The cosiest restaurants in London

With vintage furnishings and Soviet-era posters adding colour and character, Little Georgia is a cosy London restaurant with a lot of heart. Tucked away on a corner in Islington, the restaurant serves traditional Georgian cuisine, from boat-shaped breads loaded with melted cheese to stuffed dumplings, roast pork, and fragrant vegetable stews. It's warm and welcoming, doubly so thanks to the friendly staff.

Named after an infamous 18th-century courtesan, this cosy restaurant in Mayfair spot blends historic charm with a playful, creative twist on British cuisine, infused with Spanish influences. The setting, full of quirky details, vintage paraphernalia, and intimate lighting, provides a warm and welcoming setting, enhanced by the comforting food and expertly mixed drinks.

Violet's in Soho serves Georgian dishes like khachapuri, khinkali and slow-cooked stews with plenty of authentic flavour and generous portions. The bar covers the classics with cocktails, a solid wine list and a few easy spirits, which suits the relaxed setup. The room is low-lit with vintage details and a steady flow of diners keeping the vibe lively. It is a great choice if you want a proper Georgian restaurant in the centre of London.

Not only is The Jones Family Kitchen one of the best steakhouses in London, it's also one of the cosiest ones. Instead of the usual sleek, business-like interiors favoured by many steakhouses, it's decked out in stylish floral wallpaper and plush fabrics, with dim lighting for an intimate mood. The menu features a variety of premium cuts alongside plentiful sides, with cocktails, fine wines, and other beverages providing the perfect accompaniment.

With fur-covered seats, customers' thanks scrawled on the walls, and friendly staff eager to introduce you to authentic Georgian cuisine, Aba-Ra! is one of the cosiest restaurant in London. The menu at the family-run restaurant covers classic Georgian dishes like the signature khachapuris, khinkali dumplings with various fillings, and sweet traditional desserts, all accompanied by fine Georgian wines and a welcoming smile.

Quality Wines, the sister spot to The Quality Chop House, is a cosy neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar with a continental charm and an ever-changing wine list that spans natural bottles, skin-contact varieties, and English sparkling wines. Guests can enjoy wines by the glass or bottle, pair them with regularly rotating small plates from visiting chefs, or purchase a favourite to take home. For a special occasion, groups can book the shop table for a candlelit chef's menu with paired wines.

The Shed, part of the Gladwin Brothers' Local & Wild group, is a sustainable farm-to-fork restaurant near Notting Hill Gate that brings the flavours of the Sussex countryside to London. Run by a farmer, a chef, and a restaurateur, it showcases hyper-seasonal, zero-waste British cooking through both a tasting menu and à la carte dishes. Menus at this cosy London restaurant highlight wild, foraged, and locally grown produce from the family farm, with plates such as Sussex beef sirloin with celeriac remoulade and English asparagus with duck egg and hazelnut mayo.

La Poule Au Pot brings French countryside living to London. Overflowing with personality, the cosy dining room is crammed with everything from baskets of dried flowers to whimsical knick-knacks, creating a rustic, picture-perfect version of a traditional French bistro. The menu offers a full spread of Gallic favourites, including escargots, the titular house “chicken in a pot,” and fine French wines.

Campania & Jones brings the flavours of southern Italy to life in a cosy restaurant setting with rough-hewn furnishings and pendant lights. The kitchen keeps things unfussy, offering both an à la carte selection and a monthly set menu. Dishes range from classic appetisers to freshly made pasta, alongside hearty meat and fish options. The wine list is thoughtfully chosen, with a strong emphasis on bottles from the south of Italy that pair beautifully with the menu.

Considered one of the most romantic restaurants in London, Andrew Edmunds is plenty cosy even when utilised for platonic purposes. Candlelight, old-school charm, and expertly executed European cuisine combine blissfully at this cherished Soho institution. Add a glass of fine wine and settle in for one of the cosiest dining experiences in London.

26 Grains is rooted in the Scandinavian concept of hygge – comfy, warm cosiness permeating everything from the food to the setting. Even the area it's in – Neal's Yard – is arguably the cosiest part of Covent Garden, a nice little retreat full of gourmet goodies and chille vibes. At 26 Grains, you can enjoy an all-day menu of simple, nourishing breakfast fare like porridge or sourdough toast.

The Spitalfields branch of Bubala has long been delighting plant-based diners with its take on Middle Eastern dining. Serving food in an intimate, softly lit setting, the snug London restaurant offers a regularly changing tasting menu that features standout dishes such as black seed honey-drizzled halloumi, falafel, and creamy labneh – all entirely meat-free yet full of flavour.

With its pleasant garden setup, The Lacy Nook draws on the self-taught owner-chef's Balkan roots for a menu of inventive, modern spins on regional favourites like beef ćevapi, shopska salad, and moussaka. The Walthamstow restaurant exudes a warm, welcoming atmosphere, complemented by plenty of outdoor seating for sunny days. Whether seated inside or outside, it's easy to imagine whiling away an afternoon in contentment here.

To a certain kind of person, cosy means a comfy pub, followed by a nice Chinese takeaway. Duck and Rice in Soho does you one better, hitting both of those at the same time. The welcoming pub on the ground floor is complemented by a Chinese dining area upstairs, letting you enjoy a relaxing comfort meal in homely surroundings. The restaurant has been around for a while and recently even opened a second branch in Battersea.