101 best restaurants in London in 2025

Discover the best places to eat in London, from Italian to Indian, cheap eats to steak restaurants, plus the best vegetarian and vegan options in the capital.
Visit London Editors
Written by Visit London Editors Edited by Lucie Fryer 02 January 2025

London is a fantastic place to eat out, with countless options for every taste and budget, from award-winning world cuisines to traditional British grub. Check out our pick of the best restaurants in London to find your next dining spot in the capital.

Taste incredible dishes packed with flavour at the best restaurants in London, featuring venues with settings for every occasion, from swanky locations with astounding views perfect for a romantic meal to cosy family-friendly pubs and atmospheric wine bars.

Cheap and affordable restaurants in London

Tacos plate viewed from above on colourful painted table featuring the word taco in blue.
Gorge on delicious tacos at Breddos Tacos. Image courtesy of Breddos Tacos.

Visiting London on a budget? The British capital has plenty of affordable dining spots to tickle your fancy. Find great cheap restaurants in London for every taste, from fantastic Italian eateries and excellent Asian street food spots to affordable French brasseries and the best burger restaurants in the city.

  1. Tear into slices of Napoli-style pizza at Santa Maria Pizzeria in Ealing.
  2. Try the fluffy Taiwanese buns with delectable toppings at Bao.
  3. Head to Padella for bowls of homemade pasta from around £5.
  4. Treat yourself to a steak and salad at Flat Iron for a reasonable £10.
  5. Enjoy the glamorous surroundings at Brasserie Zédel, offering French food at affordable prices.
  6. Sink your teeth into one of the best burgers in London at Patty and Bun.
  7. Discover family-style Sri Lankan cooking at Hoppers Soho.
  8. Gorge on pork belly tacos at Breddos Tacos.
  9. Order generous amounts of Chinese fare at Xi’an Impression in Highbury.

Best small plates restaurants in London

If you’re looking for a cool dining spot to spend a fun evening with friends or family, discover the best small plate restaurants in London. These eateries are perfect for sharing, serving delicious small plates packed with big flavours. Take your pick from Spanish tapas, French treats, Asian fusion, South-American delicacies and more.

  1. Enjoy a blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian creations at Sushisamba on Covent Garden's Opera Terrace. 
  2. Share delicious plates of French cuisine at cosy Blanchette.
  3. Grab a spot at Counter Culture’s 14-seat bar for small plates with big flavours.
  4. Experience fine Spanish cuisine and hospitality at Sabor.
  5. Queue at Barrafina – the incredible tapas inside is well worth the wait.
  6. Savour the taste of the Mediterranean at The Ninth in Fitzrovia.
  7. Sample moreish Italian and Peruvian dishes at Monmouth Kitchen.
  8. Try one of the many excellent seafood dishes on the menu at Westerns Laundry.

Fun and trendy restaurants in London

The newly renovated Gallery at Sketch with glistening gold and yellow furnishings. Image courtesy of Sketch.
The Gallery at Sketch restaurant in London. Image courtesy of Sketch.

London is also a great city to experience quirky dining venues serving creative dishes in colourful surroundings. From London institutions clad in lavish interiors to restaurants designed by award-winning artists, discover some of the most trendy and fun restaurants in London, perfectly combining top-notch food with inspiring decor.

  1. Push the “press for champagne” button at super-trendy Bob Bob Ricard.
  2. Eat wholesome food at Rochelle Canteen, located in a school’s old bike shed.
  3. Head to Pidgin for a changing set menu with unusual flavour combinations such as buttermilk mousse with cornflakes and pepper.
  4. Dine on haute French cuisine at Sketch and marvel at the quirky restaurant's interiors, including the egg-shaped loos.

Best London vegetarian and vegan restaurants

From veggie hot dogs and dairy-free banoffee pie to fine-dining vegan cuisine, there are plenty of tempting vegetarian and vegan options to choose from at the best vegetarian restaurants and top vegan restaurants in London.

  1. For vegan food that even non-vegetarians will love, go to neon-pink Genesis in Spitalfields. 
  2. Head to The Gate Islington for a brilliant vegetarian meal before watching a show at nearby Sadler’s Wells.
  3. Soak up the cheery community atmosphere and enjoy a variety of cuisines from rotating chefs at Bonnington Cafe.
  4. Stuff your face with the much-loved vegan burgers at Mooshies on Brick Lane.
  5. Marvel at the gloriously pink room at Rasa N16 while tucking into sizzling Indian curries.
  6. Fill up on junk food at Temple of Seitan, London's famous vegan fried chicken joint. 
  7. Sample vegan and vegetarian dishes from around the world at Mildreds, a Soho institution.
  8. Try creative dishes with matched wine pairings from the set vegan menu at Frog by Adam Handling in Covent Garden.

Best spots for brunch in London

A panoramic shot of a restaurant over looking the City skyline
Duck & Waffle restaurant. © Duck & Waffle/Steven Joyce

Whether you’re looking for a boozy brunch, a late breakfast with friends or a healthy take on the mid-morning meal, treat yourself to a lie-in and indulge in a spot of brunch at one of the best brunch restaurants in London.

  1. Admire Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings' beautiful botanical spaces during a bottomless brunch.
  2. Indulge in pancakes or get your health kick from superfood salads at Christopher's, a glitzy American restaurant.
  3. Order the Jerusalem breakfast at The Good Egg in Soho for a Jewish-influenced brunch feast.
  4. Eat the signature duck and waffle dish in front of incredible views at Duck & Waffle.
  5. Enjoy every type of egg imaginable at Balthazar, a grand brasserie near Covent Garden.
  6. People-watch with a Bloody Mary outside Dean Street Townhouse, a not-to-be-missed brunch hotspot.
  7. Delve into the Bloody Mary beans or the Mistress Royale for a treat day at The Farmer's Mistress in Battersea.
  8. Rub shoulders with the stars as you munch on buttermilk pancakes at Chiltern Firehouse.

Best BBQs, grills and kilns in London

Calling all meat lovers and anyone who loves a good grill! From Asian BBQ and Turkish kebabs to grilled seafood and huge hunks of meat cooked over charcoal, settle down for an incredible meal at some of the best BBQ and grill restaurants in London.

  1. Watch meat roast on an open grill in the middle of Temper.
  2. Get all the cuts and share large plates of Canadian beef with friends at Zelman Meats.
  3. Order the grilled octopus at The Barbary, a North African grill in pretty Neal’s Yard.
  4. Shake your head to rock music as you eat Turkish-inspired kebabs at Black Axe Mangal.
  5. Fill up on plates of Thai food cooked over charcoal at Smoking Goat, inspired by late-night canteens in Bangkok.
  6. Chomp on hunks of meat from the grill and nibble on mezze at Berber & Q.
  7. Eat delicious Thai curries and noodles cooked in clay pots at Kiln.

Best Michelin-starred restaurants in London

Shards of milk chocolate, chocolate ice cream and yellow fruit, assembled creatively in a bowl at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught.
"Chocolate" dessert at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught. Images courtesy of The Connaught.

For a meal to remember, splash out at one of the best Michelin-star restaurants in London. Indulge in the finest award-winning cuisine the city has to offer, with world-renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Hélène Darroze and the Galvin brothers, as well as promising newcomers making their mark.

  1. Delight in stunning French cuisine from two Michelin-starred chef Hélène Darroze at The Connaught.
  2. Experience incredible British food in relaxed surroundings at The Harwood Arms, the only Michelin-starred pub in London.
  3. Treat yourself to a royal experience at The Dining Room at The Goring, frequented by Kate Middleton.
  4. Delve back in time through the historically inspired menu at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
  5. Tuck into wild English game dishes at two Michelin-starred restaurant, The Ledbury.
  6. Take a trip to Chez Bruce by Wandsworth Common for high-end French cuisine and fantastic service.
  7. Choose from around 45 gourmet Indian dishes at Amaya, each prepared with its own special blend of spices.
  8. Sample incredible modern Chinese food at Hakkasan, a celebrity haunt in Mayfair.
  9. Dine on British ingredients prepared with French influences at Marcus, from acclaimed chef Marcus Wareing.
  10. Join the well-heeled Chelsea set at celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.
  11. Admire sweeping views of Hyde Park from Galvin at Windows, on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane.

Best London wine bars with fantastic food

Tuck into scrumptious dishes paired with the perfect wine at one of the best wine bars in London with food. From quirky drinking spots to classy French bistros, discover plenty of fantastic locations across the city to sample hundreds of different types of wine, including naturally fermented, organic and bio-dynamic wines.

  1. Devour tempting Anglo-French fare paired with excellent wine at Noble Rot.
  2. Find your new favourite wine from the 10 bottles on rotation at The 10 Cases, with seasonal food to match.
  3. Soak up the warm ambience and Dickensian-style decor at Gordon's Wine Bar.
  4. Try natural wines and food from the charcoal grill at Naughty Piglets in Brixton.
  5. Head to buzzy 40 Maltby Street for natural wines and fresh produce from the tiny kitchen. 

Best British restaurants

The Ivy bar and tables featuring red chairs, green banquette seating, while table cloth and dark wooden floors.
Enjoy an exquisite meal at The Ivy. Photo credit: Paul-Winch-Furness. Image courtesy of Create PR.

From historic restaurants serving up British classics to more recent eateries putting a new spin on age-old recipes, there are plenty of fantastic places to try the best traditional British food in the city. Book a table of one of the best British restaurants in London, including top fish and chip venues, pie shops and Sunday roast hotspots.

  1. Find a spot at Kitty Fisher’s for British fare with a Spanish twist.
  2. Spot famous actors during a post-theatre dinner at The Ivy.
  3. Settle down at a table in Quo Vadis for comforting British staples such as pie and mash.
  4. Be wowed by the tasting menu at The Clove Club, ranked one of the world’s best restaurants.
  5. Pop into Lyle's in trendy Shoreditch for a set menu that celebrates seasonal British ingredients.
  6. Eat elegant dishes at Core by Clare Smyth, the only female chef to have run a three Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK.
  7. Treat yourself to sensational British seafood or Scottish steaks at Berners Tavern.
  8. Feast on expertly cooked meats at Holborn Dining Room, a grand British brasserie. 

Top restaurants in London for seasonal produce

For deliciously creative plates made with top-quality, locally sourced ingredients, head to one of the best restaurants for seasonal produce in London.

  1. Drink wine on tap and eat British ingredients cooked with global influences at Clipstone.
  2. Gaze out over the river Thames and enjoy a menu that celebrates seasonality at 12th Knot at Sea Containers London.
  3. Head to Eat 17 in Walthamstow for hearty plates made with locally sourced produce.
  4. Go south to Plot in Tooting's lively Broadway Market for new British cooking in a no-frills setting. 
  5. Dine with the East Dulwich locals at Franklins, where ingredients are largely sourced from their farm in Kent.

Luxury dining in London

Colourful nigiri and maki sushi laid out on a grey plate.
Feast on top-notch Japanese fare at Nobu in Shoreditch. Image courtesy of Nobu.

Feast on exquisite creations and fine cuisine from around the world at some of the best luxury dining restaurants in London.

  1. Sample exquisite Japanese cuisine well worth the price tag at Roka Charlotte Street.
  2. Discover high-end French fare influenced by the South Pacific at chef Monica Galetti’s Mere.
  3. Knock on the door of a Regency townhouse to be whisked into the intimate dining room at Gauthier Soho.
  4. Relish fine Chinese cuisine and fantastic views at Min Jiang at the Royal Garden Hotel.
  5. Relax and enjoy elegant yet unstuffy French fine dining at La Dame de Pic at Tower Hill. 
  6. Taste the famous black cod miso at Nobu Shoreditch

Best steakhouses in London for meat lovers

Are you in search of the best steak in London? Whatever your favourite cut of beef, you’ll find it with our pick of the best steakhouse restaurants in London. Tear into prime meat and enjoy the best cuts from around the world with these top spots for meat lovers, including where to find the best Sunday roasts in the capital.

  1. Scoff one of the best Sunday roasts in London at Hawksmoor.
  2. Tuck into excellent steaks and admire the view of Parliament across the river at Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar.
  3. Make sure nothing goes to waste at St John, famous for its nose-to-tail eating philosophy.
  4. Enjoy the best cuts of meat from around the world, grilled to perfection at Omnino Leadenhall.
  5. Dig into the finest British meat handled with care at The Quality Chop House, featuring Grade II-listed Victorian decor.
  6. Tear into USDA prime steaks from American steakhouse Smith & Wollensky.

Best restaurants in London for international cuisine

The dining area at Dishoom Shoreditch with hanging plants, cosy sofas and a tiled floor.
Treat yourself to a meal at Dishoom Shoreditch. Image courtesy of Dishoom.

Uncover culinary delights from around the world at London's best international restaurants. Get a taste of the capital’s eclectic food scene and enjoy delicious food from every continent, from Africa and Asia to AmericaEurope and more!

  1. Discover regional specialities from Thailand at Som Saa.
  2. Begin your day with an Indian-inspired breakfast at Dishoom.
  3. Have your taste buds tingle with the freshness of the ceviche at Lima Fitzrovia, a Michelin-starred Peruvian restaurant.
  4. Feast on vibrant curries and bowls of steaming rice at Thai eatery Farang.
  5. Take plenty of Instagram-worthy snaps while you enjoy creative international food at Hush Mayfair.
  6. Indulge in high-end Italian cuisine at sophisticated Il Pampero.
  7. Tuck into colourful plates of delicious Middle Eastern food at Honey & Co.
  8. Dig in to warming tagines at glamorous Moroccan eatery, Momo.
  9. Uncover authentic culinary delights of Vietnam at Mam in Notting Hill.
  10. Head to Westminster institution The Cinnamon Club for refined Indian food in a former Victorian library.
  11. Enjoy tasty Chinese cuisine at one of Chinatown's many culinary hotspots.

And now for dessert

Don't forget to leave some room for dessert! If you’re serious about chocolate, ice cream or cakes, check out some of these heavenly places where your sweet tooth will be sated in every possible way. These are some of the best restaurants for dessert in London.

  1. Treat yourself to a decadent dessert paired with a specially selected cocktail at Basement Sate.
  2. Step into the world of cheesecake heaven at Whipped London for indulgent New York-style baked cheesecakes.
  3. Try beautifully iced cupcakes, layered cakes and savoury treats at insta-famous Peggy Porschen.
  4. Thick and gooey cookies await you at Crème London in mouthwatering flavours including white chocolate miso and banana dark chocolate.
  5. Enjoy ice cream reimagined at Soft Serve Society with wild flavour combinations such as charcoal coconut and matcha.

Check out our food and drink guide for more inspiration, from Michelin-starred dining to top spots for cheese.