London's top 50 restaurants
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By Time Out Food & Drink editors
Updated: Fri Oct 28 2011
British | Gastropubs | Indian | Oriental | French | Italian | Vegetarian | Modern European | Spanish | Best to impress | Best service | Best for grazing | Something different | MapBest Indian restaurants
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Amaya
Halkin Arcade, Motcomb Street, SW1X 8JT
Much of the menu at this chic bar and grill is grilled on the tawa (a thick iron plate), sigri (coal grill) or in the more familiar tandoor (hot clay oven) right in front of diners, which adds a great sense of theatre to the sparkling surrounds. The biryanis are light and aromatic; and if you’ve ever wanted to try proper ‘Awadhi’ dishes, from Lucknow at the height of the Moghul empire, this is the place to go.
When to go: When you crave Indian food but are tired of ‘curry’.
What to have: Biryanis, kebabs, or ask for any of the Awadhi dishes. Read more
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Dishoom
12 Upper St Martin's Lane, WC2H 9FB
This modern homage to the historic ‘Irani cafés’ of Bombay was pretty good when it opened, and has got better as the kitchen fine-tuned the dishes. It’s a no-booking, fast turnover place with low prices, so don’t expect to dawdle – but do come here for small dishes such as the pau bhaji, the Bombay street snack that combines a toasted Portuguese-style bread roll (pão) with a filling of spiced vegetable stew (bhaji). The biryanis, not a high point when Dishoom opened, have been hugely improved and are now as good as the Mumbai versions.
When to go: When you need a spontaneous feed near Leicester Square.
What to have: Pau bhaji, keema pau, chicken berry biryani. Read more
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Moti Mahal
45 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5AA
Its Covent Garden location and lots of online offers means a regular flow of slightly more adventurous tourists and theatregoers populate the room, but serious Indian food fans shouldn’t turn their noses up. While lacking the glam factor of other top-end Indian restaurants, the room is smart enough and the refined new-wave cooking more than makes up for the bland interiors. Careful spicing and flashes of creativity means the menu is peppered with classic dishes (a ‘pickling spice’ lamb curry) to please conservative diners, as well as more inspired interpretations of well-known recipes. The prices on the à la carte are not too kind, but we’d dare you find a menu more vibrant and wondrous than this in theatreland.
When to go: When the idea of a budget Ruby Murray has lost its sheen.
What to have: Skip the online set menu meal deals, which are cheaper, but they’re also duller; go à la carte. Read more
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Veeraswamy
Victory House, 99 Regent Street, W1B 4RS
We’re often asked what we think is ‘a really good Indian’. Veeraswamy ticks all the boxes, not least because the historical and regional dishes are made with the kind of attention to detail you’d expect at a nawab’s wedding. Spices are ground daily, the Indian chefs are among the best in London. The result is pricy-but-extraordinary Indian food which faithfully captures the sub-continent’s impressive and diverse culinary traditions. The room’s a looker too; this is one for special occasions.
When to go: When chicken tikka masala won’t cut the mustard.
What to have: The Lucknowi dishes are among the best. Read more
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British | Gastropubs | Indian | Oriental | French | Italian | Vegetarian | Modern European | Spanish | Best to impress | Best service | Best for grazing | Something different | Map-
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19 comments
Why is most of the best veggie restaurants not actually vegetarian!? If I wanted to limit my choices to just the 'veggie options' of a menu, I would go to any place on the high street. More actual vegetarian restaurant reviews would be nice
The Moti Mahal in the best Indian category? The food we had bland, uninspired and pretentious. Surroundings are pleasant enough and the staff are friendly but the food we had was dull and quite frankly, I have often had far better Indian food in my local High Street. £150 for two with wine made it vastly overpriced for what it was. Save your money and head for Brick Lane
I went to Hawksmoor in Spitalfields for lunch last year with great expectations. Was very disappointed. Firstly, was shown to the bar first instead of a table even though the restaurant was almost empty. Would have preferred having my drink at the table. I had a very expensive burger which was fatty and lacking flavour. This might have been a one-off but I doubt I will go back.
Your site offers a lot of unique insights and information. I have neverreally thought about it like that. Please keep updating your homepage.I will be stopping over every time you do .
I haven't any word to appreciate this post.Thanks a lot for sharing.... Looking forward to reading your next post.
Song Que ??!!!! One of the best oriental restaurants in London??!!!! My God... HOW??? That's it for me getting my recommendations from Time Out. Greasy, poor service, too salty and it goes on....
Who the hell are these reviewers!!!!!
I went to the Steak Exchange restaurant and bar on exchange square last week and its a little gem. I usually go to Hawksmoor when im craving a good feed but a friend recommended we try Steak Exchange and we are so glad we did the steak was just as good if not better than Hawksmoor. Great atmosphere on a busy friday night, the staff could not do enough for us and the pudding list was to die for. I Think this new steak restaurant is a real winner and should be featured as its definately one to visit in london.
Have been to Hawksmoor in Covent Garden several times and so pleased to see it high on the list. It is truly great, not only because of the amazing steak and other dishes (ohhhh the desert menu!!!) but for it's amazing cocktails, lovely, warm staff and beautiful venue.
Maybe it was an off night when I went to Veeraswamy but feel there are several better Indian restaurants in London (Cinnamon Club & Tamarind)
I'm surprised to see Magdalen in Tooley Street missed off this list !
Mien Tay is the worst Vietnamese restaurant I've been to, so I'm not surprised it is nowhere to be seen.
@Unashamed Human:
Ever heard of live and let live?... Just because you are unashamed, doesn't mean everyone feels the same. I'm not vegetarian, but if I was, I am sure I would like to know the best vegetarian restuarants in London. What does it hurt you if some feel like that?
Very tasty food in Basaba Eathai at Westfield but don't like the concept of serving starter and main at the same time which results in eating cold food. Strong sense that you are required to eat, pay and go. Small thick glasses containing small amount of whatever you are drinking. Also, something that is nowadays so common but to someone of my age incredibly rude, the waiting staff pass food etc in front of the client instead of from the side.
I agree with Ian. You need to get with the program re Vegetarian/Vegan/Raw food restaurants. What about SAF in Hoxton, Manna in Primrose Hill, The Gate in Hammersmith, Vita Organic and Zilli Green in Soho to mention a few.
For some reason I can't possibly fathom, Angels & Gypsies continues to be lauded by food critics. It's a lovely little restaurant, but the food is indifferent and very expensive for what it is. Don't bother braving a 30 minute bus ride down the Walworth road shit hole to eat there.