Guide to the best restaurants in the City of London

A go-to when you’re looking to impress clients or significant others, 1 Lombard Street is housed in a Grade II-listed banking hall and decorated with a curated selection of art you can purchase. The upmarket brasserie serves regularly changing breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, championing quality British produce, sustainability and elevated British fare. You can try different cocktails beneath the glass dome of the central bar, and private dining options are available as well.

At the Four Seasons Ten Trinity Square hotel, the most decorated female chef in the world, Anne-Sophie Pic, serves tasting menus paired with wines from the Rhône Valley and beyond. Featuring a light Beaux Arts-style dining room with mirrored walls and contemporary art, the Michelin-starred La Dame de Pic offers elegantly-presented dishes with intriguing flavour combinations, for example Dover sole with smoked beetroot with barberries, curry and Peruvian marigold.

The elegant City branch of Goodman is where you go when you need to hash out a major deal over a prime cut. The steakhouse chefs have established personal relationships with the farmers who source their meat, and they take of dry-ageing it on-site themselves, before the cutting process, in order to maximise flavour. Using specially imported charcoal ovens, the meat is then prepared and served in a variety of steaks, with a selection of other mains available as well.

Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows on the 40th floor and a 24/7 opening time, Duck & Waffle lets you get your fill of the London skyline in all its daytime and night-time glory. The one-time fixture on the London culinary circuit plays around with internationally-inspired cuisine in specialities such as the eponymous braised duck leg and waffle, Angus beef tartare or corn ribs in spicy sticky sauce. Breakfast is served as well, and a private dining room is available for hire too.

Renowned chef Vivek Singh’s City branch of Cinnamon Kitchen is located in a former warehouse and features a sophisticated dining room, as well as an outdoor area for al fresco dining. Combining authentic Indian flavours and contemporary British influences, the restaurant uses innovative culinary techniques to prepare dishes such as green pea kachori chaat and tandoori chicken breast tikka.

A desirable destination for exploring fine French cuisine, this Michelin-starred restaurant evokes the rustic feel of Gascony whilst remaining undeniably sophisticated. Set in a former tea house with original features, Club Gascon serves imaginative French dishes such as duck foie gras flan, seared king scallop with plankton pearls, and cauliflower carpaccio with autumn truffles. You can choose between different tasting menus, with wine pairing available with all.

At this casual eatery, you can expect the usual high-powered City crowds, sharing cocktails, small plates and work woes in a cool modern setting with plenty of natural light streaming through the glass-panelled front. Spanning two floors, The Drift offers all-day dining via carefully crafted seasonal menus where there’s something for everyone. Whether in the restaurant, the bar or outside on the pavement terrace, you can enjoy a range of drinks, from cocktails to fine wines.

Another hit from the successful team behind Gymkhana, Hoppers and Bao, Brigadiers is inspired by military officers’ mess halls in India. Decked out in deep brown tones and polished wood, this barbecue restaurant doubles as a TV sports bar with a pool room. Instead of the usual greasy boozer fare, however, expect a touch more class on the menu, which ranges from beer snacks to juicy ribs and chops.

At the City outpost of Coppa Club, you can sit on a spacious, verdant terrace or in one of the private pods and enjoy splendid views of Tower Bridge, The Shard and other landmarks. The menu at this riverside eatery relies on Mediterranean-inspired favourites such as pasta, pizza, salads and seafood, with the holiday vibes helped along by the plentiful wine and cocktail options.

Caravaggio is a serious place for serious Italian cuisine, with high ceilings, Art Deco furnishings, a marble-topped bar and none other than Luciano Pavarotti commemorating the opening in 1996. Dedicated to Italy’s renowned masters of art, the sophisticated restaurant serves traditional Italian dishes to City folk, with an extensive Italy-focused wine list to go along. A two- or three-course set menu option is available as well.

At the Michelin-starred Angler, chef Gary Foulkes oversees a changing menu that highlights sustainably sourced British seafood and seasonal produce. Featuring an elegant dining room with mirror walls and ceiling, the seventh-floor venue also boasts a Provence-style rooftop terrace with its own bar. À la carte and tasting menu options are available for lunch and dinner here, accompanied by an extensive list of bottled wines.

A bastion of trendy Nikkei cuisine, Sushisamba is among the most popular upmarket restaurants in the capital, not just the City. Inspired by Japanese and South American flavours, ingredients and techniques, the menu features contemporary dishes, with vegan and gluten-free options available as well. The stylish restaurant high above the streets is particularly known for its outdoor terrace and sweeping views of the skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. On weekends, they also host decadent dance parties with immersive entertainment.

Spanning two floors at the Bloomberg Arcade and featuring a private dining area, the open-plan Lina Stores branch will suit you whether you’re just out for a quick lunch or looking to make a night of it with your colleagues. Lina Stores is known for its authentic Italian ingredients and freshly made pasta, including stracciatella ravioli, pappardelle and tagliolini, slathered in rich sauces, parmesan, truffles and more.

The stripped-down setting of this former fabric warehouse belies the wealth of deep, exotic flavours of Thai cuisine showcased here. You can choose a “tem toh” menu with an assortment of authentic dishes to share, or go à la carte for specialities such as chicken skewers with crispy fried shallots or five-spice soy braised pork. Som Saa places a significant emphasis on vegan and vegetarian options as well.

Famed chef José Pizarro, affectionately nicknamed the Godfather of Spanish cooking in the UK, has several branches around the capital, including this one next to Liverpool Street Station. The menu of course revolves around classic Spanish tapas, with the laidback eatery giving off serious Iberian vibes once the sun hits the outdoor terrace. Add one a glass of Spanish wine or sherry for even more authenticity. Larger groups can also pre-order a set menu that includes off-piste specialties such as paella.

Open for lunch only, Sweetings serves a traditional bill of fare with seafood as the headlining act. Having first opened 130 years ago, this no-frills eatery is strong on the nostalgia and timeless hospitality. Whether you’re in the mood for lobster bisque, caviar, oysters or fish prepared in different ways, Sweetings will sort you out, then slap on a homemade dessert or a glass of wine for good measure.

Finding an even more suitable neighbourhood for its upmarket shenanigans, the City branch of the luxurious Bob Bob Ricard features all the trademarks – flamboyant interior design that goes for the nautical opulence of super yachts, all the deluxe French, Russian and British delicacies from caviar onwards, the infamous tableside “Press for Champagne” button, and the hefty final bill.

This sophisticated restaurant lets fans of Asian cuisine kill two birds with one stone, as it serves both Chinese and Japanese specialities, with the main kitchen complemented by a dedicated sushi bar. The award-winning design of the restaurant includes stylish furnishings and elegant bamboo screens, and there’s a range of menus to choose from, each with familiar treats as well as adventurous options. You can enhance the experience further with Asian-inspired cocktails, Japanese spirits and more.

Celebrity chef Jason Atherton serves contemporary Michelin-starred cuisine with British and European inflections high above the capital, on the 24th floor of Tower 42. Naturally, the lavish setting comes with spectacular views of the surrounding landmarks, for example the Gherkin. You’ll find the finest British produce on the menu here, as well as Josper-grilled specialities and a dedicated cocktail bar. For a more intimate experience, book the chef’s table.

Serving the world-famous banh mi sandwich that gives it its name, as well as other mouth-watering Vietnamese delicacies, Banh Mi Keu Deli is a top spot for a quick lunch or dinner bite in the City. You can try a broad array of sandwiches, snacks and noodles or rice dishes, all served in a sleek, contemporary setting with a light, breezy ambiance.

When it comes to Japanese noodle dishes, Koya is a hard one to beat. The popular joint specialises in thick udon noodles, serving them throughout the day in a range of hot or cold varieties. Donburi bowls and small plates are also available, while the drinks menu features beer, wine and sake. At the contemporary eatery, you can enjoy the food behind the communal table or seated within view of the kitchen proceedings.

Arguably the only fault with the 360-degree view at Searcys at The Gherkin is that you can’t see the Gherkin itself, seeing as the restaurant occupies the top three floors of the iconic building itself. That said, the 360-degree skyline panorama is no less stunning for it, while the restaurant’s stylishly modern interior is no slouch either. The menu celebrates local ingredients with a contemporary British and European roster, as well as signature cocktails and champagne.

The City Garden branch of the comfortingly familiar Ivy eateries feature a stylish Art Deco interior with a polished bar and an al fresco terrace. The contemporary dishes on the all-day dining menu at this relaxed restaurant range from global favourites such as tempura prawns and chicken Milanese to British classics such as shepherd’s pie and fish cakes. The opulent private room for hire seats up to 32 people, making The Ivy City Garden a good choice for corporate get-togethers as well.

A subterranean tribute to London’s popular 17th century chophouses, the City branch of the Blacklock steakhouses serves top-quality grass-fed meat at affordable prices. Choose from "skinny" or "big" chops on the menu, as well as dry-aged steaks and pork belly buns blanketed in crispy crackling. Blacklock City not only features a broader menu than other branches, it also boasts a separate cocktail bar.

14 Hills isn’t to content to just let you sit and enjoy the 14th floor skyline views – it heaps on a glamorous interior, full of greenery, chic furnishings, French flair and Instagrammable set pieces. Whether you're there for lunch, brunch, dinner or the inventive drinking concoctions, expect to find plenty of seasonal British ingredients and contemporary European influences.

The City branch of the Yauatcha Cantonese teahouse offers terrace seating as well as an elegant, vibrant interior. The restaurant is known for its eye-catching, photogenic dish arrangements. You can choose from among different signature menus, for example the exclusive rosé and dim sum pairing of the On Cloud Wine menu, or weekend brunch options. The European-style patisserie is also quite the treat, showcasing precisely crafted delights inspired by Chinese heritage and ingredients.

Coq d’Argent is a classic French fine dining establishment with all the bells, whistles and snails you’d expect at such a place. It boasts a well-tended rooftop garden with splendid views of the London skyline. The relaxed venue also encompasses several other outdoor terraces and an elegant interior, making it a good choice whether you’re just going for an intimate lunch date or hanging out with your entire team. The à la carte menu includes choices such as sirloin steak, lamb shank or veal rump, with set menus available as well – there’s even a truffle tasting menu.

This palatial eatery is spread across a vast area of the historic Lloyds Bank building on Lombard Street, with tiled floors, elegant seating and natural light recalling the finest such establishments in Madrid. The menu, overseen by a renowned Michelin-starred chef, spans the full range of traditional tapas, with fine Spanish wines and sherries to go along. You can enjoy a drink at the grand marble-clad bar, and private dining and catering options are available as well.

Caviar House & Prunier is a renowned market leader when it comes to caviar and smoked salmon. Its grand upscale venues around London offer patrons a taste of luxury, serving a variety of fine seafood alongside a range of alcoholic beverages including champagne. Their scrambled eggs with truffles are a big draw, as are the luxury bagels with caviar. The latter is served in a myriad of ways.