Stodgy pies, jellied eels, full English breakfasts in workmen’s cafes…historically, London’s food scene has been a far cry from a global sensation. However, today, the city is packed with innovative restaurants, cafes, and food vendors boasting multiple Michelin stars.
Incredible produce from around the British Isles and across the world is served with flair. Whether you’re searching for street food, fine dining, budget options, or free-from choices, here’s our round-up of some of the best places to eat in London.
Best Cheap Eats in London
Silk Road, Camberwell
This understated restaurant tucked along Camberwell Church Street is an unexpected bastion of Xinjiang and Sichuan-style cuisine. From huge plates of pillowy dumplings and towers of spiced cucumber salad to vats of meaty noodle broths and stews, the dishes here are super-sized. Two can easily dine for under £30 (excluding drinks), with plenty left over for tomorrow’s lunch.
Sager + Wilde, Paradise Row
Taking up residence in a railway arch just a few minutes walk from Bethnal Green station, Sager + Wilde represents a fusion of fine dining and the tenacious East End. The menu features Italian-inspired plates, and the extensive wine list showcases exciting new and local winemakers. Visit during selected hours to take advantage of their £10 deal for a bowl of pasta and house wine or negroni.
Roti Kings
Located in a basement down a slip road behind Euston Station, Roti Kings may sound daunting, but their Malaysian street food-inspired fare is the stuff of culinary dreams. People flock here for the delectable roti canai (Malaysian flatbread) and dhal curry combo, which will set you back no more than £6.50.
Best High-End Dining in London
The Lecture Room and Library, Sketch, Mayfair
Part Mad Hatter’s tea party and part Palace of Versailles, the ostentatious Lecture Room and Library at Sketch offers fine dining on a grand scale. Once your senses have adjusted to the lavish interior, prepare to be amazed by the incredible à la carte and tasting menus from triple Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire. Each dish is an artwork in itself.
The Grill at The Dorchester, Mayfair
Recently relaunched under head chef Tom Booton, The Grill presents a fresh interpretation of modern British cuisine in one of London’s most iconic hotels. Signature dishes include the Colchester crab, prawn Scotch egg, and lobster thermidor tart – those with a sweet tooth will want to visit the restaurant’s ultra-indulgent Pudding Bar.
Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs, Goodge Street
A Russian doll of innovative cuisine, Bubbledogs (which serves gourmet hot dogs alongside artisan champagnes) also features the two Michelin-starred Kitchen Table, accessible via a discreet entrance at the back. The open-plan kitchen dazzles up to 20 diners with culinary theatrics from head chef James Knappett, showcasing daily changing menus using only carefully sourced and foraged British ingredients.
Best Brunch Spots in London
Kudu, Peckham
With jugs of Bloody Marys and a mellow vintage interior, this bolthole along Peckham’s Queens Road is the perfect spot to shake off a hangover or enjoy a leisurely weekend morning. The South Africa-inspired menu is eclectic, featuring boerewors (sausage) roll, shakshuka (Middle Eastern baked eggs in tomato), and sourdough waffles. Nurse your Bloody Marys until the lunch menu becomes available, and order the signature kudu bread, made for sharing and smothered in melted butter.
The Barge House, Haggerston
Perched on the banks of Regents Canal, the Barge House is an East End brunch institution. Don your stretchiest pair of trousers and head here for their ‘Breakfast in Bread’: a hollowed out sourdough loaf filled to the brim with your favorite breakfast items. The loaves are a bespoke creation from Better Health Bakery, with gluten-free options available through Gail’s Bakery.
Where the Pancakes Are, London Bridge
Soft, fluffy, sweet, or savory, nowhere does a pancake breakfast quite like this London Bridge-based diner. Their rich buttermilk batter is made fresh daily, and their 3-1 batter is dairy-free, wheat-free, and vegan. Toppings range from classics like sugar and lemon to unusual twists like eggs royale and cinnamon-poached pineapple.
Top Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in London
Mildred’s Burger, Soho
For over 30 years, Mildred’s has been a veggie icon in the heart of the city, now boasting three additional locations (in Camden, King’s Cross, and Dalston). Their menu is colorful and unexpected, but the star of the show has to be their creative veggie burgers, from mock duck bánh mì to superbly-seasoned beetroot and black bean burgers, all available for under a tenner.
Itadaki Zen, Kings Cross
Lauded as Europe’s first organic and vegan Japanese restaurant, Itadaki Zen transcends the health-food genre. Every ingredient is carefully curated with a nod to their medicinal values, and the menu includes sushi, udon noodles, and crisp tempura, all within a tranquil, minimalist setting.
The Spread Eagle, Homerton
London’s first vegan pub is the brainchild of Meriel Armitage, founder of the popular vegan-Mexican street food joint Club Mexicana, which also supplies the food here. Enjoy heaving piles of fully-loaded nachos, meat-free tacos, and spicy vegan hot wings, alongside 14 taps of vegan-friendly craft beers.
Gluten-Free Hotspots
Leggero, Soho and Mercato Metropolitano
Italian restaurants are often a challenge for those who can’t eat gluten, making Leggero, London’s first 100% gluten-free Italian restaurant, a delightful revelation. The menu features traditional Italian classics, from bruschetta and artisan cheese to rich pasta dishes, rustic pizzas, and creamy tiramisu, all gloriously gluten-free.
Niche, Islington
Niche, London’s first Coeliac UK-accredited restaurant, prides itself on being ‘100% gluten-free, but you wouldn’t know it’. With dishes including savory parmesan and cheddar doughnuts, butter chicken pie, and blackberry and apple crumble, gluten-free diners will be thrilled with the variety.
Indigo at One Aldwych
Similar to Niche, Indigo’s mission is about creating hearty, health-focused dishes from seasonal and local ingredients that are gluten- and dairy-free. With executive chef Dominic Teague at the helm, this establishment is a fine example of free-from dining.
Best Markets and Street Food in London
Greenwich Market
Welcoming trade since 1737, this historic covered market is a cultural icon in the heart of Greenwich. A vast area is designated for vendors selling handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, antiques, local crafts, and contemporary art. Moreover, the emergence of street food stalls has led to the opening of an additional eclectic food area adjacent to the original market.
Vinegar Yard, Borough
As one of London’s newest marketplaces, this former car park has been converted into a modern urban garden. Open seven days a week, expect the latest in street food from icons like Baba G’s and the Gentlemen Baristas, alongside a rotating selection of beers from local craft brewers, vintage clothing, and large scrap-metal installations from celebrated British artist Joe Rush.
Kerb, Kings’ Cross, Seven Dials
Since launching in 2012, KERB has led London’s street food scene, offering a colorful variety of global cuisine. Up-and-coming vendors are given the chance to elevate their business through the ‘inKERBator’ program. KERB locations include the recently relaunched King’s Cross spot, featuring permanent residents like Lords of Poke and Luardos, with temporary ventures from inKERBator graduates.
This article was first published Apr 7, 2013 and updated Mar 23, 2020.
