You are in: Main Page » Food and Drink » Restaurants
American & Traditional British

American Restaurants in London

The Hard Rock Café

150 Old Park Lane, W1Y 3LJ, Tel: 020 7629 0382, Website: www.hardrock.com, Open: 11.30am-12.30am Sun-Fri, 11.30am-1am Sat, All major credit cards, Tube: Hyde Park Corner, Show Map
The original Hard Rock Café and still massively popular after 30 years of business. Although you'll need to queue for this famous diner (reservations aren't taken), the atmosphere inside is great fun, if a little loud. Along with a huge array of rock 'n' roll memorabilia, the Café serves up traditional Tex/Mex favourites, including top quality burgers. Remember to leave room for dessert though, as offerings such as New York cheesecake and Hot Fudge Sundae are hard to resist.

Joe Allen

13 Exeter Street, WC2E 7DT, Tel: 020 7836 0651, Website: www.joeallenrestaurant.com, Open: noon-12.45am Mon-Fri, 11.30am-12.45am Sat, 11.30am-11.30pm Sun, All major credit cards except Diners Club, Tube: Covent Garden, Show Map
A popular restaurant just off Covent Garden which serves familiar American fare, as well as Modern European dishes, in suitably large portions. With a regular clientele consisting mainly of budding thespians and city workers, the atmosphere at Joe Allen's is lively, while prices are very reasonable. Probably the most notable item here doesn't even appear on the menu. Just ask for a Joe Allen Burger and see what happens!

Sticky Fingers

1a Phillimore Gardens, W8 7EG, Tel: 020 7938 5338, Website: www.stickyfingers.co.uk, Open: noon-11.30pm Mon-Sat, noon-11pm Sun, All major credit cards, Tube: High Street Kensington, Show Map
As the brainchild of former Rolling Stones guitarist Bill Wyman, this Kensington based restaurant takes its name from the group's 1971 album release. As well as a reputation for fine American-style burgers (which are all cooked to order), Sticky Fingers is a Tex-Mex extravaganza, with steaks and ribs forming part of a large and varied menu. Needless to say, with a hands-on approach to much of the dining here, children and big kids alike enjoy the excellent food at this likeable eatery.

Belgian Restaurants in London

Abbaye

55 Charterhouse Street, Smithfield, London, EC1M 6HA, Open: noon-10.30pm Mon- Fri, 6pm-10.30pm Sat, Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays, Tube: Farringdon, Show Map
Along with a lively, enjoyable atmosphere, Abbaye also makes good use of its location being close to one of London's oldest markets, Smithfield. Mussels come five ways, accompanied by a dozen or so fish and steak dishes. An impressive range of wheat, fruit and speciality beers, decent service and consistent, well-judged cooking make Abbaye a thoroughly pleasant (albeit reasonably expensive) venue for lunch or dinner.

Belgo Centraal (Belgian)

50 Earlham Street, WC2 9HP, Tel: 020 7813 2233, Website: www.belgo-restaurants.com, Open noon-11.30pm Mon-Thu, noon-12.00am Fri-Sat, noon-10.30pm Sun, All major credit cards, Tube: Covent Garden, Show Map
Situated in the heart of Covent Garden, Belgo Centraal is a great place to sample the delights of Belgian food and beer. Once you've navigated your way through reception, take the industrial lift down to the restaurant below. Although initially it feels a bit like the set of a sci-fi movie, the large (and lively) dining area is actually a pretty straightforward affair. Here, your server (kitted out in a monks habit) will direct you to a table which, at really busy times, is likely to be shared with other diners.

As well as sampling the ubiquitous moules frites (you can get a kilo of the little blighters here) other Belgian offerings include Witloof - wild boar sausages - and rotisserie style dishes. Of course, there's plenty of Belgian beer to go around, while desserts include waffles along with even more calorific offerings.

Belgo's often does an "early bird" deal where you pay a reduced price after 5pm on certain menu/beer combo's (the earlier you arrive the less you pay). As the quality (and quantity) of food remains the same, it represents excellent value.

Bierodrome

173-174 Upper Street, N1 1XS, Tel: 020 7226 5835, Website: www.belgo-restaurants.com, Open: noon-midnight daily, All major credit cards, Tube: Highbury & Islington/Angel, Show Map
One of the many restaurants on Upper Street in fashionable Islington, Bierodrome is part of the successful Belgo chain. Whilst it offers the usual selection of Belgian dishes, including moules frites (mussels and French fries), the main draw here is the staggering array of beers on offer, almost 200 in total (including fruit and trappist varieties). Some of them are very strong indeed so don't say we didn't warn you! A popular and atmospheric place to spend an evening - just make sure you can make your way back home though!

Traditional British Restaurants in London

Butlers Wharf Chop House

The Butlers Wharf Building, 36e Shad Thames, SE1 2YE, Tel: 020 7403 3403, Open: Mon-Sat noon-11pm (lunch Sat-Fri noon-3pm), All major credit cards, Tube: Tower Hill/London Bridge
Classic British cooking combines with a pleasant Thameside setting to make the Butlers Wharf Chop House a very pleasant find. In the summer gaze out at views of Tower Bridge and the City from the restaurant's stylish terrace, while inside, the inviting décor is perfect for a slap up meal on a cold winter's evening. Choose from poached salmon with mussels, venison and wild boar faggots or roast belly of pork with prunes. And, if you've got room left, finish off in style with a wonderfully sticky pudding. Excellent!

The Ivy

1 West Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9NE, Tel: 020 7836 4751, Open: noon-3pm and 5.30pm-midnight Mon-Sat, Sun noon-3.30pm, Credit cards: MC, V, AE, Tube: Leicester Square, Show Map
The Ivy's immense popularity - and close proximity to the major theatres in London - mean it's advisable to book a table well in advance, not least because 'A' List celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham, Jack Nicholson and Madonna regularly dine here (although you won't find J. Lo in attendance as she received a lifelong ban for "excessive diva demands"). The menu is a well-balanced mix of traditional English staples and inventive modern cooking. Ever reliable, the restaurant is also reassuringly expensive.

Langan's Brasserie

Stratton Street, London, W1J 8LB, Tel: 020 7491 8822, Website: www.langansrestaurants.com, Open: 12.15pm-11.45pm Mon-Fri, 7pm-midnight Sat, Credit cards: MC, V, AE, Tube: Green Park, Show Map
Popular with well-heeled business folk, Langan's is somewhat of a Piccadilly institution, serving up a mix of traditional British and French fare in lively, yet relaxed surroundings. Along with staples such as Bangers 'n' Mash, main courses include grilled calves liver and bacon, while puddings are real schoolboy treats like banana pancakes with toffee sauce and treacle tart. Well executed, reliable cooking, if a touch pricey.

Oxo Tower Restaurant, Brasserie and Bar

Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street SE1 9PH, Tel: 020 7803 3888, Website: www.oxotower.co.uk, Open: noon-3pm and 6pm-11pm Mon-Sat, noon-3.30pm and 6.30pm-10.30pm Sun, Credit cards: MC, V, AE, Tube: Waterloo, Show Map
Probably the place to dine on the South Bank, the restaurant is housed on the eighth floor of the restored OXO Tower. Offering superb panoramic views across the Thames, it has a fine reputation for sweetbreads and fish, as well as a nicely balanced wine list. Once brusque service has now improved, while the Brasserie's £20 set menu (served from 5.30pm until 7pm) is great value.

Porters

16-17 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden WC2E 8QH, Tel: 020 7836 6466, Website: www.porters.uk.com, Open: 12 noon to 11.30pm daily (10.30pm Sun), All major credit cards, Tube: Charing Cross, Show Map
If you're after real taste of traditional English food, then arguably, there's probably no better place in London to visit than Porters restaurant.

Owned by the 7th Earl of Bradford, the restaurant has been a part of the Covent Garden landscape since 1979. Providing robust English fare, and exceptional value for money, Porters main forte is its traditional style pies. While the lamb and apricot, Cumberland, and chicken, leek and mushroom pies all have more than an ample fillings (nestled under vast puff pastry tops), the steak and kidney pudding is positively huge! Other main courses include fish and chips, roast beef (with all the usual trimmings), steaks and faggots (a real rarity these days).

However, if you can, we recommend you save room for dessert, as the sponge puddings are both memorable and wonderfully filling. To compliment your meal, Porters also has a good selection of wine (including a very decent English white), along with draught and bottled beers. The last time we visited, a three course meal (for three), which included a bottle of wine, soft drinks and coffee came to a very respectable £60.

Porters is also a fine place to stop for another great British tradition, afternoon tea (served between 2.30pm-5.30pm). Next door, Porters bar is a popular meeting place, which reflects the buzz around Covent Garden. Service in both bar and restaurant is efficient and friendly. Highly recommended.

Quality Chop House

94 Farringdon Road, EC1 3EA, Tel: 020 7837 5093, Open: noon-3pm Mon-Fri, 6.30pm-11.30pm Mon-Sat, noon-4pm and 7-11.30pm Sun, Credit cards: MC, V, AE, Tube: Farringdon/Chancery Lane, Show Map
As a well restored example of a Victorian working man's eating place (you can still see the legend "Progressive Working Class Caterer" on the windows) The Quality Chop House also boasts some of the original fittings from that era. With a location in trendy Clerkenwell, the restaurant makes for a popular draw with both locals and city workers alike, while the menu is a mix of traditional English (you can order a more upmarket version of sausage & mash or salmon fishcakes) and French cuisine.

Rhodes Twenty Four

Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1HQ, Tel: 020 7877 7703, Website: www.rhodes24.co.uk, Open: 11.45-2.30pm and 6pm-9pm (bar open throughout the day), Credit cards: MC, V, AE, Tube: Bank, Show Map
Having previously lent his name, and expertise, to City Rhodes and Rhodes in the Square (now both closed), chef's chef Gary Rhodes has refocused his efforts to concentrate solely on Twenty Four - a panoramic restaurant based in the city's Tower 42.

Offering first-class modern British cuisine with classic French and Italian influences, fresh (and delicate) flavours combine with rich sauces and immaculate presentation to produce exquisitely cooked meat and fish dishes.

Dishes such as steamed mutton and onion suet pudding with buttered carrots are expertly cooked, while puddings, which include steamed jam roly-poly with custard and hot jam sauce are equally satisfying.

Rules

35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7LB, 020 7836 5314, Website: www.rules.co.uk, Open: midday-midnight daily, Credit cards: MC, V, AE, Tube: Covent Garden/Leicester Square, Show Map
As the oldest surviving restaurant in London (it was established in 1798), Rules is regarded as a standard bearer of traditional British food and service. In particular, it has a high reputation for game and old English style puddings. The location, just off Covent Garden Piazza is also a boon.

Simpson's-in-the-Strand

100 Strand, London, WC2R 0EW, Tel: 020 7836 9112, Website: www.savoy-group.co.uk, Open: Mon-Fri 7.15am-10am, midday-2.30pm and 5.30 pm-10.45 pm, Sun midday-2.45 pm and 6pm-9pm, Credit cards: MC, V, AE, Tube: Temple/Charing Cross, Show Map
As a London institution, Simpson's is a bastion of traditional British cooking. Put simply, it's the place to head if you wish to sample a traditional roast beef dinner (served on silver domed trolleys, of course). Renowned also for its old fashioned puddings, the restaurant operates a strict jacket and tie policy. And, as the maitre'de won't make any exceptions, ensure that your party is suitably attired to avoid embarrassment.

St. John

26 St. John Street, London EC1M 4AY, Tel: 020 7251 0848, Website: www.stjohnrestaurant.co.uk, Open: midday-3pm and 6pm-11pm Mon-Sat, Credit cards: MC, V, AE, Tube: Barbican/Farringdon, Show Map
Having published a book on 'nose to tail' eating, hands on chef Fergus Henderson practices what he preaches at this basic, but highly accomplished Clerkenwell restaurant. Using offals, unfashionable cuts and more exotic meat and game, St. John's produces some of the best 'old English' style cooking in town.

With a daily-changing menu, starters such as foie gras may be followed by mains of roast bone marrow and parsley salad, smoked eel, bacon and mash or even pigeon pie. Traditional style puddings include steamed lemon pudding and stem ginger, while for the more adventurous there's prune and armagnac ice cream. Though less-committed meat eaters may struggle, those with an open mind about meat will enjoy the experience! Veggies should steer well-clear though...