My Favorite Places To Eat In London

I lived in London for about a year and have also visited it plenty of times throughout the years, so I got to know a lot of places to eat in different areas of the city. I am not a huge fan of British cuisine, but I love English breakfast and having a Sunday brunch so I am also going to mention a couple of places where you can enjoy an excellent breakfast.

The last time I was in London was right before the pandemic and I hope to be back soon to visit some friends, especially my dear friend Jigna, an eyebrow guru who works in Mayfair (where one of my favorite restaurants is located). I would also like to try some other restaurants in the city, so I added them to my Google Chrome favorites as a reminder for when I return to the UK.

Here below you will find my favorite places to eat in London (since I am Italian, most of the places are offering authentic Italian cuisine).

1) 50 Kalò di Ciro Salvo Pizzeria: this is one of the best places in London to eat pizza. Having already opened a restaurant in Naples in 2014, they opened a place in London in the summer of 2018. Their name originates from the interpretation of dreams; according to the Neapolitan tradition, 50 represents bread (or dough) and Kalò means “good” in the ancient language of pizza-makers. The dough is made with accurately selected flours blend, to which is added a large percentage of water to create a pizza whose ingredients taste deliciously good. Ciro Salvo is part of a renowned family’s third generation of master pizza-makers and has been recognized as one of the best in his field by food critics, both in Italy and abroad. While his pizzeria in Naples was among the six ones included in Italy’s Michelin guide, his London restaurant has been named Best Italian Pizzeria in London for Gambero Rosso in 2019, the same year I visited the place. It is located in Westminster’s Strand, an area known for its restaurants, hotels and legendary theaters like the Savoy. I love eating at 50 Kalò because the atmosphere is cozy and familiar, and if you are Italian you will definitely feel at home.

7 Northumberland Ave, Westminster, London WC2N 5BY, UK , open every day from 12.00 to 11 pm.

2) Carluccio’s Italian Restaurant in South Kensington: Carluccio’s has various restaurants around London and in other UK cities, but my absolute favorite is the one in South Kensington, one of the neighborhoods in London I love the most. Located near the Tube station, it focuses on Italian cuisine, with dishes ranging from pasta to risotto that reflect the authenticity of Italian flavors.

Carluccio’s offers main courses with meat and fish specialties as well, and side dishes including different types of salad and rosemary potatoes. You can also choose among a variety of Italian desserts like tiramisu, panna cotta or gelato. The place is a bit crowded (especially on weekends) so I usually prefer to book a table in advance. Over the years I have often had lunch at Carluccio’s with my parents and the food is always delicious; the last time we were there we particularly enjoyed the “Antipasto Massimo”, which includes focaccia, Napoli and Milano salami, green bean salad, roast vegetables and olives. They also sell Italian products and offer take-away solutions. If you visit early in the morning you can also enjoy English breakfast; the location is perfect if you are planning to spend the morning visiting one of the museums in South Kensington.

1 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3HZ – Open Monday to Friday from 8.00 am (takeaway from 7.00 am) and on weekends from 9.00 am. Closing times is 10.00 pm except on Friday and Saturday (10.30 pm).

3)The Riding House Café : speaking of English breakfast, I first tried it at this restaurant in Fitzrovia about ten years ago, while staying with my parents at West End’s Park Hyatt hotel. Our rate didn’t include breakfast so we decided to try The Riding House Café and had a great English breakfast experience (even though I usually prefer eating only sweet food for breakfast, unless I’m having brunch at noon). Pancakes and peppermint tea were my absolute favorite at Riding House Café! The menu offers a wide selection of dishes from smoked salmon to smashed avocado, including Greek yoghurt, muesli and porridge. Veggie solutions are available as well. The place is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary and it is also offering a banquet on November 24th and 25th in occasion of the American Thanksgiving. It is one of the busiest restaurants in London so I suggest you book in advance to avoid having to wait, whether you go for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

43-51 Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7 , open every day, breakfast Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 11.45 am. Weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 am to 3.45 pm. For lunch and dinner, check their website at https://ridinghouse.cafe/fitzrovia/

4) The Victoria – Fuller’s Pub and Restaurant: this is truly one of London’s best pubs, and it was also elected Fuller’s Pub of the Year in 2007 and 2009. It is a great place for dining and for private events as well, especially if you want to celebrate your birthday (the atmosphere is super friendly). The pub finds itself in a white, elegant building which is typical of London architecture and it is very recognizable because it has a golden inscription on the façade that simply says “The Victoria.” The interiors have an ancient look, dating back to the 19th century, from the books on the shelves to the armchairs, so you really feel like you are breathing the history of London; rumors are that Charles Dickens finished writing his novel Our Mutual Friend while sitting at one of its tables. Their sandwich menu is the best and they also offer a wide selection of beers (my favorite being Fuller’s Honey Dew).

The Victoria, 10A Strathearn Place, Paddington, London, W2 2NH. Open from 12.00 to 10.00 pm

5) Amerigo Vespucci: this is one of the best Italian restaurants in London. The owner had previously sailed on the Amerigo Vespucci ship from Livorno to various international destinations like North America and decided to name the restaurant after this great ship to honor his experience onboard.

The place has been part of the Canary Wharf district’s restaurant scene for more than 25 years, with amazing views on the Docks. It specializes in Italian dishes such as fresh pasta, salads and fresh fish from different regions of Italy. The Alfresco bar has a large selection of cocktails like Bellini or Cosmopolitan and for lunch they offer Prosecco and Champagne from Italy and France. The venue has two screens available to view sporting events, from Wimbledon to the Champion’s League; it is a great place to meet with friends!

They are opened from 9.00 am and give you the chance to start your morning with Italian coffee and pastries, so it is a very popular place with Italians working in the City.

25 Cabot Square, Mackenzie Walk • Canary Wharf – London E14 4QA. The restaurant is open Monday to Friday (Lunch 12.00 – 3.00 pm, Dinner 6.00 – 11.00 pm), Saturday Lunch – closed and Dinner 6.00 pm – 11. pm. Closed on Sunday.

6) Milk Train: this is the concept store of a London’s ice cream brand and it is located in the heart of Covent Garden. It is a very unique place that allows you to create your own ice cream and milkshakes while adding a candy floss cloud around them. I first read about it online and I decided to visit with my mother to get an ice cream. The line was quite long but they’re pretty quick with the service and the candy floss ice cream cone was definitely worth the wait!

They also sell ice cream pints both online and in store, where you can take pictures against the backdrop of a wonderful flower wall; it is one of the best ice cream parlors around the city and hopefully you will enjoy spending an afternoon there.

12 Tavistock St, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7PH. Open Tuesday – Saturday from 1pm to 9pm. Open on Sunday from 1pm to 8pm. Closed on Monday.

7) Blakemore Hyde Park – The Terrace Bar: the Blakemore hotel has always felt like home to me since the first time I stayed there in 2015. Located in Bayswater, it is one of the best hotels in London for its high quality standards and strategic location near Hyde Park; you can walk from there to the Marble Arch or Notting Hill if you go in the opposite direction. I cherish the evenings I spent at the Terrace Bar eating sandwiches and French fries, but the place is also one of the best for tea time, as it has a variety of macaroons and English scones to go with tea. The bar has a wide selection of wines and the cocktails are great. If you choose to stay at Blakemore Hyde Park when you are visiting London, you are definitely in for a great experience.

Blakemore Hyde Park, 30 Leinster Gardens, London, W2 3AN. To book dinner or afternoon tea call the following number +44(0) 207 262 4591 or book online at http://www.blakemorehydepark.com

8) Pesantissimo Italian Restaurant: located in London’s Primrose Hill, it is one of the best places in the city for authentic Italian cooking and it uses fresh ingredients from Italy. The menu ranges from pizza to pasta dishes (ravioli is pretty great), with antipasti like parmigiana di melanzane, arancini or pepata di cozze. Not only do they have pizzas like margherita , vegan funghi, hawaiana and pizza n’duja (which is a spicy salami from Calabria, in Southern Italy), but they also have dishes like tagliatelle marinara and risotto pescatore, without forgetting milanese di pollo (pan fried breaded chicken breast) and branzino (bass fillet served with French fries).

I also tried pizza with Nutella once, and it was delicious (even though it’s best to share it with a friend because they make giant pizza)! The place also offers takeaway options with Deliveroo.

 148 Regents Park Road, NW1 8XN Open Monday – Sunday from 12.00 to 10.00 pm

9) Deep Blue Fish & Chips – The Fish House of Notting Hill: this is a typical Notting Hill restaurant where I had lunch with a friend when he was living in London about nine years ago (I also ate there with my mother in 2018) and we wanted to eat traditional British fish and chips. Located very close to Portobello Road, its main specialty is cod fish served with tartare sauce and chips but it also offers a range of burgers, including veggie options.

It is one of the best British restaurants in Notting Hill and its menu also includes some delicious British desserts like Sticky Toffee Pudding and Cherry Pie, but you can choose to have ice cream as well. Many people see this restaurant as the best place in London for fish and chips and based on my experience I definitely agree!

The Fish House, 29 Pembridge Rd, London W11 3HG, Regno Unito, Open from Monday to Thursday from 12.00 to 2.30 pm and 4.30 to 9.00 pm. Open on Friday from 12.00 to 9.30 pm. Open on Saturday and Sunday from 12.00 to 9.00 pm.

10) Zizzi: I know most of the places I’ve mentioned are Italian restaurants; I can’t help it because I’m Italian and I love the food from my country (even though I promised myself that I will try more British restaurants next time I’m in London). Zizzi is no exception, since it is a chain of Italian restaurants around the city; my favorite was the one in Notting Hill, a short walk from Hyde Park (on the Bayswater side), that has now closed. Based on the reviews, the best one should probably be near the Strand, even though I have yet to try it.

I have great memories of having lunch at Notting Hill’s Zizzi with my mother (I also tried the one in Canary Wharf with my father once) and I love their pizza; I was very into mozzarella pizza at the time, even though I now prefer Margherita with tomato. They have the greatest selection of Rustica Pizza but desserts are what I enjoy the most about Zizzi; caramelized banana and salted caramel waffle, salted caramel chocolate brownie, limoncello tart…and of course tiramisu, which was my grandma’s all-time favorite dessert.

73 Strand, London WC2R 0DE . Open from Monday to Sunday. Sunday – Thursday from 11.30 to 10.00 pm. Friday and Saturday from 11.30 to 11.00 pm.

Those are my top places to eat in London; I will probably update this list in the future, probably when I get to try new restaurants. In the meantime, be sure to check out some of the ones I have mentioned and I am sure you will have a great food experience!

All pictures are my own.