Iconic London Restaurants Everyone Should Visit Once

New restaurants pop up left right and centre in the capital – but only a select few stand the test of time. Whether it’s having a top chef at the helm, an interesting history, a celebrity clientele, a film cameo or another claim to fame, some eateries just become ‘it’ destinations, which people travel from far and wide to experience. Here we highlight the most iconic London restaurants, some dating back hundreds of years, others modern institutions. From the city’s most star-studded hotel to the world-famous Ritz and the recently revamped Langan’s, these famous London hotspots should all be added to your culinary bucket list.

London’s Most Famous Restaurants

The River Cafe, Hammersmith

Since opening in 1987, this riverside gem perched beside the Thames in Hammersmith has remained pretty much unchanged – a testament to its timeless magic. The brainchild of Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray, The River Cafe was originally built as a canteen to feed the staff of Ruth’s husband Robert’s architecture firm. But it quickly became recognised as one of the city’s best Italian restaurants, with its idyllic outdoor terrace and ingredient-led menu. The eatery is also renowned for nurturing some of the biggest chefs in the business: everyone from Jamie Oliver to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has cooked in the River Cafe kitchen at some stage in its history. Signature dishes include the chargrilled squid, which has been on the menu for decades, alongside impeccable pastas and an exclusively Italian wine list.

Where? Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA

BOOK: rivercafe.co.uk

The Wolseley, Mayfair

If AA Gill wrote a whole book about it, then it’s got to be good. The Wolseley has stood proudly on Piccadilly since 2003 – though the building itself dates back to the early 1900s, when it was first built as a prestigious car show room, going on to serve as a Barclays Bank for some years. Restauranteur duo Chris Corbin and Jeremy King acquired the site in July 2003, and just a few months later the restaurant opened its doors. Its eclectic history is reflected in the interiors: high vaulted ceilings and Venetian pillars intermingle with red and gold Japanese panels, and Oriental friezes on the walls – a feature from its brief stint as a Chinese restaurant. The Wolseley oozes glamour, and you’ll usually spot at least one famous face there (the Beckhams are regulars, and Kate Moss is a fan). It’s a particularly popular spot for breakfast, when Londoners flock in for Arnold Bennett omelettes and baskets of pretty pastries. An all-day menu, meanwhile, offers everything from caviar and oysters to steaks and fish dishes – plus a selection of ice cream coupes, including a pistachio and hazelnut number inspired by the late Lucian Freud.

Where? 160 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9EB

BOOK: thewolseley.com

Wiltons, St James’s

London’s second oldest restaurant (and that’s only because Rules got their liquor license first), Wiltons is the height of sophistication and old-school elegance. The Jermyn Street eatery has long been a firm favourite amongst politicians and celebrities not wanting to get papped; since 1742 it’s become synonymous with discretion, impeccable service – your name will be known after just one sitting – and of course, delectable food. Tradition is at the heart of this refined dining spot, with a carving trolley available daily, serving up roast leg of Romney Marsh lamb and Blythburgh pork, among other meats. If fish is more your thing (or even if it’s not), we urge you to try Wiltons’ famed Dover Sole; as one of the last restaurants to offer fork filleting service at the table, it’s an experience in itself, and one so delicious that it accounts for 90 per cent of the main course orders at Wiltons. The restaurant has been supplying the royal household with its oysters since gaining its first Royal Warrant in 1836, so you can rest assured that when you pull up a seat at the oyster bar, you’ll be sampling the very best. For extra special occasions (anything from a client lunch to a romantic proposal) the restaurant’s private Jimmy Marks Room is perfect. Utterly elegant, it can accommodate up to 20 guests for a seated meal – we suggest hiring the carving trolley as well.

Where? 55 Jermyn Street St James’s, London, SW1Y 6LX

BOOK: wiltons.co.uk

The Ritz Restaurant, Mayfair

The Ritz is one of the most iconic hotels in the world, with an enviable location on London’s Piccadilly overlooking the Royal Green Park. Opened in 1906 by hotelier César Ritz, the hotel quickly became a favourite home-from-home for Hollywood stars and royalty alike – and in 2002, it was the first hotel to be awarded a Royal Warrant. More than a century after its launch, The Ritz remains at the top of its game: the hotel exudes a feel of timeless elegance, with faultless service and an excellent food offering. In the exquisite Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant, with its sparkling chandeliers and marble columns, Executive Chef John Williams MBE uses the finest seasonal ingredients throughout the menus. His famed signature dishes include dishes such as Cornish turbot, beef wellington and langoustine à la Nage. Afterwards, spend the evening sipping cocktails in the intimate Art Deco Rivoli Bar.

Where? 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR

BOOK: theritzlondon.com

Langan’s Brasserie, Mayfair

(c) Cristian Barnett

With one of the world’s biggest actors, Sir Michael Caine, at its helm, Langan’s Brasserie was destined to draw in big names. He opened the restaurant in Mayfair back in 1976 in partnership with the eponymous Irish entrepreneur Peter Langan, and it quickly became a magnet for the rich and famous, frequented by the likes of Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger and Muhammed Ali. As Joan Collins once put it: ‘Anybody who was anybody lunched or dined there’. Yet when Langan died, and his partners traded in their shares, the venue slowly faded away – and in 2020, it went into administration. In late 2021 though, it was revived by restaurateurs Graziano Arricale (previously of Birley Clubs) and James Hitchen (former CEO of Manchester restaurant group East Coast Concepts). Their aim was to bring the spirit of the ’70s and ‘80s heyday to a new generation. That means the showpiece dining room and brasserie-style food remain, but there’s also a raw seafood bar, a basement private dining room, and an invitation-only upstairs bar, designed by Peter Mikic. For a taste of the original, try the beef tartare – prepared tableside – or the famed spinach soufflé with anchovy sauce.

Where? Stratton St, London W1J 8LB

BOOK: langansbrasserie.com

J Sheekey, Covent Garden

Back in 1893, stallholder Josef Sheekey was given permission by Lord Salisbury to serve fish and shellfish in St Martin’s Court, in return for supplying meals to Salisbury’s after-theatre dinner parties. This was the beginning of Sheekey’s – and, to this day, the restaurant retains its Victorian charm. Located bang in the middle of the West End, it’s always been a hotspot for actors, hosting an endless stream of A-listers over the years – from the Beckhams to Jude Law and Bradley Cooper. Food-wise, it’s all about high-quality seafood: think oysters, fruits de mer platters and lobster thermidor, alongside its famous fish pie. Head there for a pre or post-theatre dinner and ensure you sample the excellent cocktail list, which features recreated versions of 10 iconic cocktails from the restaurant’s 125 years.

Where? 28-32 St Martin’s Ct, London WC2N 4AL

BOOK: j-sheekey.co.uk

Chiltern Firehouse, Marylebone

How did a red-brick fire station in Marylebone become London’s prime celeb haunt? Through the wizardry and charisma of Hungarian-born, American hotelier André Balazs, that’s how. When Chiltern Firehouse opened its doors in 2014, everyone who was anyone was snapped there. In its first few months of existence alone, Cheryl Cole, David Beckham, Naomi Campbell, Simon Cowell, Bono and Bill Clinton were all guests – and Rita Ora apparently stayed there before it had even opened. Naturally, the buzz has died down over the years, though it remains uber-chic – and these days us regular punters can actually book a table. Chefs Nuno Mendes and Richard Foster cook up a suitably fashionable menu: the crab doughnuts are perhaps the most talked about dish: crispy batter packed with creamy crabmeat with a picante punch.

Where? 1 Chiltern St, London W1U 7PA

BOOK: chilternfirehouse.com

Quo Vadis, Soho

Occupying four townhouses on Soho’s Dean Street, Quo Vadis is a restaurant with no shortage of history. The building was once a notorious brothel, and from 1851 to 1856 it was home to Karl Marx and his family. It was Italian-born restaurateur Peppino Leoni who gave Quo Vadis its moniker – which translates as ‘where are you going?’ in Italian’ – opening a restaurant there in 1926. Since then the restaurant has had numerous owners, including Marco Pierre White and Damien Hirst, and in the late noughties it was bought by its current owners, Sam and Eddie Hart – the brothers behind Barrafina. Nowadays the space comprises a restaurant, two bars and a private members’ club, with Scottish chef Jeremy Lee spearheading the culinary side. The menu is distinctly British, with signature dishes including the smoked eel and horseradish sandwich, and a daily changing pie.

Where? 26-29 Dean St, London W1D 3LL

BOOK: quovadissoho.co.uk