This isn’t the definitive guide to eating and drinking in London… just suggestions from my experiences living in this incredible city. Restaurants are listed alphabetically.
—–
14 Hills
Beautifully decorated restaurant in The City boasting stunning views of London. We went in September so ate indoors, but there’s a large outdoor area too. The vibe was a little weird (lots of people who would just go because it’s Instagrammable) but it was still fun. I’m on a temporary meat eating spree so ordered the steak which was unreal.
—–
28-50
Lovely wine bar / restaurant near to Covent Garden serving delicious European dishes. We had to eat outside in the freezing cold (COVID restrictions) but were kept warm with cute hot water bottles which they kept refilling throughout the night. Food was very tasty and service was top notch.
—–
34 Mayfair
Stunning, high-end grill in Mayfair, beautifully dressed for Christmas (last year it was dressed head to toe in baubles). Food was delicious and the service was great. Would go back.
—–
Ace Hotel
Trendy hotel in Shoreditch with incredible views from the rooftop function rooms. Hosted a party here but haven’t tried the food – will need to revisit.
—–
Alto by San Carlo
Part of the San Carlo brand and with a very similar menu to the Cicchetti restaurants, Alto is on Selfridges rooftop. There is a stunning walkway leading to the terrace which is dressed according to the season. Loads of choice and all incredibly tasty!
—–
Applebee’s
Loved this restaurant located in the middle of a busy Borough Market. We ate outside and there was a great, buzzy atmosphere on a Thursday night. I’m a sucker for a seafood linguine and this was a particularly good one.
—–
Aqua Argyll Street
There is an Aqua Kyoto (Japanese food) and an Aqua Nueva (Spanish food) on Argyll Street near Oxford Circus! Gorgeous restaurants with great roof terraces (definitely try to sit outside). The photos below are from Kyoto – delicious food but quite pricey.
—–
Aqua (at the Shard)
Great, buzzy restaurant by London Bridge station with unbelievable views of London. I had too many drinks to remember to take photos of the food, but it was delicious!
—–
Archer Street
My favourite place to go for drinks in London. Sophisticated cocktail bar in the heart of the Westend with Westend standard performers entertaining you through the night. SUCH a good place to go for a night out!
—–
Ave Mario
A new Big Mamma Group restaurant in Covent Garden. I LOVE truffle pasta and pasta doesn’t get more truffley than the one I ordered here! I don’t think it’s quite as good as Gloria / Circolo Popolare, but it was still great. Fun decor, good food and reasonably priced.
—–
Avenue
Avenue is near to Green Park / Piccadilly Circus stations. Cute place to eat and brunch was really nice – bottomless prosecco for £18 and 2 courses of tasty food for £25. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous with big windows letting lots of light in.
—–
Bad Egg
Fun restaurant in the City of London which offers boozy / non-boozy brunches! Food was decent and plentiful for the price… as was the drink! Nothing super fancy but very good to go for a cheap(ish) boozy brunch – about £30 per person.
—–
Bala Baya
Bala Baya is a restaurant inspired by Tel Aviv near to Borough station. They offer lots of non-meat options – nice atmosphere, good food, cool area.
—–
Bancone Golden Square
Cute modern Italian restaurant in Soho serving fresh pasta. Food was tasty and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype.
—–
Barbecoa
This is a swanky Jamie Oliver restaurant with great views of St Paul’s cathedral. It serves pretty standard food (chicken wings, burgers) but tastes better than the standard. It’s a little pricier than other Jamie Olivier restaurants but worth it for the view.
—–
Bar Elba
Nice rooftop cocktail bar near to Waterloo station. Great for large groups / day drinking.
—–
Barge East
Had the most fantastic meal at Barge East (near to Hackney Wick). We ate in the private captain’s room which is lovely for a small party of 4-6. The menu is limited – all courses were spot on. Really nice place to go for something a bit different but still delicious.
—–
Bar Remo
An authentic Italian restaurant serving rustic food and pizza just off Regent Street and run by the Vignali family for 90 years! If you’re in central London shopping / seeing the sights, Bar Remo is a great escape from the chaos and definitely isn’t a tourist trap like other restaurants in the area.
—–
B Bakery
Enjoy afternoon tea in this bakery near Covent Garden. The bakery itself wasn’t the prettiest, but the afternoon tea was lovely and reasonably priced.
—–
Bedales
Bedales is a lovely wine bar near to Spitalfields Market! We went wine tasting – in all honesty, I didn’t learn too much but the wine tasted good and there was plenty of it. Nice vibes.
—–
Berenjak
You HAVE to go here! Tiny Persian restaurant in Soho – try to get a table in the garden room at the very back! The small ‘mazeh style’ places and the taftoon (bread) were honestly out of this world – could have kept on eating all day! Service was spot on. Couldn’t recommend more.
—–
Berners Tavern
A very Instagrammable restaurant, part of the London Edition which is a gorgeous and very cool hotel near to Tottenham Court Road station. Very upmarket and absolutely delicious British cuisine in a stunning setting.
—–
Bianco 43
Authentic Italian restaurant – one in Greenwich & one in Blackheath. I had the most unreal truffle pizza! Very reasonably priced.
—–
Big Easy
A ‘BBQ Crabshack‘ with live music! 3 locations – Covent Garden, Kings Road, Canary Wharf! Novelty bibs are essential to protect you from the mess. Food was good & fairly priced.
—–
Black Roe
Upmarket ‘Poke Bar & Grill‘ in Mayfair! Very smart restaurant with a cosy ambiance. The food is full of flavour but it’s not cheap!
—–
Blacklock
The best roast in London (if you’re not a veggie)! Make sure you book a table in advance if you’re planning on dining on Sunday. If there’s a big group of you, they’ll put all the food out on an impressive platter for you to help yourselves. I’ve only been to the Soho restaurant but there’s now one in the City too. During the week it’s famous for its ‘chops’!
—–
Blanchette
Cute French restaurant in Soho – nice atmosphere and there’s a very reasonably priced lunch set menu.
—–
Bob Bob Cite
Cool French restaurant in the Cheesegrater (Leadenhall Building) in London. Great service, quirky decor (red and blue room) and a ‘Press for Champagne’ button! Prefer the Soho version (see below).
—–
Bob Bob Ricard
Press for champagne!! Love this lively restaurant in Soho! The decor is elegant, made up of swanky booths (all with their own ‘Press for champagne’ buttons) and the staff are exceptional. Yum!!
—–
Bone Daddies
A ramen bar in Soho serving a variety of Asian dishes in a causal, rock-n-roll setting. Wasn’t blown away but cool place for a lunch or casual dinner.
—–
Bonnie Gull Seafood Shack
Bonnie Gull Seafood Shack is a cute little restaurant in Soho (with a bigger version in Fitzrovia). Much of the seating is at the bar which is great as you can see the food being cooked in front of you. You can order lots of small plates to share (which is what we did), or there is the option of ordering a large plate per person. It is quite expensive for small dishes so don’t go if you’re on a budget.
—–
Boxpark
A shipping container in Shoreditch turned into a home for pop-up shops and food stalls. Great for summer drinks!
—–
Bokan
Incredible views of the city from this restaurant and rooftop cocktail bar in Canary Wharf! We enjoyed bottomless prosecco and a 3 course meal with the best view in the house. Food was great too.
—–
Brasserie Zedel
This Soho restaurant is quite interesting. It’s located in a massive building with numerous restaurants / cafes / performance spaces (often live jazz bands and other musicians). Cool and bustling French / European restaurant with plenty of choice at a reasonable price. 
—–
Bread Street Kitchen
Gordan Ramsey restaurant near to Bank station. Good atmosphere with a fun photo booth. Food is tasty and portions are decent 🙂
—–
Breakfast Club
The original breakfast club is very close to where I work and I see massive queues every morning on my way to the office. I went one day to see what the fuss was about… honestly wasn’t wowed, but there are lots of options and portions are big 🙂 There is another one near to Liverpool Street where you go through a fridge to a bar.
—–
Brick and Liquor
Great brunch spot in Clapham (there’s also one in Tooting). Food is delicious and very reasonable. The area is gorgeous too – if you fancy a walk, Wandsworth Common is not too far away.
—–
Buon Appetito
Great Italian in Victoria Park village! Fresh pasta, good quality and big portions. The sign outside the front now says ‘Il Parco‘ but I think it’s run by the same people and is still called Buon Appetito when you search for it on GoogleMaps.
—–
Busaba
Really nice restaurant chain serving quality Thai food.
Atmosphere in the restaurant is great and the food was tasty – lots of choice. Would definitely recommend.
—–
BYOC
Really fun to start a night out. You pay a cover cost per head, bring your own spirits and your designated cocktail maker extraordinaire will whip up some tasty cocktails using your spirits and a selection of mixers and ingredients (provided by BYOC). Numerous locations – including The City, Soho & Camden
—–
Cafe Monico
Another swanky (yet pricey) restaurant on Shaftesbury Avenue – good if you want a nice pre / post theatre dinner. Wasn’t amazed by the food but the decor was pretty!
—–
Cafe Murano
Nice Italian restaurant on a lovely street in Bermondsey. Fresh pasta, good service, chilled vibes. Lots of cute wine bars to explore after just a short walk away.
—–
Cafe Tamra
Gorgeous spot for food on the Northcote Road in Clapham! I particularly enjoy the brunch.
—–
Cahoots
A 1940’s bar in Soho, Cahoots if famous for it’s newspaper menu and extensive list of fun cocktails. Great atmosphere with staff in character as and dressed in 40’s attire. Cocktails are £10-£12 each! Kingly Court is right outside which is always lovely to eat / drink in too.
—–
Caravan
There are Caravan restaurants all over the place. I’ve been to the one in King’s Cross and to another one near to Oxford Circus. Not outstanding but reliable.
—–
Casa do Frango
You have to go!! I was so impressed by this restaurant! Algarvian cuisine in London Bridge! Great location, buzzy atmosphere, great decor and unreal food.
—–
Ceru
Lovely restaurant in the middle of Soho serving Eastern Mediterranean food. Tapas plates, great for sharing tasty bites with friends.
—–
Chambers
This is a local of mine in Victoria Park Village! A Mediterranean (quite Greek heavy) family restaurant – and it’s run by the family so the service is great. You can sit outside during the summer / the inside is lovely too. The food is delicious and the portions are MASSIVE! You better be hungry…
—–
Chambers of Flavour
A multi-dimensional dining project – ‘a riotous fusion of absurdist adventure, interactive theatre, multimedia art installation and avant-garde culinary experimentation’. It’s something different and really fun but you have to book in advance. Location is texted to you on the day of the event.
—–
Chicken Shop
Great for a quick, decently priced lunch / dinner. Love the avocado salad and sweet potato chips. I’ve been to the Holborn & Whitechapel restaurants – both have a cool interior and a good atmosphere.
—–
Chiltern Firehouse
Known as a celeb hang out, (Jude Law was sitting at the bar almost next to our table), Chiltern Firehouse is a famous luxury hotel and restaurant in Marylebone! In all honesty, I wasn’t wowed by the food for the price, but the ambiance was unsurprisingly fantastic.
—–
Chisou
Nice, chilled sushi restaurant in Mayfair. Food was very good and it felt authentic.
—–
Choccywoccydoodah
Does what it says on the tin. Best place in the world!
—–
Chotto Matte
Trendy restaurant in Soho – describes itself as Peruvian / Japanese! Food was decent and the restaurant had a nice buzz, but we were rushed in and out even with a booking which I didn’t like.
—–
Cigalon
Really cute restaurant in a former auction house near Chancery Lane, serving French dishes. Delicious and really loved the interior, but it was very quiet when we ate there so the atmosphere wasn’t great.
—–
Cinnamon Soho
Indian restaurant on Kingly Street which is really good but does not compare to Dishoom (see further down) which is on the same street.
—–
Circolo Popolare
Another Big Mamma Group restaurant near to Tottenham Court Road. Love the decor and the food. Pretty much the same menu as Ave Mario and Gloria but that’s fine with me because I love the truffle pasta.
—–
Clos Maggiore
French restaurant by Covent Garden, voted the most romantic restaurant in the world! My boyfriend took me here on one of our first dates… it looks pretty empty but we had overstayed our welcome & everyone else from the lunch sitting had left. Apparently a table in the conservatory is like gold dust, so book in advance and make sure you request one as it really is stunning (and romantic). Food is delicious and they have an extensive wine list.
—–
Cookhouse Joe
Love, love, love this restaurant just off Oxford Street. Great for delicious, casual and cheap food. The lunchtime menu is very reasonably priced.
—–
Coppa Club
My sister organised a surprise birthday party for me here and I’m impressed as these igloos are like gold dust!! Wasn’t blown away by the food but what a view of Tower Bridge.
—–
Cote Brasserie
Cote is a chain with restaurants all over the place – not just in London. I have always avoided it knowing it was a chain but I went before a show a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised. Loads of fantastic choice, fairly priced and super tasty.
—–
Coq D’Argent
An elegant restaurant right by Bank station. It is expensive and when you dine you don’t actually see the great view (below).
—–
Coya
Stunning restaurant in Mayfair – some of the best food I’ve eaten in a long time! Gorgeous interior, great service, tasty Peruvian food. Great place for a special occasion.
—–
Crazy Golf
There are a couple of fun crazy golf places with different themes and bar vibes:
Swingers (City / WestEnd) – nine hole courses with street food and great drinks.
Junkyard Golf (Brick Lane – East London) – a little less classy (the course is made up of ‘pre-loved and reclaimed random shizzle) but lots of fun.
Puttshack – A couple of venues in London offering mini golf courses as well as food and drink. New tech means you don’t have to note down any scores, the ball and software does it for you! Particularly handy if you’ve had a few drinks.
—–
Creme
A cookie shop in Soho. I noticed long queues outside every night whilst going home from work and was curious so went myself. 
The cookies are delicious but cost £4 each so would hope so! They also serve coffee and soft-serve ice cream. There’s nowhere inside to sit so you have to takeaway.
—–
Crosstown Doughnuts
Amazing homemade sourdough doughnuts! Shops are all over the place (they have a vegan shop in Marylebone) but the one I go to is in Soho!
—–
Dalloway Terrace
Gorgeous restaurant near to Tottenham Court Road and beautifully decorated for Christmas – make sure you request a table outside.
—–
Dean St Townhouse
Nice restaurant in Soho serving afternoon tea – we had a nice time but it definitely wasn’t the best food I’ve ever eaten.
—–
Dehesa
Very tasty tapas restaurant just off Carnaby Street. Nice for a casual lunch but also very buzzy in the evening – lovely place to sit outside in the summer.
—–
Dinerama
Is a street food / cool bar set up in Shoreditch! If you want a fun, casual evening with good food, nice drinks and a buzzy atmosphere then look no further. It is mainly outside though, so if it’s cold, make sure you wrap up warm.
—–
Dinner by Heston
Beautiful, elegant restaurant with Two Michelin Stars in the Mandarin Oriental. Very lean menu with history of the dishes on the back. The truffle starter was unreal and the ‘tipsy cake’ (which takes an hour to cook) was one of the yummiest things I have eaten in a long time. Spectacular service, beautiful setting, incredibly tasty food. Worth a trip for sure.
—–
Din Tai Fung
I was SO excited for this restaurant to open in Covent Garden as I loved the one in Hong Kong. However, most of the dishes include pork which I no longer eat & so it was less enjoyable. Luckily the prawn dim sum was great but that’s about all I fancied. It also seemed more expensive than it was in HK for what we got…
—–
Dirty Bones
Many restaurants dotted around London. It’s always busy and has a good buzz whilst remaining relaxed. Definitely recommend.
—–
Dishoom
My absolute favourite – believe the hype and wait in the queue! I absolutely LOVE Dishoom (‘Irani cafes that were once part of the fabric of life in Bombay’) and there’s one right by my office so I’m able to get a cheeky takeaway every now and then. All the food is good! They will suggest you share a few dishes between 2 – I was a chicken ruby addict so would always go for that but the lentil curry is fantastic too. It will not disappoint. They have restaurants in: Carnaby, Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Covent Garden & Kensington!
—–
Duck & Waffle
Restaurant by Liverpool Street station with incredible views. Quite reasonably priced considering the location. Book in advance if you want to eat at a reasonable time, but it’s open 24 hours so if you’re awake enough to appreciate some nice food after a night out, you may be able to walk in.
—–
El Camion
Cute tapas restaurant in Soho. Grabbed a quick lunch in here the other day and all the food was delicious (although paid £25pp for a few dishes and went away hungry).
—–
Exmouth Market Grind
Great coffee / cocktail bar and restaurant in Clerkenwell! Had a very tasty lunch / brunch here.
—–
Fallow
SO YUM! We had a post-gym feast here in this gorgeous, chic and lively restaurant just off Piccadilly. Ingredients are carefully sourced, the team are lovely and super knowledgeable about all of the dishes. Will definitely go back.
—–
Fire and Stone
Great Italian restaurant near to Covent Garden with loads of interesting pizza toppings inspired by different world cuisines. Always lively with a good ambience and quite cheap for the area. Good pre-theatre stop-off.
—–
Firefly
Cute Thai restaurant in Balham. Great for a casual bite in a relaxed environment. Food is good but I’d just got back from Thailand when I went so was probably underwhelmed.
—–
Fitzroy Wine Cellar & Kitchen
My first meal out post lock down so it tasted GOOD! Not the prettiest / fanciest place, but nice service, tasty food, reasonable prices.
—–
Fiume
A Mediterranean restaurant in Battersea Power Station which has a nice outdoor seating area. Food is decent (we had a set menu) and not overpriced.
—–
Flat Iron
They’re dotted all over the place, (Soho, Covent Garden, King’s Cross), and are ALWAYS busy. They don’t take reservations so if you don’t turn up early, you’ll have to wait in line! The steak is SO yummy and only £12. Don’t forget to order the creamed spinach and pick up your free ice cream.
—–
Forza Win
Forza Win is a trendy Italian restaurant in Peckham (South-East London). The restaurant has an open kitchen and tables are communal. The food was delicious… definitely recommend the pasta – homemade and fresh!
—–
Franco Manca
Casual, very fairly priced pizza chain! Amazing (and massive) tiramisu if you have room for pudding.
—–
Gail’s
Absolutely delicious bakery – many dotted around London.
—–
Galvin at Windows
Fine-dining French restaurant on the 28th floor of the Hilton, Park Lane. Food was outstanding but tiny portions considering how pricey it is. Great service and views, but probably not one to go to if you’re on a budget. A special occasion restaurant 🙂
—–
Galvin La Chapelle
A French Michelin star restaurant near to Liverpool Street station. The food is beautifully presented and the service is exceptional, but it is very expensive (as to be expected). If you have cash to splash, then go! If you don’t, there are plenty other fantastic, more fairly priced places to eat.
—–
Gillray’s Steakhouse
Great views over the River Thames of the London Eye and Houses of Parliament! We’ve eaten a couple of times here on a bookatable.com deal which made it fantastic value for money.
—–
Gloria Trattoria
Italian (Capri-inspired) restaurant in trendy Shoreditch. The restaurant is part of the Big Mamma Group and has sister restaurants which are very popular in Paris.
There are plenty of small plates, pastas (with larger plates to share) and pizzas to feast on.
—–
Gold – Notting Hill
One of the best restaurants I’ve eaten at in a while. Decor is beautiful (we sat in the outdoor area), service is spot on, and the food is UNREAL. It was all delicious but you MUST get the chicken and mushrooms on toast!! Can’t wait to go back. *UPDATE* some friends went recently and said they were disappointed in the food. Not sure whether we had a good night / they had a bad one. Would still go back.
—–
Grounded Coffee Company
A hidden gem between Whitechapel and Aldgate East stations. The breakfast we had was absolutely delicious and everything on the menu looked good. Close(ish) to Brick Lane if you’re having a morning stroll through the markets.
—–
Guanabara
We had such a good night here! This bar near to Covent Garden has a carnival atmosphere with dancers and musicians performing into the night. We had a decent dinner here too which meant we had a table right in the centre of the action. It turns into a club after last food orders.
—–
Hamyard Hotel
Really nice hotel near to Piccadilly Circus with a swanky bar and restaurant. Enjoyed a tasty meal and the place had a good vibe.
—–
Harry’s Bar
Buzzy Italian restaurant just off Bond Street – wine and pasta was delicious and the restaurant had a fun atmosphere.
—–
Harvey Nics
We went to a fantastic cocktail making course at Harvey Nichols! It was £80 per person including breakfast, lunch and cocktails – really good value for money… I was very drunk! Knightsbridge is the nearest tube stop.
—–
Hawksmoor
Famous steak restaurants dotted about London (Spitalfields, Seven Dials, Knightsbridge, Borough!) The sides (spinach, mac n cheese) are incredibly tasty too. My fave restaurant is the Spitalfields one as it has a cosy, relaxed feel.
—–
Heddon Street Kitchen
I absolutely love this restaurant! Another Gordon Ramsey in Soho offering European / British cuisine. They have a pre-theatre menu which is great value for money.. The macaroni cheese and truffled mash potato is outstanding.
—–
Homeslice
Like pizza? Want a quick, cheap and yummy lunch / dinner? Try Homeslice! They do massive sharing pizzas (with 2 toppings) for £20 OR you can buy pizza by the slice for £4 per slice! Sooooo delicious!!! (Recommend the ricotta, mushroom & pine nut topping)
—–
Hoppers
A ‘family-style Sri Lankan restaurant!’ It’s very chilled (shared tables) and the food is incredibly tasty. Nearest tube stations are Tottenham Court Road / Leicester Square! One has just opened near to King’s Cross too.
—–
House of Ho
The House of Ho is a fantastic modern Vietnamese restaurant in Fitzrovia just off Charlotte Street. The restaurant is in a cute little townhouse and has a nice outside area for al fresco dining in warmer months. The food was nice (although if you want popcorn shrimp / sushi, go to Pham Sushi instead… much better and cheaper).
—–
Hummingbird Bakery
Amazing cakes both in looks and taste – my favourite is the Nutella cupcake. Shop is in Soho!
—–
Hutong (at the Shard)
A Northern Chinese restaurant in the Shard with amazing views of London. They do fantastic lunch deals, but otherwise it’s quite expensive. The food is soooo delicious – we had a few dishes shared between 3. Nearest tube is London Bridge!
—–
Hush Brasserie
Absolutely loved this brasserie down a very quiet street in Mayfair, central London.
Gorgeous interior, fantastic cocktails and a menu so full of delicious food, it made choosing a main very difficult. Definitely recommend!
—–
Ice Bar
A bar literally made of ice just off Regent St! A cool (literally) experience.
—–
Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
This used to be a ‘true taste of Syria’ in a little pop-up on Broadwick Street (Carnaby, run by Syrian refugee Imad Alarnab & charity Help Refugees (profits go to support Young Roots and Brixton Soup Kitchen). 
The menu in the new Kingly Court restaurant has become much more extensive since the pop up. Everything we ordered was 10/10 and the service / ambiance was great. Go!
—–
Inamo
A bit shabby but you can get food and wine for 2 hours for £30. A few restaurants dotted around (Covent Garden, Soho, Camden)! Food is decent but make sure you book a deal because it wouldn’t be worth it if you had to pay for each dish you ordered.
—–
Inko Nito
Amazing Japanese restaurant in Soho with a cooking station you can sit by in the middle of the restaurant. Food is delicious but not cheap.
—–
IT
Boujee Italian restaurant in Mayfair with a club upstairs. Food was tasty but I think perhaps a little overpriced (portions were reaaaally small). We got invited into the club upstairs which was apparently very exclusive and fun, but wasn’t our vibe at all. I liked that we weren’t rushed off our table (think we spent 4 hours at the table before going upstairs) and the waiters were lovely. Probably wouldn’t go back, but did enjoy myself.
—–
Jak’s
Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar on the King’s Road! Gets incredibly lively.
—–
Jinjuu
Cute Korean restaurant which does amazing cocktails on Kingly Street!
—–
Jinli
Visited Jinli in Chinatown a few times with a Chinese friend. Zhan always orders a mix for the table (with our delicate tastes in mind) but there are some proper delicacies / specialities on the menu.
—
Kenza
Brilliant Lebanese / Middle Eastern restaurant near to Liverpool Street serving delicious and flavoursome food. I didn’t get the best pictures but the restaurant itself is beautifully decorated. Party place at the weekends with a DJ and belly dancers. Definitely recommend for something a little different.
—–
Kiln
A little restaurant in Soho serving ‘Thai-inspired dishes using wood-burning ovens and grills’. It’s walk in only (we had to wait a long time for our table) so best to go early, leave your number, plan drinks somewhere else & then come back to tuck into some tasty food.
—–
Kouzu
I went to a sushi and cocktail making class at swanky London restaurant, Kouzu. I bought the class on Virgin Experience Days. It’s fantastic value: £105 for 2 people.
Included in the price: cocktail and sushi making class, 3 delicious cocktails, a small sushi selection to start & a full plate of your own handmade sushi!
—–
Kricket
Absolutely LOVE this amazing restaurant in Soho! Serving Indian / Asian small plates. Loads of veggie / vegan options!!!
There’s usually a wait, so arrive early, put your name on a waiting list and come back later! Service also fantastic. Definitely recommend. SO YUM!
—–
La Tagliata
Enjoyed a fantastic dinner at La Tagliata with my friend before COVID lockdown. 
It’s a lovely, independent restaurant in the city, near to Liverpool Street station, serving tasty Italian dishes. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere was spot on. If you’re a pasta fan, definitely pay La Tagliata a visit!
—–
Leggero
Lovely gluten free, veggie / vegan friendly restaurant near to Chinatown.
Super relaxed vibe. It was quite quiet when we arrived but it filled up quickly. Delicious food, although slightly more expensive than your average pasta restaurant but I can imagine absolutely worth it for those who struggle with gluten!
—–
Le Pain
A chain of bakeries which serve a fantastic brunch.
—–
L’ETO Cafe
Super cute cafe in Soho, London. I’ve been visiting this place for years, but recently they’ve upped their game.
For a while I’ve seen queues outside L’ETO as I’ve walked past, but only recently went back in. They have made it incredibly instagrammable! Flowers above the cakes, boards to write your own messages on, different teas in different colours in interesting pots and glasses! The cakes are AMAZING! So much choice and they’re all so beautiful.
—–
Le Bab
Tiny restaurant at the top of Kingly Court. Really enjoyed all the food here. Casual vibes for a lunch but it has a really nice buzz in the evening too.
—–
Lights of Soho
A bar / members club in Soho! Instagrammers dream.
—–
London Shell Co.
Enjoyed a great canal cruise with work friends! Wasn’t sure what the food would be like but it was actually fantastic. Nice thing to do for something a bit different.
—–
M Threadneedle Street
Lively steak restaurant near to Bank station. When we were there they were doing bottomless prosecco for 2 hours, which we took full advantage of.
—–
Ma La Sichuan
Chinese food near to Westminster station. The food was quite good but not the best Chinese I’ve ever eaten and the staff weren’t great! Reasonably priced.
—–
Madison
Bar, lounge and restaurant with amazing views of St Paul’s! It’s a very popular after work hangout, so be prepared to queue to go in during the summer. It’s lively and has an amazing atmosphere.
—–
Mahiki
Fun club in Mayfair, famous for its ‘treasure chests’.
—–
Mildreds
Fantastic veggie / vegan restaurant in Soho. I LOVE the Sri Lankan curry! Lovely atmosphere and amazing food. Perfect place to go for dinner if you don’t eat meat. Definitely recommend.
—–
Manteca
Really good new Italian restaurant in Soho. If you love pasta, you’ll enjoy everything!
—–
Masala Zone
The name and outside of Masala Zone reminds me of ‘Laser Zone’ (where I used to love playing laser tag!!) It’s actually really nice inside and serves flavourful Indian cuisine! They have a few restaurants but I’ve been to the one in Soho!
—–
Mele e Pere
Cute Italian restaurant in Soho! Ask to sit downstairs for best atmosphere.
—–
Mercato Metropolitano
Fun food hall in South London (Borough High Street!) Lots of people drinking / hanging out after work and plenty of different foods to choose from.
—–
Migrateful
An amazing concept where refugees and migrants struggling to find employment due to legal and linguistic barriers, teach their traditional cuisines.The two ladies on the night I went (Majeda & Muna) both had jobs in Syria but had to leave when the situation got too dangerous, and they are now struggling to find employment in the UK.
Book in for a cookery class to learn some international recipes, support and eat some incredible food!
—–
MNKY HSE
A swanky Latin American bar / restaurant in Mayfair which turns into a club at about 11pm. The upstairs bar is really cool with interesting furniture and artwork on the walls. The cocktails are delicious although super expensive (we’re talking £16 – £20 per drink!!) 
The food was absolutely fantastic – everything was so tasty! The staff were great – just the right amount of attentive – and the restaurant had a great atmosphere. We went back to the upstairs bar after dinner and enjoyed a few more drinks there. I think the crowd are a little pretentious but it is Mayfair!
—–
Minnow
This restaurant in Clapham served the best veggie roast I have ever had in a restaurant. SO delicious, and (although I’m not a meat eater) the other roasts looked unbelievable too.
It’s a tiny restaurant, so make sure you book – preferably a table at the back by the flowers and mirrors to make sure other guests aren’t squeezing past your table. They also allow you to bring your own booze which was great and definitely kept costs down. 100% recommend.
—–
Mr Fogg’s Residence
Really fun cocktail bar in Mayfair. Love the decor & cocktails are great!
—–
Netil360
Really cool rooftop bar with amazing views of London. It’s a 15 min walk from Bethnal Green station! Cheap(ish) drinks + pizza + a view! Ideal! NT’s Bar next door is also fun.
—–
Oblix (at the Shard)
Fine dining on the 32nd floor of the Shard. As to be expected, it was expensive, but worth it for the quality and view.
—–
Oka
Very cute sushi restaurant in Kingly Court, just off Carnaby Street. It’s a small space so definitely book in advance, especially if you’re dining at the weekend. There’s not a massive menu, but everything we ordered was fantastic, especially the truffle salmon rolls – wow!
—–
One Aldwych
We went for afternoon tea at One Aldwych! The afternoon tea itself was creative and scrumptious, but the interior of the restaurant wasn’t great considering it’s advertised as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory‘ themed.
—–
Paradise
Gorgeous little restaurant near to China Town serving exceptional sharing plates. ‘Sri-Lankan dishes based on family recipes influenced by Portuguese, Malay, South Indian and Dutch cuisine’. One of the best meals I’ve had for a long time. Would definitely recommend.
—
Park Row
Amazing Batman themed restaurant in Soho (but you don’t need to be a fan to go). Some bad reviews online but both times I’ve been have been great. Exceptional food, drink and service, in a gorgeous setting.
They have live music in the evening and during the day on Sunday. My dad absolutely loved it.
—–
Parrillan
We were trying to find somewhere for a quick dinner before a gig in King’s Cross, and stumbled upon this little gem. It’s on a terrace but open with heaters and blankets during the winter. Great atmosphere, tasty food, and a cute gimmick – you get to cook some of your own food on a grill!
—–
Pastaio
I am a massive pasta lover so was excited when a new pasta place opened up on Carnaby Street as it’s quite near to where I work. Food was nice but was a bit disappointed as it wasn’t incredible, there wasn’t much choice and it was expensive for what you got.
—–
Patara
Fine dining Thai restaurant chain. I go for the mango & sticky rice (although it is £10.95!!!!)
—–
Peckham Levels
In an old multi-story carpark, Peckham Levels is now home to street food and bars. Quite a trendy, chilled place to go for drinks in Peckham! In the summer the rooftop of the carpark (Frank’s Cafe) is popular for casual drinks and phenomenal views.
—–
Pham Sushi
This is my favourite place for sushi – in my opinion, far better than any of the fancy, popular sushi restaurants. The interior of the restaurants are very basic and sterile, but the food is UNREAL!!!! Make sure you order about 10 portions of the ‘crunchy tuna rolls’ – you won’t regret it. Truffle salmon rolls and the rock shrimp tempura are great too. Restaurants near Liverpool St / Moorgate / Farringdon!
—–
Pho & Bun
Vietnamese street food in the heart of the West End. It was £24 for 4 courses and a beer which didn’t seem too bad. The food was very good but the portions were quite small. Nice for a quick dinner but nothing super special.
—–
Piano Works
Quite tacky but fun to start a night out! A bar / restaurant in Farringdon where ‘pianists perform audience-requested playlist live’.
—–
Pizza East
Lively pizzeria in Shoreditch! Pizza is really good and the restaurant has a superb atmosphere.
—–
Pizza Pilgrims
Nice for a quick, cheap pizza for lunch. Casual atmosphere, nice food and very fairly priced. Make sure you get the macaroni balls.
—–
Proud Embankment
Really fun cabaret usually with a celebrity host (we had Bill Bailey). The acts were impressive and varied and the place itself had a fun, lively atmosphere. The food was pretty decent considering the focus wasn’t on the food. Sticky floors and low quality glasses but it was fun 🙂
—–
Radio Rooftop
Nice place to grab a drink and enjoy some views – just off The Strand.
—–
Rainforest Cafe
Beau enjoyed it but it wasn’t as amazing as I remembered. Probably the only kid-focused restaurant in London – book a table because it’s popular.
—–
Red Farm
Upmarket Chinese restaurant in Covent Garden. Food and service was fab but to be expected as it’s pretty expensive for what feels like quite a casual restaurant. Love the pac-man dumplings!
—–
Restaurant Ours
Another Instagrammers dream! Restaurant with beautiful decor (huge trees, high ceilings, a flower wall – oh my goodddddd) serving delicious, upscale British cuisine in Knightsbridge!
—–
Roast
Does what it says on the tin… an amazing roast! Gorgeous restaurant in London Bridge (basically in Borough market!) The food was very enjoyable and not ridiculously priced.
—–
Robata
Really good sushi in Soho – not as good as Pham but close.
—–
Roka
Lovely Japanese / Asian high-end restaurant chain – there are a few! 
Enjoyed the most unbelievable tasting menu at Roka recently. We ate at the bar which I really enjoyed as you can see the chefs preparing. The tasting menu isn’t cheap (I think premium was £90pp?) but you get SO much food and it was all delicious. Can’t wait to go back.
—–
Roof East
‘The ultimate rooftop playground experience for grown ups with bar, street food, open air cinema and interactive games area‘ – a really fun rooftop in Stratford!
—–
Rooftop Garden (John Lewis)
John Lewis on Oxford Street has a cute little rooftop bar – great for a coffee / hot choc in the sun.
—–
Rosa’s
Delicious, reasonably priced Thai food. Casual dining all over London
—–
Rowley’s
Since 1976 – yummy steak near to Piccadilly Circus!
—–
Royal Inn on the Park
Pub overlooking Victoria Park in Hackney! Food is good (standard pub grub), but quite pricey. It has a nice, big beer garden, great for a drink in the sun.
—–
R.S. Hispaniola
R.S. Hispaniola is a shabby boat on The Thames which offers 3 courses plus unlimited prosecco for £35 pp.
Not the fanciest boat I’ve ever been on / the most tasty food BUT it was very reasonably priced, the view was great and most importantly, the prosecco was bottomless.
—–
Sagar & Wilde
Loved this wine bar / restaurant in Bethnal Green. Lovely atmosphere and very tasty food / wine.
—–
SAID
If you love chocolate, you have to go to this cafe in Soho for a hot chocolate!
—–
San Carlo Cicchetti
Amazing restaurant just off Piccadilly Circus specialising in the ‘Venetian culinary custom of cicchetti – delicious small plate dishes to share or eat alone, enjoyed with a beer or glass of wine’!
The food is mouth-watering. You should definitely go, but book in advance as it gets busy.
—–
Santi
Cute Italian restaurant near to Westfield Stratford. Didn’t have the best atmosphere in the world but the food was tasty.
—–
Scarpetta
Decent Italian in Canary Wharf. Really nice team, tasty pasta, reasonable prices. The truffle arancini were underwhelming so I’d give those a miss.
—–
Seabird
I was blown away by this stunning new restaurant on the rooftop of the Hoxton Hotel in Southwark. Beautiful restaurant inside and out, with spectacular service and unbelievable food. If the weather is nice, I definitely suggest you book an outside table, or at the very least, a table inside with a view. I would’ve been annoyed if we were sitting in the middle of the restaurant.
Luckily we had a great view of the Shard right behind. We very much enjoyed the whole experience and will definitely be back.
—–
Searcys at the Gherkin
Amazing views and food from literally the top of the Gherkin!! My boyfriend luckily got us a window table, but make sure you confirm it on the booking. Think it would have been less impressive if we were sitting further back.
—–
Secret Cinema
Secret Cinema is AMAZING!!!! They specialise in immersive theatre experiences which combine films with interactive performance, all taking place in massive sets built specific to each film – you are also given characters you have to come dressed as! You must book in advance and make sure you go with it – the more you immerse yourself, the more you’ll get out of it.
—–
Shaka Zulu
A pretty cool restaurant / bar with elaborate and quirky decor in Camden. It’s the largest South African restaurant and has some interesting food on the menu like zebra & crocodile. Some nice options for non-meat eaters too.
The food was pretty good but not outstanding. You’re there more for the atmosphere than the food!
—–
Shangri-La at The Shard
We luckily hosted our end of year work event at Shangri-La at the Shard (RenB) before Tier 3 came into play. It’s a nice event space, boasting stunning views of London from the 34th Floor of the Shard. Whilst the menu had to change last minute, the food was outstanding and the service was great. Definitely recommend hosting an event here
—–
Shoryu
Shoryu brings ‘authentic tonkotsu ramen from Hakata, Japan to the UK’! The ramen is delicious – great for a quick lunch or casual dinner. Dotted all over London.
—–
Sketch
Another iconic London restaurant in Mayfair (particularly well-known for it’s pod toilets!) There are multiple rooms with different themes – great for a cocktail or two. The pink room is the main restaurant and has 200 original prints / drawings by David Shrigley (Turner Prize winner). The food is good, but expensive!
—–
Sky Garden
You can book a trip to Sky Garden for free 2 weeks in advance of the date you plan to go. The views are absolutely amazing. On a Friday / Saturday they have a band playing too!
—–
Skylon
Beautiful restaurant on the Southbank with floor to ceiling windows letting lots of light in! They do a fantastic bottomless brunch and have musicians playing throughout the day.
—–
Soft Serve Society
Want a sugar overload? Look no further than a freakshake at Soft Serve Society under Boxpark in Shoreditch!
—–
Sticks ‘n’ Sushi
Sushi restaurant with a couple of restaurants dotted around central London! The food is DELICIOUS but not comparable taste and cost wise to Pham Sushi!
—–
Sticky Mango
Thai restaurant near to Waterloo and Southbank. It’s quite expensive to order a la carte, but if you eat early and choose from the pre-theatre menu then it’s not so bad. Mango and sticky rice was not the one but the rest of the food was tasty.
—–
STK
Another steakhouse just off The Strand! The restaurant has cool white booths and low lighting creating a chilled atmosphere. The food is nice too 🙂
—–
Sucre
Stunning restaurant on Great Marlborough Street (wish I’d taken better pics of the space itself because it really is beautiful – an old concert hall). They have a small menu – Latin American and European influences and everything we ordered was delicious. We stayed in the downstairs cocktail bar until 1am – they do an exceptional espresso martini!
—–
Sushineon
Nice sushi restaurant near to Aldgate East station which is popular with Japanese students in the area (always a good sign)! They offer loads of different Japanese dishes too. The sushi was tasty although a little saucey for my liking. The spicy tuna rolls were probably my favourite.
—–
Sushi Samba
Sushi Samba (right by Liverpool Street station) boasts absolutely incredible views of London! I’ve been here many times for drinks, but have never tried the sushi! Apparently it’s great:)
—–
Taro
Casual restaurant in Soho serving yummy and reasonably priced Japanese noodles and sushi. There’s loads of choice and prices are fair. Not as good as some other sushi places I’ve been to but perfect for lunch or a quick bite as the service is quite fast and people were in and out.
—–
Temper
Incredible, buzzy restaurant in Soho with an open kitchen (with a fire pit) so I definitely recommend sitting at the bar by the kitchen. I went with somebody who used to work there so she knew what to order from the menu! The cookie dough pudding is a must! Definitely recommend and will be back.
—–
Terra Terra
A lovely and relaxed Italian brasserie in North London. There was a nice variety on the menu and everything we ordered tasted delicious. Only downside is there are not a lot of veggie / vegan options.
—–
The Big London Bake
Basically the Great British Bake Off for the average person! A really fun thing to do with a group of friends.
—–
The Churchill Arms
A really cool pub in Knightsbridge, draped in flowers and Churchill memorabilia!
—–
The Dorchester
Had a fantastic dinner at this famous, super swanky London hotel on Park Lane.
The set menu is really good value if you have that alone. However, we ordered sides and a bottle of wine which nearly doubled the cost (there aren’t cheap options!) Service was excellent. I put ‘a celebration’ on the booking and our waiter brought over a ‘happy anniversary’, ‘happy birthday’ and ‘congratulations’ plate to cover all bases.
—–
The Folly
The Folly is a bar / restaurant in the City of London. It’s not somewhere to go for a super fancy dinner, but it’s a fun place to go! It has got a great, lively atmosphere – full of city workers letting their hair down. The food is probably a little expensive for what you get – there is lots of choice but it is pretty standard pub grub!
—–
The Founder’s Arms
Cute little pub on the Southbank, right opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. Been here lots for a light bite and bottle of wine as the sun sets.
—–
The Ivy
Once a super exclusive place to eat, there are now versions of The Ivy dotted all over the UK! If you want to go to the original then you should book in advance. You can often just walk in to the others for a casual bite. The food is pretty decent.
—–
The Jam Tree
Colourful gastropub on the King’s Road with a great garden. Food is pub grub but tasty!
—–
The Jugged Hare
Enjoyed a fun team night at this City restaurant known for its game! Good atmosphere, nice food.
—–
The Lord Tredegar
Another local of mine, The Lord Tredegar in Mile End produces some delicious meals. A firm favourite of many friends when they come to visit!
—–
The Ned
Recently stayed at The Ned to celebrate my 30th birthday with one of my friends so we ate in a couple of the restaurants. There are a number of different restaurants on the ground floor serving a different cuisines. It’s a really buzzy and fun space which gets going with a live band during the evening. We enjoyed sushi and champagne at Kaia and a delicious breakfast at Millie’s Lounge (best eggs and soldiers I’ve ever had). Would go back for sure.
—–
The Nest
One of my bosses fave places so fortunately get to go a lot! Stunning rooftop bar / restaurant right by Oxford Circus (on the roof of the Tree House hotel). Stunning views of London – definitely grab a table outside on a sunny day. The inside is also great and looks beautiful with loads of hanging plants. Definitely recommend.
—–
The Ritz
If you’re a tourist visiting London, you’ll probably want to tick The Ritz (Mayfair) off your list. Best to go at Christmas time as it’s beautifully decorated.
—–
The Roof Deck (at Selfridges)
Quite difficult to find your way to the top of Selfridges on Oxford Street, but when you find your way there, it’s great! Wasn’t massively impressed by the food, but the atmosphere is great on a summers evening. I believe it’s also beautifully decorated over Christmas!
—–
The Smoking Goat
This Thai restaurant in Shoreditch is very unassuming but the food is absolutely incredible. Really chilled environment – we shared a few different dishes between us – all were amazing!
—–
The Terrace on Piccadilly
A fine-dining restaurant in the Piccadilly hotel.
The food is pricey but the service, location and interior are fantastic. In the summer you could sit on the balcony – if you’re dining in colder months, request a table by the window. Fantastic deal – 3 courses and free flowing prosecco for £35!
The food was well presented and delicious. The restaurant is gorgeous with great views (when it’s not dark).
—–
The Vaults
Located in the underground of Waterloo station, The Vaults is the ‘home of immersive theatre and alternative art’. Check what’s on!!!
—–
Tramshed
Known for its chicken and beef which is carved at the table and designed to share, the restaurant is home to the Cock ‘n’ Bull installation by Damien Hirst!!
—–
Treadwells
A Marcus Wareing restaurant near to Covent Garden showcasing ‘the very best in British seasonal produce’! It’s a really nice restaurant but was pretty empty when I went so lacked an exciting atmosphere.
—–
Trufflesecco
Love truffle and prosecco like me? Go to Trufflesecco! It’s a tiny restaurant in Camden serving all things truffle! Considering truffle dishes in London are usually extortionate, this restaurant is incredibly reasonably priced.
—–
Tsunami
Really enjoyed the sushi at this restaurant in Clapham – bit of a weird vibe as it’s just down from the main strip of clubs / bars, but it was yum!
—–
Tyyabs
Traditional Punjabi cuisine in Whitechapel! The food is really good and the restaurant is always jam-packed. They try to make you pay in cash though so assuming something dodgy going on there.
—–
Vapiano
I was a Vapiano addict for a long time. A very laid back Italian restaurant where they make the dishes to your taste right in front of you!
—–
Victoria Park Pavilion
Gorgeous location on the waterfront in Victoria Park serving unbelievable breakfasts.
—–
Wagamama
A pretty standard chain restaurant but the food is nice and great for a quick lunch / din! All my friends visiting from lands afar insist on visiting Wagamama when they’re in London.
—–
Whyte and Brown
A free-range chicken restaurant in Kingly Court! The burgers and goujons are great and there’s a lovely outdoor eating area – great for summer and also in winter when heaters are on and the Christmas lights are on!
—–
Yoobi
Yoobi (what a cute name) is super casual sushi restaurant in Soho! You order from the bar (good if you’re with a group wanting to pay separately) and whilst the menu is quite limited, the food is reasonable and really delicious.
The sushi is made fresh and served to you by super friendly and attentive staff. It’s probably the same price if not cheaper than Itsu but definitely tastier. Recommend for chilled a chilled lunch / dinner.
—–
Zero Sette
Italian near to the Excel. Lacked atmosphere but the food was very nice.
—-
Zobler’s at The Ned
The Ned is a really cool hotel in the City of London. It houses a bar and group of restaurants serving different cuisines.
It’s New York deli style has a great atmosphere. The food is very reasonably priced considering the quite classy, sophisticated setting / atmosphere.
—–
Zuma
Trendy, high-end Japanese restaurant in Kensington. Food is amazing and atmosphere is great (hang out for celebs… we were sitting next to Jermain Defoe). It was very expensive… definite treat!
xxx
Travel with Shan 