The Best Traditional Restaurants in London

Temple of gastronomy and place of pilgrimage, try the caracu.

Fantastic simple food and lovely atmosphereSt. John or St. John Bread and Wine is a must-visit when in London.I had a long slow Sunday lunch here and everything was just perfect. The service was so professional, welcoming and friendly. The food was so simple plated and extremely tasty. Loved the grilled mackerel with chicory and green sauce. Could have sat there for many hours and just watch and follow them work and enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant.

The heart of LondonWelcoming seafood restaurant in the heart of Piccadilly. Been dining here countless of times and always recommend it to friends visiting London. Would suggest sitting at the downstairs oyster bar, if space. They serve the best oysters the Island can offer.

One of, if not the best, Indian restaurants in London. Everything is so flavoursome, aromatic and cooked to perfection. Portions are generous so go easy on ordering. Not all traditional dishes but there’s a beautiful balance of classic and contemporary cooking here. Beautiful decor too.

The oldest wine bar in the city in a space full of history.Gordons Wine Bar was established in 1890 and is believed to be the oldest wine bar in the city. Since then, it has been a bastion of great wine and great French-style food in London. And it fits right under the embankment inside the old caves.

A temple of Pie perfection by chef Calum Franklin. Go for the pork and bacon pie in a golden crust.Meat pies are an essential part of the British cuisine, and there’s plenty of pies around in London. One of the temples of pie perfection is the Pie Room at the busy Holborn Dining Room brasserie in the Rosewood Hotel. Here, chef Calum Franklin and his team has dug very deep into all things around pies, resulting in a new wave of British pie artistry. Go for the pork and bacon pie encased in a golden pie crust, baked to order and served with a shiny veal gravy, or any of the other pies or baked things (Beef Wellington, chicken pie, pithiviers). Don’t miss a starter of Scotch eggs with runny yolks or gin cured salmon. On the constantly changing menu there’s many other great British dishes like smoked haddock, a proper Sunday roast and trifle for dessert. Gin enthusiasts should also head for the Gin bar with some 400 bottles in the selection.

The Great British Cafe remains a cultural institution that’s as compelling as it is a cultural treasureThe cafe on Junction Road is perched unassumingly between an upholstery shop and an off-license on a scruffy stretch leading to Archway. It has no hype-stoking publicist or former Masterchef winner at the stove, but the buzz is real. Buddies Richie Hayes and Elliot Kaye opened the old-school British cafe in November last year, mid-pandemic. They gutted and renovated the entire place in just two months. Inside is small and unfussy, with simple tables and chairs. There is a framed Bobby Moore World Cup 1966 photo on the wall next to a humming refrigerator lined with cans of Stella and juice cartons. They have a black-white chequered tile floor and red-white chequered fabric curtains. Each table is fixed with the Holy Trinity of ketchup, brown sauce and Colman’s English Mustard.The menu is concise and direct, brilliantly priced with the Full English works and rotating weekly menus. Looking at Instagram, I can see that lunch options vary, from kedgeree, fish pie, pea risotto, chicken tikka masala and kippers on toast. Simple food done well. They also offer dinner and natural wine on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Genuine East London greasy spoon atmosphere and a great place for Full English breakfast.My favourite greasy spoon cafe in East London for Full English Breakfast. Pelliccis on Bethnal Green Road opened in 1900 and is now run by the third generation of the same family. Mostly Italian menu and Full English Breakfast. Friendly staff (as long as you finish your plate) and great place for East Londoner spotting.

Going back in timeEating at the Ritz in London takes you back in time and I don’t mean in it in the bad sense of the word. In fact the complete opposite. The architecture goes back to 1903 and is in Louis XVI style which is impressive not only when you enter but also throughout the meal. So much to see! Live music performances. The menu is classic but with lots of modern touches. FOH is dramatic but shines very bright here with Giacomo as the star. Perfectly executed preparations at the table with fun exchanges in between were the cherry on top of the visit to the Ritz.

Proper big, hearty, classic British grub and carafes of claretLondon's oldest restaurant. Opened in 1798, the year Napoleon opened his campaign in Egypt. Serving proper big, hearty, classic British grub and carafes of claret. Food is at its best in Game Season - grouse and partridge, especially (Grey Legs are indigenous to Britain and Northern Europe, and are better tasting than Red-Legged partridge). Duck, pigeon and guinea fowl all brilliant, too. A soft, silken steak and kidney pudding is my absolute favourite, with buttered cabbage and rivers of gravy. I visit once a year, it has become ritual. This is classic food that's like a family hug, all comfort and joy.

A true East London institution. 24/7 hot salt beef bagels with pickles and mustard. The bagel bakeries on Brick Lane are part of East London’s Jewish food tradition. Beigel Bake has been around since 1974 and is open 24 hours every day of the week. Churning out an impressive amount of fresh bagels in the bakery in the back of the building, the must try is the hot salt beef (corned beef brisket) in a bagel with pickles and mustard. The pro tip is to wait for a new tray of salt beef arriving to the window where it’s sliced for the bagels. Also try the salmon and cream cheese, strudel and cheese cake.