208 Stoke Newington High St, London N16 7HU
After originally starting life as a taco shack in Netil Market, Sonora Taqueria have a permanent home in Stoke Newington. Here, you can find some of London's very best tacos, with things kicking off at breakfast (and with breakfast burritos too, of course). A must-visit if you consider yourself a connoisseur of tacos.
Brook Street, London W1K 4HR
The main Claridge's restaurant has returned with a completely new look and a more classic menu. The restaurant has reinvented itself as a "classically inspired but contemporary British restaurant" that is shying away from celebrity chefs and concentrating on delivering a menu of elevated British and European classics. There's a small bar in here too, so if you just fancy trying some snacks, that's well worth a look.
National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
The National Theatre brought in a powerhouse team to be in charge of its main restaurant - the people behind Hackney's hugely popular pub, The Marksman. On the South Bank the restaurant makes good use of the Brutalist architecture while serving up a brasserie-style menu that features many of the hits from their pub, including a truly great pie.
1 Dover St, London W1S 4LD
Sheesh became a huge hit in Essex, attracting all manner of celebs from D-listers to A-listers like Russell Crowe. This sees them in much more prime territory - almost directly opposite The Ritz. Expect something of a party affair, a touch of Essex in London and a menu that does indeed feature "Sheesh" kebabs, but wagyu steaks and lobster rolls too. Don't expect it to be subtle.
176 Blackstock Rd, London N5 1HA
Giacco's comes from a team with a strong background in hospitality and wine and this is their Italian-accented wine bar in Highbury. Expect Italian charcuterie, fresh pasta, their own small-batch gelato and a focus on Italian wines.
Unit 4, Sonny Heights, Swains Lane, London N6 6AG
Previously best known for their canal-based restaurants, this sees London Shell Co open their first land-based restaurant and fishmonger. So either pick up some seafood for your own kitchen or simply grab a table and order some of the specials, along with a well-chosen wine list.
Battersea Power Station, Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW8 5BN
Control Room B comes from the people behind the Mr Fogg's group of bars. This bar is inside Battersea Power Station and, as the name suggests, has taken over one of the former control rooms. Look out for many of the original features in the bar, and more than a few electric-themed cocktails.
547 Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 3BL
Kapihan in Battersea saw the popular Filipino bakery return in a new location. On the menu are their popular Filipino pastries and bakery goods like the classic bibingka rice cake alongside ensaymada, leche flan and sourdough pandesal along with weekend specials.
10 - 11 Eccleston Yards, London SW1W 9AZ
Two Columbian sisters are behind this all day Latin-American spot in Eccleston Yards. Brunch is big business with corn pancake stacks and cassava waffles on offer. At dinner time on weekends, the offering switches up to cocktails and a small plates menu.
13 Eccleston Yards, London SW1W 9AZ
This diminutive wine shop and bar is devoted to vegan wine brand Amie. There’s a focus on rose, although they do a boutique range of their own-brand French wines. Sit and sip inside or outside on the terrace. There’s also a popular space for booking out for parties.
The Rubens at The Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
Billed as serving English dishes with a twist, this hotel restaurant celebrates the art of tableside dining with all manner of treats. Smoked salmon is carved beside you and both mains and desserts include flambe options for a bit of theatrics.
This bakery has a team of international chefs producing everything you need in the form of bread and patisserie in an upmarket café. Name a variety of loaf from anywhere in the world and it’s probably on offer here. There are also freshly baked flatbreads from the clay oven to enjoy for savoury brunches at sharing tables out the back.
Westminster Kingsway College, 76 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PD
Play your part in supporting the chefs of the future at this smart brasserie that offers high-standard, contemporary, seasonal food at great-value prices, thanks to the role it plays as a teaching kitchen. You’ll be served by students (both chefs and front of house staff) from the college.
17-19 Regency St, London SW1P 4BY
A classic English café, this opened in 1946 and is so quintessential-looking that it’s been used as a filming location for its art deco style. This is where to get a proper ‘greasy spoon’ breakfast fry-up. None other than top chef Michel Roux Jr has also declared it his favourite (there’s a framed photo of his on the wall here with his statement to prove it).
Unit 17, 77 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0AJ
Right next to Victoria station, this convenient location of the Vagabond bar chain is the place to wait for your train while sipping on one of the 100 wines by the glass. Or you could try something new, with help from its unique wine-matching machines.
15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW
A truly luxurious experience, The Goring’s cocktail bar showcases British spirits along with herbs from the hotel’s garden in an opulent setting, while a live pianist plinks quietly in the background. You can drink ‘The Madness of King George’, a cocktail featuring King George III’s favourite whisky, and nibble at lobster scampi with chilli and pepper jam from the bar menu.
43 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PP
If you like plants with your cocktails, Bbar lays claim to having London’s largest ‘living wall’. It’s also directly located across from Buckingham Palace, so keep your eyes peeled for royalty from the terrace while enjoying live DJ sets through the week.
18 Greencoat Row, London SW1P 1PG
This Nepalese restaurant serves up food with an emphasis on spicy flavour rather than excessive heat. It’s a place for homestyle cooking, whether you fancy a hearty dal, a mutton curry, or a quick momo. Vegetarians and vegans are well-catered for.
3-4 Eccleston Yards, London SW1W 9AZ
Particularly popular for its seasonal sharing plates, Wild by Tart in Belgravia’s Eccleston Yards development offers somewhere you can dine with large groups on feasting tables or watch the open kitchen prepare dishes from the wood-fired oven at the counter.
116 Ebury Street, London SW1W 9QQ
You may recognise the fairy-tale exterior from Instagram, but the (original) Belgravia outlet of Peggy Porschen still bowls visitors over with its pretty pinkness. You’ll have a wonderful afternoon tea here, as they’re renowned for their creative cakes, but there’s also an all-day breakfast, brunch and lunch.
37 Monck St, London SW1P 2BL
This is the place for modern Sichuan cuisine and dim sum. Expect lots of sizzle and spicy flavours in a relatively minimalist and sleek space with service that errs on the formal side. There are two set menus as well as à la carte; it’s particularly good for groups.
1F Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PN
Run by the team that was once Hot 4 U, Papi sees chef Matthew Scott team up with Charlie Carr from Wingnut Wines. While also having a big focus on sustainability and zero-waste, it's key to point out that 'fun' is a big part of the vibe of the restaurant. Expect a regularly changing menu, great wines and a small bar downstairs too.
256 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2EN
The Parakeet is a pub run by the people behind Camden's Blues Kitchen, having taken over what was The Oxford pub. It remains part pub, part restaurant with the latter run by chef Ben Allen. The menu changes regularly and there's an emphasis on cooking over fire.
55 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX
The great fact to bandy about Wiltons is that it’s older than the United States of America (the restaurant first opened 280 years ago). Looking good for its age, this is a place to perch up at the counter for oysters or find a booth at the back for luxe but traditional treats like Lobster Thermidor or an epic mixed grill.
70 Leonard St, London EC2A 4QX
Zapote is a modern Mexican restaurant in the heart of Shoreditch with an ex-Aqua Nueva chef in the kitchen. All their tortillas are made in-house daily and the menu features a mix of the traditional and modern, with tacos and quesadillas sitting alongside dishes like their coal-roasted sweet potato. There is a big bar here too, so it's very handy for some of their cocktails and snacks.
Unit 3, 1 Finsbury Ave, London EC2M 2PF
Travel to Portugal without leaving the City of London by perching at the counter by the open kitchen of the City outlet of Bar Douro. Here you can enjoy petiscos, such as salt-cod fritters and smoked sausage croquetas, while admiring the azulejos that adorn the walls.
Unit 114 Lower, Stable St, London N1C 4DR
If you value a menu that cuts straight to the chase, this no-nonsense Japanese canteen is the place serving up three varieties of curry and rice and nothing else.
4 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 7XN
This family-run Dalston ocakbasi was transformed into one of London's most exciting restaurants when ownership passed to the original owners' sons. Now you can expect thrilling modern Turkish food through an East London lens.
10 Basinghall St, London EC2V 5BQ
Renowned for their steaks, excellent wine list and service, Hawksmoor is a reassuring choice, and their Guildhall branch is particularly suited to the business crowd, with breakfast meetings well-catered for. There’s a 22-person private dining room, complete with audio-visual equipment, for presentations with exceptional catering.
11 White’s Row, London E1 7NF
Opened in 2015 and since expanded to restaurants in Soho and Tower Bridge, this original Gunpowder serves Indian small plates with an inventive twist. The dishes are inspired by those that the team grew up with and the Kashmiri lamb chops are a must.
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