Restaurants

Given how much I love food, my London restaurant knowledge simply isn’t what it should be (something I welcome every opportunity to try and improve upon!), but I’ll pass on a few recommendations below. These are assembled from our own experiences and on guidance from colleagues and friends I trust. I’ve also included some fast options, a number of which are chains. I have an almost moral opposition to chain restaurants, but sometimes – especially when traveling with kids – you just need to sit down and eat already. Also, most of these places aren’t worth going out of your way to find (noted when they are). This is more of a “if you happen to be in the area” type of guide.

Although Ed has created a separate section on pubs, I’ve also included some here for convenience. As to be expected, his list is far more exhaustive than what I have here.

Let’s get the chains out of the way first. These can be really handy when you’re in a hurry or just don’t know where else to go. And to be fair, the food is often very good.

This is a super cool cocktail bar in a basement…sort of Prohibition era feel. They serve amazing drinks that are also amazingly expensive, although that felt less and less important as we worked our way through the list. You need a reservation here too!

This is actually a hotel that my cooler, hipper, and younger colleagues tell me has an amazing bar where glamorous (and sometimes famous) people hang out. I don’t know that I’d pass the “cool” test, but it sounds fun. It’s not far from the spots above, so you could easily make a night of it. Collectively worth a special trip.

A nice “gastro-pub” (e.g., pub with good food) on a cute little street.

Ed likes this place – more authentic, he says, and good beer. Kids are only allowed if you’re ordering a full meal. We tried to watch a World Cup match here once and got the boot. Despite what I thought was a rather convincing argument on my part, crisps apparently do not qualify as a “full meal.”

This is an upscale grocery store at the end of Duke of York Square that has a restaurant in the front and some tables in the back inside the store. Inside, you can order some prepared foods and sit down to eat. Outside, you will be waited on.

This was our “local” pub when we lived in London during the summer of 2018. A bit more modern than your average English pub but still charming, good beer, decent food. Walk down King’s Road and take a left on Palace Street. It’s about a quarter mile down on your left.

This is farther along Kings Road (and a good turning around point for shopping). The Ivy is a London chain. This particular restaurant has a massive and very lovely garden at the back. If the weather is nice, it’s a great choice. It also just feels very nice and a bit “posh”.

On the right-hand side of Kings Road if walking away from the Sloane Square tube station. This is a tapas restaurant with excellent food.

A more upscale restaurant with really good food. It’s a few blocks off Kings Road on Cale Street. I once paid 10 pounds for a cantaloupe at a green grocers across the street from this place because I failed to ask the price first and was too embarrassed to put it back. That’s 15 dollars for a cantaloupe ladies and gentleman…and that’s Chelsea. So lovely and so expensive. It was an excellent cantaloupe I have to say.

Another nice pub a few blocks off Kings Road on Britten Street.

The Wolseley is next door to the Ritz on Regent Street and has a glamorous, luxurious feel. Prices match of course, but it’s a great place for a special night out – a destination-worthy place.

A lovely pub down a mews. A great spot for a Sunday lunch.

This is a business district so you’re less likely to be staying here as a tourist, but I thought I’d include them regardless. Only one is really worth making a specific trip (noted below). Should you find yourself in London for work or just in the area, however, this list will give you a few options.

This is an amazing sushi restaurant located on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Building. I’m told the view are spectacular, although my visit ended up being on a cloudy, rainy evening. They have incredible cocktails, and the food was out of this world (so was the bill). It’s a cool experience and definitely worth a visit. Reservations are mandatory…they won’t even let you near the elevator without one.

High-end Chinese. Amazing dumplings. Great dinner here. There’s another location in Soho. The restaurant is in…

This is a restaurant and bar at the top of the Montcalm Royal London House. Recommended for a drink….lovely views. I’ve only eaten breakfast at this restaurant while staying at the hotel, so I’m not sure about the food for lunch or dinner.

Mediterranean restaurant referenced above. It’s a chain, but good food and an easy place to eat.

This is a pub that has “lanes” for playing darts. It’s a really fun atmosphere. They serve typical bar food, so it’s recommended more for a drink/hanging out. You need a reservation to play darts!

Richmond is a bit outside of London but easily accessible by train or the Underground’s District Line. See more about visiting there in the activities section – a great Sunday afternoon outing.

This is a lovely pub not far off the green in Richmond. I’ve been twice and due to last-minute timing was unable to get a booking either time. In both instances, the time we had to wait was far less than what they estimated, although we did have to stay on-premises to be put on the list. On my last visit, Alex Kingston of ER fame came in with a friend and her dogs. She didn’t have a booking either and also had to wait.

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• n_haines@bellsouth.net