I lived in London for two years before I moved to Amsterdam. And I fly into London at least twice a year to visit family and friends. But the idea of writing a London restaurant guide has always felt intimidating: the city is just so damn big<\/em>. To reduce London\u2019s dining scene to just a handful of restaurants is undoubtedly to do a disservice to a city that has come on in culinary leaps and bounds since the British food we all knew and hated in the 1980s. It\u2019s the definition of a melting pot: serving up everything from authentic Sri Lankan curries to modern British nose-to-tail dining.<\/p>\n It was too much of a task to take on by myself, so I enlisted the help of some London foodies. They range from close family and friends to food writers and vloggers \u2013 and, most importantly, I trust all of them to give you the real scoop on where to eat in London as a local.<\/p>\n Since the city is so big, I\u2019ve split this guide according to geography: starting in the tourist centre, working out to the Circle Line tube stops, and finishing up in some of the neighbourhoods where locals actually live. I will no doubt add to all of these over time\u2026<\/p>\n Before we dive into the list, here are a few trip essentials:<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear whether I qualify as a tourist in London having spent 20 years abroad, but tourist or not, I often find myself gravitating towards the labyrinth of historic streets in Soho, the buzz of Covent Garden, and the majesty of Piccadilly Circus and Mayfair. Perhaps uncharacteristically for such a high-tourist-traffic area, there are good restaurants around every corner. Here are some local favourites:<\/p>\n \u201cAndrew Edmunds<\/a> is one of my all-time favourite restaurants in London,\u201d says Rowena Tolley<\/strong>, my friend of 35 years and chartered trademark attorney. \u201cIt\u2019s in a cosy 18th<\/sup>-century townhouse in the heart of Soho, packed with character \u2013 the kind of place you want to settle into for one of those all-afternoon lunches (or a lengthy romantic dinner!). It has a hand-written, seasonal menu of modern British dishes that are utterly unfussy: think smoked ham hock terrine and chalk-stream trout. They also have two private dining rooms, both gorgeous, with options for set menus as well as wine tastings. If you\u2019re after an intimate setting, with stonkingly good food and wine plus charming service, look no further!\u201d<\/p>\n Specialising in Venetian cicchetti<\/em> (shareable snacks) and handily located between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus, Polpo<\/a> is a good little Italian spot to have in your back pocket. I\u2019ve often met friends there, because the cicchetti<\/em> concept makes it easy to order as much or as little as you like and to accommodate friends who arrive late or need to leave early. Try their croquettes, crostini, spritzes and Italian wines. Note: Polpo has a second location in Chelsea, but I\u2019ve only been to their Soho branch.<\/p>\n Cocktail o\u2019clock at Polpo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bone Daddies<\/a> has been one of Soho\u2019s go-to ramen spots since it first opened in 2012. Their signature is a 20-hour pork bone broth, best sampled in the tonkotsu<\/em> or the spicier tantanmen <\/em>(or do as I did and order the tonkotsu<\/em> and add your own chilli oil to taste). Beyond ramen, the gyoza, soft shell crab and bao are all worth ordering as well. Note: Bone Daddies now has several branches across London, but the original Soho spot is the one with the cult following.<\/p>\n Tonkotsu ramen at Bone Daddies<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hidden in a basement just off Seven Dials, Flesh & Buns<\/a> is an izakaya-style Japanese restaurant based around build-your-own steamed hirata<\/em> buns, filled with anything from wagyu sirloin to crispy pork belly (which is what I ordered \u2013 see picture below). It\u2019s a sister restaurant to Bone Daddies but unlike ramen, the format is designed for sharing: expect a table full of small plates, from sashimi to Korean fried wings, alongside the main event. The low lighting and buzzy atmosphere make it a good pick for a lively dinner with friends, or a pre-theatre bite given the Covent Garden location.<\/p>\n Pork belly buns at Flesh & Buns<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Modelled on the Irani caf\u00e9s of old Bombay, Dishoom<\/a> Covent Garden is where it all began back in 2010, and remains the smallest and most atmospheric of the now-sizeable chain. The all-day menu ranges from breakfast naan rolls through to evening grills and curries, but my favourites were the street food snacks: the house chaat<\/em> comprises fried sweet potato smothered in yoghurt, pomegranate, raw julienned veggies, tamarind and green chutney, while the keema pau<\/em> comes in the form of two soft, sweet buns, ready to fill with a spicy minced lamb and pea mixture. Note: Dishoom now has locations across London and the UK, but Covent Garden is the original.<\/p>\n Dishoom\u2019s flagship restaurant at Covent Garden<\/p>\n<\/div>\n I asked fellow food writer Jeffrey Merrihue<\/strong>, author of popular Substack Xtreme Foodies<\/a>, for his take on Britain\u2019s cuisine capital. \u201cLondon is one of the world\u2019s great gastronomic melting pots,\u201d he says. \u201cIndia, Pakistan, China, Southeast Asia, Japan and every corner of Europe are all represented here. Some even argue that the Indian cuisine in London, produced by expatriate chefs combining traditional techniques with excellent local and imported ingredients, is better than what you will find in India itself. For a glamorous feast, you can\u2019t do better than Gymkhana in Mayfair<\/a>. With two Michelin stars, this elite Indian restaurant offers a high-end dining experience with world-class spice profiles \u2013 but be warned, it requires deep pockets and booking months ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n The newest and grandest of the Masala Zone group, Masala Zone<\/a> Piccadilly occupies the opulent old Criterion restaurant building, with its gold mosaic ceilings and Indian decorative flourishes. It feels luxurious, but the prices are still affordable. The format is pan-Indian home cooking \u2013 thalis, regional curries, biryanis and street food-style chaat \u2013 offering a broad introduction to Indian cuisine. It\u2019s a good pre-theatre option given the location, and the thalis are an easy way to sample several dishes at once (which is exactly what I did last time I was there). Note: Masala Zone has other branches around London, but the Piccadilly location wins on pure opulence.<\/p>\n Gilded ceilings and epic thali at Masala Zone<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When I told my friend and fellow foodie Laura Honickberg<\/strong> that I\u2019d been debating between Fallow and another restaurant, but had plumped for the alternative for public transport reasons, her words were: \u201cYou\u2019re making a big mistake \u2013 Fallow is one of the best restaurants in London!\u201d It\u2019s modern British cuisine, built around a conscious gastronomy concept: sustainability-focused, nose-to-tail, root-to-stem cooking, and a zero-waste policy. Signature dishes include things like lamb\u2019s tongue, cod\u2019s head and salmon belly. \u201cThe corn ribs are life-changing,\u201d according to Laura; \u201cwho knew such a thing existed? They were so good, I ordered a second helping for dessert and bought three jars of the kombu seasoning to take home!\u201d Final advice: book a seat at the open-kitchen counter for the best views of the chefs at work.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve only been to H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Darroze\u2019s restaurant at The Connaught<\/a> once, for my parents\u2019 50th<\/sup> wedding anniversary, but it was so good that I still remember it fondly. (I also remember a couple at a nearby table stealing the teaspoons! But that\u2019s a story for another day.) As you might imagine from a Michelin three-star restaurant, the dining room alone is pretty lavish, while the menu incorporates modern French cuisine with international influences drawn from Darroze\u2019s travels \u2013 Isle of Mull lobster with tandoori spices, for example. The signature dessert is the \u2018Baba\u2019, served with a choice of Armagnacs from H\u00e9l\u00e8ne\u2019s brother Marc \u2013 the restaurant has a dedicated Armagnac Room next door, with more than 250 different Armagnacs. In addition to the multi-course tasting menu, there\u2019s now also seasonal \u00e0 la carte lunch menu if you want something shorter and simpler. But either way, this is pure fine dining for a special occasion territory.<\/p>\n Whenever I\u2019m in London, I seem to find myself endlessly hopping on and off the Circle Line: the yellow underground route that loops around the city\u2019s major sights. It\u2019s the Tube\u2019s oldest line, but still its most useful: connecting major stations like King\u2019s Cross (north), Liverpool Street (east), Victoria (south) and Paddington (west). As such, it\u2019s helpful to have a handful of go-to restaurants along the way.<\/p>\n Part of the cult Sri Lankan restaurant chain, Hoppers King\u2019s Cross<\/a> takes its interior design cues from the coastal journey between Colombo and the old Dutch trading town of Galle \u2013 warm wood, glass lanterns and woven fabric panels. True to its name, the hopper (a bowl-shaped, fermented rice-and-coconut-milk pancake) is the thing to order, and I can vouch for pairing it with the black pork kari<\/em> \u2013 Tamil for curry \u2013 rich, dark and warmly spiced. The devilled paneer is another good pick if you\u2019re after something with a chilli kick. Note: Hoppers now has branches elsewhere in London, but King\u2019s Cross is the biggest and most spacious of the bunch.<\/p>\n The eponymous hopper at Sri Lankan restaurant Hoppers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cBeing from Texas, I love my Mexican food, and Mestizo<\/a> is one of the best in London,\u201d says Amy LeJune<\/strong>, who has her own travel-focused YouTube channel, Journeys with LeJune<\/a>. \u201cThe owners are actually from Mexico, and it shows: the decor is properly Mexican, right down to the mariachi band that sometimes plays. It\u2019s spread across two floors but always busy, so you\u2019ll want to book. It\u2019s hard to go wrong with any of the starters \u2013 I personally love the tamales<\/em>, because they\u2019re so hard to find anywhere outside the southern US, and the guacamole is a winner too. Their house special is the molcajete<\/em>, served sizzling in a volcanic stone bowl with a side of tortillas to build your own wrap \u2013 the only other place I\u2019ve had it is in Mexico itself. The enchiladas are also delicious; enchiladas de mole<\/em> is my personal favourite. And don\u2019t skip the killer margaritas! Next door is their own little grocery store, where I always stop in for their frozen tamales<\/em> to take home, plus some of the best corn tortillas around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy understanding is that bouchon<\/em> is used in Lyon as an equivalent to bistro<\/em>,\u201d says Tony Hampton<\/strong> (aka my Dad and foodie mentor!). \u201cSo from that you can guess the restaurant is determinedly French in style and equally determinedly unpretentious. Bouchon Racine<\/a>\u2019s general ambience and location is also far removed from what you might expect from a restaurant recently voted by peers and food writers as the best in the country.\u00a0The room is quite small \u2013 probably not more than 30 seats \u2013 up a steep and rather gloomy staircase over a pub, The Three Compasses, close to Farringdon underground station.\u00a0Henry Harris\u2019s menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons and daily availability, and is simply written on a blackboard. Absolutely my favourite sort of restaurant!\u201d<\/p>\n Opening in the 1990s near Smithfield Market, St John Restaurant<\/a> is widely credited as the pioneer of nose-to-tail dining in the UK. Chef Fergus Henderson takes a no-frills approach to the menu, which is reflected in the restaurant\u2019s minimalist d\u00e9cor as well. I\u2019ve visited a couple of times, and remember vividly the glorious decadence of scooping out wobbling bone marrow with a spoon, and the sheer spectacle of a whole roast suckling pig being carved \u2013 crispy skin and all \u2013 at the table. This is not an experience for the squeamish.<\/p>\n St John\u2019s signature bone marrow<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAfter we got back from Sri Lanka, we developed this new obsession with Sri Lankan food,\u201d Amy says. \u201cKolamba East<\/a> is pretty central, between Liverpool Street and Shoreditch, which makes it a handy place to recommend. For starters, we had the papadums and the beetroot cutlets, both super tasty. For mains, we went for the jackfruit string hopper biryani with dhal, and the spiced aubergine on the side \u2013 all delicious, and genuinely just as good as we remembered from our time in Sri Lanka.\u201d<\/p>\n Just around the corner from Victoria station, Lorne<\/a> is a small, unassuming neighbourhood spot that punches well above its size. The modern British menu relies on seasonal, well-sourced ingredients, and I still think about the dish I ate: a beautifully pink, rolled saddle of lamb, served with a meaty jus, summer greens and aubergine compote. It\u2019s no surprise the wine list is a highlight too, given co-founder Katie Exton trained as a sommelier at the likes of The River Caf\u00e9 and Chez Bruce before opening Lorne herself: expect a well-curated, sensibly priced selection of wines designed to work with the menu.<\/p>\n Modern British cuisine at Lorne<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Is Bondi Green<\/a> really one of London\u2019s best restaurants? Perhaps not, but it\u2019s certainly one of the best around Paddington station \u2013 which counts for a lot if you\u2019re coming from Heathrow or meeting friends who live west of the city. It\u2019s an Aussie concept, with a canal-side terrace and a big, airy dining space \u2013 great for group meet-ups. My friends and I always enjoy their cocktails (they do a killer Pornstar Martini) and Aussie classics like chicken parm, but they have good pizzas and veggie options as well (miso aubergine in pizza form \u2013 yes please!). A good staple, suitable for many an occasion.<\/p>\n Killer cocktails at Bondi Green<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Outside of the Circle Line is where London starts to really sprawl, and each neighbourhood has its own character. Anyone who\u2019s lived outside Zone 1 knows that popping over for a cup of tea at a friend\u2019s house can require well over an hour and multiple forms of public transport. As such, these recommendations represent a handful of favourites from\u00a0 Crouch End in the north to Surbiton in the southwest.<\/p>\n Time to give Amy LeJune<\/strong> a proper introduction, since she\u2019s my expert when it comes to north London restaurants. We met in Amsterdam many years ago, but she\u2019s been working in London for the past decade or so and travelling the world in between times. Do check out her YouTube channel, Journeys with LeJune<\/a>, because she has a knack for finding the best spots from South Africa to Slovenia! And now, on with the eats\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cPaesan<\/a> in Crouch End is a local Italian favourite of mine,\u201d says Amy. \u201cIt\u2019s small, but that just makes it feel more intimate and cosy. They make fresh pasta and the menu changes regularly \u2013 each dish notes which part of Italy it comes from, which I think is a nice touch. For starters, the calamari and the zucchini fritte<\/em> are both really tasty, and every pasta I\u2019ve had has been amazing \u2013 the Norma, black ink spaghettoni<\/em>, and tortelli di zucca<\/em> are all dishes I\u2019d order again. There\u2019s a lovely little roof terrace too, though you\u2019ll need to book ahead given how small the space is, and a good wine selection to go with it all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCommon Ground<\/a> near Finsbury Park is one of my favourite brunch spots,\u201d says Amy. \u201cIt\u2019s a great place for vegetarians and vegans \u2013 I like that they do more than just your standard avocado on toast. There\u2019s a lovely back garden, and we\u2019ll happily wait in line rather than take a free seat inside just to sit out there, especially on a sunny day. The Latke Benny and the courgette and sweetcorn fritters are both excellent, and if you\u2019re after something sweeter, the lemon curd French toast is delicious.\u201d<\/p>\n In the always vibrant Camden Town, Wandering Grapes<\/a> must be good because it\u2019s where Amy celebrated her birthday recently. This French-Mediterranean wine bar on Inverness Street has a cosy, colourful feel and a serious wine list \u2013 over 200 labels, with a particular focus on natural and orange wines \u2013 paired with sharing plates like burrata, charcuterie and fresh pasta.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother Mexican restaurant, and this one\u2019s in a neighbourhood where I used to live,\u201d says Amy. \u201cPolanco<\/a> in Kensal Rise does every starter well, but the tuna tostada<\/em> probably ranks at the top, and the guacamole is delicious too. The taco platter is my go-to: as pescatarians, we always order the Baja fish and the mushroom and cheese tacos. The beans, sour cream, queso fresco and tortilla chips side is also a favourite. They\u2019ve got a huge tequila menu, and the Tommy\u2019s margarita is excellent.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019m lucky enough to have been taken to The River Caf\u00e9<\/a> a few times by my parents, and I still remember the rosemary-roasted monkfish I ate on my very first visit in the 1990s. Since then, things have changed a lot, but the legacy of high-quality Italian cuisine left by Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers lives on. Signature dishes include chargrilled squid with chilli and wild rocket (on the menu for decades) and the famous chocolate Nemesis cake (which my Dad has recreated several times from The River Caf\u00e9 Cookbook<\/em>). The River Caf\u00e9 is a veritable London icon that\u2019s held a Michelin star since 1997, but it\u2019s definitely worth the splurge.<\/p>\n The River Cafe\u2019s signature chilli squid<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re like me, you\u2019ll want to seek out the unapologetic local delicacies: fish and chips, jellied eels, steak and kidney pie, a full English breakfast and proper sausage rolls,\u201d says Jeffrey Merrihue<\/strong> from Xtreme Foodies<\/a>. \u201cWhile many of the city\u2019s international cuisines are quite easy on the system, traditional English food will hit you like a sledgehammer. For the best fish & chips, head south of the river to Camberwell. Fladda<\/a> is a legendary London gem highly praised by purists for immense portions, incredibly fresh fish and perfectly crunchy batter. What a great way to be bludgeoned into bliss.\u201d<\/p>\n Britain in general, and London specifically, is also the inventor of the modern gastropub: an informal public house, but with a high-end, chef-led menu. Jeffrey recommends the Anchor & Hope<\/a>: \u201cA frequently changing modern British menu is served in this no-reservations wooden-floored gastropub decorated with colourful art in Waterloo. Reservations are taken only for Sunday lunch, so expect to queue. Crowds form early for a chance at the dishes listed on the daily specials board, which might include a warm\u00a0salad\u00a0of snails and bacon, Middle White pork faggot and mash, grilled lemon sole with samphire, or fried ox cheek. It\u2019s right in front of the Young Vic Theatre, making this a perfect night out.\u201d<\/p>\n I lived in Brixton for two years before I moved to Amsterdam, and Khan\u2019s<\/a> is still hands-down my favourite curry house in London. It\u2019s no-frills, cheap and cheerful, but the Indian and Punjabi food is a taste sensation. Having tried various curries over the years, nowadays I always order the chicken green masala \u2013 I\u2019ve never found it anywhere else, except for Ravi\u2019s in Dubai<\/a>. Unlike many other Indian curries, the flavour comes from fragrant fresh herbs (coriander, basil and mint) rather than dried spices \u2013 giving it a totally different (and lighter) flavour profile. Khan\u2019s also does takeaway and delivery, if you can\u2019t make it to Brixton Water Lane.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/London-restaurant-guide-hero-image.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPlanning your visit to London<\/h2>\n
\n
Restaurants in Central London: Soho, Covent Garden and thereabouts<\/h2>\n
Andrew Edmunds (Soho)<\/h3>\n
Polpo (Soho)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Polpo-London-cocktails.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBone Daddies (Soho)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bone-Daddies-London-restaurant-720x900.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFlesh & Buns (Covent Garden)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Flesh-Buns-London-restaurant-591x900.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDishoom (Covent Garden)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Dishoom-London-restaurant-800x450.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGymkhana (Mayfair)<\/h3>\n
Masala Zone (Piccadilly)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Masala-Zone-London-restaurant-800x800.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFallow (Haymarket)<\/h3>\n
H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Darroze at The Connaught (Mayfair)<\/h3>\n
Restaurants on London\u2019s Circle Line<\/h2>\n
Hoppers (King\u2019s Cross)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hoppers-London-restaurant-566x900.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMestizo (Euston Square)<\/h3>\n
Bouchon Racine (Farringdon)<\/h3>\n
St John (Farringdon)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/So-John-London-restaurant-800x616.jpg\")
<\/p>\nKolamba East (Liverpool Street)<\/h3>\n
Lorne (Victoria)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Lorne-London-restaurant-528x900.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBondi Green (Paddington)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bondi-Green-London-restaurant-558x900.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLondon restaurants outside the city centre<\/h2>\n
Paesan (Crouch End)<\/h3>\n
Common Ground (Finsbury Park)<\/h3>\n
Wandering Grapes (Camden Town)<\/h3>\n
Polanco (Kensal Rise)<\/h3>\n
The River Caf\u00e9 (Hammersmith)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamfoodie.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-River-Cafe-London-restaurant-800x635.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFladda Fish & Chips (Camberwell)<\/h3>\n
Anchor & Hope (Waterloo)<\/h3>\n
Khan\u2019s (Brixton)<\/h3>\n
The French Table (Surbiton)<\/h3>\n