Best of London

The most repeated question I get almost every hour: Where should I take my friends/families to impress them with food while they are in London?

 

Christmas is around the corner and many of you have families and friends visiting London and I’m sure you want to impress them with what London offers for food and experience.

I am very picky when it comes to recommending a restaurant to people as I always want everyone to have the best experience In London. I visited the restaurants I listed below multiple times to make sure they are consistently good so I can happily suggest them to anyone who likes good food.

 

Crispin

This little cute coffee shop near Spitalfields Market is becoming one of the stars of London. They serve beautiful dishes for brunch, lunch, and dinner and you can expect a perfect coffee. I highly recommend you to try the waffle dish for brunch. Make sure you book in advance as this shop can get full quickly during the weekend.

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Cuisine: Fusion
Area: Banks and Liverpool street
Price: ££££ 

 

Ruya

amazing Turkish restaurant in Mayfair serving authentic Turkish dishes including kebabs and freshly made pide. They also have beautiful and creative cocktails inspired by Turkish spices and symbols. I highly recommend this restaurant if you really want tospend your money on a portion of good quality food.

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Cuisine: Turkish
Area: Mayfair
Price: ££££ 

 

Flat Iron

This shop has been my first choice for a great steak for a while and I still say you can find the cheapest high-quality steak in London in this shop. The menu has only one option to make your life easy and that’s the best option, “Flat Iron Steak”. You can also find a few sides and a fantastic selection of wine to accompany your steak. Just be aware that there is no booking system and the is a minimum of one hour wait in the evenings. The good news is they have two branches one in Soho (the original one ) and one in Covent Garden.

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Cuisine: Steakhouse
Area: Soho, Covent Garden and London Bridge
Price: ££££

 

Via Emilia

This little cute shop in the beautiful St Catherine Dock is a fantastic restaurant if you fancy real Italian pasta. They serve an amazing selection of homemade pasta dishes with a selection of Italian wines. In the summertime, they have outdoor seats where you can enjoy your food with a beautiful view of the docks.

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Cuisine: Italian
Address: Various locations
Price: ££££

 

Chicama

A wonderful restaurant serving Japanese/Peruvian inspired dishes in the heart of Chelsea in London. I highly recommend you to visit them if you die for good food and new experience. They have a dish with broccoli and coffee sauce which is what I can eat for every meal.

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Cuisine: Japanese/Peruvian fusion
Address: Chelsea
Price: ££££

 

Japes pizza

A wonderful Chicago style pizza in the heart of Soho where the thick and delicious pizzas are to die for. This is one of the places I usually go when I want to give myself a prize.

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Cuisine: American
Address: Soho
Price: ££££

 

Brother Marcus

One of the best spots for brunch in London. This Australian cafe serves Australian quality coffee and the dishes are to die for. Brother Marcus is very popular so it will get busy especially during weekends.

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Cuisine: Fusion
Address: Angels
Price: ££££

 

Morso

A wonderful Italian restaurant and Grappa bar in North London. They serve various ranges of grappa in forms of plain shots or in cocktails. The food is so tasty and authentic and I can definitely say it’s the best Italian food I had in London. They also serve a variety of Italian wines that can be perfectly paired with your food.

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Cuisine: Italian
Address: 130 Boundary Rd, St John’s Wood, London NW8 0RH
Price: ££££

 

Le Relais De Venise – l’Entrecote

They made it very simple: Walnut salad to start and a wonderful steak and chips with mustard sauce to follow. That’s it! The best part is when they serve the steak and fries in two rounds so first you always get hot freshly cooked steak and second they keep your hope up. To finish the feast, I highly recommend the crème brûlée.

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Cuisine: French
Address: Bank, Soho, Marleybone 
Price: ££££

 

Hoppers

Hoppers is one of the most authentic Sri Lankan restaurants in London. They have wonderful crispy dosa and hopper dishes served with various curry dishes. If you are hungry and really like to have a proper feast, I recommend trying the tasting menu. Also, they don’t accept pre-booking and they can get very busy during lunchtime or dinner but you can put your name down and they will let you know when they have a table available for you.

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Cuisine: Sri Lankan
Address: Soho, Marlybone
Price: ££££

 

Dishoom

Dishoom is one of my favourite Indian restaurants in London. They offer a great selection of Parsi/Indian dishes and the Dahl dish is THE BEST. They have a couple of branches across London but be aware that you can only prebook in a few branches otherwise there is a queue in the front which they treat you with a wonderful Chai while you’re waiting.

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Cuisine: Persian/Indian
Address: Soho, Covent Garden, Shoreditch, Kings Cross, High street Kensington
Price: ££££

 

Gitane

Gitane is one of my favorite coffee shops in central London. This Persian cafe serves very and delicious Persian dishes for lunch and brunch on weekends. If you are in central London near Oxford street and want to get away from the busy street and have a nice coffee and Persian treats, then visit Gitane.

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Cuisine: Persian
Address: Fitzrovia
Price: ££££

 

Amber

A wonderful casual Turkish restaurant in the heart of London. Their breakfast/brunch is one of the best in London. The fresh warm full of sesame simit is a must-have when you visit there.

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Cuisine: Turkish
Address: London Bridge
Price: ££££

 

Berenjak

This new Persian restaurant in Soho is the best representer of the Persian food with a modern twist. They serve tapas-style dishes that are best for sharing. My favorite dishes are Kash e Bademjan and the selection of Kebabs. Make sure you leave room for the Baklava and ice cream sandwich for dessert

Cuisine: Persian
Address: Soho
Price: ££££

 

The Heritage Bar and Restaurant

This beautiful recently (kinda) opened restaurant takes you to Switzerland with their wonderful selection of Swiss-inspired dishes such as fondues and steaks. I highly recommend cheese fondue and venison steak. If you really want to treat yourself or loved ones to a nice experience, this place is what you’re looking for.

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Cuisine: Swiss Inspired
Address: Soho
Price: ££££

 

Corazon

A wonderful little Mexican restaurant in the heart of London in Soho. They serve mouth-watering Mexican dishes using fresh ingredients. If you ever crave Mexican food, this the place you should visit.

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Cuisine: Mexican
Address: Soho
Price: ££££

 

Yen Burger

A cute small restaurant near London Bridge that serves Japanese style burgers in yummy bao buns. Seriously one of the best burgers in London and if you are a burger lover, then you SHOULD NOT miss this place.

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Cuisine: Japanese Inspired
Address: London Bridge
Price: ££££

 

Lobos Meat and Tapas

I always thought that finding a good Spanish restaurant in London is super hard until I found this place accidentally while I was in Soho. A wonderful team behind this restaurant who serves wonderful Spanish tapas in the heart of London. Make sure you book in advance as the restaurant gets very busy.

Cuisine: Spanish
Address: Soho
Price: ££££

 

Ooty

This is an upmarket Indian restaurant that serves modern yet authentic Indian dishes from various regions of India. If you ever visit them on weekends, try their bottomless brunch when you will have a feast.

Cuisine: Indian
Address: Marlybone
Price: ££££

 

Ole and Steen

Ole and Steen is one of the best bakeries in London. They are actually the first Danish bakery in London serving lots of fantastic pastries and bread. If it’s your first time visiting them, then you should try their cinnamon swirl and cinnamon social. They also have a fantastic range of Rye and sourdough bread plus open sandwiches.

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Cuisine: Danish
Address: Various locations
Price: ££££

 

Rosa’s Thai cafe

This great restaurant serves a great selection of authentic Thai food with great quality and reasonable prices. They have a few branches in London including Soho and Victoria. The prawn red curry paste with coconut rice is my favorite that I highly recommend.

Cuisine: Thai
Address: Various locations
Price: ££££

 

Restaurants with unique food and experience

Drunken Butlers

Honestly, Drunken Butler is THE restaurant you must try if you are in London. Run by a very talented young Persian/ French chef that cooks Persian dishes inspired by French methods. They offer 7-8 tasting dishes and they each can be paired by a class of wine. They also have Sunday lunches and they serve the same dishes that Persian families cook on Sundays for family (Similar to Sunday Roast in Britain)

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Cuisine: Persian/French fusion
Address: Shoreditch
Price: ££££

 

Mere by Monica Gelatti

A beautifully designed restaurant by my favourite chef Monica Gelatti. If you watch Masterchef UK, then you know this woman very well by her exceptional skills as a chef. You can expect a wonderful experience and fine dining quality food at this restaurant. I highly recommend a visit to this kitchen if you really want to indulge yourself with a unique experience.

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Cuisine: Fusion
Address: Fitzrovia
Price: ££££

 

The Fortnum and Mason in Royal Exchange

A beautiful and authentic restaurant based in the old exchange building in Bank by The Fortnum and Mason. This is such a wonderful dining experience in which you expect the best service and food while you are there. Every single dish from caviar for starter and fresh seafood for mains is cooked to perfection

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Cuisine: European
Address: Bank
Price: ££££

 

Sake No Hana

This kitchen is one of the best Japanese restaurants in London. The price might look high but the quality of the dishes absolutely worth the price. They have regular seasonal menus that are usually a selection of the season and they can be paired with wonderful cocktails. If you are looking for a high-end restaurant with world-class hospitality, this is what you are looking for.

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Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 23 St James’s St, St. James’s, London SW1A 1HA
Price: ££££

Yauatcha Soho

One of the best authentic Chinese restaurants in London. They also have a selection of beautiful pastries which you can purchase from the shop at the restaurant. If you don’t mind spending your money on good food, this is is a place for you to visit.

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Cuisine: Chinese
Address: Bank, Soho
Price: ££££

 

Hakkasan

This one Michelin star restaurant serving the best of Cantonese food in London. The quality of the food and the service is so good that you will definitely come back next time.

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Cuisine: Cantonese
Address: Bank, Soho
Price: ££££

 

Food Markets

 Kerb food market

Kerb food market is a very famous high-quality food market in London. After a successful run at Camden Market, they now opened their latest market in the heart of London in Covent Garden. You can almost find everything in this market from Burger, pizza, Ramen, Steak and various desserts.
Location: Camden and Covent Garden
Price: ££££

Borough market

This market is a must-go not only for food but for its history. It’s the oldest market in London dating back to at least the 12th century. You can find wonderful shops selling fresh fruits, cheese, and dairy products, bread and of course market food.
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Location: London Bridge
Price: ££££