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The best restaurants and bars in the City of London

Jump to: Restaurants  |  Drink Street food Shops

For the best place to lunch with a client, go with your team for a post-work hangout or for a weekend blowout the City has it all. Here's our pick of the best restaurants and bars in the City of London.

 

Restaurants 

Origin City
Address: 12 West Smithfield London EC1A 9JR
What We Know:

Origin City comes from the team behind 56 West Smithfield wine bar, and is a restaurant that emphasizes provenance with meat sourced from the family's organic farm in Scotland and seafood from Loch Fyne Oyster. Here, the menu showcases British classics including dishes like Tamworth pork tonnato and dry-aged Black Angus sirloin. The restaurant promotes a 'no waste, great taste' philosophy.

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Fazenda London
Address: 100 Bishopsgate, City of London, London EC2M 1GT
What We Know:

Fazenda is a rodizio grill restaurant originating from cities like Leeds and Liverpool, and this is the first London location. While emphasizing the traditional rodizio experience, the London location introduces a broader menu while the rodizio offers an impressive array of meats and a pretty huge buffet too. Alongside all that meat is a wine list primarily features South American options.

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The Wolseley City
Address: 68 King William Street, London EC4N 7HR
What We Know:

The Wolseley City is a sibling restaurant to the classic Wolseley on Piccadilly, with a design that's very reminiscent of the original but on a larger scale. Like this original, it's styled after a European Grand Café offers with an all-day menu, that also resembles its predecessor while adding exclusive dishes to the City branch. There's also a large upstairs bar here and it's sure to be a big draw for City power breakfasts.

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Bar Douro City
Address: Unit 3, 1 Finsbury Ave, London EC2M 2PF
What We Know:

Travel to Portugal and perch at the counter by the open kitchen of the City outlet of Bar Douro, enjoying petiscos, such as salt-cod fritters and smoked sausage croquetas, while admiring the azulejos that adorn the walls.

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Goodman City
Address: 11 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DU
What We Know:

One of London’s best steak restaurants, this City outlet of the Goodman restaurant group is popular with business diners. The meat is dry-aged on-site, and regular diners even have theirs cut to order. There’s a private dining room seating up to 10, for serious steak meetings.

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Hawksmoor Guildhall
Address: 10 Basinghall St, London EC2V 5BQ
What We Know:

Also renowned for their steaks, excellent wine list and service, Hawksmoor is a reassuring choice, and this branch is particularly suited to the business crowd, with breakfast meetings well-catered for. There’s also a 22-person private dining room, complete with audio-visual equipment, for presentations with exceptional catering.

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gunpowderspitnew
Address: 11 White’s Row, London E1 7NF
What We Know:

Opened in 2015 and since expanded to restaurants in Soho and Tower Bridge, this original Gunpowder serves Indian small plates with an inventive twist. The dishes are inspired by those that the team grew up with and the Kashmiri lamb chops are a must.

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anglernew
Address: South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, London EC2M 2AF
What We Know:

With spectacular views from the 7th floor of the South Place Hotel, Angler presents Michelin-starred dining with a special focus on seafood. Enjoy a tasting menu, lunch or à la carte meals from the rooftop terrace, with the likes of sea bass tartare with oyster cream, green apple and shiso on offer.

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Cabotte
Address: 48 Gresham St, London EC2V 7AY
What We Know:

Cabotte is a restaurant founded by two Master Sommeliers. So while the menu is classic French, really the key thing here is the wine list that accompanies it. A good wine for bringing any really keen wine drinkers.

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Blacklock City
Address: 13 Philpot Lane, London EC3M 1DE
What We Know:

Set in an atmospheric basement of a Grade-II-listed building, the City outlet of Blacklock, a chophouse renowned for the quality of its grass-fed meat, is where carnivores can indulge in the likes of smoked maple-glazed bacon chops or even pig’s head on toast.

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Koya City
Address: 10-12 Bloomberg Arcade, London, EC4N 8AR
What We Know:

If you have a penchant for freshly made udon noodles, this is the place: a larger version of the much-loved Koya in Soho, where you can sit at wooden tables and enjoy izakaya small plates with sake and beer.

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sweetings
Address: 39 Queen Victoria St, London EC4N 4SF
What We Know:

One of London’s best – and oldest – seafood restaurants, Sweetings has been going strong for over a century. All fish and seafood are from sustainable sources, and while it’s only open for lunch, it’s the place to step back in time while also savouring such classics as prawn cocktail, fried whitebait, Lobster Thermidor and cod’s roe on toast.

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coqdargent
Address: 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
What We Know:

This elegant French restaurant offers slick rooftop dining that’s popular with the working-lunch set, and is especially busy in summer for its garden with sublime views. There are set menus, including one featuring the ‘classiques’, such as escargots de Bourgogne.

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tempercitynew
Address: Unit 2, 30 Angel Ct, Throgmorton St, London EC2R 7HJ
What We Know:

At Temper, it’s all about the heat, with your barbecue coming from a huge central firepit. Alongside steak, you can also enjoy the likes of wood-roasted sea bass or cheeseburger tacos, as well as a cocktail list that's heavy on mezcal and gin creations.

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bobbobcity
Address: Level 3, 122 Leadenhall St, London EC3V 4AB
What We Know:

Infamous for its ‘press for Champagne’ button at every table, this London institution is great for groups (the largest booth size seats eight but up to 18 can dine comfortably in their private dining rooms). Menu-wise, expect reinventions of classic European dishes.

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Galvin La Chapelle
Address: 35 Spital Square, London, E1 6DY
What We Know:

Set within the astoundingly opulent Grade-II-listed St Botolph’s Hall, with its high stone ceilings and large arched windows, Galvin La Chapelle is fine French dining indeed. Holding a Michelin star since 2011, this 110-seater restaurant is the place for dishes such as barbecued Bresse pigeon, celeriac, Yorkshire rhubarb and dark chocolate. There are vegetarian and vegan menus too.

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Jose Pizarro Broadgate
Address: 36 Broadgate Circle, London EC2M 2QS
What We Know:

Spanish chef José Pizarro expanded beyond Bermondsey Street for the first time to this City outpost (his third restaurant in what is now a burgeoning empire). There’s a big focus on grilled meats, such as the famed Presa Ibérico, as well as all things tapas.

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duckwafflenew
Address: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4A
What We Know:

The self-proclaimed ‘highest 24-hour restaurant in London’, Duck & Waffle has views of the city’s landmarks from its floor-to-ceiling windows on the 40th floor of Heron Tower. The curved banquettes are both cosy and retro, and the menu is imaginative, including the signature Duck & Waffle dish.

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shiro
Address: 100 Liverpool Street, Broadgate Circle, London EC2M 2QS
What We Know:

Fresh from success in Hong Kong comes the Aqua Restaurant Group’s latest opening. This time they’re hitting up the City, with this sushi restaurant in the heart of Broadgate. The dish you’ll definitely want to try is the crystal sushi the made a name for themselves with - which sees nigiri draped with intensely flavoured jelly.

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ekte
Address: 2-8 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
What We Know:

This Nordic restaurant comes from Soren Jessen, who's also the man behind 1 Lombard Street. Here, it's all about all-day Nordic cooking - expect plenty of hot smoked salmon, open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød), Swedish dumplings and more - as well as top Scandinavian pastries.

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14hills
Address: 120 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 5BA
What We Know:

14 Hills is from the D&D Group and it's quite, quite beautiful. With views over the City across to the Shard and Tower Bridge it's spectacular at night. Inside there are full-grown trees and every inch of the ceiling is dripping with foliage. It was already nicknamed ‘the forest in the sky’ for a reason, such is the floral foliage vibe, and the food champions British produce with a French flair.

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eatalyext
Address: 135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD
What We Know:

The idea of opening a massive new palace of Italian food by Liverpool Street station originally seemed faintly ridiculous. Eataly proved them quite wrong - the place has done a storming business ever since it threw open its doors. Go to marvel at the huge grocery section, and then recover with a glass of Chianti and bowl of pasta in one of its many restaurants.

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brigadiers
Address: Bloomberg Arcade, 3 Queen Street, London, EC4N 8BN
What We Know:

One of the best Indian restaurants in The City, Brigadiers is from the same people behind Trishna, Hoppers and Gymkhana. It has a maze of rooms in the largest space in the Bloomberg Arcade, with a sizeable outdoor terrace too. Fans of smoky Indian barbecue will be particularly impressed.

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entocasuper
Address: 8A Artillery Ln, Artillery Passage, London E1 7LJ
What We Know:

Think of this Spitalfields spot as an elevated wine bar, serving not only a cracking list of Italian wines, but a range of traditional Tuscan dishes using top-notch produce. Their slow cooked regional stews are particularly worth seeking out.

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coyaangelcourt
Address: 31-33 Throgmorton St, London EC2N 2AT
What We Know:

Part of the Angel Court development, COYA's City branch features a Latin American bar and a restaurant serving contemporary Peruvian dishes. Head to the Pisco Bar for their own bespoke Pisco cocktails and look out for their popular weekend brunch.

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meiume
Address: 10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ
What We Know:

Whether you're looking for Peking Duck or sushi, this restaurant (one of two at the Four Seasons Trinity Square) has what you're after - covering traditional Japanese and Chinese dishes with what they say is a 'modern approach'. Tables are well spaced too making it good for confidential convos.

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ned
Address: 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
What We Know:

The Ned is both an impressive City hotel as well as a collection of restaurants. Soho House took over an impressive (and huge) old banking site and stuffed it with places to eat. There are ten restaurants to choose from and while some City restaurants get quiet at the weekends - this is buzzy at all times.

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1lombard
Address: 1 Lombard St, London EC3V 9AA
What We Know:

1 Lombard Street is something of a City institution, in what used to be a former banking hall. Known for its highly impressive glass cupola skylight, its a modern European brasserie that’s been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1998.

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yauatchacity
Address: 1 Broadgate Circle, London EC2M 2QS
What We Know:

Famed for its dim sum menu and Cantonese cuisine, this is the second London outlet of Yauatcha, an upmarket Chinese restaurant that began life in Soho in 2004 but now has global homes in Saudi Arabia and India. Expect a high-class dining experience.

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damenew
Address: Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square, 10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ
What We Know:

The main restaurant at the Four Seasons has French chef Anne-Sophie Pic in charge, and she's won two Michelin stars for this restaurant too. It's very much a modern French fine dining affair set in very luxe surroundings.

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Canto Corvino
Address: 21 Artillery Lane, Spitalfields, London E1 7HA
What We Know:

Canto Corvino comes from people behind the popular Manicomio restaurants. This modern Italian restaurant boasts an extensive Italian wine list, weekend brunches and more.

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City Social
Address: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1HQ
What We Know:

This Michelin-starred restaurant from chef-about-town Jason Atherton offers stylish art deco surroundings with extraordinary views from the 24th floor of skyscraper Tower 42. As is the case with most of the Atherton empire, the cocktails are exceptional (the bar is a destination in itself) and his modern British fare is always on point.

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Cinnamon Kitchen
Address: 9 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4WY
What We Know:

The City base for Vivek Singh's Cinnamon group of restaurants has been a staple of Devonshire Square for over a decade. Here, they're serving up modern Indian cooking and there's a decent-sized bar too.

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clubgascon
Address: 57 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9DS
What We Know:

Run by chef Pascal Aussignac, this Michelin-starred French restaurant (it's now held a star for over 20 years) focuses on the cuisine of the southwest of France, with opulent tasting menus available. Despite the focus on meat, there's real attention too given to their vegetarian and vegan offering.

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Bars

From post-work watering holes to weekend destination bars, the City has plenty of places to choose from.

Sky Pod Bar

Sky Pod Bar1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF

At the top of the Fenchurch Building (aka the ‘Walkie Talkie’), Sky Pod Bar is an all-day drinking and dining space with dramatic views across London. It’s also where you can enjoy a cocktail amid the highest public gardens in Europe. There are DJs and live music at night, and tables should definitely be booked in advance.

 

Silverleaf

Silverleaf80 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AB

A relatively new addition to The City, this is part of the new Pan Pacific Hotel, who have gone all-out to create a destination cocktail bar for the area. It looks the part, with a design by Tom Dixon studios and the cocktail menu (drinks include the Grape + Spruce - Suntory Toki, Grape Skin, Birch, Spruce) is very impressive.

  

El Vino Fleet Street

El Vino Fleet Street47 Fleet St, Temple, London EC4Y 1BJ

Open since 1879 (formerly known as Bower & Co), El Vino Fleet Street has evolved into the place to come for tapas and a really well-considered wine list, given its associations with boutique and lesser-known wineries in Australia, New Zealand, Chile and South Africa.

 

Oriole

OrioleE Poultry Ave, London EC1A 9LH

A speakeasy set amid exotic jungle-like surrounds beneath Smithfield Market, Oriole regularly makes ‘best bar’ lists for its unusual atmosphere, a kind of candlelit utopia of glass cabinets filled with trinkets in a tropical museum-type drinking den. The live music flicks between jazz and R&B, and you can choose cocktails from three themes: Old World, The Orient and New World.

 

Winemakers Farringdon

Winemakers Farringdon41a Farringdon St, London EC4A 4AN

These bare-brick vaults under the Holborn Viaduct house a wine shop, a candlelit bar and event space for both discerning drinkers and those with a nose for adventurous and niche wines, especially from smaller producers who specialise in organic and biodiverse drops.

 

 

Street food

Street food

Spitalfields Market is the place to go for street food. Check out the market’s new contender The Indians Next Door for samosas, bhajis and Indian toasties. Keep the spices going with some jerk chicken or ackee and saltfish from Café Caribbean then follow up with a freshly made artisan hot crumble from Humble Crumble. Burger fans will want to pay their respects to Bleecker, which began life in this market as a food truck before opening its very first shop here. You can also slurp delicious wonton soup and spicy noodles from Dumpling Shack.

 

Shops

Eataly

Gourmet food shopping is a breeze for Italophiles at Eataly, with its massive food and wine marketplace spanning 40,000 sq ft in Broadgate. Over in Tower Bridge at Bellavita, there are also many hard-to-find Italian ingredients, as well as hampers and charcuterie platters. Don’t miss London’s oldest Italian delicatessen at L.Terroni & Sons in Clerkenwell, and while you’re in the area, check out Quality Chop House, which has every ingredient you could possibly imagine available, from staples such as pasta and rice to specialities like boquerones.

Cocoa fans should head to Dark Sugars Cocoa House in Spitalfields for truffles and signature boxes of the finest chocolates. You’ll love Leadenhall Market for its speciality meat and cheese; firstly, Viandas for jamón Pata Negra and pure Iberico charcuterie, then to Cheese at Leadenhall for all your fromage needs as well as wine tasting. But if you’re looking for a special bottle, Uncorked at Broadgate can most definitely help you out.

 

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