When I was planning my trip to London, there was only one goal – to squeeze in as many good meals as possible into my itinerary, and I am happy to tell you that I managed to check out most of the places on my to-eat list. The next time you are in London, I hope this guide on Where to Eat in London will be helpful.
Burger & Lobster
If there could only be one place for me to recommend, this would be it. The concept of Burger & Lobster is brilliant. There are only three items on the menu – burger, lobster and lobster roll – and at £20 each, they represent fantastic value. A whole fresh lobster grilled to perfection, a generous bowl of lemon butter dip, and served with a side salad and a bucket of fries – all for only £20?
It has the winning formula: a sexy crowd, delicious cocktails, unpretentious and fun atmosphere, and brilliant food at an unbeatable price.
36 Dean Street, Greater London W1D 4PS
Tel: +44 20 7432 4800
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
Dinner by Heston Blumenthai
If you are a fan of Chef Heston Blumenthai – chef and owner of The Fat Duck – you should drop by Dinner by Heston Blumenthai at the swanky Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park. Go there for their three-course sample menu during lunch, which is reasonably priced at £36.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
Daily: 12pm -2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Knightsbridge
Fernandez and Wells
When you are in Soho, you should go to Fernandez and Wells for a coffee. They have three locations – Beak Street, Lexington Street and St Anne’s Court – in the area, so I am sure you can find them easily.
73 Beak Street, London W1F 9SR
Tel: +44 20 7287 8124
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus
Flat White
Another cafe in Soho to go for coffee is Flat White, a small and humble artisanal coffee joint which aims to bring good coffee to London.
17 Berwick Street, London, Greater London W1F 0PT
Tel: +44 20 7734 0370
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Four Seasons Duck
Four Seasons Restaurant serves many Cantonese dishes, but what keeps people going back again and again is the legendary roast duck.
84 Queensway London, Greater London W2 3RL
Tel: +44 20 7229 4320
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bayswater
Hawksmoor
One of the most popular steakhouses in London, Hawksmoor has several branches in town, but we went to the new branch at Air Street, which is just a 2-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus station. Given the proximity to the theatres, it has a very value-for-money Express Menu for pre-theatre dining (5pm – 6.30pm), and post-theatre dining (10-11pm). A 3-course menu with a 250g ribeye as the main course is only £26.
5a Air Street, London W1J 0AD
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm
Tel: +44 20 7406 3980
Nearest Station: Picadilly Circus
Hix
This is a good place to sample Mark Hix’s signature seasonal British cooking in a stylish atmosphere. Some of the items on the main course menu include Ground Rib Steak Burger (£16.95), Glenarm Lamb Cutlets (£23.50) and Moyallon Bacon Chop (£18.75), but we would recommend the Hanger Steak with Baked Bone Marrow (£19.95). There is also a very hip underground bar where you can go for pre-dinner cocktails.
66-70 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9UP
Tel: 020 7292 3518
Daily: 12pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus
Hummingbird Bakery
A trip to London would not be complete without having the legendary red velvet cupcake from Hummingbird Bakery. Enough said. If you are going to the branch at Wardour Street in Soho, you should also visit L’Eton (read below) for more desserts.
155a Wardour Street, Soho Square, London W1F 8WG
Tel: +44 20 7851 1795
Mon to Sat: 9.30pm – 8pm
Sun: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road
Jamie’s Italian
Jamie Oliver needs no introduction. Jamie’s Italian serves rustic and comforting Italian fare at prices that will not burn a hole in the pocket. Pastas are available from £6 – £15, and most main courses are under £20.
11 Upper St Martin’s Lane, London WC2H 9FB
Tel: +44 20 3326 6390
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 11.30am – 11.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Covent Garden
Koya
This Japanese eatery in Soho attracts a long crowd during meal times – from tourists who have heard about this place from travel guides and blogs, to Asians seeking comfort food while being across the globe from home.
Koya is listed in our Top 10 Cheap Eats in London.
49 Frith Street, London, Greater London W1D 4SG
Tel: +44 20 7434 4463
Daiiy: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road
L’Eto Caffe
Whenever I am in London, I make it a point to go to L’Eto Caffe. The fabulous cake displays always make me order more than what I should, and the desserts are not only pretty but also very affordable.
155 Wardour Street, London W1F 8WG
Tel: +44 20 7494 4991
Mon to Tue: 8am – 9pm
Wed to Sat: 8am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road
Little Social
For those of you who cannot get a table at Pollen Street Social, head to Little Social – Jason Atherton’s new restaurant that is just over the road from the original.
5 Pollen Street, London, Greater London W1S 1NE
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Lola’s Bakery
When I asked for suggestions on Instagram for the best cupcake bakery in London, many people told me to try Lola’s Bakery. I have to say that the recommendations are spot on. The cupcakes from Lola’s are moist and very delicious. Definitely one of the best cupcakes in London.
16 Lansdowne Row, Berkeley Square, London W1J 8QF
Tel: +44 20 7495 6166
Mon to Fri: 9am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Green Park
Maison Bertaux
Maison Bertaux, one of the oldest patisseries in London, is my “to-go” place for afternoon tea. They offer many beautiful cakes and pastries, but my favourite is their almond croissant.
28 Greek Street, London, Greater London W1D 5DQ
Tel: +44 20 7437 6007
Mon to Sat: 8.30am – 11pm
Sun: 9.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
Ottolenghi
Ottolenghi is one place in London that sets a smile on my face because each visit sees me swooning over their amazing array of desserts and pastries. You will know why when you are there.
Ottolenghi is listed in our Top 10 Cheap Eats in London.
63 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AD
Tel: +44 20 7727 1121
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 8am – 7pm
Sun: 8.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bayswater
Pollen Street Social
Pollen Street Social by Chef Jason Atherton is one of the places that I have always wanted to try. After eating there, I am delighted to say that it lives up to its billing. Pollen Street Social serves a very good value-for-money set lunch (2-course for £26, 3 course for £29.50), which I highly recommend. It is a good way to dine there without breaking the bank.
8/10 Pollen Street, London W1S 1NQ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7290 7600
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Polpo
In London, there are many great restaurants that serve simple and delicious food in a casual and lively atmosphere, and Polpo is one of them.
Polpo is modelled as a Londoner’s interpretation of a bacaro – a typical Venetian tavern that dishes out simple food and good local wines. Think of it as an Italian version of tapas restaurant where you order small plates and drinks to unwind after a long day at work. Prices here are affordable; all the tapas are under £10.
41 Beak Street, London W1F 9SB, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7734 4479
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 10.45pm
Sun: 12pm – 3.45pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Pitt Cue Co
Pitt Cue Co is one of those no-reservation restaurants in London, and it is not because they are playing hard to get, but because they only have 30 seats. The food here is not rocket science; just good ol’ American barbecue.
With limited seating capacity, this is a quick service restaurant and not a place to linger. If you do not mind waiting in line, what you get in return is a hearty meal at very decent prices.
Pitt Cue Co is listed in our Top 10 Cheap Eats in London.
1 Newburgh Street, London W1F 7RB
Tel: +44 20 7287 5578
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Punch and Judy
For a traditional British pub experience, go to Punch & Judy. This pub is where people go to grab a bite and have some drinks after work. The Sunday Roast, in particular, was hearty and satisfying.
40 The Market, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RF
Tel: +44 20 7379 0923
Mon to Sat: 10am -11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Covent Garden
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay’s recent appearance in Singapore is a testament to his popularity. Love him or hate him, he is a character and with so many restaurants under his name, there is bound to be one that you will like. The set lunch at his flagship Restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road is only £55 for a 3-course menu – surely a steal for a three Michelin star restaurant.
68 Royal Hospital Road, London, Greater London SW3 4HP
Tel: +44 20 7352 4441
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.15pm
Nearest Station: Sloane Square
Roast Restaurant
If you are going to the famous Borough Market on the weekend, start off with a hearty brunch at Roast Restaurant. Perched above the Market, Roast uses seasonal ingredients to create classic British cooking.
Borough Market, Stoney Street, London, Greater London SE1 1TL
Tel: +44 845 034 7300
Mon to Fri: 7am – 11pm, 12pm – 3.45pm, 5.30pm – 10.45pm
Sat: 8.30am – 11.30pm, 12pm – 3.45pm, 6pm – 10.45pm
Sun: 11.30am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: London Bridge
10 Greek Street
Most of the hip and trendy new restaurants have one thing in common – they do not take reservations. And 10 Greek Street is no exception. This small Soho eatery (with only 30 seats) only allows reservation for lunch, but not for dinner. For what it lacks in decor, it more than make up for with the well-executed food. If you are not the type who will wait patiently in line, make a reservation and go during lunch.
10 Greek Street, London W1D 4DH
Tel: +44 20 7734 4677
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road/Covent Garden