While the Brits aren’t necessarily famous for their own cuisine, London has one of the best global food scenes in the world. I loved living in London for several reasons, but one of the main factors was definitely the city’s restaurant scene. My list of London Restaurants below is a compilation of the city’s best cafes, cute brunch and afternoon tea spots, gorgeous dinner locations, and quick bites. keep reading or skip to a section by clicking one of the links below.
Coffee / pastries
there is no shortage of amazing coffee shops and breakfast spots around the city. there are cute cafes at every corner, but here are some of my favs.
Gail’s
a London classic. maybe basic… but it’s worth the hype. top tier pastries!
WatchHouse
Loved this coffee shop for a quick escape from the office or on my way home from the gym. Think: minimalistic, modern, aesthetically pleasing.
Buns from Home
cinnamon rolls galore!!
Ottolenghi
gorgeoussss pastries. also an awesome restaurant.
Ole and Steen
great for a quick coffee stop or to sit down with a snack.
Jenki
where I learned to like matcha (or at least flavored matcha). so good!
Afternoon tea
a must-do when you’re in the UK! try to plan it to be a late lunch if you can.
Sketch – soho
I know, I know, so basic. But it’s iconic. and the food was actually really good. and the atmosphere was top-notch. it’s popular for a reason!
Montague on the Gardens – near Fitzrovia
went here with my grandparents and loved it! more laid back / less well known, but still elegant / posh and very british.
Royal Lancaster – Paddington
Similar to Montague on the gardens, this cafe is less touristy than some of the more well known tea spots, but is still very elevated. The hotel is gorgeous and right on Hyde Park!
Restaurants
seriously some of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to are in London! Definitely make reservations well in advance when possible.
Fallow – st. James
my number one rec if you’re in London on a sunday is going to a Sunday Roast, and Fallow does it exceptionally well. A typical Sunday Roast consists of roasted meat, potatoes, and accompaniments like Yorkshire pudding and roasted vegetables. Fallow’s is a bit more “upscale” than a traditional Sunday roast, but it’s worth the extra few pounds (gbp that is). I think about this meal too often tbh but it really is that good.
Dishoom – several locations
Ok my top restaurant recommendation in general is Dishoom. it is hands down the best Indian food I’ve ever had and the vibe of the restaurant is also 10/10. I’ve been for both brunch and dinner and loved both menus! must orders from me include the gunpowder potatoes and chicken ruby. They don’t take reservations for dinner unless you’re a bigger group, but they hand out drink samples to those waiting in line and it typically moves pretty quickly. I always went to the Shoreditch location, but there are several throughout the city.
Fadiga – soho
a very small, intimate italian restaurant in the heart of Soho. delicious pasta and if you sit in the basement, you get awesome views of the kitchen.
O’ver – Borough Market and St. James
another great italian spot. I probably prefer the Borough Market location, but both are cute and the food is consistently good at each.
Vasiniko – Covent Garden
unreal italian style pizza. if you don’t believe me, just believe their google review of a 4.9/5 from 4,300+ people.
Duck and Waffle – Spitalfields
European cuisine and amazing city views from the 40th floor at this restaurant. A little touristy, but it doesn’t disappoint.
Brasserie Zedel – soho
Fabulous french food in an ornately decorated restaurant. so good!
Ziggy Green – soho
great for a girl’s brunch. owned by Daisy Green, which has a ton of cute locations throughout the city.
Circolo popolare – Fitzrovia
very cute / fun italian spot – great for a girl’s night or even brunch! it’s owned by the Big Mamma restaurant group, which is known for having amazing restaurants all over Europe.
Berenjak – Soho
looove this Persian spot in Soho. It was relatively new when I lived in London, and I wanted to go so bad that I went by myself one night! cool vibe and even better food.
Manteca – Shoreditch
Super cozy and inviting Italian Spot in Shoreditch. The foccacia and tonnarelli are must orders!
The Breakfast Club – Several locations
a sit-down breakfast spot with all the staples!
Din Tai fung – Covent Garden
you may have heard of Din Tai Fung before as they have a few restaurants globally. it’s worth the hype though! their dumplings are unmatched.
NAC – Mayfair
cute brunch spot!
Flat Iron – several locations
casual, reasonably priced steakhouse with great food. they are all over the city.
fast casual
London has a ton of great grab-and-go spots. most of these are all over the city unless otherwise specified!
Pilpel
Pilpel has the best falafel everrrr. I was a regular here considering there was one right next to my office and also my apartment. I miss this place dearly!!
Atis
Best fast casual salads in the city.
The Salad Project
Another good salad spot, but tbh not as good as atis! still hits if you’re in need of something like this though.
Sud Italia Pizza
amazing pizza from a food truck in Spitalfields market! I lived dangerously close to this place.
Borough Market stands
Borough Market has tons of amazing food options under one roof! you’re bound to find something you like while browsing the stalls here.
Pret
there is essentially a pret on every corner in London, making them a very convenient option when you’re in need of a pick me up. I love their sandwiches and toasties!
Superette – Islington
this little grocery store / cafe has incredible toasties!!
questions or comments? need help planning your London trip?
let me know below!
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