One of my favorite things about London is its diversity. As an American living in London, I loved hearing so many different accents and languages just simply walking down the street. A melting pot of cultures from all over the world, London’s food scene certainly reflects its people. While there are endless restaurants and cuisines to explore, I’m sharing the 10 best places you must eat at when you’re in London.
Best of the Best: Dishoom
If I had a penny for every time someone recommended Dishoom to me, I’d be rich by now. I’m usually a bit skeptical of places that are so hyped up, but Dishoom exceeded my expectations in every way. Be sure to get a reservation in advance as they fill up super quickly. While there are many locations, the Carnaby one is my personal favorite. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but I highly recommend the chicken ruby, house black daal, pau bhaji, okra fries, roti, and garlic naan. I loved Dishoom so much, I went there three times in three months — and ordered the same thing every time. People who know me know that I’m not typically a restaurant repeater, so this says a lot.
Best Pasta: Padella
A close friend said Padella was her favorite restaurant in London, so it was high up on my list. After trying a bunch of different Italian restaurants in London, this was by far my favorite. With a limited menu that’s created to perfection and very affordable prices, it’s no wonder this place is so popular. While they don’t take reservations, you can put your name down at the door and they’ll call you when they’re ready. The wait can be long (we waited about 30 minutes) but I promise you it’s worth it.
Best Sandwich: The Black Pig
As someone who usually doesn’t like pork, The Black Pig blew me away with its pulled pork sandwiches. Located in Borough Market, this place is busy but the line moves fast. The Best One sandwich is incredible and has all the goodies you could ever want — slow roasted pork shoulder, honey truffle mayonnaise, fennel apple slaw, parmesan, salsa verde, and pepperoncini on toasted ciabatta. The portion is huge so I recommend sharing it with a friend so that you have room to try even more delicious eats in Borough Market. The custom crumbles at Humble Crumble and chocolate covered strawberries at Turnips are great for dessert.
Best Afternoon Tea: Dalloway Terrace
There’s something so comforting about an afternoon tea, and Dalloway Terrace has the afternoon tea of my dreams. I went with a fellow blogger friend who I’ve been connected with on Instagram for years, but because I lived in the US and she lived in the UK, we never got to meet up until I moved to London. We absolutely loved Dalloway Terrace, from the beautiful decor to the delicious treats and bespoke tea blends, and spent hours connecting over anything and everything. Our bellies and hearts were so full!
Best Vibes: Tea House Theatre
This cozy shop feels like it belongs in the quaint English countryside with its eclectic and homey decor, but it’s surprisingly located in the middle of Vauxhall. I could spend hours in here reading a book over a (giant) slice of cake and pot of tea. Their marble cake with peanut butter and Nutella is hands down one of the best slices of cake I’ve ever had in my life and I still dream about it to this day. Paired with honeybush tea, it’s absolute perfection.
Best Hidden Gem: Italo
Located in the charming Bonnington Square, Italo will forever hold a special place in my heart because I lived just around the corner during my time in London. One of the best hidden gems in London, Bonnington Square is a quiet oasis tucked away in the middle of Vauxhall. It’s so peaceful that it’s hard to believe you’re still in Central London! Known for their coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, Italo was rated one of Financial Times’s best 50 delis in the world. Florence Welch from Florence & The Machine even said that it’s her favorite secret spot in London!
Best Ambiance and Decor: Circolo Popolare
Made famous by Instagram, Circolo Popolare is the definition of ~aesthetic~. Brought to you by Big Mamma Group, the same one behind Pink Mamma in Paris, Circolo Popolare has a fun and similar Italian inspired menu. You’ll need a reservation in advance, so book early. A friend and I split drinks, the burrata, and the truffle pasta, and while they were good, we both agreed that we liked Pink Mamma more.
Best Variety of Options: Mercato Mayfair
A food court nestled inside an old cathedral, there are so many different cuisines and vendors here for you to try. It’s great for groups who have different tastes, or for sharing different items with friends. Hot take: I actually liked the handmade truffle pasta here better than Circolo Popolare.
Best Quick Eat: Ottolenghi
Ottolenghi is a legend and his recipe books all look incredible, but there’s nothing like stopping by the shop itself. With many locations around London, you can customize your order with mains, sides, and pastries and grab it to-go as you continue exploring the city.
Best Dessert: Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream
A foodie friend recommended this place to me and Mamasons definitely did not disappoint. Their ube bilog was so good, I may or may not have eaten it for lunch. It’s a sandwich, so it counts, right…?
Other Popular Spots
My London food bucket list is so long that there are so many places I have yet to try, but here are even more places I liked as well as recommendations from friends — check them out if you have the time!
- 26 Grains in Neal’s Yard — great breakfast
- Layla Bakery in Notting Hill — supposedly the best croissants in the city
- Bancone — many locations, good and affordable pasta
- Bilmonte — the double pistachio gelato is amazing
- Fortitude Bakehouse — super popular but long line, so get there early before they sell out
- Lemonia in Primrose Hill — good Greek food and lunch specials
- 106 Baker Street — amazing lunch deals to-go
- Fabrique Bakery — they have locations in NYC and Stockholm as well
- Duck & Waffle — very nice for dinner
- Jolene Bakery — highly recommended but a little far
- Roti King — affordable but long lines
For even more London inspiration, check out my itineraries on the most Instagrammable places in London and the best things to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, and 1 week!
Bon appétit,
