Year: 2022

London is known for having some of the best bars and restaurants in the world. You can find a quality place to eat in pretty much every corner of the city. Of course, personal preferences always play a role in determining which restaurant you should pick. But whatever your final choice may be here, you’ll definitely enjoy the food you order.

Apart from modern concept bars, there are tons of historic places where you can eat out. Up until a while ago, we would’ve said that if you want to “eat history,” you should visit The Casino Club. This is the oldest legal UK casino that has a restaurant. However, this place sadly closed shop after 50 years.

The good thing is that there are numerous other places to choose from and that’s exactly what we’ll discuss in this article. We’ll take a look at the top 5 historic places to eat out in London. Let’s dive into the details.

Grosvenor Casino The Victoria

Since we mentioned the legendary The Casino Club, we’ll start this list with a historic casino that features a restaurant – Grosvenor Casino The Victoria. This place is the perfect blend between excitement and sophistication and it took the crown as the oldest casino after The Casino Club closed its doors.

The establishment has a bar, a snacks bar and a restaurant. The food here is amazing and the atmosphere is extremely soothing. Sports fans will enjoy the fact that there’s live sports broadcasting here. If you are visiting this place with a car, you’ll definitely find a free on-site parking spot.

The mains in the restaurant are roasted chicken breast, pan-fried salmon, roast beetroot and feta wellington and Linguine Napolitana. Numerous sides are also up for grabs and the dessert menu will fill your end-of-meal cravings.

Of course, if you want to enjoy next-level excitement, you can always visit the Grosvenor casino. Apart from being able to play various games at the establishment, the Grosvenor casino app will allow you to enjoy the games on the go.

The Gilbert Scott

There are hardly any places that have such a historic impact on the food culture of a city as much as The Gilbert Scott. This restaurant was part of the Midland Grand Hotel, which survived two bombings during World War II.

Even though the restaurant was closed for a long time, it re-opened in 2011. The refurbished establishment hasn’t lost any of its charms and some of its standout meals are the Arnold Bennett omelette and the roast pork belly.

The grand dining restaurant, which has 132 seats is located in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London. Recently, it temporarily closed its doors, but Chef Patrick Powell took over it and will open in 2023.

Kettner’s Townhouse

One interesting piece of information about Kettner’s Townhouse is that this restaurant was opened by Napoleon III’s chef – Auguste Kettner. The restaurant started welcoming guests in 1867. The menu here changes seasonally and thanks to that fact, you can always try new meals.

When it was first opened, many speculated that it will not live long. After all, it was a French restaurant in British surroundings. Kettner’s Townhouse proved everyone wrong. At the moment, the Champagne Bar is the only bar that is open to the public and some of its standout meals are:

• Halibut, spinach, mussels and Café de Paris butter
• Twice-baked cheese soufflé, creamed leeks and mustard
• Pork schnitzel, cavolo nero, mustard, crème fraîche and a fried egg

Numerous snacks, starters and sharing meals are also up for grabs.

Mercato Mayfair

Mercato Mayfair is a Grade I restaurant which is open seven days a week, but most importantly – a pet-friendly establishment. Even though it operates on a first come, first serve basis, this restaurant is open to bookings for larger parties.

Here’s what makes Mercato Mayfair such a unique place to visit and eat. This isn’t your regular restaurant. The facility is actually a church that hosts a cocktail bar, grocery store and wine cellar. It brings ingredients and recipes from different countries and cultures and has a “global approach with a local focus.”

Rules

Rules is London’s oldest restaurant. It opened its doors in 1798 and one of the best things about it is that since its opening, it remained the same in terms of design and offerings. Tradition means a lot here and if you want to experience London’s history, this is definitely a place where you should eat out.

Some menu picks that you should consider eating are the roast crown of Mallard, breast of pheasant, grilled fillet of plaice and steak and kidney pudding. Dessert cocktails, puddings and cheese, as well as vegetables and salads are also up for grabs.

If you are a fan of cocktails, then there are plenty of unique choices – The Rules, Globetrotter, Aunt Nellie’s Tipple and High Flyer.

It’s hard to imagine something better than starting the day with a delicious brunch with our friends. Regardless of whether you prefer to eat waffles, pancakes, eggs, or English fry-ups a few hours after the conventional breakfast time, you will certainly find a few great places that are worth visiting in London.

Today, we will show you 6 London restaurants for brunch that you must visit with your friends at least once. Are you ready? Then let’s see the best places for eating late breakfast/early lunch!

1.Balthazar London

Balthazar London is a perfect choice if you are looking for a place to eat brunch on the weekend. This French restaurant offers a wide range of options from classic egg-based foods to American-style pancakes. Take a look at the weekend brunch menu and try one of these delicious dishes:

• Banana and blueberry pancakes
• Avocado benedict with frites
• Eggs royale with frites
• Eggs benedict with frites
• Côte de boeuf
• Grilled lobster

Besides, in case you would like to drink some cocktails during your mid-morning meal, you can also do that at Balthazar London. A special brunch cocktail list is waiting for you there that features plenty of amazing cocktails like Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Sweet Manhattan, Red Snapper, and French Martini.

2.Carmel Restaurant

If you would like to eat something special for brunch, then it may be a good idea to visit Carmel Restaurant. This relaxed restaurant located in Queen’s Park offers dishes inspired by Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. The selection of plates includes oat porridge, stuffed French toast, turmeric-fried eggs, shakshuka, Tunisian sandwich, Middle Eastern flatbreads, and many more. Take a seat at the large communal table in the main dining area of Carmen Restaurant, choose a high stool seating at the bar, or enjoy the nice weather on the covered patio. Your friends will certainly love this place!

3.Granger & Co

Each restaurant of Bill Granger brings real Australian vibes to the people of London. If you like photogenic dishes and spacious, bright dining rooms with huge windows, Granger & Co will fulfil all your needs. Visit one of the 4 restaurants in London and choose from the many brunch choices. On the menu, you can find for example the following foods:

• Grilled cheese and kimchi
• Spiced vegan pumpkin with date loaf
• Almond chia seed pot
• Vegan granola with coconut yoghurt and blueberry hibiscus compote
• Soft-boiled or fried eggs
• Ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter

As you can see, besides classic breakfast options, Granger & Co also provides healthy, vegan foods. Thus, if you want to have a healthy brunch, you should not miss out on visiting this place.

But if it would not be enough, this restaurant has a huge variety of juices, shakes, and smoothies as well.

4.Bad Egg

Bad Egg is the next one on our list of London restaurants for brunch. This diner is also known as “the ultimate weekend brunch destination”. The best thing about Bad Egg is that it offers a bottomless brunch. This means that you can have brunch until 7.30 pm on Saturdays and 5.30 pm on Sundays. Hence, if you had a rough night and you struggle to get out of bed, this brunch place can save you.

Bad Egg’s menu is filled with plenty of delicious brunch options, such as sausage and egg muffin, smashed avocado on toast, poké bowl, pancakes, and French toasts. For a better brunch experience, don’t forget to try the cocktails or the homemade lemonade.

5.Duck & Waffle

What about a brunch with a breath-taking city view? If you love this idea, then Duck & Waffle can be a great choice for you. This restaurant is situated in one of London’s tallest buildings, on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate. Needless to say, that having a weekend brunch at this place will give you an unforgettable dining experience.

Here are some of the delicious brunch plates you can find on Duck & Waffle’s weekend brunch menu:

• Bacon-wrapped dates
• Duck and waffle
• English breakfast
• Barbecue beans on toast
• Grilled octopus
• Caramelised banana waffle
• Smoked salmon royale

While you enjoy your meal at Duck & Waffle with your friends, don’t forget to take some photos of the stunning view and your appetizing dish. They would look great on your Instagram feed!

6.The Good Egg

The Good Egg has two restaurants in London: one of them is located on Stoke Newington Church Street, and the other one can be found on Kingly Street. Regardless of which one you choose, both restaurants have some exceptional brunch options for you.

Taste the dishes inspired by the special flavours of Middle Eastern cuisine. Among the brunch classics, you can find shakshuka, babka French toast, boureka plate, zhoug fried egg with cornbread, and more. But if you crave something sweet for breakfast, you can also choose something from The Good Egg’s signature desserts. For example, you can eat a New York cheesecake, a brownie ice cream sandwich, or babka in different flavours.

Would you rather opt for a boozy London brunch? Don’t worry! The Good Egg offers various cocktails (such as Bloody Mary and Mimosa) as well.

The Bottom Line

There you have it! This was our list of the best London restaurants for brunch. Whether you are looking for a healthy, traditional, or boozy mid-morning meal in the capital, you will certainly find one or two (or even more!) among these restaurants that meet all your special needs regarding brunch.

The Michelin Guide awards the world’s best restaurants with one, two, or three Michelin stars for their excellence each year. These guides have been published since 1904 and the Michelin star is considered one of the most coveted awards for any chef to this date. Thus, it’s no wonder that in the culinary world, the acquisition or loss of a Michelin star can have a huge impact on the success of a restaurant.

On February 16th, the Michelin Guide’s Great Britain & Ireland edition has been published, unveiling the restaurants that were awarded the prestigious Michelin stars this year. If you are wondering which restaurants managed to get on the list from London, keep reading. Today we will review the bests of the bests: those restaurants in London that hold three or two Michelin stars in 2022.

Michelin-Starred Restaurants in London with Three Stars

Among the list of restaurants with three Michelin stars, we can find five restaurants from London.

1.Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

The first restaurant we will talk about today is Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. This iconic restaurant offers guests contemporary French cuisine with a highly professional and friendly team. Alain Ducasse is one of the best chefs in the world who is known for his impressive French cuisine and innovative dining experiences. If you decide to visit Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, you can try the tasting menu for £195 in a modern and elegant environment.

2.CORE by Clare Smyth

The Core by Clare Smyth is a British fine dining restaurant that puts an emphasis on natural and sustainable food produced by the best farmers and producers from the United Kingdom. Core was established in 2017 and since then it has received plenty of awards, including five AA rosettes, 10/10 in the Good Food Guide, and of course, three Michelin stars in 2021 and 2022. The team at Core provides an unforgettable guest experience, therefore it’s worth checking out this restaurant. Try Core’s classic tasting menu for £175.

3.Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

The elegant yet warm dining room sets the perfect tone for an excellent dining experience. Almost every piece in the room is custom-made, including the blue blown-glass chandelier and wooden tabletops. Hence, it’s not surprising that guests adore the unique interior design of this restaurant.

Concerning the cooking, the dishes are made of high-quality seasonal produce sourced by carefully selected farmers and growers. Taste the sample menus designed by Hélène, you won’t be disappointed!

4.Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

Most likely, it won’t surprise you that the famous chef Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant is also one of London’s Michelin-starred restaurants in 2022. This restaurant featuring contemporary elegance was opened back in 1998. Thanks to the team’s outstanding experience in the hospitality industry, you can be ensured that a great dining experience will wait for you at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. The chefs use the finest seasonal ingredients to prepare the best dishes of modern French cuisine. On the menu, you can find numerous dishes, such as lobster ravioli, grilled brassicas, and citrus soufflé as well.

5.Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library)

The last restaurant on our list with three Michelin stars is Sketch. If you like colourfully decorated restaurants, then without any doubt, you will love The Lecture Room & Library at Sketch. Take a seat in one of those comfortable armchairs found in the room and enjoy the modern French menu.

Michelin-Starred Restaurants in London with Two Stars

Now that we reviewed the best London restaurants with three Michelin stars, it’s time to take a look at which places were awarded two stars.

1.Ikoyi

The team at Ikoyi is extremely innovative and focuses on bringing guests special flavours through West African spices and the finest quality ingredients. Try Ikoyi’s tasting menu for £180 with lobster salad, smoked Jollof rice, and fried octopus.

2.The Clove Club

The Clove Club is a relaxed restaurant located in Shoreditch Town Hall. The tasting menu consists of plenty of modern and elegant dishes like Badger Face lamb, foie gras, and raw Orkney scallop. The team uses the produce of the British Isles to prepare these delicious foods.

3.Da Terra

Da Terra can be found in a Victorian hotel. Interestingly, just 8 months after the opening of the restaurant in 2019, Da Terra gained its very first Michelin star. The dishes at Da Terra are inspired mainly by the flavours of Rafael Cagali’s origins.

4.Kitchen Table

At Kitchen Table, the guests are seated at a unique horseshoe-shaped counter. From there, you can see how James Knappett and the other members of the team prepare and serve the dishes.

5.Le Gavroche

Le Gavroche was opened by the legendary Roux brothers (Albert and Michel) more than 50 years ago in 1967. Back then, it was the only French restaurant in London. Now, this iconic restaurant is run by Michel Roux Jr, Albert Roux’s son.

6.A. Wong

A. Wong showcases dishes from all regions of China. Choose the menu called “Taste of China” and go on a unique culinary journey around China.

7.Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

Heston Blumenthal is well-known for giving his guests a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Consider checking out the chefs’ contemporary menu at Dinner as it brings you the flavours of British history.

8.Story

At Story, you can try visually impressive, tasteful dishes that also represent the story of British food. The menu features both classic and seasonally inspired dishes.

9.Claude Bosi at Bibendum

Claude Bosi is an elegant French restaurant located within the famous Michelin House. Due to the attractive dining room and Chef Claude Bosi’s cuisine, visiting this restaurant will leave you with an exceptional dining experience.

10.La Dame de Pic London

Anne-Sophie Pic’s restaurant La Dame de Pic London is situated in the iconic Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square. The impressive high-ceilinged dining room at this French restaurant will certainly leave you speechless.

Hopefully, you enjoyed our list of London’s Michelin-starred restaurants. If you are curious which venues were awarded one star in 2022, you can find the full list here.

Do you like Italian cuisine? Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to Italy to eat some delicious Italian food. In London, you can find a high number of top-notch restaurants that prepare Italian dishes. Whether you would like to eat a classic Margherita pizza, creamy pasta carbonara, ravioli, or other regional specialties, these restaurants will certainly fulfil your food cravings.

If you want to know which Italian places are worth visiting in London, keep reading. In the following, we will review the 6 best Italian restaurants in London.

1.Campania & Jones

The first restaurant we will talk about today is Campania & Jones. This southern Italian restaurant is situated on Ezra Street, in the heart of east London. Campania uses high-quality, seasonal produce to prepare the best dishes of South Italy. The pasta at this restaurant is made by hand each day. Therefore, if you opt for a pasta dish, you can be assured that the ingredients are fresh.

On the menu, you can find both traditional and new dishes, such as the following ones:

• Gnudi in sage butter
• Tortelli with wild mushroom
• Risotto langoustine
• Scialatielli lobster

Regardless of which food you choose at Campania, you will be served a beautifully presented dish.

Location: 23 Ezra Street, London, E2 7RH

2.Artusi

In Southeast London, Artusi has everything you need for a perfect Italian dining experience. This Italian-inspired, neighbourhood diner offers a quite simple menu. However, since the restaurant uses the best seasonal produce available on the market, the menu is under constant change. The ingredients at Artusi are freshly sourced from carefully selected suppliers and the pasta is made by hand daily.

Here are a few of Artusi’s classic dishes and desserts:

• Spaghetti with leek, bottarga, and pistachio
• Grilled fennel with Violina pumpkin, bitter leaves, and hazelnuts
• Casarecce with winter tomato crudaiola
• Torta primavera with caramelised apple, and vanilla

Try anything from the menu, with a glass of Italian wine, you will certainly feel like being in Italy.

Location: 161 Bellenden Road, Peckham, London SE15 4DH

3.Bocca di Lupo

Without any doubt, Bocca di Lupo is one of the best Italian restaurants in London. This charming Italian diner is located on Archer Street in Soho. Bocca di Lupo has been serving guests authentic Italian dishes from different regions since 2008.

The restaurant’s menu changes twice a day in order to keep up with seasonal changes. Thus, every time you visit Bocca di Lupo, you can discover newer and newer regional specialties. Besides the appetizing plates of pasta, risottos, fried and grilled dishes, salads, and various desserts, you can find an impressive Italian wine list that is more than worth a try.

Location: 12 Archer Street, London W1D 7BB

4.Flour & Grape

Flour & Grape is a casual restaurant with an interesting variety of dishes. You can choose from not less than 9 different pastas: spaghetti, tortelloni, fazzoletti, ravioli, gigli, linguine, pappardelle, taglierini, and casarecce. Besides traditional pasta dishes, here you can also try plenty of other delicious small plates and desserts. These include foods like bruschetta, marinated peppers, burrata, beetroot, almond and prune tart, and tiramisu gelato.

Just like in the case of the above-mentioned diners, Flour & Grape places a big emphasis on using fresh ingredients. Therefore, the pasta is made daily in-house.

When it comes to the drinks, the restaurant has a great selection of Italian wines.

Location: 214 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ

5.Bocconcino

The next diner on our list is Bocconcino. At this restaurant on Berkeley Street, you can find all kinds of Italian dishes. Whether you crave pizza, pasta, fish, soup, or salad, you can certainly choose something from the menu that meets your needs.

Some of the best dishes on the menu include the following:

• Minestrone di verdure di stagione con pesto which is a mixed vegetable soup with pesto
• Pizza Margherita
• Pizza Valtellina
• Homemade tagliatelle with black truffle
• Roasted octopus with cherry tomatoes, Padron peppers, chilli, and garlic
• Salmon steak

Moreover, Bocconcino offers guests a special Italian tasting menu as well that consists of 6 courses. Thus, if you can’t select one or two dishes from the regular menu, we recommend trying the tasting menu. This way, you can taste multiple flavourful Italian dishes.

Location: 19 Berkeley Street, London W1J 8ED

6.Locanda Locatelli

Locanda Locatelli is one of London’s Michelin-starred restaurants. It is run by the well-known Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli who creates traditional dishes with an emphasis on quality, freshness, and creativity.

The main dining room in the restaurant is modern and offers spacious seating for guests. Plus, Locanda Locatelli has a private dining room as well. Thus, if you need some privacy while enjoying your meal, you can get it here.

Concerning the menu, a great selection of foods is waiting for you in this diner. You can find here everything from flavourful plates of pasta to vegan Italian dishes. If you decide to visit Locanda Locatelli, make sure to not miss out on the desserts. They are amazing!

Since this restaurant is extremely popular, don’t forget to make a reservation prior to your arrival.

Location: 8 Seymour St, Marylebone, London W1H 7JZ

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are many great Italian restaurants in London. Hopefully, the next time you crave some pasta, pizza, or other Italian foods, you will exactly know where to go. Whether you choose to visit Campania & Jones, Artusi, Bocca di Lupo, Flour & Grape, Bocconcino, or Locanda Locatelli, we are sure that you will be satisfied with their cuisine.

When it comes to dining, London certainly doesn’t lack world-class restaurants. You can encounter numerous great diners when walking on the streets of the capital.

Having a huge variety of restaurants can be a great benefit for the people of London. However, many people find it difficult to choose the perfect place for having lunch or dinner. If you also have a hard time selecting a restaurant each time you want to eat out, we have some good news for you.

Today, we will give you a few tips on how to pick the right place. Here are 7 things you must consider when choosing the ideal restaurant.

1.Location

The first and probably most important factor you need to consider when deciding where to eat is location. Depending on your preferences, the diner needs to be easily accessible by public transport or car. However, in case you would rather walk, the restaurant should be located within walking distance.

Once you determine the ideal distance, narrow down your search in that particular area. You will see that this way picking a nice restaurant will be much easier.

2.Atmosphere

For having a pleasant dining experience, you must verify whether the restaurant has everything you need regarding comfort. What does the interior design look like? Are the chairs comfortable? Is the lighting appropriate? What kind of music is being played in the restaurant? All these small details can contribute to your dining experience. Therefore, don’t ignore them!

The atmosphere of the place plays even a more significant role when there is a special occasion. For example, if you want to surprise someone on their birthday or engage your girlfriend, you need to take into consideration every little detail when choosing the ideal restaurant.

3.Food

Perhaps, food is the most evident factor to consider when deciding where to go to eat. This is because understandably, most people want to eat at a restaurant where the offered dishes meet their needs.

For example, if you are craving seafood, you need to find a diner where there is a wide variety of seafood dishes. However, if you would rather try something else, conduct quick research about the different cuisines available in your local area.

Besides, don’t forget to check whether the chosen restaurant uses fresh, high-quality ingredients and prepares the dishes appropriately. After all, you don’t want to end up having food poisoning because of eating contaminated or spoiled food, do you?

4.Service

The next thing you need to pay attention to for the best dining experience possible is service. If you are wondering why service is so important, just think about it this way: You can have the world’s most delicious dish placed in front of you, if the waiter’s behaviour is inappropriate, most likely you won’t enjoy the food as much as you normally would. Plus, there is a high chance that because of this bad experience you will never come back to that particular restaurant.

If possible, try to select a diner where the entire team – including the waiters, waitresses, and kitchen staff – offers great service. Hospitality and attentiveness are both essential qualities the service personnel must have in a good restaurant.

5.Prices

In regard to the prices, many people try to opt for the cheapest option to save money. While it may be tempting to do so, it’s very unlikely that you will be satisfied with the result. This is because cheap prices more often than not come with lower quality. However, it doesn’t mean that you should head to the most expensive diner in London to enjoy a good meal. You may be able to find the same meal (or a similar but high-quality, appetizing dish) for a significantly cheaper price at another place. You just need to make some research!

The best is if you can find the optimal balance between price and quality and choose a restaurant that offers value for your money.

Also, make sure to determine how much money you can afford for eating out, and keep this budget in mind when selecting the right restaurant.

6.Recommendations and Reviews

Taking a look at other people’s recommendations can help you a lot when making the final decision. Fortunately, nowadays you can find many sites online where other guests and gastronomy experts share their opinions and past experiences concerning certain diners. For example, it may be worth checking out the restaurants’ ratings on Tripadvisor and other reputable comparison sites. Then, based on your findings, you can select a restaurant that meets all your needs.

7.Waiting Time

While in some restaurants you can take a seat immediately and your meal will be served in a very short time, other diners can be more crowded. Thus, in the case of these restaurants, you may need to calculate with a longer waiting time. Some places may even require a reservation several days or weeks prior to your arrival.

For these reasons, consider getting in touch with your chosen diner and ask whether making a reservation is necessary.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the ideal restaurant can be a challenging task. However, if you know what you need to look out for, making the decision can be much easier. Don’t forget to take into consideration the above-mentioned factors, such as location, atmosphere, food, service, prices, recommendations, and waiting time, when selecting the right venue for your lunch or dinner. This way, you can be assured that a great dining experience will wait for you at your chosen restaurant.