London For Foodies: The Ultimate Guide

London is a dynamic and culturally rich city, brimming with that unique British vibe, that you just can't seem to get anywhere else. One thing that makes it well worth the visit (despite the stereotypes) is actually the food!

Once you've visited some of the restaurants, attractions, and even hotels on this list, you'll be a firm advocate against those stereotypes that say British food is bad, thanks to the outstanding options on offer here for even the most selective of foodies!

Best Hotels in London for Foodies

If you're looking for the best hotels in London you'll be glad to find an incredibly diverse range of accommodation visitors can enjoy, many of which are also home to some of the city's best restaurants. No matter whether you're looking for an elegant, upscale, Edwardian hotel that's a favorite for members of the Royal Family, or somewhere a bit more modern, there's plenty of choice.

The Goring Hotel, Westminster, London

Situated only half a mile from the breathtaking Buckingham Palace, The Goring Hotel is less than a 5-minute walk from Victoria Station giving easy access to public transportation. There are other great landmarks and attractions nearby, including the Tate Britain and the Houses of Parliament, as well as boutique shops in Sloane Square.

This elegant, upscale, family-owned, Edwardian hotel boasts free Wi-Fi for guests to use throughout, as well as free access to the fitness club.

The Dining Room restaurant is a firm favourite of the Royal family, boasting a light and airy atmosphere, with Swarovski chandeliers and bow-tied waiters. Guests can enjoy fine dining and gourmet cuisine at this establishment, with a menu focused on British classics, including the Goring Eggs Drumkilbo (with native lobster, caviar and roasted tomato) and the Goring Lobster Omelette. There's also an excellent range of wines to sample, and a beautiful terrace for guests to enjoy, which overlooks the private gardens.

The elegant, spacious rooms at this 5-star hotel overlook the sprawling grounds and boast gorgeous luxury decor. Each has its own sitting area and a TV with movies on-demand, and many of the rooms also come with their own private terrace.

Nobu Hotel, Shoreditch, London

Nobu's first-ever London hotel is housed in this iconic glass and concrete building in the bustling urban area of Shoreditch. It sits just a short 5-minute walk from Old Street station, making it easy to get around the city.

Free WiFi is available throughout this property and there is even a private, on-site spa where you can enjoy invigorating and rejuvenating services and packages.

This outstanding Nobu Hotel is also home to the second Nobu restaurant location to open in London. With a menu created by the amazing chef, Nobu Matsuhisa himself, the establishment boasts a classic counter, and a bar (fully stocked with an array of exciting Japanese spirits). Be sure to sample some of this restaurant's most famous classic dishes, such as the black miso cod, Japanese Wagyu Beef, crispy shrimp tempura, or even the innovative Japanese beef tacos. We recommend sharing the dishes with the whole table over a cocktail or two.

Each room at this hotel boasts gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows, a 55-inch flat-screen TV with Bluetooth, a traditional Japanese tea set, and a mini-bar. Some of the rooms include a seating area and have beautiful views of either the garden or the city.

11 Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, London

11 Cadogan Gardens is a truly stunning establishment, boasting 56 bedrooms and suites spread across four Victorian townhouses. It sits in a truly beautiful neighborhood and is located less than a 5-minute walk from Sloane Square Subway Station.

Despite this hotel's small size, it's home to a fitness center, stylish cocktail and wine bar, and the outstanding Hans' Bar & Grill.

Hans' Bar & Grill is truly a neighborhood favorite and boasts an innovative and creative menu, featuring fresh ingredients and locally sourced produce. Some of the menu highlights we'd recommend include the crispy cauliflower wings, the fennel and orange salad, the 28-day ribeye (complete with a choice of sides), and, of course, the fish and chips. Be sure to save room for dessert too, as the chocolate mousse with sweet poached pear and cinnamon is other-worldly.

The guest rooms are small but are exceptionally elegant in design. Each includes complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, and a safety deposit box, with the suites boasting in-room sitting areas and desks.

The Hari, Belgravia, London

If you're looking for the perfect place to stay in London, then The Hari may be the hotel of choice for you. Just a 10-minute walk from Harrods, a 25-minute walk from the museum district of South Kensington, and only a mile from both Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall, The Hari is in one of the most affluent areas of England's capital city. Victoria Underground Station provides direct access to central London in just 4 minutes and is situated only a 15-minute walk away from the hotel.

This chic hotel features an on-site fitness center, beauty salon, free Wi-Fi, and a gorgeous bar with an outdoor terrace.

The Hari is home to the lively, 80-seater, Italian restaurant, Il Pampero, which showcases traditional homemade Italian cooking in a contemporary setting, complete with gorgeous leather booths and geometric tiling. It features a gorgeous central bar area and allows for both table and counter dining. Taste some of Italy's most classic flavors, including Cacio E Pepe, roast octopus, spicy salami, and a selection of homemade pizzas.

Rooms at The Hari boast LCD flat-screen TVs, with an on-demand library of movies, a selection of gorgeous artworks, iPad/iPod docking stations, and even free copies of the daily newspaper.

The Hoxton, South Bank, London

The Hoxton Southwark is located by the famous Blackfriars Bridge in London, just south of the River Thames. It is within walking distance of some of the city's main attractions, including popular spots such as London Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Savoy Theater.

This gorgeous, upscale hotel boasts stunning modern decor throughout, free Wi-Fi for guests to use, and a range of dining options including room service and the lobby.

The real star attraction at this spot is Seabird, the hotel's rooftop restaurant, situated on the 14th floor. It boasts some of the best views of the city, and it can be difficult to get a table during the warm summer months thanks to the many Londoners who visit to sip on cocktails and beer in the sunshine. That said this Instagrammable spot isn't one to miss if you choose to stay here, thanks to its refreshingly simple seafood bar and mouth-watering deserts.

Not only is the rooftop restaurant truly a sight to behold, but once you step inside your gorgeous guest room, you'll be amazed by the relaxing, yet luxurious modern design. With a combination of traditional features and cutting-edge industrial accents, you'll feel at home right away. The rooms also come with free tea, coffee, water, and milk, an hour of free international calls, a mini fridge, and free Wi-Fi access.

Best Restaurants in London

If you're looking for an extensive and fun-filled dining scene, London is without a doubt the place to be! With a selection of innovative flavors from a variety of different cuisines, there's a culinary experience here to suit everyone.

Whether you're looking to spend the evening dining at an upscale restaurant New York inspired Italian restaurant for a special occasion, or simply hoping to grab to sample something unique at one of the many creative establishments, the choice is yours!

Cinnamon Bazaar, Covent Garden, London

Cinnamon Bazaar is a stylish restaurant located in the popular upscale area of Covent Garden, popularized for its eclectic nature and Indian fine dining.

The menu takes visitors on a journey across South Asia, following ancient trade routes that run from the Middle East and Afghanistan, down to the center of India, and this makes for a truly unique experience for those looking to discover tantalizing new dishes and fragrant flavors.

Menu highlights include the Kolkata crab bonda, Iranian chicken haleem on masala sourdough toast, fragrant shrimp fried rice, slow-cooked pork belly, and ox cheek vindaloo. Be sure to skip the wine list here and sample some of the delicious cocktails instead, though if we could recommend just one, it would be the Bazaar Old Fashioned,  a combination of smoky scotch, coconut sugar, and burnt cinnamon!

Petersham Nurseries, Covent Garden, London

Petersham Nurseries is one of London's most well-loved restaurants, so much so there are many locations to choose from, including one in the beautiful area of Covent Garden.

Decorated with wrought-iron tables and chairs, huge vintage chandeliers, and of course, beautiful flowers, Petersham Nurseries is a florist's dream dining experience.

The menu is as colorful as it is delicious, featuring intriguing dishes such as technicolor heritage radishes dipped in spicy crab; buffalo mozzarella with shelled broad beans; ricotta, nettle, and marjoram ravioli in a creamy sauce; and saffron gnocchi with Cornish mussels and spring flowers.

It sits just next door to La Goccia, a restaurant/bar that continues the horticultural theme with its delicious cocktails. Sample the garden gin and tonic, with a fresh pea flavor and a basil tonic, to round out your evening perfectly!

Café Cecilia, Hackney, London

Situated by the side of Regent's Canal in Hackney, Cafe Cecilia is a deceivingly simple establishment. 

The bright, white walls, blackboard menu, and intriguing open kitchen don't have a huge amount of flair, as the focus at this restaurant is meant to be on the food and the food alone.

From a melt-in-the-mouth jammy terrine to a crisp fennel salad, there's plenty on this menu to truly indulge in, and that's just the starters! Adventurous main dishes include handmade pasta with rabbit ragù and the ever-popular Welsh Pork Shoulder. Be sure to ask the waiter for the best pairing from their wine list.

Manteca, Shoreditch, London

If you're a fan of the aforementioned Petersham Nurseries, or simply have heard the hype but don't feel like it's your thing, then you may be more impressed by Manteca. Founded by Chris Leach, the former Petersham Nurseries chef, and David Carter, founder of Smokestack, this collaborative venture quickly rose to the top of the list for many Londoners after opening in late 2021 and has remained there ever since.

This restaurant strives to offer nose-to-tail cooking (so perhaps give it a miss if you're a vegetarian), but the main attraction here is the pasta. Whether it's a simple tonnarelli tossed in simple cacio e pepe, pappardelle served with a rich ox-cheek ragu, or another dish altogether such as the pig head fritti, there's a huge range of choices for adventurous meat eaters.

Carlotta, Marylebone, London

If you're looking to visit somewhere that's truly extravagant, and captures the essence of lavish London living in every way possible, be sure to take a visit to the grandiose restaurant that is Carlotta. Situated in the affluent neighbourhood of Marylebone in central London, the bright-red exterior and giant gold lettering is sure to catch your eye.

Stepping through the doors here is like stepping back in time to the 1900's, with the restaurant taking inspiration from New York speakeasys, and Italian family-run restaurants. Despite being located in London, you'll feel as though you've just entered an Italian neighbourhood in the big apple.

Aside from the marble countertops, velvet curtains and traditional furnishings (most of which were sourced directly from Italian marketplaces and second-hand stores across Europe) the suede accents of the lounge, open kitchen and low lighting truly capture the essence of the inspiration perfectly, as does the food.

Be sure to sample the popular fettuccine alfredo, served tableside with shavings of truffle, or perhaps you'd prefer the whole de-shelled lobster, drizzled with a beurre blanc sauce and topped with 20g of black Venetian caviar.

Best Attractions in London for Foodies

London is a bustling city, with plenty to do for visitors of any kind, but especially those who love food! No matter your interests though, there's something for everyone here, so whether you're hoping to explore its rich history, sample some tea (or gin!), or simply have a fun-filled day out at a stunning botanical park, the possibilities are endless in this classic capital city!

Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, London

Also known as the V&A, the Victoria and Albert Museum boasts over 145 galleries across 7 floors, covers a total of 12.5 acres, and is the world's largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts, and design.

Be sure to set aside plenty of time if you're visiting this museum, and choose which categories are the most important for you to see before you visit, as there's a good chance you won't have the time to see it all! It boasts stunning collections of ancient and contemporary artworks and artifacts including several rooms dedicated to the 2000 pieces of jewelry housed here.

Even more interestingly, the museum is also home to the world’s oldest museum restaurant. With beautiful period rooms, it's a great place to settle in for a mid-day break to give your legs a rest from strolling around the museum all day, and presents you with the perfect opportunity: A traditional British afternoon tea experience!

Recreating Queen Victoria’s afternoon tea, and served in the ornate Morris room (designed by William Morris), guests can sit down for a piping hot pot of tea, a slice of cake, sandwiches, and a delicate scone.

Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour, Kennington, London

Beefeater is one of the world's most popular Gin distilleries, producing over 30 million bottles each year, and exporting to 127 different countries, but surprisingly, every single drop of it is distilled in this small spot in Kennington, just south of the River Thames.

Opening in 1820, the Beefeater distillery has been a long-standing addition to the city, and stands today as London's oldest gin distillery, making it the perfect one to visit for a tour!

Step inside to learn about the history of the production, and drinking of Gin in England's capital city, before rounding off the educational visit with a sample of gin and a deliciously refreshing G&T!

Twinings, Holborn, London

If there's anything that England is known for (other than rain and fish and chips), it's tea!

If you're interested in sampling some of the best flavors at a tea-tasting masterclass, you'll be pleased to know that you can experience one at Twinings, London's oldest and smallest tea shop, located on the Strand. Twinings now has multiple locations worldwide, and is the world's second-largest producer of tea, selling almost 200 different blends to more than 115 countries across the globe.

Be sure to book in advance to join a small-group, 2-hour, tea tasting masterclasses, during which you can sample six different teas and get an introduction to the types of tea, their origin, and the tea culture in Britain. 
 
After the tasting, be sure to purchase your favorite tea (or a selection box) to take home and share with your loved ones!

Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Richmond, London

Kew Royal Botanic Gardens is a World Heritage Site in the Richmond neighbourhood of London, and the place to be if you're at all interested in horticulture, as it houses the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world.

One of the city's top tourist attractions in its own right, it's home to some gorgeous and popular highlights, including the Pagoda and Treetop Walkway.

You can even visit the Royal Kitchens here, which had been left undisturbed for years. Step back in time to find out what life was like for the servants who worked in them and learn about the dishes they prepared for the Royal family.

Borough Market, Southwark, London

Food lovers flock from afar just to visit Borough Market. Situated underneath the railway arches beside Southwark Cathedral, this bustling hive of artisanal food and drink has become a top tourist attraction in England's capital city.

Sip on a piping hot coffee from The Monmouth Coffee Company while you browse the various stalls for delicious produce from all across the British Isles (and, perhaps, even the rest of the world).

There's a great selection of tiny restaurants and food stalls available here, but if possible, try to visit near Christmas for a truly magical experience!