Cheap Places to Eat in South Kensington

"Sushisamba is always a hit for Asian dining, with excellent food (think Japanese with a South American twist) and stellar views at its City site. Located at the famed Opera Terrace atop the historic Grade II-listed Market Building, this striking space is crowned by an Eric Parry-designed glass roof. Bold in design, the restaurant offers a host of inviting dining and drinking experiences: from the bar with its ‘living ceiling’, the exposed kitchen and high energy sushi bar, to the terrace overlooking The Piazza below, and the private dining room with its own entrance and terrace."

"Sushisamba London offers a mix of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine on the 38th and 39th floor of Heron Tower, one of our favourite restaurants in the City. The menu features items from a Robata grill, along with a variety of ceviches and tiraditos, sushi rolls and numerous sharing plates. Sushisamba London has two large outdoor terraces, one of which has a stunning copper-coloured tree as a focus point above the bar."

"The second venture following the City site, this West End restaurant offers a unique mix of Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. When it's not hosting a swanky celeb-filled party, head to Sushisamba for leafy decor and beautifully plated cooking."

"Restaurants Chinese Tottenham Court Road. Launched back in 2001, this Michelin-starred Cantonese trendsetter remains a benchmark against which all high-end Chinese restaurants should be judged. It’s one for the big spenders, who lap up dazzling signature dishes such as roasted silver cod with champagne and honey or jasmine tea-smoked organic pork ribs."

"Specializing in Cantonese cooking, Hakkasan Mayfair is sophisticated and popular. Spread over two dining floors, there are both intimate spaces to eat and livelier areas."

"Many claim that Yauatcha is the very best place in London for dim sum, and we would probably say the same. Try them once and you will never forget the taro croquettes or the venison puffs, so light they practically need to be weighted down. And drinking oolong tea here mid-afternoon, when Yauatcha morphs into a tea house, you can almost imagine yourself in rural China - it's that authentic."

"If you're looking for a Michelin-star Chinese takeaway in London, then Yauatcha is a guaranteed winner. The Chinatown restaurant is known for serving up some of the finest dim sum in the biz, with a tempting cocktail list to match. Add a touch of luxe to your next night in by selecting one of their gourmet set menus, available to order online."

"Dim sum fans, you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten at Michelin-starred Yauatcha. This isn’t like any dim sum restaurant you’ve experienced. A self-styled teahouse, interiors are sleek and contemporary, done out in wood and vibrant cobalt blue, and the all-day dim sum is, to put it simply, mind-blowing."

"Restaurants American Shoreditch. Just off Brick Lane, Smokestak’s ‘medieval nightclub’ (as we described it when it opened) sits at the foot of an unassuming block of flats, but, cue corny trumpet fanfare, has a massive terrace on both sides of its corner frontage, with a fancy new awning in suitably robust army-green canvas to protect meat-chompers from summer downpours. Cos Smokestak is all about meat – brisket, pastrami – in great smoky chunks or shoved, peasant-style – into buns with pungent sauces and sharp sides."

"Being outside Smokestak in Shoreditch is already a delightful experience as the smell of the burning wood and charcoals that fire the barbecues is simply irresistible. Couple that with their covered, heated when needed terrace area and there's no reason not to book in with another household immediately, especially if you're in the market for sensational wood-fired cooking."

"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."

"This restaurant sits in the sky, on the 33rd floor of the Shard. It’s also the best restaurant in the building. The Northern Chinese-focused menu offers the likes of Shandong shredded chicken with homemade butterfly buns; and whole crispy seabass."

"Struggling to find a decent casual dining spot in South London. Fear not, the team at Meat & Shake are here to help. The venue has made a name for itself by serving fine cuts of seasoned halal meat."

"For more than a decade, customers have been visiting Min Jiang for its spectacular view of Kensington Gardens and staying for its delicious Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine. Located on the 10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel on Kensington High Street, the restaurant’s chefs specialise in a medley of cooking styles and techniques that have been passed down through generations. If you order one thing, make it the Beijing duck, which is roasted for 45 minutes and presented in two servings: first the skin is crisped with granulated sugar and served with pancakes, and then the meat is served with your choice of noodles, rice, soup or lettuce wraps."

"Not only is Min Jiang an outstanding example of authentic Chinese food, it also offers the second-best view from an oriental eatery in the capital (Hutong at The Shard pips it, with its vantage point in space). From the tenth floor of the Royal Garden Hotel it overlooks the splendid Kensington Gardens, but it’s the legendary Beijing Duck that draws visitors. Roasted in a wood-fire oven and immaculately carved at the table by gloved waiters, it has to be ordered in advance."

"Find traditional Chinese cookery updated for the modern age at Kensington's Min Jiang. Although a great place for provincial Chinese dishes; many come simply for its wood-fired duck, which is served over two courses. Perched on the 10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel, this stylish restaurant boasts views of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens."

"Another member of the Tate group, Tate Britain is actually older than the larger and better-known Tate Modern, dating all the way back to 1897. While the Tate Modern holds international modern artwork, Tate Britain is now dedicated to historical and contemporary British art. Nearest tube station: Pimlico."

"From Pre-Raphaelite paintings to landscapes by Turner and Francis Bacon's distorted nudes, there's lots to look at in Tate Britain. The gallery is home to the largest collection of British art in the world. Eat at the gallery's restaurant and study the famous Rex Whistler mural between mouthfuls!"

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Make sure to book a time-slot for your visit on the museum’s website. Admission to the general exhibit is free."

"The National Gallery has Sunday storytelling sessions on the ‘magic carpet’ aimed at under-fives, stopping in front of a different painting each time. There are also other activities for older kids, especially in holidays, plus trails to follow (although paintings do tend to be moved around so tracking them down can be more challenging than expected). Stopping to colour and draw is positively encouraged."

"Additionally, the Amba just might be the best place to stay in London for walking as numerous attractions – including the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street, and Covent Garden – lie just steps away. Check rates:Booking.com | Hotels.com | Expedia Read reviews:on TripAdvisor"

"The crowning glory of Trafalgar Square, London's National Gallery is a vast space filled with western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Find works by masters such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir, Titian and Stubbs. Some exhibitions require tickets."

"Alternatives: There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum, Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum. London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day"

"Leading Victorian artist Frederic (Lord) Leighton lived and worked in this building on the edge of Holland Park, spending 30 years (and…"

"The David GIll Gallery exhibits work by internationally renowned artists working in design and art, many of whom cross over between disciplines. Artist works include: Zaha Hadid, Fredrikson Stallard, Jorge Pardo, Michele Oka Doner, Barnaby Barford, Yves Klein, Mattia Bonetti, David Chipperfield, Campana Brothers, José Yaque, Garouste & Bonetti, Lena Peters & Sebastian ErraZuriz."

"Even the most skint amongst us will always be able to enjoy the popular activity of walking around Tate Modern and asking: ‘...but is it art?. ’ The contemporary art haven is one of the most popular venues in the capital, and no one visit is ever the same. A rolling programme of intriguing commissions from some of world’s most exciting artists means there’s always a surprise around the corner, while the permanent collection offers the chance to see art by the big guys, including Picasso, Matisse and Rothko."

"Art-lovers can spend hours inside the Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery, while theater-goers will want to buy tickets for Shakespeare’s Globe or the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Walking through one of London’s numerous parks is also an option, and so is admiring the architecture of Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, or St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the evenings, have some fish and chips in a pub or enjoy London’s multicultural dining options. You will stay in the city until the morning of Day 3."

"If you’re into contemporary art then Tate Modern is the place to come and the Switch House galleries are well worth a look. Best shot: from the viewing terrace on the top floor of Switch House. The views of the River Thames and the Northbank are spectacular."