Restaurants in London
& some ideas where to eat
 Restaurants to Pies Shops to Pubs to Bistros and Cafe's, experience all of this fine fare in this city and you'll realize that British cuisine has really moved up-market.
Finding a good place to dine in London can be confusing and hard to decide which establishments are good. If you're staying in the West End of London, first try the restaurants in Harrods in Knightsbridge or John Lewis department store on Oxford Street.
After you get to know how things work in London, you can venture into the real world and explore the culinary arts and experience the London gastropubs that are splashed all over the capital where you'll have the most fun and
time of your life.
While walking around Soho you'll notice many bistro's, cafe's and restaurants, but try the Princi Italien Bakery, they offer incredibly delicious pastries - they are at: 135 Wardour Street, London W1F 0UT and the closest Underground Station is - Tottenham Court Road Tube Station tel: 020 7478 8888
If you like eating out, you most probably like eating in sometimes. London has some unbelievable food shops, displaying everything from fine French organic meat to fine cheeses and of course vegetables from China.
As I mentioned earlier, Harrods has the very best looking food hall in London, with magnificent art nouveau tiling. You can spend a good part of an afternoon just viewing the vast presentation of hams, cheeses, fresh sushi and oysters.
Needless to say, not everything is expensive in Harrods; for example, affordable items can be found in the fantastic selections of chocolates, teas and coffees. You can have a nice lunch in the cafe before you continue to explore the rest of this store that has everything.
Selfidges on Oxford Street has always been on of my favourite department stores. A great place to visit at Christmas time while enjoying the Christmas decorations in the West End, and especially Regents Street and Piccadilly Circus.
Below are some exciting restaurants and
pubs I recommend you check out in your pursuit of excellent British cuisine, and best of all you can reach these restaurants by tube/underground:
Criterion Brasserie -
224 Piccadilly London W1 20-7930-0488
The Criterion Restaurant serves unpretentious French-British cuisine in a setting of unrivaled Byzantine opulence. Golden ceiling mosaics, Venetian glass lamps, and gilt-trimmed furnishings establish a luxurious backdrop for classic dishes like roast suckling pig with apple sauce and jus ΰ la marjoram, or fillet of beef Rossini. Dessert tarts are delicate, and toffee pudding with caramel ice cream offers a rich ending as well.
Hours: Mon-Sat Noon-2:30pm, 5:30pm-11:30pm; Sun Noon-3:30pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm
Reservations: Recommended / Suggested
Tube/Underground Station: Piccadilly Circus:
Details Here
The Wolseley -
160 Piccadilly London W1J 9EB 020 7499 6996
The Wolseley's Viennese theme, classic interiors, consistent cooking and esteemed clientele make it an establishment, even though it's relatively new, compared with its neighbor The Ritz. Those in the know come here for breakfast: Omelette Arnold Bennett never fails to please (the eggs are sublime).
Baked whole seabass with tomato and tarragon and wiener schnitzel from the rotisserie provide reliable meal options. A genuine occasion venue, this grande dame has unbeatable people-watching potential to boot.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-Midnight; Sat 8am-Midnight; Sun 8am-11pm
Reservations: Absolutely Required
Tube/Underground Station: Piccadilly Circus
Detail Here
The Ivy -
1 West St Covent Garden, London WC2H 9NQ +44 20 7836 4751
This London landmark is popular with pre-theater crowds, thanks to a location in the West End, a varied menu, and easy elegance. The Art Deco-inspired room features light wood and often fills up early. The array of modern dishes includes risotto nero, ribeye steak bearnaise, shepherd's pie, and Thai baked sea bass.
The dessert menu includes puddings and iced berries with hot white chocolate sauce. Reservations are necessary months in advance to get a table among the starlets and power brokers.
Hours: Mon-Sat Noon-3pm, 5:30pm-Midnight; Sun Noon-3:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm
Reservations: Absolutely Required
Tube/Underground Station: Leicester Square.
Details Here
Scott's -
20 Mount St London W1 K2HE 020 7495 7309
One of London's oldest restaurants received a stylish revamp not so much breathing life into an ailing institution, as a whole new look and personality. The seafood menu is superior and the esteemed crowd difficult to match. The upscale maritime-themed interiors welcome guests at the ground floor tables or the buzzy, central Oyster Bar.
The dishes are simple and superb. Standouts include seared scallops with celeriac and garlic, rock oysters with all the trimmings, or silver-tiered fruits de mer.
Hours: Restaurant Daily Noon-10:30pm
Oyster Bar Mon-Sat Noon-10:30pm; Sun Noon-10pm
Reservations definetly recommended.
Tube/Underground Station: Bond Street.
Detail Here
Seven Stars -
53-54 Carey St London WC2A 2JB 20-7242-8521
Especially at meal time, employees from nearby court buildings populate this historic gastropub (built around 1600) a tribute to the kitchen's traditional menu. Walls are adorned with all things legal, from old movie posters to framed caricatures and political cartoons.
This cozy place also features a working fireplace and lots of dark -wood tables and chairs. N.B. Many patrons regard Seven Stars as London's finest pub, so a modicum of reverence is always appreciated when you visit.
Pub Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-11pm; Sat Noon-11pm; Sun Noon-10:30pm
Tube/Underground Station: Holborn or Chancery Lane
Anglesea Arms -
35 Wingate Rd London W6 20-8749-1291
HAMMERSMITH. This gastropub is well-known for its fish, which comes fried, roasted or poached. The relaxed, old-fashioned setting allows for optimal enjoyment of the extensive menu, especially if you aren't in a hurry service is famously relaxed.
In addition to classics such as fish and chips, oysters and prawns, the place serves more complex dishes like foie gras, pigeon and prune terrine or calf's liver ΰ la veneziana. The list of puddings is inviting, and outdoor seating is available in the summer.
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun Noon-10:30pm
Fish and Chips
Tube/Underground Station: Ravenscourt Park
Nautilus Fish -
27-29 Fortune Green Rd London NW6 20-7435 2532
Billed as one of the best places in West Hampstead to grab a quick bite, Nautilus offers patrons some of whom can recall the place's earliest days in the '40s a cozy setting and fish and chips so tasty they never want to go home.
In addition to fabulous fried haddock and fresh seafood, the accomplished kitchen serves satisfying Mediterranean dishes to folks who want something besides seafood.
Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 4:30pm-10pm
Fish and Chips
Tube/Underground Station: Kilburn
Costas Fish Restaurant -
18 Hillgate St London W8 7SR 20-7727-4310
At this popular Notting Hill chippie, Mediterranean-themed decor and an eclectic clientele in no way anticipate the classic British delicacies that await. Indeed, folks clamor in to savor crisp-fried cod, sole, and haddock daily, all served with Costas' famous chips. However, authentic Greek dishes like fried calamari, hummus, and homemade baklava also get strong nods. If it's too crowded inside, have no fear: take-away orders taste just as good in a shaded park or at a sidewalk table.
Hours: Tue-Sat Noon-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm
I would suggest you make reservations here.
Fish and Chips
Tube/Underground Station: Notting Hill Gate
Geale's -
2 Farmer St London W8 20-7727-7528
One of London's most famous fish and chips restaurants, Geale's has been around since 1939. In that time, it has built a solid reputation for what it does best: fish soup, crisp-battered fresh fish, and mushy peas (a local favorite). Additional menu items include prawn cocktail and lobster, ensuring that even finicky palates will find something to their liking. Even so, fish and chips continue to be the mainstay, and the popular sunken chocolate cake also has plans to stick around. The tidy Notting Hill room spot is cheerfully decorated.
Hours: Mon 6pm-11pm; Tue-Sun Noon-2:30pm, 6pm-11pm
You could make reservations here to play it safe.
Fish and Chips
Detail Here
Tube/Underground Station: Notting Hill Gate
Where Did You Eat in London?
There are many fine Restaurants in London and this alone can be difficult to decide which ones are are really good and which ones are not so much.
After you've got to know how things work in the UK, you'll quite likely experience some great London Gastropubs that are splashed all over the capital. If you have found a few great restaurants where you had the most fun and time of your life, please share your experiences with us.
From Pubs to Restaurants to Cafe's to Gastropubs, which ones really got your attention where you experienced the very best of fine dining?
If you have an interesting tale to tell about some exciting restaurant or pub or back street cafe you think we should all know about, please share your review here, even if it's a place we should stay away from. If it's a great story, I'll post it on this site for all to see.
Thanks for sharing....
The Fish Shop on St John Street -
360-362 St. John St London EC1 20-7837-1199
Scouring London can be a draining proposition, so why not fuel yourself with a traditional British meal of deep-fried cod, haddock, skate or plaice and some sinful, hand -cut chips? If that sounds good, steer yourself to this highly recommended restaurants, where fresh seafood is always on the menu and the setting is far more upscale than your run-of-the-mill chippie. If fish and chips doesn't tickle your fancy, consider duck confit, grilled wild halibut with bιarnaise sauce, or poached smoked haddock with mashed potatoes. Terrific wine list.
Hours: Tue-Sat Noon-3pm, 5:30pm-11pm; Sun Noon-6:30pm
I suggest you make reservations here.
Fish and Chips
Detail Here
Tube/Underground Station: Angel
Cow -
89 Westbourne Park Rd London W2 5QH 20-7221-0021
This notable pub offers inviting atmosphere, a variety of lagers and ales, and a popular special of Guinness and oysters. Although evenings are often more crowded than afternoons, anytime is a good time to drop by - just don't expect to get a table! If you want more personal attention, choose the intimate dining room in back; if you want to enjoy a few pints among friendly locals, grab a stool at the bar.
Hours: Meals Mon-Fri 7pm-Close; Sat-Sun Noon-3pm, 7pm-Close
Pub
Detail Here
Tube/Underground Station: Royal Oak
Clarke's -
122 Kensington Church St London W8 20-7221-9225
If you find yourself indecisive, this restaurant is for you. With a twice-daily changing set menu, featuring just three options per course, dishes are created from the freshest ingredients available, according to the chef's whims. Recent choices included a pancetta, spring asparagus and wild garlic risotto with Parmesan shavings, followed up with a juicy chargrilled grass-fed Orkney Isle beef burger with caper mayonnaise and hand-cut chips. The setting is comfortably elegant and as English as it comes. 4-course dinner £49.50.
Detail Here
Menu Type: Prix Fixe
Suggested reservations.
Hours: Mon 12:30pm-2pm; Tue-Fri 12:30pm-2pm, 7pm-10pm; Sat 11am-2pm, 7pm-10pm
Tube/Underground Station: Notting Hill Gate
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