United Kingdom
Hidden below street level, Brasserie Zédel is a bustling, gilded slice of France. It’s lively, great-value for the setting, and ideal when your sightseeing day ends near Piccadilly and you want a big, satisfying meal in a room that feels like a film set.
St. JOHN — the restaurant that changed modern British cooking
Address: 26 St John Street, London EC1M 4AY, United Kingdom
St. JOHN is famously simple—and that’s the point. It champions bold, honest British flavours and nose-to-tail cooking in a whitewashed space that’s become a pilgrimage for food lovers. Even if you play it safe, you’ll eat extremely well.
Modern British favourites
Seasonal • London energy • Great for couples & friendsFallow — creative, modern, and right in the centre
Address: 52 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RP, United Kingdom
Fallow nails that “London right now” feeling: clever cooking, friendly service, and a location that makes it easy to pair with theatre, museums, or an evening stroll through St James’s.
Kitty Fisher’s — a cosy Mayfair townhouse with attitude
Address: 10 Shepherd Market, London W1J 7QF, United Kingdom
Tucked into historic Shepherd Market, Kitty Fisher’s feels like you’ve been let in on a secret: an intimate, atmospheric room serving modern British dishes with real personality. A brilliant choice when you want Mayfair charm without the stiffness.
Hawksmoor Seven Dials — steakhouse vibes, London-style
Address: 11 Langley Street, London WC2H 9JG, United Kingdom
A classic crowd-pleaser for visitors: great steaks, excellent seafood, and a warm, buzzy atmosphere. It’s reliably celebratory—especially if you’re catching a show nearby.
Tourist tip: Sunday roast here is a very London way to end a weekend trip.
Core by Clare Smyth — modern British at its most polished
Address: 92 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2PN, United Kingdom
For the “once-in-a-lifetime meal” category, Core is the kind of place you plan a whole evening around. Expect elegant service, pristine technique, and a menu built on British ingredients—ideal for anniversaries, proposals, or milestone birthdays.
Global flavours London does best
From Borough Market to Soho—world-class varietyDishoom — Bombay café nostalgia (Covent Garden)
Address: 12 Upper St Martin’s Lane, London WC2H 9FB, United Kingdom
Dishoom is practically a London rite of passage now—busy, atmospheric, and brilliantly consistent. The storytelling is part of the experience: it’s inspired by the old Irani cafés of Bombay, with a menu that moves from breakfast to late-night comfort.
Gymkhana — Mayfair Indian dining with club-house swagger
Address: 42 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4JH, United Kingdom
Inspired by the gymkhana clubs of India, this is where you go for refined spice, beautiful rooms, and a sense of occasion. It’s a standout for visitors who want Indian flavours in a distinctly London luxury setting.
Padella — legendary fresh pasta at Borough Market
Address: 6 Southwark Street, Borough Market, London SE1 1TQ, United Kingdom
A small menu, very high payoff. Padella is famous for fresh pasta that tastes like it has no business being this good at this price. The story here is the craft—watch pasta being made, then eat it minutes later.
Bancone — handmade pasta with a modern London edge
Address: 39 William IV Street, London WC2N 4DD, United Kingdom
If you want pasta that feels a little more “night out” than market lunch, Bancone is a great pick: stylish room, confident cooking, and a location that’s extremely convenient for central sightseeing.
Hoppers — Sri Lankan & South Indian comfort, Soho buzz
Address: 49 Frith Street, London W1D 4SG, United Kingdom
Hoppers is vibrant, flavour-forward, and perfect for a “let’s order loads and share” evening. It’s the kind of place that makes Soho feel like Soho—noisy in the best way, with food that wakes you up.
OMA — modern Greek cooking above Borough Market
Address: 2–4 Bedale Street, London SE1 9AL, United Kingdom
OMA brings a fresh, elevated take on Greek flavours—ideal if you love sharing plates and want something that feels both modern and distinctly rooted in tradition. Pair it with a Borough Market wander.
Ottolenghi Spitalfields — colourful plates and East London energy
Address: 50 Artillery Lane, London E1 7LJ, United Kingdom
Ottolenghi helped define London’s love for bright, vegetable-led cooking. This Spitalfields location is great after markets, galleries, or a stroll around Shoreditch—perfect for visitors who want modern London on a plate.
The Palomar — Soho, but with Jerusalem-inspired soul
Address: 34 Rupert Street, London W1D 6DN, United Kingdom
This is an ideal “centre-of-town” restaurant that still feels genuinely exciting. Expect bold flavours, brilliant sharing dishes, and a room that’s always humming—especially on theatre nights.
BAO Soho — Taiwanese comfort in tiny, joyful form
Address: 53 Lexington Street, London W1F 9AS, United Kingdom
BAO’s story is very London: a small idea that turned into a citywide obsession. It’s casual, buzzy, and ideal if you want something delicious and quick before a gig, show, or night out.
Kiln — smoky Thai grilling in the heart of Soho
Address: 58 Brewer Street, London W1F 9TL, United Kingdom
Kiln is all about fire and fragrance—tiny counter seating, open-kitchen intensity, and food that feels alive with heat, smoke, and herbs. Go when you want a meal that feels like a story you’ll retell.
Pizarro — Spanish hospitality on Bermondsey Street
Address: 194 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ, United Kingdom
Bermondsey Street is a brilliant tourist-friendly pocket near London Bridge—walkable, charming, and filled with food. Pizarro is a warm, generous stop for tapas-style dining and an easy pairing with nearby museums.
For a special night
Dress up • Celebrate • Make a memoryDinner by Heston Blumenthal — British history, reimagined
Address: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA, United Kingdom
This is the culinary time machine option—historic British recipes modernised with precision and flair. Ideal for visitors who want to taste “British tradition” in a contemporary, world-class way.
Bob Bob Ricard — “Press for Champagne” glamour
Address: 1 Upper James Street, London W1F 9DF, United Kingdom
If your London trip needs a little sparkle, this is it. Plush interiors, celebratory energy, and the famous champagne button at the table—perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or your “one big night out”.
sketch — art, afternoon tea, and a very London kind of surreal
Address: 9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG, United Kingdom
sketch is part restaurant, part art world fever dream—in the best way. It’s a memorable tourist stop for afternoon tea or cocktails, and it’s wonderfully photogenic without losing that “special occasion” feeling.
The Ledbury — Notting Hill’s quietly legendary dining room
Address: 127 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2AQ, United Kingdom
For travellers who chase truly exceptional meals, The Ledbury is one of London’s most famous dining rooms. It’s elegant without being stiff—perfect for a “we came to London and we’re doing it properly” evening.
Da Terra — destination dining in East London
Address: 8 Patriot Square, London E2 9NF, United Kingdom
Set inside the Town Hall Hotel, Da Terra is a true “plan-a-night-around-it” experience. Ideal for visitors who want to explore a different side of London—beyond the postcard centre—with a meal to match.
Tattu — rooftop drama at Outernet
Address: The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark Street, London WC2H 0LA, United Kingdom
London loves a show, and Tattu leans in—cocktails, bold flavours, and a striking setting in one of the city’s most modern entertainment districts. Great for visitors who want “wow” factor.
Dans le Noir ? — dine in total darkness
Address: 69–73 St John Street, London EC1M 4AN, United Kingdom
A genuinely different London memory: you eat in complete darkness, guided by visually impaired staff. It’s more than dinner—it’s a conversation starter, a sensory reset, and a night you won’t forget.
Practical tips for tourists
Make your trip smoother1) Book smart: For the West End (Covent Garden / Soho / Mayfair), reservations for dinner are strongly recommended—especially Thursday to Saturday.
2) Build your day by neighbourhood: Pair Borough Market with Padella or OMA, Covent Garden with Rules or Dishoom, and Soho with BAO / Kiln / The Palomar.
3) Don’t underestimate travel time: London looks close on a map, but walking + crowds add up. If you’re going from museums to dinner to theatre, give yourself a buffer.
4) Want it effortless? Pre-book your transfer so you’re not hunting for a taxi at peak time—especially after shows, during rain, or with luggage.