Where to eat
Taste the Best of London,
Taste the Best of London,
Restaurants, Tours and Tea
London serves the world on a plate. From three-star tasting menus and buzzing Borough Market to a classic afternoon tea and a pint in a centuries-old pub, this is one of the great food cities. Book a table, join a food tour or reserve afternoon tea, then read our honest picks. Choose a category below to jump straight in.
18,000+restaurants
80+Michelin-starred
70+world cuisines
3,500+historic pubs
Book a table
Restaurants
Restaurants
and Where to Eat
London's tables run from three-star tasting menus to hidden neighbourhood gems and legendary pie and mash. Reserve online in seconds, or explore our own London food directory for honest local picks across every budget and cuisine.
Reserve a table onlineBrowse availability and book instantly across thousands of London restaurants.
From our London food directory
Hand-picked spots and honest local write-ups from 24London, our sister guide to the city.
Loading restaurant picks…
Eat like a local
Food Tours,
Food Tours,
Tastings and Experiences
The tastiest way to learn a city is to eat your way through it. Join a guided food tour of Borough Market or Soho, taste your way around a street-food market, roll up your sleeves for a cooking class, or sip through a wine tasting. Search the full range below, or browse our partners.
Food Tours and Day Experiences
Viator lists thousands of London food experiences, from Borough Market and East End curry crawls to fish and chips, gin distilleries and Cotswolds food day trips, with reviews and free cancellation on most.
Viator Browse food tours on ViatorTastings and Special Menus
KKday curates a hand-picked London collection of afternoon teas, themed dining, dessert experiences and tasting menus, handy for combining a meal with tickets in a single, simple booking.
KKday See food experiences on KKday
A very British ritual
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea
in London
No London visit is complete without afternoon tea. Whether you want the timeless elegance of a grand hotel, a playful themed spread or a vintage bus tour with your scones, this is a treat worth booking ahead. Choose your style and reserve your table in seconds.
Classic Afternoon Tea
Scones, finger sandwiches and endless pots of tea, the great British ritual done properly.
Book afternoon tea
Luxury Hotel Tea
The full five-star treatment at London's grand hotels, from Claridge's to The Ritz.
Book afternoon tea
Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Sip and nibble aboard a vintage Routemaster as the city's landmarks roll past the window.
Book afternoon tea
Themed Afternoon Tea
Playful, picture-perfect teas built around a story, a show or a favourite character.
Book afternoon tea
Make it an occasion
Dining Experiences
Dining Experiences
Worth the Trip
Some meals are about more than the food. Whether you want dinner on the Thames, a table with a skyline view, a chef's tasting menu or a supper club with a twist, these are the dining experiences that turn an evening into a memory. Book ahead, the best tables go fast.
Thames Dinner Cruise
Dinner, live music and the floodlit skyline gliding past your window on the water.
Book an experience
Dining with a View
Book a table high above the city and watch London light up while you eat.
Book an experience
Fine Dining and Tasting Menus
Chef's tables and multi-course tasting menus for a night to remember.
Book an experience
Unique and Immersive Dining
Supper clubs, themed dinners and dining experiences you will not find anywhere else.
Book an experience
Drinks with a view
London's Best
London's Best
Rooftop Bars
When the sun is out, London heads up to the roof. From free skyline views at Sky Garden to cocktails above the Thames, a rooftop bar is the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing. Here are the ones worth the lift ride, then read our full guide for many more.
Six rooftops we send visitors to
- Sky GardenFenchurch Street · Free to enter, book a slot ahead
- SeabirdSouthwark · London's longest rooftop terrace
- AviaryFinsbury Square · City skyline and cocktails
- Radio RooftopThe Strand · Thames and St Paul's views
- Savage GardenTower Hill · Tower Bridge at your feet
- MadisonSt Paul's · The cathedral dome up close
Openings, menus and dress codes change with the season, so check ahead and book at weekends.
Read our full nightlife and rooftop guide
Taste tips
Eating and Drinking in London,
Eating and Drinking in London,
Tips from Our Editor
Honest, up to date advice on eating and drinking your way around London: where to find the best value, which markets and neighbourhoods to seek out, the finest afternoon teas, and the tables worth booking ahead. Every guide is checked and curated by our resident editor.
CW
Curated by Clara WhitbyResident London editor
Loading food and drink guides…
Good to know
Eating and Drinking in London,
Eating and Drinking in London,
Every Question Answered
The complete guide to eating and drinking in London: the best food tours, Michelin dining, afternoon tea, street-food markets, historic pubs, special dining experiences and all the practical questions on prices, tipping and dietary needs. Tap any question to open the answer.
Food tours
Borough Market walking tours, Soho food and drink tours, and East London street-food tours are the most popular with visitors. Each combines tastings with local stories and hidden neighbourhood gems. Compare and book them in our food tours section with live availability from trusted partners.
Yes. A good food tour covers more ground in three hours than most visitors discover in a full day alone. You taste dishes from several venues, hear the stories behind them, and find places you would never stumble across on your own. Browse the options in our food tours section.
Most classic London food tours include Borough Market, the city's oldest and most celebrated food hub. On the South Bank near London Bridge, it has been trading since the 13th century and today hosts over 100 traders selling everything from artisan cheese to street food from around the world. Find Borough Market tours in our food tours section.
Yes. Private food tours suit families, corporate groups and special occasions, and can be tailored to a cuisine, a dietary need or a neighbourhood. For a premium version with door-to-door transport, Chauffeurz can pair a private transfer with your tour. See the options in our food tours section.
Yes. Soho, East End and Covent Garden tours often run in the evening, pairing street-food tastings with craft beer, wine bars or cocktail stops, and some include a pub-crawl element. They are especially popular for birthday and hen groups. Compare evening tours in our food tours section.
Camden Market, Covent Garden and Borough Market all have excellent plant-based options, and several operators run dedicated vegan and vegetarian tours visiting specialist vendors. Vegan Nights on Brick Lane is a popular monthly event too. Compare plant-based tours in our food tours section.
Borough Market is London's oldest food market, trading in some form for around a thousand years. Today it is famous for artisan cheese, fresh bread, oysters, salt-beef sandwiches and produce from across Britain and Europe, all in the shadow of Southwark Cathedral.
Michelin and fine dining
London has over 70 Michelin-starred restaurants, more than any other UK city and among the highest concentrations in Europe. They range from formal fine-dining rooms to relaxed bistros and even a pub. Compare fine-dining bookings in our restaurants section.
The Ledbury and CORE by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, all three-star, are among London's most celebrated. For romance, Galvin La Chapelle, Sketch and Helene Darroze at The Connaught are outstanding. Arrive in style with Chauffeurz for a truly memorable evening.
Barrafina in Soho and Brat in Shoreditch offer starred plates at far lower prices than traditional fine dining, and The Harwood Arms in Fulham, London's only Michelin-starred pub, is excellent value. Set-lunch menus at starred restaurants are often 40 to 50 percent cheaper than dinner.
Yes. Gymkhana and Benares in Mayfair are London's most celebrated Michelin-starred Indian restaurants, both serving refined regional cooking. London has one of the best Indian restaurant scenes outside India, with excellent options at every price point.
CORE by Clare Smyth and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester both offer dedicated vegetarian tasting menus alongside their main menus, and many starred restaurants accommodate plant-based diets with notice. Always mention dietary requirements when you book.
The Ivy Tower Bridge and Sea Containers on the South Bank pair high-quality dining with Thames views, and the Oxo Tower Restaurant and Brasserie is another favourite for upscale dining with a panorama. Compare fine-dining bookings in our restaurants section.
It varies. Traditional rooms like Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and The Ritz ask for smart or formal dress, while modern starred spots like Barrafina and Brat are relaxed. Always check the restaurant's website before booking, especially for a special occasion.
Sketch in Mayfair is one of London's most spectacular dining experiences, with its egg-shaped pods and elaborate rooms, and its Lecture Room and Library holds two stars. For intimate dinners, Helene Darroze at The Connaught and Galvin La Chapelle are outstanding. Arrive in style with Chauffeurz.
Afternoon tea
The Ritz, Claridge's, The Savoy and Brown's Hotel are London's most iconic afternoon-tea destinations, each serving tiered cakes, delicate finger sandwiches, fresh scones and fine loose-leaf teas in stunning surroundings. Book two to four weeks ahead, and compare options in our afternoon tea section.
Afternoon tea ranges from about $45 to $95 (£35 to £75) a person, with the grand five-star hotels at the top end and charming smaller venues and bus tours lower down. Compare styles and book in our afternoon tea section.
Aqua Shard and TING at Shangri-La The Shard serve afternoon tea with sweeping skyline views from levels 31 and 35, and rooftop venues like Madison at St Paul's add elevated settings. For something different, the Brigit's Bakery bus tour pairs afternoon tea with sightseeing, which you can book in our afternoon tea section.
Yes. One Aldwych runs a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea, The Sanderson has an Alice in Wonderland experience, and several hotels offer seasonal themes around Wimbledon and Christmas. The Time Out afternoon tea guide is a useful resource for current themes.
Farmacy in Notting Hill and Palm Court at The Langham both offer dedicated vegan afternoon-tea menus, and many traditional venues including Claridge's and The Savoy accommodate plant-based diets with notice. Compare bookings in our afternoon tea section.
The Brigit's Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is the top family choice, pairing a traditional tea with a sightseeing ride on a vintage Routemaster, while One Aldwych's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea is a hit with younger visitors. Compare family options in our afternoon tea section.
Yes. A Thames afternoon-tea cruise pairs a traditional tea service with a scenic sail past Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament and the South Bank, a popular pick for special occasions. Book one in our afternoon tea section.
Yes, if you want the quintessential London experience. The Ritz Palm Court is legendary for its gilded interior, harpist, immaculate service and classic presentation. It costs around $120 (£95) a person, has a smart dress code, and sells out weeks ahead, so book early.
The Wolseley on Piccadilly, Brigit's Bakery in Covent Garden and several market cafes offer good-value teas from about $25 to $38 (£20 to £30) a person, and department-store tearooms like Fortnum and Mason are more accessible than the grand hotels.
Smart casual is fine almost everywhere. The grand hotels like Claridge's and The Ritz have a dress code, no sportswear or trainers, and The Ritz asks gentlemen to wear a jacket and tie. Check the venue's rules when you book.
Street food and markets
Borough Market on the South Bank, Camden Market in the north and Maltby Street in Bermondsey are London's finest, each with a distinct character and range of cuisines. Borough is the oldest and most celebrated, trading near London Bridge since the 13th century.
Greenwich Market and KERB Camden are the most family-friendly, with a wide range of cuisines, seating and easy access. Greenwich Market is especially good at weekends, in the heart of Greenwich village near the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum.
KERB Camden and Street Food Union in Soho gather vendors from around the world, spanning Japanese, West African, Middle Eastern, Latin American and South Asian food. Brick Lane in the East End is especially celebrated for its Bangladeshi and South Asian scene.
Borough Market, Brick Lane Market, Columbia Road Flower Market and Greenwich Market all trade on Sundays and are at their busiest and best. Columbia Road is particularly atmospheric on Sunday mornings, when flower stalls line up alongside independent food and coffee vendors.
Yes. Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle and Market Halls Victoria both offer large covered dining spaces with many vendors under one roof, ideal for groups with mixed tastes and for evening meals. Find more picks in our editor's tips.
KERB Camden and the Southbank Centre Food Market stay open later on Friday and Saturday evenings, good for after-theatre bites, and Street Food Union in Soho runs into the evening on weekdays. Check each market's site for current hours, which change with the season.
Brick Lane in the East End is London's most famous Indian and Bangladeshi food street, lined with curry houses and vendors. Southall in the west is prized for its authentic Punjabi scene, and Wembley has an excellent concentration of Indian restaurants and snack shops.
Yes, Borough Market is free to enter. It opens Monday to Saturday, with full trading Thursday to Saturday, roughly 10am to 5pm, and limited trading earlier in the week. It sits by London Bridge station and is one of the most visited free attractions in the city.
Pubs and bars
The Churchill Arms in Kensington, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese near Fleet Street, The Harp in Covent Garden and The George Inn in Southwark are among London's most celebrated traditional pubs, each with its own history, character and fine ale selection. See more in our editor's tips.
The Seven Stars near Lincoln's Inn Fields, dating to 1602, and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, are among England's oldest surviving pubs. Both are worth a visit for the atmosphere alone.
The Founders Arms on Bankside, with views of St Paul's, The Anchor Bankside, The Gun in Docklands looking across to the O2, and The Dove in Hammersmith, with a riverside terrace and one of England's narrowest bars, are the top Thames-view pubs.
The Guinea Grill in Mayfair, The Blacklock in Soho and The Harwood Arms in Fulham are consistently rated among London's finest for Sunday roast. The Harwood Arms holds a Michelin star, making it the only Michelin-starred pub in London. Book well ahead, roast tables fill fast.
The Dublin Castle in Camden has been a live-music institution since the 1970s, hosting early gigs by Madness and Blur, while The Blues Kitchen in Shoreditch and King's Cross pairs live blues and soul with good food. Find more nightlife picks in our editor's tips.
The Spaniards Inn on Hampstead Heath, The Dove in Hammersmith and Ye Olde Mitre near Hatton Garden are London's most romantic pub settings, with open fires, candlelit corners and centuries of history. For a stylish arrival, Chauffeurz offers private evening transfers.
The French House on Dean Street is Soho's most iconic pub, famous for its bohemian history and its rule of no pints, only halves. The Dog and Duck on Bateman Street is another classic, with a beautiful Victorian interior and a loyal local following.
Yes. The Dove in Hammersmith is one of London's most celebrated, with a Thames terrace, and The Mayflower in Rotherhithe is a historic gem, reputedly the pub where the Pilgrim Fathers stopped before sailing to America in 1620.
The Jugged Hare near the Barbican, The Grazing Goat and The Coach Makers Arms in Marylebone are consistently praised, while The Harwood Arms in Fulham holds a Michelin star and is the benchmark for London gastropub cooking. Compare dining in our restaurants section.
The classics are fish and chips, a Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding, bangers and mash, and a steak and ale pie, usually washed down with a cask ale. A good London pub is one of the tastiest and best-value meals in the city.
Many are, especially those serving food, which usually welcome children until early evening, though some traditional or late-night pubs are adults only. Look for a pub advertising food and a garden, and check the times children are allowed.
Dining experiences and special occasions
Yes. The Cookery School at Little Portland Street, Divertimenti in Marylebone and Books for Cooks in Notting Hill all run hands-on classes, and gin-distillery tours and chocolate workshops are popular too. Compare experiences in our food tours section.
City Cruises runs Thames dinner cruises with live entertainment and set menus, Bateaux London offers a more upscale fine-dining sail, and the London Showboat is popular for cabaret-style dinner entertainment. Compare them in our dining experiences section.
For a special night, yes. You get dinner, live music and the floodlit skyline gliding past, all in one, which is hard to beat for a celebration or a romantic evening. Book one in our dining experiences section.
The Shard's restaurants, Sky Garden, Duck and Waffle and many rooftop venues pair London's best views with a full menu. Book a table high above the city in our dining experiences section, or find free views in our rooftop bars.
Evening food tours with pub stops in Soho or the East End, gin-tasting masterclasses, cocktail-making workshops and afternoon-tea bus tours are the most popular group experiences. For larger groups needing transport between venues, Chauffeurz offers Mercedes V-Class transfers with fixed pricing.
Dinner in the dark at Dans le Noir, a supper club in a private home, or a foraging walk with a wild-food cooking session are among London's most unusual meals. The Bustronome, a gourmet dinner on a glass-roofed bus touring the sights, is another memorable option. See more in our dining experiences section.
Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden, open since 1871, Poppies in Spitalfields and Camden, and Golden Union in Soho are consistently rated among the finest chippies. For an upscale take, Bonnie Gull in Fitzrovia serves restaurant-quality fish and chips with sustainably sourced catch.
For a truly special evening, a pre-booked private chauffeur transfer with Chauffeurz means you arrive relaxed, on time and in style, with fixed pricing and no surge charges. See all the options in our airport and city transfers guide.
Prices, tipping and practical
Soho and Covent Garden have the highest concentration of quality restaurants across every price point, Mayfair is the home of fine dining and Michelin stars, and Shoreditch and Dalston lead for independent, creative kitchens. Browse local picks in our restaurants section.
Budget travellers can eat well on $25 to $44 (£20 to £35) a day using markets, meal deals and casual spots. Mid-range dining runs about $38 to $75 (£30 to £60) a head for two courses with a drink, while fine dining and tasting menus start from $100 to $190 (£80 to £150).
For popular and higher-end restaurants, yes, book a few days ahead and a week or more for the best weekend tables. Casual spots, pubs and food markets are usually walk-in. You can reserve most places online in seconds from our restaurants section.
Many London restaurants add a discretionary service charge of 12.5 percent, which you can ask to remove if the service was poor. Where none is added, rounding up or leaving around 10 percent is normal. There is no need to tip on top of a service charge.
Lunch is usually served from about noon to 2:30pm and dinner from 6pm to 10 or 11pm, with many kitchens closing between services. All-day cafes, pubs and markets stay open through the afternoon. Always check last orders when you book.
Do not leave without fish and chips, a full English breakfast, a Sunday roast, afternoon tea and a proper pie. For something truly local, try pie and mash or a salt-beef bagel on Brick Lane. Find where in our editor's tips.
Very easy. London has a huge range of halal restaurants, from Middle Eastern and South Asian kitchens to halal burgers and fine dining, concentrated around Edgware Road, Whitechapel and Southall but found citywide. See guides in our editor's tips.
Excellent. London is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world, with dedicated plant-based restaurants and clear menu labelling almost everywhere. Most kitchens offer strong vegetarian and vegan options as standard.
Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street is the best-known free rooftop, with panoramic views if you book a slot ahead, and many hotel and bar rooftops are free to enter, you just pay for drinks. See our picks in the rooftop bars section.
