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The Travel Cafe

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139 Westminster Bridge Rd

London SE1 7HR

United Kingdom

Southwark, Vauxhall

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Overall rating

Very neat and tidy cafe, in a not very favourable location behind Waterloo. Coffee, on sampling, was fully "meh"- non-descript, as though a film prop for real coffee. Not actually bad, but had I been drinking it with my eyes closed I might not have been able to definitely say what it was. The menu , although unsampled on my visit, looks interesting, with Asian and Italian elements, courtesy of a pop-up kitchen.

Very limited seating but I liked the quotes about traveling, the cards, and the plants. My latte was good.

Plenty of plants!

Pretty cafe with extremely polite and friendly baristas. Loved the coffee and the relaxed atmosphere.

Very nice little cafe! Perfect if you want a quick coffee and they sell the plants they use to decorate with, which is a nice touch. If I was just going for that, it would be 4 star. HOWEVER, after reading online about it and seeing lots of pictures of their lovely-looking breakfast, I was extremely let down to arrive on 10am on a Saturday to find they weren't doing breakfast AT ALL! Very disappointing considering I'd promised my hungover friend brunch. We then had to wait 30mins for them to bring out pastries, which were £2 a pop and coffee already half drank. It should definitely be made clearer when they are serving food and what times on their website. To not have food on a Saturday morning in central London just smacks of deciding that morning that the chef wasn't going to work. Even an apology or explanation to why would have been helpful. Also, it would be great if the Facebook page was in English as well as its current language.

1 other review that is not currently recommended

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The Travel Cafe

Ratings and reviews, location and contact.

I went to the terrarium workshop with my boyfriend and we had such a great time! We were welcomed with a complimentary drink and a quick lesson on terrariums. Alistair was so lovely, funny and brilliant at guiding us on how to make our terrariums... and made the experience very enjoyable! There were beautiful plants, rocks and driftwood to add to your final piece and I was so happy with the final product for such a brilliant price too! I haven’t stopped making terrariums at home since this workshop so thank you very much Alistair!!! A brilliant thing to do with your other half or a friend, definitely recommend it! More

My daughter booked this terrarium workshop for a Mother’s Day treat. We were greeted by friendly staff with a hot drink of our choice. Ricardo was our tutor for the day he was very kind and informative he explained all about what we needed to... do to make our own terrarium.It was a very rewarding and relaxed experience that we both enjoyed doing and l throughly recommend this to anyone who love plants .A great treat for me loved it 🥰 More

Lovely little cafe that we happened to stumble upon. Main draw in for uswere the beautiful plants. You could tell they were good quality, grown well etc. Came away with a plant, a tea and a coffee. Really friendly staff. Something a bit different!

The drinks are extremelly overpriced - just paid £4.50 for a mango smoothie of maybe ~ 200 ml - and the wait is extremelly long for no good reason - took 25 minutes to cook the chicken karagee. The issue is that's they are trying... to be to fancy without having enough staff in the kitchen to serve in a timely manner. It's a real shame as the place is lovely and it's a good location. My word of advice reduce all prices by £1 at least, reduce the menu size by half and spend less time decorating the plate. Could easily be a four if they get their house in order. More

Cozy little place for a good coffee with a great atmosphere. Staff is very kind. They also sell beautiful plants and flower at fair price.

This is a great little shop filled with plants - they were so nice in there and it was a great cup of coffee - stop in it is worth it.

Popped in here for a coffee. Liked the huge selection of plants you can buy. Seemed to be takeaway only - maybe because they were closing soon? No problem though - I was happy to take away and the coffee was nice.

I stumbled across this little cafe just over a month ago. From the very first time I walked in the staff have been nothing but amazing and extremely helpful. Their coffees including their matcha lattes are delicious. The aesthetics of the shop give you a... little break from the busy city and all that's happening just outside its doors. I highly recommend this place. I go there often alone but never feel lonely. Its warm and comfortable! More

Staff more interested in getting money first before beginning Order ... it’s possible to begin making coffee while customers dig out their purses. WiFi password is closely guarded. None of the plants are priced which means tortured interaction with staff. Nice decor and it’s relatively... quiet considering it’s on a busy road. I’d return but only because it’s conveniently located for me. I wouldn’t go out if my way to visit. Hmmmmmmmmmm. More

Hi Paul I appreciate your feed back. But this is a duplicate review, exactly same as below. Could you leave just one review? Ronyse

The atmosphere and the food are great. However, they are dreadfully understaffed , I had to wait close to an hour to get served my yoghurt granola (which must take 5 minutes to make ). They also automatically add service charge without telling you this... . I almost always pay a tip/ service charge when eating out but it's common courtesy to tell you that it is being added ! I'm not going back here. More

We we’re jet lagged and wanted breakfast at 12. We were so happy to find this place. It’s exactly our style! So cute and cozy. I had the two backed eggs and it was to die for!!

This cafe was located right across from my hotel, and to be completely honest what really drew me to it was how adorable it was. The outside is adorned with succulents and cactuses, so naturally I had to check it out! The inside is very... minimalistic and clean. With huge windows up at the front, so when the sun was peaking out juuuust right all that natural light just engulfs this place and made it a little more magical. The staff was lovely and incredibly attentive but, most importantly, the COFFEE. It was absolutely fantastic. I came in for a nice, peaceful coffee break right before embarked on my London escapades and pretty soon that just became my morning routine while on vacation. All in all, such a wonderful place to spend my mornings in. More

Lovely little coffee shop, really good coffee. Lovely music and atmosphere. Staff really friendly. Only wish there were more food options although the paninis looked delicious

Not far from Waterloo railway station, Great for a quick coffee and snacks. Excellent service and lovely atmosphere. Nice finishing touches such as typewriter on table and a book shelf for travellers.

Positive vibe with lots of plants and great coffee. Loved their collection of plants and it was very nice to walk around. Take away coffee was so good.

THE TRAVEL CAFE, London - 139 Westminster Bridge Rd - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos

• Service: 4.5

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The Travel Cafe

Ratings and reviews, location and contact.

Delicious coffee and yuzu tea, wonderful staff, great atmosphere. The cafe is also a plant market and you can drink you order surrounded by beautiful plants!

Travel Café is the perfect place to treat one’s self; at least monthly for your self-care! Their plant selection is dreamy, their coffee is lovely and their staff (hi Ricardo!) are sweet and helpful. A neighbourhood treasure that will satisfy anyone’s plant addiction. 🪴🌿🌱🌵

No food despite being called a cafe which is just weird, so disregard the previous reviews that mention food service. Unwelcoming staff look at you like an idiot for asking if they have a menu. Empty.

This is a local spot for me and I love it. Monmouth Coffee brewed perfectly, with a selection of alternative milks or dairy. Staff are absolutely lovely, and the atmosphere is calm and easygoing, perfect to just sit and drink a coffee. There's a selection... More

Been here a couple of times to work, is a lovely quiet spot. you can also rent out a room with a screen if you need to do a team meeting with more privacy.

Mixed experience with this place - can be nosy and have found the coffee, though of excellent quality to be cold, or not as steaming hot as I'd like. There are others on Lower Marsh which I'd recommend - Colman Roasters and Travelling Through

It pays a visit! A quiet and cozy place where to have a good cup of coffee and to relax! Litterally a gem in the middle of the busy London!

It was next to my hotel and they serve best coffee in the area. Staff was friendly, atmosphere was calm and peaceful with lots of plants. Went there everyday for morning coffee.

Staff place priority on getting money first THEN preparing Order, it’s possible to do both at same time as I noted in Caffè Nero an hour later. WiFi password is a secret to be divulged only if customer is insistent. The lovely plants on display,... More

Went there to drop off my luggage for a last minute visit to the iwm. Everything was handled within minutes, decided to have a coffee and that was great too!

Really nice place for a cuppa and to watch the world go by 😀😀. Serves tea (real tea not from tea bags), coffee and light snacks. There are lots of plants dotted around that you can buy too. Came across this place walking from Westminster... More

I had a cortado and son had a hot chocolate. Friendly service, well made Monmouth made through a la Marzoco machine - fab!! Lovely peaceful decor with some small cards and gifts at reasonable price. Place is becoming a regular stop off when we’re in... More

Really cute little cafe, aptly named if you’re a traveler nearby. Coffee was ok. Quite crowded for breakfast.

Great coffee with freshly baked croissant. Started my day with right choice. I loved this cafe and visited everyday during my stay in London.

Revisited this cafe and the chef had been changed and the menu had been reduced. Staff very friendly but the eggs Florentine we had was luke warm, the plate stone cold and we didn't enjoy it. Very stylish but we wouldn't go back. Sorry.

THE TRAVEL CAFE, London - 139 Westminster Bridge Rd - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

The Travel Café

Heidi Lauth Beasley

August 18, 2021

Included In

Where To Take The Plant Person In Your Life

If you are a simple creature who believes that tasteful foliage and coffee is the source of eternal happiness, then you’ll like Travel Café. A plant shop with a coffee window in the back corner, they’ve got you covered with all the caffeine classics. We’re talking cortados, caramel lattes, flat whites, and long blacks that start around £2.50. Not only does this place have a little room out back where you can get some work done, it’s also a certified saviour to anyone on their lunch break who fancies a coffee but also needs to find a present and cute card for their aunt’s birthday. Look out for their changing array of daily pastries and sweet treats too.

• United Kingdom /
• London, England /
• The Travel Cafe, 139 Westminster Bridge Rd

The Travel Cafe

Leake Street Tunnel is a great attraction for tourists who come to eat at this cafe after long walks. You will be provided Korean cuisine at The Travel Cafe . This place is to be recommended for nicely cooked sandwiches , pork and eggs benedict . Take your colleagues with you and have good croissants . This spot offers great matcha latte , matcha or hot chocolate among its drinks.

The convenient location of this cafe makes it easy to reach even in rush hours. The pleasant staff works hard, stays positive and makes this place wonderful. The terrific service displays a high level of quality at The Travel Cafe . Prices here are reported to be fair. At this place, visitors can enjoy the charming atmosphere and spectacular decor. Google users are quite generous with this spot: it was rated 4.5 stars.

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Restaurant features in London

The 9 Best Cafes in London

By Will Grice

London is filled to the brim with interesting cafes. Whether you’re looking for something luxurious, a place with some of the world’s best coffee or simply a nice place to work, London has it all.

The Best Luxury Cafes in London

Thomas’s Cafe

Set inside Burberry’s flagship store on Regent Street, Thomas’s Cafe is one of the few places you can find respite from the jostling crowds of central London. With a separate entrance on Vigo Street this cosy cafe was designed by The New Craftsmen, purveyors of handmade British homeware. Thomas’s Cafe serves food all day with the menu transitioning from scrambled eggs and cured salmon in the morning to afternoon tea before finishing with more indulgent dishes like lobster and river trout.

In terms of coffee you can expect to find classic drinks like lattes, cappuccinos and americanos, while the tea drinkers will love the cafe’s extensive list of loose leaf teas.

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While the Mandarin Oriental may be more well renowned for its afternoon tea than its cafe culture, the Roseberry Lounge is easily one of the capital’s most luxurious spots. Offering everything from Orange Pekoe tea from Sri Lanka through to globally sourced coffee, the Mandarin Oriental is worth visiting whether you’re in the mood to eat or not.

The Holborn Dining Room

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Situated within the Rosewood Hotel , the Holborn Dining Room has become an institution in its own right. Offering visitors some of the world’s finest coffees and teas alongside an all-day menu, this is a spot perfect for

The Best Artisan Coffee Shops in London

Since opening its doors in 2011, Prufrock has been the beating heart of London’s speciality coffee scene. With a laid back vibe, the interior has white walls contrasting against the dark wood flooring. One of the most striking things about Prufrock is the variety of brewing techniques on offer, whether you want a hand poured drip filter coffee or a carefully crafted espresso you won’t be disappointed. Each member of the team at Prufrock are trained extensively in the cafe’s barista school in the cellar of the cafe, meaning you’ll be hard pushed to find a better coffee in all of central London.

Antipode is the closest you can get to sipping a flat white in the Melbourne laneways without stepping foot on a plane. Focusing on serving fresh meals alongside exceptional coffee, you can expect to find dishes like shakshouka and home-cured sea trout with avocado and 48 hour proofed sourdough on the menu, while the coffee comes from the ever reliable Square Mile roasters.

Workshop Coffee

One of the few cafes in London that roast their own beans in-house, Workshop has long established itself as a connoisseur’s coffee shop. The barista’s experiment with brewing technique and bean blend, while the food on offer goes from bar snacks (think pig-skin grissini and corn frittettes) to proper sit down meals in the evening.

Monmouth Coffee

If you walk past Monmouth without seeing a queue then you’re in luck. One of this cafe’s most defining points, other than the dozen or so varieties of beans on offer, is the fact that without fail there will always a queue out the door. Don’t let that put you off though, as the coffee at Monmouth is some of the best in the city. The  Elite Traveler  top tip is to buy some beans to take home and ask for a coffee with your order as you’ll get served quicker, and best of all you’ll be able to make some delicious joe at home.

One of London’s longest standing cafes, Kaffeine prides itself on being one of the first cafes to bring speciality coffee to the capital. Alongside an all-day food menu you can expect to find the baristas making a delicious brew with the cafe’s legendary Synesso Cyncra espresso machines.

The Espresso Room

The Espresso Room is perhaps London’s smallest speciality coffee venue, but don’t let that put you off. Owned by Ben Townsend, one of the capital’s biggest names in artisan coffee – Townsend works as a brewing teacher at the London School of Coffee alongside running two cafes (a smaller one on Great Ormond Street and a larger one in Holborn). With his skill and understanding of what makes a truly great cup of coffee you’ll never be disappointed.

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London’s best cafés

Coffee, cake and a spot of lunch - these are the capital caffs that we actually rate

London, obviously, has a great many cafés, but how to choose? We've got normal ones and really posh ones. Massive ones and tiny ones. Ones with loads of cake, and ones with loads of sandwiches. All of them, thankfully, with coffee and tea.  This list is our attempt to group together the best ones. Want to know the difference between this list and our ranking of  London’s best coffee shops ? Well at these spots you can get eggs (fried, poached or scrambled) and a sit-down meal with your flat white. 

Recommended: London's best breakfasts .

An email you’ll actually love

London's best cafés

1.  Brunswick East

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• Coffeeshops

In the courtyard of Dalston’s creative hub, this Aussie-owned gem mixes cosy industrial/studio vibes with a serious attitude to coffee. House beans are sourced from Alchemy, guest names appear on rotation and there’s an equally alluring Antipodean-style menu, plus there are ceramic exhibits and weekend brunch/yoga sessions for the wholesome extroverts. There's also a bakehouse branch in Hackney Downs, which specialises in cake, patisserie and sourdoughs.

2.  RONS

Ron’s – which occupies the front unit of Holdron’s Arcade on Peckham’s Rye Lane – is an all vegan café which will serve you up the best flat white in the area. It’s a cosy space but it’s full of love, and the owners are dead serious about the coffee, which is consistently delicious. Food-wise, everything is plant-based – including the patisserie – though the crisp-then-soft majesty of their cinnamon roll will quiet any and all skeptics.

3.  Pavilion Café

• Victoria Park

The super scenic Pavilion is a cut-above. Grab a coffee to accompany you on a stroll around Vicky Park, or linger on nearby benches with Sri Lankan-inspired brunch and breakfast items. Dahl with roti is always a good choice, but if you're after something a little stickier, then the cheese and kimchi toastie is the one for you. Extra napkins at the ready.

4.  Juliet's Quality Foods

• price 1 of 4

Juliet's Quality Foods is a gem. Trendy breakfast dishes are the name of the game, like the fancy eggs benedict, made with sourdough and topped with buttery smoked eel. Just brilliant. 

5.  Milk

The most achingly fashionable of Balham’s breakfast and brunch spots, Milk is chic rather than cute. Come for a just coffee from the extremely good-looking espresso machine, or settle in for french toast made with housemade brioche, strawberries, and tonka chantilly cream. Pancakes too are a draw, with macerated red plums, blackcurrant cheesecake, and cocoa honey tuille flavours.  

6.  Salt the Radish

• Finsbury Park

This female-owned Finsbury Park cafe is dog and kid-friendly, so the perfect place to pile into after a stomp in the park with your assorted animals and children. Try the masala potatoes for brunch, or a stuffed hummus and kimchi ciabatta. Monthly communal supper clubs on long, family-style tables are also fun and often vegan-friendly.

7.  Leo's

• price 2 of 4

Stroll into this Italian-ish Hackney restaurant in the daytime, and it's like walking into a Wes Anderson movie; all  wood-panelled walls, masterfully tiled flooring and 1960s posters for Italian vermouth brands. A former greasy spoon,  Leo’s retains shades of classic caff-ery, like  E Pellicci’s  as stage managed by Grand Designs’ Kevin McCloud.  Eat amaretti and sip on cappuccino f rom vintage Duralex cups and saucers  while feeling as sophisticated as Sophia Loren.

8.  The Dusty Knuckle Harringay

• Green Lanes

The Dusty Knuckle is one of those places that actually deserves the hype it gets, and the Haringey version is thankfully a little more low-key then its  older brother in Dalston  (though you’ll still find queues of tote bag-bracing hipsters come Sunday). The rotating sandwich menu is always great, but the pro tip is to go on a Saturday for the egg chilli cheese; a crispy, salty, spicy mess of a sandwich with a runny yolk, coriander and green chillies, sandwiched between two doorstop slices of focaccia. For something sweet, try the cardamom bun and the feta and honey swirl. The vibes inside are nice and chaotic (no wifi), the staff are all delightful, and there’s pizza on the weekends.

9.  Today Bread

• Walthamstow

A sweet little s ourdough b akery  and artisan coffee shop in Walthamstow's Grade II listed  Central Parade. Grab a loaf and settle in for lunch of the house  toastie with t omato relish, cheddar and red leicester , or soup, wraps and salads. Then wash it down with a Mozzo coffee. 

10.  E5 Bakehouse

• 5 out of 5 stars
• London Fields
• Recommended

E5 Bakehouse has come a long way since 2010 when founder Ben MckInnon cobbled together his first oven from carpenter’s offcuts under a Hackney railway arch.  Its primary archway home these days is in E8, a stone’s throw from London Fields. Indoors it’s quietly buzzy from dawn to dusk with informal tables of drinkers and diners feasting on delicious vegetable-forward lunches, very good coffee and wine, and of course the legendary E5 loaves, buns and cakes. 

11.  Fair Shot

• Covent Garden

A social enterprise cafe, Fair Shot is a registered UK charity and works with young adults with learning disabilities and autism. They also make a mean cup of coffee, with small-batch beans from Curious Roo, and offer sit-down sarnies and soups if you're looking for a more substantial feed. 

12.  Ace Café

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This roadside café been through some changes over the years since it first opened in 1938 – being re-built after a World War II bomb raid, closing down and re-opening again years later – but it has stayed true to its biker roots. The space holds regular bike and classic car events, catering to motor heads from all over. Caff-style breakfasts come with eggs, bacon and the sweet smell of petrol. 

13.  London Grind

• London Bridge

Much of the emphasis is on the restaurant and cocktail bar, but Grind’s dedicated espresso bar is a magnet for London Bridge's caffeine heads. Slip in for weekday breakfast or weekend brunch, pump up your afternoon or enjoy a post-work warm-down over a long black, a flat white or a latte (made from certified organic beans). Grind also does its bit for the environment by using compostable, plastic-free coffee pods. There are also branches in Covent Garden,  Liverpool Street and Greenwich. 

14.  Burnt

This pint-sized cafe on Askew Road just feels crisp. Not burnt to a crisp, as the name suggests, but calm. Minimal interiors let the truly innovative menu shine through. You won’t find bog-standard avo toast here – instead you’ll get anything from salt beef and sauerkraut croque madames to a merguez sausage and fried egg sloppy breakfast bun. Burnt imports its beans from east London favourites Climpson & Sons, and pastries from the Dusty Knuckle. And if you’re having such a lovely time that you want to stay the whole night long, you’re in luck. Burnt opens to serve up small-plate dinners Thursdays and Friday, and occasionally hosts series of themed supper clubs.

15.  Black Cab Coffee Co

Formerly a pop-up espresso bar in a converted taxi, this now-p ermanent café by the Thames has a coffee roaster in its dining area constantly pumping out beans. The menu offers much more than java, though – try the rose petal beetroot latte if you fancy something both healthy and unapologetically pretty. There’s a proper brunch menu, too.

16.  The Elder Press Cafe

Being slightly out of the way affords this spot on the Hammersmith riverside a breezy two floors and a courtyard, where buckets of natural light ripple through some very tasteful crittall-style windows. Food here is as important as the coffee (which comes from Ozone). The ever-rotating, totally seasonal menu ranges from kimchi-fried rice to black rice porridge with miso sauce. This is a spot where you can easily whittle away a few hours, just be warned: you’ll be surrounded by what sometimes feels like every labrador and their yoga pants-clad owner in west London.

17.  Karaway Stratford

A legend on Borough Market and beyond, family-run Karaway Bakery is now selling its incredible award-winning rye breads and Eastern European cakes in a tiny café tucked away in Westfield Stratford. The choice is bewildering, but sampling is encouraged and it’s all backed up by decent coffee and sandwiches.

18.  Ole & Steen

London’s unwaning love affair with all things Scandi continues with Danish chain Ole & Steen's gradual takeover of London. As well as the initial branch in Covent Garden, you'll find these brooding coffee and cake spots as far afield as Canary Wharf, Chiswick and Hampstead. Inside, it’s super-slick and definitely not  hygge , although the food is the star: wonderfully dark chocolate swirls, apple pie, savoury rolls and – best of all – wickedly seductive cinnamon slices.

19.  Highness Café & Tea Room

It’s all about tea and cake at Highness Café, a homely spot in Highbury with mismatched wooden tables and a menu that’s written on a chalkboard above the counter. Expect the likes of thick peanut-butter brownies, iced blood-orange cakes and plump sultana scones.

20.  Birdhouse

As effortlessly chilled as they come, Birdhouse is the Clapham coffee bar of your dreams – everything is intended to soothe, staff are lovely, the sandwiches are great and the warm banana bread is nigh-on irresistible. Partnered with a perfect espresso, it’s a guaranteed cure for those rainy-day blues.

21.  Antipode

• Hammersmith

On a mission to bring some Melbourne magic to the streets of Hammersmith, this cool Aussie café brews up some terrific stuff. It uses Square Mile’s Red Brick beans for espresso and serves inventive brunch-style food – its kimchi-and-cheddar toastie is a best-seller. Just add some ace craft beers and natural wines.

22.  Well Street Kitchen

This super-homey café in Hackney is popular with locals, and for good reason: the food is delicious and the staff are lovely. You’ll find café classics like smashed avocado on the menu, but the specials board is where it’s at: you can’t go past the never-fail soup of the day.

23.  Bühler & Co

A serene Antipodean hangout (with some Scandi-chic add-ons), Bühler & Co is a brunch beacon for the baby-toting denizens of Walthamstow and a popular stop-off for coffee too. Good provenance also abounds across the sodas, booze and excellent veggie/vegan menu – welcome to the wholesome ‘good life’.

24.  The Sanctuary Café

• West Hampstead

A lovely neighbourhood café housed within West Hampstead’s Grade II-listed St James Church, the Sanctuary is now part of a community hub that includes a post office, gift shop and debt-advice centre. Coffee and cakes are all bang on the money. Note: on Sundays, the church is used as a church.

25.  Notes

Notes has been here since 2011, peddling its house-roasted single-estate coffees to an eager crowd who pile in to the attractive room for excellent caffeine fixes backed by pastries, salads, charcuterie and Euro-style small plates. With Trafalgar Square just a couple of minutes away, Notes is well worth bookmarking.

26.  Lowry & Baker

• Portobello Road

A tiny eccentrically decorated place with a total commitment to quality across the board, Lowry & Baker on Portobello Road is a local godsend. Food is served on a delightful jumble of unmatched crockery, but the perfectly brewed coffee – with beans from  Monmouth  – comes in well-warmed white cups.

27.  Boys ’n’ Berry

Fulham’s chattering classes have a solid HQ in the shape of Boys ’n’ Berry – a bang-on-trend café focusing on wholesome food and coffee, with plenty of cake on the side. It specialises in double-shot organic brews (from espressos upwards) with matcha lattes and almond milk.

28.  Bread and Bean

From the quirky décor to the massive windows giving a full view of the Archway scene, this unpretentious family-owned spot is perfect for a leisurely catch up. There’s just one blend of coffee on offer, but it’s decent enough – especially with back-up from cooked breakfasts, sandwiches, salads and home-baked cakes.

29.  Farm Girl

If the very idea of ‘healthy eating in Notting Hill’ fills you with dread, fear not: this branch of the cute café mini-chain from titular Aussie-born ‘farm girl’ Rose Mann is a little ripper. Colourful interiors and non-stop sunny service are matched by a healthy menu bursting with vibrant, zingy ingredients. Coffee and cake is a bit different too. 

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The Travel Cafe

Ratings and reviews, location and contact.

I went to the terrarium workshop with my boyfriend and we had such a great time! We were welcomed with a complimentary drink and a quick lesson on terrariums. Alistair was so lovely, funny and brilliant at guiding us on how to make our terrariums... and made the experience very enjoyable! There were beautiful plants, rocks and driftwood to add to your final piece and I was so happy with the final product for such a brilliant price too! I haven’t stopped making terrariums at home since this workshop so thank you very much Alistair!!! A brilliant thing to do with your other half or a friend, definitely recommend it! More

My daughter booked this terrarium workshop for a Mother’s Day treat. We were greeted by friendly staff with a hot drink of our choice. Ricardo was our tutor for the day he was very kind and informative he explained all about what we needed to... do to make our own terrarium.It was a very rewarding and relaxed experience that we both enjoyed doing and l throughly recommend this to anyone who love plants .A great treat for me loved it 🥰 More

Lovely little cafe that we happened to stumble upon. Main draw in for uswere the beautiful plants. You could tell they were good quality, grown well etc. Came away with a plant, a tea and a coffee. Really friendly staff. Something a bit different!

The drinks are extremelly overpriced - just paid £4.50 for a mango smoothie of maybe ~ 200 ml - and the wait is extremelly long for no good reason - took 25 minutes to cook the chicken karagee. The issue is that's they are trying... to be to fancy without having enough staff in the kitchen to serve in a timely manner. It's a real shame as the place is lovely and it's a good location. My word of advice reduce all prices by £1 at least, reduce the menu size by half and spend less time decorating the plate. Could easily be a four if they get their house in order. More

Cozy little place for a good coffee with a great atmosphere. Staff is very kind. They also sell beautiful plants and flower at fair price.

This is a great little shop filled with plants - they were so nice in there and it was a great cup of coffee - stop in it is worth it.

Popped in here for a coffee. Liked the huge selection of plants you can buy. Seemed to be takeaway only - maybe because they were closing soon? No problem though - I was happy to take away and the coffee was nice.

I stumbled across this little cafe just over a month ago. From the very first time I walked in the staff have been nothing but amazing and extremely helpful. Their coffees including their matcha lattes are delicious. The aesthetics of the shop give you a... little break from the busy city and all that's happening just outside its doors. I highly recommend this place. I go there often alone but never feel lonely. Its warm and comfortable! More

Staff more interested in getting money first before beginning Order ... it’s possible to begin making coffee while customers dig out their purses. WiFi password is closely guarded. None of the plants are priced which means tortured interaction with staff. Nice decor and it’s relatively... quiet considering it’s on a busy road. I’d return but only because it’s conveniently located for me. I wouldn’t go out if my way to visit. Hmmmmmmmmmm. More

Hi Paul I appreciate your feed back. But this is a duplicate review, exactly same as below. Could you leave just one review? Ronyse

The atmosphere and the food are great. However, they are dreadfully understaffed , I had to wait close to an hour to get served my yoghurt granola (which must take 5 minutes to make ). They also automatically add service charge without telling you this... . I almost always pay a tip/ service charge when eating out but it's common courtesy to tell you that it is being added ! I'm not going back here. More

We we’re jet lagged and wanted breakfast at 12. We were so happy to find this place. It’s exactly our style! So cute and cozy. I had the two backed eggs and it was to die for!!

This cafe was located right across from my hotel, and to be completely honest what really drew me to it was how adorable it was. The outside is adorned with succulents and cactuses, so naturally I had to check it out! The inside is very... minimalistic and clean. With huge windows up at the front, so when the sun was peaking out juuuust right all that natural light just engulfs this place and made it a little more magical. The staff was lovely and incredibly attentive but, most importantly, the COFFEE. It was absolutely fantastic. I came in for a nice, peaceful coffee break right before embarked on my London escapades and pretty soon that just became my morning routine while on vacation. All in all, such a wonderful place to spend my mornings in. More

Lovely little coffee shop, really good coffee. Lovely music and atmosphere. Staff really friendly. Only wish there were more food options although the paninis looked delicious

Not far from Waterloo railway station, Great for a quick coffee and snacks. Excellent service and lovely atmosphere. Nice finishing touches such as typewriter on table and a book shelf for travellers.

Positive vibe with lots of plants and great coffee. Loved their collection of plants and it was very nice to walk around. Take away coffee was so good.

The Travel Cafe, London - 139 Westminster Bridge Rd - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - Tripadvisor

• Service: 4.5

Welcome Here!

Welcome to The Travel Cafe, a charming little coffee shop nestled in the heart of a Fonthill’s downtown. As soon as you step inside, you’ll be transported to a world of adventure and discovery. We embrace our love for culture and wanderlust, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for both locals and weary travelers alike!

Our menu is carefully crafted to offer an array of beverages, sandwiches and baked goods inspired by global flavours.

Upcoming Events

We host regular events, such as high tea, book clubs, and theme parties. It’s a place where people from all walks of life can come together, united by their love for coffee and the shared spirit of adventure.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Borrowed Spaces

Whether you’re hosting a shower, business function, family gathering, celebrating a special occasion, or organizing a social get-together, our café offers a warm and inviting atmosphere to suit your needs.

For Locals & Wanderers

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are passionate about both coffee and travel. We’re always eager to share their favorite travel tales and offer recommendations for your next adventure. Whether you’re seeking a hidden gem of on the Bruce Trail, tips for navigating bustling Niagara Falls, or simply a friendly chat, our staff is here to ensure your experience at The Travel Cafe is both comforting and inspiring!

From Our Recent Travellers

I just went there for brunch with my friend. We both loved the food it was soooooo amazing!! The French toast and fruit with a side of home fries was done perfectly!! I ordered the chicken soup to go and it was the best soup that I have ever had. I also bought a huge box of pastries. Best ever. We will be returning regularly. Amazing food, great atmosphere and service!!! So happy we decided to go there!!

Great service, food and drinks are delicious! We’ve already gone a few times and it’s consistently good every time. Such a welcoming place all around. Highly recommend.

Fabulous! Amazing food, unique items. Excellent customer care. I was there for their first outdoor Mothers Day High Tea, totalty recommend !.

Took a mid-day coffee break and walked over to check out this new coffee shop in Fonthill. Coffee was great, the chocolate and caramel square was even better! Looked like a great lunch menu as well. The atmosphere was very cute- looking forward to when you can eat-in. Great addition to the downtown scene.

My daughter and I went for their Mother’s Day high tea and it was Amazing!! Top notch service from everyone, especially Oscar! The food was amazing and I love that it included family recipes!! The decor was so neat that it even kept my 6 year old entertained the entire time. I would highly recommend visiting!

FANTASTIC local café, we really need more of these around. Amanda &Vic(joint owners) are fabulous. Wonderful relaxing atmosphere, great coffees, soups, sandwiches, and pastries. If you haven’t tried, it’s definitely a MUST, very committed to our community.

I ordered a birthday cake from the cafe and it was absolutely delicious! If you love decadent desserts then please stop at this café in Fonthill. They also make great coffee, smoothies, protein shakes and more!

Fantastic service and food. We asked for a birthday celebration and all requests were met with a smile. Just amazing!

What a quaint travel inspired Cafe with an exceptional “Covid opening” story. The owners are so personable and the coffee and homemade treats were so tasty. Met a colleague for coffee and will be sure to return for coffee and perhaps some travel advice.

I’ve visited the Travel Cafe on serval occasions. The baristas are always friendly and engaging, and the food is delicious. Love talking travel and I’m always inspired to travel more when I visit the cafe. It such a lovely place to relax, be inspired, and enjoy a hot cup of tea. I highly recommend coming in for a visit.

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The Travel Cafe

Ratings and reviews, location and contact.

I went to the terrarium workshop with my boyfriend and we had such a great time! We were welcomed with a complimentary drink and a quick lesson on terrariums. Alistair was so lovely, funny and brilliant at guiding us on how to make our terrariums... and made the experience very enjoyable! There were beautiful plants, rocks and driftwood to add to your final piece and I was so happy with the final product for such a brilliant price too! I haven’t stopped making terrariums at home since this workshop so thank you very much Alistair!!! A brilliant thing to do with your other half or a friend, definitely recommend it! More

My daughter booked this terrarium workshop for a Mother’s Day treat. We were greeted by friendly staff with a hot drink of our choice. Ricardo was our tutor for the day he was very kind and informative he explained all about what we needed to... do to make our own terrarium.It was a very rewarding and relaxed experience that we both enjoyed doing and l throughly recommend this to anyone who love plants .A great treat for me loved it 🥰 More

Lovely little cafe that we happened to stumble upon. Main draw in for uswere the beautiful plants. You could tell they were good quality, grown well etc. Came away with a plant, a tea and a coffee. Really friendly staff. Something a bit different!

The drinks are extremelly overpriced - just paid £4.50 for a mango smoothie of maybe ~ 200 ml - and the wait is extremelly long for no good reason - took 25 minutes to cook the chicken karagee. The issue is that's they are trying... to be to fancy without having enough staff in the kitchen to serve in a timely manner. It's a real shame as the place is lovely and it's a good location. My word of advice reduce all prices by £1 at least, reduce the menu size by half and spend less time decorating the plate. Could easily be a four if they get their house in order. More

Cozy little place for a good coffee with a great atmosphere. Staff is very kind. They also sell beautiful plants and flower at fair price.

This is a great little shop filled with plants - they were so nice in there and it was a great cup of coffee - stop in it is worth it.

Popped in here for a coffee. Liked the huge selection of plants you can buy. Seemed to be takeaway only - maybe because they were closing soon? No problem though - I was happy to take away and the coffee was nice.

I stumbled across this little cafe just over a month ago. From the very first time I walked in the staff have been nothing but amazing and extremely helpful. Their coffees including their matcha lattes are delicious. The aesthetics of the shop give you a... little break from the busy city and all that's happening just outside its doors. I highly recommend this place. I go there often alone but never feel lonely. Its warm and comfortable! More

Staff more interested in getting money first before beginning Order ... it’s possible to begin making coffee while customers dig out their purses. WiFi password is closely guarded. None of the plants are priced which means tortured interaction with staff. Nice decor and it’s relatively... quiet considering it’s on a busy road. I’d return but only because it’s conveniently located for me. I wouldn’t go out if my way to visit. Hmmmmmmmmmm. More

Hi Paul I appreciate your feed back. But this is a duplicate review, exactly same as below. Could you leave just one review? Ronyse

The atmosphere and the food are great. However, they are dreadfully understaffed , I had to wait close to an hour to get served my yoghurt granola (which must take 5 minutes to make ). They also automatically add service charge without telling you this... . I almost always pay a tip/ service charge when eating out but it's common courtesy to tell you that it is being added ! I'm not going back here. More

We we’re jet lagged and wanted breakfast at 12. We were so happy to find this place. It’s exactly our style! So cute and cozy. I had the two backed eggs and it was to die for!!

This cafe was located right across from my hotel, and to be completely honest what really drew me to it was how adorable it was. The outside is adorned with succulents and cactuses, so naturally I had to check it out! The inside is very... minimalistic and clean. With huge windows up at the front, so when the sun was peaking out juuuust right all that natural light just engulfs this place and made it a little more magical. The staff was lovely and incredibly attentive but, most importantly, the COFFEE. It was absolutely fantastic. I came in for a nice, peaceful coffee break right before embarked on my London escapades and pretty soon that just became my morning routine while on vacation. All in all, such a wonderful place to spend my mornings in. More

Lovely little coffee shop, really good coffee. Lovely music and atmosphere. Staff really friendly. Only wish there were more food options although the paninis looked delicious

Not far from Waterloo railway station, Great for a quick coffee and snacks. Excellent service and lovely atmosphere. Nice finishing touches such as typewriter on table and a book shelf for travellers.

Positive vibe with lots of plants and great coffee. Loved their collection of plants and it was very nice to walk around. Take away coffee was so good.

THE TRAVEL CAFE, London - 139 Westminster Bridge Rd - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

• Service: 4.5

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The 27 Best Restaurants in London

By Sonya Barber and Elizabeth Winding

London is a city whose diners are adventurous to a fault—spawning all kinds of niche pop-ups and fleeting, Insta-fueled trends. Beyond the gimmicks, though, the best restaurants focus on ingredients and craft, whether it’s hand-rolled pastas or fiery clay-pot cooking. Our picks for where to eat runs from Michelin-starred dining rooms to tiny neighborhood joints, those serving exquisite tasting menus to versions of down-home cuisines that span several continents. Be prepared to book well in advance (and where you can’t, to wait) but also rest assured that it’s going to be worth it. Whatever you do, always make sure you show up hungry.

Read our complete London travel guide here .

Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve.

Petersham Nurseries Restaurant Arrow

In 1997, the Boglione family moved into West London's picturesque Petersham House, which handily had a disused plant nursery on the grounds. They channeled their love of antiques and plants and passion for sustainability into restoring the nursery, which opened in 2004 selling furniture, bits and bobs and plants with a quaint tea room in the conservatory. Since then, this has expanded to the now Green Michelin-starred restaurant that stands today—there’s still a lovely tea room next door. And as good as it is for the planet, it’s still very delicious. Start with vibrant antipasti of bruschetta with confit tomatoes and grilled cheesy polenta with caramelized onions before moving onto succulent pumpkin gnocchi, truffle tortellini, or punchy line-caught sea bass ceviche.

BAO Noodle Shop Arrow

The Shoreditch branch of this buzzy Taiwanese bao house is just as lively and inviting as its other locations in Soho, Borough Market, and Marylebone. Each one has a specialty, and Shoreditch is all about rich, beefy noodles. Arriving in a bowl of deep, rich broth amid generous, flaky chunks of beef cheek and short rib, it’s a super-indulgent hug in a bowl— perfect for a rainy London day. Bao’s signature buns are also a must-order: get one or two for each diner, including the classic pork-and-peanut plus a fried chicken or prawn croquette. And don’t skip the xiao chi: Taiwanese small plates like mutton dumplings bathing in chili oil or a dish of pickled veggies (perfect to set off the beef). Everything is meant for sharing, and it’s all good.

Take a front row seat at the counter to see Chef Meedu Saad’s rustic Thai food come together over fire and embers, like the charred, cumin-dusted aged lamb skewers we always order on arrival. Ingredients on the short, changing menu here are impeccably sourced, from Cornish seafood (delivered fresh each day) to British-grown Thai and Chinese herbs. The turmeric-laced red mullet's a must, if it’s on the menu; ditto the raw langoustines, spiked with mint and Kaffir lime.

Manteca Arrow

Against the backdrop of street-art splattered Shoreditch, the minimal greige exterior of Manteca is positively demure, giving nothing away of the delights to come. But once through the door, you’re hit with the full-frontal buzz of one of London’s hottest Italian dining destinations. Although it is possible to have a vegetarian meal here, Manteca is really all about the meat. This is a nose-to-tail establishment with their own in-house butchery and salumeria, a room full of hanging homemade goodies which use up all parts of the animal. This is proudly displayed as you go down the stairs, (not one for the vegans) and is sliced to order at the bar in the center of the restaurant. Ease yourself in with wild-farmed focaccia with rosemary and a plate of melt-in-the-mouth house charcuterie. Then it’s on to small plates of pork and beef meatballs, melon and prosciutto crudo and ‘nduja steamed mussels, with some homemade ricotta and courgettes and a herby pea salad to lighten things up just in time for the pasta course—all homemade, of course.

Harrison Pierce

María Casbas

CNT Editors

Sessions Arts Club Arrow

It might take a few furtive strolls around this Grade II-listed former courthouse in Clerkenwell to discover the secret red door with a very discreet Sessions Arts Club buzzer. Once buzzed in and up the stairs, the candle-lit dining room might have you catching your breath. Often described as the most beautiful restaurant in London, the two story high room is a heady mix of decadence and coziness, with huge arch windows and alcoves, peeling mint green paint, exposed plaster, artworks and sculptures, plants and velvet sofas. Even though it only opened in 2021, it feels well-worn, in a good way, and has already become a London classic. The short little menu is a true delight—Chef Florence Knight pulls inspiration from all across Europe for her beautiful and unpretentious creations: from brown shrimp croquettes which explode with butter to fluffy panisse with pleasing peas and parmesan.

Cafe Cecilia Arrow

Duck off the fray of Broadway Market and along the canal and soon you’ll come to the very unassuming facade of this wonderful little restaurant. This is chef Max Rocha’s (brother to fashion designer Simone Rocha) first solo venture and although it’s fairly fuss-free, it still manages to feel special. There’s Italian prowess in the sage and anchovy fritti, marinated peppers and aubergines, and freshly-made pasta such as spinach farfalle with walnut sauce. Then there’s a love for classic meat dishes with the pork and apricot terrine and onglet with chips and peppercorn sauce and playful comforting puddings like deep-fried bread and butter pudding with cold custard (a dish that requires a lie down straight afterwards).

Circolo Popolare Arrow

Fun is the name of the game at all of the Big Mamma restaurants, and it’s no different at this Fitzrovia favorite. The second of the five London outposts is the most dramatic, with high wall arches filled with illuminated bottles and ceilings draped in flowering foliage and twinkling festoon lights. Tables are packed in tight and the crowd are always merry and ready for a party. If you want something slightly out of the main fray, ask for one of the four-seater booths off to the side but even from there, the energy is infectious. Pasta is the real reason to come—flavors are big, as are the portions. La Gran Carbonara is the winner, but if you want something even richer go for the mafalda with black truffle and marscapone cream sauce.

In order to find Brat, look for the discreet black awning and small, chalk-scrawled blackboard. It’s an understated entrance for a restaurant that’s made such a splash: Chef Tomos Parry scored a Michelin star within six months of opening. All of Parry's dishes have a tell-tale whisper of smoke and flames, from blistered anchovy flatbreads to a tangle of charred leeks, topped with milky, made-in-Hackney stracciatella. But it's the turbot, caught off the Cornish coast and slow-cooked over the fire, that really stands out.

Honey & Co Arrow

In 2022, this tiny Warren Street favorite moved to a bigger, lighter, brighter, and more grown-up space on Lamb’s Conduit Street and never looked back. Inside, it’s still as welcoming as ever, but there’s more space to savor your supper, plus plenty of quiet covered outdoor tables, which are the ideal spot for a sunny lunch. All their Middle-Eastern inspired dishes are vibrant, fresh, and moreish. From the pleasing plates of juicy peach salad with goat’s cheese and crunchy almonds, sour labneh, and crispy fried artichokes and sea bream cured in sumac salt to the heartier mains of lovingly grilled meats and fish, you’re going to want to order as much as possible. We’d advise to go straight for the sharing menu to get a taste of all the mezze dishes—such a route is best if you’re very hungry.

Spring Arrow

Set in the grandly neo-classical Somerset House, Spring offers up a dreamy dining room, all pastel hues, Italian marble, and blossoming wall art—light-filled in the daytime, softly luminous at night. A dozen changing starters and mains showcase the best of what’s in season—often grown on Fern Verrow's 16-acre biodynamic farm. Dishes often skew Italian, but Skye Gyngell is a culinary magpie, so labneh, persimmon and fermented chilis also find a place on her menus. It’s a deliciously grown-up place to come for dinner: expensive, quietly elegant, and oblivious to trends.

Padella Arrow

When the food’s this good and the prices are this restrained, you won’t mind waiting in line...to get on the waiting list. This no-reservations, edge-of- Borough-Market eatery is a favorite of the pasta-obsessed, and a place where a plateful of the pici cacio e pepe is a must and aperitivi are a steal, with inexpensive spritzes, Negroni, and Prosecco by the glass. It’s perfect for a comforting carb fix, and a great place for dinner and a catch-up.

40 Maltby Street Arrow

If Maltby Street sounds familiar, it’s probably due to its market, which quietly transformed a row of run-down railway arches into a foodie destination. Amid the street food stalls and artisan breweries, this place has been there from the start; a natural wine-importing business with a bare-bones bar and kitchen. Draw up a stool and turn your attention to what really matters: the scribbled blackboard by the bar, announcing the day’s menu. As regulars know—and try to keep on the down low—there’s some serious talent in the kitchen; head chef and co-owner Stephen Williams won a Michelin star when he headed up The Harwood Arms. If it’s Saturday and there’s a baked ham on the counter, then order a plateful to start, and make sure you get some bread, served with salty, silken whey butter. After that, take your pick of the ten or so small plates from the board.

St. JOHN Arrow

Any Londoner who knows about food has a soft spot for St. JOHN, as do the myriad chefs who trained here under Fergus Henderson before opening their own places. Come for nose-to-tail eating, with a menu that might run from deviled kidneys to the decadent roasted bone marrow, or less carnivorous options like earthy braised beetroot with goat’s curd. And don’t miss the baked-to-order madeleines.

The Ledbury Arrow

Tables are in high demand, and best reserved a few months ahead at Brett Graham's restaurant. The menu's a love-letter to the British countryside, prepared with inimitable self-assurance, and is perfect for a special occasion. The dishes are constantly changing, though certain favorites recur, like a truffle-laced pheasant’s egg that’s nothing short of sublime. The same could be said, on the sweet side, of Graham's signature brown sugar tart, with its silken, just-set custard and heady stem-ginger ice-cream. Sneak in for the (slightly) cheaper four-course lunch or invest in the full tasting menu.

Ikoyi Arrow

Set in a glass-fronted space in a sleek, slightly corporate development, Ikoyi, a Michelin-starred newcomer, feels surprisingly homey. But in the kitchen Jeremy Chan is pushing boundaries. Every dish is thrillingly unfamiliar, from the moment the first plate lands; say, plantain dipped in hot-pink raspberry salt with a luscious slick of smoked scotch-bonnet mayo. That’s followed by six more courses, all packed with slow heat and umami, such as a shellfish dashi-infused jollof rice laced with velvety crab-meat custard. Everything’s plated with painterly precision, including the desserts.

Clove Club Arrow

From the World’s 50 Best list, the Clove Club has come of age after starting out in the '00s as a Dalston supper club. These days it’s set behind a glossy blue door in Shoreditch’s stately old town hall, with a polished, low-lit bar, and pared-back dining room, where the best views are of chef Isaac McHale’s buzzing, blue-tiled kitchen. Fuss and frills are out but the elaborate tasting menu is dizzyingly ambitious—though, unlike some Michelin-starred joints, they’re not averse to serving fried chicken. Two Michelin stars means it’s always busy, but don’t panic if you’re seated in the bar; candlelit, cozy, it has its own low-lit charm. Booking ahead is advised, although you can sometimes nab a seat at the bar where they also serve the full tasting menu.

Rochelle Canteen Arrow

Set in a converted school on historic circular street Arnold Circus, savvy diners need to find the unmarked door and the discreet buzzer to be let into this cult classic. Once inside, walk through the garden and look out for jars of local honey on a shelf by the wall. The restaurant itself, in the school’s former bike shed, is quite compact with a minimal white interior—just some straw hats perch on the wall—but they’ve expanded the seating into the garden outside with summery-feeling covered tables that are perfect for every weather eventuality. Since opening in 2004, Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson’s daily-changing menu has been a celebration of seasonal ingredients. Fish and meat here are treated with the utmost respect and served with pleasing accompaniments such as grilled mackerel with peas, and horseradish and onglet with beetroot and anchovy. Don’t skip over the sides: glorious new potatoes arrive swimming in melted butter.

Claude Bosi at Bibendum Arrow

This is just the place for a blow-out meal: one that starts with champagne and witty amuse-bouches, and ends with a show-stopping cheese trolley. Tables get booked up weeks ahead, and there’s a tangible air of expectation for the seven-course tasting menu that blends beautifully elaborate dishes with rustic French cooking. Service is smooth and formal, the sommelier is very helpful, and the meal is unforgettable. Even the set lunch menu feels gratifyingly grand.

Smokestak Arrow

You’ll probably smell David Carter’s barbecue joint well before you see it; while the signage is discreet, the tang of smoke meets you halfway up the street. Behind two heavy, metal-riveted doors, it’s a temple to certain ideas of masculinity and to meat—all concrete walls, steel paneling, and rough-planked tables and banquettes (subtext: real men don’t need cushions). The meat comes in many forms here: 15-hour smoked brisket, superb pastrami, and generous portions of ribs.

Right on the canal in post-industrial hipsterville Hackney Wick, and above popular brewery, bar and pizza joint Crate, sits one of the most unique spots in the city. This is the only restaurant we’ve ever heard of that has no garbage bin. Yes, Silo takes the idea of zero waste to the ultimate conclusion, reusing everything they can in unique and delicious ways, composting all food waste and creating an entire restaurant out of upcycled materials. The menu is projected onto the large wall and available via QR code (no wasted paper here), and it’s a 10 course voyage of discovery costing £65 per person. It all goes totally wild: a sweet and sour miso crisp covered in treacle made from vegetable peelings, grilled garlic scapes (the shoots that grow from the top of the bulb) with cuttlefish garum, and a rainbow chard dumpling with a sourdough wrapper and a ‘meta dairy’ sauce made from all the old bits of milk and cheese. It’s brave, bonkers, and very original.

The Wolseley Arrow

Set in a 1920s car showroom, this grand all-day brasserie exudes a heady glamor, with its gleaming marble floors, red-and-gold Japanese panels, and sleek leather banquettes. Londoners tend to come to take in breakfast and the paper, with a menu that runs from stacked pancakes to an impeccable omelet Arnold Bennett, layered with smoked haddock and creamy hollandaise. The stately surroundings never feel too stiffly formal; drop by on a whim for just about anything you fancy.

Smoking Goat Arrow

On a weekend night, there’s always a crowd of hopefuls hanging around outside this popular Shoreditch spot looking to bag a last-minute table. And it’s easy to see why: music blasts out the door, cocktails fly from the big central bar, and the menu of Thai street food is so spicy that everyone is slightly giddy. This is food made for drinking and drinks made for eating: cocktails are strong and fruity and beers similarly refreshing—if you're making a night of it, be brave and order the Tray of Joy, a selection of six liquor shots from around the world. The food will take you on a journey, from fragrant light green mango and papaya salad and raw mackerel with herbs to stacks of friend chicken that come with finger bowls and crab dishes that require you to get your hands dirty.

The River Cafe Arrow

Thirty years after it opened, there’s still nowhere else in London quite like the River Café, Ruth Roger’s iconic Thames-side restaurant. Join the noisy mix of media types, off-duty movie stars, and artists for a wonderfully evocative menu, conjuring up vague but heady fantasies of a new life in rural Tuscany, with a wine list that’s a grand tour of Italy. On a languid summer’s afternoon, there’s no better place to be in all of London.

Barrafina Arrow

Every dish has earned its place on the menu at Barrafina, a cult tapas bar with an ever-present line, from the crisp-skinned chicken in Romesco sauce to the molten, magnificent tortilla. The best way to order is to watch the chefs at work, and get whatever’s looking good. The convivial vibe makes solo dining an extra attractive prospect, but it’s also a great place to take a date (so you can share more plates).

The Barbary Arrow

The Barbary makes quite a first impression; it’s small, pulsing to electro-pop and almost certainly full of people. Its party-loving sister the Palomer serves modern Israeli food, but this place has a more poetic remit, with a menu inspired by the Barbary Coast (an old term for North Africa’s Mediterranean coastline, once famed for its pirates and lions). Think smoky baba ghanoush, octopus Mashawsha and cumin crusted lamb cutlets.

Quo Vadis Arrow

This charismatic Dean Street address is a slice of old Soho, founded in the 1920s and still going strong. The food is regional, seasonal, and thoroughly British, from suet-crusted pie and mash to deviled kid-liver skewers. The wine list is lengthy, and the cocktail menu offers punchy house creations alongside classics. It’s enjoyable in a different way at any time of day, from a breakfast bacon roll in upscale surrounds to a blowout dinner.

Hoppers Soho Arrow

Several years after its launch, this Sri Lankan restaurant still draws a nightly queue—no small feat in fast-paced Soho, where there’s always a new must-try dinner spot. The wait takes dedication, so you know you’re all there for one reason: the food. The menu riffs on street food from Tamil Nadu in the Indian South and Sri Lanka, mostly taking the form of small sharing plates. You'll need to order the namesake dish (hoppers are lacy-edged, bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour) to scoop up hot butter deviled shrimp, coconut sambol and fragrant karis.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

14 unique London bars and restaurants that aren’t the usual tourist traps

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Want something more interesting than an open-top bus tour to add to your London itinerary? Or perhaps you live here but worry you haven’t explored everything the city has to offer?

It’s worth looking beyond the usual tourist traps if you can, both to beat the crowds and claim bragging rights when your mates ask for a hidden gem recommendation.

Thankfully, the capital is still home to a number of weird and wonderful spots that haven’t yet been franchised, sanitised and packed with stag and hen party bookings all weekend long.

Unique doesn’t just mean adult ball pits, 90s themed brunches and neon-hued bingo halls (which may have their place in London’s ‘going out’ ecosystem but won’t win you many cool points) either.

So for quirky without the clichés, and food and drink that’s as impressive as the setting it’s served up in, give these non-touristy restaurants and bars a try instead.

Café Diana, Kensington

Up the road from Notting Hill Gate station, Café Diana has been paying tribute to the People’s Princess since 1989. Before her passing, she was actually a regular, popping over from Kensington Palace for a cappuccino.

The food here is what you’d expect from a local caff – full English breakfasts by morning and staples such as fish and chips come lunchtime – with a few Levantine dishes like kofta and kubba thrown in for good measure.

What makes it especially distinctive, though, is the decor. Pictures of Diana line the walls, along with memorabilia and letters from the late royal herself.

The Absinthe Parlour at The Last Tuesday Society, Hackney

Head to Mare Street in Hackney for taxidermy, shrunken heads and dodo bones – with a bevvy or two to wash it all down.

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The Absinthe Parlour is downstairs from the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History, and the drinks selection here is just as unusual as its collection.

As the name suggests, it specialises in absinthe, but classic cocktails are available upon request and there’s a selection of beers and wines to choose from. Booking in advance is recommended, especially if you want to get in on the many events (such as tarot reading and horror movie nights) hosted here.

Little Nan’s, Deptford

Little Nan’s is a haven of leopard print, Pat Butcher, and all things kitsch and cosy – just like you’d find in your grandma’s house.

After travelling around as a pop-up, it set up permanently in Deptford Market Yard in 2016, and has been a local institution ever since, with much of the decor purchased from the market itself.

Afternoon tea here is great, with fish finger sarnies and disco fries to soak up signature cocktails served in teapots. Make ours a Lady Lewisham.

The Zetter, Clerkenwell

What looks like a regular Clerkenwell townhouse opens on to an intimate parlour famed for its cocktails that’s sure to impress any date.

Each drink is inspired by a different destination, using ingredients like sweet potato for Japan, curry leaf gin for India and beetroot distillate for Hungary. Don’t let the weirdness factor put you off – just sit back among the decadent interiors and let the flavours do the talking.

Attendant, Fitzrovia

If this cafe off Oxford Street reminds you of a toilet, it’s because it once was. The Doulton porcelain urinals from the former Victorian gents loo were revamped with green seating, creating a strangely familiar (yet chic) feel.

The coffee at the Attendant is second to none, and you can get brunch classics like bagels and avocado toast every day until 3pm.

BYOC, St Paul’s

BYOC stands for Bring Your Own Cocktail , and that’s exactly what you do here. Book ahead for £35 a head and bring your favourite spirit with you (a 350ml bottle is recommended per person). Then, the mixologists will do the rest, incorporating mixers, bitters, syrups and more to create five rounds of drinks.

There’s something special about having bespoke cocktails made just for you, and the prohibition-themed bar is a suitably fancy location to enjoy them.

Caravel, Islington

There are plenty of restaurants on boats throughout London, yet Caravel is among the coolest and least touristy.

Expect modern English cuisine with dishes like potato rosti, sour cream and caviar and guinea fowl, chanterelle and leek pie with mash that’s simple yet delicious. The view of the Regent’s Canal from the barge’s Old Street location isn’t bad either.

Hop Kingdom, Southwark

The more adventurous among you may want to try Hop Kingdom , a bar-cum-skatepark located five minutes from London Bridge station.

It’s free for anyone just drinking, or £5 for anyone skating – although you do get a free pint or soft drink with your entry fee. Visitors can learn to skate every Monday at the venue’s inclusive beginners nights for adults, and you can rent boards and safety gear too.

The Clink, Brixton

This isn’t some gimmicky, prison-themed restaurant. All the meals at The Clink are cooked and served by inmates at HMP Brixton training for qualifications in cookery and food service.

Even the furniture here is made by people in prison at HMP Frankland, and poetry on the walls has been written by Clink graduates.

You do need to book at least a week ahead of time, and must follow certain guidelines including bringing photo ID and locking personal belongings away before sitting down. Alcohol isn’t served either, but there are a range of mocktails to go with your food, which includes cured duck breast with baby beets, blood orange and sourdough, and roasted cauliflower with pommes aligot, black garlic and hazelnut.

Govinda’s, Soho

Govinda’s is London’s oldest vegetarian and vegan restaurant, located in the heart of Soho beside the Hare Krishna Temple – you may even have spotted its orange-clad followers singing and dancing up Oxford street.

Chanting and drums aside, though, it’s worth a visit for its renowned thali feasts, priced from just £7.95 and including rice, soup, curries, bread and salad. Don’t forget to try a lassi or masala chai too.

Sarastro, Covent Garden

The decor at this Drury Lane institution (open since 1996) is something to behold, all opulent gold details and red velvet maximalism. Food-wise, expect mezze favourites like lamb chops and chicken shish, with a pre-theatre menu priced at £25.50 for two courses.

The entertainment is what makes Sarastro so special, however, with opera performers every Sunday and Monday, Motown each Thursday, and ’70s and ’80s acts on Saturday.

Persepolis, Peckham

The Persian grocery selection at Persepolis is a real treasure trove, but head to the back of this unassuming store and you’ll really strike gold. The all-vegetarian restaurant is fairly informal, and actually opened by accident when the owner wanted to try out a few recipes. It obviously worked, and although they now have space for 100 covers, it’s always packed out.

The feasting menu at £30 a head is the best way to experience Middle Eastern hospitality at its finest, but you’ll be just as bowled over by the care taken with light bites like pakora and salad. The menu varies, and there are over 26 types of humous available, so arrive hungry and ready to explore.

Auld Hag, Angel

Calling itself a ‘purveyors of Scottish scran’, Auld Hag is the place to go for proper Glasgow morning rolls, Dundee cake, haggis, and anything else you’re craving from north of the border.

It’s a new addition to Angel’s St Joghn Street, only opened in February 2024, but has already proven itself as a champion for comforting Scottish food made well,

Stop by for a square sausage and tattie scone roll in the morning, then have a can of Tennents and a homemade scotch pie for lunch and get an empire biscuit for the way home. Delish.

Supperclub.tube, Walthamstow

Gimmicky? Maybe. But the fact this immersive dining experience, held on an old Victoria Line carriage in Walthamstow, has been running for almost a decade proves supperclub.tube is far more than that.

Three nights a week, you can book a seat on the refurbished underground train, where you’ll be served a six-course tasting menu inspired by Latin America.

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The 17 best restaurants in London

T he London restaurant scene is one of the world's best, and it runs the gamut from great British institutions that have been around for decades to trendy no-reservations spots that open faster than you can keep track of. It should come as little surprise that innovative and impressive chefs from all over the world are keen for a place at the (dinner) table here. Pull up a stool at a long steel counter to watch as Northern Thai dishes are cooked over open flames, sink into your leather booth and press the button for champagne to enjoy with lobster mac 'n' cheese, or order a whole spread of small plates inspired by Italy's diverse regions. If you're serious about food, you'll find London has plenty to offer. We’re featuring our established favourites for this list but you can find the newest hotspots to book here .

Find a restaurant by area

King's cross, shoreditch, hackney and nearby, bocca di lupo.

Italian counter-top restaurant Bocca di Lupo, tucked away down one of Soho’s quieter streets, was one of the first to run with small plates when it opened to much acclaim in 2008. Now something of a Soho stalwart, it’s still one of the most exciting places to eat Italian food, thanks to its diverse menu inspired by all 20 of Italy’s regions. The small plate system means you can sample something from each section/region of the menu, too. We’re talking fried artichoke from Roma, Apulia’s raw fish with pink pepper and olive oil and Veneto’s Pappardelle with wild venison ragu to name a few gems. For dessert, hop across the street to Gelupo, the restaurant's gelataria.

Contact: 020 7734 2223; boccadilupo.com

Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus

Reservations: Essential

This casual, Soho walk-in specialises in Northern Thai food (or specifically the regions where Thailand borders Burma, Laos and Yunnan). It’s affordable, democratic and fun – especially if you’re able get a seat at the long steel counter to watch the chefs cook at their clay pots - the restaurant shuns gas and electricity, instead cooking its deeply savoury and super spicy food over open flames and smoky coals. Fish arrives daily and whole animals are butchered in-house. Be sure to try the lamb and cumin skewer, stir-fried skate with spring onion, and wild ginger and beef neck curry from Burma.

Contact: kilnsoho.com

Reservations:  Walk-ins only

Bob Bob Ricard

This is the restaurant of choice for those planning to go ‘out out’, which is not a claim many restaurants can make. Yes, the food is excellent, the drinks even better, but the main claim to fame? It is fun, with a capital F. The décor is insanely lavish – like something from the Great Gatsby – with low lighting, lots of gold and marble, and blue or red leather booths (depending whether you are in the blue or red dining room). Famously, there is a champagne button at each booth so you can summon a top-up. Does the novelty of this wear off? No. Food wise, it’s ‘luxury English and Russian’. Think comfort food for millionaires – lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, supersized lemon-sole goujons, Chateaubriand for one. Go at lunchtime and get 20 per cent off the dinner menu.

Contact: 020 3145 1000; bobbobricard.com

Nearest Tube: Picadilly Circus

Reservations: Recommended

Rovi is Israeli-born wonder-chef Ottolenghi’s sixth London restaurant with an amped-up focus on vegetables, specifically by way of ‘fermentation and cooking over fire’. And it’s so pretty - probably the most plush of his restaurants with a show-stopping circular marble bar to greet you as you walk in and curvaceous red banquette seating snaking around the tables. As well as serving his usual deli-fare colourful salad bowls and pastries, there are luxurious veggie small plates, presented like works of art – think grilled kasuzake cucumber with peanut and lime sambal and celeriac shawarma, a ‘kebab’ so good it could turn even the most enthusiastic carnivore. Meat and fish also appear on the menu but definitely second fiddle to the vegetable queens.

Contact: 020 3963 8271, ottolenghi.co.uk

Nearest metro: Oxford Circus

Bao Borough

They have people queuing around the block in Soho and Fitzrovia and now Bao has brought its Taiwanese fluffy steamed buns to foodie haven, Borough Market. It’s the perfect fit, with its grab-and-go hatch (open Fridays and Saturdays) if you want to keep moving around the stalls. If you sit in, pull up a stool either at the long wooden bar or Formica-topped tables, in a simple café-style setting. Bun-wise, as well as the classic slow-braised pork belly, try the new chicken nugget bao (with hot sauce and Sichuan mayo) and the hot-dog-esque shrimp ‘Shia Song’. Or, from the Tokyo-style grill, there are juicy scallops with spiced beef butter and hot yellow chilli chicken wings inspired by ‘late-night commuter food’ across Asia. To top it off, there’s a karaoke room downstairs that you can book by the hour. 

Contact: 020 3319 8132; baolondon.com

Nearest metro: London Bridge

Among the five oldest restaurants in London, Scott’s was originally opened as an oyster warehouse in 1851, in a different location but still…heritage. Oysters are still the star attraction - ideally consumed at the elegant marble-topped champagne bar, which has a giant boat-style sculpture on a plinth housing all the crustacea on ice. A shimmering centre-piece, indeed – and the focal point, décor-wise. Try one of each oyster on offer (sourced from England, Ireland, Scotland and France) and don’t miss the jalapeno vinegar to add some extra bite. Fish is the specialty for main course – try the roast cod with cauliflower puree and chorizo dressing.

Contact:   scotts-restaurant.com

Nearest Tube: Green Park

Prices: £££

Bang on bustling Piccadilly, Hide, as the name suggests, is a tranquil space more akin to a luxury spa or gallery thanks to the stripped back, natural interior – all wood and calming neutral tones, inspired by Green Park, which it peacefully overlooks. The focal point is the swirling spiral wooden staircase taking you through all three floors of the experience - from ‘Below’ (the bar) to ‘Ground’ (all-day dining) to ‘Above’ (fine dining). Just five months since opening in May 2018, this joint venture between star chef Ollie Dabbous and Mayfair’s Hedonism Wines has already garnered a Michelin star. The fixed lunch is reasonably priced for this calibre of restaurant and has such ceremony, from cured meats served speared on feathers to chutney made at your table for the cheese course. Then there’s the wine. The wine list – on a leather-bound iPad – boasts over 6,000 bottles that can be beckoned from Hedonism’s cellars within 15 minutes.

Contact: 020 3146 8666; hide.co.uk

The Wolseley

European brasserie dining on a grandiose scale. The Piccadilly site used to be a very posh car showroom of the same name, and the revered atmosphere lives on – you can’t help but let out a little gasp when the ornate room swallows you up. Even though The Wolseley hasn’t been around that long it feels very traditional and comforting. It’s a place for regulars, and low-key celebrities and media people having breakfast meetings, but don’t let that put you off. Whatever time of day you come it feels like an event, and the staff treats you like it’s your birthday even if it isn’t. The menu is full of comforting crowd pleasers from across Europe - like eggs Benedict, coq au vin with creamed mash and black forest gateau.

Contact: 020 7499 6996; thewolseley.com

Housed in a handsome, historic town house in Covent Garden, Cora Pearl is the second restaurant from the team behind It restaurant Kitty Fisher’s in Mayfair. The menu is billed as ‘complex comfort food’ and it doesn’t get much more comforting than a ham and cheese toastie, elegantly executed, of course, from a pork terrine and served as a trio of finger sandwiches with a pitch perfect chutney. Warming, traditional-with-a-twist mains include fish stew and croutons and veal with celeriac and Sauce Bordelaise (the Parisian bistro influence showing through). The décor is tres chic - think high ceilings dripping with pendant lamps, parquet flooring and plush green velvet banquettes. It’s become a hotspot for discerning theatre goers as well as Sunday roast aficionados.

Contact: 020 7324 7722, corapearl.co.uk

Nearest metro: Covent Garden

Now in its tenth year and with two Michelin stars to its name, Gymkhana is a pioneer for creative Indian fine dining in London. If you love a curry and fancy an upscale take on it, this is still the place to go. With décor and atmosphere inspired by elite Raj-era sporting and social clubs, it’s perfect for when you want to make a special night of it. Especially thanks to the sultry cocktail bar, 42, that opens till 2am - ideal for that rare whiskey nightcap. The difficulty is knowing what to choose on the menu because it’s all so intoxicating thanks to the genius depth and layering of spice and flavour. Meaty favourites include kid goat methi keema, tandoori masala lamb chops and the unctuous pork cheek vindaloo packing serious chill heat. Vegetarian dishes have some serious flair, like the Achari paneer tikka with fig and cashew nut and tandoori broccoli with green mango raita. To keep the bill down, there’s the 3-course fixed lunch for £55.

Contact: gymkhanalondon.com

Reservations: recommended

Coal Office

Coal Office, part of Kings Cross’s stylish Coals Drop Yard development, is a collaboration between the designer Tom Dixon and chef Assaf Granit (of ‘it’ restaurant Palomar fame). A self-proclaimed ‘food and design playground’, the place is buzzing – it’s dark and industrial with sexy lighting, the music is loud in a good way, and the drinks pack a punch. It’s also intimate, especially if you sit at the kitchen-bar where the magic happens at the Josper oven (cooked over coals). The food is broadly Middle Eastern, but very much inspired by Israel and aimed at sharing. Kudos for dish names ‘Plate for the Brave’ (an assortment of chillies), ‘Bread from the Past’ and ‘Oxitipus’ – potato stew with ox cheek and josperised octopus.

Contact: 020 3848 6085; coaloffice.com

Nearest Tube: Kings Cross.  For places to stay in the area, see our guide to the best hotels near Euston station .

Yes it’s a chain but boy is this Indian restaurant good, with the added plus that you have several locations around town from which to choose (Kensington, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Kings Cross and Shoreditch). Styled like a traditional Bombay café – all dark wood, decoratively tiled floors and wicker-backed chairs – it’s always thriving with a really mixed clientele. The super reasonable menu runs all day, and serves not traditional curries but specialties like the house black daal, lamb boti kabab or the quick lunch-y chicken tikka roll. Beat the inevitable queue by opting for a unique breakfast and their Bombay-take on British classics, including the Full Bombay and the bacon and egg naan.

Contact: dishoom.com

Trattoria Brutto

“Come along, perch up at the bar. Squeeze in at a table. We’ll make a plan”. This caption from Brutto’s Instagram perfectly sums up the welcome-with-open-arms brand of hospitality at the late Russell Norman’s Florentine-inspired trattoria. Norman helped transform the London restaurant scene a decade ago with Polpo, his small plate, no reservations Venetian wonder. At Brutto it’s about lots of little touches that combine to create a perfect whole experience. From the charm of the gingham tablecloths and napkin draped lights to the cheek of the £5 negronis, ‘1pm risotto’ (“when it’s gone, it’s gone!”) and blackboard of bistecca alla Fiorentina - the smokily charred t-bone steaks priced by weight - that sits behind the well-stocked bar. And, of course the pasta. Comforting favourites like penne con vodka and tagliatelle al ragu sit alongside seasonal offerings like a carbonora (but not) with asparagus and new Pici all’aglione, fat, hand-rolled spaghetti inspired by chef Alan’s last excursion to Florence. Buon appetite!

Contact: brutto.co.uk

Nearest Tube: Farringdon

Reservations: recommended + walk-ins welcomed

Smoking Goat

This is Ben Chapman of Kiln fame’s Shoreditch offering and best summed up as 'Thai drinking food'. This is most evident in the famous lardo-fried rice, cooked in pig fat with egg, chilli paste, garlic and coriander root. Like Kiln, the genre is 'Thai barbeque' so deep in flavour and hot, hot, hot. So you might start with barbecued Tamworth skewers and chilli fish sauce wings, followed by Northern Thai-style lamb laab and grilled beef, lemongrass and chilli salad. Chapman loves a mash-up of genres, particularly evident in the fish dishes such as whole grilled plaice with nahm jim. The vegetable dishes are fresh, spicy and inventive - think smoked aubergine salad with chilli and egg and ‘Som Tum’ of green papaya, yellow carrot and chilli. Inside, the action centres around the pub-like wooden bar serving local lagers and ales on taps as well as holiday-style cocktails.

Contact: smokinggoatbar.com

Nearest Metro: Old Street or Liverpool Street

Reservations: Walk-ins and reservations up to 6 people

This white-washed Hackney Road offshoot of the influential and much-loved Moro on Exmouth Market focuses on north African, eastern Mediterranean and southern Spanish cooking, in a very cool dining room – painted Pantone blue and orange with industrial concrete ceilings and floors, a curvaceous marble bar and neon tube lighting. It has a buzzy, neighbourhood feel and the food, like Moro, is focused on small plates you can share and swoon over, like fried aubergines, date molasses and feta, or cheese fritters and Cretan thyme honey. The meat dishes are crowd pleasers, such as charcoal grilled lamb chops, with paprika and anchovy butter, or crispy pork belly with quince aioli. It's worth noting you can get a mezze lunch menu Monday to Friday for just £13.50 and Moroccan/Turkish-style breakfast is served at the weekends.

Contact: moritohackneyroad.co.uk

Nearest tube: Old Street or Bethnal Green

Open since 1972, Tayyabs in Whitechapel has been doing ‘experiential’, walk-in dining long before it became trendy. And you definitely come to Tayyabs for the experience – it’s busy, hectic and loud; the service is fast and no-nonsense (once you’ve queued and got in that is). But for cheap, always excellent Punjabi food you can’t beat it. The menu is short but that’s kind of the point – you come for the classics such as grilled lamb chops, masala channa and dahl. Regulars know about the daily specials like the Friday meat biryanis, the Thursday Karahi lamb chop curries or prawn special Saturdays. Tayyabs also wins fans for being BYOB with the added bonus of no corkage policy.

Contact: tayyabs.co.uk

Nearest tube: Whitechapel

Reservations: Walk-in and reservations

Bistrotheque

Housed in an industrial, whitewashed warehouse space in the backstreets of Bethnal Green, Bistrotheque is an East London institution – a fun palace for the fashionable. It’s been going for 20 years now with no signs of losing its allure. It's the place to go for a buzzy dinner – and be sure to have time for a pre-dinner cocktail at the sleek bar that stretches almost length of the loft. The menu offers quirky British twists on bistro classics, like potato and comte pie with green mustard sauce, pressed beef and confit artichokes, or good old roast chicken, with confit garlic. Bistrotheque also pioneered London’s brunch movement so it’s definitely worth a visit for that, especially because you get to hear pianist Xavior playing pop hits on the piano.

Contact: bistrotheque.com

Nearest tube: Bethnal Green

How we choose

Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller’s taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations.

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