London is a food lover’s paradise. Within the city’s buzzing streets, gastronomes can find everything from simple cafes and takeaways to some of the world’s most celebrated fine dining establishments.
Because of the impressive selection of eateries on offer, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re planning your first trip to the English capital, it’s well worth checking out the following restaurants. They will give you a true flavour of London’s food scene.
Admire the city’s skyline
You might spend much of your time in the city sightseeing and dining, and at Oblix you can combine these two activities. Located half way up the Shard, which is Western Europe’s tallest building, this bar and restaurant offers magnificent views over the metropolis. From your vantage point on the 32ndfloor, you can gaze out over sights such as the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.
The brainchild of renowned restaurateur Rainer Becker, the eatery serves up culinary creations such as pork belly and tataki-style beef. To complete your meal there, you can indulge in dreamy combinations of ice cream or tuck into a slice of New York cheesecake.
Bear in mind though, if you want a table next to the window, you’ll need to book in advance.
Sample afternoon tea in style
There are few things more quintessentially British than afternoon tea and if you haven’t yet sampled the luxury of these meals, London is the perfect place to do it. For the best experience, make sure you choose a top-end establishment.
One great option is to venture to central London hotels, such as The Landmark London. This five-star establishment offers an award-winning Afternoon Tea in its Winter Garden. Under a magnificent eight-story glass roof atrium, you can tuck into an assortment of delicate sandwiches, freshly baked scones and French pastries. These gourmet treats are served with your choice of tea.
If you have a sweet tooth, you can opt for a Chocolate Afternoon Tea, and for the ultimate in indulgence, why not go for the Pierre Nicolas Champagne Afternoon Tea?
During the week, the hotel serves this meal from 3pm until 5.30pm and at weekends, it is available from 1.30pm until 5.30pm.
Sample Indian fine dining
London is home to many fantastic Indian restaurants and you haven’t really experienced the city’s food scene until you’ve tucked into an authentic, perfectly spiced curry. One of the very best Indian eateries is Benares in Mayfair. High-profile chef AtulKochhar has earned a Michelin star for the establishment, and once you’ve dined there, you’ll understand why.
It specialises in modern Indian cuisine with a British twist and if you can’t decide which dishes to go for, it’s well worth opting for a tasting menu. You can expect an array of flavoursome creations, such as spinach and apricot tikki and mango pickled marinated supreme of chicken with crispy fried wings.
Celebrate British gastronomy
Another foodie highlight in the capital is Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Located in Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, it serves up a menu inspired by historic British gastronomy. The interior of the restaurant is modern and innovative, while at the same time being mindful of tradition. Its floor-to-ceiling glass walls give you a tantalising view into the kitchen, where chefs are busily preparing a selection of unusual culinary creations.
Always keen to break the mould, Heston and his head chef Ashley Palmer-Watts serve up dishes such as a starter of meal fruit based on a recipe from 1500 and a dish of roast marrowbone from a 1720 recipe.
Other treats include nettle porridge, lobster and cucumber soup, powdered duck breast, spiced pigeon and cod in cider.
