London Victoria Restaurant Guide

“It feels like you’re stepping back in time” at this “traditional greasy spoon”, down a Westminster side street, where nothing much has changed with the decor since it first opened in 1946 (it’s much in demand for films set in the post-war era). “The best bargain in town”, with a “buzzing atmosphere”, it receives top billing as “everything you could want for the perfect breakfast” (indeed, it won the Harden’s breakfast award a few years back).

In an attractive building on Westminster‘s leafy Vincent Square, this catering college dining room offers you the chance to be cooked for and served by future hospitality industry workers at a price reflecting your ‘guinea pig’ status. “It’s a great place to enjoy very good food, prepared and served by the students. Have never been disappointed. The price is very good for the Tasting Menu and we have introduced friends to it. Not the best dining room but good enough.”

This “buzzy” – albeit magnificently dated – “neighbourhood spot” in Pimlico remains “very popular with the locals” – and proud of the fact that nothing much has changed from the original wooden furnishings since it opened in 1964. The “good-value” menu has stood the test of time, too: fish pie, cod in beer batter and steak with Bearnaise, Stilton sauce or an English mustard and brown sugar crust. It claims to be London’s first restaurant with a silly name; apparently ‘Get Stuffed’ was also considered…

Is this a rival for the nearby Cinnamon Club? Celeb Indian chef Atul Kochhar is in collaboration with the former commercial director of The Cinnamon Collection, Tina English, for this bold 2021 opening. Transforming a big (5000 square feet), old fire station building in Victoria, it has 200 covers and will focus on the cuisine of India’s north eastern states (the Seven Sister States).

This “old faithful” tapas local in Pimlico has built a loyal following of regulars over three decades, serving a “simple but tasty menu” of Hispanic specialities. “It was great that it survived the pandemic – and a delight to see the same staff and unchanged menu when we returned for our monthly reunion”.

“Still a gem”, this “local Italian” near Victoria Station (and behind Westminster Cathedral) pleases its small fan club with freshly made traditional dishes backed up by “excellent service and ambience”.

“Housed in an architectural antiques emporium” in a Georgian mansion overlooking the traffic of Vauxhall Cross, with a dining room “full of chandeliers and vintage finds”, this “quirky” venue has a “one-of-a-kind atmosphere” that makes it “one of the most fun places to eat”. “The food is always interesting”, too, courtesy chef Jackson Boxer (also behind Orasay in Kensington) – “even if the odd dish is a little bonkers”. Overall it’s a “unique restaurant punching way above its weight”, and “a jolly night out is always guaranteed” (especially if, as from September 2021, you enjoy some of the wine evenings or live jazz recently introduced in the cellars of the building).

This veteran Pimlico fish specialist has just celebrated its 60th year, under the founder’s son, Marios Leonidou, whose “attentive and friendly service” ensures satisfied customers. Classic fish ’n’ chips are complemented by more upmarket options on the menu, from fresh Dorset oysters and mussels steamed in Guinness to grilled Canadian lobster and whole Dover sole.

Off a “beautiful open courtyard”, the ambitious café of Lambeth’s Garden Museum is “well worth a trip”. The “fresh, seasonal cooking” – both “well-executed classics and more unusual, interesting dishes” – is prepared by a kitchen headed by chef George Ryle, formerly of Padella.

“The second Michelin star was well deserved” at Andrew Wong’s Pimlico superstar – the survey’s No.1 Chinese, and, since January 2021, the first Chinese restaurant outside China to reach such a level. Success has come quickly – it doesn’t seem like yesterday (it was 2012) that he opened this comparatively simply decorated fixture on the site of his parents’ former restaurant, Kym’s (and he recently announced that the search is on for a new, grander home). With its “inspired” and “strikingly varied textures and flavours” (“stunning wagyu tart with peas…”, “featherlight dumplings…”, “legendary custard buns that justify Jay Rayner’s enthusiasm!”) the kitchen demonstrates “extraordinary ways of handling Chinese cuisine”; its output includes some “really interesting dishes from different regions in China”. And on the service front, “his friendly and professional team bring it all together with style and professionalism”. “A true gastronomic adventure!”

This Turkish-Cypriot grill has established a strong local following around Pimlico in the past 15 years, notably for kebabs fans rate as “simply the best”.

“Super ramen” constitutes “a top meal at a great price” at these Japanese-style fast-food bars. In early 2021, the brand opened on Putney High Street in a former branch of Byron and later announced ‘Wing Daddies’ (a virtual chicken wing delivery option at all its London stores).

Review: “No frills but great food” is the deal at this small group of basic Japanese canteens, which has pushed south and east after more than 20 years in Soho, with branches now in the City, Balham and Kennington. They serve a wide range of sushi, noodle and rice dishes, with the best value to be found in the bento boxes and ‘set’ meals.