The Best Restaurants in Central London: A Foodie’s Guide

If there's anyone you can trust with a restaurant recommendation, it's a top chef...

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more

Top chef and current Culinary Director for EatFirst, Benn Hodges gives us his top picks of central London’s eateries…

Benn Hodges

Who better to recommend the best central London restaurants than a chef with over 8 years of experience working in them? Benn Hodges has worked at numerous Michelin star restaurants in the city, including The Ivy and Roka. He’s now moved to EatFirst, the UK’s prime gourmet ready meal delivery service, as Culinary Director where he prepares each meal with his talented brigade of chefs. As a chef with two Great Taste Awards and winner of the 2017 Chef of the Year, he gives C&TH his ultimate foodie’s guide to the best restaurants north of the river in London.

These are his pick of the bunch…

Benn’s Pick: The Best Restaurants in Central London

ROKA – Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia

Roka offers a relaxed ‘neighbourhood vibe’ dining experience without compromising on service or quality. The attention to detail that goes into every dish is always superb. Their Sashimi or anything from the robata is a must try. rokarestaurant.com

Tredwells – Covent Garden

Tredwells is the place to be for a lazy weekend. They have a fantastic Sunday lunch and often have someone tinkling about in the ivories. The desserts are always expertly executed, so much so that I often skip a starter just to leave room for pudding! tredwells.com

Kiln – Soho

Kiln cooks with fire, inside and out. Wok seared fresh glass noodles over flames, grilled chicken wings and amazing dry curries come from purpose made pan sized ‘kilns’. This is honestly some of the best Thai food you will ever eat. Each dish is beautifully crafted, using traditional Thai recipes. kilnsoho.com

Bone Daddies – Peter Street, Soho

Bone Daddies ramen menu offers everything from classic pork tonkotsu to the more modern wave of hip broths finished with toppings such as padron peppers, asparagus and cock scratchings. Quick service, great music and drinks to match for a lively Saturday late lunch or afternoon. bonedaddies.com

Pied à Terre – Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia

Pied à Terre brings a modern air of sophistication to the Michelin dining scene thanks to their new head chef Asimakis Chaniotis, who is oozing in both flair and creativity. Their menu du jour is known as one of London’s best valued Michelin starred lunches and is one you can’t afford to miss. pied-à-terre.co.uk

Kimura – Crouch End

Kimura is an absolute hidden gem. Sashimi, maki and nigiri are made to order and expertly sliced by Nobu Matsuhisa. If you are in the area of Alexandra Palace, make sure to eat your sushi on the grass overlooking a panoramic view of London. kimurauk.com