Our Favourite Restaurants

Written By K&J

There are many, many, MANY great restaurants in London. Everything is delicious. There are a few interesting things to know about London that are kind of different to other places:

  • The most important thing you should know is that you have to make reservations usually 1-2 weeks early, and for the popular places you’re seeing on lists online, you typically HAVE to make them early (think 1+ month out from the date you’re interested in).

  • Many restaurants have multiple locations and have essentially become small chains across London. Unlike in the US where chain typically means depleted quality, most of the “small chains”.

  • Almost everywhere can accommodate dietary restrictions. If you can, make note of it when you book!

  • No matter what we put on this list, we’ll be told by our friends and family in London that we forgot their favourite. You can’t go wrong, don’t worry!

We’ve included photos where we can, but honestly, we’ve usually already eaten before we remember the phone eats first.

Best Overall: The Barbary

The Barbary is the only restaurant Kelly recommends to everyone living in or visiting London. It made its way onto major London lists a decade ago and has since quietly thrived (and still needs reservations a month in advance). The food honours everything down the Barbary Coast of North Africa, all beautifully spiced and grilled to perfection. The most enjoyable part is the restaurant is that you get to sit around a horseshoe-shaped bar with the kitchen at the center, so you watch all the action live.

Hot tips:

  • This recommendation is best for two people. If you’re 2 (or maybe 3 max) people, make sure you book The Barbary to sit around the horseshoe, not “The Barbary Next Door” or “The Barbary Notting Hill”. If you’re >3 people, “The Barbary Next Door” is right beside The Barbary in Neal’s Yard, you’re just not around the horseshoe bar. It’s best for conversation and if you want to be a little more comfortable, as the bar itself is meant to be tight and intimate! I’ve not been to The Barbary Notting Hill but have heard it’s great as well.

  • Get every dip.

  • Over order if you’re not sure.

  • The “hash cake” dessert at the end is a pistachio and honey cake. We asked them if they’d be willing to make a wedding cake version of it. They declined.


Sunday Roast: Everywhere

Harwood Arms

The best tradition. Think “Thanksgiving meal” every single Sunday. Any pub worth its salt will offer a Sunday roast. You choose your protein and they serve that protein with veggies, Yorkshire pudding, gravy and more. You can go to a pub for a fish and chips, but honestly, if it’s me, I’m choosing a Sunday roast instead.

This is Kelly at the Harwood Arms, about to face the biggest roast of her life. This is how you should feel when the food comes out: fearful for your life, but so, so pleased.

Here are our top recommendations depending on where you are:


Best Ambiance

There are many great restaurants in London, but if you’re looking for delicious food plus an amazing dining hall / dining experience, these are some good options.

The Ivy: Multiple locations, high quality food, very “British” feeling.

Fallow: Very busy vibe, beautiful bar, lovely staff.

The Quality Chop House: MEATS. Tip-to-tail butchery and a restaurant that was originally a workman’s diner in the eighteenth century.

Quaglino’s: Live jazz, high ceilings, very “Roaring ‘20s”.

Traditionally English and/or European Food

Noble Rot: We took our parents here to all meet for the first time! Lovely wine and European food.

Bancone: Truly amazing pasta, highly recommend the silk kerchiefs!

Indian / West Asian Food

Being a coloniser has its perks. One of those perks is food appropriated to our tender English taste buds, mostly from India.

  • If you’ve never had Indian food before: Dishoom is the OG recommendation. It is still absolutely fantastic, and there are many locations across London.

  • If you’re willing to book months in advance and ready to go bankrupt for the sake of Indian food (it’s 2-Michelin starred): Gymkhana

  • Not technically Indian, but just as good and a little spicier: Hoppers (multiple locations) or Kolamba Soho(both Sri Lankan)

Other Asian Food

Most of these are fast and reasonably priced as well!

Cay Tre Soho: Good array of Vietnamese food

Lanzhou Lamian Noodle Bar: Fast, cheap noodles

Joy King Lau: Chinese in the upstairs of a house

som saa: Fancier Thai food with great vibes (East London)

Platapian Soho: Fancier Thai food with great vibes (Central London)


We’re in a hurry and need to stop in somewhere

Search your Maps app of choice for a food hall. Most of these have multiple vendors that take <10 minutes for a really delicious meal. For example:

Also, Pret a Manger is everywhere, and there are good sandwiches and salads available grab and go. If a Londoner needs a quick lunch, they’re probably stopping here.

Please, pretty please, I just want a burger or pizza

I get it. Sometimes you just need something that feels American. I can’t promise it’ll be the same, but it’ll be close. All of these have multiple locations so you can just search on your map and find what you’re looking for.

Best burger: Black Bear Burger

Most consistent and readily available burger: Honest Burgers

Best pizza:

Most consistent and readily available pizza: Pizza Pilgrims (thicker crust) or Franco Manca(thinner crust)

K&J
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