I must admit, I adore London and when I get the chance I very happily go there. And this I have done for many years alone or with my husband who studied and lived in London for many years. We have our favorite places and I have my own favorites too, particularly when speaking about visits and shopping (of course!). Making a choice is also very difficult as London is a real melting pot offering the best both from UK and from the rest of the world.
What I will offer you is my personal selection of restaurants and places to visit and where to shop, but keep in mind you can find lots of other places as new ones open daily, or small ones you can jump in strolling around.
Not to get you bored, I will split the My London tips in 2 parts. Enjoy!
RESTAURANTS
The Grenadier – Historical pub with true traditional food
A landmark in its own right, The Grenadier in Belgrave Square is royalty amongst London pubs. This historic treasure chest is a hidden gem, beloved by both locals and visitors to the city.
The menu (on top of beer as classical as it can be such as Ale or dark beer): beef Wellington, English lamb rump, steak and ale pie, Haddock fillet and much more including a special Sunday menu.
Established by Thomas Rule in 1798, Rules is a Covent Garden institution and the oldest restaurant in London. The whole-hearted menu of traditional British food specializes in classic game cookery, oysters, pies and puddings, featuring game birds, roe deer and Belted Galloway beef fresh from the establishment’s own High Pennines estate. The wine list is a French-led affair, or there are native draught beers served in silver tankards.
Our favorite, loved by royalties, politicians (Margaret Tatcher used to eat here) and old aristocracy. A symbol of the best of old England.
Wiltons was established in 1742. George William Wilton provided the finest oysters to the traders of London’s Haymarket. Today Wiltons continues that tradition and continues to serve the finest oysters, seafood and game. You need to book well in advance and also respect a formal dress code.
Simpson’s in the strand (temporarily closed but due to re-open in 2025)
British classics perfected since 1828. Simpson’s in the Strand: home to the best Sunday roast in London. British old school, but still an experience. Tradition says you should tip a guinea (or the actual correspondent) to the waiter serving you from the roast chariot 😊It is temporarly closed but due to reopen in 2025. It is located near Covent Garden and inside the Savoy Hotel.
J. Sheekey is a renowned seafood restaurant located in the heart of theatre-land. Since its conception in 1896, ‘Sheekey’s’ has been providing theatre goers, casts, audiences and friends with the finest seafood and shellfish from its home in St Martin’s Court. The iconic ruby red frontage welcomes guests, while inside, a central crustacean bar and walls adorned with framed photographs of famous faces are just a few of the timeless features that sit throughout the space. Oyetsrs and crab at their best.
Wright Brothers Borough Market
This place on the border of Borough Market is a must have for lunch every time I am in town. You must have understood by now that oysters, crab, mussels, all kind of shellfish and fish in general are my favorites.
Brothers-in-law Ben and Robin set up Wright Bros in 2002. What began as a procurement business, bringing the best oysters they could find to London’s chefs and restaurants, soon turned into running their own Cornish oyster farm on the Helford River; fast forward to 2005 and they’d opened their flagship Borough Market restaurant. Oysters remain center stage, of course, but the menu has since expanded to include a roster of fresh and delicious seafood dishes: from classics such as Guinness and oyster pie or moules marinières, to inventive daily changing specials. Take a pew at the bar in the dining room or, In the summer, sit outside on a barrel to people-watch and soak up the Market atmosphere. Not expensive
Roast is very interesting as it is on the first floor of Borough Market and from its windows you can see the busy life downstairs. Also it gives you the chance to visit the market and have a fine lunch afterwards. Indulge in a time-honoured British tradition with their Sunday Roast menu. Whether it’s their signature pork belly, beef Wellington or all the traditional trimmings, their Sunday Roast menu showcases produce from some of the finest suppliers in the British Isles.
Dinner at Heston Blumenthal – Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
I am always curious about food prepared by internationally starred chefs, even if sometimes I have been a bit disappointed by too much show and no substance. Not in the case. Inspired by Heston Blumenthal’s fascination with historic gastronomy, 2 Michelin stars Dinner is one of the world’s most celebrated restaurants. First conceived in the late 1990s, the idea for DINNER sprung from Heston’s fascination with the savory ice creams of the late 1800s, the theatre of the Tudor dining experience and the dishes featured in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Through his research, Heston realized that obsession with food is no modernday phenomena, and together with Chef Director Ashley Palmer-Watts worked with food historians and the team at Hampton Court Palace, as well as reading cookbooks such as those by the royal chefs of King Richard II. Well worth the price. The food is simple but really original and excellent. Service perfect. The ambiance is refined but not too austere. Advance reservation required.
The Cinnamon Club – Indian fine dining Westminster
I discovered this restaurant thanks to a Company meeting organized by my colleagues from the London office. It was a surprise both for the location and for the food. Set in the historic Grade II listed former Westminster Library, The Cinnamon Club is an institution in the world of Indian fine dining. The original modern Indian restaurant in London, The Cinnamon Club has a long history of serving innovative and creative Indian cuisine in a magnificently majestic setting. Chef Vivek Singh and his team of chefs have developed a stunning new menu that combines The Cinnamon Club’s signatures with new dishes and celebratory platters.
45 Jermin Street – Fortnum & Mason
This restaurant venue is in the heart of St. James’s, with fantastic cocktails and a truly exceptional menu. It is part of Fortnum & Mason (in fact in the back side of it) and offers a good location for lunch (offers also dinner or pre-theatre). The menu offers English classics such as smoked salmon, roast lamb, beef Wellington, Cumbrian rib eye, dover sole, oysters and crab. Perfect for a pause from shopping or after it before retiring to your hotel.
Hope you like my choices and if if want to suggest yours, just write me. Big hug.