A trip to London, where cross-continental cultures meet, is sure to come with lots of gourmandise, and foodies like us are no strangers to the thrill of its culinary scene. From Mayfair in the west, to Shoreditch in the east, the city is rich with restaurants promising delectable feasts. For those of us who regard meals as the highlight of our travels, careful strategising goes into building our itinerary of degustation.
And more often than not, we don’t get to complete our bucket list in one short trip. If you need help narrowing your options down, this is a list of the shining examples of London’s dining scene that you absolutely must visit on your next trip there.
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Smoking Goat
Smoking Goat’s entryway is crowded by a slew of hopeful diners aiming to snag a table at this unassuming Thai bar and grill with a curiously sombre exterior. A meal here is a spiced-up feast, its menu brief but packed full of smoked and lip-tingling bites. There’s no better way to start than with its aged beef massaman smoked short ribs. First smoked and roasted over charcoal, then combined in the wok with Smoking Goat’s own authentic massaman recipe, this dish packs a fiery punch accompanied by the distinctive fragrance of Thai cuisine.
As summer fades, Smoking Goat’s tom yum mama is a veritable must-have during a trip to frosty London. Ever tangy with all the umami you need, the hearty bowl is filled with pork meatballs and pollock made fragrant with lemongrass, galangal, and its seasoned chilli jam.
To match up to Shoreditch’s thriving bar scene, Smoking Goat’s cocktail spread is nifty but confidently Thai. Don’t miss the Beware Dub, a twist on the classic margarita. This cocktail features smoky mezcal balanced with tangy lime juice and sweetened with palm sugar, all enhanced with signature Smoking Goat flair, with a kick of bird’s eye chillies.
Smoking GoatAddress: 64 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ, United Kingdom
Jolene Bakery and Restaurant
Bakery by day and convivial restaurant with a touch of edge by night, Jolene’s Bakery offers famed pastries and bread that hint at the tantalising feast you can return to in the evening for dinner. With its lowlights and neutral tones, it warms a cold industrial space making it a spot that draws in a crowd of London’s discerning diners and creatives from Shoreditch’s art enclave just nearby.
Much of Jolene’s pull comes from its menu which changes daily. While each day’s offerings come as an anticipated surprise, what’s certain is that every sharing plate is served confident of fresh and satiating flavour.
If you find yourself staring at the menu unsure of what to order, look for dishes that showcase Jolene’s carefully selected fresh produce and its famed bread made with flour milled in-house. Jolene has a unique affinity for elevating each ingredient to offer a plate packed with a distinctive and delectable palate experience.
Raw, cooked, or preserved, anything with fish at Jolene always stands out, like the raw sea bass, bergamot and anchovy dish, promising a delightful tart bite that goes perfectly with any of Jolene’s sharing plates. To top it all off, oenophiles will be excited by the thought of exploring Jolene’s all-natural wine along the course of their meal.
Jolene Bakery and RestaurantAddress: 21 Newington Green, Mayville Estate, London N16 9PU, United Kingdom, +44 20 3887 2309
Manteca
A reservation at Manteca is a highly coveted affair, and for good reason (be sure to book ahead of your trip to snag a spot at one of its tables). Sat on the buzzing streets of Shoreditch, a meal here is a degustation of rich refined flavour and sharing plates by the many. With its nose-to-tail philosophy, chef Chris Leach uses different parts of the animal to harness deep, saporous flavour in each dish, giving Manteca its shining reputation.
Begin your degustation with sharing plates like the duck liver parfait made with duck fat in place of butter and served with its fluffy ciabatta bread made with surplus whey from the kitchen’s daily batch of homemade ricotta.
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While sharing plates are the table’s centrepiece, you can’t miss Manteca’s stalwart duck ragu. Just reading about how it’s prepared will have your mouth watering: duck legs, hearts and gizzards roasted in butter create a delicious buttery-duck-fat base for the sauce. The hearts and gizzards are then minced, and the duck leg meat is braised and shredded. Finishings of sofrito, tomato paste, and red wine join the buttery base for a sauce over silky pappardelle. The indulgence ensues with toppings of breadcrumbs fried in duck fat.
MantecaAddress: 49-51 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3PT, United Kingdom, +44 20 7139 5172
The Delaunay
It’s all about refined opulence at The Delaunay that exudes the timeless splendour of a bygone era of European fine dining. Sat at the heart of Holborn on the corner of Aldwych and Drury Lane, give your Covent Garden day out its perfect ending with a visit to this elegant brasserie.
Indulge in a pre-dinner drink at the bar with a menu that pays homage to the golden age of British theatrics. As you sit in the heart of the West End, immerse yourself in Europe’s fresh summer nights with the Hay Fever cocktail—blending citrus and floral notes with bitter Campari, rose, and grapefruit cordial. If you’re looking for something more attuned to tradition, the bar offers a stronghold of revisited classics like a champagne martini or mezcal cup.
Once you’ve completed your spirited indulgence, you’ll be guided to the main dining hall. Unsure of what to pick? Look to the centre of the menu for its firm favourite of sausages and schnitzels. Of course, the wiener schnitzel is the classic, but vegetarians will be pleased to see the aubergine schnitzel served with rich sun-dried tomatoes and salsa verde.
If your sweet tooth is just begging to be appeased by the end of the meal, you’re in luck, because The Delaunay pays close attention to its offering of sweet treats. Opt for the strawberry and lime pavlova for a light but zippy treat. The classic apple strudel is served warm, promising a rich, candied melt-in-the-mouth bite. It’s aptly fit for all to enjoy, if you’re vegan be sure to ask your waiter for its plant-based rendition.
The DelaunayAddress: 55 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BB, United Kingdom, +44 20 7499 8558
Campania
You get the best of both worlds at Campania, a southern Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of east London. Campania focuses on the cuisine and techniques of South Italy while prioritising seasonal produce sourced locally and from small producers in the United Kingdom. Settle into an intimate evening of Italian fare within its rustic wooden walls warmed by candlelight and effervescent chatter.
Although the menu changes seasonally, if given the chance, be sure to order some of Campania’s seafood dishes. From spaghetti to casseroles, its seafood variations have always been met with high praise on both flavour and freshness. The pescatrice in cassuola (oven-baked monkfish) is a shining example on its current menu featuring meaty monkfish tail bathed in a fragrant spicy tomato sauce.
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On the wine list, be sure to try a glass of fruity orange wine that is a current favourite in the London dining scene. In the warmer summer and autumn evenings, take the chance to dine outside along the streets of Columbia Road Flower Market that are florally adorned in the day, and alight with gastronomic gems at night.
CampaniaAddress: 23 Ezra Street, London E2 7RH, United Kingdom, +44 20 7613 0015
Dim Sum Duck
As the holiday veers on and the familiar cravings for homely food creep in, head over to Dim Sum Duck, a small Chinese restaurant with an interior reminiscent of the Asian no-nonsense approach to casual interior design, leaving the limelight for its authentic dim sum and fragrant Cantonese classics like smoky roast duck and sweet char siu.
Dim Sum Duck is an all-around winner in the hearts of London’s Chinese community, but what draws in the long lines are its plump and fragrant xiao long baos flowing with soup. Other must-haves are the silky prawn cheong fun and dim sum classics like siu mai and the glistening har gao.
Dim Sum DuckAddress: 124 King's Cross Rd, London WC1X 9DS, United Kingdom, +44 20 7278 8878
Isabel Mayfair
Think of London opulence and Mayfair immediately comes to mind. It’s where everyone wants to be and be seen. A stalwart culinary haven of the district, stroll off the streets and into Isabel Mayfair where you will be met with a convivial atmosphere and a grand menu of refined Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine. Dine with a touch of heritage in a building that dates to 1907 with an embellished façade of Beaux-Arts-inspired architecture that was all the rage at the time.
Isabel Mayfair stays true to the undoubted Mediterranean affinity for seafood and definitely does it right with its lobster linguine bathed in a langoustine sauce, lending a contrasting edge with lemon and chives. If you’re looking for fragrance and a light kick, go for the blackened chicken marinated in Cajun spices and accompanied by carrot puree and jus.
When languor creeps in, take the chance to sip on Isabel Mayfair’s take on the espresso martini for the perfect digestive. With cognac infused with tonka and orange as the base, its citrus notes are perfectly rounded by the richness of dark chocolate liquor.
Isabel MayfairAddress: 26 Albemarle St, London W1S 4HY, United Kingdom, +44 20 3096 9292
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Miga
Head east for a feast of modern Korean fare at family-owned eatery Miga, which is backed by a history of culinary excellence. Opened by two brothers with their father as chef, the familial effort certainly sets the tone for the dining experience. The air is rich with the aroma of fragrant broth and the hum of joyful chatter. Dig into comforting family classics like silky japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) tossed with oyster mushrooms and onion paprika.
On colder days, don’t miss a taste of their grandmother’s ox bone broth, also known as seoleontang gugsu, that kicked off the family’s culinary history in Seoul in the ’70s and won her wide appraise as one of the top chefs in the city. Served with tender sliced beef, noodles, and kimchi, it promises to warm the heart and soul.
MigaAddress: 1 Mare St, London E8 4RP, United Kingdom
Circolo Popolare
Circolo Popolare is one of London’s go-to spots for fun Italian fare served in vibrant embellished tableware. Dine under a looming ceiling of verdure and twinkling luminescence as you freshen your taste buds with its extra-large spritz that serves a blend of mellow apricot brandy with sweet elderflower cordial, all brought together with lemon juice, soda, and a splash of prosecco.
For a taste of authentic carbonara just like how the Italians do, order Circolo Popolare’s La Gran Carbonara prepared tableside in a large cheese wheel. If you’ve got your sights set on this dish, be sure to visit Circolo Popolare for your midday meal for it’s only available during the lunch service.
To up the indulgence, we’re in favour of the mafaldine al tartufo which features handmade mafaldine pasta with rich truffle and mascarpone cream. Of course, the dish is aptly topped with decadent fresh black truffle from Italy.
Circolo PopolareAddress: 40-41 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1HX, United Kingdom
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