Best restaurants in London

45 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/london, r/UK_Food

People recommend Blacklock for its steak and chops, and commenters praise the food, the all-in option and the cheesecake. Several describe it as good value. Caveats: a couple of diners were underwhelmed on past visits, one commenter says a different pub serves a better roast, and one objects to the discretionary service charge. A few call it decent: one would upgrade to Hawksmoor or Temper for a special occasion, and another says it suits a casual meal out more than a foodie visit.

Covent Garden

23 people recommend, 6 warn against itvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Hawksmoor is recommended for steak, with some rating it highly and a couple suggesting it for a special occasion. A few find it pricey, and several rank Blacklock above it. One commenter calls it overrated, and a couple describe the food as inconsistent.

18 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/UK_Food, r/london

Fallow is recommended for modern British cooking, and one diner who went for the first time praises the cod's head and ribs. Another says the Sunday lunch is fantastic, and one who has been about a dozen times, at its current and previous sites, has never been disappointed. On the downside, a couple say it is expensive or has got pricier, one calls it overrated, and another says the steak was the worst they have had.

17 people recommendvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Flat Iron is the budget steak pick: many call it great value, and several praise the steak itself, one saying the King's Cross branch cooked one of the best steaks they have had. Several suggest it for a date that won't break the bank, one says the sides are the real stars, and two mention the free ice cream at the end.

16 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Rules is recommended for traditional British food in an old-fashioned setting; one says it feels like stepping into the 1890s. Food reviews are split: one diner calls the food fantastic, another finds it quite good, and one commenter says the food is poor but likes the wine, cocktails and decor. A couple of commenters describe it as pricey, one diner feels it is better enjoyed at the bar than as a sit-down meal, and another commenter says it is mainly good for drinking.

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/london

J Sheekey's is a go-to for seafood, and several praise its food and old-school feel. Two diners say it has stayed consistently good over the years. Several commenters say it is pricey, and one commenter finds it average and bland for what it costs.

12 people recommendvia r/london

People recommend Scott's for seafood, with a couple of commenters praising the fish and others pointing to its quality and setting. Three commenters call it their favourite. The only drawback people mention is price: a few say it is expensive. Scott's has two London restaurants, in Mayfair and Richmond; this is the Mayfair one, and some comments are about Richmond.

Mayfair

10 people recommendvia r/london

Trullo is a dependable Italian pick: one names it the best restaurant in N1, and another says lunch there is always brilliant. Someone asking for slightly pricier restaurants gave Trullo as the example, and another commenter includes it among well-reviewed places where most meals for two, with drinks, cost a lot. One backs it for a teenagers' birthday dinner but hopes they like tripe.

9 people recommendvia r/london

Gloria is the Instagram and TikTok pick: several call it great for both, though some of those comments also cover Circolo Popolare, and one praises its flower-covered facade. On the food, one who went to the Shoreditch restaurant called it amazing and had the carbonara, served from a giant wheel of cheese at the table; another finds the food quite good, and an Italian would go back to Gloria but not to Circolo Popolare. One says it is worth every penny and to book ahead.

8 people recommendvia r/UK_Food, r/london

St John is suggested for nose-to-tail British cooking: one rates the bone marrow on toast as top tier, and another says to sit in the bar area and calls it one of London's very best. Most mentions are brief recommendations, and one says they know it only through friends. One diner who has eaten there rates it more highly for starters and desserts than for mains.

8 people recommendvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Rogues in Bethnal Green gets warm praise: one names it the best restaurant in E2 and loves the food, and another calls it excellent. A couple of commenters say they have been and liked it, and one commenter finds it cosy, especially in the evening. One says it fills the gap left by a cool spot across the road that closed during COVID, though without that place's hip-hop playlist.

Bethnal Green

8 people recommendvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Tayyab's is a Whitechapel favourite: several people named it when asked for their favourite restaurants in the area, and another gives it as their favourite in East London. One commenter suggests it for diners wanting something more adventurous. On the other side, one diner finds it fine but only lukewarmly, and another says they used to go there but have not visited in years.

8 people recommendvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Quality Chop House is recommended for classic British food; one commenter ranks it first for modern cooking in an old-world setting, and one diner singles out the confit potatoes as a draw in their own right. The same diner says it is more than a chop house and finds the dining room pleasant. One diner calls it pricey and notes that it fills up early, so they suggest booking well ahead.

8 people recommendvia r/london

Bancone is an Italian pasta place suggested for a date in central London that feels fancy without costing much, and one diner rates its silk handkerchief pasta among the best pasta they have had. One commenter who dines solo says the counter seats let you watch the kitchen, while another prefers the Covent Garden branch. A couple of commenters say drinks can push the bill past a budget, and one of them adds that a starter can do the same. Tables can be booked, which a couple of commenters welcome.

8 people recommendvia r/london

Behind, in Hackney, serves a seafood-only tasting menu at a counter and is recommended for fine-dining seafood. One commenter calls the food incredible, another suggests it for special occasions with an exclusive feeling, and another names it as a personal favourite from the Michelin Guide. Only a couple of commenters write from personal experience.

7 people recommendvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Most commenters recommend Sweetings in the City, and a couple of diners rate the food highly, with one singling out the seafood and black velvet drink. One commenter lists it among London's old-style spots. The caveats: one commenter says it only serves fish, another says it is for weekday lunch only with no bookings, and one diner finds the feel business-minded given its City location.

City

7 people recommendvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Many commenters recommend Camberwell Arms, and one calls it the top choice within walking distance of Southwark Registry Office. One commenter who attended a wedding there says it is not overly formal, and another lists it among several places for delicious food. A couple of commenters also name The Bear.

7 people recommendvia r/london, r/UK_Food

People recommend Wiltons, particularly for seafood. One diner singles out its oysters and fish as probably the best seafood they have had, and another suggests it to anyone who likes fish. Two commenters put it alongside Rules as an old-fashioned option, and one diner describes the place as very fancy.

7 people recommendvia r/london

Many people recommend Brutto, with a few commenters placing it in Farringdon. Two commenters praise the food, one finds it friendly and laid-back, and another likes the decor. One commenter who visited recently says it was great, and another suggests it if a less central spot is fine.

Farringdon

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/london

Many people recommend Brat, and a couple of commenters say it offers strong value. One commenter says it suits groups, and a diner who would pick it for special occasions also finds the room a bit cramped. Another commenter thinks it is overrated.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Most people recommend Core by Clare Smyth, and a couple of them say it is worth the effort. One commenter ranks it above other restaurants they have eaten at, and another describes an outstanding meal for both the cooking and the service. The main caveat is booking: one commenter says bookings open months ahead and fill within minutes, and that they have repeatedly failed to get a table. One commenter advises booking as a larger group, saying bigger tables are easier to secure.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/london

People recommend A Wong. Several diners who have eaten there praise the food, and one commenter singles out the dumplings. A couple of diners say they felt well looked after. One diner judged the food average on an earlier visit and feels reluctant to try it again. Another diner says tables have been hard to get since it earned its Michelin recognition, and one commenter calls it a pricey splurge.

7 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/UK_Food, r/london

Many commenters recommend Dishoom, and a couple of them single out breakfast, though one finds dinner more hit-and-miss. One diner says the food is good, and one commenter finds queues not worth it, while another is fine waiting for hot chai. Two diners flag the service charge as extra cost, and one finds it pricey, while another argues the charge should stay unless service is poor. One commenter also objects to recommending it as a chain. Comments mention its King's Cross and Canary Wharf restaurants.

7 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Some diners who have visited rate the food well, with one diner loving the roast and a commenter saying not to skip the scallop. Two commenters suggest it as a classic British option alongside Rules, and a couple of commenters say the atmosphere is good. On the downside, a couple of commenters were not impressed, one diner found the roast better than their dinner, and another found the lunch lovely but did not like the downstairs pub crowd. One commenter says booking can be a hassle, but suggests setting a reminder to catch tables as they release.

Soho

7 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/london

Several commenters suggest Circolo Popolare, and two of them say it is good for photos and social media. A few commenters push back: one diner says they would not return, another finds it hyped for Instagram with mediocre food, and a third calls it a controversial pick with better options elsewhere.

6 people recommendvia r/UK_Food, r/london

People recommend Harwood Arms, with one commenter placing it among their top London spots and another describing it as next level. One commenter says it serves a proper roast rather than dainty food and is cosy in winter. Several mentions are brief name-drops, so there is little detail on the food.

6 people recommendvia r/UK_Food, r/london

Commenters name Takahashi as a good London option for Japanese food. A few diners who have eaten there say it was very good: one calls the sushi incredible and among London's best, and says the place feels more relaxed than its unassuming look suggests. Another diner, who went for a birthday, calls the omakase good value for fine dining. Two commenters put other restaurants ahead of it: one ranks Sushi Tetsu at the top and another calls Endo the best.

6 people recommendvia r/london

People recommend Mallow, and a couple of commenters praise its plant-based food, with one diner calling it a favourite for brunch. Several commenters place it in Borough Market, and one diner says they prefer that spin-off. One diner describes it as mid-priced, and several recommendations are not based on a personal visit.

Borough Market

6 people recommendvia r/london

Several people recommend Babur, an Indian restaurant, and commenters place it in Honor Oak. One diner calls Babur brilliant, another calls it great, and a separate diner highlights the Sunday buffet and says the wine list is excellent.

Honor Oak

6 people recommendvia r/london, r/UK_Food

Many commenters recommend Zedel, and a couple of them single out its wow-factor setting. One diner who ate lunch there found the food good for the crowd it was feeding and the service great. A couple of commenters find the prices good value, with set menus singled out. One diner says it is pricey and very busy, though still calls it one of their favourite spots.

6 people recommendvia r/london

Many people recommend Goodman, with a couple of commenters praising its steaks and a couple of diners pointing to its wide range of options. One diner says the atmosphere and wine list are good, and one commenter says the USDA Black Angus beef stands out. A couple of commenters describe it as pricey, and one commenter says they would pick the Mayfair branch.

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/london

Several commenters recommend Roka, and a few of them call it good. One commenter suggests sitting at the counter. Another commenter, though, feels it is glamorous and aimed at social-media crowds, pricey and not very authentic, and says Endo is far better for proper omakase.

6 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/london

Several commenters recommend Padella, and one says it is among the best they've tried, with small but filling dishes at a budget-friendly price. Another calls it excellent, and a commenter suggests it for eating alone. On the downside, one commenter contrasts it with Bancone, where you can book, and another calls it awful.

5 people recommendvia r/london

Several people recommend Gokyuzu on Green Lanes, and a few commenters say the food is still great. A couple of commenters say the value still holds up, and a couple mention free sides such as bread, salad and dips. A few commenters say it has become pricier, and one commenter who returned after years away found the place felt different, though still good.

Green Lanes

5 people recommendvia r/london

Several commenters recommend Andrew Edmunds in Soho, and two of them single it out for an intimate, romantic atmosphere. One diner calls it consistently excellent and says its wine is priced close to retail. One diner who visited found the food decent rather than outstanding.

Soho

5 people recommendvia r/london

People recommend Sushi Tetsu, a sushi restaurant in the Clerkenwell area, and a few diners who have eaten there rate it highly. Booking is a caveat that a couple of commenters raise: one thinks bookings are hard to secure, while another calls it a great traditional place but says getting a table makes it pointless. One commenter thinks it is the best sushi in London, while another ranks it top of their own list without having been to Endo yet. One diner who has been there multiple times says they have reliably got a table.

5 people recommendvia r/london, r/UK_Food

People recommend Randall & Aubin, with commenters naming its Brewer Street and Soho branches, and one commenter who visited says they enjoyed it. Another says it is especially good for fish lovers, and a further commenter suggests the Soho branch is worth checking out.

Brewer Street

5 people recommendvia r/london

People recommend Smiths of Wapping, and one commenter praises the food and location. Another commenter highlights a sunset view over Tower Bridge. One commenter, who describes a personal visit, says it is not their favourite but still suggests going.

5 people recommendvia r/london

People recommend Bentley's, a seafood restaurant, and a couple of commenters say it has a classic feel. One diner praises the wine list and the classic dishes. The caveat raised is price: one commenter finds it pricey.

5 people recommendvia r/london, r/CasualUK

People recommend Bocca di Lupo. One diner, who ate there recently, calls the meal amazing and says it made other London restaurants seem average by comparison. A commenter, without describing a visit, calls it a good choice for Italian food.

5 people recommendvia r/london

People recommend the Pig and Butcher in Islington. A commenter calls its roast their favourite and says the starters and desserts are good too, while another calls it a standout. A couple of others suggest it for a roast dinner, with one pairing a single roast there with pints.

Islington

5 people recommendvia r/UK_Food, r/london

People recommend Eat Tokyo, with a few commenters pointing to its value and several praising the food. One commenter says it serves a big, budget-friendly sushi plate and has unlimited hotpot at its Golders Green branch. One diner says the food is very tasty but the decor is understated, while another commenter lists it among places with seating for solo diners. Several commenters are not describing first-hand visits.

5 people recommendvia r/london

People recommend Murger Han, and one commenter says it focuses on Xi'an cooking. Two diners who have eaten there speak well of it: one rates its hand-cut noodles among the best they have had, and the other went there regularly before evening classes. Another commenter, who calls the branch slightly north of Roti King the real gem, suggests trying the BienBienMein. Several commenters do not describe a visit of their own, and one is passing along a friend's praise. Comments refer to its branches near Euston and at Elephant and Castle.

5 people recommendvia r/london

People recommend Sagardi, and one commenter says the steaks are excellent. Another diner, on a first visit, was very impressed and found the service excellent. A third commenter quite likes it but notes Goodmans offers a wider range, and two others name it among dependable or well-reviewed places.

5 people recommendvia r/london

Several commenters recommend Bubala, and a couple of them describe it as vegetarian-focused, with one calling the veggie food very good. A few others simply list it without saying why.

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/london

People recommend Silk Road, and one diner in Camberwell finds it tasty and budget-friendly. Another commenter says it has recovered and pushes back on the idea that its good name is only from years ago. One commenter warns it has declined and that the food has become gloopy.

Camberwell

5 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/london

People recommend Hunan and describe it as fantastic, and one diner who keeps going back says it has been reliably good at both lunch and dinner. Two diners who praise it also say it is pricey, and one commenter feels it is not very vegetarian-friendly. One diner who visited years ago found it fine but unexciting and would not recommend it.