Mentioned by Time Out London
The 100 London restaurants you have to eat at
"Highbury Corner restaurant Trullo is a real gem, displaying with prominence the from-the-heart style of cooking that Italy is known for. In fact, you'll probably see the chef (glass of wine in hand) carefully dishing up plates of food at the open kitchen as you tuck into specialities including meat and fish from the charcoal grill and gutsy freshly-made pastas. Expect to pay around £10 for starters and £20 for mains."
"Papparadelle with beef shin ragu; Trullo, 300 - 302 St Paul's Road, London N1 2LH, tel 020 7226 2733; www.trullorestaurant.com. Padella is truly one of London’s greatest gems, but it’s also hard to grab a seat at the best of times. If you want the same exceptional pasta, but with the ability to book a table in advance, sibling restaurant Trullo is for you."
"Restaurants Italian Highbury"
"Restaurants Italian Seven Dials. Loud, informal, bustling and tailor-made for kids in town for a treat, Homeslice serves up ginormous 20-inch pizzas for sharing at the table – although they provide individual slices too (ideal for picky youngsters who don’t want to play ball) – and they’ll even let you have more than one choice from the toppings selection if you ask nicely. Branches in Fitzrovia, Shoreditch, City and White City."
"If it’s pizza that the kids are craving then give Homeslice a try, rather than the big chains. There’s no special menu, but given that the enormous 20 inch pizzas arrive whole at the table for sharing, that’s not really a problem. Certain pizzas can be bought by the slice, too, which is perfect for those who aren't so fond of communal eating."
"Zizzi offers up an expansive menu of authentic Italian dishes, each with an innovative twist. Whether you’re in the mood for pasta, pizza, tasty starters or their decadent desserts, Zizzi has something for every palate. Even better, they cater to every dietary need and allergy so that everyone can enjoy a delicious meal together in the great outdoors."
"Pizzas, pasta, starters and more, you can get your vegan Italian food fix from Zizzi. Indulge on delicious pasta, including Lentil Ragu or Spaghetti Pomodoro. If you fancy some pizza, we recommend their Rustica Jackfruit Italian hot, with jackfruit pepperoni and stacks of chillies and spicy harissa."
"Restaurants Italian Covent Garden. You might think you’d stumbled into a London Fashion Week party, what with all the svelte glamour pusses, David Gandy lookalikes and sundry hangers-on mingling in this capacious marble-hued outpost of the San Carlo group. If you’ve come here to eat rather than pose, the food is excellent Italian fare at comfortable prices – from chichi cicchetti and al dente pasta to grills and enticing specials."
"Restaurants Italian Covent Garden. Ideally placed for a pre-matinée Italian in theatreland, this marble-hued outpost of the San Carlo group provides highchairs for little ones during the day, and is happy to serve cicchetti plates, pastas and pizzas to mini gourmets. At night, the place morphs into a fancy-pants cocktail haunt and late lounge populated by beautiful people – you’ve been warned."
"Franco Manca, the sourdough pizza place, opened in Brixton Market way before it was cool to do so; and it now has more than 25 branches across London. It's still one of the best pizzas in town, with an enviable chewy base and toppings that benefit from high-quality ingredients. The main attraction is backed up by selections of Italian cheeses, cured meats and gutsy salads."
"Perfect for those on budget, Franco Manca offers some of London’s finest pizzas at discount prices at some of the most vibrant venues across London. With a selection of just six stonebaked pizzas, the chefs at Franco Manca know exactly what they like, and more importantly, they know what their customers like."
"Wood-fired sourdough pizzas with serious artisan credentials guarantee queues at this cult-status mini chain. Prices are rock bottom, the pizzas are served up super-quickly, and kids can watch the pizzaiolo doing ‘messy play’ in the open kitchen. Arguably the best of its kind in town."
"City Social (Opens September) Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred restaurant boasts a perfectly framed view of the Gherkin. Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1HQ, citysociallondon.com. Tate Modern Kitchen and BarNot the gallery’s flagship restaurant, but this casual spot has an enviable view across the Thames to St Paul’s."
"This dog-friendly east London café is certainly one to add to your London vegan food roster. Not only is there a full vegan English breakfast, complete with crispy hash browns, roasted plum tomatoes and grilled sourdough dripping in creamy vegan butter, they also serve seriously generous portions, leaving even the hungriest of customers full. There’s far more than fry ups on offer, though: the spicy coconut ramen is a delightful winter warmer, served with silky tofu, shiitake mushrooms and thick udon noodles deliciously slurped up when drizzled in hot chilli oil."
"If you’re a big fan of croissants, then the Pasty Parlour is a must for your Little Black Book. One of London’s best bakeries, everything is baked fresh on-site daily and their pastries are said to rival the originals from across the channel. 8 Piazza Walk, London E1 8FU; thepastryparlour.co.uk"
"The Farmer’s Boy is a family run tastefully refurbished bay-windowed pub with a passion for Live Music. We have an extensive range of Craft Beers, both on tap and in cans, with probably the best selection of cans in town."
"Alight at Angel tube station and follow the faint scent of hops towards this hidden gem of a brewery pub. Offering up a relaxed atmosphere and a delicious spread of fresh food, the Brewhouse is probably best known for its extensive array of beer. Settle in, grab a bite to eat and plot a way through an international menu that won't fail to impress."
"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."
"Restaurants Contemporary Asian London Bridge. Like the original Hutong in Hong Kong, this London offshoot is a glitzy, high-end Chinese with magnificent views. It has the same northern Chinese menu, the same plate glass surrounds and the same ersatz Old Beijing decor."
"The chairs are so uncomfortable they may as well have been designed by the Marquis de Sade, and after sunset the lighting is iris-testingly low. Yet we keep coming back."
"When we arrived at Nobu Portman Square – referred to as ‘Marylebone’s sexiest hotel’ in our First In review in December 2020 – the atmosphere was rather electric. It's the latest outpost in the cosmopolitan restaurant and hotel empire founded in New York by Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro and film producer and businessman Meir Teper. A crowd of well-dressed and well-groomed people were mingling outside (or was that actually a relaxed, very un-British way of queuing?) and fast, beautiful cars were pulling up and revving their engines nearby, just to show they were part of the party."
"Bringing back long, lazy al fresco lunches with not so much of a bang as a Roku-infused blast is Nobu’s new blossom-decked gin terrace. The only place to be seen sipping a Shun Negroni cocktail this summer, its Portman Square outpost has joined forces with Roku for a colourful outdoor makeover, complete with cosy, covered tables buzzing fashionable diners, and a soundtrack provided by the resident DJ. Head chef Go Namerikawa’s tasting menu is a culinary tour de force, think: lobster tacos, sashimi and black cod miso."
"A post shared by Nobu Hotel London Portman Sq (@nobulondonportman). In all seriousness, who wouldn't want to nurse a ROKU gin cocktail while eating Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Jalapeño at Nobu's latest London outpost?"
"London’s poshest kebab shop, Sesame comes from the genius Ottolenghi group of deli’s and restaurants dotted around the city. Showing just how good Mediterranean street food can be, there’s no fatty meat rotating on spits here, just gorgeous chunks of spiced lamb and paprika and cardamon chicken, stuffed into fresh, fluffy pittas with hummus and zhoug – a Yemenite green chilli sauce. If kebabs aren’t your thing, the salads give as good as they get too, with swirls of courgette mixed with bulgar wheat, lemon peel and feta, and beetroot decorated with honey, orange and labneh (a strained yogurt)."
"P. F. Chang's blends Asian and American influences to create one unparalleled dining experience. Found in Leicester Square, the bustling restaurant serves plates such as lo mein noodles with chicken, crispy prawns and Mongolian beef with an extensive list of cocktails."
"P.F. Chang's Asian Table is a stunning spot in Leicester Square, cooking up a lip-smacking array of Pan-Asian dishes. On the menu, you'll find red chilli buttery shrimp, sesame chicken and spring rolls to keep you happy throughout lockdown."