London is a food lover’s paradise, with a dining scene as diverse as the city itself. From edgy fusion spots in trendy neighborhoods to upscale dinners at Michelin-star eateries, London is brimming with must-try dishes and iconic eats. When I travel to the United Kingdom (which is quite often thanks to my job as a trip leader & tour guide), I am most excited to try new London restaurants. There is always something new to discover!

But that also means there is an insurmountable number of restaurants to choose from. If you're a first-time visitor to London, I can imagine you might be overwhelmed deciding where to eat. Finding the right restaurants, not just the touristy or viral hype places, is not a simple feat. That's why I am here to help!

In this food guide, I am revealing a wide range of amazing (and locally loved!) London restaurants, perfect for a first-time foodie visitor.

Going meal by meal, I’ve got you covered throughout a full day of eating your way across London. Discover cozy breakfast spots serving everything from traditional English fry-ups to Aussie health food. When it comes to lunch, London boasts an impressive range of options to suit every palate (and budget). For dinner, I’ve split my recommendations up into a few categories – casual dinners, Asian cuisine, and fine-dining – based on my personal preferences and experiences. Finally, end with something sweet!  

Whether you're in the mood for English fish & chips, satisfying homemade pasta, or flavorsome Indian curries, this guide will point you towards the best places for a flavorful trip to London. So let's embark on an unforgettable gastronomic journey!

First Timers Guide to the Best Food in London

Coffee

Ozone Coffee

Another Shoreditch hotspot for nice espresso is Ozone. It has actually be open for over two decades, making it one of the best-established brands for artisan coffee. The two story industrial minimalist café offers ample seating in an airy space. On the basement level, you can even watch the roasting process in action. The smell fills the entire café in a divine way.

• Neighborhood: Shoreditch
• Address: 11 Leonard St
• Website: http://www.ozonecoffee.co.uk/

Monmouth

One of the most highly regarded spots for quality coffee in London is Monmouth. With multiple locations around the city, this trusted name even sources beans for other cafes and coffee shops. Unlike the other two places I mention on this list, espresso isn’t necessarily the specialty here. It’s brewed coffee! The cold brew is especially impressive with a smooth mouth and rich taste. The staff are meticulously trained in the different tasting notes, so they can help you find your perfect cup of coffee. 

• Neighborhood: Covent Garden
• Address: 27 Monmouth St
• Website: http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/

Origin

Tucked away on a quiet lane off frenetic Old Street, Origin was my favorite coffee shop in all of London. In fact, I went there three days in a row! Espresso is the specialty. Origin offers “session coffees” monthly. These special blends and flavor profiles tend to focus on a specific process, varietal, or origin country. The staff is SO nice here. We wound up chatting with one of the baristas for practically an hour while sipping delightful cups of coffee. With a sleek East-London aesthetic and a quirky robot mural near the front window, this place just has a cool neighborhood feel.

• Neighborhood: Shoreditch
• Address: 65 Charlotte Rd
• Website: https://www.origincoffee.co.uk/

Breakfast

Cocotte

If you’d excuse me for the pun, this French-influenced rotisserie chicken is cluckin’ great. Their specialty is free-range roasted chicken, which is marinated in a blend of herbs and spices before being cooked on a traditional rotisserie. While it is open throughout the day, I think it is best enjoyed in the AM. My favorite dish was the croissant chicken & waffles. The waffles were crispy and doused in a spicy, sweet syrup. Of course, the waffles are topped with their signature roast chicken, which I found to be super succulent with a nice crispy skin.

• Neighborhood: Shoreditch
• Address: 8 Hoxton Square
• Website: https://www.mycocotte.uk/shoreditch

Lantana Cafe

Styled as a breezy Australian café, Lantana Café offers healthy fare prepared in simple but delicious ways. Come for the bottomless brunch options, which includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic selections. You can have smoothies, mimosas and cold-pressed juices. This is the type of restaurant where hours slip by as you casually sip and eat and chat.

• Neighborhood: Fitzrovia
• Address: 13 Charlotte Pl
• Website: http://www.lantanacafe.co.uk/

Duck & Waffle

Enjoy breakfast food at any time of day, all while sitting 40 floors above London. Duck & Waffle takes all-day dining to the extreme, serving up their decadent modern European menu round-the-clock. Waffles with a view! Dishes are indulgent, including fluffy duck jam donuts with an orange glaze. Prefer something sweet? Try one of their ice cream cones, such as as the Full Elvis banana and peanut butter concoction.

• Neighborhood: Spitalfields
• Address: 110 Bishopsgate
• Website: https://duckandwaffle.com/

The Breakfast Club

The vintage styling of this locally beloved chain is nostalgia inducing. From diner style décor to quirky mismatched furniture, the 1970s aesthetic at Breakfast Club is playful and comfortable. The food is pretty traditional American breakfast fare. Signature dishes include huevos rancheros and fried chicken & waffles. You can also go British with the Fully Monty, which has all the classic fixings (yes, including Black Pudding).

• Neighborhood: Soho
• Address: 33 D'Arblay St
• Website: http://www.thebreakfastclubcafes.com/

Lunch

Poppies Fish & Chips

With three locations around the city, Poppies is a long-standing London institution. They opened their doors in 1952, offering some of the best fish & chips you’ll find in the city. I visited the Spitalfield locations, and I was totally obsessed with the 1950s American diner aesthetic. You’ll find vintage signs, old Coca-cola vending machines, and lots of other quirky décor. The fish is fresh and the crispy fry is perfection. You can order a range of sides and sauces, giving you the traditional chipper experience.

• Neighborhood: Spitalfields
• Address: 6-8 Hanbury St
• Website: http://www.poppiesfishandchips.co.uk/

Miznon

An import from London’s rival foodie city Paris, Miznon is one of my favorite pita sandwich places. Miznon brings Middle Eastern street food to London with a creative twist. You’ll find a range of sandwiches, from ratatouille & beef bourguignon to steak & kebab, all bursting with bold, vibrant flavors. All sandwiches are served in a freshly baked pita in a casual, energetic vibe.

• Neighborhood: Soho & Notting Hill
• Address: 8-12 Broadwick St, London, Greater London, W1F 8HW
• Website: miznon.co.uk

Rochelle Canteen

Set in a walled private garden on the grounds of a former school, Rochelle Canteen feels a world away from central London. The pristine garden gives you the impression you’re eating at an idyllic country house, perfecting mirroring the seasonal, sustainably sourced menu. Dishes change all the time, but you can always expect simple, unfussy cooking. Pair your dish with one of the wines on their expertly curated wine list. If you see a classic pudding on the menu, you should order it – they are often covered in a perfectly made creamy custard.

• Address: 16 Playground Gardens
• Neighborhood: Shoreditch
• Website: http://www.rochellecanteen.com/

Food Markets & Food Halls

Seven Dials Food Market

Housed in a former banana warehouse, the glass-roofed space has a very contemporary feel to it with bright colors and stylish lighting. Open every day, this food hall showcases a range of street food vendors offering international flavors and mouth watering treats. Head downstairs if you're in need of a bite of street food, or stay upstairs for elegant terrazzo countertop cafes. One innovative concept inside Seven Dial is the Pick n’ Cheese, a cheese conveyor belt restaurant where you can pull wedges of 30 different cheeses straight off the belt!

• Neighborhood: Covent Garden
• Address: London WC2H 9AU, United Kingdom
• Website: http://www.sevendialsmarket.com/

Borough Market

London has a bunch of food markets around town, but Borough Market by London Bridge is the most famous. Without fail, I visit Borough Market every single time I am in London. It is a foodie’s paradise! I have a separate blog post about everything you need to know (and eat!) in London's Borough Market. Open Monday through Saturday, you can wander through 100+ stalls of fresh produce, cheese, seafood, juice, and international cuisine.

• Neighborhood: Southwark
• Address: London SE1 9AL, United Kingdom
• Website: https://boroughmarket.org.uk/

Afternoon Tea

Sketch

Instagram darling, Sketch, is one of the most recognizable restaurants in central London. The atmospheric design-forward space has its quirky, global aesthetic plastered all over social media. It is most well-known for high tea, and reservations are required. The high tea comes in four courses, so settle in for a few hours. Service was underwhelming, but the three-piece orchestral live music during high-tea was a nice touch. 

• Neighborhood: Soho
• Address: 9 Conduit St
• Website: https://sketch.london/

Lanesborough

I am a big fan of the Netflix show Bridgerton, so I jumped at the chance to have a Bridgerton themed afternoon tea – and on Valentines Day no less! Go behind-the-scenes of our experience on my Instagram Reels. This was such a fun way to celebrate with my husband. First of all, Lanesborough is an absolutely stunning 18th century mansion that has been converted into a 5-star hotel. I would come back just to eat in this space again. On top of the aesthetics, the themed afternoon tea was delicious. I especially liked the cakes, each of which was themed around a Bridgerton character.  

• Neighborhood: Belgravia 
• Address: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA, UK
• Website: www.oetkercollection.com

Casual Dinners

BRAT

Grilling is the star here. If you’ve got a taste for flame-licked proteins, you’re going to love this place. The open concept grill kitchen is helmed by Welsch chef Tomos Parry. At its heart, BRAT is a British restaurant cooking Basque-inspired cuisine – which you might not interpret from their sparsely described menu. Nearly all the dishes are prepared with the grill or grilled elements, such as the grilled delicata squash, beef sirloin or even the burnt basque cheesecake. Vegetarians aren’t likely to enjoy this place, and you’ll need reservations well in-advance.  

• Neighborhood: Shoreditch
• Address: 4 Redchurch St, London, Greater London, E1 6JL
• Website: bratrestaurant.com

Devonshire

You might be surprised to learn that one of my favorite spots for traditional English food in London is around the corner from Piccadilly Circus. Odd, I know! It is such a touristic area, but the food at Devonshire is anything but tourist food. Each level of the restaurant has a different menu with unique items. Make a reservation so you get to eat at the restaurant, not just the bar (although the food in the bar is also lovely). I would describe the menu as elevated British cuisine, in which each dish is prepared traditionally, but with an excellent skill level. I loved everything we ate here, but my favorite was the sticky toffee pudding. Best I have ever had.

• Neighborhood: Soho
• Address: 17 Denham St, Soho, Greater London, W1D 7HW
• Website: devonshiresoho.co.uk

Manteca

Specializing in nose-to-tail cooking, Manteca is a buzzy spot in the heart of Shoreditch. We went on a Saturday night with an 8:30pm reservation -- and we still waited a few minutes for a table. It’s a popular recent opening in the East End! There are plenty of enticing items on the menu, but the main event is pasta. My favorite was the ox ragu pappardelle, thanks to a gloriously silky sauce. The crab cacio e pepe was another highlight. Wash down the rich (and sometimes oily) sauces with one of the Amaro cocktails on the menu.

• Neighborhood: Shoreditch
• Address: 49-51 Curtain Rd
• Website: http://www.mantecarestaurant.co.uk/

Noble Rot

For classic yet upscale British food that packs a punch of flavor, Noble Rot is an excellent choice. From the moment you step inside, you’ll feel welcomed in their cozy and intimate space. Settle in with a glass of wine from their extensive and well-curated wine list. The dishes are not super inventive, but they are prepared very well with the highest quality ingredients. Definitely order the beignets. Stuffed with chicken liver mousse and dusted in parmesan, this little pillow pockets are pure joy. My husband loved the sirloin with horseradish cream & duck fat potatoes. For our vegetarian friends, try the grilled tomato with braised spinach in a paprika cream sauce with sourdough tapenade.

• Address: 2 Greek St
• Neighborhood: Soho
• Website: http://www.noblerot.co.uk/

Asian Food

Gymkhana

Inspired by elite sport clubs in India, Gymkhana’s design feels like you’ve walked into an old-world joint in the heart of Mumbai or Kochi. Awarded a Michelin star in 2014, the menu at Gymkhana focuses on less common south Indian cuisine. If you aren’t familiar with the dishes, ask the helpful and knowledgeable staff for recommendations. My favorite thing that we ate, the Kid Goat Methi Keema, is not something I would normally order so I was happy that our server recommended it!  

• Neighborhood: Mayfair
• Address: 42 Albemarle St
• Website: http://www.gymkhanalondon.com/

Noodle & Beer

For spice lovers, there is no better choice than Noodle & Beer. The insanely delicious Sichuan cuisine coming out of this kitchen is impeccable. But it is not mild. Nearly everything is generously seasoned with the hot, hot, Sichuan pepper. If you can handle the heat, then you simply must try the dried Sichuan beef. These are like spicy beef jerky candy bites. I would come back just to eat this dish. The noodle dishes, such as dan dan, are also excellent as well as the hand formed dumplings.

• Address: 31 Bell Ln
• Neighborhood: Spitalfields
• Website: http://www.noodleandbeer.com/

Upscale Dinners

Kol

This restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. Having been to Mexico City and central Mexico a number of times, stepping into this restaurant feels like you’ve walked into a cutting-edge restaurant in the heart of Mexico City. The terracotta painted walls, decorative masks & tapestries, and colorful wall-mounted baskets seamlessly blend to create the perfect warmth. There is a 1 Michelin star restaurant on the main level or you can opt for a cheaper street food-style menu at the Mezcaleria in the basement. While dishes may be unfamiliar to many Europeans, most north Americans will recognize the food as traditional Mexican fare prepared with British seasonal ingredients. Everything we tried was complex and perfectly executed.

• Address: 9 Seymour St
• Neighborhood: Marylebone
• Website: https://www.kolrestaurant.com/

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

The name Gordon Ramsay is essentially synonymous with British cuisine – he is perhaps the most famous chef in all of the United Kingdom. While he has several outposts in his London restaurant empire, the Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is his crown jewel. It has been awarded three Michelin stars and topped the “best of the UK” list several times.

On a quiet Chelsea street in an unassuming jet black doorway, you are going to experience one of the fanciest dining experiences in London. The menu was full of high-end ingredients like caviar, foie gras and lobster, prepared with classic French techniques and stunning plating. I found nearly everything about this dining experience to be flawless.

• Neighborhood: Chelsea
• Address: 68 Royal Hospital Rd
• Website: https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/restaurant-gordon-ramsay/

Silo

Located in a minimalist loft space above Crate Brewery in Hackney Wick is one of London’s most innovative dining experiences. Silo is the brainchild of Doug McMaster, who aspired to open the world’s first zero waste restaurant. As in, there is no garbage bin in the restaurant! I can totally recommend the affordable lunch tasting menu, which offered 8 courses for 65£. The menu changes practically daily, and they don’t print the menus, so you’ll have a look using the QR code. Or let yourself be surprised!

You’re always going to start with slices of the sourdough bread, “the Siloaf”, which is made from flour that is milled in house. Highlights from my menu were heirloom carrots, Quaver-inspired cheese crisps, and braised rainbow chard. There are lots of unique fermented ingredients and preserved jellies, all made from food waste and scraps. 

• Neighborhood: Hackney Wick
• Address: Unit 7, Queen's Yard
• Website: https://silolondon.com/

The Clove Club

Of all the dining experiences we had in London, Clove Club was my favorite. The open kitchen, a rarity in the high-end dining world, makes you feel like you are part of the cooking action at this two Michelin star culinary juggernaut. You can see all the dishes prepared with delicate toppings and exciting flairs, like smoking pine or liquid nitrogen formed crumbles.

Full of surprising flavor combinations and unique preparation methods, I tried new things at Clove Club. I loved the feeling of surprise that came out of the kitchen. For example, there was a tea-pairing menu for folks that wanted non-alcoholic drink options. The service is super attentive, and the historic space is beautiful.    

• Address: 380 Old St
• Neighborhood: Shoreditch
• Website: http://thecloveclub.com/

Dessert & Sweets

Humble Crumble

I love the concept of this dessert shop – the essence of a crumble served hot in a cup! It is really simple and super nostalgic. With locations inside Borough Market and Old Spitalfields Market, their crumble cups are fully customizable. Basically, you choose the fruit mixture, such as apple or berry, then add your crumble (ex: shortbread, granola) and toppings (ex: custard, whipped cream).  Delicious, artisan crumbles that taste as good as they look! 

• Neighborhood: Spitalfields
• Address: 105C Commercial St
• Website: http://humble-crumble.com/

Chinchin Ice Cream

This has got to be the smoothest, yummiest ice cream you ever did eat. And it is all thanks to chemistry. No really! All the ice cream at Chinchin in Camden Market is made with liquid nitrogen. You’ll see the KitchenAid mixers lined up and then a billow of cool steam will come out as the employees pour in liquid nitrogen. The result is exceptionally creamy, delicious ice cream. You can choose a few different flavor and topping combinations. One of my favorites was the tonka bean with pistachios & cardamom, as well as the browned butter caramel with honeycomb. If you’re feeling really extravagant, go for the Tonka bean over sticky Toffee Pudding brownie.

• Neighborhood: Camden
• Address: 49-50 Camden Lock Pl
• Website: http://www.chinchinlabs.com/

Have thoughts or questions about this London food guide? Tell me in the comments!