The 20 Best Restaurants in London

A Whitechapel institution since 1972: Punjabi cooking at full volume, and the sizzling char-grilled lamb chops that half of London dreams about — around £13 a plate. BYOB with no corkage keeps bills absurdly low. The trade-off is chaos: queues, noise, brisk service. Book ahead, bring beer, order the chops.

Fallow is a nose-to-tail, root-to-fruit restaurant in central London serving inventive British cuisine with dishes like smoked cod head, corn ribs, and mushroom parfait. The food is precise and flavorful, the staff genuinely attentive, and the kitchen counter seating offers a special experience—but book well in advance as walk-ins face long queues with no guarantee of a table.

Fergus Henderson's stark white ex-smokehouse by Smithfield Market — the birthplace of nose-to-tail eating and one of Britain's most influential restaurants since 1994. The roast bone marrow with parsley salad is a rite of passage. Expect offal-forward daily menus, zero décor and no apologies. Squeamish eaters should study the menu first.

Rules is a historic London institution serving traditional British cuisine in an ornate, classically decorated dining room. Standout dishes include beef Wellington, dressed crab, steak and kidney pie, and toffee pudding—though some reviewers note the savory dishes can be underseasoned. Be aware that if you arrive at the wrong time, there can be a two-hour wait, though the staff is exceptionally gracious about accommodating changes.

A classic, beautifully designed London brasserie on Piccadilly serving traditional British fare with impeccable service and an elegant dining hall. The afternoon tea is a standout experience, and dishes like roast duck, salmon rillettes, and fishcakes are well-executed. Note that service can be slow during busy periods, so patience may be required.

Authentic Roman osteria in Knightsbridge serving housemade pasta and traditional Italian dishes with excellent service and a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. Try the cacio e pepe, carbonara, and ragu rigatoni—reviewers consistently praise the quality ingredients and homemade taste. Note that tables are quite close together, so it can get noisy during busy times.

A grand, historic British fine-dining institution on the Strand with soaring ceilings, mahogany wood, and leather booths—the kind of place that feels like stepping into London's past. The roast beef carved tableside is the signature dish, though starters like oysters and scallops consistently impress; mains can be uneven (some report overcooked fish), so stick with the classics. Service is attentive and genuinely warm, but it's pricey and best reserved for special occasions rather than casual meals.

A lively party boat moored on the Thames opposite the London Eye, serving food and drinks across multiple decks with live entertainment including comedy shows and a nightclub. The views of London landmarks are exceptional, the food is generous and well-priced for the location, and staff are attentive—but expect it to be very busy and crowded, especially during peak times.

Wiltons is a storied seafood restaurant in St James's that's been operating since 1742, known for pristine oysters, Dover sole, lobster, and impeccable service in an elegant, unhurried setting. The mixed grill and smoked salmon are also excellent if you're not in the mood for fish. Book months in advance—it's extremely popular and fills up quickly after 6:30pm.

Sky Garden is a free observation deck and garden on the 35th floor of the Walkie Talkie skyscraper offering 360-degree panoramic views of London from 160 meters up. You can enjoy drinks and meals while taking in the city, with informative window stickers identifying landmarks. Book ahead online (slots release Mondays for 2 weeks ahead) to avoid queues, though walk-ins are possible during quieter times like weekend afternoons.

A small, no-reservations pasta bar just steps from Borough Market serving some of the finest fresh pasta in London at remarkably fair prices. The pici cacio e pepe and the pappardelle with eight-hour Dexter beef shin ragu are essential orders. Queues form before opening and can stretch to an hour, so arrive early or try the Shoreditch branch.

The original Bao on Lexington Street that launched a cult following for Taiwanese steamed buns and small plates in London. The classic bao with braised pork, peanut powder and fermented greens is a must, alongside the fried chicken and the horlicks ice cream. Queues are a fixture; arrive at opening or expect a wait.

The Shoreditch branch of London's beloved Bombay-café homage — all-day Irani-café styling, house black daal cooked over 24 hours, and the famous bacon naan roll at breakfast. Yes it's a chain, but an unusually good one that Londoners genuinely use. Caveat: dinner queues for walk-ins are real; breakfast is the smart move.

An intimate 12-seat fine dining restaurant in Soho serving an elaborate tasting menu with Asian-influenced British cuisine. Expect far more than the advertised 5 courses—typically 9-10 dishes including bread and petit fours—all beautifully executed with exquisite wine pairings. The only minor note: you'll wait in the ground floor pub until service begins upstairs.

Blacklock Soho is a highly-regarded steaks restaurant in central London known for expertly cooked cuts like Denver steak, ribeye, and T-bone, plus standout dishes like pigs head on toast and steak pie. The cheesecake is exceptional enough that diners have recreated it at home. One note: cooking temperatures can occasionally miss the mark, so communicate your preference clearly.

A counter-seating Thai restaurant on Brewer Street that cooks everything over clay kilns and open fire, drawing on the food traditions of northern Thailand and the Shan states. The lamb skewers, baked glass noodles with crab, and aged pork collar are standouts. It's walk-in only with a tight counter, so expect a wait during peak hours.

A Soho institution with a history stretching back to 1926, now run by the Hart brothers and chef Jeremy Lee with a menu of elegant, witty British cooking. The smoked eel sandwich is a legendary starter, and the room — all stained glass and leather banquettes — is one of London's most handsome. It's a proper grown-up restaurant that never feels stuffy.

Elegant Polish restaurant in a historic pavilion overlooking a park in Kensington, serving refined versions of classics like pierogi, steak tartare, and roast duck with generous portions and attentive service. The setting is stunning and warm rather than formal, though tables are tightly packed in the pavilion space, making it less ideal for private conversations.

A compact counter-style restaurant in Covent Garden serving bold North African and Southern European dishes—think charred octopus, crispy cauliflower, and pata negra—where you watch chefs work mere feet away. The space is genuinely tiny with very limited room behind the counter seats, which creates an intimate atmosphere but could be tight for those with mobility concerns.

Upscale Indian restaurant on High Holborn serving refined curries and regional specialties in a stunning setting. Must-tries include the butter chicken, dal makhani, baked Kashmiri dum aloo, and their pistachio coconut lassi. Staff—particularly Rony and Rajat—are exceptionally attentive and personable, making this a reliably excellent experience for special occasions or serious curry seekers.