There are a zillion restaurants in London catering to every possible whim. Instead of listing them, I’ll offer some general areas and ideas…
Cheap Eats:
Marks & Spencer/Waitrose
Your Uncle and I absolutely LOVE to grab their great togo food and eat in the club after a long day. Is generally healthier, easier and much more affordable.
Marks & Sparks (what folks call them) Locations in London
We have never had the occasion to frequent the following restaurant chains but have heard good things about them…
A bit pricier are the three famous department store food halls – but still afforable as opposed to a restaurant. All three are gorgeous and worth a look in anyway…
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is FULL of pretty affordable restaurants and pubs. Can be very crowded and extremely noisy in the summer. Across 15 streets and one historic Piazza, discover the very best of London’s dining scene and extraordinary shopping and lifestyle experiences, with something new to enjoy every time you visit. Discover over 300 brands from around the Covent Garden Neighbourhood, including Seven Dials and Neal’s Yard.
Chinatown (Soho/theatre area)
We’ve rarely had a bad experience at any restaurant in Chinatown. London’s Chinatown encompasses Gerrard St, the bottom half of Wardour St, Rupert St and Rupert Court, a section of Shaftesbury Avenue, Lisle St, Macclesfield Street and Newport Place, Newport Court and Little Newport Street. The community holds several festivals throughout the year and boasts near 100 restaurants with cuisine from across East Asia, dozens of shops including herbal remedy treatments, hairdressers, pharmacists, reflexology specialists and travel agencies, and some most acclaimed bars and pubs.
Restaurants in London’s Chinatown
Indian Restaurants in London
Indian restaurants can run the gamut in London. Some are Michelin-starred and $$$$.
Most consider the Brick Lane area to be the best for affordable Indian food.
If you feel like blowing out the boat, consider:
Chutney Mary in St James or
Veeraswamy in Mayfair
Michelin-starred restaurants…
London has quite a few. I promise to take you to lunch at the Ritz when we are in London together. 🙂
It might be best to steer clear of these for now – just so you feel comfortable and prepared…
Afternoon Tea in London – SEE ALL
Afternoon tea can also run the gamut, from £15 – £200pp
The key is to find something in the middle – and prepare for lots of extra food to bring home. Thankfully, these days most teas can cater to different diets. Choose from luxury 5-star hotels, quaint tearooms and very funky themed-teas like the Madhatter’s Afternoon Tea, inspired by the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland. Or The Afternoon Tea Bus – a vintage Routemaster buses wind their way through the heart of Central London, offering a unique blend of delightful sightseeing and delectable Brigit’s themed afternoon teas on a classic double-decker bus!
Pubs
Many of London pubs are now owned by conglomerates. So we think it’s fun to seek out some of the more out-of-the-way pubs. It seems with each return visit we find our pubs gave be subsumed by the corporate borg, sigh… Sometimes you will see signs for ‘Ladies Rooms’, as women were not always allowed to join men in the pub proper.
Gordons Wine Bar – Embankment MAP
19th-century wine bar in candlelit, vaulted cellars with original Dickensian-style decor.
The Little Violet Door – Soho MAP
A cocktail bar in Soho, but not as you know it… Fabulous cocktails, weekend bottomless brunches and legendary kitchen discos for the ultimate house party experience
Golden Lion, St James MAP
Classic pub with small stained glass panes, wooden interior and fox hunting-themed decor.
The Grenadier, Belgravia MAP
This pub is worth visiting just for the walk – is tucked into the cutest little corner of London.
Tiny former officers’ mess with grenadier-themed decor and unique pewter bar, serving ales and food.
Fox & Hounds, Chelsea MAP
This was our ‘local’ when we lived on Sloane Gardens. It is customary to buy the pensioners drinks if you see one – they’re the old people in the long red wool military coats.
Compact, traditional corner pub with no TVs or music, hung with pictures and mirrors.
Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn MAP
A traditional 1547 real ale pub, tucked away in a small alleyway, with framed historical pictures.
The Blackfriar, near Blackfriars Bridge MAP
Traditional pub with Henry Poole’s Art Nouveau reliefs reflecting the friary that once stood there.
The pubs in the City should avoided around quitting time during the week – generally full of douche-y bros…
The Viaduct Tavern, City of London MAP
Victorian pub, one-time jail and former gin palace with original gin booth and grand wall frescoes.
Ye Olde Watling, City of London MAP
Pub with a history stretching back to the 17th century, serving real ales and a simple menu.
Jamaica Wine House, City of London MAP
Red-stone Victorian pub in pedestrian alley with acres of dark wood panelling (open weekdays only).
The Jamaica Wine House is on the site of London’s first-ever coffee house, which opened in 1652. Coffee was introduced to England through the trade routes, and this coffee house was one of the earliest places where Londoners could experience it.
The coffee house was established by Pasqua Rosée, who had brought coffee from the Ottoman Empire. Coffeehouses became key places for businessmen, politicians, and intellectuals to meet and discuss matters of the day, laying the groundwork for what would become London’s vibrant pub culture.
Feeling Flush? All of the suggestions below are ££££
Many of these will have some sort of dress code
(Save the Ritz bar for when we’re in London together someday…)
Savoy American Bar, The Strand MAP
(Great for a tipple before seeing Six across the street)
The Savoy hotel’s legendary art deco bar, with classic cocktails and live jazz pianist every night.
Do yourselves a favor and do not look at the prices…
The Fumoir, Mayfair MAP
An elegant bar with 1930s-style decor of leather seats and crystal lighting. Located in Claridges.
The Pine Bar – Mayfair MAP
Wood-panelled bar with leather banquettes for cocktails and British menu, in upscale hotel setting. Unbeatable luxury mixology. Sleek and sophisticated bar for fine wine, cocktails, and spirits.
Library Bar, Knightsbridge MAP
Refined spot for classic cocktails, with Regency armchairs, leather-bound books and oil paintings.
We usually have cocktails at our club bar these days but sometimes go next door to The Stafford – rumored to be Hilary Clinton’s fav spot when Secretary of State 🙂
The American Bar, St James MAP
Upmarket hotel bar with elegant leather sofas and a serene atmosphere for expertly mixed cocktails.