The best lunch restaurants in Westminster

In St James's, Sael is a great shout for a long lunch that actually feels like more of an occasion. Headed up by Chef Sam Mills (formerly of Pollen Street Social), the menu focuses on seasonal British cooking prepared over a wood fire, featuring perfectly seared steaks, smoky vegetables, and rich sauces. The space is elegant yet laid-back, featuring marble floors, brass accents, and a buzzy bar that serves cold pints and classic cocktails.

One of London's best steakhouses, The Jones Family Kitchen is renowned for its premium cuts, elegantly furnished interiors, and Josper charcoal oven expertise. Lunchtime diners can order à la carte or opt for the set menu. The latter includes two or three courses of dishes like tomato tart tatins, baked aubergine with cous cous, pine nuts, and coriander yoghurt dressing, or grilled onglet steak with chimichurri and fries. Add an aperitif for a well-rounded meal.

Old Queen Street Café feels like a Westminster insider secret, where brasserie vibes meet political history (those old Churchill floorboards are worth a look). Lunch hits the sweet spot, with dishes like fried cod's cheeks, smoked salmon with potato galette, and Isle of Wight tomato tart. There's also wine and cocktails if you fancy a lunchtime drink.

If your lunch needs heat, Ma La Sichuan is where to go. The menu here features traditional dishes such as ma po fofu, kung pao chicken, and egg-fried rice, all made with the signature Sichuan peppercorns that define the cuisine. The elegant dining room adds a slightly grown-up atmosphere, making it a hotspot where Westminster workers and MPs can enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine.

At Relish Sandwich Bar, the menu covers all the bases: toasted sandwiches, fresh salads, jacket potatoes piled high with classics or adventurous fillings, and occasional seafood specials. Everything is made with high-quality ingredients, and the coffee is strong enough to keep you going after lunchtime. 

At The Cinnamon Club, the set lunch menu includes two or three courses, ranging from starters like jackfruit and lotus root kebabs with poppy seed chutney to mains such as tandoori free-range chicken chops or char-grilled venison with masala mash. Desserts like lemon tart and gulab jamun cheesecake are a hit among those with a sweet tooth. The Grade II-listed setting adds glitz and glamour.

Kioku by Endo makes lunch feel like a little ceremony, serving some of the best sushi in the city, as well as delicate lobster and smoked yellowtail, among many other dishes. The set lunch menu is excellent value, plus the rooftop views over London don't hurt. And if you're feeling indulgent, the chef's table or private dining adds a hint of theatre. Downstairs, the sake bar is a sneaky spot for a post-lunch tipple.

GBR is all about putting a spotlight on British classics, with lunch dishes that include cod cured in Norfolk gin with beetroot, Barbary duck with girolles, and heritage beetroot with Yorkshire fettle, alongside hearty sides like dry-cured back bacon or Cumberland sausage, though the menu does occasionally change. The dining room is opulent yet not pretentious, making it an ideal setting for a work lunch, a catch-up with friends, or a sit-down meal when you feel like treating yourself.

Regency Café is an iconic London institution, boasting a distinctive black-tiled exterior. Head inside, you'll find hearty dishes like steak and kidney pudding, liver and bacon with chips and peas, and chicken escalope or minute steak with chips. The retro decor and film surroundings give it a bit of backstory.