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 restaurants serving vegetarian mealsFeature continues-
Comptoir Libanais
65 Wigmore Street, W1U 1PZ
Despite having all the signs of ‘concept’ awaiting roll-out, this original branch of the Lebanese café continues to impress us with its fresh mezze, interesting soft drinks selection, snappy service, good looks and BYO policy. The place is open all day, so you can pick up a wrap (falafel, say) for lunch, pop by for mint tea and a rosewater macaron in the afternoon, or linger over an informal dinner with organic couscous or rice. Although not a vegetarian restaurant, the Lebanese Christan tradition ensures plenty of appealing vegetarian dishes.
When to go: When shopped out at Selfridges or St Christopher’s Place.
What to have: Mezze, breads, any of the sweets, mint tea. Read more
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Ottolenghi
287 Upper Street, N1 2TZ
Yotam Ottolenghi’s flagship café is still a stand-out for showcasing dishes of explosive flavours and vibrant colours. Although not a vegetarian café, it does vegetarian food very well, as you might expect from the man who writes ‘The New Vegetarian’ column in The Guardian. Expect plenty of bold ingredients with an Israeli slant – pomegranates, lemon, pistachio – used to great, and often surprising, effect. Ottolenghi-watchers are also following Nopi, the restaurant from the same people, in Warwick Street in Soho; a grander, all-day brasserie mixing Mediterranean and Asian flavours.
When to go: Whenever you want a special treat in Islington.
What to have: Anything that catches your eye from the colourful array. Read more
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Rasa Samudra
5 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RE
The Rasa chain had humble beginnings as a South Indian vegetarian restaurant in Stoke Newington, but has grown to 11 branches, with this as the West End flagship. Unusually, this Rasa in not 100 per cent vegetarian, but also serves seafood dishes from the southern coastal state of Kerala. The vegetarian feast is alluring, with nutty stir-fried thorans (shredded cabbage is recommended) providing textural counterpoints to the curries. But the seafood feast is the best and simplest way of sampling the non-veg range. Begin a meal with Rasa's crispy snacks, served with mouthwatering own-made chutneys, before starters such as meen porichathu (fried, marinated kingfish).
When to go: If you like Indian food, but don’t eat red meat.
What to have: Any of the veggie dishes; or if you eat seafood, the prawn dishes are special. Read more
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Rosa's
12 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR
There’s a new branch of this Thai bistro in Soho now, but we still think this Spitalfields original is the best. The funky red decor is matched by an almost homely atmosphere, although some sophistication goes into food presentation. Although not a vegetarian restaurant, we’ve found the vegetarian dishes consistently good. Prices are decent given the quality of the cooking.
When to go: It’s one of the best places to eat around Brick Lane.
What to have: A classic curry (try the red pumpkin one) or veer off-piste. Read more
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Sagar
157 King Street, W6 9JT
This modest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Hammersmith has low prices and good cooking. It showcases the dishes of the southern state of Karnataka, and the coastal, temple town of Udipi in particular. It cleverly recreates the layered, delicate flavours of the area from the excellent, crisp dosais which are ideal for dipping into soupy sambar (made from lentils sharpened with perky tamarind and softened aubergine). Be warned that the newer branches are not as good as this original.
When to go: After visiting The Lyric.
What to have: The thali set meals, or the dosais are all reliably good. 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.