The 5 best restaurants in London that locals talk about the most these days
London’s food scene moves fast. One minute we’re all lining up to a food truck selling burgers, the next we’re having lunch at a tucked-away spot in Hackney.
There are a lot of options and much more hype, but not every spot is able to meet that London spirit of dining. A great restaurant must offer great food, excellent service, and an atmosphere worth staying for.
Skip the tourist-heavy hotspots and enjoy these top options – all tried and tested by our team!
How much does it cost to dine in a restaurant in London?
The cost of dining in a restaurant in London ranges from £10 to £15 for a budget restaurant, £45 to £100 for a mid-range restaurant, and £100 to £200 for a fine-dining experience.
1. Fallow
Location: 52 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RP
Contact: +44 20 8017 1788
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Visiting Fallow, we immediately loved how customers can watch the chefs work. It made the entire dining experience feel more interactive and intimate.
We ordered some of their signature dishes. The cod’s head had a clean, lightly briny taste that brought out its rich flavours.
Their small plates were also impressive in taste and presentation. Some of the standouts include their UK dairy beef tartare with a delicious sesame dressing.
The restaurant accommodates dietary needs and provides clear vegetarian labelling. We also appreciate that the staff proactively communicates ingredient risks. Dishes are promptly adjusted when necessary.
As for the service, we have nothing but praise. We visited 2 times: one during a relatively quiet lunch and another during a busy evening. Service was fast, attentive, and even enthusiastic both times.
They even remembered that one of our team members had a seafood allergy.
Price isn’t much of a downside, though it’s best to remember that it’s pricier than most places in the area.
A wonderful dining experience
“The food was very delicious and the quality was nice. It was lovely to try the fish head. The mushroom parfait, corn ribs and buratta were very good. Will definitely go back to try other things next time. Overall a wonderful dining experience.”
Chu | Google Review
Superb food
“Honestly this was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. The staff were attentive and were able to advise me well with my allergies. The food was superb – I will 100% be craving the mushroom parfait. Everything was truly perfect. I was HIGHLY recommend going early if you want to get a seat, it gets full very quickly – we watched many people get turned away from 12:30 on a Tuesday. I will definitely be going back and recommending it to everyone who visits London!”
Colette Stringer | Google Review
2. Rules
Location: 35 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7LB
Contact: +44 20 7836 5314
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
When it comes to traditional British cuisine, we have to give it to Rules. We loved their range of dishes that included many classics.
The steak and kidney pudding is rich, hearty, and deeply savoury. The grouse was lean and firm. And as for the venison, it’s fine-grained and tender, making each bite enjoyable.
The decor also got our attention. With an almost museum-like feel, we felt like we were in another era.
We also enjoyed their service culture. The staff were all professional and courteous, which really instilled their fine-dining offering.
Our team agreed that their drinks program is one of the city’s best. The wine and cocktail menu, while not super extensive, offers fun options.
There are many to highlight, but the Black Velvet is a must for a more refined evening.
Sadly, there’s limited vegetarian variety. Parking may also be an issue, so it’s best to use a Taxi or use a ride-sharing app.
Attentive and super professional
“I had dinner with friends in November and I was impressed with the food, the friendly and warm services and so I took my husband for his birthday dinner here. The oldest restaurant in London with classic decor and loving the atmosphere too! The waitresses were very attentive and super professional! They have the best Sticky Toffee Pudding, paired with Chantilly cream which was refreshing and light. Also, thank you for the free ice cream for my husband’s birthday surprise, that was very kind and lovely. Will definitely come back again. ☺️”
Erron Flint | Google Review
Excellent food and service
“We went there in October for my partner’s birthday. Had a fantastic, memorable night. Food and service were excellent. The decor was beautiful, cosy and so historical. Highly recommended.”
Meral Arpa | Google Review
3. Blacklock
Location: 24 Great Windmill St, London W1D 7LG
Contact: +44 20 3441 6996
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM, Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM, Sunday: 11:45 AM – 8:00 PM
Blacklock specialises in charcoal-grilled British meats. They have some of the most delicious chops and steaks we’ve had.
They’re absolutely tender and well-seasoned. There’s a slight char in the meat, giving it a nice smoky profile. The light sweetness from the fast was also enjoyable.
Our team tried their Sunday roast. The portions are generous, including oversized Yorkshire puddings. The rich gravy even matches well with the vegetables.
Pricing is competitive for central London, especially considering portion sizes and meat quality. Every person can expect to spend from £30 to £50.
There are also special weekday deals and large sharing cuts.
Reservation management feels very easy, too. As for the atmosphere, we did like the balance of intimacy and energy. The cosy, tavern-like aesthetic encourages a more relaxed social dining.
Just note that during busy hours at lunch and dinner, seating options can feel tight. We also noticed that noise levels can be loud during peak times.
Lovely and attentive staff
“The vibes in here are absolutely spot on—such a great atmosphere. The staff were lovely and really attentive, which made the whole experience even better. The steak was incredibly fresh and cooked to perfection, but for me, the star of the show was definitely the mushroom bread. It was 10/10 and easily my favorite. Highly recommend!”
Nicola Hilliker | Google Review
Kind staff and great dishes
“”Had an incredible time, we came for our 4 year anniversary and they were kind enough to have our dessert on the house. We also came on a Monday so there was an great deal on the big chops dishes. The sides were very good too, we had the sweet potato and chips. definitely recommend!!”
Rafi Irvana | Google Review
4. Ekstedt at The Yard
Location: 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HN
Contact: +44 20 792 54749
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
We definitely enjoyed Ekstedt for their unique culinary journeys. They offer a range of courses through ‘Journey to Scandinavia’, allowing guests to enjoy various dishes.
The open kitchen is fun, including invitations to watch oysters prepared over an open fire.
The restaurant is led by a Michelin-starred culinary professional. With that in mind, we were not surprised by how meticulous their techniques are.
Ingredient quality also stood out – fresh and sourced quickly to maintain flavour. Across multiple courses, we rarely found a weak link in the food.
The wine pairing option is curated at an expert level. It’s guided by a highly credentialed sommelier, who can tailor options to complement the smokiness of the menu.
As for the service, the staff were warm and attentive. They’re never intrusive, so it’s easy to maintain a casual conversation throughout.
Pricing is premium at above £100 per person. Everything met expectations, though, but it’s still best to be prepared for the prices.
Great food with fabulous wine
“Amazing dinner experience. Located in the Scotland Yard hotel. The food is really fabulous and the wine pairing was fantastic. Wine I didn’t like by itself but with the food was fabulous. So cool how it actually changes with the food.”
AKA – | Google Review
Highly recommended for everyone
“Went for the Sunday Roast and wasn’t disappointed at all. We sat at the counter right by the pass and could watch and chat with the staff about everything being prepared. Fabulous food and great value, we’ll definitely be back and recommend to everyone for a soecial Sunday Lunch.”
Jeremy Mills | Google Review
5. OMA
Location: 3 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL
Contact: +44 20 8129 6760
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 11:00 PM, Saturday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
OMA is our top choice when it comes to Mediterranean small plates and spreads. The menu is built around fresh seafood, charcoal grilling, and bold dips.
Taste consistency is outstanding. We did 2 separate visits and found that the dishes maintained their presentation and flavours.
For instance, the salt cod labneh has a firm, flaky texture with a deep umami taste. The hot honey and crispy chickpeas were sweet first, followed by a gentle heat.
Pricing is surprisingly reasonable for central London, given the ingredient quality and execution. Our team spent between £40 and £90 per person for a complete meal.
The staff takes their time explaining dishes that may be unfamiliar to most guests. We also like how well they recommend dishes based on restrictions and preferences.
The atmosphere in the restaurant has a nice, lively buzz without being chaotic.
Reservations may be difficult to secure, though. Calling a week in advance is advised.
Flavours beyond expectation
“My wife and I went to Oma today and had an unforgettable experience. The flavours were beyond our expectations, and the service impeccable. Fantastic value and highly recommended. Try the spanokopita and mussels dish, you won’t regret it. We will definitely be back. Thank you to Kelvin(?) and the rest of the team there for making our lunch date so special!”
David Grant | Google Review
Super food and reasonable prices
“I loved everything about this place! One of my favourite spots in London. The service was amazing and up to speed but not rushed. The quality of the ingredients was superb and the price totally reasonable. The only thing I wasn’t too impressed with was the giouvetsi with oxtail which lacked some flavour. Nonetheless, I’ll definitely be back.”
Alessandra Castagna | Google Review