From historic restaurants serving up little-changed dishes, to more recent eateries putting a new spin on age-old recipes, you'll find plenty of fantastic places to try the best traditional British food in London.
Check out the best British restaurants in London for traditional dishes below. Alternatively, try one of the many specialist British restaurants London has to offer, including pie shops, Sunday roast hotspots or the top fish and chips shops.
1. Rules
London's oldest restaurant Rules has been serving traditional British cuisine from its Covent Garden location since 1798. Find a cosy spot as you tuck into game dishes, oysters, pies and puddings (try the treacle tart or Spotted Dick). The game served here is sourced from the restaurant’s private estate in County Durham.
Where: Covent Garden (35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7LB)
2. Hereford Road
Offal features heavily at Bayswater venue Hereford Road, so be adventurous with the likes of calf’s brain or sweetbreads. Alternatively, play safe with the likes of British staples lemon sole or pork chops. Comforting desserts such as rhubarb crumble, rice pudding or Bakewell tart round off the meal nicely. The menu rotates seasonally, featuring different regional British ingredients.
Where: Bayswater (3 Hereford Road, W2 4AB)
3. OXO Tower Restaurant
Enjoy panoramic views of the Thames from the 8th floor at OXO Tower Restaurant, known for its modern take on British cuisine. Dishes are crafted from high-quality British ingredients, such as roast lamb with seasonal vegetables or fresh Cornish seafood. The extensive wine list and expertly crafted cocktails complement the menu, while the terrace provides one of the best al fresco dining spots in London.
Where: Southbank (OXO Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, SE1 9PH)
4. St. John
Delve into everything from kidneys to tripe at St. John, a Smithfield restaurant housed in a former smokehouse. Its ethos, which chef Fergus Henderson has termed "nose-to-tail eating", means every part of the animal is used. So it's the perfect spot for meat-lovers, but less so for the squeamish. The restaurant holds a Michelin star for its daily changing menu.
Where: Clerkenwell (26 St John Street, EC1M 4AY)
5. Wiltons
Treat yourself to seasonal roast grouse or turbot at Wiltons in Jermyn Street, which has been serving fine British food since 1742. Alongside wild fish, shellfish, game and meat, the restaurant – which holds a Royal Warrant – has long been known for its oysters, reportedly a favourite of Queen Victoria.
Where: St James (55 Jermyn Street, St James's, SW1Y 6LX)
6. Boisdale of Belgravia
You couldn't get much more British than Boisdale of Belgravia, which is housed in an elegant regency building near Buckingham Palace. Select from the primarily Scottish menu featuring mini roast haggis with neeps (turnips), potatoes and whisky. Visit in the evenings where you might catch a live jazz band accompanying your meal.
Where: Belgravia (15 Eccleston St, SW1W 9LX)
7. The Dining Room at The Goring
Rub shoulders with royalty and politicians who have been known to frequent this one Michelin-starred restaurant in Victoria. Featuring a stunning room with Swarovski chandeliers, The Dining Room at The Goring serves up traditional fare – expect superbly cooked dishes such as beef wellington and eccles cake.
Where: Belgravia (The Goring, Beeston Place, Victoria, SW1W 0JW)
8. Roast Restaurant
Gaze out across Borough Market, where much of Roast Restaurant's produce is sourced, from this light-filled eatery. Here, you'll find classic dishes such as roast beef, alongside English wines and local cheeses. If you can't book a spot in the restaurant, head to Roast To Go downstairs for takeaway.
Where: Southwark (The Floral Hall, Stoney Street, Borough Market, SE1 1TL)
9. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Located in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal offers a menu inspired by historical British dishes, reimagined with contemporary techniques. Signature dishes include the "Meat Fruit" a chicken liver parfait styled to resemble a mandarin. The innovative approach provides a unique exploration of Britain's culinary past.
Where: Knightsbridge (Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA)
10. Quo Vadis
Pick from traditional London fare such as skate with tartare sauce, pie and mash or smoked eel sandwiches at this Soho institution. Quo Vadis opened in 1926, and the restaurant maintains a retro feel with stained-glass windows and parquet floors. Flick through the seasonal menu which features a smoked eel sandwich, oysters and pie of the day.
Where: Soho (26-29 Dean Street, W1D 3LL)
11. Simpsons in the Strand
Book a table at one of London’s most storied restaurants, where carved-to-order roast meats have been a speciality since the early 19th century. Originally a chess club and coffee house, Simpson’s in the Strand is known for its grand dining room and traditional British dishes, including roast beef served from silver-domed trolleys. Alongside classic cuts, the menu features dishes such as potted shrimps and steak and kidney pudding.
Where: Covent Garden (100 Strand, WC2R 0EW)
12. Bentley's Oyster Bar and Grill
Enjoy top-quality British seafood at Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill, which has been serving oysters, fish and shellfish since 1916. Tuck into a platter of fresh oysters from across the British Isles, or opt for classic dishes such as Dover sole, dressed crab, and fish pie. Housed in a beautiful Edwardian building near Piccadilly, the restaurant offers both a relaxed oyster bar and an elegant dining room.
Where: Mayfair (11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG)
13. Corrigans Mayfair
Experience refined British and Irish cuisine at Corrigan’s Mayfair, the acclaimed restaurant from chef Richard Corrigan. Known for its game, wild fish and seasonal ingredients, the menu showcases dishes such as roast grouse, venison wellington and native lobster. The elegant dining room features rich wood panelling and leather banquettes.
Where: Mayfair (28 Upper Grosvenor Street, W1K 7EH)
14. Savoy Grill
Dine in one of London’s most famous restaurants, Savoy Grill, which today serves timeless favourites under Gordon Ramsay’s stewardship. Expect beef wellington, dover sole and steak diane, all prepared with impeccable attention to detail. The elegant dining room with its art deco interiors and plush seating has welcomed figures from Winston Churchill to Marilyn Monroe, making it a place steeped in history as well as fine dining.
Where: Strand (The Savoy, WC2R 0EZ)
15. The Grill by Tom Booton
Situated in the prestigious Dorchester Hotel, The Grill by Tom Booton serves up traditional British fare such as beef wellington and grilled skate wing in an ornate dining room that includes mirrored panels on the walls and an intricately carved ceiling. The grill combines the heritage of its historic setting with Booton’s fresh, dynamic style. The popular set lunch menu offers excellent value for money.
Where: Park Lane (53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA)
Keep exploring London's rich culinary scene with the top Sunday roasts or best Michelin-starred restaurants.
