Curator’s statement
London gets a bad reputation for having subpar food, a little flavorless and unexciting...achem achem mushy peas. But we disagree! It just takes some digging to find the best bites in London. If you follow this guide, you will find delicious, flavorful, vibey, great cocktail bars, delicious pastries and Sunday roasts. This is a foodie itinerary on flavorful places to eat and drink around London.
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Where to stay in London
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Things to do in London
Vintage Shopping
Brick Lane Vintage Market - Large indoor market with various vintage clothes, accessories and housewares. Great for finding unique vintage finds.
Non Stop Vintage, Goldsmith Vintage, Atika London, Pandora Dress Agency - Shops specializing in vintage clothing, from dresses to jackets to accessories.
Superdry - Vintage Nike store selling old school Nike shoes and athletic apparel.
The British Museum
One of London's top attractions and one of the largest museums in the world. Impressive collections covering over two million years of human history. Highlights include Egyptian mummies, Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures and more. Get an audio guide to fully appreciate the exhibits.
Borough Market
Iconic and bustling food market with over 100 stalls selling fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses and more. Great for grazing on delicious bites as you walk around. Recommended: Elliots - cozy Italian restaurant with delicious small plates and mains. Try the bruschetta and pasta dishes.
Day Trips:
Take a day trip to Windsor Castle and explore the charming town of Windsor.
Places to eat & drink in London
Looking to experience some of London's best and most popular restaurants? Pro tip make reservations as Londoners are used to this and restaurants fill up!
From contemporary European to traditional Indian, here are my top recommendations:
Bouchon Racine - Classic French fare in an elegant setting. Order the rich veal head dish with soft poached meat.
Gymkhana - Widely regarded as the best Indian food in London. Recommended by an Indian friend who lived in London. Go for the goat shoulder with massaman paste.
Hawksmoor Spitalfields - Specializing in expertly cooked, aged prime beef and seafood in a striking space. Great for steak lovers.
Imad's Syrian Kitchen - Authentic Syrian flavors like the minced lamb and eggplant fatteh dish.
12:51 - Chef-driven modern British cuisine. Try the epic 42-day dry aged sirloin.
Maru London - Innovative Japanese tasting menus full of surprises.
Smoking Goat - Smoky, spiced goat shoulder shines at this Shoreditch hotspot.
Lyle's - Ever-changing European tasting menus. Black fig and duck liver toast is a current standout.
Bibi - Modern Indian with tempting goat kebabs.
Jikoni - Delicious Asian fusion like the crispy Sichuan aubergine.
Flour and Grape - Quality Italian in a relaxed setting.
Kiln - Contemporary Thai cuisine with complex flavors.
Fallow - Vegetable-focused contemporary menus using humble ingredients. Corn ribs are a signature.
OGAM - Playful Korean small plates and craft cocktails in a minimalist space.
Hunan - Underrated, intimate Chinese spot with excellent wine pairings.
Dorian - Meat-centric modern European in an upscale atmosphere.
Perilla - European cuisine with creative twists in a relaxed ambiance.
Brat - Whole fish is a standout in a seafood-centric menu with great sides.
Noble Rot - Refined European plates and an extensive wine list in an elegant dining room. Go for the comté cheese beignets.
Brunswick House - Charming bohemian setting for meaty pastas and other excellent British fare like the raw beef dish.
Imperial Treasure - High-end destination for exceptional Chinese cuisine.
Best Burgers in London:
London has exploded with gourmet burger joints in recent years. Top picks include Meatliquor, a trendy US-style diner with graffiti decor, loud music, and burgers, wings and cocktails. Bleecker Burger is also popular for its smashed patties and milkshakes. Other top burger spots are Mercy Burger, The Butchers Taps and Grill in Chelsea, Supernova, Bun & Sum, and Manna for smash burgers. Wolfgang Puck raved about the burger at Fallow in an interview.
Best Pizza in London:
For delicious Neapolitan-style pizza, head to Homeslice in Neal's Yard or Rudy's Pizza Napoletana in Soho. Dough hands is supposed to have incredible pizza. Bad Boy Pizza Society is voted best pizza, while other favorites include The Chancellors and Ave Mario.
Best Pubs in London:
The French House is a top choice with no phones allowed and a menu full of hearty French fare like duck rillettes and steak. The Apollo Arms is another good option known for not trying too hard and having a good Sunday roast. The Golden Heart is a former haunt of the Brit pack with artwork by Tracey Emin. The Dog and Duck dates back to 1897 and has fancy tiled interiors once frequented by John Constable and George Orwell. The George is recommended for its scotch egg. Other notable historic pubs include The Albion, Windmill known for pies, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, and Cittie of Yorke.
The Best Places to try a Sunday Roast in London:
Looking for the perfect Sunday Roast in London? Parlour in Kensal is known for what some say is the best roast in the city, they also have a great brunch menu. Head to The Tamil Crown for their take on classic Indian flavors in a roast dinner. The Quality Chop House lives up to its name with one of London's best roasts. Darby's offers a neighborhood vibe with outdoor seating and an excellent Sunday roast. For a more pub-style experience, check out The Apollo Arms Public House, with a solid roast and relaxed atmosphere. Other top options include The Harwood Arms and the gastropub fare at The Anglesea Arms. And if you venture outside London, The Barn at Cowarth Park comes highly recommended by Wolfgang Puck for its Sunday roast. With this list, you're sure to find the perfect place for a hearty Sunday meal.
Best place for high tea in London:
Looking for the best place to enjoy a proper British high tea in London? Here are some top recommendations:
The Beaumont offers a wonderful and elegant tea experience in a luxurious hotel setting. Their teas are carefully sourced and expertly prepared, with a menu featuring both classic and innovative delicacies. The beautiful art deco-style room provides a refined backdrop.
The Dorchester is a London institution known for serving up refined and delicious high teas. Enjoy finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries while overlooking the Promenade. The service is impeccable and the setting sophisticated. A classic luxury hotel tea experience.
For a high tea getaway from the city, head to Cliveden House in Berkshire. Surrounded by stunning gardens and greenery, this stately manor house provides a tranquil setting for tea. The three-tiered stand is piled high with delicious treats and paired with a wide tea selection. A great option for a special day out.
Dalloway Terrace offers a more modern and relaxed take on high tea in the heart of Bloomsbury. The menu focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients with an inventive twist. Grab a fun cocktail alongside your tea and soak in the lively atmosphere. A nice option for a more casual London tea.
Best Cocktail Bars and Wine Bars:
London offers an excellent array of cocktail and wine bars to suit every taste. For those seeking the best of the best, The Connaught Bar, named best bar in 2022, offers elite mixology in a sophisticated Mayfair setting. Other top cocktail bars include Tayer + Elementary, lauded as one of 2022's best new bars and known for its experimental drinks menu, and Satan's Whiskers, another award winner for 2022.
Cocktail lovers should also check out Swift Shoreditch for its extensive list of creative concoctions, Basement Sate in Soho for its intimate underground vibe, and The 10 Cases, also in Soho, for its wine and charcuterie pairing. Upscale Rita's in Fitzrovia and The Vault in a secret Soho location provide exclusive atmospheres.
For a more laidback vibe, head to Bintang for clarified cocktails in Bloomsbury, Freedom Bar to dance the night away, or Willows on the Roof for alfresco drinking with a view. Experimental Cocktail Club offers intriguing mixology in Chinatown, while Bar Termini serves up negronis and snacks in its cozy, retro-style space.
For wine aficionados, St. John is ideal for a pre-dinner sharpener, and Brooklands by Claude Bosi pairs its modern British fare with an extensive wine and cocktail menu. Aspen & Meursault's charming wine bar is a great choice for sampling vintages in a relaxing setting. With such an array of options, London's cocktail and wine bar scene has something for all tastes and occasions.
Best Bakeries:
Fortitude Bakehouse - Artisanal bakery known for its sourdough breads and pastries. Located in Bermondsey.
Rye by the Water - Charming French-style bakery in a converted boathouse along the River Thames. Known for croissants and pastries.
Arome Bakery - Bakery opened by renowned chefs. Located on Mercer Street in Soho. Known for high-end viennoiserie.
Maison Bertaux - Historic 19th century French patisserie and tea room in Soho. Known for cakes, tarts and tea.
Best Coffee Shops:
The Gentleman Baristas - Specialty coffee shop with great espresso drinks. Located in London Bridge.
The Penny Drop Coffee - Trendy coffee shop serving single origin coffees. Located in the City of London.
Catalyst - Popular specialty coffee shop located in Holborn. Known for great coffee and food.
Best Breakfast/Brunch:
Ember Yard - Charming cafe located in a hotel in Kensington. Known for breakfast and brunch.
The Wren Coffee - Coffee shop located in a former church in Farringdon. Has stained glass windows. Does breakfast.
Four Seasons Hotel - Elegant hotel restaurant popular for breakfast. Located in Mayfair.
HIDE - Trendy restaurant in Mayfair offering creative brunch dishes like crème brûlée French toast.
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Alyssa Gordon
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to London.