Guide to the best restaurants near Liverpool Street

Sanjugo is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the area, especially for those who prefer to visit the smaller branches. The head chef was the head chef at SUSHISAMBA for twenty years, which speaks volumes for the menu. Inside, it’s cosy and intimate, with intricately decorated sake bottles lining the counter alongside slabs of grade-A sashimi. If you go at lunchtime they often have a lunchtime deal where you can enjoy a special for less than ten pounds.

Hand-pulled ribbon noodles are the aim of the game at this trendy noodle restaurant located around the corner from Liverpool Street station. It’s set out in a canteen style, with giant Chinese illustrations all over the walls. Their Biang Biang belt noodles with beef in special sauce are a hit, best enjoyed with one of their innovative side dishes, like jellyfish in chilli oil and fungus in mountains of coriander. 

Tayyabs is an iconic, family-run Punjabi restaurant in East London, known for its lively vibe, delicious, affordable dishes, and BYOB policy – meaning more money to spend on food. It's been serving up crowd-pleasing South Asian dishes since 1972, like sizzling curries, buttery naan, and veggie sides. With its iconic neon sign and loyal following, Tayyabs is a go-to spot for authentic Punjabi food in Whitechapel.

Smoking Goat is one of those wow-factor restaurants, and that’s primarily thanks to their chicken wings (you’ll know what we’re talking about if you’ve been here). It specialises in Northern Thai fare with a menu that switches up occasionally, although there are some mainstays. Expect dishes like spicy laab, whole-cooked fish and those famous chicken wings doused in fish sauce; they’re decadently sticky and sweet.

This Aussie-inspired cafe is located only moments from Broadgate Circle and is the place to go for an epic brunch. They serve dishes like sweetcorn fritters with poached eggs, red pepper, habanero and feta, and smoked salmon royale on a flaky croissant. The place is spacious, bright and trendy, with the option to dine outside on a balcony overlooking the rest of Broadgate Circle.

This Portuguese restaurant is decorated in traditional Portuguese blue and white tiles in a bright, trendy, wooden-floored space. The menu changes regularly and features traditional small plates, such as salt cod hash, beef cheeks and cauliflower and smoked Portuguese sausage. They are also proud to stock the largest selection of Portuguese wines in the UK, plus it’s only a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street Station, which makes stumbling home after a few too many glasses that little bit easier.

This all-day dim sum teahouse celebrates traditional Cantonese cooking with a contemporary twist. You can enjoy one of their signature menus, like the On Cloud Wine, where dim sum is paired with rosé. It’s definitely more on the high-end dining spectrum in London, so it's ideal for special occasions but also works for something a little more casual.

It’s all about barbecue at Temper, an excellent restaurant that butchers their meat in-house. It’s got an open kitchen and fire pits that offer a window into watching the art of your food being prepared around the smokey grill. Enjoy a range of tacos, seafood and prime cuts of meat in a buzzy and trendy setting with the option to dine in-house or in their private dining room on the mezzanine for larger groups.

This Michelin-starred spot has been serving fine French cuisine to hungry customers for over ten years. It’s the place to go for seasonal French fare in a sophisticated but casual setting. Past menus include crab, scallop lasagne, coffee, and Amalfi Leon risotto. There’s also a wine list that’s just as impressive as the food menu.

Chef Craig Johnston has crafted a British menu focused on seasonal produce and seafood in the heart of Moorgate, atop the five-star luxury South Hotel. This Michelin-starred restaurant is all about high-quality cooking using sustainable seafood fished from British waters. Feast on pretty plates of fresh food complemented by wines hand-picked by the on-site sommelier.

Bubala’s menu is focused on Middle Eastern food in the heart of Spitalfields. It’s the place to go for vegetarian dishes, with a menu chock-full of inventive dishes, like smacked cucumbers, tahini and chilli crunch and braised hispi with seaweed, dried orange and sesame.

The acclaimed Brat on Redchurch Street is a Michelin star restaurant specialising in the Basque style of cooking. Enjoy a menu of seafood, veggie and meat dishes, all grilled over the smokey open grill. Dishes include mutton chop with offal sausage and beans and young leeks with walnut and fresh cheese. The wine list is eclectic, focusing on a different wine every month, offering diners an insight into its provenance.

Few places tick as many boxes as Dishoom: delicious food, trendy setting and affordable (when you opt for sharing the dishes, which you definitely should). The restaurant pays homage to the Irani cafés and incredible food of Bombay, with dishes like chilli broccoli salad, murgh malai and paneer tikka stealing the limelight. Make sure you try their chai latte; it's a longstanding favourite for Dishoom lovers.

If you’re partial to a steaming hot bowl of hearty ramen, Tonkotsu is the place to be. This ramen hotspot specialises in comforting bowls of proper Japanese soup, made with noodles that are cooked for precisely 32 seconds, ensuring a medium bite. You can also enjoy a variety of sides, like chilli cauliflower wings and cucumber and king prawn katsu.

There's one place to go in London for incredible steak that won't break the bank, and that's Flat Iron. This steak restaurant is a chain with places located all over the city, but the Shoreditch branch is particularly trendy. Enjoy one of their prime steaks, best paired with a side of creamy spinach and beef dripping fries. You'll also get a free salted caramel ice cream in a waffle cone for dessert.

Kêu makes one of the tastiest and most authentic banh mi in the city. Crusty baguettes filled with fresh vegetables, pâte and slices of pork and a range of sides, like noodles and rice dishes. You can enjoy your food in-house, at the window seat if you like to people watch, or pick up a sandwich to grab and go.

Smokestak is a Shoreditch favourite, serving smoked meats which you can smell from ages down the street. Inside, the industrial-chic setting sets the scene for a no-frills experience. Things like slow-cooked brisket, sticky ribs, and flame-charred pork belly take centre stage. They're also known for their tender beef brisket, rich bone marrow, and thick-cut pork ribs, 

Sagardi is a traditional Basque restaurant showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients from Spain. They are known for their classic Basque dishes like morcilla sausage and in-house butchered txuleton beef. The restaurant is housed in the historic Cordy House, with wooden floors and furniture and an exposed industrial ceiling. There's also a lively pintxo bar for sipping pre-or-post meal.

Rochelle Canteen is a hidden gem tucked away in a converted bike shed in Shoreditch, offering a cosy sanctuary from the city streets. The menu changes daily, championing seasonal British and European-inspired dishes made with carefully sourced ingredients. It's home to a handful of outdoor tables sitting under a canopy, making it a lovely spot for al fresco dining, rain or shine.

Crispin is a stylish all-day restaurant and wine bar in Spitalfields, known for its seasonal sharing plates and low-intervention wines. The menu takes inspiration from Europe, with a focus on locally sourced produce from independent growers and small farms. Wines are mostly natural here, championing rare and indigenous grape varieties. The restaurant is housed in a striking triangular building, standing out from the street, but head inside, and the minimalist design lets the food speak for itself.

Kolamba brings the colourful dishes of Sri Lanka to a relaxed space in the heart of the city. The menu is chock full of authentic Sri Lankan dishes, including things like Ceylon chicken curry simmered on the bone in rich coconut milk and spiced pumpkin tossed with black pepper and red chilli. The space is laid-back and decorated with soft, neutral tones, setting a calming scene for enjoying your meal.

Pearly Queen is a Shoreditch hotspot that serves oysters, seafood, and ocean-inspired cocktails crafted by drinks maestro Max Venning. Head there for lunch or dinner and tuck into dishes like 100-layer cuttlefish lasagne, shellfish hummus, and delicious shellfish platters. The two-floor space offers the perfect chic, stylish setting for any occasion.

Gunpowder's Spitalfields restaurant is all about Indian dining in a cosy 20-seat space, perfect for those after a more exclusive meal. The menu includes a selection of small and sharing plates inspired by regional Indian dishes, like Kerala beef pepper fry, Gunpowder chaat, and Goan-style grilled prawns, as well as plenty of vegetarian options. Group feasting menus are also available, making it ideal for special gatherings.

If you're into meat in all its forms – T-bone steaks, ribs, burgers – Hawksmoor is a must. These guys are among the best steakhouses in the UK, with a leading team that has helped put British beef back on the map. Their original Spitalfields location delivers all you'd want from a proper steakhouse with a warm, welcoming vibe that keeps people coming back for more. Feast on sharing steaks cooked to perfection, as well as sides like mac n' cheese. Oh, and make sure you don't sleep on the creamed spinach.

Los Mochis combines Japanese and Mexican dishes into innovative, creative dishes, think sushi rolls with a taco twist. The restaurant is bright and colourful and filled with vibrant Mexican art.  There's a tasting menu to choose from or al à la carte, as well as a menu of signature cocktails. The restaurant also boasts one of Europe's largest collections of rare tequila and mezcal.