London: A Foodie's Guide to the Best Restaurants in the City

London has everything from traditional British food like steak and kidney pie to international delicacies. This guide will showcase the top restaurants, street food vendors, and hidden gems to satisfy any craving (and picky eater) with some of the best food in London.

Over the years, it became a very well-known city for the quality of the restaurants. In such a diverse, huge megacity, there really is a cuisine for all corners of the globe here, as well as great quality British cuisine, one that’s sometimes a little underrepresented.

This guide to the best restaurants in London points you in the direction of some of our favorite eateries - nice places for lunch, high-end Michelin-high-end star fine dining spots, and family restaurants… check out the guide and see what tickles your fancy!

One thing to remember though - if you’re visiting London as a tourist and want to check out some of the city’s best restaurants, you won’t want to be dragging luggage around as you travel! Check out London Nannybag luggage lockers to store items and travel hands-free.

Forget everything you know about black pudding, scotch egg, Yorkshire pudding, and roasted potatoes! This gourmet London guide is your chance to discover some of the best restaurants in the city. You'll see for yourself that there is more to England than a full English breakfast, cottage pie, or afternoon tea.

Manteca

London has had a long history of Italian immigration - while not in the same numbers as New York, the Italian expatriate community in London has produced some amazing restaurants in the city. Manteca continues this tradition, a contemporary Italian restaurant in Soho's heart.

The restaurant has a focus on nose-to-tail dining, assuring you of an ethical and low-waste experience. In addition to a sustainable approach, the menu features creative dishes like the crispy pig's head with pickled apple. There’s a large pasta menu, so if you’re a fan of homemade pasta with some delicious and creative sauces and toppings, check out Manteca - the prices are also extremely reasonable, especially considering the location.

Address: 49-51 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PT

Hours: Open every day from 12:00-15:00, 17:30-23:00

Price Range: €€-€€€

Must Try: Cacio e Pepe, Wild Garlic Chitarra, Olives

Ottolenghi

There are many Ottolenghi restaurants, with several locations across London. Named after the founder, Yotam Ottolenghi, the brand name is now also synonymous with cookbooks, cookery shows, and delicious food products, all inspired by Lebanese cooking, often vegetarian and always healthy with bright flavors. The original location in Notting Hill is a deli-style eatery that offers a range of salads, sandwiches, and baked goods.

The menu is full of fresh and vibrant dishes, with a focus on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. The decor is bright and cheerful, with communal tables and an open kitchen that gives the space a bustling energy. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a leisurely lunch, Ottolenghi's original location is a must-visit.

Address (for the Notting Hill location): 63 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AD, Royaume-Uni Hours: Open every day from 8:00-19:00

Price Range: €€-€€€

Must Try: Vegan Polenta Cake, Indian roasted aubergine with turmeric Yogurt, Middle Eastern lamb kofta with manouri, minced lamb kofta, caramelized black lime onions, yogurt sauce

Food Trucks in Camden

Ok, this isn’t strictly a single restaurant, but we think that any foodie in London should check out the food trucks pitched up at Camden Market. Camden is one of London's most vibrant, energetic neighborhoods, filled with street art, music venues, lively bars, and its famous market.

Open all days of the week and situated near Regent’s Canal, the market sells all sorts of antiques, clothes, and oddities, but foodies will appreciate the amazing dishes on offer at the food trucks. Try Pakistani street food at Bhaba Dhaba, wagyu beef burgers at Flip & Sear, Nigerian delicacies at Jollof Mama, and plenty of traditional fish and chips options.

If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side, try some British classics such as sticky toffee or spotted dick. There are loads of options to choose from— ranging from international cuisine to traditional British fare everyone will be satisfied.

Address: 54-56 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF

Hours: Open every day from 10:00-20:00

Price Range: €-€€

Must Try: Halloumi Fries at Oli Baba’s, Cheese Wheel pasta at The Cheese Wheel, Yorkshire Burrito

Theo’s Pizzeria

If you’re looking for some really great, authentic pizza in London that won’t break the bank, Theo’s Pizzeria is a great option. With locations in Elephant & Castle and Camberwell, Theo’s has become a really popular option, especially for the youths, with a menu containing antipasti and pizzas only for the dinner menu but also wood-fired bread sandwiches at lunch.

If you’re looking to eat in, you can make a reservation if your party has more than 5 people. If it’s a smaller group, you can walk in!

There is a chic, casual vibe inside the restaurants, which also have some fantastic drink options, and the pizzas you get from the traditional wood-fired ovens will blow you away. You can never go wrong with pizza, especially Theo’s pizza.

Address (for the Elephant and Castle location): 17-18 Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6TH Hours: Open every day from 12:00-22:00, Saturday & Sunday open ‘till 22:30 

Price Range: €

Must Try: Aubergine Pizza, Tiramisu, Cocktails

Core

Core, run by world-renowned chef Clare Smyth, is a three-Michelin star restaurant in Notting Hill, a glamorous neighborhood in West London. Clare Smyth is a young chef who trained under Gordon Ramsay. She also was responsible for organizing the food for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and earned a World’s Best Female Chef Award by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

For a 3 Michelin Star restaurant, the menus are actually fairly reasonable price-wise; the à la carte lunch and dinner menus cost £155 and £175, respectively, while the Classic menu costs $205 and the Seasons menu costs £225. The menu focuses on seasonal United Kingdom ingredients, including plenty of seafood and national dishes like British beef. This restaurant has received rave reviews from just about every critic and publication. It is a (somewhat) affordable taste of three Michelin-star dining.

Address: 92 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2PN

Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday from 12:00-22:00, Thursday to Sunday from 18:30-22:00, Closed on Sunday and Monday

Price Range: €€€€

Must Try: Classic Tasting Menu, Wine Pairings

Bubala

Bubala is a must-visit restaurant for those who love Middle Eastern cuisine. Starting as a pop-up restaurant, Bubala currently has two brick-and-mortar locations. Due to London's large Middle Eastern population, some truly wonderful restaurants represent this cuisine all around the city. And Bubala is up there serving vibrant food, culture and demonstrating its passion for great service.

Located in Spitalfields, this restaurant offers a contemporary take on traditional dishes from the Levant region. With a focus on vegetable-forward dishes, Bubala's menu is full of flavor and creativity. Some standout dishes include roasted cauliflower, crispy halloumi, and grilled aubergine with zhoug. Beyond the food, Bubala works closely with some of the best wine suppliers in the UK to offer a great selection of natural wines and homemade sparkling gazoz.

With its laid-back atmosphere and friendly staff, Bubala is a great spot for a casual meal or a night out with friends.

Address: 65 Commercial St, London E1 6BD

Hours: Monday to Saturday from 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00, Sunday from 12:00-16:00 Price Range: €€-€€€

Must Try: Baba Ganoush, Challah Bread, Bubala Knows Best Option

Fallow St. James

Fallow St. James is a Michelin-recommended restaurant in the heart of St. James's, London. With a focus on sustainable and ethical ingredients, Fallow's menu draws inspiration from the chefs' travels and experiences. The dishes are creative and full of flavor, like the venison tartare, or dishes with a truly English feel yet elevated to a fine dining level, like the Cornish Mackerel.

The restaurant's decor is sleek and modern, with a sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere. The staff here is knowledgeable and attentive, making sure every guest has a memorable dining experience. If you're looking for a high-end that bids farewell to traditional mashed potatoes and toad in a hole — with a conscience and an authentic feel of British cuisine, Fallow St. James is the place to be.

Also, if you’re on the lookout for a Sunday Roast that will blow your socks off, we suggest you visit on a Sunday. The Sunday menu is available all day, so there’s no need to wake up early to catch the roast. There are four different offerings for the roast, and they are all served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, carrots, swede, greens, and gravy.

Address: 52 Haymarket, St. James's, London SW1Y 4RP

Hours: Monday to Friday: 07:30 to 23:00, Saturday: 10:00 to 23:00, Sunday: 11:30 to 22:00 Price Range: €€-€€€

Must Try: Wildfarmed Sourdough, Mushroom Parfait, Fallow Burger