Food Glorious Food
London restaurants offer some of the best and most varied cuisine in the world. The capital is packed with world-class restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes. Sometimes, however, the choice is overwhelming. To help you get the best out of London restaurant eating, I have compiled a lens listing some of my favourite places and will be adding to the list over time.
Please feel free to contact me via email or comments if you would like any further information about places to eat in London.
The Basics
Like most big cities, the best places are booked up on Friday and Saturday nights. The list is ever-changing, but you can bet that if it has a Michelin Star, it will be full so either book well-ahead or choose a time that no one else wants (12 noon, 2.30pm, 5pm).
The other thing to bear in mind is that the London restaurant scene is rife with offers which can knock a great deal off your bill. Many central eateries have reduced pre-theatre & post-theatre menus (before 6.30-7pm and after 9-10pm). Lunchtime set menus are also generally cheaper than dinner. I have included a list of websites which highlight most of these offers.
Tips vary, but 10-15% is standard. Sometimes these will be added to your bill. This is becoming a more usual practice. Most people don't ask for these to be removed unless the service has been terrible.
Latest Review! Kaya Restaurant (Korean)
42 Albemarle Street, London, W1X 3FE Tel: 0207 4990633
My friend took us to this quiet restaurant for Saturday lunch. It wouldn't have been my first choice as it was totally empty when we arrived, but the food soon changed my mind.Although I have eaten lots of Chinese, Japanese & Thai food, I have never tried Korean so we didn't know what to expect. Luckily when our bibimbap arrived, we were happily surprised.
This rice dish was served in a frighteningly hot stone bowl which sizzled as the waitress stirred in an egg, strips of beef and seasoned vegetables. She then topped it with chilli sauce (I believe that this is called Gochujang). This was accompanied by a bowl of seaweed-style soup. Both were delicious.
The meal ended with a small chunk of sliced ripe melon. A great ending to our lunchtime feast.
Overall the experience was great and I would recommend both the service and food. The price was even better (£10 per head for food and drink). We will definitely be going back.
Good Budget Places to Eat in London
- Borough Market
- OK so it's not a restaurant, but it's the most famous food market in London. Situated just behind Southwark Cathedral, this place is stocked with traders selling food and drink from all over Britain. Delicacies on offer include fresh oysters, souvlaki, raclette, bacon sandwiches and garlic prawn wraps. The whole market, including stalls is only fully open on Friday and Saturday. The market is shut on Sundays.
Average Price = £5. - Ray's Jazz Cafe
- This place is tiny, but it's special too. Wafted by the riffs coming from Ray's Jazz and the smell of fresh coffee, it's a welcome retreat from the Soho bustle. Ask whether your sandwich can be toasted - it really adds to the flavour.
Average price = £7. - Tate Modern: Cafe 2
- There are great views across to the river from the Tate Cafe if you're lucky enough to bag a window seat. The food is fresh and reasonably priced for the location. You can have a light snack or something more substantial.
Average price = £15.
Other London Food Lenses
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Borough Market
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If you love food and are visiting London, then be sure to include Borough Market on your itinerary. It is one of the finest food markets in the world and sells not only the best British produce, but also a range of delicious international fare. It's...
Recommended Chain Restaurants in London
- PizzaExpress | Welcome
- Food is prepared in public at Pizza Express so the service is quick and clean. As the name suggests, this place offers traditional and quirky pizzas. It also sells salads and pastas.
- Strada
- Strada is yet another reliable Italian chain. Nice big pizzas and free water at every table. Seats can be slightly more cramped than at Pizza Express, but some would argue that the food is better.
- Leon Restaurants - Summertime for Leon
- Leon restaurants offer carefully sourced fresh fast food. A relatively new chain, but good value for money and a seasonal menu.
Survey
Top Restaurants to Try in London
- The Boxwood Cafe at The Berkeley - London
- The Boxwood Cafe is chic, yet relaxed and the food is delicious. Very enjoyable all-round experience.
- Yauatcha London - Restaurant Review and Information
- Yauatcha always has mixed reviews, but I think it really sums up the best in modern Asian cuisine. A michelin star, dim sum, a giant fishtank. What could be better? If you don't fancy a full meal, then you can try the tea room upstairs.
- Pied a Terre
- Pied a Terre has 2 michelin stars and is a gem of a restaurant. It goes without saying that the food is top notch. The service is also great - friendly and welcoming.
London Restaurant Guidebooks
If you like to take your time and study before making your choice then I can recommend the following books. Please do add to the list if you have another recommendation.
Zagat 2007 London Restaurants
Covering over 975 restaurants in and around London more...0 points
Time Out London Eating and Drinking (Time Out Guides) by Time Out
A handy reference tool for all Londoners. This lis more...0 points
Food Lovers' London by Jenny Linford
This book is ideal if you want an insider's view a more...0 points
Useful London Restaurant Websites
- London Eating
- The definitive review site. You can search by restaurant name or area to see reader opinions. There is also a Top Ten area which highlights the most consistent winners of the week.
- Toptable
- A review and booking service in one. This is the best site to find special offers and meal deals.
- Beer in the Evening
- The pub bible. This rates all pubs in Britain, but you can filter down to area.
- Squaremeal
- London restaurant reviews & London bar reviews by professional restaurant critics.
- ViewLondon
- Reviews and Venue information for London restaurant, London Clubs, London Cinemas, London hotel bookings, London Bars and Pubs. London events information, theatre tickets, tourist information and London maps.
British Recipe Books
Great Books from some of our Famous Cooks
The Kitchen Diaries: A Year in the Kitchen with Nigel Slater
I worked through this book last year and found some classics that I make time and again. The tomato curry is one of my favourites.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 07/09/2008)
List Price: $40.00
Used Price: $14.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
How to Eat: The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food
I love Nigella's carbonara and risotto recipes. Not very British, but nice and easy (and tasty!).
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/09/2008)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $8.85
Usually ships in 24 hours
Jamie's Dinners
The chicken tikka masala in this book is truly a sumptuous feast. I wish I had more time so that I could cook everything in here!
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2008)
List Price:
Used Price: $24.09
Good Vegetarian Restaurants in London
- Veggie Heaven - Govindas
- This is a cafe run by the Hare Krishnas in Soho. Delicious food and good prices.
- Mildreds
- If you can put up with snooty waiters and restricted legroom, this is worth a visit. It's a bit of an institution which also means it has a no booking policy.
- Food For Thought London - Restaurant Review and Information
- A lovely veggie diner with an old-school menu. Definitely worth a visit.
Tasty Chinese London Restaurants
- Gerrard's Corner Review -AllinLondon
- Everyone has their favourite restaurant in Chinatown and to be honest, they are much the same. I like Gerrard's Corner because the staff are friendly, the place is big and the food is good. Dim Sum at lunch is particularly fine.
- ping pong dim sum | soho london | little steamed parcels of deliciousness
- Ping Pong - described as a Twenty-First Century Tea House has taken off in a big way. It works because it makes dim sum a lot more accessible. The prices are reasonable, although the queues can be long. Try the jasmine tea.
Share your London Recommendations here!
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GypsyPirate
Wonderful lens, you have great information in here! I'm glad you joined us in the Squidoo City Guide! Posted September 24, 2007 |
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BigJim
Nice lens. Thanks for bringing London Restaurants to the Squidoo City Guide. Posted September 19, 2007 |
