Cheap Places to Eat in Farlows

"Branches of the growing chain of Sushisamba restaurants can be found in New York, Chicago, Miami and beyond. London’s outpost is found on the 38th and 39th floors of the City’s Heron Tower so it’s likely you’ll see deals being brokered at nearby tables, but the atmosphere is kept in check by personable staff and the spread of dating couples out to have a good time. The menu’s an eclectic mix, too, featuring a blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine, alongside one of the most comprehensive sake selections in the city."

"Restaurants Brazilian Liverpool Street. Take the glass elevator clinging to the side of Heron Tower, shoot up 38 floors in a few stomach-flipping seconds, walk through the pulsating bar and find your way to the double-height glasshouse of a restaurant, with its magnificent bamboo-lattice ceiling and wraparound views. Japan, Brazil and Peru come together here, making Sushisamba a sure-fire hit for a showy date night."

"Unashamedly fusion, this restaurant and bar at the top of the Heron Tower mixes Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese influences. One of the coolest things about the experience is being whisked up in panoramic glass elevators, Willy Wonka–style, to what are the highest dining terraces in Europe. There’s probably no better place in the city to drink in the sunset."

"For an extra special evening why not go all out with a Michelin-starred Chinese takeaway and order from one of the best in the business: Hakkasan. Having partnered with delivery service Supper, the restaurant now offers discerning Londoners a taste of the good life, without even having to get out of their PJs. The benefit of ordering from a premium service is that your food comes hot and fresh, and with things like crispy duck on the menu that means preserving that all-important crunch."

"If slick and sexy is the date vibe you’re going for, the low-lit labyrinth of Hakkasan’s Mayfair restaurant is one of London’s most seductive spots. Head underground via the waterfall-lit stairs to find tables flanked by peek-a-boo wooden panelling and a gently thrumming soundtrack."

"Restaurants Chinese Soho. If romance is on your mind, you need to bypass Yauatcha’s frenetic ground-floor canteen and head down to the brick-lined basement with its illuminated fish tank, twinkling lights and nightclubby vibe (bass-heavy beats included). Luxe dim sum (and some dazzling larger plates) are offset by spectacular East-West desserts, while heady teas, exotic cocktails and jet-setting wines complete a sexy Michelin-starred package."

"The ”it crowd” dine on a menu of more than 84 amazing dishes at this sexy dim sum teahouse in Soho. Michelin-star quality and incredible cocktails from behind the fish tank bar brings in big names such as Amanda Seyfried, Gwyneth Paltrow and Gwen Stefani.You don't even have to break the bank to dine here, with a cheap dim sum afternoon tea available Monday to Thursday."

"Dim sum al fresco is just one of those things that we can't resist. And it's even harder to now that the Soho and City branches of Yauatcha open. But we don't care, because venison puffs and scallop shui mai make us happy – especially when they're washed down with a Rose Fortune cocktail."

"You’ll probably smell David Carter’s barbecue joint well before you see it; while the signage is discreet, the tang of smoke meets you halfway up the street. Behind two heavy, metal-riveted doors, it’s a temple to certain ideas of masculinity and to meat—all concrete walls, steel paneling, and rough-planked tables and banquettes (subtext: real men don’t need cushions). The meat comes in many forms here: 15-hour smoked brisket, superb pastrami, and generous portions of ribs."

"Smokestak has grown from a charming street cart to a Shoreditch sensation. The BBQ joint offers buttery buns stacked with slices of smoked beef brisket topped with pickled red chillies. There’s a handful of other options but the original itself is one serious sandwich!"

"Undoubtedly one of the most special spots to dine in the city is Hutong, another of The Shard’s sky-high eateries located on the 33rd floor. With dark red, moody interiors, sparkling lanterns and a traditional Chinese wishing tree where guests hang their wishes on branches, Hutong oozes the romance of fairy tales and is an absolute delight. This is our top pick for a splash-out supper, with its vast selection of fine northern Chinese cuisine and creative cocktails set against the backdrop of the sprawling London skyline, which twinkles at night."

"They do say heat rises: Chinese restaurant Hutong is for thrill-seekers who love a bit of spice with their heights. Positioned on the 33rd level of The Shard – London’s tallest building by quite a stretch – a night at Hutong comes with a view of pretty much the entire city and its twinkling lights, as well as fiery pepper-packed Sichuan dishes. Head one level down at the Shard and you’ll find Aqua Shard and Oblix, a duo of restaurants with similarly stunning views and a little less numbing of the tongue."

"London Bridge (33, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY) With a menu which originated in the first Hutong restaurant in Hong Kong, London’s own version is located in the Shard, one of the city’s most distinctive buildings. This enormous skyscraper provides the ideal backdrop for a delicious meal – promising an intoxicating combination of great views and great food. The décor is also designed to reflect Hutong’s roots, with classic dishes from Northern China providing meals worth raving about."

"Imperial Treasure is, hands down, the grandest Chinese restaurant in London. Its sister restaurants in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai have Michelin stars and one imagines the first London outpost has similarly lofty ambitions. Just off Pall Mall, it's covered in marble up to its high, original ceilings, with cool, contemporary wooden fittings giving an intimate feel to the enormous, opulent space."

"The celebrated international restaurant group Imperial Treasure opened its first London venue in 2019. It took over a Grade II-listed former bank building in St. James, a striking ..."

"Restaurants Chinese Brixton. Inspired by the Beijing stall run by owner Ning Ma’s grandparents, deliciously ramshackle Mama Lan serves hearty northern-Chinese street food – in particular, dumplings. Brown-bottomed beef and pork pot-stickers fly out of the kitchen at an impressive rate, although veggie alternatives filled with wood-ear mushrooms and spinach are also good."

"In bustling Brixton Village, Mamalan specialises in northern-Chinese street food inspired by the owner's experience of watching her mother run a market stall in Beijing - the restaurant is even named after her. Huddle into the crowded restaurant for beef and pork potstickers, veggie dumplings and hearty noodle soups."

"Address: Unit 18, Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8PR/ 8 The Pavement, London, SW4 0HY/ Pergola, Level Five Rooftop, Olympia Car Park, Olympia Way, W14 8UX. Nearest train station: Brixton/ Clapham Common/ Kensington Olympia. Two words: handmade dumplings."

"Dine at Terra Rossa and enjoy a family-run Italian restaurant with plenty of style and flavour from the southern region of Puglia. Order one of the stone-baked pizzas and wash it down with a craft beer. Or go for a range of pasta that includes penne alla corsara and paccheri al ragu di mare while enjoying a nice glass of red wine."

"The Fuzzy Bear can provide you with comedy, cocktails and live music. Whatever night you are after having you will be able to enjoy at The Fuzzy Bear. They have some amazing DJ’s that play the best music around."

"Bakers Mathew and Andrew met while working in Melbourne and decided to return to London to set up their own business. Chewy Cookie is all about quality, ethically sourced cookies. The doughs are aged for 24 hours before baking (and we can attest to how great they taste)."

"Not everyone has an appetite for oysters and shellfish, sometimes all you fancy is a decent fish and chip supper. Hook in Camden has its favourites - famous tacos, nibbles and specials - but it’s the “new school” plates that will definitely fill a gap. There’s the Classic (fresh cod or haddock in panko breadcrumb with homemade seaweed salted chips and homemade tartar sauce on the side); the Cajun Fresh (cod/haddock in panko breadcrumbs and cajun spices with homemade seaweed salted chips and homemade cajun sauce on the side); or the Lemon & Basil (fresh cod/haddock in lemon and basil tempura with homemade seaweed salted chips and homemade garlic truffle sauce on the side)."

"What: Hook doesn’t put on any airs and graces, but instead offers up solid seafood cookery in tried and tested classics, with the odd contemporary twist. The go-to choice here is the classic fish and chips, which gave Hook its name, but we suggest giving the Cajun-style version a go; it comes battered in panko breadcrumbs and Cajun spices and is accompanied by seaweed-salted chips.Where: 65 Parkway Road, NW1 7PP"