The best places to eat in London

When you think of good food - visions of al fresco dinners in Italy, paella in a Spanish plaza or bistro’s in Paris may spring to mind. But the UK? It’s all a bit beige and brown no? And what’s the deal with curry sauce and chips?

Now the UK may not be well known for its cuisine, but prepare to be inspired, very full and have your taste buds tingled because London boasts a diverse and rich culinary landscape. From traditional favourites like fish and chips (look just try the curry sauce) and the comforting warmth of a hearty Sunday Roast, to the globally loved Indian curries and ever-popular afternoon tea, there’s something for everyone. Because in this city, food is not just a necessity – it's an adventure worth savouring.

The basics

Whilst exploring London, it’s hard to avoid famous landmarks you’ve seen in films. Hyde Park, Notting Hill, Big Ben, the London Eye, the list goes on. These locations are smothered with chain restaurants and quite honestly, don’t always have a foodie palate in mind. Instead, you could end up overpaying for a plate of bang-average food. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t enjoy some fresh pancakes made on Regent Street by a food truck or pick up a bag of warm chestnuts on Westminster Bridge, but with such a diverse food scene, you don’t want to miss out on the hidden gems.

Pizza please

Internationally recognisable, utterly delicious and the answer to all of life's problems, you are spoilt rotten for delicious pizza in the capital. Whether you want to go down the narrow lane of Neal’s Yard to visit Home Slice, grab a £6.95 sourdough margherita from Franco Manca or tuck in at Voodoo Rays after hours, pizza is everywhere. It doesn’t have to be whilst you’re out as well – a lot of the good pizza restaurants offer takeout, so if you’re thinking of a quiet night in watching a film based in London to get more inspiration of where you should go (we’re not judging anyone that’s watching Paddington/ Notting Hill for the 100th time), then check out your local pizza shops – whilst probably avoiding anywhere called pizza go-go – trust us on this one.

The iconic Sunday Roast

“What’s actually in a Sunday Roast” I hear you say? Well, my friend, your whole perception of food is about to be turned upside down. Tender slices of slow-roasted meat, typically beef or chicken, take centre stage (or a nut roast for the veggies) accompanied by an abundance of golden, crispy roast potatoes, perfectly cooked vegetables, and a river of rich gravy all served alongside fluffy yorkshire puddings. In case that wasn’t enough - throw in some freshly baked stuffing to finish a culinary experience that lingers on the palate long after the last bite. We haven’t even mentioned the cauliflower cheese, pigs in blankets or sauces – apple, mint, cranberry, bread (yes bread sauce is a thing) the list goes on. But enough of what a Sunday Roast is, where can you get one?! The short answer is any pub on a Sunday. But the real question you should ask is where should you get one? This is just a short list but believe us, the suggestions are nearly endless: Hawksmoor, Parlour, 12:51, The Spaniards Inn and Blacklock.

All about burgers

Like most cuisines, London’s burger scene is nothing short of impressive. Ask any Londoner for their favourite burger joint and chances are you’ll get different answers. From classic cheeseburgers to gourmet creations that push the boundaries of flavour, this city has no shortage of options for burger aficionados seeking their next patty fix. We start with Bleecker Burger. Kicking off their journey as a burger van, they now have four locations across London and are arguably the kings of the London burger scene (if my colleagues say differently then they’re wrong…). After Bleecker, you’ve then got two equally good places - Honest Burger (their rosemary fries are killer too) and Patty & Bun. Choosing a favourite out of these two is like having a favourite child (you might have one but it shouldn’t be public knowledge). For those who love a chicken burger, look no further than Wingmans. Whilst their main food item is (as you probably guessed) chicken wings, their burgers are elite. A side of chicken wings to accompany your burger takes the saying ‘winner-winner chicken dinner’ to a whole new level.

Va-va vegan

Hear me out – vegan food doesn’t need to just be enjoyed by those who want a plant-based diet. The evolution of cooking has come up on top and tofu has never tasted as good. So when restaurants started adapting to the vegan way of life, a new mix of flavours were introduced and boy has it served us Londoners well. If you want your Mexican fix, head over to Club Mexicana in Soho. For those wanting a diner experience, why not try Unity Diner in Spitafileds. For a relaxed restaurant setting, there’s The Gate and for an all-vegan pub try The Spread Eagle. Some other notable mentions are Mildreds, Temple of Seitan,Tofu Vegan, Black Cat, Vurger Co and Mallow.

Craving Indian

From sizzling tandoori dishes to aromatic curries, this city boasts a treasure trove of Indian delights that will transport you straight to the bustling streets of Mumbai. First off, there’s Brigadiers. Located in the city, you might be surrounded by working professionals and higher price tags, but the food does not disappoint. The beef shin & bone marrow biryani is a personal fave. Moving away from the city and heading west, Dishoom is also up there as one of the best restaurants in London. An old neighbour to our London-based team, the dishes are authentic, the atmosphere can be electric and the food is super tasty. If you’re looking for cheap and cheerful before with BYO too, the curry houses on Brick Lane in Shoreditch are a delicious spot to kick off a night out.

If you want to travel to the outskirts of London, we’re talking zone 4 (once you’re here you’ll know what we mean by zones), then head out to a small area called Queensbury and go to a local restaurant - The Regency Club. In their own words, “What makes The Regency Club different to all the other Indian restaurants in and around London is the fusion of flavours from Kenya and India and the way the food is cooked.” One final mention has to be Kricket, located in Soho, with a modern and exciting take on Indian food. You'll be thanking us later.

Final shout outs

We could continue talking about London food for days, but hey the fun has to stop somewhere. After all, would you rather read about food or go out and eat it? Exactly. A few well-deserved honorary mentions that aren’t included in the above are Flat Iron, Fatt Pundit, Yauatcha, Sticks n Sushi, Hakkasan, Mangal II , Lima, Smoking Goat and of course, Nando’s (this is our one exception to the rule of no chains).