Mentioned by Hot Dinners
The best restaurants in London - the ultimate guide
"This West End institution takes its name from market trader Josef Sheekey, who, in the 1890s, was granted permission by Lord Salisbury to serve fish and seafood in St Martin’s Court provided he supply after-theatre meals to Salisbury’s guests. More than a century on, it remains an established favourite with the capital’s glitterati, who you can often spot slurping oysters or tucking into the famous fish pie post performance. In 2008 it expanded to include the J Sheekey Atlantic Bar next door for a slightly less formal experience, featuring a buzzing open kitchen and ample outdoor seating for relaxed al fresco dining."
"One of London's properly iconic restaurants, Sheeky's have been serving up seafood to Londoners for over 100 years. The setting, tucked in an unassuming passageway linking Charing Cross Road to St Martin's Lane, means it's always been popular with London's theatre folk, popping in here post-performance as well as other A-listers. Here's where you'll find local thespians enjoying the restaurant's classic fish pie and oyster platters."
"A jewel of the Covent Garden dining scene, this incredibly smart restaurant was opened by 1890s fishmonger Josef Sheekey on the permission of Lord Salisbury (who wanted somewhere to eat after the theatre)."
"The Michelin starred restaurant is the jewel of Moorgate’s South Place Hotel, thanks to the exquisite touch of Executive Chef, Gary Foulkes. Foulkes’ way with fish and seafood is one of the best you’ll find in the capital, from the Japanese take on turbot – it’s served with Japanese mushrooms, salsola and an unami-fuelled bonito dashi to the tongue tingling raw Orkney scallops served with blood orange, citrus yoghurt and Greek basil. The tasting menu is a must-try for any special occasions and did we mention the restaurant has a gorgeous sweeping terrace too?"
"Sitting atop the South Place Hotel, Angler makes apparent early on its elegantly versatile nature. With "sustainable seafood from British waters, paired with the best seasonal and local produce", as well as world-renowned sommelier Benoit Allauzen, Angler is a double-hitter, and might just be the wine-enthusiast's seafood paradise. Their tasting menu includes everything from smoked eel to minestrone, and they offer a Sunday BBQ which reinvents the form: mackerel-squid sliders, prawn and pork belly skewers, and Cornish cod goujons."
"No prizes for guessing the thrust of this restaurant atop the South Place Hotel in the city. Led by executive chef Gary Foukes,Angler is all about sustainable British seafood, as well as all manner of other robust British ingredients (look out for the rabbit and squid Bolognese)."
"Rub shoulders with the A-listers on Scott’s terrace – many a celeb has been papped dining al fresco at the Mayfair institution. The food lives up to the hype with a menu dedicated to the finest traditional fish and shellfish dishes alongside meat and seasonal game favourites, all paired with some seriously good cocktails – we’re big fans of the crisp Green Apple Bellini. Food-wise, the menu is decadent to say the least (come with deep pockets), from caviar to oysters, lobster to whole dover sole, but it’s without a doubt one of those places you have to tick off the list."
"There's nothing like a seafood platter to get romance flowing, and Scott's certainly delivers with its gargantuan plate of crustaceans – you can even add lobster for a little extra. Other delicacies at this fish-focused restaurant include skate wing, monkfish and halibut."
"Restaurants Seafood Mayfair"
"Not to be confused with the American aviation specialists, these guys are all about seafood, in fact they are the self-professed “seafood experts.”. We’re not disagreeing having popped into many of their London outposts (they boast five from Battersea to Borough) for a glass of bubbles and a plate of oysters on many occasions over the years. Check out their daily changing specials showcasing the best of British seafood straight off the boats at Brixham Market or order the Full House seafood platter for the perfect long lazy lunch."
"At its best, seafood relies on unpredictability, freshness trumping all, so calling this shoal of restaurants across London “dependable” might come across the wrong way. That said, a reliable supplier is a good one, and Wright Brothers — which gets much of its catch from its own wholesale operation — offers up daily specials alongside dishes served everyday. Whether fish soup and rouille, a pint of Atlantic prawns, or Cornish sardines on toast, it’s quality fish treated well."
"The second restaurant from the Pachamama group, Chelsea’s Chicama is a charming seafood restaurant named after a coastal town in Peru – not the word chic, although that does describe it well. Unlike its sister, Chicama is meat-free, focusing instead on seafood and fish served small plates style: ceviche, blackened octopus, spicy prawns and trout cooked in banana leaf all feature on the menu. But there are also plenty of delicious, flavoursome vegetarian options, like aubergine with plantain miso, grilled cauliflower and green bean salad."
"What: This seafood-led take on Peruvian cuisine comes from the people behind successful South American joint Pachamama. Primely located on the King’s Road, Chicama benefits from a gorgeous outdoor area at the back, which is the perfect place to enjoy the coastal flavours during the summer. Head here for barbecued, flame-grilled fish with fresh accompaniments like ají panca salsa, while beautiful ceviches, of course, make an appearance on the menu.Where: 383 King's Road, SW10 0LP"
"Peruvian bites and pretty pastel colours make Chelsea haunt Chicama a particularly pleasant brunch spot. Fish is the focus here, but expect more than the standard salmon and scrambled eggs. Breakfast-like dishes on the menu include sweetcorn pancakes with crab, ají amarillo hollandaise and pickled chilli, alongside a brioche bun filled with fish and red cabbage."
"Offering chic interiors that mix rustic features with contemporary styling, Horvada is one of the prettiest restaurants in London. Interiors aside, they've got some gorgeous plates of food to boot, and a selection of cocktails that were made for the gram."
"A relatively recent emphasis — in no small part because of a growing relationship between London restaurants and Cornish suppliers — is being placed on English waters. Westerns Laundry, by the same operators, Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim and David Gingell’s Western Laundry (the pair also oversees Primeur and Jolene), is one of London’s best seafood restaurants, in the past year featuring a covered terrace for outdoor eating alongside the main dining room, serving glorious plates like fideo pasta rich with cuttlefish, squid ink, and aioli; monkfish friggitelli and mojo verde; and John Dory, peas, braised gem lettuce, and pancetta. A stellar winelist, with low-intervention and classic options adds to the reasons to visit this outstanding, warmly lit and carefully designed Holloway restaurant."
"A relatively recent emphasis — in no small part because of a growing relationship between London restaurants and Cornish suppliers — is being placed on English waters. Westerns Laundry, by the same operators, Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim and David Gingell, of Primeur and Jolene, is one of London’s best seafood restaurants. The cuttlefish and ham croquette remains a standout dish; langoustine with bloody marie rose is as good as minimal shellfish service gets; the rum baba has nothing to do with seafood but is an essential order nonetheless."
"Restaurants Contemporary European Highbury"
"The St Albans branch of the fresh fish and seafood restaurant chain set in a smart, recently renovated location with outdoor seating."
"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."
"Give us diner nachos, served with spicy Jalapeño salsa and summery guacamole, and we're happy. Give us pulled pork, cooked for 16 hours with barbecue sauce and house slaw, and we're very happy. Give us Jamie's Insanity burger, and we're ecstatic."
"Whilst enjoying a comfortable stay in the Park Plaza Victoria London or if you just want to pop in for a bite to eat, you’ll experience true Venetian specialities at Tozi. Opt for one of the pizzettas made straight from the wood oven, or delve into the huge pasta and salad selection that will have your mouth watering."
"With the unique added ingredient of Bailey’s thrown in to a sumptuous mix of crunchy biscuit and oozing chocolate ganache, the TOZI Affogato certainly isn’t one to be missed – but then again none of their desserts are!"
"The on-trend seasonal menu at this trendy Aussie restaurant in Richmond is peppered with international influences, so diners can expect everything from soft boiled eggs with Vegemite soldiers and avo on toast at breakfast time to crispy wood-fired pizzas, burgers and salads come evening. Antipodea is a chain, but each location has its own winning features; Richmond’s is a cosy wood-burning fireplace that’s perfect for winter warming."
"Sibling of the ace Antipodea restaurant in Kew, this Richmond hangout promises breakfast, brunch and dinner with an Aussie twist. A roaring enclosed fire, potted plants and curios from down under tick all the brand trademarks, while the kitchen delivers some good stuff – don’t miss the steaks or the moist, chunky barramundi (Oz’s answer to sea bass). Tip: any leftover home-baked bread is given away gratis at the end of the evening."
"For something savoury then head to Aussie hotspot Antipodea in Richmond or Kew for its ‘Brew Brunch Bowl’ filled with quinoa, peas, beans, broccoli, feta, pomegranate and a zesty mint dressing."