The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London Restaurants – 15 Unmissable Places to Eat

If someone asked you to make a list of the best restaurants in London, you’d have much trouble choosing the must-eat spots you’ve found while traveling, or living in the city.

Which is exactly what happens to me every single time I write posts about deliciously aesthetic London restaurants and cute coffee shops, by the way.

London is famous for its melting pot of cuisines, and if you had to try all the so-said ‘best’ restaurants in town, you’d need a lifetime to enjoy them all one by one.

In any case, these here are some of the London restaurants I’ve tried in the past, and thought were so skilled in recipes and service that they deserved to be shared with you!

The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London Restaurants – 15 Unmissable Places to Eat

To help you out, in case you’re traveling or living in London on a budget, I thought I’d split this guide into two parts as follows:

• the best street food in London
• and the best mid-range and fine dining restaurants in London

I haven’t made any distinction between non-halal or halal restaurants in this post, and you’ll find a few spots where you can eat whether you are following a halal, vegetarian, or vegan diet.

I eat a bit of everything, and you’ll find here delicious Neapolitan pizza spots in Central London, Japanese street food, and even high-end Chinese food – there’s a bit here for everyone, really!

Best Street Food in London

Best Restaurants in London: Japanese Canteen, Tottenham Court Road

Japanese Canteen is one of the restaurants on Tottenham Court Road really worth every penny – the street food spot doesn’t only offer exquisite buns, but also the world-renowned katsu curry.

The prices are quite reasonable, especially considering we’re in the heart of Central London, and if there’s one thing I can recommend, it’s really Japanese Canteen’s buns.

They taste oh-so-fresh, with just the right amount of spice, and you’re also close to some of London’s best neighborhoods, with Fitzrovia, Soho, and King’s Cross located nearby!

Read: The Best Halal Japanese Food in London

Best Restaurants in London: Pizza Pilgrims, Covent Garden

Pizza Pilgrims in Covent Garden has been a favorite of mine ever since I moved to London in 2019 – the Neapolitan pizza recipes at Pizza Pilgrims are simply otherworldly.

In addition, those of you who might be looking for halal pizza in London will be happy to know that this Pizza Pilgrims branch offers halal pepperoni, which is absolutely succulent.

Whether you’re just looking for a food spot at the end of the day or want a quick lunch spot before popping by Covent Garden’s hidden gems, Pizza Pilgrims is always the man.

Don’t forget to order the truffle dip, one of the best items you could ever find in a London pizzeria – creamy, tangy, it’s a must to finish your pizza!

Read: The Best Breakfast Spots in East London

Best Restaurants in London: Zia Lucia, Wembley Park

Now, I guess the fact that I am living in Rome and able to try some amazing Roman and Neapolitan pizza pretty much whenever also influences the way I live London – and that is, necessarily with pizza.

Neapolitan pizza is my favorite, and at Zia Lucia in Wembley, you’ll be able to taste properly chewy dough with a dreamy, unforgettable mix of tomato and mozzarella.

Zia Lucia’s pizze are so incredible that the flavors linger; one of my personal favorite spots to eat Neapolitan pizza in London, and really close to an outlet shopping center; the London Designer Outlet.

Whether you’re looking for cheap clothes or discounted Yankee Candles, you’ll find them all here, but first, do try Zia Lucia in Boxpark Wembley!

Read: The Best Italian Cafes in London

Best Restaurants in London: Franco Manca, Soho

The Franco Manca franchise has lots of branches all around London, from Muswell Hill to Soho, and my favorites are the one in Soho and the one in Bishopsgate.

To this day, Franco Manca still offers some of the cheapest pizza in London, along with Pizza Union in Spitalfields, and makes for the perfect lunch spot if you don’t want to spend too long at a restarant.

Read: The Most Unique Shops in London

Best Restaurants in London: Pita Time, North Finchley

Pita Time in North Finchley is a street food spot I visited quite a lot when I used to live in the area, and a perfect restaurant for Greek-style pita.

We’re not too far from the pita kind of food you’d find in restaurants in Istanbul, either, with its range of fresh veggies and tasty sauces mixed with just-grilled meats.

If you choose to visit at lunch, you’ll have plenty of time to pop by the North Finchley charity shops – something I’d definitely recommend you do, especially if you’re into vintage and second hand designer clothes.

There are lots of cool things to see in the North Finchley neighborhood, but it start with Pita Time on the High Road!

Read: The Best Hidden Gems in North London

Best Mid-Range and Fancy Restaurants in London

Best Restaurants in London: Beijing Dumpling, Chinatown

My favorite restaurant in Chinatown, Beijing Dumpling, is one I always recommend to my friends every time they look for a new spot to eat – this one is unforgettable.

And judging by the queue of people waiting to dine there in the evening, you can easily understand this is a must-eat spot – the fresh dumplings made before your eyes as you’re queuing, the crispy duck and its pancakes…

Beijing Dumpling is a must-visit restaurant whether you have a small budget or not, and if I may, do visit with a friend friends so you can share all your dishes!

Read: The Best Cafes in Central London

Best Restaurants in London: Lime Tree Coffee, Edmonton

Lime Tree Coffee is located in Edmonton, one of the more local, lesser-known neighborhoods in North London, in which you can find countless delicious Turkish restaurants.

We’re here in Edmonton Green, at the edge of the shopping center, and Lime Tree Coffee offers plenty of delicious brunch and breakfast options in a super instagrammable setting.

I have visited this rustic slash floral coffee shop quite a few times, and from the pink flowers to the huge teddy bears and delicious halal Full English Breakfast, I decidedly found myself at home.

Read: Shopping in Central London – 8 Unique Shops to Visit

Best Restaurants in London: Le Rif, Seven Sisters Road

There are few really good Moroccan restaurants in London worth the time and the budget, but Le Rif on Seven Sisters Road is one of them.

For some time, I lived in Seven Sisters and happened to spend quite a lot of time in the Finsbury Park neighborhood, which is how I got to know of Le Rif restaurant.

This North African restaurant offers anything from the most boiling hot tea to delicious shakshuka, tagines and couscous dishes for days – one of the lesser-known restaurants in London, but one you definitely have to try!

Read: The Best Charity Shops in London

Best Restaurants in London: Hutong, The Shard

Hutong at the Shard makes for the perfect setting if you are planning a romantic date – all around the Shard, you will find plenty of beautiful hidden gems in nearby Bermondsey and Southwark.

Hutong cooks up fancy Chinese food, which you can enjoy with a view of London, gorgeous especially during spring, summer, and at sunset.

If you would like to try out other fancy restaurants in town, Aqua Shard and Oblix, also located in the building, are also very much worth your while.

And once you’re done? Check this out:

• Southwark Cathedral, with its secret church garden
• Winchester Palace, off Borough Market, one of London’s medieval sites
• Bermondsey Street, one of the prettiest streets in London with its maritime buildings

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Canary Wharf

Best Restaurants in London: Pho & Bun, Shaftesbury Avenue

Pho & Bun on Shaftesbury Avenue is one of the places I always recommend if you love Vietnamese food; indeed, it’s one of the best restaurants to visit for pho in London.

The restaurant has that rustic, family yet friendly vibe, and I would recommend you try out the glazed chicken wings in addition to your pho – the combo is great!

If you’d like some dessert afterwards, and are willing to try something new, Chinatown Bakery, only a few minutes away, bakes the fluffiest Asian cakes you’ve ever seen.

Or, if you’d like something heavier, you’ll find delicious and colorful doughnuts at Doughnut Time, also on Shaftesbury Avenue!

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Instagrammable Places

Underrated Restaurants in London: Bite to Eat Cafe, Tottenham High Road

Bite To Eat Cafe on the high road in Tottenham, North London, is probably one of the most secret restaurants you’ll see in this guide today – it’s really local, for starters.

And then, the fact that non-Londoners and even most Londoners only visit the Tottenham neighborhood to go see a match would also explain why Bite To Eat Cafe is still so under the radar.

And yet, both the interior of the restaurant slash cafe and the food are exquisite – and if you’d like to dine alfresco, there’s even a small garden in the back!

For a simple latte or a Full English breakfast, or even for fresh, grilled fish dishes for lunch, Bite To Eat Cafe is that unassuming place that can easily become one of your new go-to’s!

Read: Must-Visit Multicolor Places in London

Best Restaurants in London: Whitcomb’s at the Londoner, Leicester Square

A few months ago, I tried out the Whitcomb’s at the Londoner for the first time, a fancy restaurant tucked away in one angle of Leicester Square – and fell in love.

The Whitcomb’s focuses on modern European food, and blends Italian, French, and British flavors effortlessly.

The beef carpaccio was a delight, just as exquisite as the burrata, all the way to the sea-salted chocolates that came with my coffee – a must-try for a romantic date!

Read: Completely Free Things to Do in London Off the Beaten Path

Best Restaurants in London: Aqua Kyoto, Oxford Circus

I love my sushi, my sashimi, and all types of matcha or yuzu-infused desserts – if you are the same, chances are you will love Aqua Kyoto, just off Oxford Circus station.

If you come from East London, Oxford Circus is easy to access with the Central Line – stopping at Bond Street is something I love doing to see a bit of bustling life before dinner.

And if you’re one to enjoy finding new views of London, the view from Aqua Kyoto is immaculate, and would almost gives you vibes of Paris from above.

Fine dining lovers, you will enjoy the crisp, clean decor at Aqua Kyoto, but beyond that, the refined fish and meat pieces used for the dishes feel – and taste – exceptional.

Read: The Cutest Pink Places in London

Best Restaurants in London: Rasa Sayang, Chinatown

The Malaysian restaurant Rasa Sayang in Chinatown is one I tried for the first time a few months ago; I could not believe my tastebuds the whole meal through.

Sauces, broths, the most amazing fried chicken wings ever, and just enough not-too-spicy dishes on the menu made me realize Rasa Sayang is a place everyone should know.

If you’re in search of halal food near Soho, the Rasa Sayang menu is almost completely halal, so you really have plenty of options there – but don’t miss out on the Teh Tarik, a kind of milk tea with unforgettable flavors!

Then, once you’re done, keep discovering London with:

• Soho’s best hidden gems
• Cecil Court in Covent Garden, one of London’s gorgeous secret alleys
• The National Portrait Gallery, a free museum with beautiful architecture

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Fleet Street, London

Best Restaurants in London: Max Orient, Camden Town

Max Orient in Camden Town is a particular favorite of mine as I still, to this day, travel to London on a budget every now and then.

Well, Max Orient, with its all you can eat concept, is one of the most affordable restaurants in London, with tasty food from starters to desserts.

It costs a little over 10 pounds for a full meal, plus a couple of quid extra for bottomless soft drinks, and you’re close to all the Camden Town charity shops and many cool spots you can’t miss!

So what do we do after eating at Max Orient? This:

• Check out the cool shops in Camden Town
• Check out the colorful streets in Camden and Kentish Town
• Pop by some budget shops on the high street, like TK Maxx, Poundland, and Savers

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Smithfield, London’s Historic Neighborhood

The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London Restaurants – 15 Unmissable Places to Eat

There you have them, some of the lesser-known, yet best restaurants in London to try as soon as you get the chance!

A lot of these I discovered while living in Tottenham, Edmonton, and North Finchley, three amazing North London neighborhoods where you will find lots of local restaurants.

If you’re looking for more food spots, I would definitely suggest you check out these as well:

• The Most Secret Places to Eat in Central London
• The Best Breakfast in East London
• The Most Secret and Instagrammable Cafes in London

There are so many amazing cafes and restaurants in London it’s really not that easy to find the best, but with these guides, you’re off to a great start!

Until next time!

Curious Traveler’s Guides

• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Spitalfields, East London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Covent Garden, Central London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Smithfield, City of London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Bethnal Green, East London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Fleet Street, City of London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Instagrammable Places
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Secret and Free Museums
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Multicolor Places in London

Other London Life

• How to Spend 24 Hours in London
• Living in London: Things I Have Learned Over the Years
• The Must Have Apps to Survive in London
• How to Save Money on Groceries in London
• How to Live in London on a Budget
• How to Eat in London on a Budget
• How to Make Friends in London
• How to Move to London – and Survive as an Expat
• The Best Tips for Student Budget in London
• The Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to London
• First Time Travel to London: All There is To Know
• London Travel Guides for Tourists and Locals
• How to Pack Your Suitcase for Digital Nomads
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Life in a Hostel
• How to Survive Life in a Hostel

Other London Travel

• The Cutest Pink Places in London
• Bookish London Itinerary: 13 Cute Places to Visit
• The Prettiest Places for Nature in London
• The Most Colorful Places in London
• The Best Christmas Decorations in London
• The Poshest Areas in London
• The Prettiest Villages in London
• The Prettiest Mews in London
• The Prettiest Streets in London
• The Most Colorful Streets in Camden
• The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill
• The Prettiest Neighborhoods in London
• The Prettiest East London Neighborhoods
• Why Are There Colorful Streets in London?
• Where to See Christmas Decorations in London?
• Where to See Autumn Colors in London?
• The Best Harry Potter Locations in London

Secret London

• Artistic Hidden Gems in London, Statues & Secret Views
• The Best Hidden Gems in Brick Lane
• The Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair
• The Best Hidden Gems in Covent Garden
• The Best Hidden Gems in Oxford Street
• The Best Hidden Gems in North London
• The Best Hidden Gems in South London
• The Best Hidden Gems in East London
• The Best Hidden Gems in West London
• The Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge
• The Best Free Secret Gardens in London
• Chalcot Square Primrose Hill, London’s Most Colorful Spot
• St Dunstan in the East Church Ruins, A Must Visit in London

Other Things to Do in London

• The Best Things to Do in Canary Wharf
• The Best Things to Do in Soho
• The Best Things to Do in London Bridge
• The Best Things to Do in Camden Town
• The Best Romantic Date Ideas in London
• The Best Non Touristy Things to Do in London
• The Best Harry Potter Things to Do in London
• The Best Free Things to Do on London’s Central Line
• The Best Things to Do in London When It Rains

Other London Shopping

• The Best Charity Shops in London
• The Best Charity Shops in Bethnal Green
• The Best Charity Shops in Chelsea
• The Best Charity Shops in Kentish Town
• The Best Charity Shops in Camden Town
• The Best Charity Shops in Muswell Hill
• The Best Charity Shops in North Finchley
• The Most Beautiful Bookshops in London
• The Best Secondhand Bookshops in London
• The Best Shops on Oxford Street
• The Best Shops in Covent Garden
• The Most Unique Shops in London
• The Best British Shops in London
• The Best Cheap Clothing Shops in London
• The Best Budget Shops in London
• The Best Candle Shops in London
• The Best Stationery Shops in London
• The Best Shopping Centers in London
• The Prettiest Shopping Arcades in London
• The Biggest TK Maxx in London
• The Best Things to Buy in London
• The Best Harry Potter Shops in London
• The Prettiest Christmas Shop Windows in London
• London’s Prettiest Department Store: Harrods Egyptian Hall
• Bath and Body Works Shop at Next Westfield

Other London Food

• Where to Have Lunch for £5 in London
• The Best Cheap Eats in Central London
• Deliciously Secret Places to Eat in Central London
• The Most Instagrammable Restaurants in London
• The Most Aesthetic Restaurants in London With Statues
• The Most Maximalist Restaurants in London
• The Best Italian Restaurants in London Bridge
• The Best Neapolitan Pizza in Central London
• The Best Neapolitan Pizza in London
• The Cheapest Pizza Spots in London
• The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Mayfair
• The Best Restaurants in Balham
• The Best Restaurants in Knightsbridge
• The Best Restaurants in Whitechapel
• The Best Restaurants in Walthamstow
• The Best Pho Restaurants in London
• The Best Vegan Breakfast in London

Other London Cafes

• The Cutest Pink Cafes in London
• The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
• The Cutest Floral Cafes in London
• The Most Instagrammable Secret Cafes in London
• The Best Bookshop Cafes in London
• The Best Colorful Lattes in London
• The Best Breakfast in Notting Hill
• The Best Breakfast in East London
• The Best Brunch in King’s Cross
• The Best Brunch in London Bridge
• The Best Italian Cafes in London
• The Best Cafes in London Bridge
• The Best Cafes in Shoreditch
• The Best Cafes in Brixton
• The Best Cat Cafes in London

Other London Bakeries

• The Cutest Bakeries in London
• The Best French Bakeries in London
• The Best Vegan Bakeries in London
• The Best Gluten Free Bakeries in London
• The Best Bagels in London
• The Best Cinnamon Buns in London
• The Best Croissants in London
• The Best Macarons in London
• The Best Cupcakes in London
• The Best Cookies in London
• The Best Pastel de Nata in London
• The Best Ice Cream in London
• The Best Doughnuts in London
• The Best Vegan Doughnuts in London

Other London Halal Food

• The Best Halal Steaks in London
• The Best Halal Rooftop Restaurants in London
• The Best Fancy Halal Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Fine Dining in London
• The Best Halal Buffets in London
• The Best Halal Burgers in London
• The Best Halal Japanese in London
• The Best Halal Chinese in London
• The Best Halal Italian in London
• The Best Halal Indian Food in London
• The Best Halal Thai Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Turkish Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Moroccan Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Mexican Food in London
• The Best Halal Pho in London
• The Best Halal Michelin Star Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Afternoon Tea in London
• The Best Halal Korean BBQ in London
• The Best Halal Breakfast in London
• The Best Halal Brunch in London
• The Best Halal Cafes in London
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Covent Garden
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Soho
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Canary Wharf
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Oxford St
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Edmonton
• The Best Halal Restaurants in East London
• The Best HMC Halal Restaurants in London

Other London Coworking Posts

• The Best Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Cafes to Work in South London
• The Best Cafes to Work in West London
• The Best Cafes to Work in North London
• The Best Cafes to Work in East London
• The Best Cafes to Work in Oxford Street & Mayfair
• The Best Cafes to Work in Covent Garden
• The Best Cafes to Work in Kensington
• The Best Cafes to Work in Chelsea
• The Best Cafes to Work in West Hampstead
• The Best Cafes to Work near Tottenham Court Road
• The Best Cafes to Work in Brick Lane
• The Best Cafes to Work in Bethnal Green
• The Best Cafes to Work in Wembley
• The Best Cafes to Work in Leicester Square
• The Best Cafes to Work in Soho
• The Best Cafes to Work in London Bridge
• The Best Cafes to Work in Liverpool Street
• The Best Cafes to Work in Marylebone
• The Best Cafes to Work near King’s Cross
• The Best Cafes to Work in Canary Wharf
• The Best Free Quiet Study Spaces in London
• The Best Free Libraries in London
• The Best Free Coworking Spaces in London
• The Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London
• The Best Places to Study in Southbank
• The Best Places to Write in London
• The Best Coworking Spaces in Soho
• The Best Coworking Spaces in East London
• The Best Coworking Spaces in Notting Hill
• The Best Pret Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Costa Coffee Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Starbucks Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Caffe Nero Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Chain Coffee Shops to Work in London

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