With summer travel season here, I’ve had lots of requests for my favorite places to eat in London. Here they all are!
Breakfast/Brunch
The Buttery: This was the 10-table restaurant attached to our hotel and this may have been my favorite restaurant this trip! I had their homemade granola bowl and Grace and I shared their pancakes and we are still talking about them. Highly recommend making a reservation early in your trip if you’d like to dine there because seating is limited.
Morena: Another darling place and we were able to just walk in and have a delicious breakfast. I’m in my granola yogurt bowl era and the one at Morena was fab!
Timmy Green: We met two of Grace’s school friends for breakfast and this place took reservations. I think Timmy Green is part of a bigger restaurant chain but this place was hopping when we met on Saturday morning. I had a portobello mushroom toast that was the toast of my dreams! And I’m still dreaming about the flat white coffee I had there, too.
Cheeky Scone: When we moved Grace to London last August, we did a very fancy tea before we left. Before I got to London this time, I told Grace I just wanted to go for tea and scones. I didn’t need all of the other stuff. She delivered by taking me to Cheeky Scone in Notting Hill. For less than $20, Grace and I shared two scones, tons of clotted cream and jam, and two perfect cups of tea. I LOVED it and can’t wait to go back. My only regret is that we only had time to go there once while I was there. There will be a next time for sure!
Layla Bakery: A delicious little bakery off of Portobello Road. You’ll likely have to wait in line with the locals for your fresh coffee and warm croissants, but I’m here to tell you that it will be worth it!
Farm Girl Cafe: I think breakfast is my favorite meal in London and this restaurant is darling. I think they have a couple of locations throughout London.
Granger & Co.: Another gem we discovered around the corner from where we went to church in Chelsea. We walked right in and the food and service was fantastic. When we were finished, we walked around Sloane Square and I dreamed about Princess Diana who once lived in this neighborhood and earned her the name, the “Sloane Ranger.”
Glamarama: A very cute spot in South Kensington that’s part of the Daisy Green chain of restaurants in London. It has a very farm-to-table flair and one of the best flat whites in London. (I’ve done the research.)
Bill’s: This is a good, safe go-to if you’re in a hurry. It’s a chain all over London and reminds me of Walker Bros. or Egg Harbor.
Snack
Peggy Porschen: The most instagrammable bakery in London! This was right across the street from our hotel. Before we headed to Windsor on the train, we stopped in and picked up a slice of their orange carrot loaf and their chocolate marble loaf. This little gem of a bakery is a must visit if you happen to be in Belgravia.
Borough Market: Right near Tower Bridge are loads of little food markets just waiting to be sampled. Grace and I had lunch from fish!kitchen it was the fish, chips, and mushy peas of my dreams. If you don’t mind crowds, this is a very fun way to try to some of London’s fare.
Dolce Vyta in Covent Garden: This little walk-up window is serving the viral, creamy brioche buns that are all over London TikTok channels. These weren’t quite the 10 I was hoping for, but they were awfully good. And I felt pretty cool trying them!
Chestnut Bakery: Another little treasure of a bakery! This one had a number of twice baked croissants on their menu and of course Grace and I had to sample a couple. We chose a raspberry and pistachio as a sweet and a parmesan truffle one as our savory. So darn good!
Dinner
Da Mario: Da Mario is a must if you loved Princess Diana like I do. The restaurant feels like an Italian family welcomed you into their home. They have Princess Diana photos all over the restaurant and her name on the front stairs. They also have her favorite table now placed in a window (as the restaurant has been renovated since her passing). Our food was wonderful, the service was fantastic, and it being one Princess Diana’s favorites made the evening so special. You do need a reservation to dine here, so be sure to book that before you leave for London.
Jacuzzi: Grace’s 25th birthday was our first night in London and we let her pick the restaurant. She chose Jacuzzi. It was a fabulous Italian restaurant–great decor, service, and food.
Dishoom: I can’t remember the last time I had Indian food, so this was such a treat. Dishoom is THE PLACE all the young people talk about. They don’t take reservations. The trick is to stop by before you are hungy to put your name on a waitlist. Then you can enjoy a drink in the bar or outside until your table is ready. We only had to wait an hour, which was enough time to sample their incredible mocktail menu. I had the “Sober Negroni” that was FABULOUS! When we were seated, our server suggested we order several small plates to share and some garlic naan bread. It was all perfection. I really don’t know what I was eating, but I enjoyed every bite.
Traitor’s Gate Pub: We only had the chance for fish and chips once and I’m thrilled that we got to have them here. Located right across the street from Tower Bridge, this might be a touristy place but the food was quick and delicious.
Rosa’s Thai: We hit this little neighborhood chain restaurant on my first night in London when we just wanted a quick bite. Their focus is Thai food and it was great. Great vibe on a Thursday night.
Circolo Popolare: This Italian place was awesome! We had an early dinner here before going to the theater and it was fantastic. Grace and I split a pizza and a salad. It was plenty of delicious food that was served quickly. The ambiance was also stunning!
xo,
