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 | Map Best Italian restaurants
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L'Anima
1 Snowden Street, Broadgate West, EC2A 2DQ
Francesco Mazzei’s City Italian has its fair share of rapturous fans. Despite the corporate location and buttoned-up decor (which is saved somewhat by glorious natural lighting by way of floor to ceiling windows), the kitchen’s flawless interpretations of classic Italian cuisine is reason enough to book yourself in. The focus is on dishes from in and around Calabria, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily, so you’ll find ingredients such as n’duja (a spicy, spreadable salami) and a good range of Sardinian cheeses. The set lunch is a bargain, but the real treats are to be discovered on the à la carte.
When to go: To eat Italy without leaving central London.
What to have: Bookend your meal with the feather-light fritto misto and cloud-like liquorice zabaglione. Read more
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Bocca di Lupo
12 Archer Street, W1D 7BB
It’s not so much a lone wolf: this Soho trattoria has garnered quite a following. Jacob Kenedy is a skilled hand when it comes to executing the treasured dishes of Italy, and most dishes are offered in small or large sizes – very conducive to sharing. Every dish is annotated with its region of origin (cheekily, house creations are marked as ‘BDL’), pleasing food nerds everywhere. Sit at the bar for the best experience.
When to go: For a pre- or post-theatre meal, with a few close friends who like to share.
What to have: Anything that fascinates you. Read more
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Zucca
184 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ
Years on, food bores will probably be waxing lyrical about how this modest Bermondsey restaurant started a movement for clean, simple modern Italian food at bargain prices – River Café lite. It wouldn’t be implausible, after all. Zucca is a brilliant newcomer, its food refreshingly simple yet achingly good, the prices decent and the design neat and unfussy. It’s a return to letting ingredients speak for themselves, in a time where fussy food seemed to have reached their zenith.
When to go: Date night. After all, great Italian food and wine, chilled out service and wallet friendly prices – that’s amore.
What to have: Everyone will tell you to have the eponymous zucca (pumpkin) fritters, but we have eyes only for the juicy, rosy grilled veal chop. Read more
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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.
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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.