Restaurants in London
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Wagamama
The turnover is pretty quick at this fusion noodle place, which is great if you’re in a hurry, but not so if you like a little service with your food.
reviewed
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Viet Grill
One of the more upmarket options along the road, Viet Grill is a low-lit, modern restaurant over two floors with a buzzy atmosphere and colonial decor. On our last visit the mango and squid salad was particularly good, as were sake lamb skewers and the mighty feudal beef.
reviewed
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Viajante
Part of the Town Hall Hotel & Apartments (but with a completely separate entrance on Cambridge Heath Rd), this is an unexpected spot to find a Michelin-starred restaurant. The elegant dining room marries contemporary design with the original Edwardian features, and the very open kitchen (where food is ‘assembled’) offers only blind tasting menus. Chef Nuno Mendes’ dishes are inventive, beautifully put together and a well-crafted and exciting fusion of flavours. Service is spot on. For a more relaxed (and cheaper) but similarly creative meal, try the Corner Room, a great little dining room on the first floor of the hotel – it doesn’t take reservations.
reviewed
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Trinity
Named after the nearby church, Adam Byatt’s good-looking Clapham Old Town restaurant is a light and delectable spot near the common. Service, attentive and unobtrusive, delivers a strong wine list and a mouth-watering menu displaying considerable culinary artistry; the Cornish plaice and mussels or the slow-cooked bavette are both delicious. A local classic, Trinity sees many returnees and also runs masterclasses in cookery. Reservations recommended.
reviewed
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Tayyabs
This buzzing (OK, crowded) Punjabi restaurant is in another league to its Brick Lane equivalents. Seekh kebabs, masala fish and other starters served on sizzling hot plates are delicious, as are accompaniments such as dhal, naan and raita. Daily specials are also available. Tayyabs is hugely popular and queues often snake around the restaurant and out of the door.
reviewed
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Taquería
You won’t find fresher, limper (they’re not supposed to be crispy!) tacos anywhere in London because they’re made on the premises. It’s a small casual place with a great vibe; Taquería is also a committed environmental establishment. The eggs, chicken and pork are free-range, the meat is British, the fish MSC certified and the restaurant only uses organic milk and cream.
reviewed
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Tai Won Mein
The staff may be a bit jaded but this great snack spot – the Cantonese moniker just means ‘Big Bowl of Noodles’ – serves epic portions of carbohydrate-rich noodles to those overcoming Greenwich’s titanic sights. Flavours are simple, but fresh, and the namesake tai won mein seafood noodles – with all manner of creatures from the deep hauled up to bob about in your broth – may have you applauding (but put your chopsticks down first).
reviewed
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Sweeting’s
Sweeting’s is a City institution, having been around since 1830. It hasn’t changed much, with its small sit-down dining area, mosaic floor and narrow counters, behind which stand waiters in white aprons. Dishes include sustainably sourced fish of all kinds (grilled, fried or poached), potted shrimps, eels and Sweeting’s famous fish pie (£13.50).
reviewed
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Summerhouse
It would be unfair to say that the Summerhouse is all show and no substance, although it’s true that this restaurant impresses more by its stunning, waterside alfresco setting than by its cuisine. If you do get a balmy summer evening, however, this is definitely the place to enjoy it, with a chilled glass of rosé on the side.
reviewed
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St Ali
This Australian cafe is something of a legend among Melbourne coffee aficionados and its first branch in the UK aims to bring a taste of the good stuff to Londoners. Baristas use beans roasted on site from an extensive menu, and the tempting food menu takes inspiration from all round the globe, with a focus on quality ingredients.
reviewed
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Spuntino
This eatery-cum-bar is Soho’s latest craze. An unusual mix of speakeasy decor, staff who wouldn’t look out of place in a truck stop and surprisingly creative fusion American–Italian food, it’s a delight at every turn. Try old favourites such as macaroni cheese, burgers and peanut-butter sandwiches, which have all been given a 21st-century facelift (we’ll say no more!).
reviewed
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Spice Market
A very modern Asian establishment that blends flavours from across Southeast Asia. It’s a tad try-hard and the men’s uniforms look like pyjamas but the food is good and reasonably priced considering the location.
reviewed
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Sauterelle
Up on the mezzanine level of the ornate Royal Exchange, Sauterelle (‘grasshopper’ in French) offers distinct yet subtlely flavoured fine dining, where beautifully cooked and presented dishes are accompanied by a comprehensive and well-chosen wine list. The setting is particularly romantic, with views to the covered courtyard below. Set menus (two/three courses £20/23.50) are good value.
reviewed
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Rosa’s
Red-fronted Rosa’s is a cosy Thai restaurant, over two floors, just off Commercial St, simply kitted out with low benches, banquettes and red stools. Go for its signature pumpkin curry, one of the super-fresh and zingy salads or delicious chargrills.
reviewed
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Rodizio Rico
This all-you-can-eat Brazilian grill will be prized by carnivores with a huge appetite. Gourmets or vegetarians may not be so enthusiastic. Customers help themselves at the salad bar; skewered meat is then brought to the table by a constant stream of waiters. Everyone gets given a card, green on one side, red on the other. Green means ‘keep bringing the meat’, red means ‘no thanks I’m about to burst’.
reviewed
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Restaurant at St Paul’s
The quality of the dishes at this restaurant, set in the crypt of St Paul’s, does a fair job of living up to the grandeur above. The short and simple menu offers two- or three-course lunches, including such dishes as potted lemon and thyme chicken and pork loin chop with a rarebit glaze. It also does a good-value daily express lunch (£15, including a glass of wine) and afternoon tea (served until 4.30pm Monday to Saturday).
reviewed
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Rasoi Vineet Bhatia
When you eventually locate this gorgeous restaurant off the King’s Road and ring the doorbell, it’s like being invited round for dinner at someone’s Chelsea residence with a handful of other guests. High on hospitality, seductively decorated and home to stunningly presented Indian cuisine (including a seven-course vegetarian gourmand menu for £79), this is truly what a fine dining experience should be. Book ahead.
reviewed
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Princess of Shoreditch
Handsome pub with a buzzy atmosphere, frequented by a mix of City suits and media types. Food is gastropub standard but very well done, with daily specials and polite service. There’s a comprehensive wine list and a good ale selection. Head up the spiral staircase to the more refined (and slightly pricier) 1st-floor dining space (reservations advised).
reviewed
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Pret à Manger
London’s most popular sandwich chain, Pret has made its name on freshly made, tasty sandwiches. It also does delicious, chunky soups.
reviewed
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Portrait
This stunningly located restaurant above the excellent National Portrait Gallery – with views over Trafalgar Square and Westminster – is a great place to relax after a morning or afternoon at the gallery; the brunch (weekends only) and afternoon tea (daily) come highly recommended. Unfortunately, Portrait is restricted in its opening times by the gallery, so dinner is rather early by London standards. Booking is advisable.
reviewed
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Poppies
Glorious re-creation of a 1950s East End chippy, complete with waitresses in pinnies and hairnets, and retro memorabilia. As well as the usual fishy suspects, it also does jellied eels, homemade tartare sauce and mushy peas, and you can wash it all down with a glass of wine or beer. Also does a roaring takeaway trade.
reviewed
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Polpetto
This beautiful, tiny Italian bistro serves small plates of meat, fish and vegetables in the tradition of Venetian wine bars. Depending on your appetite you’ll need to order three or four dishes between two. It’s a tad expensive for what it is but the media types of Soho cannot get enough of the place; arrive early for dinner since you can’t book.
reviewed
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Pizza Express
After feasting on art at the Dulwich Picture Gallery or cycling round Dulwich Park, this petite two-floor eatery is ideally located at the tranquil heart of Dulwich Village. Other local restaurants come and go or change hands but it may take some culinary imagination to unseat this perennially popular outpost of the chain. Kids are always more than welcome and service is always sprightly and efficient; reservations recommended.
reviewed
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Penny Black
Led by head chef Jan Chanter, this contemporary and stylish restaurant stimulates the senses with its combination of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, culinary excellence and highly appetising presentation. The beef Wellington, potato and fennel bake is a standout experience, but the desserts also demand attention. If you’ve kids in tow, the toad-in-the-hole obliges. Service is top of the range.
reviewed
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Pavilion
Superb cafe overlooking an ornamental lake in Victoria Park, serving breakfasts and lunches made with locally sourced ingredients, and excellent coffee.
reviewed