Restaurants in London

One of London's longest-standing Michelin fine dining restaurants, Pied à terre is known for the subtly refined flavours delivered by a team of talented chefs using only the freshest produce. The setting is intimate yet unpretentious, and the service is top-class.

If you are looking for perfection, visit this three Michelin-starred restaurant that bears the name of an international chef. The menu is considered modern French, showcasing artful dishes best paired with the choicest of wines. Book well in advance.

The Ivy's reputation precedes itself, being well publicised as the favoured haunt of celebrities and socialites. Its prime West End location also lends it to the pre- and post-theatre crowds who come to feast on its modern British dishes in their droves – if they can get a seat. Safe to say, booking is essential.

London's oldest North Indian restaurant, Punjab is the go-to place for a flavourful lunch or dinner. The Chicken Tikka Masala is a must-try for many first-timers, and if you are looking to capture the essence of India's Maharajas, choose any one of the Punjab Specialities from the menu.

The Clink is a charity-run restaurant located within a Category-C prison in Brixton. The restaurant aims to help prisoners get back into society by allowing them to work towards gaining the necessary qualifications. Expect traditional British meals served beautifully and at reasonable prices. Must book at least 72 hours before arrival.

A firm favourite of vegetarians and vegans, Vanilla Black serves creative meatless fine dining. Their motto: no dish would rely on pasta, meat substitutes or heavy spicing. As a result, you can expect high-quality vegetarian and vegan dishes that pack a punch.

A contemporary dim sum restaurant, Yauatcha serves up elegantly simple and delicious fare, exemplified in dishes like 'Spicy soft shell crab with almond' in two locations across London, one in SoHo, another on near Liverpool Street Station.

Londoners have been enjoying pie and mash since the 1700s and back then, the pies were filled with eels from the Thames. Today, eels have been replaced by minced beef, chicken, lamb, cheese or just vegetables, but pies continue to deliver cheap and flavourful meals to the masses. At Goddards at Greenwich, the family has been making pies since 1890 and they still serve handmade pies every day.

With many branches throughout London, Patty & Bun serves delicious burgers at affordable prices. Tucked between pillowy buns can be a juicy beef patty, buttermilk chicken, lamb, mushroom, tempeh or even a plant-based patty.

For many international visitors, no trip to London is complete without trying fish & chips. Poppies at Spitalfields is a traditional fish & chips shop decked out in 1950s memorabilia. Fresh fish and light batter is the winning combination here.