London Travel Guide: 10 Must Eat Restaurants + More

I hadn’t been to London in nearly 25 years! Even though I was really back to attend my sister’s wedding, I obviously had to dig into as much as I could to get a taste of not only it’s rich history, but the culinary scene that’s driving this city forward into the 21st century. I of course only scratched the surface, so definitely leave a comment telling me what I need to try next time I come back, but I did my best to get a little taste of it all.

Below is every single restaurant I went to, broken up by Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and drinks! Also included is a google map with every spot listed!

Everything is Mapped out here https://maps.app.goo.gl/jTk7Q97uYCM7ibHp8 

What to Eat

BREAKFAST

Beigel Bake- Everybody told me that I needed to get to the institution that is the 24/7 Beigel Bake, which has been serving London since 1974! They are most well known for their Salt Beef bagel, but that was just ok to me, I was much more into the smoked salmon situation! Nothing compares to NYC bagels, but this def satisfied, especially when three bagel sandwiches ended up being like $17. I went at 6am on a weekday and it was a breeze, but I was told it can get busy, especially on the weekends. 

Buns From Home- Started from a home kitchen during covid lockdown, Buns From Home now has locations all over London! They have all kind of buns, but I got the cardamon, and the savory spinach and feta. 

Dishoom- Everyone I spoke to told me I had to get to Dishoom! Since 2010, their fun and story driven menu of Bombay inspired comfort food has been one of London’s best! Another spot with multiple locations, and another spot you can go all day to, I went in for my first Indian breakfast! I got their house chai, Kejriwal which is two fried eggs over their chili cheese toast, and my favorite, the Bacon naan roll which i added an egg to, which is their freshly made to order naan wrapped around applewood smoked bacon, eggs, cream cheese, tomato chili jam, and coriander leaves.

Fallow- Fallow is one of London’s hottest restaurants, with a focus on nose to tail cooking, and minimizing waste! You can go for lunch and dinner too, but I had my eyes set on their Royale with Cheese breakfast sandwich! Made on a croissant, it has a sausage patty, cheese, bacon, that walnut ketchup, and a fried egg! And you def need the hashbrown too!

LUNCH

Ambassador’s Clubhouse- The biggest lesson I learned in London is that you need your fill of Indian food, and this was by far the best meal I had! Their sister restaurant Gymkhana might get more acclaim, but don’t sleep on Ambassador’s either! You walk in and are transported to the other side of the world, with a menu dedicated to the culture of Punjab drawing inspiration from both Indian and Pakistani culinary traditions. You can order a la carte, but if you go, you want to do the lunch fest meal tasting menu for 100 pounds. It’s definitely a feast, and the table has to do it together, but thats the proper way, and it allows you to try so much! I’m still thinking about the bbq butter chicken chop, and the ajwaini wild prawn with a hari green chutney! 

Borough Market- Borough market is a must stop in London, its the oldest and best food market, with its history dating back over 1000 years, but its current incarnation and building going back to the 1850s! Everyday its over 100 stalls are serving all kinds of incredible foods! It can def get crowded, I got there at 10am to try and avoid some of the chaos, and can def be overwhelming, but I found some incredible food!

The Black Pig has a menu of a few sandwiches, and “The Best One” was unbelievable!

The Ginger Pig let me try my first Sausage Roll, and holy shit, this massive sausage encrusted in a flakey pastry dough was life changing.

Kolae is a sitdown Michelin Bib Gourmand recommended Thai restaurant, just on a side street, and was a great place to take a break from the sun and get a few small bites.

And then Bread Ahead had these super viral, and better than I even expected creme brulee donuts stuffed with a vanilla custard!

The Mayfair Chippy- I learned that British people have alot of opinions on fish and chips, for the most part it seemed like everyone had their local hometown favorite, and most people told me I had to get out of London to really experience it, but the most recommended in the city limits had to be The Mayfair Chippy. They take the classic dish, and serve it with a more modern feel. 

You can pick between cod or haddock, and they suggested cod, and of course that comes on a bed of chips with tartar sauce, mushy peas, and curry sauce. I’m not a fish and chips expert, this hit the spot! Even if its a more pricey option compared to others.  With a beer, this ended up being about $50, but this was a ton of food! I would also recommend making a reservation, I went during peak time lunch, and waited about 20 mins for a table without one. 

DINNER

Bao- You can find Bao locations all over London, but I actually ended up ordering it in multiple times to my hotel! A menu full of reallyyyy good Taiwanese food! I got a pork bao, their fried chicken nuggets, and their braised pork lu rou fan rice bowl that just hit the spot! Next time I def  have to go in, to try even more!

DRINKS

Soho House- Locations all over the world for this members only space, but the original is right here in Soho. I had one night out on a Thursday, and was a little shocked by how early everything had closed down, but not Soho house, I was there til close at 2am, and it was packed on every floor! Definitely a good time!

TIPS AND TRICKS

Getting Around- I found London’s Underground subway system to be pretty easy to use and get around, even if it was very deep, and was very hot in the cars! Maybe it was just bc of where I was staying, but I found that walking was usually only like 10 mins longer than the tube would be, so I just walked as much as I could! No better way to get a sense of the city! And then of course it was easy enough to grab an uber when I really needed a car.