White City Restaurant Guide

“A perfect evening out” is reported in most accounts of this masterful culinary experience created by chef Endo Kazutoshi and delivered in the memorable setting of the luxurious 16-seat space at the top of the old BBC TV Centre in White City (complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and superb views). At the heart of the meal is an omakase dinner menu served over 18 courses (for £290 per person) at a 200-year-old Hinoki wood counter. Ultra-fine sushi and seafood – langoustine, caviar, spider crab, scallops, oysters – are of course a dominating feature; and interspersed with fusion dishes such as a Japanese-style chowder or soufflé; often with wagyu beef to finish. For most reports the only complaint is that it’s “just so hard to get into!”; and it is typically booked out months ahead. This year, though, there were also one or two unusual gripes about “daft prices” although no-one rated any element of the experience as less than “good”. Top Tip – Friday lunchtime service is also available.

“Authentic cooking from the open kitchen” elevates this Indian venue, easily missed amidst the anonymous units around Westfield Shepherd Bush’s Southern Terrace. It’s the London representative of a chain founded in 1972 in Bombay by JK Kapur (with 15 locations in India) and specialises in North Indian cuisine.

“Sneakily good pizza” – double-fermented Neapolitan-style – ensure that many branches are “always packed” at the Elliot brothers’ still-expanding chain, whose new summer 2025 opening at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane marked a return to the site of one of their earliest pop-ups in 2013. Nowadays, it’s one of the more commented-on multiples in our annual diners’ poll. Top Menu Tip – “pepperoni and honey!”

“Just simple and exceptional!” – Zan Kaufman’s fast-expanding chain still remains widely hailed for offering “the best burger in London”: a winning formula that’s bringing an eighth site in Soho in 2025 alongside recent additions in Seven Dials, London Bridge and – the biggest one yet (28 covers) – on Baker Street. All of the many reports we receive acclaim its “amazing burgers and amazing fries”. One caveat – “expect delays if you want to eat in the evening at the Bloomberg building outlet as they can be too busy fulfilling the constant Deliveroo orders for the starving investment bankers who are all still working until midnight!”

2022 Review: After winning a mentorship in a pop-up competition at Westfield White City Shopping Centre in 2018, Mehak Kansal brought this bricks-and-mortar operation to Mayfair in October 2020. ‘Bindas’ – Punjabi for without limitations and inhibitions – here translates into eclectic decor and a varied selection of street food. No feedback as yet, but they must be doing something right, as a second site is on the cards.

2022 Review: An evocative tiled interior adds to a visit to this cheap ’n’ cheerful Syrian café, near the north end of Shepherd’s Bush Market – a handy place for a fresh fruit juice and affordable mezze meal.

2023 Review: “A great addition to White City”, this vast new all-day operation caters for everything from big parties – it can accommodate 350 guests, feeding them “fabulous small plates and lovely wine” – to weekday working lunches (£15 for any large plate and a drink). On the site of the former Wellbourne brasserie, it’s from the team behind Lost in Brixton and the Pergolas at Paddington and Olympia. Feedback is too limited for rating, but early reports are very positive.

2023 Review: Near the entrance to the former TV Centre (and Westfield’s John Lewis), this striking-looking modern pub opened in October 2021, followed the following summer by its good-looking ‘Aerial Roof Top’ bar. It’s not dissimilar to King’s Cross’s well-known Lighterman (same owners) and well-rated for its food – a contemporary brasserie menu that makes something of a feature of its selection of flatbreads.

With “clever”, “good-quality Japanese food” – in particular the “excellent, if relatively expensive, sushi” – and “busy, competent service”, these “fun, stylish and friendly” Scandi-minimal venues are “always buzzing”. Founded in Copenhagen by a pair of Danish-Japanese brothers more than 30 years ago, the company came under new ownership in 2024 with big expansion plans, and unveiled two times F1 champion Fernando Alonso as a major shareholder in April 2025. Recent London openings include a “huge new site” in Islington and Battersea Power Station.

“Best burger for me”, declare fans of this independent group that started out 10 years ago with a stall on Broadway Market and a focus on grass-fed, dry-aged British beef – and the judges at the 2025 National Burger Awards share the view, crowning Black Bear’s Miso Bacon Burger as ‘Burger of the Year’. “Their seeded buns and wings are pretty good too”. The name refers to founders Stu & Liz Down’s working holidays in the Canadian Rockies. In April 2025, they opened their largest outlet yet, with 100 covers, at Westfield White City.

“As falafel goes, this is probably the best I’ve ever tasted!” – This Palestinian-run café “at the edge of Shepherd’s Bush Market doesn’t look special, but the falafel and all the trimmings is a very tasty snack” and you can order it in the style of any Arab World country. “The flow of customers shows that I’m not alone in relishing a hearty lunch at a very reasonable price!”