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The best restaurants in Clerkenwell and Farringdon

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Here's where to find the best restaurants in Clerkenwell and Farringdon. Between Smithfield and Exmouth markets, there's a lot of promise tucked away in these back streets. 

Best Clerkenwell restaurants

Morchella
Address: 84-86 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4Q
What We Know:

Morchella comes from the same team behind Perilla in Stoke Newington, but this is quite a different beast. Taking Mediterranean influences as its starting point, it's a laid-back affair in a bright dining room just off Exmouth Market. Expect small to medium sharing plates, a strong European wine list and there's also a separate bar too.

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Bouchon Racine
Address: 66 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BP
What We Know:

Bouchon Racine saw the return of Henry Harris, who brought his classic French restaurant Racine back, this time above The Three Compasses pub in Farringdon. One of the best restaurants in the area, here you can expect an 'unashamedly French' menu that changes daily, written only on a blackboard. The pub dowsntairs features food from the same kitchen, so that's well worth a look too.

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Brutto
Address: 36-37 Greenhill Rents, Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BN
What We Know:

The late, great Russell Norman, who also created Polpo, founded this restaurant just off Smithfield Market. It takes its influences primarily from Northern Italy with a particular focus on Florence. So you'll find Italian snacks and pasta alongside huge T-Bone steaks. It's also part-bar, with an extensive list of cocktail classics, so very handy if you're looking for a decent bar in the area.

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qualitynew
Address: 92–94 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3EA
What We Know:

The Quality Chop House, which has been open since 1869, has found more recent success as both a restaurant and wine bar featuring menus that are created in the morning based on what's been delivered. Come to the restaurant for the very best of British cooking and don't forget to have the legendary confit potatoes. Quality Wines is their corner cafe/restaurant with a separate but equally great menu.

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otto
Address: 182 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8EW
What We Know:

Want to be looked after to within an inch of your life? Well, Otto's is the restaurant you come to. Properly old-school French, Otto's has carved out a niche for itself serving up incredibly rich French cuisine in a lively environment. It also has a serious bit of kit called the duck press, which produces its signature dish.

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St John
Address: 26 St John Street, London EC1M 4AY
What We Know:

Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver's renowned restaurant has for decades been many critics' favourite place in London. This is their flagship restaurant and its focus on "nose to tail" eating makes it a must-visit for anyone looking for the very best in modern British cooking. The bar here is also very good, so even if you're not dining, stopping by for a glass of one of the St John wines and a snack is highly recommended.

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clerk-jan-luca
Address: 88 St John Street, London EC1M 4EH
What We Know:

This Michelin-starred Clerkenwell restaurant is from the team behind World's 50 Best restaurant The Clove Club. An Italian restaurant using British produce it's split between a more casual cafe at the front and more formal dining in the restaurant at the back. It's also blessed with a beautiful courtyard.

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Moro
Address: 34 - 36 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE
What We Know:

Back in 1997 when Moro first opened, Exmouth Market was still a scruffy Clerkenwell street and this restaurant with its implausibly good looking bar staff and open kitchen was the second most exciting thing to happen to the area food-wise since The Eagle threw open its doors. Run by the marvellously-monikered Sam and Sam Clark, it's still turning out great food in a room that's packed every day of the week.

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sessionshousedining
Address: 24 Clerkenwell Green, Farringdon, London EC1R 0NA
What We Know:

This restaurant has taken over an old Grade II courthouse in Clerkenwell making it one of the most beautiful dining rooms in London, particularly in the evening with its gas-powered lighting. It originally featured Florence Knight in charge of the food. She's now moved on but the menu that is a mix of British, French and Italian cooking continues.

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stbarts
Address: 63 Bartholomew Cl, London EC1A 7BG
What We Know:

The people behind Nest created this Smithfield restaurant, hidden away in a courtyard. Here, things are a little different from their previous restaurants, with a focus on hyper-seasonal British food and a huge 15-course tasting menu that starts in the bar before moving through to the restaurant.

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eagle
Address: 159 Farringdon Rd, Farringdon, London EC1R 3AL
What We Know:

The Eagle in Clerkenwell is often credited as the first modern gastropub - with restaurant-quality food being served inside a pub. Many years down the line, it's still a reliable spot for a good meal, serving up a seasonal menu in a faintly ramshackle pub. The steak sandwiches are some of the best in town.

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moritonew
Address: 32 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL
What We Know:

Moro has long been one of London foodie's favourite restaurants - think of this as Sam and Sam Clark's sibling tapas bar to the original - serving up super small plates with ice-cold glasses of fino.

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cafedumarche
Address: 22 Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6DX
What We Know:

If you're searching for old school French cuisine, then look no further than this longstanding restaurant. It's a great spot for a long, liquid lunch but even better for a romantic dinner with all that warm brick and candlelight.

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bleedingnew
Address: Bleeding Heart Yard, 19 Greville Street, London EC1N 8SJ
What We Know:

Bleeding Heart is a London institution. Come here for classic French food with a modern touch and a vast amount of wine supplied by their wine cellar. There's also a wine bar and grill off this historic courtyard for more casual fare.

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Sushi Tetsu
Address: 12 Jerusalem Passage, London EC1V 4JP
What We Know:

The tiny Sushi Tetsu is both one of the best sushi restaurants in town and also one of the hardest to get into. With only half a dozen seats inside, each item served to you will be almost a work of art. This may well ruin other sushi restaurants for you. Note that bookings open on the first and third Monday of every month and go very fast.

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anglonew
Address: 30 St Cross Street, London EC1N 8UH
What We Know:

This fine dining restaurant in the heart of Farringdon serves up seasonal, inventive food from a pared-back dining room. As the name suggests, it focuses on British seasonal produce and dishes, created by chef Anthony Raffo. With a focus on low waste too, it deservedly won critic plaudits from the get-go.

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berber-shwarma
Address: 46 Exmouth Market, Farringdon, London EC1R 4QE
What We Know:

This is an offshoot of Josh Katz's Berber & Q, and is something of a cut-down version of the main restaurant. Here you can find a combination of mezze, hummus and plenty from the grill - including the lamb shawarme of course - as well as rotisserie chicken. Make sure to stick around for their desserts.

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Breddos Clerkenwell
Address: 82 Goswell Rd, London EC1V 7DB
What We Know:

This was street traders-turned restaurateurs Breddos first restaurant. It serves up excellent tacos, tostadas, tortilla-based Mexican pizza tlayudas and more. Don't forget to give their mezcal list a try as well.

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clerkkitchen
Address: 27 - 31 Clerkenwell Close, Farringdon, London EC1R 0AT
What We Know:

This neighbourhood cafe in Clerkenwell is blessed with a hidden courtyard terrace which is a good-to-know alfresco option in this area. As for the food, they serve up ethically-sourced organic produce taking inspiration from both European and Californian cafes with a small regularly changing menu.

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clubgascon
Address: 57 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9DS
What We Know:

Run by chef Pascal Aussignac, this Michelin-starred French restaurant (it's now held a star for over 20 years) focuses on the cuisine of the southwest of France, with opulent tasting menus available. Despite the focus on meat, there's real attention too given to their vegetarian and vegan offering.

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The best of Clerkenwell and Farringdon mapped

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