Guide to the best American restaurants in London

It may be Sunday in Brooklyn, but it's also Sunday in London since Brooklyn brought over their award-winning café and bar to the streets of the Big Mmoke. The glossy pancakes here look too good to eat and are a must-order for any Insta-foodie. As for the rest of the menu, think classic breakfast dishes and a super creative cocktail menu, including a zingy Bloody Mary that swaps the vodka for smoky mezcal.

There's a reason this burger has earned itself a spot on many 'best burger in London' lists, as well as nabbing Winner of The Best Burger in the UK 2020. The concept for this particular burger has been inspired by one that the founder tried at an East Village burger joint, Zaitzeff, while living in New York. They're crafted using rare-breed, grass-fed beef from small farms around the UK.

If fried chicken on fluffy waffles with glossy maple syrup sounds like your cup of tea, then you need to check out Dirty Bones, a New York City-inspired restaurant. Enjoy classic, over-the-top American fare, like deep-fried mac and cheese balls, baby back ribs and cheeseburger dumplings.

Located at upmarket hotel The Beaumont, The Colony Grill Room is a smart New York-style grill restaurant that's considered one of the city's finest steakhouses. There's a transatlantic menu, with food served throughout the day. The whole place evokes a feel of old-school glamour, with cocktails, whiskeys, and cigars also available.

This award-winning New York steak restaurant has also hit up the streets of London to serve melt-in-your-mouth British dry-aged steaks and sustainably sourced seafood. The menus at Hawksmoor are crafted around the highest-quality ingredients keeping seasonality very much at the centre of everything they do.

For fine-dining American fare in central London, head along to Christopher's in Covent Garden. Think high ceilings, tables draped in white tablecloths and a vibey martini bar on the ground floor. The warm brioche French toast served with caramelised peaches, vanilla mascarpone and maple syrup here is sensational, as is the rest of the menu.

This classic old-fashioned diner in Notting Hill serves an all-day French-American breakfast menu as well as a host of other comforting dishes for a lip-smackingly good meal. The aesthetic is also on point, think red leather booths set against exposed brick walls and bright white hanging lights.

This British version of a New York grill is one of the best American steakhouses in the city. The beef served here comes from the US as well as the UK and the menu is chock full of incredible starters, like Irish smoked salmon, as well as a hefty list of mains and decadent desserts.

There are three Blues Kitchens scattered around the city and each promises top-notch food, excellent music and a mouthwatering drinks menu. Chow down on buffalo cauliflower or cheeseburger spring rolls and sip on spicy margaritas or blood orange negronis before dancing away well into the night to the melody of rhythm and blues.

You can't help but follow the wafts of smoke travelling down the street that'll eventually lead you to Smokestak, and then hopefully to their famous brisket bun. Most of the food here is cooked on the grill and they've nailed the barbecue aesthetic down to a T. However, if you came here just to order the Welsh rarebit-stuffed potatoes, you'd certainly leave happy.

If you consider yourself a bit of a fried chicken fiend, then you'll definitely want to try Chick 'n' Sours. You can choose from a menu of Asian-inspired delights, like Szechuan aubergine with pickled chilli and disco wings with Kung pao sauce. As for the drinks, there’s a menu of sour cocktails to choose from, such as the habanero jungle bird and the mexinese.

This Cali-inspired restaurant comes with an all-day dining menu of comfort food like an assortment of burgers, classic avocado toast and juicy shrimp tacos. Breakfast includes the must-try Cali breakfast burritos, but if you swing by for a later visit, the large outdoor terrace is ideal for evening cocktails.

Big Moe’s is based on a 1950s American diner, complete with glossy red leather booths and black and white chequered floors. Be prepared to feast on classic American fare, like homemade grilled burgers and crunchy, golden hand-cut fries, as well as decadent, over-the-top milkshakes for dessert. There's even a juke box if you fancy popping a tune or two on.

If you’re after an authentic American experience then look no further than Passyunk Avenue, a restaurant that’s bringing the taste of Philadelphia to the streets of London. Choose from a menu of cheesesteaks and other delicious sandwiches, all served on slices of Passyunk Avenue’s iconic Italian bread.

The Maine brings Londoners cuisine from New England. The restaurant feels sophisticated, spanning three floors and with a heated terrace too. You'll see classic style throughout the space. The menu is heavy on seafood plus there's steak, fresh pasta, and lobster rolls. This restaurant is well-known for oysters too.

There are a few branches of Big Easy around town, specialising in US-style barbecue and seafood. It's a buzzy and welcoming setting with live music every night to keep the party going. Carefully-sourced meat and seafood from Nova Scotia are used for American favourites like ribs, pulled pork, and smoked brisket.

Smith & Wollensky started out in New York in the 1970s. The London restaurant is refined and timeless, serving USDA dry-aged steaks and prime British and Irish cuts of meat. Burgers and shellfish are available here too. With white tablecloths, wood panelling, and leather seating, this place is an instant classic.

New York-style brasserie Joe Allen is a timeless dining destination in London. This classic space has been open since 1977. Enjoy drinks accompanied by live piano music in the bar or sample refined dishes like prawn cocktail, risotto, and ribs in the sophisticated dining room. Global wines and original cocktails are also available.

Plaquemine Lock may be a pub in Islington but the food will instantly transport you to Louisiana. This vibrant space is brought to life by murals on the walls and frequent live jazz nights. The food is packed with flavour – diners can indulge in po' boy sandwiches, gumbo, and other hearty classics.