Best Diners in Big Ben

"Restaurants Portobello Road. Easily outclassing its previous incarnations, this sidekick of Notting Hill’s Electric Cinema is done out like a grungy New York diner – all bare brick, concrete and red leather banquettes. A blaring soundtrack adds to the vibe, while the supersized menu is stuffed with Stateside classics – Philly chilli cheese dogs, hot Reuben sandwiches, wedge salads and unmissable ‘fries au cheval’ (inspired by Chicago’s Au Cheval diner)."

"This diner is more upmarket than your average 1950s throwback; exposed brick, dramatic lighting and red leather banquets take the place of memorabilia. The French-American menu at Electric Diner is served from 8am until midnight, with eggs dominating the breakfast menu, while dinner encompasses both pure Americana, with plates such as the philly chilli cheese dog, and classic French brasserie fare, such as steak frites with bearnaise."

"If you're after counter-side seating, red leather booths and plates of pie good enough to take home to grandma, Electric Diner will meet your need for an American eatery big-time. It gets packed out at brunch time, but it's the evening when things really get a USA kick. Try the Philly chilli cheese dog or the cheeseburger and follow with the NY cheese cake, or if you're just getting started, an apple old fashioned."

"Meantime was born & bred in a Greenwich flat over twenty years ago and they’re still crafting beer from alongside the River Thames but in a much swankier tap room. Their first brew, the Union Lager, hit the taps back in 2000 and us Londoners still can’t get enough of it. Since then they’ve introduced us to the likes of tropical IPAs; lively ales that fuse British and German malts; a modern lager straight from London’s back garden; and not forgetting the cheeky Chocolate Porter too, but you’ll always find us raising a bottle of the signature London Pale Ale."

"It is known as the location of the prime meridian and gave its name to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and sits first on the meridian line. The observatory is now maintained as a museum and visitors can learn about the history and discoveries at the observatory, stand on the famous Meridian line, visit Flamsteed House, see a camera obscura, and see the great equatorial telescope. Admission includes an audioguide to make the most of your self-guided visit."

"One of the pioneers of London's craft beer scene, the Meantime Brewing Company was set up in 2000 and the brewery's core beers, including London Lager and London Pale Ale are stocked in hundreds of pubs across the capital. The brewery tours at their sizable site in Greenwich start or finish with a tutored tasting and there's a shop and a bar on site."

"If you’re craving classic American diner favourites, like fantastic burgers, milkshakes, hot dogs, and US breakfasts, head to Big Moe’s Diners. Kids can choose from vegan nuggets, a Texan burger, or chicken strips, all served with hand-cut chips. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Big Moe’s massive selection of shakes and soda floats – you’ll feel like you’re on holiday in the Big Apple."

"People ask us the secret to why our food taste so great, but it’s really no secret at all. In fact, we proudly boast about it."

"This friendly all-day Dalston café bills itself as a modern greasy spoon and has perfected the art of curing hangovers – thanks to its devotion to hash browns and all things porky. Its quirky brunch dishes (available Tuesday to Sunday) strike the perfect balance between wholesomeness and the restorative powers of fried bacon – although they also sneak in a surprising amount of veg, from kale to homemade beans. The ‘Posh Pig’ muffin is particularly good, and the vegetarian options are genuinely decent, too."

"Restaurants Global Moorgate. It’s American dude food with attitude at this deliberately scruffy City hangout, which comes courtesy of London’s BBQ king Neil Rankin (Pitt Cue, Temper etc). Neon signage flashes and a punk soundtrack plays as punters sit at diner-style booths and hoover up dishes from a deliciously meaty, US-style menu – think pulled pork and kimchi hash, pancakes topped with fried chicken… and lots of good eggs."

"Feast on pancakes topped with fried chicken, banana and maple syrup. City Point, 1 Ropemaker Street, City, London, EC2Y 9AW. Tube: Moorgate Station"

"Restaurants Global Moorgate"

"Another Brixton Village restaurant, Kamome is also offering a delivery via Deliveroo and Just Eat. Kamome’s Japanese menu includes plenty of sushi and noodles, plus donburi, and katsu curry. Further information can be found on the restaurant’s website."

"39 James St, Marylebone, London W1U 1DL Why should you care?. Curry and rice are primarily the order of the day at the latest London outpost of this huge Japanese curry chain."

"Cuisine: SteakhouseHalal Options: Separate Halal menu with various Halal meatsAddress: Ariel Way, White City, London W12 7GAWebsite: https://www.themeatco.com/westfield-londonNearest Tube Stop: Shepherds Bush"

"You may have heard of British vegan activist Earthling Ed, whose calm and collected approach to educating people on the realities of animal agriculture has helped to spread awareness to hundreds of thousands of people. Unity Diner is his restaurant, and in true Earthling Ed fashion, all profits at Unity Diner are put towards animal rights campaign work. Unity Diner is a great place to be, with beautiful decor in the form of greenery and fairy lights to set the scene."

"Nestled in East London's Spitalfields, Unity Diner has expanded to a much larger space shortly after opening, making this wholesome restaurant one of the biggest completely vegan diner and cocktail bars in the city. Founded by a couple friends, including vegan advocate Earthling Ed, this not-for-profit eatery is a safe haven for everyone, with options so good it's hard to tell the difference from traditional fish and meat dishes."

"Earthling Ed’s non-profit restaurant Unity Diner deserves a spot on this list for the three epic burgers that don’t just taste great but help animals too. You can choose from the classic Moving Mountains Burger featuring ‘beef’ patties, cheese, bacon, and all the trimmings. There’s also the VFC Burger – a vegan take on the Southern-fried chicken patty with cheese, bacon, and a hash brown."

": A cross between a Sunday roast and modern Indian cuisine, with live cooking stations offering traditional Indian favourites. Choose from a huge selection of starters, mains, sides and dessert – all of which are included in the set price."

"Occupying disused bare-brick railway arches in Waterloo underground station, The Vaults is a striking space for alternative arts and immersive theatre. As well as jazz sets, indie plays, and alien-themed musicals, you can discover a continual rotation of art in its tunnels. This unique contemporary art gallery is said to feature artists who ‘have a natural affinity for the unusual, the daring, and the unknown’, and that is easy to see."

"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."

"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."

"While SUSHISAMBA in the City is notorious enough, it's the Covent Garden site that has caught our eye. Not only the place to catch sky high views and serious amounts of sushi, this pretty London restaurant is a sight to behold from the bold prints on the walls and the hanging plants overhead to the fusion cuisine, worthy of any Instagram post."

"We had a memorably good delivery from this Bethnal Green restaurant at the beginning of lockdown. They do seasonal special sushi platters and their wagyu and foie maki rolls are amazing. Read our Test Drive."

"There's something elegant almost Edwardian to its atmosphere, and you wouldn't be surprised to find London A-listers drifting through its doors. It's sleek and welcoming, and its sushi menu is near impossible to rival. Roka's Premium Tasting Menu will get you delicate treasures like yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing, and robust meat courses like smoked duck breast with barley miso and kumquats."

"Nestled in the Fitzrovia area of London, Japanese restaurant, Roka, offers exemplary contemporary robatayaki cuisine. At the restaurant’s centre stands the robata grill, where the freshest fish, poultry, meat and vegetables are combined and crafted into delicious dishes. Enjoy Roka classic, the delectable gindara to gazi no gyoza dish: black cod, crab and crayfish dumplings prepared to perfection."

"Restaurants Japanese Fitzrovia"