Mentioned by Time Out London
The best seafood restaurants in London
"If it’s enduring love you’re looking for, J Sheekey’s passion for prime seafood has burned for more than 100 years. The West End restaurant has hosted many a star of nearby stages over the last century, and images of some of those famous faces line the walls. The Champagne bar makes a glamorous spot for two to linger, accompanied by shellfish aplenty and J Sheekey’s famous selection of oysters."
"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)."
"Restaurants British Covent Garden"
"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."
"What: Stunning views come as standard at this Michelin starred seafood restaurant in the City, which is located the seventh floor of South Place Hotel. The precise cooking on show at Angler elevates beautiful ingredients to dizzying heights. Dishes on the regularly changing a la carte menu might include John Dory with bacon and sardines, and roast monkfish served with parsnip cream, while there’s also the option to go all-out and opt for the lengthy tasting menu.Where: South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF"
"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)."
"Scott’s started out as an oyster bar in 1851, but it has since evolved into one of Mayfair’s iconic restaurants, and a reliable ‘banker’ for date nights, meetings, or even solo visits at the bar for oysters and champagne. Dover sole rightly remains a Scott’s classic, served either simply grilled or with a silky meunière sauce, expertly filleted at the table by one of the slick front of house. It ain’t cheap, but a fine fish such as this deserves the royal treatment it gets here."
"What: Owned by the people behind The Ivy, Scott’s has earned its place as a London institution and rightly so. Come here for service that will make you feel like a VIP and, decadent seafood dishes, and Champagne by the magnum. Once you’ve made the decision to go to Scott’s it would seem wrong to order anything other than a whole lobster, or at minimum a whole fish on the bone to share.Where: 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 2HE"
"This Mayfair institution has long been famed for its glorious terrace, where the tables have always been suitably distanced and heaters keep you warm as you sup oysters and crack into the freshest seafood around. For the reopening, the team has collaborated with Perrier-Jouët Champagne, so guests can rest assured the finest cuvees will be on offer."
"The Wright Bros. chain is one of our favourites, as they serve seafood of consistently high quality. They also have an oyster happy hour period from 3pm-6pm every day when you can guzzle oysters for £1 each (farmed on their own Cornish Duchy oyster farm), which is the best way to spend an afternoon we can think of right now. We enjoyed a full fruit de mer platter at the Spitalfields branch and have never felt happier."
"The restaurant group also sells wholesale and has its own oyster farm in Cornwall. While the original Borough Market site is cosy and charming — though often packed — the newer South Kensington venue comes complete with the elegant downstairs Mermaid cocktail bar. Because the oysters are fairly good value, you’ll be able to consume more of their aphrodisiac goodness."
"The seafood experts of Spitalfields (shown in lead image) focus heavily on responsible sourcing. And, having their own wholesale branch, they are heavily involved in how they get their produce. Fresh and sustainable seafood is key, ensuring the menu is always changing, depending on what was caught that day."
"What: All three outposts of London’s Fishworks (Marylebone, Soho and Covent Garden) manage to seamlessly blend the maritime charm of the English coastline with the sophistication of central London’s dining scene. The biggest selling point at Fishworks is its onsite fishmongers which allow you to choose from the catches of the day. Dishes on the menu range from seafood and samphire linguini to a whole steamed lobster.Where: 89 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QW; 7-9 Swallow Street, W1B 4DE; 2-4 Catherine Street, WC2B 5JY"
"Fried haddock sandwiches are basically the fish finger butty glow-up we never knew we needed. As well as seafood, Orasay in Notting Hill are delivering fresh, sophisticated meals like pot roast duck leg with a soy, orange, and honey sauce and burrata with wild garlic and baby peas. Crucial information: there are batched cocktails for two you should probably order as well."
"Go hungry - and thirsty - for breakfast at the Hawksmoor, Guildhall (serving breakfast Monday-Friday 7-10am). The menu features 'Anti-fogmatics' which were coined by the Head Bartender at The Savoy in the 1920s as an 'anti-fogmatic, eye opener, bracer, corpse reviver or morning glory' to be drunk 'before 11am, or whenever steam and energy are needed'. Choose a Marmalade Cocktail or a Green Maria (not your average green juice, this has Mezcal and Green Tabasco in) to give your morning a kick."
"What: You know those chocolates that everyone enjoys at Christmas, which come in gold wrapping and have the fancy name?. Yeah, well this Hawksmoor dessert is definitely not inspired by those (especially if any lawyers are reading this). The ‘Ambassador’s Reception’ does feature similar ingredients though, pairing chocolate and hazelnut in a giant choc-tastic serving.Where: 10 Basinghall Street, EC2V 5BQ"
"You know what you’re getting with a Hawksmoor – top quality steak, expertly cooked over the grill. The result is rich, perfectly seasoned meat accompanied by tempting sides like creamed spinach or crisp, beef fat chips."
"18.2_Installation view of Lee Bul, Willing To Be Vulnerable – Metalized Balloon, 2015-2016 at Hayward Gallery_Lee Bul 2018_Photo by Linda Nylind. The Hayward Gallery is located in the Southbank Centre in central London and belongs to the group of arts venues on the South Bank of the River Thames. The building is another example of brutalist architecture."
"Hayward Gallery is a world-renowned contemporary art gallery and a landmark of Brutalist architecture. Since its inaugural exhibition in 1968, the gallery has presented the work of many of the world’s most influential and inventive artists."
"Referred to as ‘Richmond’s best kept secret’, this charming eighteenth century pub offers hearty modern pub food in a convivial setting with courtyard beer garden. Tucked away behind Richmond Green in Old Palace Lane."
"If you are wondering where to shop in London, then Westfield Stratford City is the place to be!. This shopping centre opened its doors in September 2011, and it is considered to be one of the largest in Europe. The centre includes approximately 400 stores and 70 restaurants the most notable being Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and John Lewis."
"Source: Photo by Flickr user Roel Hemkes used under CC BY 2.0. Another Westfield chain, Westfield Stratford City Shopping Center offers a wide variety of shops, as well as dining and entertainment. With 83 restaurants, including those serving halal and vegetarian dishes, everyone will find something on the menu."
"One of the newer additions to London’s shopping scene is Westfield Stratford City. This shopping centre opened in September 2011 and it’s considered to be one of the largest in Europe. It bears a retail floor area of 175,000 m2!"