Looking for lunch options in London? We’ve got you covered with this handy guide to the best places to eat and special set menus you do not want to miss.
We might be biased, but we think that London is one of the most vibrant, fun, and varied cities in the world – especially when it comes to the food on offer.
We feel that way because we’re almost non-stop eating our way around the city, and we’ve got some tips for you. For one, dining at lunch is a great way to experience some Michelin Star restaurants like Angler and Club Gascon without a hefty price tag.
What’s more, we’ve got the drop on some excellent laid-back options that are ideal for gathering a big group of friends or family at: The Breakfast Club, we’re looking at you.
Looking for somewhere to enjoy a midday meal? Here’s our guide…
Best Lunches in London
Quo Vadis
Soho
Quo Vadis is about as iconic a lunch spot as you can find in London. The Dean Street restaurant has been adored by the creative types and leisure-loving folk that lunch in Soho for what’s coming on a century.
Right now the chef at the front of all this is one of the finest they’ve had. Jeremy Lee whips up absolute magic on everything from soup of the day to the famed eel sarnie (an absolute must-order dish).
The dining room is known as ‘the great dame of Dean Street’ and is dripping with aged charm, though if it’s warm enough a seat outside is one of those places that people itch to be seen at. Status aside, it’s also just lovely to dine street-side in Soho.
Morito
Hackney and Clerkenwell
Morito is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a super fresh and high-quality meal. Head Chef Sevan Tchivitdji is well known for producing beautiful food with influences from Spain, North Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Their menu changes frequently according to the availability of local and seasonal ingredients – so don’t get too attached to a particular plate. Whatever you eat though, you won’t be disappointed.
Another perk is that the menu is nothing if not extensive and caters well to both vegetarians and meat-eaters. If you visit with a group it is recommended that you eat tapas-style, so you can try as many of the dishes as possible.
If the wild garlic croqueta and the black bream ceviche is on the menu when you visit, to not give it a try would be criminal.
Angler
If you’re a lover of seafood and are looking for something a bit up-market, we recommend Angler. Perched right at the top of South Place Hotel, this Michelin-starred restaurant showcases some of the best sustainable seafood from British waters.
The executive chef, Gary Foulkes, focuses on using only seasonal and carefully sourced British produce. As a result, the menu at Angler is always being transformed, staying as fresh as the fish you’ll find on it.
We love lunch at Angler for the fact you’ll be eating Michelin-quality food without the Michelin-sized bill. Sure, you might not be eating from a lavish tasting menu but it’s a great way to see what a fancy restaurant is all about without breaking the bank.
Ganymede
Victoria
There’s nothing like a pub lunch in our books, and at Ganymede you’ll get it in style. The spot is an up-market take on the classic British boozer, and one that retains plenty of the charm of your local pub.
The food on offer is hearty and high-quality and can be eaten from a lunch menu that is not to be missed. With two courses for £23.50 or three courses for £29.50 you can chow down on sumptuous bavette steaks with chimichurri and Salmon fishcake with mussel velouté.
There are some lighter options like soups and salads for those of you after a healthy option. Just don’t deny yourself the spiced plum frangipane tart with crème fraiche.
Club Gascon
Clerkenwell
Club Gascon’s name pays homage to the traditional Gascony region of southwest France, which is where Chef Pascal calls home. His passion for food and attention to detail make this spot one of the most wonderful places to eat in the whole city.
In 2002, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, and it has managed to retain it every year since. Chef Pascal has also been named ‘Restaurant Chef of the Year’ – just one in a very long list of accolades – so you know that you’re in good hands.
The menu here is designed to take you on a journey across the southwest of France. They do this through an excellent selection of tasting menus, including a wonderful vegetarian tasting menu. However, if you’re not looking to split your sides at lunch, the big hits can be ordered a la carte.
We’ll add that due to the quality of the cooking and the overall vibe of the restaurant, this is a great lunch spot if you fancy a romantic or intimate meal.
Padella
This one is for all of the fresh pasta lovers out there. Padella, situated in the bustling Borough Market, is a wonderful pasta bar serving hand-rolled pasta with a range of homemade sauces and fillings that have been inspired by the owners’ trips to Italy.
This is the perfect spot for lunch if you need a quick lunch but you don’t want to sacrifice the quality of your meal (it’s also incredible value).
They offer a huge range of antipasti, pasta, puddings, and drinks, so there should be something for everyone. We recommend the fettuccine with nduja, mascarpone, and lemon.
You should note that they don’t accept bookings at their Borough Market location because it is very small. However, you can join the queue virtually by using their QR code, so you can continue to browse the market whilst you’re waiting for a table to pop up. The wait shouldn’t be too long at lunch time.
Frenchie
For a solid lunch spot in the city centre, Frenchie Covent Garden is one of our top picks.
It’s a French brasserie with a notably elegant Parisian spirit, but an electric London atmosphere. Their menu is seasonal and dishes can change daily, but this only adds to the restaurant’s sense of excitement and the thrill of the meal.
They have a range of different options, including luxury five-course tasting menus, but you’ll want to go for the set lunch.
With two and three-course options at £29 and £34 respectively and featuring tantalising dishes like confit cod or crispy pork belly this is the perfect lunch spot if you are looking for a fine dining experience that can cater to a huge range of tastes and preferences.
If you visit when they are in season, you definitely need to give the barbecued leeks a try.
Read More: Frenchie Covent Garden Review
Rochelle Canteen
Bethnal Green
When you’re going out for lunch you probably don’t want the kind of meal that’s going to leave you committed to a sofa for the rest of the afternoon. That doesn’t need to stop you eating at places that we’d class among the best restaurants in London.
Take Rochelle Canteen for example. The famed restaurant from dining heavyweights Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson will feed you stunningly good food that won’t stop you from getting on with the afternoon’s shopping, work or whatever it is you need to do.
That’s largely to do with the fact that all the food is super fresh. It’s also to do with the charming setting, so well naturally lit and crisp that you sort of feel like you just float in and out of it – even with a belly full of Monkfish Liver Parfait and Crab Apple Jelly.
Caravan
Citywide
Caravan is a chain with many wonderful restaurants dotted across the city. You’ll find a Caravan in King’s Cross, Exmouth Market, City, Fitzrovia, and Canary Wharf. However, the one at Bankside has a particularly lovely atmosphere.
If you’re a coffee lover and need a caffeine fix with your lunch, Caravan is the perfect spot for you. They serve breakfast until 11:30, brunch until 16:00, and a selection of all-day dishes.
Their all-day menu is particularly great if you prefer a tapas-style lunch. Their small plates and starters are all absolutely delicious and ideal for sharing – though one bite of the nduja and goat’s cheese wontons and you won’t want to share at all.
Brother Marcus
Brother Marcus has three restaurants in London: one in Borough Yards, one in Angel, and one in Spitalfields. It’s super popular among pretty much everyone in London so it’s worth having on your radar, though we do question whether standards have slipped over the years.
If you fancy getting away from the touristy hustle and bustle, we recommend checking out the Angel restaurant. The location is tucked away down Camden Passage, boasting a calm atmosphere and super-friendly staff – ideal for a laid-back lunch with friends or family
If you visit, you should try their mezze dishes. Specifically, their grilled asparagus with crumbled feta and the saganaki kefalotyri cheese with a bacon relish. There was a day when they were absolutely to die for. We’ll let you be the judge of whether that’s still the case these days.
Oh, and make sure to save room for their super tasty desserts, too.
Noble Rot
If you’re looking for a restaurant for an intimate affair, Noble Rot is perfect. The largest table their Bloomsbury location (our fave) can accommodate in their main dining room is for a maximum of six people, so this is one for small parties or romantic dates.
Their menus change according to the seasons. They offer a set lunch menu from 12pm – 2:30pm from Monday to Saturday and can be ordered as either two or three courses. They also have a regular a la carte menu that is absolutely packed with decadent and extravagant mains.
You won’t find a huge number of vegetarian options, but what they do have is super tasty. With a menu of this size and quality, it can be easy to get carried away. However, you will kick yourself if you don’t save room for one of their freshly made desserts.
For those looking for an upscale meal, it’s tough to beat Noble Rot.
The Breakfast Club
Multiple Locations
If you’re looking for a super relaxed, fun, and friendly spot to enjoy breakfast or lunch, The Breakfast Club is one of the top places for it in London.
Each of their restaurants (which are all across London) has an unrivalled atmosphere, They are always warm, and homely and boast a menu packed full of classic dishes, including big breakfasts, stacked sandwiches, sweet and savoury pancakes, and chicken wings running all day.
The Hackney Wick restaurant is one of our favourite spots for lunch during the summer months. They have a range of tables outside, so you can overlook the canal and feel like a part of the buzzing atmosphere as you enjoy your food.
All of the above reasons make The Breakfast Club a truly great place to take your friends.
Never For Ever
Kentish Town
If you’re looking for a lunch spot that will also make for a gorgeous Instagram pic, you will not be disappointed with Never For Ever. This restaurant is absolutely gorgeous – and the food they serve here is pretty special too.
The lunch menu is full of classic dishes, from brunch plates to pizzas, there is certain to be something for everyone. Alongside the food, they also have an impressive wine and cocktail menu, so this is a great place to enjoy a boozy lunch with friends.
Never For Ever also hosts a wide range of events worth sticking in your diary. Every month they hold a Jazz Session in collaboration with young and talented musicians. You can also attend their Brush and Bubbles event – a painting and prosecco class!
Rick Stein Barnes
Barnes
King of Cornish seafood, Rick Stein, is a name that pops into our heads whenever anyone asks us to go for a slap-up lunch.
That’s in part due to the fact his chefs have some serious skills in the kitchen but also because he’s got what we reckon might be one of the best deals of a lunch menu this city has to offer.
It’s a three-course feast for just £17.50, and showcases some of Rick’s best-loved recipes (Yep, the ones you’ve probably seen him picking up on his travels around the world). If you’re lucky, his seafood curry will be on the menu. Go for it, we promise you you’ll love it.
Dinings SW3
If you couldn’t think of anything more wonderful than enjoying some high-quality, super-fresh sushi for lunch, then you need to check out Dinings SW3.
At this Knightsbridge restaurant, you can expect an ambience that exudes warm Japanese hospitality. The interior looks fantastic and you’ve got a choice of counter seating or plush banquettes – either way, you’ll be experiencing excellent service in a totally relaxed setting.
If you’re going on a date or catching up with a friend and want to experience something unique, you should reserve a seat at the sushi bar. You can watch the talented chefs prepare your dishes right in front of you – the perfect way to enjoy all Dinings’ ultra-fresh sushi.
Brat
If you’re looking to treat some friends or family to an upmarket lunch in one of the hottest and coolest areas of London, you need to check out Brat. This spot is another of our favourite places to grab lunch.
Chef Tomos Parry cooks his Basque-inspired dishes over a fire, giving every plate a wonderful smokey character. Regardless of what you order, you will be taken aback by the quality and flavour of the food. Remember, sharing is caring – try as many dishes as possible by dining tapas-style.
Brat also boasts a great selection of wines that pair perfectly with the menu. This restaurant is the perfect mix of sophistication and fun. Make sure you book well in advance because tables tend to be reserved very quickly.
Vardo
Vardo was founded by the creators of Caravan (mentioned above), and inspired by a travelling wagon that spans the globe and collects spices, flavours, and influences along the way. Its slogan is ‘dining with no boundaries’.
If you want to experience something different for lunch, Vardo is a really great option. Their all-day menu is extensive and caters to a wide range of preferences. It doesn’t stick to one cuisine – in fact, there is a huge range of innovative fusion food on offer.
As such, it’s a great spot to visit if you need to cater to a range of tastes. They also do breakfast and brunch if you fancy going out for food earlier in the day, but be sure to book ahead, especially if you plan on dining as a large group.
