London Restaurants

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Over the last decade or so, the choices available for people dining out in London have improved immeasurably, both in terms of quality and the sheer variety of cuisine on offer. The downside to this culinary revolution is that eating at some London restaurants can be expensive, especially if you fail to budget carefully for items such as wine. However, with a little homework (and the help of our guide), you should be able to find London restaurants to suit both your taste and pocket.

In order to simplify the decision making process, we've provided below a brief summary of London's neighbourhoods and the various options available. However, if you wish to jump straight to our review pages (with online London restaurant booking) just use the drop-down menu below.

London Restaurants Listed by Type of Cuisine

Information on London bars, pubs and cafés is also given below.

West End - a wide-range of expensive restaurants such as Mirabelle and Claridges, but also home to a number of budget options which include pizzeria, vegetarian restaurants (such as Country Life) and well-known fast food restaurants.

East End - often overlooked by tourists, the East End - particularly around Brick Lane - is a paradise for fans of Indian cuisine. While the quality of food here is good, rock-bottom prices mean you won't be rushing to cash a travellers' cheque immediately after your meal.

Soho - another mix of expensive, trendy restaurants such as Andrew Edmunds and Quo Vadis as well as cheaper options such as Pizza Express (arguably the best of the Pizza chains in London). Reasonably priced meals can also be found in Soho's many bistro type eateries, pubs and cafés - although overcrowding, particular in the summer, can be a problem. By and large, the fast food giants have failed to establish themselves in this part of town, presumably because despite improvements, the area is not regarded as a family destination.

Chinatown - a veritable oasis for the budget traveller, Chinatown's numerous eateries offer up excellent dim sum, crispy duck and set-menu options. An unforgettable experience can be had by visiting Wong Kei, which despite the brusque service (giving the place an almost legendary status) offers decent Chinese food at bargain prices.

Piccadilly Circus/Leicester Square - a fair selection of mid-priced restaurants including Planet Hollywood and the Rainforest Café, along with numerous fast food eateries and pubs.

Covent Garden - trendy eateries in and around the market which, by and large, offer moderately priced meals. One of the nicest things about Covent Garden piazza is the opportunity to sit outside and eat in more relaxed, European style surroundings. In the streets leading off the market, numerous cafés, bars and pubs serve everything from vegetarian take-outs to traditional roasts, while also found here are some of London's better restaurants (such as Rules).

Aldwych and the Strand/Embankment - the fast food giants have established themselves along the Strand which also houses one of London's institutions - Simpson's. At Aldwych, more upmarket restaurants such as Bank and Axis have attracted a following for their good quality, modern cuisine.

South Bank - although lacking the variety of restaurants over the Thames, there are a still a fair number of decent options around. The most prominent and expensive restaurant here is housed within the renovated OXO tower. However, cheaper eats are available at the nearby Gabriel's Wharf (pleasant in the summer), South Bank complex and a number of pubs and brasseries nearby.

City of London - during the week, eating out in The City is not a problem as restaurants here cater to the legions of well-salaried office workers. However, the same can't be said at weekends when most establishments either close early (at around 6pm) or simply don't bother opening at all!

While restaurants in the City can be quite expensive for people on a tight budget, reasonably priced meals can be had in the area's many pubs and bar-brasseries. There's also an abundance of upmarket sandwich bars, many of which (particularly the Italian ones) have large queues at midday. A good guide to their quality!

Tips for Dining at London Restaurants

It's advisable to make a reservation whenever possible, as some establishments are incredibly popular. Indeed, restaurants such as the Ivy have long waiting lists based on their excellent reputations.

In many cases the restaurant will contact you just prior to the day (or on the day) to confirm your booking. However, in some cases it may be your responsibility to confirm. Ask when you make a reservation to avoid mishaps.

If you need to cancel a reservation, inform the restaurant immediately. Failing to do so could result in a cancellation charge if the restaurant claims it was not notified in good time.

By making lunch your main meal, it's often possible to take advantage of a special lunch or "prix fixe" menu (which usually include dishes that are more expensive at dinner). What's more, many restaurants in an around Theatreland offer a pre-theatre menu with two or three courses at a special price. Normally, you'll be expected to dine within a set time period (around an hour to 90 minutes maximum) after which the table is given over to patrons who wish to dine in more leisurely circumstances. Some restaurants also offer a post-theatre menu to maximize their number of nightly covers.

At the end of your meal, check the bill carefully as mistakes (although rare) do happen. In addition, many establishments will also automatically include a service charge which normally ranges from between 10-15%. You should therefore not pay an additional tip. Where a service charge has not been included, leave a maximum 15% tip (unless you feel that a higher amount is appropriate). However, in certain circumstances a service charge may not be appropriate at all. If this is the case, ask for it to be removed from the bill (legally you are only required to pay the cost of the meal). Ensure though that you clearly explain the reason(s) why you are taking such action, in order to avoid any complications.

Talking Cities have now partnered with toptable.co.uk - the UK's premier restaurant booking website - to provide online booking for quality eating establishments in London. To check table availability and make a reservation simply do the following:

	select a cuisine type from the drop-down list below.
	after choosing a London restaurant, click on the relevant 'book it!' icon (where applicable) to visit toptable's website. For establishments not covered by Talking Cities, just use the mauve 'A-Z of Restaurants' link on each page to carry out a general database search.
	toptable's pages allow you to check availability and make a reservation quickly and easily. Best of all it's FREE, so what are you waiting for?

London Bars & Pubs

Conducting pub research on behalf our readers is certainly a perk. Although company rules allow for only a swift half-pint (and a test of the quiz machine if we're lucky) before moving on, we bring you a carefully selected list of popular London pubs and bars!

London Cafés, Coffee and Sandwich Bars

If you're after the best cafés in town then look no further. Here we give recommendations, based on our extensive cappuccino tasting and cake guzzling research...

Take-away coffee and sandwich bars are also listed for those wanting food/drink on the go.

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London Restaurants, Cafés, Pubs and Bars - Reviews and Online Restaurant Booking