The 20 Best Restaurants in London You Must Try



London is a vast sprawling metropolis, home to people from every corner of the globe. And with this international scene comes some of the best dining experiences and culinary delights the world has to offer. Long gone are the days when a Londoner’s typical dinner consisted of pie and mash. The city has entered a new era of exciting cuisine which pays homage to both traditional British fare, and to an even larger extent, exotic flavours from around the world.
All this choice can be overwhelming, so we’ve compiled a list of the very best restaurants to be found in the British capital, tried, tested and loved by locals and tourists alike.
We’ve found something to please every palate, and suit every budget. In affordability order, here are our top 20 picks for dining in the capital.

Bao (£)

Soho

This affordable Taiwanese gem can be found in the trendy area of Soho. Its tiny interior offers cosy wooden hut charm and serves up some of the most delicious Taiwanese food in London. Adventurous meat lovers can try the trotter nuggets and blood cake, which is way more delicious than it sounds.

Ariana II (£)

Kilburn

A modest Afghan restaurant serving up traditional Middle Eastern flavours and regional delicacies at a pocket friendly price. Most dishes come in at under £10 and the BYOB policy makes it perfect for a celebration on a budget.

Bleeker St (£)

Spitalfields

New York style delectable burgers on a budget. This tiny little joint in Spitalfields is famous for its quality beef, cooked to perfection, served with an exciting range of toppings. Great for a quick and delicious Friday night dinner on your way back from the pub.

Foodlilic (£)

Pentonville Road

Not far from King’s Cross station, this is the perfect place for a lunchtime pit stop. Serving up healthy and wholesome meals, Foodlilic is a favourite for big and small appetites alike. Opt for a sensational salad, packed with goodness, or if you’re feeling hungry, you can peruse the all-you-can-eat lunch time buffet for the incredible price of just £6.95.


Mien Tay (£)

Hoxton

This is wholesome Vietnamese cuisine at its finest. Their selection of hearty Pho noodle soups are the perfect cure for a cold or a great healthy choice for a light lunch. This popular spot has a great reputation with the locals and can be busy at peak times.


Rossella (£)

Kentish Town

Experience a little slice of Italy, right around the corner from Hampstead Heath. This cosy little joint serves up generous portions of delicious pizzas, pastas and salads starting at just £5.50.


Sakonis (£)

Harrow


This vegetarian eatery serves up a vast array of lip smacking dishes, including South Indian, Chinese and Italian. It’s a basic, no frills affair, but a great place to grab lunch. Try the delicious dosas, a light pancake with spicy fillings, for just £5.99.


Soho Joe (£)

Soho

Deliciously cheap and cheesy stone baked pizzas in the heart of Soho. Stop by for lunch and get any pizza for just £5. Even their dinner menu won’t set you back more than a tenner per person


Regency Café (£)

Pimlico

Delectable traditional English fare at reasonable prices, this London cafe offers a slice of history; they’ve been serving up delicious grub since 1946. Choose from a wide selection of classic British dishes, such as Shepherd’s pie, fish and chips and mouth watering pasties.

10 Greek Street (££)

Soho

Moving up into the mid range bracket, 10 Greek Street is the perfect choice for a casual dinner date. Their seasonal Greek style options will tantalise your taste buds and ensure this won’t be your last visit. Their deserts are hefty and perfect for sharing, plus their wine menu is surprisingly pocket friendly.

Bonnie Gull Seafood Shack (££)

Fitzrovia

The seaside comes to central London at Bonnie Gull, with an impressive selection of freshly caught seafood from around the British Isles. Sample the Shetland mussels, or dig into their mini raw bar of Oysters washed down with a glass of champagne.

Blanchette (££)

Soho

Perfect for lovers of French food and tapas style sharing plates, Blanchette is a hidden little hipster gem with a cool, trendy interior. Go with friends and order from their large selection of interesting small plates for a culinary adventure, a la France.

José (££)

Southwark

This ever popular Spanish restaurant, run by the talented chef José Pizarro takes no reservations, so you’d be wise to get there early to sample their delicious offerings. Choose from their extensive menu of classic tapas dishes including a mouth watering croquetas, albondigas and jamon Iberico.


Lyle’s (££)

East End

Locally sourced, high end British cuisine is the flavour here at Lyle’s. Serving up classic dishes with a new and inventive twist, its challenging perceptions about British food and delivering a celebration of our culinary history.

Rambla (££)

Soho

Enjoy fine Spanish wines alongside Catalonian inspired tapas dishes in trendy Dean Street in Soho. Rambla offers a surprisingly affordable menu, perfect for sharing with a group of friends. Enjoy a seat by the open kitchen and see the renowned chefs work their magic.

Marcus (£££)

Knightsbridge

Moving into the fine dining realm, Marcus offers a glamorous backdrop for a special occasion. Explore the delectable tasting menu of deconstructed gastronomic delights. This Michelin starred restaurant offers an unforgettable, world class dining experience.

Le Gavroche (£££)

Mayfair

Internationally renowned head chef Michael Roux Jr delivers exquisite French fare in a swanky setting. Famous for their picture perfect, delectably light ‘Soufflé Suissesse’ and expertly curated wine list, Le Gavroche delivers a once in a lifetime culinary experience.

The Goring Dining Room (£££)

Westminster

Just around the corner from Buckingham palace, The Goring Dining Room delivers expertly crafted dishes fit for royalty. Highly acclaimed, with one Michelin star and three AA Rosettes, this is British food at its absolute finest.



Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester (£££)

Mayfair

Boasting a whopping 3 Michelin stars, revered chef Alain Ducasse delivers mouth watering French flavours alongside exquisite wines, deserving his impeccable culinary reputation among the upper classes of London.

Céleste (£££)

Hyde Park Corner

Situated in the regal Lanesborough Hotel, this incredible dining space, dripping in opulent luxury, delivers food to match. Serving up timeless fine European fare and paying homage to Britain’s rich food heritage, Céleste certainly earned their Michelin star.



With such an exciting array of dining experiences to try for your next dinner date, we’re sure you’ll find your new favourite restaurant from these carefully selected locations.