The best restaurants for lunch in London

Barrafina is a sought-after location for quick bites at lunchtime or longer, more indulgent meals. This sophisticated restaurant serves Michelin-starred tapas alongside a variety of Spanish wines and sherries. Try out tapas at this sleek venue, seated at the counter to watch the chefs at work.

Noble Rot is a wine bar with a kitchen that gives off an exclusive feel. Expect fine British and European cuisine, including a daily-changing set lunch option. Choose from 2 or 3 courses. Snacks are also available at the bar for lighter bites. There's also an extensive range of unusual and hard-to-find wines from across the world.

Pollen Street Social was awarded a Michelin star in its first 6 months that it still retains more than 10 years later. Tasting and a la carte menus are available, as is a 3 course set lunch for a sociable meal. You can expect contemporary British dishes like lemon sole with scallop and seaweed mousse. More indulgent extended lunch menus and a chef's counter lunch are also on offer.

Islington restaurant Trullo is a mainstay of Italian dining in the capital. This contemporary neighbourhood eatery is a popular place for a traditional Italian lunch. On the menu you'll see antipasti, pasta recipes, and dishes fresh from the charcoal grill. The menu here changes regularly and everything is made from seasonal and sustainable produce.

El Pirata is a much-celebrated Mayfair tapas restaurant that's recognised in particular for its set lunch menu. Enjoy your choice of two tapas with bread, aioli, and a soft drink for a satisfying midday meal. There's also a Saturday brunch, a large main menu of classic tapas, and more than 140 Spanish wines available.

Aqua Shard is on the 31st floor of The Shard and offers panoramic views of London. A 3 course menu is available every day at lunchtime, making this restaurant a popular venue for a special meal. As well as the main menu, you can enjoy afternoon tea and weekend brunches here. Private dining is also available.

Secret Sandwich Shop is actually pretty well-known, despite the name. Tucked away from the street, this place feels exclusive. Londoners come here for soft and and fluffy Japanese sandos made with shokupan bread. A choice of fillings are offered from simple tuna mayo to the signature sando with seven different veggies.

Open since 1900, Paul Rothe & Son is a classic Marylebone lunch spot. The timeless exterior is a hit on Instagram and the menu is ideal for midday cravings. Simple fillings including meats, cheeses, and plant-based ingredients are on offer, sandwiched in your choice of bread. Baked potatoes and two types of soup are also available each day.

Michelin-starred eatery Gymkhana evokes the feel of elite colonial members clubs in India. This luxury restaurant includes a number of spaces and specialises in northern Indian cuisine. An indulgent lunch menu is available with the option to add dessert and wine. Try dishes like chicken tikka and Goan prawn curry here.

Tongue & Brisket serves generous deli sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Choose between bagels, rye bread, and white bread with homemade fillings like salt beef, smoked salmon and cream cheese, or chopped liver. Soups, salads, and other snacks are also on the menu here, with vegetarian options and a vegan bagel available too.

Scott's attracts an A-list clientele with its luxurious seafood menu and sleek venue. Here you can enjoy caviar, oysters, shellfish, and other main meals for an indulgent lunch. Whilst seafood is the focus there are plenty of plant-based choices available too. A varied choice of wines and cocktails is offered from the bar.

Opened in 1994, St John is a renowned British restaurant that has held a Michelin star for more than 10 years. Lunch is served every day, with a new menu every time to make each visit a unique experience. Expect traditional flavours like whole bone marrow, rabbit, and sweetbreads. There’s a bar menu too for sandwiches and quick lunches.

Specialising in British cooking, Hereford Road Restaurant is a smart but relaxed bistro that's housed in a Victorian butcher's shop. Menus change daily and for lunch there's a set 2 or 3 course offering. Expect meaty dishes like kidneys and roast pork, plus a large wine list.

Ducksoup is an intimate Soho wine bar and restaurant, serving bar snacks, meals, and desserts. A selection of small plates are available - a couple of choices makes a fulfilling lunch or you can choose even more for a dinnertime feast. Wines are available by the glass and there's a focus here on natural wines.

Set within Somerset House, Spring offers seasonal menus that change every day. There's a commitment to serving quality produce and there's a set lunch menu available that includes 2 or 3 courses. Spring is also a restaurant with a conscience, with campaigns to reduce food waste and plastic usage.

The Quality Chop House began life in 1869 and has evolved into a contemporary British restaurant and shop. Menus change daily - as well as the main menu there's a set lunch option on weekdays and a Sunday lunch menu offering 2 or 3 courses. Vegetarian choices are available too.

Brasserie Zédel brings the grand Parisian brasserie to London with art deco interiors and a classic French menu. Grab a sandwich from the café menu for a quick lunch or try the plat du jour or set menus for a more filling meal. At Brasserie Zédel you can also sample classic French wines and aperitifs.

Sweetings is a classic seafood restaurant that only opens for lunch. At this traditional British venue you'll find a broad choice of fish and seafood, including oysters, caviar, and fish meals. Favourite homemade British desserts are also on the menu. Accompany your lunch with wine, available by the glass or bottle.

At Lima you can discover the vibrant tastes of Peruvian food. Combining traditional ingredients from South America with British produce, there are a la carte and tasting menus as well as an express option for flavour-filled lunches. You can also choose from a selection of South American and European wines.

Opened in 1926, Veeraswamy is London's oldest Indian restaurant and it has gained a Michelin star for its charm and tradition. A light business lunch menu is on offer when you need a satisfying working lunch, or choose from a special menu of dishes served for lunch at the weekends.

Sushi is a popular choice for lunch and Dinings SW3 offers sophisticated sushi, sashmi, and fusion food. A modern take on a Japanese izakaya, you can expect attentive service and a contemporary menu. Daily specials are available every day too. Wine, sake, and cocktails are available to complete your meal.

Fallow is focused on creative, sustainable, and well-balanced food that you can enjoy throughout the day. There’s a set weekday lunch menu, offering 3 courses at an affordable price. The food here is contemporary British cuisine, including plant-based options on the main and set menus. Seating is available indoors or on the heated terrace.

City Caphe is a popular destination for hungry city workers - it can get busy so be prepared to queue! It serves authentic Vietnamese dishes made to traditional family recipes. Try out noodle soup or rice or cold noodles with your choice of toppings for a satisfying lunch.

Frenchie is a modern French brasserie that still has London's character. In addition to the main menu, you can choose a set menu suitable for lunch and pre-theatre meals. Dishes include sea bream carpaccio and pasta stuffed with goat’s cheese. French wines are available, as well as wines from other regions.

Hakkasan is a modern Chinese restaurant in Mayfair that holds one Michelin star. The restaurant offers tasting menus that take you on an experience through Cantonese cuisine but there's also a special menu of dim sum that's available for lunch at the Mayfair location. Complete your lunch with wine, champagne, or cocktails from the bar.

Ikoyi serves up its own unique cuisine that has earned it an impressive two Michelin stars. Heavily influenced by the flavours of West Africa, Ikoyi aims to develop innovative new dishes that focus on sustainable ingredients and rich spices. As well as a tasting menu, a fixed menu is available for lunch.

Forget your usual lunchtime sandwich and try an open sandwich from Scandinavian Kitchen. Close to Oxford Circus, this modern Nordic restaurant serves sandwiches, salads, and hot food for breakfast and lunch. Coffee, cake and pastries are also served. Plus, Scandinavian Kitchen houses a Scandinavian grocery store selling hundreds of products.

At Kerridge’s Bar & Grill you can enjoy traditional British dining surrounded by a specially commission and curated art collection. Expect elevated cuisine, with a 2 or 3 course menu du jour available for both lunch and dinner each day, plus a wide variety of drinks. On Sundays an indulgent Sunday roast is served.

L'escargot is a Soho venue with a rich history, serving up classic French dishes. Enjoy meals like foie gras pâté or French onion soup in this refined and unique environment - choose the set menu for lunch or pre-theatre. Naturally, escargot are on the menu in large or small portion sizes. There's also a large choice of French wines.

Trishna serves Michelin-starred Indian cuisine in a comfortable neighbourhood restaurant. Dishes like biryani, Tandoori meals, and curries are available alongside a lengthy wine list. Tasting menus are on offer for a full experience of Trishna's cuisine, including a 3 or 4 course lunch option. Takeaways are available too.

Cecconi’s Pizza Bar is a smart and relaxed Soho restaurant, serving pasta and wood-fired pizza. The set menu is a convenient choice for lunch or choose from the all day or late night menus. Complete your meal with an Italian wine or a cocktail, including some much-loved cocktails on tap!

Benita Bakery is a modern café and bakery that's a top spot for lunch. Freshly-baked products are available every day, and the pizza, quiche, and sandwiches are ideal for a midday meal. Sandwiches on offer include a croque monsieur or goat's cheese and fig relish, made with the bakery's fresh bread.

For a fresh and healthy lunch, try Grab & Go in Westminster. This is an informal and affordable self-serve salad buffet, with pricing based on the size of container you choose. Take your pick from salads, vegetables, bread, and hot items like falafel. The hummus here is not to be missed!

Grab an affordable lunch full of Southern Indian flavours from Ganapati in Peckham. The dining room is simple but it is full of vibrancy and colour, plus there's outdoor seating. The lunch offering includes a choice of thali meals and other set dishes, including one vegetarian and two vegan options.

Opened in 1978, Odette's is an iconic local restaurant in Primrose Hill. This sleek and sophisticated spot has won numerous accolades and offers a choice of refined menus. For lunch there's an express offering that gives diners three fresh and seasonal courses served within 45 minutes. The menu changes weekly, with dishes like wild garlic mousse and gnocchi.

Try Atis for a fresh and healthy lunch that's good for your body and soul as well as our planet. This place serves healthy and powerful bowls in a crisp and clean setting, as well as providing catering services. Choose a salad, grain, or seasonal bowl, or build your own with all your favourite ingredients.

It's takeaway-only for lunch at 40 Maltby Street so grab your lunch and relax at the riverside. This cosy spot has menus written on chalkboards and serves an ever-changing menu made with British produce. At lunchtime the focus is on sandwiches with tempting fillings like roast aubergine and goat's curd.

The Maine celebrates the cuisine of New England in a sophisticated venue that's brimming with refined style and classic looks. It's a glamorous spot with indoor and outdoor tables. At lunchtime you can choose from à la carte dishes or go for the prix fixe menu. Expect plenty of seafood, oysters, and steak.

A plate of pasta at Soho restaurant Pastaio makes a delicious meal at any time of day. This friendly restaurant is bold and modern with a colourful wall mural. The pasta here is freshly-made and served with a choice of sauces including carbonara and slow-cooked tomato sauce. Antipasti is also available to add to your meal.

Small-batch bakery Chatsworth Bakehouse started in lockdown but is serving up some of the most in-demand sandwiches in town. You'll have to order in advance to secure yours. The bread, sweet bakes, pizza, and sandwiches here are constantly changing but one of the generously-filled gourmet sandwiches is a great lunchtime treat.

The Gunmakers might look like a typical pub but the specialities here are cocktails and Mexican street food. The venue blends traditional style with contemporary touches and there's a friendly but peaceful atmosphere. It's popular for drinks after work as well as for lunches with its menu of tacos, tostadas, and sharing plates.

Get a portable lunch from The Kati Roll Company. This vibrant street food spot is cosy and offers food to eat-in or take away. The speciality is loaded hot wraps made with an Indian paratha packed with flavoursome ingredients ranging from chicken tikka to potato and veg patties. Indian soft drinks like lassi are served as well.

Sample Egyptian street food that's ideal for a speedy lunch at Koshari Street. This modern eatery serves vibrant bowls based on the Egyptian national dish, an exciting mix of pasta, rice, lentils, and tomato sauce. The classic option is vegan-friendly but you can add extras like chicken, lamb, or spicy potatoes.

Try Banh Mi Hoi-An if you're having lunch in Hackney. This Vietnamese spot is a simple but bustling sandwich shop that's only open for lunch. Try a classic banh mi baguette served with a variety of fillings or choose a rice bowl full of traditional flavours. You can get a takeaway or eat-in to soak up the atmosphere.

Island Poké brings Londoners a taste of Hawaii with its tropical bowls and there are locations throughout the city. These relaxed and informal eateries offer set recipes as well as the option to craft your own ideal bowl with a choice of bases and extra toppings. Poké bao buns are on the menu as well.

Open from lunchtime til late, Wok to Walk is a vibrant spot serving tasty custom meals for any time of day. These casual places are all about stir-fries and you're free to create your perfect mix. Choose a base from rice, noodles, or mixed veggies before adding extra ingredients, sauces, and toppings for a hot meal that's just right.

Check out Bibi's if you favour a fresh and healthy lunch. Freshly-prepared salads are the focus at these cute and contemporary venues, and the tasty mixes on offer often sell out quick. You can mix and match your favourites to create your perfect salad box. Drinks and fresh savoury bakes are on offer here as well, plus catering services are available.

Enjoy a Michelin-starred Chinese lunch at Kai in Mayfair. For lunch you can try the restaurant's elegant à la carte dishes at reduced prices, paired with cocktails and global wines, including bottles from China. This upmarket spot has a sophisticated look with distinctive wall art and metallic details. Private dining is also available here for an even more special meal.

Centrally-located restaurant Malevo Tower Bridge serves Argentinian dishes and has plenty of options that are ideal for lunch. Whether you want something light and affordable or an indulgent meal, this vibrant restaurant full of original art will satisfy. Special lunch dishes here include empanadas served with salad, Argentine sandwiches, and grill platters to share.

A supper club turned permanent eatery, Pasero in South Tottenham starts the day off with coffee and fresh pastries, continues with eat-in or takeaway lunches, and finishes the day as a full-fledged restaurant and wine bar. Expect small plates of seasonal European fare from the mind of head chef Pip MacDonald, formerly of J Sheekey, Merchants Tavern and Scott's, among others.