Top 5 Must-Try Restaurants in London for Food Lovers
- sblume0
- Feb 2
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Many of you who are familiar with me know that I enjoy cooking, as it helps me relax, and of course, I love eating. Recently, I spent a few nights in London with my family, where the food scene is amazing. Walking through the streets of London is delightful; you can stop by a pub for a drink, have dinner, and then walk over to get dessert, all on the same block.
Each night, we tried to dine in a different area of London so we could explore a different section of the city through a culinary journey.
These are my top five restaurants we dined at during our stay in London and we loved them:
Balthazar
Our first night we dined at Balthazar. It was very lively, and they had a great crowd at the bar.
In the heart of the theatre district, the location is very lively and safe to wander in the evening.
We enjoyed the rosemary marinated olives, Parisian style baguettes, sautéed king prawns, mussels & frites, filet de boeuf, and pan-roasted chicken supreme.
https://balthazarlondon.com/ Food was excellent and great spot to walk around at night.
Tattu- Soho
On our second night, we dined at Tattu.
We loved this place—it's a bit of a splurge, but the views are fantastic. Make sure to mention if it's a special occasion and request a window table. Our table overlooked London's version of Times Square.
The atmosphere here resembles a speakeasy or an upscale supper club, especially when you check in at ground level. There's a small check-in desk with two staff members, and then you take a private elevator to the top of a building that looks like a corporate office from the outside.
When the elevator opens, you are on the top floor surrounded by elements of dark wood, marble, and granite with exquisite lighting fixtures.
Some of the best Asian food we have ever had.
Dishes that we loved were the glazed beef short ribs, Wagyu beef dumplings, rock shrimp, and the Peking Duck.
Fumo San Carlo - Covent Garden
On our third night, we had a fun experience.
This is a bit different – Italian food done Tapas style. It was good as well and a different take on Italian food. A few of the dishes that were a big hit were the Pappardelle all'Anatra - duck ragu over pasta, burrata with Parma ham and black truffles, Margherita pizza made from homemade fresh dough, Tagliolini all'Aragosta - lobster and cherry tomatoes, Fritto Portofino - fried shrimp, calamari, and scallops. Overall, we had a very nice experience in a beautifully decorated restaurant. Keep this place in mind if you are going to the theater - it's just a short walk for pre or post-show dining.
Golden Lion Pub - St James
Looking for lighter, less formal dining, I would suggest the Golden Lion Pub in St James.
It's a historic pub with stained glass panels and dark wood, and the food was great.
Try the Chicken Kyiv and Sirloin Steak on Ciabatta - very reasonably priced and top quality.
The service was excellent, and it's a wonderful alternative if you can't get a reservation
at Fortnum and Mason. Fortnum and Mason was a heavenly shopping and tasting experience
you shouldn't miss when you visit London. Not just shopping, the flagship shop
has several dining outlets, including a food court, but you can even take cooking classes
at this multi-level shop. The Diamond Jubilee Tea at Fortnum and Mason sells out months in advance, so do try to plan at least 6 months in advance for tea. Please do allow yourself at least an hour to visit this extraordinary store.
The Grill on Fifth - Knightsbridge
While we are on the subject of shopping, no trip to London is complete without a visit to Harrods.
They have several restaurants, plus a food hall, and we had a delicious lunch at the Grill on Fifth.
The Grill on Fifth is a two-story gorgeous restaurant that has a Scandinavian vibe with lots of light-colored wood and a complete multi-story mural on the staircase. They also have rooftop dining, so keep them in mind for nice weather. We really loved the focaccia with garlic butter and pecorino cheese, which was as delicious as it was pretty. Wagyu burgers, braised short rib croquettes, and sizzling king prawns are all well worth the trip. Overall, an excellent experience, plus it's a great place to get fueled up for your shopping adventure through one of the world's most famous department stores.
All of them are in different areas of London, so it's nice to explore after dinner – all have dessert-ice cream places nearby. We had an amazing family vacation and London is ideal for adventurous travelers. When you are ready to plan your next London trip, please keep us in mind.
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