Best Restaurants in London (2025) – From Indian to Classic British Cuisine

Discover the best restaurants in London, from Michelin-star Indian gems to classic British pubs, seafood spots, and modern dining.

Here are my personal favourites and hidden finds. I will keep updating the list and include them in my map.

Restaurant of the month

Fish and Seafood restaurants in London

Classic English restaurants in London

Modern English restaurants in London

Best Scandinavian restaurant in London

Jikoni – No Borders Kitchen

Nestled in Marylebone, Jikoni is a cosy and vibrant spot where comfort food meets global flavours.

Chef Ravinder Bhogal draws on her Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and British heritage to create dishes that are inventive, heartwarming, and full of character.

Standout dishes include:

Kuku Paka with saffron rice
Hawaash-spiced sweet potato rostis
Okra Fries with curry leaf mayo
Banana Cake with miso butterscotch

Creative cocktails and seasonal small plates make every visit a delicious adventure.

The colourful cushions, patterned tablecloths, and fun decor creates a warm, homely vibe, perfect for intimate dinners or gatherings with friends

Jikoni isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a celebration of cultural diversity, culinary creativity, and hospitality that makes every meal memorable.

19-21 Blandford St, London W1U 3DH, United Kingdom

Indian restaurants in London

Here are some of my favourite Indian restaurants in London, those ones we can’t wait to go back to.

Dishoom

Dishoom is an Indian restaurant you will find all over London and that is a good thing. Every Dishoom restaurants is always packed so that says it all.

Dishoom is all about sharing authentic dishes from Bombay. You will end up ordering too much but that’s fine as you can take what is left home; and it always taste better the next day.

A special mention to the House Black Daal, the chicken ruby or the tikka masala, the spicy lamb chops, roomali roti and garlic bread. You can also enjoy the bottomless house chai and end your meal with a delicious ice cream called Malai Kulfi.

Here is a little secret between us about Dishoom: The first time you go to Dishoom ask for their special keyring. The next time you go to any of their restaurants to eat before 6pm on weekdays, show them your keyring at the end of the meal and you will get to throw a huge dice. If you land a 6, your meal is totally free. Guess what? We were the lucky ones! (once)

These are the Dishoom restaurants that I have tried and loved:

12 Upper St Martin’s Ln, London WC2H 9FB, United Kingdom

5 Stable St, London N1C 4AB, United Kingdom

Kricket

Kricket has several restaurants in London, we went to the one close to Piccadilly Circus, which is actually their first restaurant.

It serves spicy and flavourish Indian food with a modern twist. The signature dishes are the Keralan fried chicken and the samphire pakoras. Kricket also has a great selection of Indian-inspired cocktails and craft beers.

The restaurant has an industrial-chic ambiance, with exposed brick walls and an open kitchen. It’s very popular, so make sure you book especially on the weekend.

12 Denman St, London W1D 7HJ, United Kingdom

Darjeeling Express

We went to the Darjeeling Express for the first time in 2018 and love it so much that we wanted to return really quickly. Unfortunately, it closed for a while and then it became really famous and popular and difficult to get a booking. But we finally made it back in 2024.

The food is so so good, a taste of homely Indian food. You will receive a big platter with all the hearty dishes you have chosen and we even got enough for take-away.

I love the fact that it is a all-women team that runs the kitchen. I can’t wait to go back.

Top Floor, Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW, United Kingdom

Fatt Pundit

Fatt Pundit is a combination of the common Chinese surname ‘Fatt’ with the Indian word ‘Pundit’ (a scholar).

The dishes are so tasty, perfectly spiced and original. The idea is to share, tapas style. The popcorn cauliflower, the crackling spinach and the lamb chops were our favourites.

Make sure you book because the restaurant is quite small. We ate downstairs, so no views on the street, but it didn’t really matter when you have such delicious food in front of you.

6 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7NA, United Kingdom

Fish and Seafood restaurants

Oystermen

Oystermen is a great fish restaurant right next to Covent Garden.

You have a large choice of oysters, fresh crab, and a great pairing with wine. Every dish is authentic and unpretentious, you just enjoy the freshness of each bite. The staff are really attentive and sweet which makes the whole experience so much greater.

32 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8NA, United Kingdom

J. Sheekey

This is a classic fish restaurant in the theatre area. I used to go there with my parents when I was young, so I continued the tradition with my own children, except I’m the one that pays now.

Last time we went there, we splurged out and ordered caviar and lobster, but you can go for ‘a plateau de fruit de mer’ or a simple shrimp and soft shell crab burger.

The staff are welcoming and if you are alone, you can sit at the bar and enjoy your meal.

28-32 St Martin’s Ct, London WC2N 4AL, United Kingdom

Italian restaurants

Circolo Popolare

The Italian restaurant Circolo Popolare serves a great pasta carbonara with guanciale in a Parmesan wheel (during the evening’s only). Even though, it’s part of a chain of restaurants called Big Mamma Group, you still feel like you travelled to Italy to enjoy a meal.

40-41 Rathbone Pl, London W1T 1HX, United Kingdom

Ave Mario

Also part of the same group, we tried Ave Mario, it also has that Italian holiday feel to it and the food is just as nice.

Both Ave Mario and Circolo Popolare are great for a fun lunch or dinner, just don’t expect a quiet romantic setting, it’s noisy but that is also part of the Italian charm.

15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QG, United Kingdom

Sushi restaurants

Sushi Samba

Sushi Samba is a chain of restaurants with food inspired by Japan, Brazil and Peru, so make sure you get a mix of different dishes such as tempura and sushi, churrasco and ceviches.

We have been to the one on the roof of Covent Garden and the other one on the roof top of the Heron Tower in the City of London. The menu is the same but the view is incredible.

35 The Market, London WC2E 8RF, United Kingdom

Heron Tower, London EC2N 4AY, United Kingdom

Eat Tokyo

Eat Tokyo has several locations is London, we always go to the one in Covent Garden. This is an authentic Japanese restaurant with very reasonable prices, serving the typical bento box and miso soup for lunch.

I’ve never been there in the evening but for a quick lunch it’s perfect.

Make sure you arrive early if you want a table, you get people queuing outside waiting for the restaurant to open.

16 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TL, United Kingdom

Classic English restaurants

The Libertine

The Libertine restaurant is set in the vaults beneath The Royal Exchange.

We went there for lunch during a week day and enjoyed an amazing platter of oysters and other fish dishes.

Apparently, their Sunday roast is really good so I’ll be trying that next time and keep you informed, or you can tell me what you think if you have tried it.

If you go during the week, you can visit the shopping mall in the Royal Exchange. If you happen to be there and are dying for a cup of tea, you must check out Fortnum & Mason in the central courtyard.

1 Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LL, United Kingdom

The Horse Shoe

Hampstead Heath on a Sunday is a classic. After a stroll around the high street, head to The Horse Shoe for a full Sunday roast with all the trimmings.

The roast features a perfectly cooked meat, crispy roast potatoes, and Yorkshire puddings. You have the choice between Hereford beef, Duroc pork, White Cobb chicken or Suffolk lamb shoulder and they even have a vegan option. We had the pork belly mainly for the crackling.

Beyond the outstanding food, the welcoming and service was exceptional. The pub also offers a vast selection of beverages, including the Camden Beer.

28 Heath St, London NW3 6TE, United Kingdom

Modern English restaurants

Fallow

The concept in Fallow’s is to share. I recommend you try the corn ribs with their amazing kombu seasoning; the smoked beef ribs, the caramelised cauliflower ‘croquetas’ with Black garlic mayonnaise and the flamed mussels with bacon butter sauce, pickled lemon, parsley. But don’t stop there if you still hungry!

If you can get to sit at the bar, go for it, we chatted to the cooks about their famous mushroom parfait but we never got the detailed recipe unfortunately.

52 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RP, United Kingdom

Roe

Roe was launched by the team behind Fallow.

The decor is amazing with a view of Canary Wharf. The wide-ranging menu offers something for everyone, we tried so many amazing dishes, but the one that stands out is the famous mushroom parfait, also served in Fallow. This is SO SO good, like a foie gras but vegan.

5 Park Dr, Wood Wharf, London E14 9GG, United Kingdom

Scandinavian restaurant

Ekstedt at the Yard

We have been here at least 5 times, that’s how much we love this restaurant. It definitely one of our favourite restaurant in London. I’m sure it want be long before they get their first Michelin star.

Ekstedt is the name of the Swedish Chef Niklas Ekstedt. His specialty is to use wood fire cooking techniques. When tasting their signature dish, you get to join the chef in the kitchen to watch him prepare the oyster using wood fire.

You can choose between a 5 or 7 course tasting menu and enjoy pickled, fermented and cured ingredients with Nordic flavours.

The wine pairing is headed by the sommelier Klearhos Kanellakis and he is passionate about every glass he pours.

3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HN, United Kingdom

Greek restaurant

Toklas

Toklas is nestled between the Strand and the River Thames in London and offers a Mediterranean cuisine, with a greek twist.

It uses seasonal ingredients, prepared simply, so the menu changes accordingly. Their pasta and aubergine with feta was amazing.

The service was impeccable and friendly and if you are looking for an authentic and memorable Mediterranean dining experience in London, go for it.

1 Surrey St, Temple, London WC2R 2ND, United Kingdom

Best Restaurants in London (2025) – From Indian to Classic British Cuisine

Restaurant of the month

Fatt Pundit (Asian twist)

Indian restaurants in London

Fish and Seafood restaurants

Italian restaurants

Sushi restaurants

Classic English restaurants

Modern English restaurants

Scandinavian restaurant

Greek restaurant