London City Restaurant Guide

“It is rare to encounter a five-star ambience, as well as welcoming service, and a high standard of food, all at once in the City” and, on pretty much all accounts, there’s “no better place if you’re looking for an exceptional evening location” than the 37th floor of the ‘Walkie Talkie’ (“go for a walk in the garden... with a drink... take in the amazing view…”). As the survey was concluding in June 2019, chef Dan Fletcher left for Somerset, and a new chef, George Farrugia (ex-Bob Bob Ricard) joined this operation run by caterers ‘rhubarb’ – hopefully the good all-round performance will survive the upheaval.

“A truly world-class representative of London dining” – the Pic family’s “plush” three-year-old, within a monumental five-star hotel (the Port of London Authority’s former HQ), provides a “stunning-if-pricey” destination that nowadays ranks in London’s culinary top tier; and its heart-of-the-city location by Tower Hill makes it a natural for wining and dining particularly important prospects. The “calm, white-walled dining room” provides a “chic” and “beautiful” setting for a meal, service is “attentive but un-pushy”, but its highest rated feature is its “sensational”, “superbly refined” modern French cuisine.

“Light and delicate” Indian-fusion dishes and “nice cocktails” continue to maintain a fanclub for this snazzy-looking haunt, tucked away near the Bank of England. Its Trafalgar Square sibling bit the dust, though, this year (RIP).

“Escape the feel of the City for very reasonable home cooked-food” in the ancient crypt of Bow Bells church. “There are no better dining establishments in the Square Mile: affordable, great service, good food with delicious daily changing salads” including “excellent veggie and vegan options”. Depending on when you go, it’s either a “quiet” space or quite a “noisy” one.

“Go for the spectacular views alone”, “especially at night with the city lights twinkling below”, from the “unique perspective” of this all-day brasserie at the top of the Walkie-Talkie tower. “The menu is limited and fairly expensive”, but – on most accounts – “the food is surprisingly good” for the location.

Delectable Asian-fusion delicacies – combining dishes of both Chinese and Japanese inspiration – win nothing but bouquets for this palatial dining room in a City five-star hotel, near the Tower of London. On the downside, cynics say “it feels like a business hotel restaurant”, and one or two diners “expected more, considering the big-ticket prices”.

You can’t argue with the location of this bar/café, right by the Wobbly Bridge, looking over to Tate Modern, and with an outside terrace in summer. It inspired limited and mixed feedback this year: fans applaud its seasonal modern British cooking and tip it as a business option, but one or two others feel “it’s overpriced, with poor service, and only exists due to its view of the Thames”.