Guidebook for Greater London

Ben
Guidebook for Greater London

Food Scene

Most Italians say this is a proper traditional "Mammas-home-cooking" restaurant, but with a quite stylish and contemporary setting. Reservations strongly recommended. (££)
27 residents recomanen
Bocca di Lupo
12 Archer St
27 residents recomanen
Most Italians say this is a proper traditional "Mammas-home-cooking" restaurant, but with a quite stylish and contemporary setting. Reservations strongly recommended. (££)
Great Belgian "mules-frites" place, but with a big selection of options on the menu. Kids under 12 eat free, and there is a "beat the clock" reduced pricing option before 19:30. (£-££)
16 residents recomanen
Belgo Centraal
50 Earlham St
16 residents recomanen
Great Belgian "mules-frites" place, but with a big selection of options on the menu. Kids under 12 eat free, and there is a "beat the clock" reduced pricing option before 19:30. (£-££)
Fast, fresh, wok cooking. Designed as very casual eat in or take away. A bit of a New York style take away concept. Great value and quick. (£)
Wok To Walk
4 Brewer Street
Fast, fresh, wok cooking. Designed as very casual eat in or take away. A bit of a New York style take away concept. Great value and quick. (£)
Great, super-friendly Italian coffee shop/snack/restaurant. Great selection of fresh pasta and authentic sauces. Also possible to take away (£)
And Pasta Soho
60 Dean St
Great, super-friendly Italian coffee shop/snack/restaurant. Great selection of fresh pasta and authentic sauces. Also possible to take away (£)
Some of the best fresh pasta in London, prepared in front of you "while-you-wait" at chef counters. Also does pizza and salads.Plenty of seating, but waiting for your food can take ages if busy (£-££)
8 residents recomanen
Vapiano
8 residents recomanen
Some of the best fresh pasta in London, prepared in front of you "while-you-wait" at chef counters. Also does pizza and salads.Plenty of seating, but waiting for your food can take ages if busy (£-££)
Great "Grand European Cafe" style restaurant. Quite busy atmosphere but elegant surroundings. Nice for people watching. Reservations recommended, but walk ins probably possible (££-£££)
36 residents recomanen
The Delaunay
55 Aldwych
36 residents recomanen
Great "Grand European Cafe" style restaurant. Quite busy atmosphere but elegant surroundings. Nice for people watching. Reservations recommended, but walk ins probably possible (££-£££)
Just lost its Michelin star, but still excellent. Very formal French food in a nicely renovated Georgian townhouse. (££-££££)
7 residents recomanen
Gauthier Soho
21 Romilly St
7 residents recomanen
Just lost its Michelin star, but still excellent. Very formal French food in a nicely renovated Georgian townhouse. (££-££££)
Has 1 Michelin star. Does a very reasonably priced lunch and pre-theatre menu. Reservations recommended, but probably not essential (££-£££)
6 residents recomanen
Arbutus
63-64 Frith St
6 residents recomanen
Has 1 Michelin star. Does a very reasonably priced lunch and pre-theatre menu. Reservations recommended, but probably not essential (££-£££)
It has 2 Michelin stars. Great for a special occasion. Also does a very reasonably priced lunch and pre-theatre menu. Reservations essential (£££-££££)
10 residents recomanen
L'Atelier De Joel Robuchon
13-15 West St
10 residents recomanen
It has 2 Michelin stars. Great for a special occasion. Also does a very reasonably priced lunch and pre-theatre menu. Reservations essential (£££-££££)
Great place for celebrity spotting. Not cheap and reservations essential (£££-££££)
42 residents recomanen
The Ivy
1-5 West St
42 residents recomanen
Great place for celebrity spotting. Not cheap and reservations essential (£££-££££)
Cute, traditional French bistro. Does a good priced pre- and post-theatre set menu. Extensive A La Carte menu as well
8 residents recomanen
Mon Plaisir - French Restaurant Covent Garden
19-21 Monmouth Street
8 residents recomanen
Cute, traditional French bistro. Does a good priced pre- and post-theatre set menu. Extensive A La Carte menu as well
Specializes in Bubble Tea - quite a quirky place
Bubbleology Soho
49 Rupert St
Specializes in Bubble Tea - quite a quirky place
This is one of the most popular udon noodle restaurants in London. Constantly a (quick-moving) queue of Japanese ex-pats looking for a real taste of home, which is a pretty good recommendation! (£-££)
26 residents recomanen
Koya Soho
50 Frith St
26 residents recomanen
This is one of the most popular udon noodle restaurants in London. Constantly a (quick-moving) queue of Japanese ex-pats looking for a real taste of home, which is a pretty good recommendation! (£-££)
Lovely place for a coffee/drink/snack/brunch/main meal. (££)
37 residents recomanen
Dean Street Townhouse
69-71 Dean St
37 residents recomanen
Lovely place for a coffee/drink/snack/brunch/main meal. (££)
A great alternative to the usual hustle and bustle of Soho and Covent Garden. Tucked away in Fitzrovia. Great food and setting. Reservations and walk ins welcome (££)
67 residents recomanen
Riding House Café
43-51 Great Titchfield St.
67 residents recomanen
A great alternative to the usual hustle and bustle of Soho and Covent Garden. Tucked away in Fitzrovia. Great food and setting. Reservations and walk ins welcome (££)
Very elegant option for brunch. Not cheap, but nice atmosphere. Bookings recommended. (££-£££)
13 residents recomanen
Cecconi's Mayfair
5A Burlington Gardens
13 residents recomanen
Very elegant option for brunch. Not cheap, but nice atmosphere. Bookings recommended. (££-£££)
Very good selection of seafood. Popular, with a bustling atmosphere (££-£££)
24 residents recomanen
Randall & Aubin, Soho
16 Brewer St
24 residents recomanen
Very good selection of seafood. Popular, with a bustling atmosphere (££-£££)
Famously good cakes. Red velvet cupcake is a classic (£)
19 residents recomanen
The Hummingbird Bakery
155a Wardour St
19 residents recomanen
Famously good cakes. Red velvet cupcake is a classic (£)
Does a great selection of authentic Brazilian and Portuguese snacks (£)
Canela Café
33 Earlham St
Does a great selection of authentic Brazilian and Portuguese snacks (£)
Traditional Naples pizzas and calzone pizzas. Good atmosphere, decent prices. Usually not much of a wait time (££)
12 residents recomanen
Rossopomodoro Covent Garden
50-52 Monmouth St
12 residents recomanen
Traditional Naples pizzas and calzone pizzas. Good atmosphere, decent prices. Usually not much of a wait time (££)
Very causal version of MEATLiquor. Great burgers/sides at reasonable prices. Great reviews and quite popular, but not as busy as MEATLiquor. (£-££)
9 residents recomanen
MEATmarket
Tavistock Street
9 residents recomanen
Very causal version of MEATLiquor. Great burgers/sides at reasonable prices. Great reviews and quite popular, but not as busy as MEATLiquor. (£-££)
Wood-fired pizzas with very creative topping combinations. Cheap and cheerful, but very popular. Can put your name down and have a drink elsewhere until table is ready (££)
48 residents recomanen
Homeslice Neal's Yard
13 Neal's Yard
48 residents recomanen
Wood-fired pizzas with very creative topping combinations. Cheap and cheerful, but very popular. Can put your name down and have a drink elsewhere until table is ready (££)
Nice burritos at good prices. Good for a quick refuel between shopping or sightseeing. Quick and easy. (£)
20 residents recomanen
Chipotle Mexican Grill
334 Upper St
20 residents recomanen
Nice burritos at good prices. Good for a quick refuel between shopping or sightseeing. Quick and easy. (£)
VERY popular and VERY small seating space = long waiting times. Can put your name down and go for a drink until table is ready. Probably best burgers in central London (£-££)
35 residents recomanen
Honest Burgers Meard St - Soho
4a Meard Street
35 residents recomanen
VERY popular and VERY small seating space = long waiting times. Can put your name down and go for a drink until table is ready. Probably best burgers in central London (£-££)
Modern take on traditional Vietnamese food. Popular, but reasonably priced and usually possible to get a table (££)
17 residents recomanen
Cay Tre Soho
42-43 Dean St
17 residents recomanen
Modern take on traditional Vietnamese food. Popular, but reasonably priced and usually possible to get a table (££)
Does a very good all-you-can eat sushi deal mid-week. Unlimited re-orders of cold sushi and one-time orders of hot dishes. Usually possible to get a walk in table (£-££)
6 residents recomanen
Sushi Eatery
40 Frith St
6 residents recomanen
Does a very good all-you-can eat sushi deal mid-week. Unlimited re-orders of cold sushi and one-time orders of hot dishes. Usually possible to get a walk in table (£-££)
Inventive tapas style food in a very elegant setting. Has a nice bar too. Reservations recommended. (££-£££)
7 residents recomanen
Opera Tavern
23 Catherine St
7 residents recomanen
Inventive tapas style food in a very elegant setting. Has a nice bar too. Reservations recommended. (££-£££)
Ridiculously popular Indian "Calcutta Grand Cafe". Good food but very long queues (££-£££)
93 residents recomanen
Dishoom
12 Upper St Martin's Ln
93 residents recomanen
Ridiculously popular Indian "Calcutta Grand Cafe". Good food but very long queues (££-£££)
Looks like a chain, but is quite authentic, with Indian waiters and chefs and serving traditional Tali street food. Usually possible to get a table (££)
6 residents recomanen
Masala Zone Soho
9 Marshall St
6 residents recomanen
Looks like a chain, but is quite authentic, with Indian waiters and chefs and serving traditional Tali street food. Usually possible to get a table (££)
Looks like a chain, but is quite authentic, with Indian waiters and chefs and serving traditional Tali street food. Usually possible to get a table (££)
14 residents recomanen
Masala Zone Covent Garden
48 Floral St
14 residents recomanen
Looks like a chain, but is quite authentic, with Indian waiters and chefs and serving traditional Tali street food. Usually possible to get a table (££)
Very tasty rotisserie chicken. Very reasonable prices and usually possible to get a walk in table. Does good morning coffee deals too (£-££)
7 residents recomanen
Cookhouse Joe
55 Berwick St
7 residents recomanen
Very tasty rotisserie chicken. Very reasonable prices and usually possible to get a walk in table. Does good morning coffee deals too (£-££)
Decent Chinese food in heart of Chinatown. Plenty of options on same street if busy (£-££)
15 residents recomanen
Golden Dragon Chinatown
28-29 Gerrard St
15 residents recomanen
Decent Chinese food in heart of Chinatown. Plenty of options on same street if busy (£-££)
Excellent value for money, traditional French Brasserie. Usually possible to get a walk in table. Dish of the day and menu of the day are popular and great value
49 residents recomanen
Brasserie Zédel
20 Sherwood St
49 residents recomanen
Excellent value for money, traditional French Brasserie. Usually possible to get a walk in table. Dish of the day and menu of the day are popular and great value
Very traditional British Fish & Chips! Big portions, friendly service and lots of deep-fried food (£)
18 residents recomanen
Golden Union. Fish and chips.
38 Poland Street
18 residents recomanen
Very traditional British Fish & Chips! Big portions, friendly service and lots of deep-fried food (£)
Great burgers/sides/onion rings etc. Lively atmosphere and usually possible to get a walk-in table (especially if Flat Iron is full!) (£-££)
264 residents recomanen
Byron
341 Upper St
264 residents recomanen
Great burgers/sides/onion rings etc. Lively atmosphere and usually possible to get a walk-in table (especially if Flat Iron is full!) (£-££)
Great burgers/sides/onion rings etc. Lively atmosphere and usually possible to get a walk-in table (especially if Flat Iron is full!) (£-££)
264 residents recomanen
Byron
341 Upper St
264 residents recomanen
Great burgers/sides/onion rings etc. Lively atmosphere and usually possible to get a walk-in table (especially if Flat Iron is full!) (£-££)
Newest venture by Bone Daddies. Extensive menu based on selecting meat dishes and creating your own "sandwich" with sticky Horato Dim Sum buns. Usually possible to get a walk in table (££)
13 residents recomanen
Flesh & Buns Covent Garden
41 Earlham St
13 residents recomanen
Newest venture by Bone Daddies. Extensive menu based on selecting meat dishes and creating your own "sandwich" with sticky Horato Dim Sum buns. Usually possible to get a walk in table (££)
Best Ramen noodles in London. Rave reviews and an interesting Rock-n-Roll Japanese concept. Usually a queue, but moves quite quickly (£-££)
33 residents recomanen
Bone Daddies
31 Peter St
33 residents recomanen
Best Ramen noodles in London. Rave reviews and an interesting Rock-n-Roll Japanese concept. Usually a queue, but moves quite quickly (£-££)
Usually possible to get a few stools at the sushi rail at all times. Traditional roller-belt sushi rail with decent selection of dishes, although can be a bit repetitive (£-££)
12 residents recomanen
Yo Sushi
3A/B Belvedere Rd
12 residents recomanen
Usually possible to get a few stools at the sushi rail at all times. Traditional roller-belt sushi rail with decent selection of dishes, although can be a bit repetitive (£-££)
Apparently on of the best vegetarian restaurants in London (££)
45 residents recomanen
Mildreds Restaurant
45 Lexington St
45 residents recomanen
Apparently on of the best vegetarian restaurants in London (££)
New branch of Soho flagship. Again expect long waiting times
37 residents recomanen
Polpo Soho
41 Beak St
37 residents recomanen
New branch of Soho flagship. Again expect long waiting times
Great atmosphere, excellent food, reservations recommended (££-£££)
8 residents recomanen
Dehesa
25 Ganton St
8 residents recomanen
Great atmosphere, excellent food, reservations recommended (££-£££)
Romantic, French restaurant (££-£££)
21 residents recomanen
Clos Maggiore
33 King St
21 residents recomanen
Romantic, French restaurant (££-£££)
Brazilian barbeque/rodezio -- all you can eat fresh cooked meats and large salad bar. Walk-ins possible (££)
Preto West End
73 Shaftesbury Ave
Brazilian barbeque/rodezio -- all you can eat fresh cooked meats and large salad bar. Walk-ins possible (££)
Excellent taste of American diner at good prices. Large portions. Only place to get Corn Dogs in London! Walk-ins possible. Takes reservations. (£-££)
Diner
23A Shaftesbury Avenue
Excellent taste of American diner at good prices. Large portions. Only place to get Corn Dogs in London! Walk-ins possible. Takes reservations. (£-££)
Expensive; but excellent steaks. Reservations recommended. Large portions and extensive steak and wine menus (£££-££££)
56 residents recomanen
Hawksmoor Seven Dials
11 Langley Street
56 residents recomanen
Expensive; but excellent steaks. Reservations recommended. Large portions and extensive steak and wine menus (£££-££££)
New British food/restaurant (££)
10 Greek St
10 Greek Street
New British food/restaurant (££)
Authentic Mexican food; great atmosphere and cocktails. Can wait at the bar for a table to become available (££)
7 residents recomanen
Cafe Pacifico
5 Langley St
7 residents recomanen
Authentic Mexican food; great atmosphere and cocktails. Can wait at the bar for a table to become available (££)
Romantic; British-French food. Very charming setting and good menu. Reservations recommended, but walk-ins possible (for small groups) (££-£££)
16 residents recomanen
Andrew Edmunds Restaurant
46 Lexington St
16 residents recomanen
Romantic; British-French food. Very charming setting and good menu. Reservations recommended, but walk-ins possible (for small groups) (££-£££)
Great steaks/meat; but there will be very long waiting times in the evenings. Has a bar downstairs you can wait at, but eating at off-peak times would be better (££)
69 residents recomanen
Flat Iron
17 Beak St
69 residents recomanen
Great steaks/meat; but there will be very long waiting times in the evenings. Has a bar downstairs you can wait at, but eating at off-peak times would be better (££)

Essentials

A large Tesco with a selection of food and grocery items, wine, etc. Very cheap prices
405 residents recomanen
Tesco Metro
224-226 Portobello Rd
405 residents recomanen
A large Tesco with a selection of food and grocery items, wine, etc. Very cheap prices
Large selection of healthy food and groceries. Does great take away food too. Not cheap, but health food shops rarely are!
782 residents recomanen
Whole Foods Market
63-97 Kensington High St
782 residents recomanen
Large selection of healthy food and groceries. Does great take away food too. Not cheap, but health food shops rarely are!
Medium size food/grocery supermarket. Open 7am to 11pm every day
The Co-operative Food - Soho - Berwick Street
104-105 Berwick Street
Medium size food/grocery supermarket. Open 7am to 11pm every day

Drinks & Nightlife

Great roof top bar with amazing views over London. Good on a sunny day. Does food too (££-£££)
10 residents recomanen
ME London
Strand
10 residents recomanen
Great roof top bar with amazing views over London. Good on a sunny day. Does food too (££-£££)
Nice (and large) cocktail bar upstairs and then a hard-core samba dancing club downstairs. Not for beginners!
11 residents recomanen
100 Wardour Street
100 Wardour Street
11 residents recomanen
Nice (and large) cocktail bar upstairs and then a hard-core samba dancing club downstairs. Not for beginners!
Lively samba-style bar. Does food in the early evening and then dancing (often started off by some professional samba dancers). Gets very lively
13 residents recomanen
Guanabara
13 residents recomanen
Lively samba-style bar. Does food in the early evening and then dancing (often started off by some professional samba dancers). Gets very lively
Traditional British Pub
8 residents recomanen
The Sun & 13 Cantons
21 Great Pulteney St
8 residents recomanen
Traditional British Pub
Great cockail bar right on the Covent Garden Piazza (££-£££)
14 residents recomanen
Dirty Martini Covent Garden
11-12 Russell St
14 residents recomanen
Great cockail bar right on the Covent Garden Piazza (££-£££)
Intimate and trendy wine bar with a great selection of charcuterie and cheese tapas plates (£-££)
7 residents recomanen
Fernandez & Wells
7 residents recomanen
Intimate and trendy wine bar with a great selection of charcuterie and cheese tapas plates (£-££)
Interesting selection of inventive/creative cocktails. Can get quite crowded as is quite small, but great drinks and good atmosphere
7 residents recomanen
Lab Bar
12 Old Compton Street
7 residents recomanen
Interesting selection of inventive/creative cocktails. Can get quite crowded as is quite small, but great drinks and good atmosphere
Romantic French restaurant. Often possible to get a walk-in table (££)
6 residents recomanen
Café des Amis
11-14 Hanover Pl
6 residents recomanen
Romantic French restaurant. Often possible to get a walk-in table (££)
Excellent taste of American diner at good prices. Large portions. Only place to get Corn Dogs in London! Walk-ins possible. Takes reservations. (£-££)
53 residents recomanen
The Diner Soho
18 Ganton St
53 residents recomanen
Excellent taste of American diner at good prices. Large portions. Only place to get Corn Dogs in London! Walk-ins possible. Takes reservations. (£-££)
Excellent Spanish food and Sangria; but they don't take reservations and are very popular. (££)
13 residents recomanen
Salvador & Amanda Covent Garden
8 Great Newport St
13 residents recomanen
Excellent Spanish food and Sangria; but they don't take reservations and are very popular. (££)

Entertainment & Activities

Largest toy shop in England!
76 residents recomanen
Hamleys
188-196 Regent St.
76 residents recomanen
Largest toy shop in England!
Great ice-cream place. Perfect for a treat (£)
Scoop Soho
53 Brewer St
Great ice-cream place. Perfect for a treat (£)
Traditional Italian Gelateria for ice-cream (run by same people as ever popular Boca di Lupo restaurant across the road) (£)
18 residents recomanen
Gelupo
7 Archer St
18 residents recomanen
Traditional Italian Gelateria for ice-cream (run by same people as ever popular Boca di Lupo restaurant across the road) (£)