Guide to the best restaurants near Liverpool Street

This swanky restaurant is located on the 40th floor of one of the tallest buildings in the capital. Enjoy traditional British dishes with a fancy twist with incredible views of London’s epic skyline. Dishes include braised duck leg and waffle, bbq-spiced crispy pig ears and spicy ox cheek doughnut. The best bit? It’s open 24/7, so is ideal for curbing those late-night, post-drinking cravings.

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.

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.

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.

Bookmark this one for the fancy moments, for when you want to celebrate a special occasion or you just fancy splashing the cash on a swanky meal. Enjoy a menu inspired by Japanese, Peruvian and Brazillian cuisine, with a menu chock-full of contemporary dishes, like crispy taquitos, asparagus tempura and wagyu gyoza. They also have menus suitable for vegan and gluten-free eaters.

Poppies is the place to go if you want to taste traditional British fish and chips close to Liverpool Street. Enjoy all the classics, like fluffy chips, steak pie with homemade tartare sauce and classic battered sausages. You can even tuck into desserts from here, like their decadent sticky toffee pudding. Dine in at their counter or enjoy a takeaway, which will come wrapped in their signature newspaper-printed box.

This palatial Lebanese restaurant is located moments from the hustle and bustle of Liverpool Street. Inside it’s trendy, decorated with Moroccan lamps and colourful furnishings. The menu is inspired by Middle-Eastern cuisine, with dishes like lamb kofta, baklava and velvety smooth hummus. They sometimes host belly dancers who jig to a funky playlist in between the tables.

Renowned chef José Pizarro’s third venture in Liverpool Street, is another casual restaurant plating up incredible Spanish dishes. Enjoy a range of tapas dishes with Spanish wines, both best enjoyed outside on the Broadgate Circle al fresco terrace. If you’re coming with a group of six or more, opt for their set menu, which features off-menu sharing plates, like paella.

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 Gary Foulkes 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.

This modern non-profit diner and cocktail bar serves a menu that's 100% plant-based. They're aiming to change the perception of vegan cuisine, focusing on menus of more indulgent fare, like mozzarella sticks, loaded fries, burgers, and hot dogs. For indulgent plant-based food that tastes just like the real thing, Unity Diner is a popular destination. Classic and signature cocktails are available too.

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.

Brother Marcus has branches all over the city, but their Spitalfields branch is the largest. It’s drenched in an oasis of foliage and light wood and is right in the hustle and bustle of Spitalfields Market. Enjoy one of their epic kebabs or opt for sharing plates, like their fluffy pita with hummus or baba ghanoush.

This Thai restaurant is located in a former fabric warehouse in a casual, stripped-down space. It's all about fragrant dishes here, best enjoyed as a selection of dishes for the table to share or via the à la carte menu, which features dishes like chicken skewers and crispy fried shallots. The menu is also known for having a wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

This minimalist Shoreditch restaurant is all about simplicity and unfussy sharing plates. Enjoy dishes like rabbit ravioli with wild mushrooms and figs with mozzarella and prosciutto in a space that feels Scandi-chic with its huge windows drenching the restaurant in natural light. There’s also an in-house sommelier that can offer expertise on what to drink to accompany your food, with a diverse list of classic wines and far-out wines to choose from.

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. 

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 passionate about Italian cuisine, Eataly is the place to be. It’s located next door to Liverpool Street Station, so it's super easy to get to and is the hub for anything and everything Italian. Enjoy gelato, pasta or pizza from any of their range of retailers, or pick up authentic Italian ingredients from the store to take back home with you. You can also participate in any of their workshops or events, like cooking classes and wine festivals.

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.

Sheba Brick Lane has been around since 1974 and is one of the best places on Brick Lane to enjoy a curry. It recently won the prestigious best curry in London title, awarded by the English Curry Awards. Enjoy classic Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi dishes like chicken tikka masala, prawn vindaloo, samosas and more in a no-frills setting on the heart of Brick Lane.

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.

Banh Mi Keu Deli 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.