London’s restaurant scene is one of the reasons I keep returning to the city. But for me, travel isn’t about trying as many places as possible, it’s about finding restaurants that become part of the memories you take home.
These are the London restaurants I’ve personally enjoyed, from neighbourhood favourites to special occasion dining, each one chosen because I’d happily return.
Discover my favourite restaurants in London, from Michelin-star Indian gems to classic British pubs, seafood spots, and modern dining.
Looking for even more food inspiration? Don’t miss these guides:
→ Best Afternoon Tea in London
→ Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in London
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| Restaurant | Area | Cuisine | Approximate price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jikoni | Marylebone | Around the World flavours | £45–£70 pp |
| Dishoom | Covent Garden, King’s Cross & others | Indian classics & sharing with friends | £25–£40 pp |
| Kricket | Soho | Modern Indian dining | £45–£70 pp |
| Darjeeling Express | Carnaby | Authentic Indian cuisine | £60–£90 pp |
| Fatt Pundit | Covent Garden | Fun Indo-Chinese sharing plates | £30–£50 pp |
| Oystermen | Covent Garden | Seafood lovers | £50–£80 pp |
| J. Sheekey | Covent Garden | Seafood & after/before West End shows | £80–£130+ pp |
| Circolo Popolare | Fitzrovia | Lively Italian dining | £40–£65 pp |
| Ave Mario | Covent Garden | Italian favourites & groups | £40–£65 pp |
| Sushi Samba | Covent Garden / City | Japanese, Brazilian & Peruvian, Rooftop views & celebrations | £90–£150+ pp |
| Eat Tokyo | Soho | Budget-friendly Japanese food | £15–£30 pp |
| Okan | South Bank | Authentic Osaka street food | £20–£35 pp |
| The Libertine | Bank | Classic British dining | £40–£70 pp |
| The Horse Shoe | Hampstead | Traditional pub & Sunday roast | £30–£55 pp |
| Fallow | St James’s | Modern British cuisine | £50–£80 pp |
| Roe | Canary Wharf | Contemporary British dining | £45–£75 pp |
| Ekstedt at the Yard | Westminster | Scandinavian, Special occasion dining | £125–£250+ pp |
| Toklas | Temple | Mediterranean / Greek cuisine | £40–£70 pp |
| Sanjugo | Shoreditch | Japanese cuisine & sushi lovers | £25–£50 pp |
| Agora Souvla Bar | Borough Market / London Bridge | Greek street food & casual dining | £15–£30 pp |
*excluding drinks
Jikoni – No Borders Kitchen
Nestled in Marylebone, Jikoni is a cosy and vibrant spot where comfort food meets global flavours.
Chef Ravinder Bhogal draws on her Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and British heritage to create dishes that are inventive, heartwarming, and full of character.
Standout dishes include:
- Kuku Paka with saffron rice
- Hawaash-spiced sweet potato rostis
- Okra Fries with curry leaf mayo
- Banana Cake with miso butterscotch
Creative cocktails and seasonal small plates make every visit a delicious adventure.
The colourful cushions, patterned tablecloths, and fun decor creates a warm, homely vibe, perfect for intimate dinners or gatherings with friends
Jikoni isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a celebration of cultural diversity, culinary creativity, and hospitality that makes every meal memorable.
19-21 Blandford St, London W1U 3DH, United Kingdom
Indian restaurants in London
Here are some of my favourite Indian restaurants in London, those ones we can’t wait to go back to.
Dishoom
Dishoom is an Indian restaurant you will find all over London and that is a good thing. Every Dishoom restaurants is always packed so that says it all.
Dishoom is all about sharing authentic dishes from Bombay. You will end up ordering too much but that’s fine as you can take what is left home; and it always taste better the next day.
A special mention to the House Black Daal, the chicken ruby or the tikka masala, the spicy lamb chops, roomali roti and garlic bread. You can also enjoy the bottomless house chai and end your meal with a delicious ice cream called Malai Kulfi.
Here is a little secret between us about Dishoom: The first time you go to Dishoom ask for their special keyring. The next time you go to any of their restaurants to eat before 6pm on weekdays, show them your keyring at the end of the meal and you will get to throw a huge dice. If you land a 6, your meal is totally free. Guess what? We were the lucky ones! (once)
These are the Dishoom restaurants that I have tried and loved:
12 Upper St Martin’s Ln, London WC2H 9FB, United Kingdom
5 Stable St, London N1C 4AB, United Kingdom
Kricket
Kricket has several restaurants in London, we went to the one close to Piccadilly Circus, which is actually their first restaurant.
It serves spicy and flavourish Indian food with a modern twist. The signature dishes are the Keralan fried chicken and the samphire pakoras. Kricket also has a great selection of Indian-inspired cocktails and craft beers.
The restaurant has an industrial-chic ambiance, with exposed brick walls and an open kitchen. It’s very popular, so make sure you book especially on the weekend.
12 Denman St, London W1D 7HJ, United Kingdom
Darjeeling Express
We went to the Darjeeling Express for the first time in 2018 and love it so much that we wanted to return really quickly. Unfortunately, it closed for a while and then it became really famous and popular and difficult to get a booking. But we finally made it back in 2024.
The food is so so good, a taste of homely Indian food. You will receive a big platter with all the hearty dishes you have chosen and we even got enough for take-away.
I love the fact that it is a all-women team that runs the kitchen. I can’t wait to go back.
Top Floor, Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW, United Kingdom
Fatt Pundit
Fatt Pundit is a combination of the common Chinese surname ‘Fatt’ with the Indian word ‘Pundit’ (a scholar).
The dishes are so tasty, perfectly spiced and original. The idea is to share, tapas style. The popcorn cauliflower, the crackling spinach and the lamb chops were our favourites.
Make sure you book because the restaurant is quite small. We ate downstairs, so no views on the street, but it didn’t really matter when you have such delicious food in front of you.
6 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7NA, United Kingdom
Fish and Seafood restaurants
Oystermen
Oystermen is a great fish restaurant right next to Covent Garden.
You have a large choice of oysters, fresh crab, and a great pairing with wine. Every dish is authentic and unpretentious, you just enjoy the freshness of each bite. The staff are really attentive and sweet which makes the whole experience so much greater.
32 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8NA, United Kingdom
J. Sheekey
This is a classic fish restaurant in the theatre area. I used to go there with my parents when I was young, so I continued the tradition with my own children, except I’m the one that pays now.
Last time we went there, we splurged out and ordered caviar and lobster, but you can go for ‘a plateau de fruit de mer’ or a simple shrimp and soft shell crab burger.
The staff are welcoming and if you are alone, you can sit at the bar and enjoy your meal.
28-32 St Martin’s Ct, London WC2N 4AL, United Kingdom
Italian restaurants
Circolo Popolare
The Italian restaurant Circolo Popolare serves a great pasta carbonara with guanciale in a Parmesan wheel (during the evening’s only). Even though, it’s part of a chain of restaurants called Big Mamma Group, you still feel like you travelled to Italy to enjoy a meal.
40-41 Rathbone Pl, London W1T 1HX, United Kingdom
Ave Mario
Also part of the same group, we tried Ave Mario, it also has that Italian holiday feel to it and the food is just as nice.
Both Ave Mario and Circolo Popolare are great for a fun lunch or dinner, just don’t expect a quiet romantic setting, it’s noisy but that is also part of the Italian charm.
15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QG, United Kingdom
Sushi restaurants
Sushi Samba
This restaurant is part of a chain of restaurants with food inspired by Japan, Brazil and Peru, so make sure you get a mix of different dishes such as tempura and sushi, churrasco and ceviches.
We have been to the one on the roof of Covent Garden and the other one on the roof top of the Heron Tower in the City of London. The menu is the same but the view is incredible.
35 The Market, London WC2E 8RF, United Kingdom
Heron Tower, London EC2N 4AY, United Kingdom
Eat Tokyo
Eat Tokyo has several locations is London, we always go to the one in Covent Garden. This is an authentic Japanese restaurant with very reasonable prices, serving the typical bento box and miso soup for lunch.
I’ve never been there in the evening but for a quick lunch it’s perfect.
Make sure you arrive early if you want a table, you get people queuing outside waiting for the restaurant to open.
16 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TL, United Kingdom
Okan
On London’s South Bank, just steps from the river, Okan feels like a little secret. Small, cosy, and refreshingly unpolished, it instantly took us back to Osaka.
The space is intimate, seats tucked close together, the griddle at the heart of the room, and the comforting soundtrack of okonomiyaki sizzling away. Everything about it feels honest and grounded, from the simplicity of the menu to the deep, savoury flavours that define Osaka’s food culture. Watching the okonomiyaki being cooked, smelling the sauce caramelise, and eating it straight from the hot plate makes this much more than lunch. It is Japanese comfort food done properly, generous, soulful, and quietly memorable.
Most okonomiyaki and noodle dishes around £9–£15 per person and many main plates coming in under £25 overall.
County Hall, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7PB
Sanjugo
If you’re looking for authentic Japanese food without the formality of an omakase restaurant, Sanjugo in Shoreditch is a wonderful choice. This cosy neighbourhood restaurant focuses on beautifully prepared sushi, sashimi and traditional Japanese dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
During my visit, I loved how understated everything felt. There are no unnecessary gimmicks, just carefully crafted food that lets the quality of the ingredients shine. From delicate nigiri and generous sushi rolls to comforting donburi and flavourful small plates, every dish reflects the simplicity and precision that Japanese cuisine is known for.
Located in the heart of Shoreditch, Sanjugo is an excellent stop after exploring East London’s independent shops, street art and creative neighbourhoods. Whether you’re visiting for lunch or dinner, it’s one of those restaurants I’d happily return to for authentic Japanese flavours in a relaxed setting.
One of my favourite things about travelling is leaving room for unexpected discoveries. After dinner, we treated ourselves to a gelato from Sicilian Pride, and it was easily one of the creamiest and most delicious I’ve tasted. Sometimes it’s these small, unplanned moments that stay with you the longest.
Classic English restaurants
The Libertine
The Libertine restaurant is set in the vaults beneath The Royal Exchange.
We went there for lunch during a week day and enjoyed an amazing platter of oysters and other fish dishes.
Apparently, their Sunday roast is really good so I’ll be trying that next time and keep you informed, or you can tell me what you think if you have tried it.
If you go during the week, you can visit the shopping mall in the Royal Exchange. If you happen to be there and are dying for a cup of tea, you must check out Fortnum & Mason in the central courtyard.
1 Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LL, United Kingdom
The Horse Shoe
Hampstead Heath on a Sunday is a classic. After a stroll around the high street, head to The Horse Shoe for a full Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
The roast features a perfectly cooked meat, crispy roast potatoes, and Yorkshire puddings. You have the choice between Hereford beef, Duroc pork, White Cobb chicken or Suffolk lamb shoulder and they even have a vegan option. We had the pork belly mainly for the crackling.
Beyond the outstanding food, the welcoming and service was exceptional. The pub also offers a vast selection of beverages, including the Camden Beer.
28 Heath St, London NW3 6TE, United Kingdom
Modern English restaurants
Fallow
The concept in Fallow’s is to share. I recommend you try the corn ribs with their amazing kombu seasoning; the smoked beef ribs, the caramelised cauliflower ‘croquetas’ with Black garlic mayonnaise and the flamed mussels with bacon butter sauce, pickled lemon, parsley. But don’t stop there if you still hungry!
If you can get to sit at the bar, go for it, we chatted to the cooks about their famous mushroom parfait but we never got the detailed recipe unfortunately.
52 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RP, United Kingdom
Roe
Roe was launched by the team behind Fallow.
The decor is amazing with a view of Canary Wharf. The wide-ranging menu offers something for everyone, we tried so many amazing dishes, but the one that stands out is the famous mushroom parfait, also served in Fallow. This is SO SO good, like a foie gras but vegan.
5 Park Dr, Wood Wharf, London E14 9GG, United Kingdom
Greek restaurant
Toklas
Toklas is nestled between the Strand and the River Thames in London and offers a Mediterranean cuisine, with a greek twist.
It uses seasonal ingredients, prepared simply, so the menu changes accordingly. Their pasta and aubergine with feta was amazing.
The service was impeccable and friendly and if you are looking for an authentic and memorable Mediterranean dining experience in London, go for it.
1 Surrey St, Temple, London WC2R 2ND, United Kingdom
Agora Souvla Bar
If you’re looking for a quick bite without compromising on quality, Agora Souvla Bar is one of Borough Market’s standout stops. Created by the team behind the acclaimed Greek restaurant OMA, Agora is its more relaxed little sister, serving beautifully crafted souvlaki, grilled meats, fresh seafood and vibrant Mediterranean flavours.
Everything is cooked over charcoal, giving each dish a wonderful smoky depth while keeping the ingredients simple and authentic. Whether you choose a perfectly grilled pork souvlaki, lamb, or seasonal vegetables wrapped in warm pita, it’s the kind of food that’s both comforting and packed with flavour. Despite its popularity, the experience feels remarkably well organised. Even if there’s a queue, the staff come along to take your drinks order while you wait, making the time pass quickly and giving you a taste of their warm hospitality before you’ve even found a seat. If you are seated at the counter you will be obsessed by the rising wood-oven flatbread, which no longer is flat!
Continue Your London Journey
Planning your first visit?
Start with my complete guide to How to Plan a Trip to London before choosing where to eat.
London is often just the beginning.
On my latest trip I continued by train through Yorkshire, Goathland and the English countryside, proving that some of England’s most memorable food experiences lie beyond the capital.
Planning a foodie trip to London?
I create personalised itineraries combining memorable restaurants, beautiful neighbourhoods and experiences that let you slow down and enjoy the city at your own pace.
