Top Restaurants That Are Worth the Trip in London
London’s food scene isn’t just about fish and chips or afternoon tea-it’s a global melting pot where you can eat a perfectly seared duck breast in Soho, then walk five minutes to bite into a flaky Jamaican patty in Brixton. If you’re someone who’s spent years saying, ‘I’ll try that restaurant someday’, it’s time to stop saying it. Some places in London aren’t just good-they’re worth planning a whole evening around, skipping your usual pub, and booking a table months in advance.
Sketch: Where Dining Feels Like a Surrealist Dream
Sketch in Mayfair isn’t just a restaurant. It’s an experience. The main dining room, with its 94 pink velvet chairs and hand-painted walls by French artist Pierre Huyghe, feels like walking into a living art installation. The food? Chef Pierre Gagnaire’s French cuisine is refined without being pretentious. Try the smoked eel with caviar and potato foam-it’s a dish that makes you pause mid-bite. The tea room upstairs, with its pastel porcelain and endless scones, is equally iconic. Book the 7 PM slot on a weekday. You’ll avoid the crowds and get the full effect without the selfie lines.
St. John: The Heart of British Nose-to-Tail Eating
Open since 1994, St. John in Smithfield changed how London thinks about British food. Fergus Henderson didn’t just revive old recipes-he redefined them. The roasted bone marrow with parsley salad is legendary. It arrives in a small dish, the marrow still bubbling, with toast on the side. You scoop it like butter. Then you eat the crispy parsley salad on top. It’s simple. It’s unforgettable. And it’s exactly what you want after a long day at the office near Liverpool Street. Don’t skip the pig’s cheek pie. It’s slow-cooked for 12 hours and served with mashed potatoes that taste like comfort in a bowl.
Dishoom: The Bombay Café That Feels Like Home
Dishoom isn’t just a restaurant-it’s a cultural institution. Inspired by the Irani cafés of Mumbai, it’s the place Londoners go when they want masala chai, butter chicken, and naan that’s still warm from the tandoor. The Covent Garden branch, housed in a 1930s Art Deco building, has the same worn leather booths and black-and-white photos of old Bombay as the original. The breakfast menu is a revelation: black daal with poached eggs and chili jam. You’ll find businesspeople here at 8 AM, students at 2 PM, and families at 8 PM. The queues are long, but the wait is worth it. Pro tip: book online at 7 AM sharp for the 7:30 PM slot. Walk-ins are a gamble.
The Clove Club: The Best Modern British Meal You’ll Ever Have
Shoreditch’s The Clove Club, with its two Michelin stars, isn’t flashy. It’s in a converted pub on Shoreditch High Street. But the tasting menu? It’s a masterclass in seasonal British ingredients. The dish that sticks with you: roasted celeriac with fermented black garlic, smoked eel, and burnt honey. It’s earthy, sweet, and deeply umami. The wine pairing is thoughtful, led by sommeliers who know every vineyard in Sussex and Kent. The staff remember your name, your wine preference, and whether you’re celebrating something. It’s not cheap-£185 per person-but it’s the closest thing London has to a culinary pilgrimage.
Padella: Pasta So Good, You’ll Forget You’re in London
Padella in Borough Market doesn’t have a reservation system. You line up. You wait. You eat. And you don’t regret it. The pappardelle with slow-cooked beef shin ragù is thick, rich, and falls apart on your fork. The tagliatelle with wild mushroom and truffle is so fragrant, you’ll smell it before you see it. It’s open for lunch and dinner, and the queue moves fast. Locals come here after the theatre, after a day at the Tate Modern, or just because they crave pasta that tastes like it was made in Bologna, not Brixton. Bring cash. They don’t take cards. And don’t leave without ordering the tiramisu-it’s the best in the city.
Brindisa: The Real Spanish Tapas Experience
Brindisa, with locations in Shoreditch and Borough Market, is where Londoners go for authentic Spanish flavors without the tourist traps. The jamón ibérico de bellota is sliced paper-thin and melts on your tongue. The croquetas are crispy on the outside, creamy inside, with a hint of smoked paprika. Try the tortilla española-it’s not just potatoes and eggs, it’s slow-cooked in olive oil until the edges are caramelized. The wine list features small-batch Spanish vintages you won’t find in supermarkets. This is the place to bring visiting friends who think Spanish food means paella and sangria. Show them the real thing.
Why These Places Are Worth the Trip
What makes these restaurants different from the rest isn’t just the food. It’s the intention behind them. Sketch isn’t just serving food-it’s creating art. St. John honors British tradition with pride. Dishoom brings a piece of India to the heart of London. The Clove Club treats ingredients like sacred objects. Padella is the antidote to overpriced, overhyped dining. Brindisa reminds you that Spanish cuisine is more than a trend.
These aren’t places you go to check off a list. They’re places you go to remember. To celebrate. To feel something. In a city where you can eat Thai, Ethiopian, or Peruvian for £12, these are the spots that make you stop, breathe, and say, ‘This is why I live here.’
How to Plan Your Restaurant Visits in London
- Book early: Michelin-starred and popular spots like The Clove Club and Sketch book out weeks ahead. Use Resy or OpenTable, not just Instagram.
- Go off-peak: Lunch at Dishoom or Padella is easier to get into than dinner. Weeknights are quieter.
- Know the payment rules: Padella takes cash only. Some small places don’t take cards. Always carry £20.
- Wear smart-casual: Even casual spots like Dishoom and Brindisa have an unspoken dress code. No flip-flops or gym wear.
- Explore beyond central London: Try The Black Swan in Oldstead (Yorkshire) if you’re up for a day trip. Or The Eagle in Brixton for a perfect Sunday roast.
What to Order When You’re Not Sure
- At St. John: Roasted bone marrow with parsley salad
- At Dishoom: Black daal with poached eggs
- At Padella: Pappardelle with beef shin ragù
- At The Clove Club: Ask for the chef’s tasting menu
- At Brindisa: Jamón ibérico with Manchego cheese
- At Sketch: The pink tea room with finger sandwiches and scones
Are these restaurants worth the cost?
Yes-if you value experience over expense. A £185 tasting menu at The Clove Club might seem steep, but it includes 12 courses, wine pairings, and service that feels personal. Compare that to a £50 meal at a chain where you’re rushed. These places aren’t just feeding you-they’re giving you a memory. For many Londoners, it’s a once-a-year treat. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Can I get a table without booking?
Sometimes. Padella and Brindisa take walk-ins, but you’ll wait. Sketch and The Clove Club don’t. Dishoom has a digital queue system-you can join from your phone while you’re on the Tube. If you’re flexible, go for lunch. Lunchtime tables are easier to get, and the menu is often the same.
Which is the best restaurant for a date in London?
Sketch is perfect for a romantic, unforgettable night. The pink chairs, the art, the quiet lighting-it feels intimate. The Clove Club is also excellent if you both love food and conversation. For something more relaxed, Dishoom’s lively atmosphere makes it easy to talk. Avoid places with loud music or long queues if you want to actually talk.
What’s the most underrated restaurant on this list?
Brindisa. Most tourists go to Tapas restaurants in Soho and get overpriced, bland food. Brindisa is the real deal-authentic, affordable, and consistently excellent. It’s the place locals take out-of-town friends who want to taste Spain without the tourist traps.
Are there vegetarian options at these places?
Yes. At St. John, try the roasted beetroot with goat’s cheese and walnuts. Dishoom’s mushroom curry and paneer tikka are excellent. Padella offers a wild mushroom tagliatelle and ricotta ravioli. The Clove Club’s tasting menu can be adapted for vegetarians-just ask when booking. Brindisa has a whole section of vegetarian tapas, including patatas bravas and grilled artichokes.
Next Steps: Where to Go After These Restaurants
After dinner at Sketch, walk to the Serpentine Gallery for late-night art. After Padella, head to the Southbank for a nightcap at the Tobacco Dock rooftop bar. After Dishoom, take the 24-hour bus to Camden and find a live jazz spot. London’s best meals don’t end at the dessert plate-they lead to the next experience. That’s the rhythm of the city.