Choosing where to eat in London can be a daunting task and not because British food has a bad reputation. On the contrary, we think London is one of the world’s gastronomic capitals due to the incredible variety of restaurants on offer. You could easily try cuisine from 30 different countries without travelling more than 30 minutes. So, if you’re prepared to be adventurous, you can sample Indian, Turkish, Lebanese, British, French and Italian… and that’s just for starters!
With food venues ranging from street markets to Michelin-starred restaurants, the cost of eating out varies widely. Check current menus and any service charge before making a booking.
Dine in a modern restaurant overlooking the London skyline or in a vintage basement with no windows at all, the choice of restaurants is endless. Those after a unique experience can have dinner whilst watching a live show or on a boat cruising the Thames. And if that’s not adventurous enough, you could always try eating in the dark or at the top of a crane!
As you can see, there’s certainly no shortage of places to eat in London. The biggest issue is that you won’t have time to try them all. But don’t worry, we have visited a fair few now so we hope our guide on where to eat in London will make it a bit easier….
Bon appetite!
Fast Food Restaurants in London
London’s fast food restaurants are a popular choice with tourists looking to reduce the cost of having to eat out every day or simply because they want to grab a quick bite, so they have more time to explore the city. You will of course, find all the recognizable fast-food chains like McDonald´s and KFC, but you’ll be missing out if you only eat at these places. Over recent years, a wide range of healthier and more diverse fast-food places have sprung up all over the city so be sure to check these out instead.
Chain Restaurants in London
Chain restaurants are a great choice when looking for places to eat in London as most offer affordable lunch and dinner deals, making them popular with locals and tourists alike. You’ll find plenty of chain restaurants in all the touristy areas of London so you’ll never have to spend too long looking for somewhere to eat.
Head to Honest Burgers for delicious yet affordable burgers, whilst Wagamamas is a great option for noodles and tasty Asian dishes. Bella Italia, Strada, Ask, and Prezzo are popular Italian chains.
Finally, we couldn’t leave out Nando´s, the well-known restaurant chain offering chicken, chicken and more chicken at various spice levels and a choice of sides. A great option when looking for cheap restaurants in London.
Traditional London Pubs
No trip to the city would be complete without visiting a traditional London pub and trying at least one typical British dish. Many people think pubs are just for having a drink, but on the menu, you’ll usually find tasty ‘pub grub’ consisting of a Sunday Roast, meat pies and bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes).
Street Food Markets
London’s famous food markets have become increasingly popular with tourists and city workers looking for more interesting places to have lunch. London’s food markets are a great way to try fresh food from different countries. A market meal can be good value, but compare current stall prices with nearby restaurants. For a 2026 visit, Borough Market’s regular trading days are Tuesday to Sunday; it closes on Mondays. Check its current hours and each trader’s opening days before you travel.
Traditional British Afternoon Tea
The traditional afternoon tea has grown in popularity over recent years and is a fun way to tick something typically British off your list. Usually served from 12 pm, afternoon tea includes a selection of sandwiches and cakes served with tea or champagne.
British Restaurants
In addition to traditional London pubs, you’ll also find a large selection of ‘gastropubs’, serving top-quality food in a more contemporary atmosphere. Traditional British food is also found in famous restaurants like Rules and Browns.
Special Occasion Restaurants
If you’re looking to book a special restaurant or fine dining experience, look at our guide on London restaurants with a view or the best romantic restaurants in London. We also think London’s famous Hard Rock Café near Hyde Park is still worth visiting. Another great option for a special occasion is a Thames dinner cruise, where you can take in some of London’s top sights from the river as you dine.
Where to Eat in London with Children
There are plenty of options when looking for places to eat in London with children, including family-friendly pubs and venues especially designed with kids in mind. Some restaurants offer children’s meal deals or limited kids-eat-free promotions; check the current terms, ages and qualifying adult purchases directly with the venue. We have a whole handy section with more information.
Our Personal Recommendations for Where to Eat in London
Having lived here for many years, it’s impossible to name all our recommendations for places to eat in London. However, here are some of our favourites:
- Sarastro: Whenever someone comes to visit us, we try to take them to the Sarastro for an unforgettable experience
- Poule au pot and Maggie Jones: Two unique restaurants for their decor and food
- Spaniard’s Inn: Historic pub located in Hampstead
- Dicken’s Inn: Historic pub in St Katharine’s Dock
- George Inn: Traditional pub next to Borough Market
- Pho: Vietnamese, healthy food that will have you licking your lips
- Bill’s: Chain of British restaurants with a large venue in Soho
- Mercato Mayfair: Pasta and lots of healthy and affordable options in Mayfair – Check our guide here: Mercato Mayfair London.
Best Areas to Eat Out in London
Although no parts of London are short of restaurants, a few areas stand out for having the widest choice.
When having lunch or dinner in London, we recommend heading to these central areas:
- Southbank (south side of the River Thames)
- Covent Garden
- Soho, including Carnaby Street
- Victoria
- Notting Hill
- Between Goodge Street and Warren Street underground stations, you’ll find many traditional pubs serving food.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.
1 Comment
I like that you state that you can find a large selection of quality restaurants in London. My wife and I are going on vacation there this summer. I will keep this in mind while we are picking where we want to eat on our food tour.