Guide to London restaurants for first-timers

Award-winning restaurant Bao is one of the most sought-after places in the city for steamed Taiwanese dumplings. These restaurants have a crisp and modern style and serve Taiwanese small plates. Dishes range from the classic fluffy buns to treats like fried chicken or trotter nuggets in a burnt chilli sauce.

A new opening from the famously-OTT Big Mamma restaurant group, Jacuzzi is a hot tip for dining in London. It's a vast four floor restaurant in a former bank with a botanical mezzanine floor and a disco-themed toilet. Outrageous Italian dishes are on the menu like a chocolate fondue for two made with half a kilo of chocolate.

Classic restaurant Rules was established in 1798 and is the oldest in London. Head to this timeless luxury space to try out classic British cooking, including plenty of game dishes. The carefully-sourced ingredients show off British cuisine at its finest. Expect the classics like potted shrimps, steak and kidney pie, apple crumble, and English cheeses. 

Head to red-fronted restaurant J Sheekey if you're a fan of seafood. This classic venue has been open for over a century and boasts an elegant wood-panelled dining space. Diverse fish and seafood dishes are on the menu, from luxury caviar and oysters to reliable old favourites like fish pie and fish and chips. Wine and cocktails are served too.

Roti King might be humble but it's one of the city's hottest culinary spots, with the original Euston legend now joined by other branches. Be prepared to queue when you rock up here, but if you do you'll be rewarded with soft and pillowy Malaysian roti. Have one filled with your pick of ingredients or served alongside your favourite kari.

Trendy East London restaurant Cafe Cecilia attracts a cool crowd and serves food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This place has won many accolades for its seasonal menus and crisp interiors. Most of the menu centres on British classics like kippers for breakfast and pork and apricot terrine and bay leaf posset for lunch.

Get unbeatable London views with your meal at Aqua Shard. Set on the 31st floor of The Shard, this modern restaurant has the wow-factor. Various menus are available, including afternoon tea. You can expect award-winning British dishes like grilled halibut and leek and potato ravioli. The bar serves up inventive contemporary cocktails.

Plant-based diners in the city know that Mildreds is the place to go. There are several contemporary locations that all have an airy feel and friendly service. Globally-inspired vegan dishes are served here all day, including breakfast and brunch. Kids' meals are available and the restaurant does a mean line of signature cocktails.

With several locations around London, Gökyüzü is a classic destination for Turkish cuisine. There's a warm and friendly atmosphere plus generous portions of authentic dishes. Try out a freshly-baked pide with your pick of toppings, grilled meat platters to share, or a refreshing salad. It's a cheery and informal venue that's ideal for groups of all sizes.

Eat with a view at Fenchurch, a fine dining restaurant located at Sky Garden. Contemporary British dishes are served at this elegant rooftop restaurant, with tasting menus of five or seven courses available when you fancy indulging. Dishes including upmarket recipes like a tuna sashimi mosaic and stuffed turbot with champagne sauce.

Local North London restaurant Xi'an Impression might be small and humble but it's made a big impact on the London food scene. This unassuming spot serves food from the Xi'an region of China, with tempting street food like hand-pulled noodles, Xi'an-style burgers, and shredded bread in broth. Eat here for a fresh experience of Chinese food.

Launceston Place has been stacking up the accolades, with chef-patron Ben Murphy being named National Chef of the Year in 2022. The restaurant specialises in modern European fine dining with seasonal à la carte options or set menus that explore a specific ingredient. Complement a meal at this elegant townhouse restaurant with something from the award-winning wine list.

The Instagrammable interiors and unique concept at Sketch, which combines four distinct restaurants and a bar, make it a top choice for dining in London. Set in a townhouse, this imaginative venue is great for a wide range of occasions, from afternoon tea to a casual meal or Michelin-starred dining.

Affordable and in-demand pasta can be found at Padella. This is a modern pasta bar with two locations. Hungry diners are willing to queue to get their fix here. It's a simple menu of fresh hand-rolled pasta paired with various tantalising sauces and fillings. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

Michelin-starred restaurant Brat serves sophisticated and varied menus with distinctive Basque influences. Diners will see plenty of fish and grilled dishes. There's also a diverse wine list that includes a monthly focus on a specific wine and gives diners a deeper insight into its origins. The dining room has a stripped-back yet refined feel.

Opened in 1869, The Quality Chop House is a classic restaurant that now serves contemporary British dishes and has a sister shop next door. Daily-changing menus focus on fresh produce and there's a set lunch as well as the à la carte menu. A Sunday roast is also served and veggie alternatives are always available.

Your basic sandwich gets an extreme makeover at Max's Sandwich Shop, making this restaurant in a quiet part of Islington one of the hottest dining spots around. It's quirky and experimental with a relaxed atmosphere and inventive food. The menu changes regularly but includes unique sandwich fillings like goat tikka masala.

Sample the classic London meal of pie and mash from M. Manze. The first of these old-school restaurants opened in 1902 and the venues still have a traditional feel. The food choices are simple here – choose a meat or vegan pie served with mash and doused in liquor or gravy. Add jellied eels on the side if you're feeling adventurous.

Behind what at first appears to be a Soho sex shop is La Bodega Negra, a classic Mexican spot in the capital. This clandestine venue has a cool and moody feel and serves street food with a sophisticated twist. You can try dishes like sea bass ceviche or truffle and black mole quesadillas.

Once upon a time Wong Kei was famously known as the rudest restaurant in London. Whilst that aspect of the service has calmed down in recent years, it remains one of the capital's biggest and most popular Chinese eateries. Varied Cantonese dishes are available here, including vegetarian options and set meals.

Opened in 1926, Veeraswamy is the oldest Indian restaurant in the city. It's a vibrant place with lots of traditional charm and has been recognised with a Michelin star. À la carte options include Tandoori tiger prawns and smoked chicken tikka but there's also a lighter business lunch menu and a special weekend lunch of traditional dishes.

If you're craving classic fish and chips then you can't go wrong with The Fryer's Delight. This traditional Bloomsbury restaurant has a distinctive retro look and the place has been going since 1958. Don't expect a big fancy menu here – choose cod, plaice, haddock, or skate, served with chips fried in beef dripping.

Opened in 1742 as a fishmongers, Wiltons is the second oldest restaurant in London and remains a classic dining destination. To this day, seafood is the speciality with à la carte and seasonal menus available. You can expect sophisticated dishes like oysters and grilled Cornish plaice. The interior has a timeless and refined look.

Dishoom serves some of the city's most in-demand Indian cuisine, and it shows from the queues you usually see extending from the entrance. There's a lively vibe and a tasteful interior, as well as mouthwatering menus inspired by Indian street food like chaat, roti rolls, and the signature black dal. 

The rise of Malaysian chef Mandy Yin means that her restaurant, Sambal Shiok, is a hot tip for diners in London. Based in Holloway Road, this humble laksa bar serves up four types of steamy authentic laksa, including a vegan version. Rice bowls and snacks are served too, and you can buy ingredients to take home from the pantry.

Intimate restaurant Dim Sum Duck is a big hit for Chinese food. It doesn't accept reservations but for many diners it's worth the wait. It's a simple but buzzy space with a vibrant exterior and a menu of generously-sized fresh dim sum, plus noodle dishes, rice, and flavour-filled barbecue duck.

Based at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, Ochre has been named as one of London's hottest restaurants since it opened in 2022. It's a comfortable bistro decorated in earthy tones, with classic and modern design touches. Menus show off sustainable British produce and there's a traditional roast on Sundays.

Getting a table at Leytonstone's Singburi is undoubtedly a challenge. This small Thai restaurant is known to be tough to get hold of but despite that, many diners turn up each evening for dinner, prepared to wait for an elusive table. Food is affordable and authentic and you can bring your own alcohol.

Double Michelin-star holder The Clove Club is a big name on the restaurant scene. The venue in Shoreditch is bright and style-conscious, whilst the food focuses on indulgent tasting menus of contemporary British cooking. There's also a set lunch when you need a fast meal, and vegetarian selections are available.

Enjoy a Michelin-starred Italian meal by the Thames at The River Café. This place is well-established on the city's food scene and has a warm atmosphere along with daily-changing menus. Take in the picturesque views whilst sampling dishes like pasta and wood-roasted pigeon. Don't miss out on the notorious Chocolate Nemesis cake for dessert.

Trullo is an iconic neighbourhood Italian restaurant in North London. Diners come to this sophisticated and classic eatery for pasta made fresh just before service and dishes from the charcoal grill. The ingredients used are seasonal and sustainable. Wine is served by the glass and you can get bottles to take home too.

Whilst there are many Vietnamese spots in Kingsland Road, Sông Quê Café stands out, in part because of its vibrant green exterior. This place is especially popular for casual dining. Try authentic Vietnamese recipes, including 11 different types of pho. It's a modest family-run restaurant with warm hospitality.

Duck & Waffle offers 24/7 dining with fantastic city views. From its 40th floor location with floor-to-ceiling windows, you won't miss a thing whilst you're eating here. Innovative international dishes are served such as braised duck leg with a waffle, corn ribs, or Angus beef tartare. It's well-known for its breakfast menu too.

Timeless and distinctive venue Oslo Court Restaurant occupies an unusual location in a block of flats and is an enduringly-popular choice for French food. The dining room has a classic look with a salmon pink colour scheme and crisp tablecloths. It's noted for exceptional service and traditional dishes like escargot, côte de veau, and sea bass.

Located right in the heart of the city, The Wolseley is a classic London dining destination. Evoking the feel of a grand European café, this sophisticated spot serves British and European dishes all day, including breakfast and afternoon tea. There's also a private dining space that overlooks energetic Piccadilly.

The pizza at Zia Lucia is touted as some of the best in London so it's worth trying out. At these contemporary casual restaurants you get a choice of different bases, such as traditional, wholemeal, gluten free, or charcoal. Choose your base and then decide which toppings to go for, with tempting possibilities like spicy burrata. Craft beer, cocktails, and wine are available to complete the meal.

Long-established fine dining restaurant Pied à Terre is a big name on the London food scene, having held a Michelin star for longer than any other UK restaurant. The surroundings are crisp and modern, with private dining areas available. Fine food is really celebrated here with seasonal tasting menus and gourmet masterclasses and events.

Sample premium sushi and Japanese dishes in a chilled-out atmosphere at Sumi in West London. Upscale dishes here include marbled wagyu steak, salmon teriyaki, and a range of sushi rolls. Complement your meal with cocktails, sake, or Japanese whiskies. Japanese beer and global wines are also available, and bigger groups are welcomed.

Placed discreetly in a converted bike shed, Rochelle Canteen is one of the hottest tips for dining in Shoreditch. This cosy haven serves daily-changing menus of seasonal British and European recipes like parsnip soup, veal brisket, and fish pie. Outdoor tables are available under a canopy for al fresco meals whatever the weather.

Have a meal in distinctive surroundings at Caravel. This floating restaurant is housed in a permanently-moored Dutch barge. The menu changes regularly but has clear French and Italian influences. Dishes include the likes of duck croquettes and mussels and chips. The interior is clean and simple and you'll feel a gentle sway from the water.

Legendary restaurant Quaglino's was founded in 1929 and is known for its lively vibe and A-list clientele. Both the space and the food are lavish and grand, and live music performances electrify the atmosphere. Set menus are available plus à la carte options such as caviar, pasta, steak, and fish dishes.

At sleek and modern Ikoyi you get a cuisine that's wholly unique. Heavily influenced by West African cooking, this place sets out to develop its own seasonal and sustainable style of cooking. Choose from a tasting menu or fixed lunch option to sample the flavours that have earned this place two Michelin stars.

If only luxury dining will do, head to The Ritz Restaurant. This is fine dining in an opulent setting with marble, chandeliers, and golden touches that's a byword for top quality. Seasonal British ingredients are used to prepare British and French classics like beef wellington and lamb cutlets. Indulge even more with a lavish tasting menu.

Opened in 1994 in a disused smokehouse, St. John continues to be a major player on the food scene in London. It has held a Michelin star for over 10 years and is credited with the revival of offal dishes. Expect hearty British cooking here, with daily-changing menus offering something new on every visit.

One of the city's most exciting dining experiences is available at Chinese restaurant Hunan. At this relaxed restaurant there's no menu to choose from. Just tell your server what you do and don't like and the kitchen will whip up a 12-18 course menu just for you, tailored to your preferences. It's indulgent as well as inventive.

Classic seafood restaurant Sweetings is only open for lunch. Particularly popular with the City crowd, this blue-fronted eatery has been serving fish and seafood for more than 130 years. It's a simple no-frills space with an old-school feel. Try fried, grilled, or poached fish, lobster bisque, or luxury oysters or lobster thermidore.

Based in a Grade II-listed building in Clerkenwell, Sessions Arts Club is one of the hottest names on the food scene. The venue includes a bar, restaurant, and performance space, and the focus is on creativity and the collective. In a pared-back space you can try out international menus.