Guide to old restaurants in London

Established in 1798, Rules is the oldest restaurant in the city. This is a long-standing fixture of Covent Garden with a lavish interior and a menu of classic British recipes. Game meat is a particular speciality here, but other favourites include steak and kidney pie, potted shrimp, and classic desserts like Eton mess and apple crumble.

Mon Plaisir is the oldest family-run French restaurant in the city, with a history spanning over half a century. This Monmouth Street bistro has a classic interior and serves an equally-classic menu. Diners can expect traditional favourites like French onion soup, escargot, duck confit, and coq au vin. A concise wine list is available to complete the experience.

Opened in 1926, Veeraswamy is London's oldest Indian restaurant and holds one Michelin star. The venue is packed with traditional charm and vibrant decor. A light business lunch menu is available as well as a more indulgent weekend lunch. À la carte dishes are available too like tandoori tiger prawns and smoked chicken tikka.

One of the city's oldest Italian restaurants, Franco's, opened in 1945. Indoor and outdoor tables are available at this airy and traditional venue. Choose set or à la carte menus, with dishes like burrata, pasta, and beef fillet, matched with wine or cocktails. Private dining is available and the restaurant hosts events like wine tastings.

Savoy Grill opened in 1889 but today it runs under the watchful eye of acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay. The interior is glamorous with Art Deco touches, mirrored walls, and plush textiles. A number of menus are available that showcase British and French classics with distinctive modern twists, including an exclusive chef's table experience.

Formerly a brothel and the home of Karl Marx, Quo Vadis is a restaurant and member's club that opened in 1929. This refined venue is known for its famous stained glass windows and bright and stylish dining space. Lunch and dinner are served here, with the menu focusing on quality British produce and traditional recipes.

Open since 1889, Sweetings is the oldest seafood restaurant in the capital. This blue-fronted eatery has a traditional bill of fare instead of a menu, and is a real treat for seafood fans. It's only open for lunch, with dishes ranging from oysters and lobster bisque to fish pie, various fish fillets, and fish cakes.

London's second oldest restaurant is Wiltons, which started out as a fishmongers in 1742. Seafood remains the focus here, where the timeless dining room makes you feel like you're stepping straight into history. Refined dishes like oysters and grilled Cornish plaice are served here in a tasteful setting minutes away from Piccadilly.

Opened in 1968, Mr Chow was the first Chinese restaurant in London and remains popular today. This place marries authentic Asian cuisine with European service for a unique fine dining experience. A number of set menus are available to give guests a well-balanced meal full of rich flavours and textures.

One of the city's most opulent dining destinations is The Ritz Restaurant, which opened in 1906. This upscale establishment is dripping with chandeliers, marble, and gold, and has one Michelin star. Seasonal British ingredients are used to craft gourmet versions of classic British and French recipes like beef Wellington or crêpes Suzette.

Glitzy seafood restaurant Scott's has a history dating back to 1851. It's known to attract A-list clients with its smart interior and luxurious food offering. Caviar, shellfish, and lobster are all on the menu, and there are veggie-friendly dishes if fish isn't for you. There's also a broad selection of wines and cocktails.

Opened back in 1871, Rock and Sole Plaice is one of London's oldest fish and chip shops. This traditional eatery attracts locals and tourists, with traditional white tiled walls inside as well as al fresco tables. The fish here is sustainable and carefully-sourced. The menu is simple with fish, chips, pies, and veggie-friendly alternatives.

Lively venue Quaglino's first opened in 1929. This legendary spot has a grand and opulent style and is known to attract celebrity and royal clients. Lunch and set menus are available in addition to sophisticated à la carte dishes. This place is also known for the live music performances that add to its buzzing atmosphere.

Established in 1869, The Quality Chop House has grown into a dynamic British restaurant with a sister shop next door. Food is served in a unique historical environment with a distinctive chequered floor. The menus change daily, with a focus on quality produce. À la carte options, a weekly set lunch, and Sunday lunch are all served.

The Bermondsey branch of M. Manze has been around since 1902. This is a traditional pie and mash shop – the oldest in the city – with a green canopy outside and a timeless tiled dining room. The food is simple and hearty here. Expect meaty pies with mash and gravy or liquor, plus side orders of jellied eels.

The Ivy in Covent Garden has been open since 1917. This mainstay of London dining has a glitzy look with art on the walls, green leather banquettes, and stained glass windows. The menu centres on British classics and international recipes, with a separate menu of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

L'escargot is one of the capital's oldest French restaurants, first opened in 1896 and in its current location since 1927. You can have a classic French meal in a vibrant space with chandeliers, plush leather seating, and an impressive art collection. This sophisticated spot instantly transports you to a Parisian brasserie.

A favourite with London's seafood fans, J Sheekey first opened in 1896. This red-fronted restaurant specialises in fish and seafood served in an elegant wood-panelled dining room. A wide variety of seafood dishes are served here, from the signature fish pie to luxurious caviar and oysters. Wine and cocktails are available from the horseshoe-shaped bar.

Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill opened in 1916. This elegant restaurant has spaces for private dining and is also popular for its heated outdoor terrace. Fish and chips, seafood, steak, and oysters are the main attractions here. The menu also features a variety of international dishes like crab spaghetti, curries, and gnocchi.

Dim sum restaurant Lido was the first Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, opening back in 1969. This bustling place has a distinctive dark exterior and a simple dining space. You can try a variety of steamed and deep-fried dim sum, as well as stir-fries, congee, and soup. The restaurant also offers set menus, including a selection of vegetarian dishes.

Opened back in 1979, Govinda's is one of the oldest purely vegetarian restaurants in the city and has links to the Hare Krishna movement. This simple and understated spot is all about cruelty-free food that's both nutritious and tasty. Traditional thali meals are popular here but the restaurant also has an à la carte menu of Indian and western dishes.

Serving Londoners since 1946, Punjab is the city's oldest restaurant specialising in Punjabi cuisine. The vibrant restaurant exterior attracts plenty of diners whilst it's more sedate and classic on the inside. Punjabi delicacies and Indian favourites are on the menu including curries and Tandoori dishes. Bottles of wine from countries around the world, including India, are offered here.

Established more than 30 years ago, Abyssinia Restaurant & Bar is regarded as the city's oldest Ethiopian restaurant. Visit this spot for traditional cooking in a lively atmosphere - there's regular live music to keep the vibe going. Classic Ethiopian cooking is on the menu here, including plenty of plant-based recipes.

Opened in 1965, Borscht 'n' Tears is the oldest Russian restaurant in the whole of the UK. It's still full of old fashioned charm, with a dimly-lit interior and a menu full of classic dishes. The venue also has a hidden garden at the back and a shisha bar. There's plenty of entertainment too with regular live music and karaoke.

South Kensington restaurant Daquise opened in 1947, making it the oldest Polish restaurant in the capital. It's steeped in tradition and has attracted some major names over the years. In the rustic dining room you can sample hearty home cooking like dumplings, warming soups, veal meatballs, and schnitzel. 

A historic gem on London's culinary scene, Claridge's Restaurant returned to the opulent five-star Claridge's hotel in 2023, although it first opened in the 19th century. The Art-Deco-inspired dining haven offers modern British gastronomy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu, complemented by wines from their cellar and other drinks, boasts gourmet treats like steak au poivre, grilled native lobster, or whole-roasted Cornish turbot.

Café Pacifico opened in 1982, making it the oldest Mexican restaurant in the whole country. It remains a humble and traditional restaurant with a vibrant dining space decorated with lively murals. A broad choice of Mexican favourites are served here, including vegan and gluten-free dishes and food for children. Margaritas and cocktails help diners get in the mood.

Open since 1939, Halal Restaurant is the oldest Indian restaurant in East London. This understated corner restaurant is a timeless destination close to Whitechapel. Diners are welcome to bring their own alcohol. You can choose from a wide array of traditional dishes including curries, biryani, chutneys, and naan bread.

Arirang isn't just the oldest Korean restaurant in London - it's the oldest in the whole country. This place has been serving classic dishes since the 1970s and has a moodily-lit and simple dining area. Diners here grill meat and seafood at the table. You can also choose from a variety of other typical Korean dishes to complement your meal.

In Bermondsey you can visit the oldest Tandoori restaurant in the city, Tower Tandoori. This venue opened in 1978 and remains popular today. The dining space looks smart and classic but there are outdoor tables too. The menu features Anglo-Indian dishes and options for different dietary needs. Takeaways, children's meals, and weekend thali banquets are all available.