London - Dining & Drinking

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Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out. Today, you can pick almost any country in the world and its cuisine can be sampled here in the capital. Take your pick from Korean to Burmese, Argentine steak to vegan, Malaysian to Mauritian, Modern British to Hungarian--what an epicurean feast! Food is the new hedonistic pleasure, with food halls emerging as trendy hang-outs, chefs becoming TV stars and cookbooks turning into hot bestsellers. Naturally every area and every other road in London has a place to eat--but certain areas do excel.

Brixton and Clapham

South London is flourishing. Hang out at bars like Trainspotters and Cafe Cairo, sample delicious vegetarian dishes at Bah Humbug's in the crypt of St. Matthew's Church and chill out to some mellow tunes at the Tearoom des Artistes.

Camden

This perennially popular neighbourhood teems with great mid-range venues like Wagamama, everyone's favourite modern noodle bar. Go organic at SAUCE or Caribbean at Cottons. Meanwhile the famous Jazz Cafe brings some great blues and an eclectic selection of music to the area.

Chelsea and Fulham

Chelsea and Fulham have a first-rate selection of restaurants catering to the area's wealthy clientele--but the variety is just as vast as the rest of the city. Enjoy classy Thai at Blue Elephant and join locals for authentic Italian at Chelsea stalwart La Famiglia, but for some brilliant 'Modern British', head to Conran's Bibendum and Bluebird restaurants. For the gastro-pub experience, join the Chelsea crowd at The Admiral Codrington and sample great, updated British grub like salmon fishcakes and warm liver salad.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden mixes the simple with the traditional, the substantial with the stylish. Food for Thought on Neal Street is a popular vegetarian hole-in-the-wall that serves hearty portions to students and passers-by alike. Traditional English fare is the order of the day at Rules, always a refined and restrained experience. Perhaps celebrity spotting at The Ivy, in the heart of Theatreland, would appeal more? Beer lovers can wash down some informal British food with a great selection at the Freedom Brewing Company. Charlotte Street up the road in Fitzrovia is packed with superb restaurants, perfect for business and romance.

Islington

Islington's Upper Street is swarming with restaurants, bars and cafes--Modern British cuisine is very well represented by restaurants like Granita and Euphorium. You can also find a range of other cuisines, from Turkish to Vietnamese.

Kensington and Knightsbridge

Kensington Place is a good spot for lunch, Julie's for a romantic evening and Clarke's delicatessen for a mid-morning treat. San Lorenzo's on Beauchamp Place was Princess Diana's favourite Italian and continues to attract ladies who lunch and the Belgravia crowd.

Marylebone

Marylebone has some great eateries, including the elegant Orrery (another Conran venture) and Ibla which serves modern Italian food. For Irish cuisine try the Ard Ri Dining Room above the O'Conor Don Pub. In St. Christopher's Place, a charming courtyard off Oxford Street, you'll find a branch of the vegetarian cafe Cranks, the Mediterranean Zoe's Cafe, a creperie, a row of Italian trattorias spilling out onto the pavement and Joose Juice Bar. The French restaurant and top-notch delicatessen Villandry on Great Portland Street is definitely worth a visit.

Mayfair and West End

The 28th floor Windows bar at the Hilton Hotel offers fantastic views of London's nightscape; have a drink before indulging at eternally trendy Nobu or Mirabelle. Deeper in Mayfair, enjoy a seafood extravaganza at Scotts or Michelin-starred modern French cuisine at The Square, probably one of London's finest restaurants.

Every Londoner has a favourite local Indian, but you should also check out Veeraswarmy and Chor Bizarre, two upmarket Indian restaurants. If you seek opulent relaxation visit Momo, where you can sit cross-legged and sup on Middle Eastern treats.

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is home to hip restaurants of all kinds. There is a vast choice of Italian 'locals' in the area--Osteria Basilico is snug and friendly. Tom's delicatessen is popular for weekend brunches, but be prepared to queue. For something more exotic, try some Caribbean food, abundant at Carnival time from street stalls. If you don't want to wait until summer, then head to Mandola, a Sudanese gem that remains very reasonably priced despite its loyal following. Dakota is a modern Southwest American restaurant favoured by trendy locals and celebs, while the hugely hyped Pharmacy has as many detractors as it does fawning fans.

Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill is one of London's best-kept secrets. The hugely popular Greek restaurant Lemonia is perfect for families while Odette's suits intimate, romantic dinners and enjoyment of fine wines. Manna is a great vegetarian restaurant, and Sesame, the wholefood store, is one of the great cafes on Regent's Park Road.

Soho and Chinatown

Soho and Chinatown, one of London's top nightlife areas, has an incredible concentration of bars, restaurants and cafes. From Bar Italia, Soho Soho and the trendy vegetarian eaterie Mildred's to the very exclusive Lindsay House, you can find practically anything you want in just a few dense blocks.

South Bank

Oxo Tower has the hype to match the buzz and the formidable view, and its West London counterpart Putney Bridge is an architectural delight offering both great views of the Thames and knock-out food. Terence Conran's Blue Print Cafe leaves a fine impression with views of Tower Bridge.

The City

The City has a super vegetarian lunch venue in the crypt of St. Mary-le-Bow called The Place Below. Other options for those working in the area include Futures restaurant, The Eagle gastro-pub and the literary Filthy McNasty pub for a drink. Stylish and formal restaurants-from Conran's Aurora to more trendy Smith's are abundant due to the obvious market for expenses-paid meals.

Hotels are also a good bet for eating out, since they have a pleasant touch of luxury, tip-top service and tables which are often available at the last minute. Afternoon teas are an English tradition that cannot be missed--scones, clotted cream and leaf tea in silver teapots. The Dorchester and Brown's are among the smart hotels serving tea from 3pm.

You can even find good food at Internet cafes, mushrooming all over the capital. Many public houses, besides pumping real ale, are metamorphosing into gastro-pubs. With such a fabulous choice, standards are truly very high. London is good on a global scale--after all, food critics Egon Ronay and Fay Maschler still choose to live here.

Please note that prices quoted can vary widely; also wine can increase your total bill considerably.







Copyright 1999-2009 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Wcities

Mayfair
London
Mayfair
Brixton
London
Brixton
South Bank
London
South Bank
Notting Hill
London
Notting Hill
Blue Elephant


Welcome to the jungle
 3-6 Fulham Broadway
London SW6 1AA
+44 20 7385 6595
http://www.blueelephant.com/london/
Blue Elephant
Tom's Delicatessen


Have yourself a sarnie and a smoothie
 226 Westbourne Grove
Notting Hill
London, London W11 2RH
+44 20 7221 8818
Tom's Delicatessen
San Lorenzo


London's most famous Italian dining spot
 22 Beauchamp Place
London, London SW3
+44 20 7584 1074
San Lorenzo
London Hilton on Park Lane


The name says it all
 22 Park Lane
London, London W1K 1BE
+44 (0)20 7493 8000
http://www.london-parklane.hilton.com
London Hilton on Park Lane
Wagamama


Original Slick Noodle Canteen
 4A Sreatham St
Bloomsbury
London W1H 9AB
+44 20 7323 9223
http://www.wagamama.com
Wagamama
Osteria Basilico


Portobello charm
 29 Kensington Park Road
Notting Hill
London, London W11 2EU
+44 20 7727 9372
Osteria Basilico
Rules


Terribly English
 35 Maiden Lane
Covent Garden
London, London WC2E 7LB
+44 20 7836 5314
http://www.rules.co.uk/
Rules
Ivy


London's premier restaurant
 1-5 West Street
London, London WC2H 9NQ
+44 20 7836 4751
http://www.caprice-holdings.co.uk/
Ivy
Oxo Tower Restaurant


Premier riverside location
 Bargehouse Street
Oxo Tower Wharf, South Bank
London, London SE1 9PH
+44 20 7803 3800
http://www.oxotower.hcareers.co.uk/
Oxo Tower Restaurant
Julie's Restaurant and Wine Bar


A beloved Bohemian dining institution
 135 Portland Road
Holland Park
London, London W11 4LW
+44 20 7229 8331
http://www.juliesrestaurant.com/
Julie's Restaurant and Wine Bar
Place Below


Cryptal capers and simple food in the City
 St Mary le Bow Church
Cheapside
London, London EC2V 6AU
+44 20 7329 0789
http://www.theplacebelow.co.uk
Place Below
Blue Print Cafe


A perfect balance of style and substance
 28 Shad Thames
Design Museum
London, London SE1 2YD
+44 (0)20 7378 7031
Blue Print Cafe
Tea Rooms Des Artistes


Party while you eat
 697 Wandsworth Road
London, London SW8 3JF
+44 207 652 6526
http://www.tearoomsdesartistes.com/
Tea Rooms Des Artistes
Famiglia


Classic Italian cuisine
 5-7 Langton Street
Chelsea
London, London SW10 0JL
+44 20 7351 0761
Famiglia
Ard Ri Dining Room


Celtic charm
 88 Marylebone Lane
London, London W1U 2PY
+44 20 7935 9311
Ard Ri Dining Room
Food For Thought


Fashionable vegetarian cafe
 31 Neal Street
Covent Garden
London, London WC2H 9PR
+44 20 7836 9072
Food For Thought
Mildred's


Veggie venue à la mode
 45 Lexington Street
London, London W1F 9AN
+44 20 7494 1634
Mildred's
Smiths of Smithfield


Master of Smithfield
 67-77 Charterhouse Street
London, London EC1M 6HJ
+44 20 7251 7950
http://www.smithsofsmithfield.co.uk
Smiths of Smithfield
Filthy McNasty's


Spinning a yarn
 68 Amwell Street
Clerkenwell
London, London EC1R 1UU
+44 20 7837 6067
Filthy McNasty's
Brown's Hotel Tea Room


A truely English experience
 Brown's Hotel
Brown's Hotel
London, London W1S 4BP
+44 20 7518 4108
http://www.brownshotel.com/restaurant2.html
Brown's Hotel Tea Room
Dorchester Bar


Tea on the promenade
 54 Park Lane
The Dorchester Hotel
London, London W1A 2HJ
+44 20 7629 8888
http://www.dorchesterhotel.com/
Dorchester Bar
Thai Square Putney


Fine French cuisine
 2-4 Lower Richmond Road
Putney
London, London SW15 1LB
+44 20 8780 1811
http://www.putneybridgerestaurant.com/
Thai Square Putney
Odette's Restaurant


Classy and stylish in Primrose Hill
 130 Regent's Park Road
Regents Park
London, London NW1 8XL
+44 20 7586 5486
Odette's Restaurant
Bluebird Epicerie


Culinary Conran compound
 350 King's Road
London, London SW3 5UU
+44 (0)20 7559 1000
http://www.conran-restaurants.co.uk/restaurants/bluebird/blurbird%20epicerie
Bluebird Epicerie
Manna Vegetarian Restaurant


Veggie heaven!
 4 Erskine Road
Primrose Hill
London, London NW3 3AJ
+44 20 7722 8028
http://www.manna-veg.com/
Manna Vegetarian Restaurant
Bibendum


Manger au Michelin in Conran's design masterpiece
 81 Fulham Road
Michelin House
London, London SW3 6RD
+44 (0)20 7581 5817
http://www.bibendum.co.uk/
Bibendum
Momo


Deeply sexy or over-hyped?
 25-27 Heddon Street
Regent Street
London, London W1B 4BH
+44 20 7434 4040
Momo
Scotts


Great British food in an airy, modern restaurant
 20 Mount Street
London, London W1Y 6HE
+44 20 7629 5248
Scotts
Nobu


Japanese, South American fusion and sushi
 19 Old Park Lane
Metropolitan Hotel
London, London W1K 1LB
+44 20 7447 4747
http://www.noburestaurants.com/
Nobu
Mirabelle


Marco's baby
 56 Curzon Street
London, London W1J 8PA
+44 20 7499 4636
http://www.whitestarline.org.uk/
Mirabelle
Veeraswamy


Oldest Indian in London
 99 Mezzanine Floor, Victory House
99-101 Regent Street
London, London W1R 7HB
+44 20 7734 1401
http://www.veeraswamy.com/
Veeraswamy
Kensington Place


The place to be seen
 201-207 Kensington Church Street
London, London W8 7LX
+44 20 7727 3184
http://www.egami.co.uk/
Kensington Place
Bar Italia


There's only one place we can go
 22 Frith Street
London, London W1D 4RF
+44 (0)20 7437 4520
http://www.baritaliasoho.co.uk/
Bar Italia
Chor Bizarre


Haute Indian cuisine in the heart of Mayfair
 16 Albemarle Street
London, London W1S 4HW
+44 20 7629 9802
http://www.chorbizarrerestaurant.com
Chor Bizarre
Tower Bridge


The most ornate bridge in London
 Tower Hill
London SE1 2UP
+44 20 7403 3761
http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/
Tower Bridge
Admiral Codrington


Great modern British food
 17 Mossop Street
South Kensington
London, London SW3 2LY
+44 20 7581 0005
Admiral Codrington
Aurora


Terence Conran's new dawning
 Liverpool Street
Great Eastern Hotel
London EC2M 7QN
+44 20 7618 7000
http://www.great-eastern-hotel.co.uk
Aurora
Orrery


Conran's low key Marylebone marvel
 55 Marylebone High Street
London, London W1U 5RB
+44 20 7616 8000
http://www.conran-restaurants.co.uk/
Orrery
Jazz Café


Camden swingers and good food
 5 Parkway
Camden Town
London, London NW1 7PG
+44 20 7916 6060 / +44 20 7534 6955
http://www.jazzcafe.co.uk
Jazz Café
Eagle


The original gastro-pub
 159 Farringdon Road
London, London EC1R 3AL
+44 20 7837 1353
Eagle
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