Eat at the 15 best restaurants in London right now!

London is a major metropolis and home to people from all across the globe. You'll notice that this cultural and ethnic diversity comes out in the country's diverse food scene.

There's so many restaurants and cafes that fill the streets of London, you'll have a hard time choosing!

Italian, Indian, Malaysian, British, Polish, Thai restaurants…you name it. London has it all!

So if you're trying to plan your food route before your upcoming trip, I've got you. I'm sure there are lots of great London restaurant recommendations and I won't be able to cover them all.

That being said, if you visit any of these restaurants, you'll enjoy your meal! Just remember that a lot of places in London require reservations.

Not looking for London must eats? When you crave a caffeine boost, there's also a list of picture-worthy cafes in London.

London’s Most Popular 10 Restaurants

My restaurant guide will go into more detail about some of the best restaurants in London and offer a variety of choices for everyone. From the cheapest and most expensive restaurants to modern British cuisine and authentic Chinese food.

Find out what food is beloved by locals and visitors alike. It’s all here! 

10. Golden Union

Fancy some good old-fashioned British comfort food?

I strongly suggest you give Golden Union a shot. It’s a retro-style British restaurant serving its customers the best-known dish around the UK: fish and chips. 

What makes Golden Union an outstanding fish and chips restaurant is the superb quality and selection of its meals. Not only is the fish super crispy and fresh, but the restaurant also offers a plant-based menu and delicious savory pies. 

Price: $$
Best Known Dish: Cod and Chips
Location: 38 Poland Street, Soho

9. Four Seasons

This list wouldn’t be complete without an authentic Chinese restaurant. 

In London, the Chinese community is so significant that it has led to the establishment of their own district: Chinatown. Chinatown is filled with Chinese-run businesses, such as restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets. 

But, which of these restaurants should you visit? While nearly all of the restaurants in Chinatown offer truly appetizing food, Four Seasons restaurant is a standout. 

Roasted duck is a dish that not everyone is skilled enough to prepare properly, but Four Seasons has made duck its specialty. The roasted duck the restaurant prepares is fragrant, and tender. This is definitely a must eat in London!

Price: $$
Best Known Dish: Peking Duck
Location: 12 Gerrard Street and 23 Wardour Street

8. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

The UK is home to many world-renowned chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, and Heston Blumenthal. That means London is the go-to place for experiencing some of the most exclusive cuisines in the world. 

Heston Blumenthal is a celebrity British Chef and a pioneer of multi-sensory cooking. He came to public attention with his unbelievably unique dishes like snail porridge and egg & bacon ice cream. 

If your budget allows and you’re up for a culinary adventure, you may want to stop at  Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. A fine dining restaurant located in a luxurious hotel will provide you with an experience you’ll never forget. 

Immerse yourself in British culinary history and try exceptional dishes, such as meat fruit, roast cod with cockle ketchup, and tipsy cake. 

Price: $$$$
Best Known Dish: Triple Cooked Chips and Meat Fruit. 
Location: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge

7. The Ivy 

If you’ve traveled to London hoping to experience British cuisine and do it in style, The Ivy restaurant is a must. 

The Ivy is a British restaurant located in Covent Garden. It offers the customers a taste of the Ivy classics alongside contemporary British dishes and the restaurant itself is the definition of glamor. 

A shimmering central dining bar, harlequin stained glass windows, and contemporary art collection make it one of the most famous British restaurants in the country. And what's more, in the 90s, The Ivy was very well-known for its A-list clientele.

Celebrities like the Beckhams and Elton John used to be regular visitors to the restaurant. 

Price: $$$
Best Known Dish: The Ivy Shepherd’s Pie
Location: 1 - 5 West Street

6. Oblix

Oblix is similar to The Ivy and is yet another spectacular choice you aspire to enjoy contemporary European and British cuisine. But, unlike The Ivy, Oblix is all about modernity.

The biggest advantage of Oblix is that it’s located in the Shard Skyscraper, which provides its visitors with a remarkable view of the whole of Central London. 

The Oblix is divided into two parts: East and West. The West side offers an a la carte menu, which consists of popular dishes. For instance, seabass, wagyu burger, lobster and crab linguini, and rib-eye steak. 

The East part of the restaurant offers customers the bar menu. Here you’ll get to sample a selection of innovative bar snacks, desserts, and cocktails.

During the day, make sure to visit the East restaurant for the must-try British afternoon tea. 

If you're in search for an unforgettable modern British restaurant, Oblix should be your top choice. As long as your budget allows!

Price: $$$$
Best Known Dish: Spicy lobster & crab linguini
Location: The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street

5. Padella 

This is the place that most people visiting London are on the lookout for delicious, but inexpensive.

Located in the historic Borough Market, Padella is a modern bistro specializing in Italian Cuisine. Their menu is centered around pasta dishes and wine.

Padella produces mouth-watering pasta dishes with a modern twist. For example, Ravioli of Delica pumpkin and Westcombe ricotta with sage butter. Or their Pappardelle with 8-hour slow-cooked Dexter beef shin ragu. 

Before you rush off to Padella, there are 2 things you should be aware of. Firstly they're extremely popular and there tend to be long queues outside the restaurant. Secondly, Padella is more of an eat-and-go restaurant rather than a sit-down. 

Price: $
Best Known Dish: Pici Cacio & Pepe 
Location: Borough Market,  6 Southwark Street

4. Pizza Union

When it comes to restaurants that offer excellent value for money, Pizza Union definitely takes the top spot.

Pizza Union is a well-known pizza bar in London that prides itself on super fast service and delicious, yet very affordable pizza. You can get a 30cm Margherita for under $6!

So, Pizza Union is an ideal pitstop if you’re hungry and on a tight budget. Plus, you won’t feel like you’re eating on a shoestring because their pizzas are legit!

Price: $
Best Known Dish: Pizza Margherita
Location: Various Locations

3. Lyles

Lyles is another one of the people's fav places to eat in London. It's a Michelin Star restaurant and has been featured in the World’s Top 50 restaurants list several times now. 

Located in the trendy Shoretrich, Lyles offers its visitors an a la carte lunch menu and set dinner menu. The menu consists of seasonal and modern British dishes like Black Pudding, Black Fig & Girolles, and Aylesbury Duck & Hazelnut Terrine.

The restaurant's interior and its food can be described in 2 simple words: simple and clean. Lyles is the go-to restaurant if you’re not afraid to experiment with food and enjoy various fascinating food combinations. 

Price: $$$
Location: Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street

2. Duck and Waffle

Located on the 40th floor, Duck and Waffle allows you to taste high-quality British and European dishes in style. The restaurant puts an emphasis on its ingredients being local, sustainable, and seasonal. 

Duck and Waffle has a wide selection of menus, including, weekend brunch, breakfast, all-day, bar bites, and even a gluten-conscious menu. The meals are designed for sharing and sampling, which gives visitors an opportunity to have a taste of a variety of traditional British dishes. 

When visiting Duck and Waffle, it's essential to try their marvelous signature dish: duck and waffle. 

Price: $$$
Best Known Dish: Duck & Waffle
Location: 10 Bishopsgate 

1. Flat Iron

Flat Iron is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular restaurants in London and ticks all of the boxes for most visitors. It’s an exceptional steak restaurant with different locations across Central London. 

Flat Iron offers a limited selection of sides, sauces, and desserts. But there’s no need for more because all Flat Iron visitors go-to the restaurant for one reason: the Flat Iron steak. The steak is always cooked to perfection, full of flavor and it literally melts in your mouth. 

What is truly unique about Flat Iron is the complementary food the restaurant offers to its visitors which is uncommon in London.

Before the main course, you’ll get a free bowl of popcorn as a snack. And when you leave the restaurant,  you can expect to get a tasty homemade ice cream for free! 

Price: $$
Best Known Dish: Flat Iron steak
Location: Various locations

5 London Restaurants That Locals Love

Viet Hoa Mess

Viet Hoa Mess is a modern Vietnamese restaurant located in Shoreditch. If you take a glance at the restaurant's reviews, you'll see they're wildly popular with their patrons! 

With a stylish and contemporary atmosphere, it offers a wide range of traditional Vietnamese dishes. Among the various options, their Pho is a flavorful and aromatic noodle soup that is the standout dish.

If you're looking for a fairly-priced, delicious meal stop by Viet Hoa Mess while you're in London.

Price: $$
‍Best Known Dish: Pho
Location: 70-72 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London

Private Cabin Dining at Caboose

Caboose is a unique dining experience where guests can enjoy a meal in a private wooden cabin. The restaurant specializes in slow-cooked BBQ meats, with dishes like brisket, pulled pork, and ribs.

Caboose is perfect for small groups looking for a cozy, intimate atmosphere, and the set menu ensures a hassle-free dining experience.

You'll definitely want to add this one to your list, even though it's a bit pricier. I bet you and your friends will have a terrific experience and you may even get some great Instagram content!

Price: $$$
‍Best Known Dish: Slow-Cooked BBQ Meats
Location: Elys Yard, The Old Truman Brewery, London

Gremio De Brixton

Looking for your fill of Spanish food while in London? You can find that here too!

Gremio De Brixton is a Spanish tapas restaurant and bar located in the crypt of St. Matthew's Church.

This hidden gem, which is literally hidden, offers a wide variety of traditional tapas dishes, such as patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, and chorizo al vino. The unique setting, delicious food, and vibrant atmosphere are a great pull for you to eat here.

Price: $$
‍Best Known Dish: Tapas
Location: St. Matthew's Church, Brixton Hill, London

The Doodle Bar

This one's for all of my creatives! The Doodle Bar is a laid-back bar and eatery located in Bermondsey. Known for its quirky and artistic environment, the establishment encourages patrons to doodle on the walls.

The menu focuses on casual, comfort food, with the burgers being a crowd favorite. Paired with a great selection of craft beers and cocktails, you'll want to visit The Doodle Bar for a fun and relaxed night out.

Not only will you enjoy a very affordable meal, but you'll also have a wonderful time with any of your foodie and artistic companions!

Price: $
‍Best Known Dish: Burgers
Location: 60 Druid Street, Bermondsey, London

Needoo Grill

Before you leave London, you must try some of the Pakistani, Indian and other Middle Eastern eateries! My recommendation in this area is Needoo Grill.

Needoo Grill is a Pakistani restaurant located in Whitechapel, offering a variety of traditional dishes with an emphasis on grilled meats. The grilled lamb chops are particularly popular among customers for their tender and flavorsome meat.

The restaurant also offers a range of curries, biryanis, and vegetarian options, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Price: $$
‍Best Known Dish: Grilled Lamb Chops
Location: 87 New Road, Whitechapel, London

Ready to Eat Your Way Through London?

Is your mouth watering with longing to visit London? Why not start planning, there’s no harm in thinking ahead.