London Restaurant Tips by leffe3

You can eat very very well (in spite of what some people say) but you can also eat very badly. Its a bit of a risk - unlike France or Italy, dropping in on an unknown bistro is likely to result in more than adequate food. Not so in London. If in doubt, there are some chain restaurants that whilst they may not be the best of their type, always deliver a good standard. To my mind they are:
1: Pizza Express (everywhere although the one near to the British Museum is the best)
2: Pret A Manger (self-service sandwiches - mainly in the West End - not the best coffee though)
3: Browns (limited to the 'trendier' parts of town)
4. Chez Gerrard (frites and steak, French style)


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Theme: Other

Restaurant Name: 'The Providores'

A New Zealand owned (reflected in the excellent wine list) 'tapas' bar serving inspiring Pacific Rim/ European food. Small, welcoming, food is served all day, the menu changing from brunch (variations on a theme of the English breakfast through to water-melon and feta cheese with pumpkin seeds and olive oil)through to wonderful tapas dishes (the mushroom rissotto is fab). White walls, black furniture - clean lines are the theme. If you are lucky, you can grab one of the two tables outside on the street - perfect Sunday brunch location.

Favorite Dish: Aforementioned mushroom rissotto and watermelon/feta salad. (But note the portions are small)

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: HIgh Street, Marylebone
Directions: 5 minute walk behind Selfridges on Oxford St

Restaurant Name: Veeraswarmy

Some of the best food to be had in London (and UK in general) is from the Indian sub-continent. One of the best areas for good and cheap food is the Brick Lane/Whitechapel, but for those who do not have the chance to go out that far and prefer to stay in the West End, Veeraswarmy is a great option. You'll pay for it - its on Regents St - and it is where Indian food meets western-style design. But it is excellent.

Favorite Dish: Excellent standard throughout.

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: Regent St

Restaurant Name: Pollo

Surrounded by the trendy, the upmarket, Pollo is a survivor. Its been here for years, changed little (1960s mock-leather banquettes, formica top tables) and attracts all types of people. The attraction is the cheap fare. The food is not subtle - emphasis on carbo-hydrates - and sometimes reminds you of school dinners /
university canteens. But you can't beat the prices

Favorite Dish: Pasta

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Theme: Other
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Old Compton St

Restaurant Name: BelgoCentraal

Huge, noisey but a lot of fun, There a few other branches of Belgo around the city, but the original is the best. Emphasis on mussels with all kinds of sauces, frites with mayonnaise and the most extraordinary number of flavoured Belgian beer. Oh, and the waiters are dressed as (Franciscan/Dominican?) monks.

Favorite Dish: Mussels and flavoured beer

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: Shelton St, Covent Garden
Directions: Off Neal St (pedestrianised street leading to/from Covent Garden heading north)

Restaurant Name: The French House Dining Room

Tiny but 'grown up' restaurant above the French House Bar. Emphasis on simple, well presented food (venison, steak, fish), French style. White table cloths, slightly hushed reverence, but not unwelcoming.

The bar downstairs, as with a number of the older establishments in the area, is something of an institution. Known for its bohemian associations, particularly of the 1950s (artists, journalists, novelists, playwrights) as well as the acting fraternity - walls are covered with photos of celebs caught in less salubrious moments! It takes its name from being the home of the French resistance during WWII. Its tiny, gets packed and only serves beer in half glasses. Attracts all ages and all types - from regulars who have used it for years through to besuited city types, young actors to tourists.


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Theme: French
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: Dean St, Soho

Restaurant Name: Cork & Bottle

Two seperate entrances but both could so eaily be missed as both entrances descend into the basement wine bar come restaurant. As you would expect in a basement - low ceilings, simple decor (a feeling of comfy cosiness), with the bar dominant in the main room (of 3). Good, simple, wholesome food and an excellent wine list help make this a real haven - and down trhere you'd easily forget that you in Leicester Sq.


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Theme: Wine Bar/Wine Tasting
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: Cranbourn St (official address)
Directions: Entrances are behind the large corner Burger King (one entrance opposite Warners Cinema complex)

Restaurant Name: Mela

Another Indian favourite is Mela. Reasonably priced, comtemporary decor without being unwelcoming. This is a good place for an early dinner - they do good deals for the 'pre-theatre' crowd. But even outside of the deals, this is very reasonably priced for the West End.

Favorite Dish: Most things!

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: Shaftesbury Avenue
Directions: This is at the far eastern end of Shaftesbury Avenue - beyond Cambridge Circus (so nearer Covent Garden)

Restaurant Name: Cottons

Fantastic Caribbean food in the middle of Camden High St.

Intimate restaurant on 3 levels and bar. Comfortable and welcoming dining - discrete lighting, white table clothes, wooden furniture - comfortable classical rather than anything trendy.

At weekends, the cocktail bar takes over at around 11pm with funky sounds from the live DJ (but nothing too raucous or intrusive) - but food continues to be served.

Favorite Dish: Fish (ackee), goat curry, plantains - all this and more. And very tempting cocktails that add to the bill...:)

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: Camden High St
Directions: Slightly further north than entrance to Camden Lock market

Restaurant Name: Various

Drummond St, very close to Euston station, is renowned for its Southern Indian vegetarian restaurants. Simple eateries, there are a number along this street. The food is pretty similar in all of them, so its a case of taking your pick as to which appeals to you (as most of them have big shop windows, you can easily look in to the interior to help make your decision). None of them serve alcohol. They're also cheap options.

But if you need meat and alcohol, there are a coule of good places here too. Zamzana, at the far end away from the station is a new kid on the block, and is a very stylish, contemporary addition.

Favorite Dish: Indian food is one of my favourites, so impossible to identify just one dish.

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Theme: Indian

Address: Drummond St
Directions: Small street that runs parallel to Euston Rd (northside) - approach from Euston Station.