Best Lunch Restaurants in The Valley

"The finest days – weekend ones or otherwise – begin at The Wolseley. The Piccadilly restaurant is the stuff of London breakfast legend: impeccable service, quietly superb food and an elegant room with an atmosphere that is at once grand and intimate, particular but unfussy. Among a menu of classics to suit all mornings, signature serves include omelette Arnold Bennett with haddock and hollandaise, and a rich portion of fried haggis with duck eggs and whisky sauce."

"Gill's book Breakfast at The Wolseley as 'wherever, whenever breakfast comes, it is a mouthful of stoic optimism', you can be sure to leave this London institution with you bellies full and content. Filled with celebrities, from Madonna to Kate Moss, diners can expect to eat world-class cuisines at the famous hotel. But, for us, it's the pancakes that really have us salivating."

"You can’t help but feel that you’re a ‘someone’ from the moment you step inside. The menu is extensive and caters to all tastes; the devilled lambs kidneys, haggis and grilled kippers are big-hitters, but for those who aren’t big morning eaters there’s granola, fruit and bread to graze on. If AA Gill wrote a whole book about it, then it’s got to be good."

"This Fitzrovia cafe’s impact cannot be underestimated — even in the context of its second site on Eastcastle Street. Another Square Mile stalwart, the initially short-lived (but now happily revived) guest espresso program brought global roasters to the very centre of London, and in being weekends only to begin with, emphasised the rarity and uniqueness of the coffees served. Incredible consistency and a willingness to innovate: it is, refreshingly, as simple as that."

"Owner Peter Dore-Smith, originally from Melbourne used to manage hospitality at Lords Cricket Ground. A lover of coffee, he opened this Fitzrovia spot in 2009. The coffee from London roasters Square Mile is always great, but Kaffeine is in the hospitality business rather than the coffee business."

"Mildreds is a certifiable veggie institution, serving meat-free dinners in Soho since 1988. Over the years it has increasingly catered for vegans too, and now diners can safely assume everything on the menu is vegan unless marked otherwise. Favourite dishes include the Sri Lankan sweet potato curry, the beetroot and white bean Polish burger and shimeji mushroom gyoza dumplings."

"Mildreds is a bit of a classic, having served vegetarian meals in Soho since 1988. It now caters to vegans too, offering up flavors from Asia, South and Central America and the Middle East, alongside British classics and Mildreds’ famous burgers. I highly recommend the Sri Lankan sweet potato curry, and the shimeji mushroom gyoza dumplings are delicious, too."

"Best for: Classic and traditional veg-based fare since the 80’s. First opening in 1988, way before veganism was en vogue, the Soho branch of iconic Mildred’s restaurant fast became one of London’s most-loved veggie and vegan hotspots. They’ve had 32 years of perfecting the dishes on offer and you can tell."

"If you wanna do breakfast like a baller then swing by The Delaunay. These guys take pancakes to a whole new level with maple syrup and bacon, or blueberries, crème fraiche and pear compote. Plus in surroundings this suave it’s totally acceptable to drink champagne pre-10am."

"Restaurants Cafés King’s Cross. Caravan’s all-day menu is a whirlwind of worldwide flavours – the jamón croquetas with saffron mayo are irresistible to humans of all sizes, but just about everything will suit small but curious appetites. Staff are as loveable as characters from ‘Balamory’, and kids will adore the fountains on Granary Square."

"Sure, lemon and sugar are nice, but how about kimchi and spring onions?. Caravan are spicing things up with one of the best Pancake Day deliveries in London, offering a kit complete with the mix, cooked pork belly, Gochujang ketchup, sourdough bread, coffee and more."

"A little too ramshackle and homely to be properly trendy, this small café on Holloway Road is part of a rising number of new vegetarian and vegan venues focussed on good coffee. Cold brew in a glass tumbler clinking with ice cubes is a must on a hot day, particularly when paired with stunningly delicious, feather-soft, dairy-free banana and walnut cake. Main course dishes include a slender, cheesy quesadilla stuffed with thinly sliced roasted peppers and onions, topped with a poached egg, with freshly made guacamole and salsa on the side."

"Happy Endings’ selection of ice cream sandwiches and soft-serve ice cream have long been loved as a dessert option at many of the city’s best restaurants, but Londoners can go a step further and visit the Mile End arch. Click and collect or order for delivery via Slerp, with same-day local delivery within a 3 mile radius and London-wide delivery on Saturdays."

"If meal deal sandwiches are not for you, Happy Endings offer the perfect alternative. Yup you guessed it, we’re talking about ice cream sandwiches, like malted milk parfait in an oat biscuit and salted caramel & miso parfait between chocolate Guinness cake. You can order direct from Happy Endings or add them on as a pud when you next get a Yard Sale Pizza."

"We can easily say that Happy Endings is where dreams come true. Since opening up in 2014, TBF Baking Award Winner, Terri Mercieca and her team have been busy fueling Londoners with ice cream sandwiches, renowned for tempting you even when you’re full. Right now you can get their ice cream delivered to your doorstep, even better."

"Big Ben is featured in images and artwork of London throughout the world and therefore it’s easy to recognise, with most visitors to London knowing what it is the second they see the skyline. Opened in 1859, Big Ben is one of the older structures on the London skyline and it brings with it impressive architecture. However, many people assume that Big Ben refers to the clock tower but this isn’t the case, it actually refers to just the bell inside."

"The 150 year old Big Ben Clock Tower is one of the top tourist attractions in London. The name Big Ben actually refers not to the clock tower itself, but to the 13 ton bell housed within the tower and takes its name from the man who first ordered the bell, Sir Benjamin Hall. The present-day Big Ben bell was constructed in 1858 after a first bell of 16 tons cracked irreparably two years prior."

"Day 1: Arrive in London, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, the London EyeDay 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Whitehall, Covent GardenDay 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky GardenDay 4: National Gallery, Greenwich, Prime Meridian, Up at the O2Day 5: British Museum, Portobello Road Market, Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrod’s"

"Summer’s official starting-gun isn’t swallows or the clocks going forward — it’s the first cone of creamy fig gelato from Nardulli, eaten on Clapham Common before the grass gets obliterated by the South West Four stage. The decor at Lorenzo Nardulli’s parlour is definitely no frills, but the ornate tubs of traditional liquorice, Bacio and coffee have a grandeur all of their own. Also available are affogati, ornate ice-cream cakes and waffles."

"Alongside the endless sea of gingham blankets, craft IPA tinnies, and wayfarers, a common accessory you’ll see being wielded by most sun-worshippers in SW4 is a tub of Nardulli’s famed gelato. With flavours that range from fresh fior di latte to aromatic amaretto, Nardulli serves proper Italian gelato and sorbet. It's the kind of thick, creamy ice cream that makes Haagen Dazs taste like Halo Top."

"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours Clapham. On sunny Saturdays the queue for Nardulli stretches most of the way back to Clapham Common tube station. You won’t find any techy whizz-bangery here: just classic gelati (valrhona chocolate, liquorice, macadamia nut) made the old-fashioned way."

"Ham House is located in an idyllic spot on the River Thames in Ham (in South West London). The house was built in 1610 and is owned by the National Trust. The beautiful gardens have recently been restored to their former plan from the 1600s."

"It is home to Kirkaldy's giant testing machine that clocks in at more than 47 feet long, along with other smaller, modern pieces of equipment. The Kirkaldy Machine is kept in working condition at the museum. The museum is available to the public on the first Sunday of each month."

"Our imaginative menu consists of sweet and savoury crepes, American pancakes, freakshakes, milkshakes and unique hot drinks . We can also cater for a variet ..."