17 Best Places to Eat in London for All Your Food Adventure

Looking for the best places to eat in London? From the freshest native oysters to an overflowing chocolate cup – even a mouthwatering vegan burger – you cannot possibly run out of places to eat in London.

Some restaurants are studded with Michelin stars while others are quietly secluded within garden walls. The best restaurants in London vary from fancy nooks to cheap eats. One thing is for sure – from brunch till late at night, the city has your cravings covered!

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Best places to eat breakfast in London

E. Pellicci

332 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 0AG (See map)

E. Pellicci has been serving great Italian and American food in London since 1904. Once you enter the restaurant, you will feel a sense of warmth with its friendly brand of customer service from the moment you walk to the door up until you are seated. Make sure to order their version of a full English breakfast (served all day!) This morning winner is simple yet flavourful, a rightful ode to E. Pellicci’s homey atmosphere.

Half Cup

100-102 Judd St, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9NT (See map)

The long queues on a weekend may be enough to drive you away, but take this as a testament as to how Half Cup is good – both in the eyes and in the appetite. While having a good shot of espresso here is a given, upon reading their menu you surely wouldn’t know which one to order. Don’t say no to their insanely delicious Toasted Banana Bread – and leave some room for their beautifully crafted smoothies!

Best places to eat lunch in London

Ester’s

55 Kynaston Rd, Stoke Newington, London N16 0EB (See map)

One of the best places to eat in London is Ester’s – not only because its food is amazing but also because they proudly source what they can from small local suppliers. This results in an amazing fresh food experience that goes way beyond the plate. They change their menu over time based on what’s in season, and every menu sounds enticing! Grab a bagful of those cookies by the counter before you go.

Rochelle Canteen

16 Playground Gardens, Shoreditch, London E2 7FA (See map)

You’ll need a booking to eat at Rochelle Canteen – that’s how in demand the place is. As the name suggests, it is indeed a canteen, specifically an old primary school’s canteen. Finding it is part of the thrill, as it is hidden within garden walls and an unassuming location. They serve the best that London has to offer during the season, but for sure there will be sumptuous meats and delectable desserts. 

Best places to eat dinner in London

Maggie Jones’s

6 Old Ct Pl, Kensington, London W8 4PL (See map)

Maggie Jones’s has been in the UK food scene for more than 40 years. Nestled in the middle of Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street, this homey place is highly regarded as one of the best restaurants in London. It’s rustic, it’s charming, it’s what you expect from an old school british restaurant. That Roasted Rump of Lamb is calling us from a distance!

St John Bar and Restaurant

26 St John St, Barbican, London EC1M 4AY (See map)

Nose to tail eating have been popularized by Fergus and Trevor of St. John Bar and Restaurant. How they are able to make something delicious out of every part of a pig – including the offal – is pure genius. The menu changes daily with the exception of the staples, and meat, fish and game are served in season. The Roast Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad is not to miss! St. John is one of the Michelin star restaurants in London that is worth the splurge.

Read More: List of Traditional and Most Popular British Food

Best places to eat dessert in London

SAID Dal 1923

41 Broadwick St, Soho, London W1F 9QL (See map)

Do you live and breathe chocolate? Said Dal 1923 is your place! You will be intoxicated with artisan chocolate treats once you sit in this tiny place that is popular to locals and tourists alike. If it is your first time, try not to miss their signature hot chocolate which comes in three flavors: dark, gianduja and milk. Can’t make up your mind? There’s a triple chocolate cup – literally oozing out just for you.

Maitre Choux

60 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 6AW (See map)

The brainchild of pastry artist Joakim Prat with Michelin stars under his belt, Maitre Choux invites you to the vibrant world of eclairs. They have the perfect crispy-meets-soft shell, the delectable variety of fillings and the prettiest decorations you can imagine. Order a dainty box of eight – and make sure to get Persian Pistachio and Spanish Raspberry.

Best places for date nights in London

Holborn Dining Room

252 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 7EN (See map)

Wanting to impress your date with the best fish and chips in London? Reserve a table for two at the elegant Holborn Dining Room. It’s a dining salon with a tasteful antique feel, from the mirrors, oak furnishings, to the leather seats. To add to your order is a serving of their sumptuous pies, highly regarded as being the finest in London. We’ll take the Curried Mutton pie any day – and a Paris-Brest for dessert, simply because. Extend the date night with a visit to the Gin Bar.

J Sheekey

28-32 St Martin’s Ct, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AL (See map)

Your date deserves only the best restaurants in London. One of them is definitely J Sheekey, an iconic seafood and fish restaurant serving good food for over 100 years. After a visit to the Royal Opera House or a night at the nearby theatres, walk over to J Sheekey for some delicious native oysters and grilled fish for two. “Responsibly sourced and perfectly prepared” – as what they say about their food, truly J Sheekey is a restaurant that will complement your memorable affair.

Noble Rot

51 Lamb’s Conduit St, Holborn, London WC1N 3NB (See map)

Noble Rot is a place in London best described in two words: good wine. In fact, they have won the wine list award at the recent World Restaurant Awards. Their wine menu will have you deeply intrigued, and after a glass you’ll lose count, as good times seem to come with your order. Try getting a table in the front bar section for a fuller date night experience. 

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For late nights in London

Duck and Waffle

110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY (See map)

40 floors up of the Heron Tower is Duck and Waffle, one of the best places to eat in London – especially if you are craving for some Smoked Eel Croquettes at 3 in the morning. Yes, this is one restaurant in the area that’s open for 24 hours! Its menus are innovative yet relatable (think Foie Gras Creme Brulee) and by being open the whole time of day, you know where to find us in the wee hours.

For cheap eats in London

Padella in Borough Market

6 Southwark St, London SE1 1TQ  (See map)

With freshly made pasta on site, how can someone resist not coming into the doors of Padella? The glass windows of the shop offer a quick glance of the pasta makers from a distance, trying to entice you with the orchestra of powder and dough filling the air. Their pasta dishes are sold at a range of £4 to £12. I’d drive to Padella just for an order (or two) of their Tagliarini in Slow Cooked Tomato Sauce!

Bao in Netil Market

Netil Market, 13-23 Westgate St, London E8 3RL (See map)

Probably part of every list of cool restaurants in London is Bao, a concept which started in a carpark in the east. After two years of selling in a market stall, it opened its first restaurant – and the queues never seem to end ever since. Now, the concept has grown into four locations. If it is your first time trying the Taiwanese delicacy where the restaurant got its name, head to their first ever stall in West Gate Street. It’s a six-seater bao bar that opens for four hours every Saturday. A bao costs £3 to £5, depending on the flavor.

Vegan Friendly Places to eat in London

The Big V in Victoria Market

Vegan food vendor in Victoria Park between Bonner Gate and Gore Gate (See map)

We dare you to try their Classic  Facon Burger and tell us it’s not as good as your regular fix. Their house sauce works magic when combined with vegan cheddar and maple facon. Whether you are a full-fledged vegan or are curious about the cuisine, The Big V is definitely serving up some of the best food in London.

Afternoon tea in London

Savoy Hotel

The Savoy Hotel, Strand, London WC2R 0EZ (See map)

Since 1889, The Savoy has been serving afternoon tea to its guests. Today, it is served in the elegant glass-dome Thomas Foyer, with a naturally lit room and a pianist on play, giving the place additional sophistication. There are vegan and vegetarian options, and children can have their own tea party as well. Price starts at £75.

Sketch Gallery

9 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG (See map)

Sketch is a Michelin star-awarded restaurant serving afternoon tea amidst a sea of artworks. The food itself are inventive as they are delicious, as if someone hand painted edible forms of sweets and savories for you to enjoy. Price varies from £59 to £85.

London has you covered for all your gastronomical adventures in the city.  Enjoy your food trip to these awesome places to eat in London.

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