Anyone can appreciate taking the time out in the middle of the day to sit down with loved ones and share a meal. Plenty of the best restaurants in London are open for lunch, with exclusive menus designed to fuel you up for the afternoon. From healthy bites to Sunday roasts, hearty brunch classics and free-flowing drinks, you can find the best lunch in London at these must-visit gems.
Treat yourselves to a MICHELIN starred three-course lunch at a stunning spot in Marylebone. Head to Stoke Newington for top-notch freshly baked pastries and bread at a neighbourhood gem. Tuck into one of the best Sunday lunches in London at a gastropub in Kentish Town, or take a book and gaze out over Borough Market from a window seat at one of the cosiest spots in town for solo dining.
The best lunch in London awaits, book one of these hotspots on OpenTable today.
The best lunch in London awaits at these fabulous daytime dining spots
For one of the best lunch spots in central London – visit Whitcomb’s at the Londoner in Leicester Square
Bringing a sunny corner of the French Mediterranean to the heart of the capital, Whitcomb’s at the Londoner offers some of the best lunch in London. And, when the sun really is shining, you can bask on the summer terrace by Veuve Cliquot and sup on champagne and oysters, European style. At any time of year, the express lunch menu provides modern interpretations of classic French and Italian dishes, prepared simply yet elegantly. From Monday to Friday between noon and 2:30 pm, enjoy two courses for just £29, or two courses with wine for £35. Sample dishes may include steak tartare with cured egg yolk, seared Niçoise tuna salad with spiced vinaigrette and Oscietra caviar, marinated baby chicken in lemon butter, and a custard apple and lemongrass vacherin to finish.
For one of the best solo dining destinations in London – bring a book or people-watch at Camille – Borough Market in Southwark
Overlooking the bustling Borough Market, Camille is one of the best lunch spots in London for people-watching. Bring friends, or just yourself, and take a counter seat to watch the vibrant life of this iconic London institution. The intimate bistro takes inspiration from regional France, with a rustic vibe and cosy atmosphere. The menus change on a weekly basis, from the independent wine list to the food creations of chef Elliot Hashtroudi. From Tuesdays to Fridays, seasonal set menus are available at lunchtime. You can expect dishes such as langoustine with prawn head butter, puffed pig skin with smoked eel and tarragon, and cured saddleback belly with walnuts to feature for starters, or salt confit duck leg with boudin noir, and wild boar with Dorset clams for the mains.
For one of the best vegan restaurants in London for lunch – explore the plant-based options at Mildreds in Soho, Trafalgar Square, Victoria, Bamsbury, Camden Town or Dalston
Mildreds has vegan restaurants in Soho, Trafalgar Square, Victoria, Bamsbury, Camden Town and Dalston, each serving a plant-based menu that has been known to seduce even the most hardcore carnivores. Plant-based pioneers since 1988, this is one of the most beloved and best lunch restaurants in London for vegetarians, and for those that want to try something new. All six venues have a vibrant atmosphere and décor. The Soho outpost offers private dining for between 10 and 26 people. Everything on the menu is fully plant-based, and diners can also request both a gluten-free menu and an onion and garlic-free menu as well as a sharing menu for the table. Sample dishes include the beetroot railway cutlet with red peanut chutney, mushroom ale pot pie with mint oil and red wine gravy, and a makhani curry with cashews, tofu and spiced okra.
📍 Soho — Check availability
📍 Trafalgar Square — Check availability
📍 Victoria — Check availability
📍 Bamsbury — Check availability
📍 Camden Town — Check availability
📍 Dalston — Check availability
For one of the best award-winning lunch menus with a MICHELIN star – treat yourself at Portland Restaurant in Marylebone
One of the best lunches in London can be found at Portland Restaurant, where MICHELIN star dining is available via a surprisingly affordable two or three-course lunch menu – just £49 and £59 respectively. Start with Devon crab ravioli in shellfish bisque with green apple, or tartare of hogget and smoked eel with anchovy crisps and goat’s curd. Move on to Sika venison with a warm beetroot terrine and horseradish, or roast monkfish with charred brassicas and an Exmoor caviar sauce. End the experience with a walnut and coffee tarte with creamy mascarpone, or a burnt cheesecake with poppy seeds and crème fraiche. Portland Restaurant has retained a MICHELIN star since opening in 2015 and continues to deliver consistently excellent food, wine and service in spectacular surroundings.
For one of the best steak restaurants in London for groups and private dining – celebrate at Hawksmoor in Piccadilly, Canary Wharf, Borough, Knightsbridge, Bank, Spitalfields and Covent Garden
Hawksmoor has restaurants in Piccadilly, Canary Wharf, Borough, Knightsbridge, Bank, Spitalfields and Covent Garden. While patrons often say the Hawksmoor spirit is best embodied at the original Spitalfields venue, each has its own charm. Whichever happens to be your local, you can expect award-winning bartenders, welcoming surroundings, and of course, prime British beef and local seafood. Private dining rooms are also available for hire for parties and special events. Lunch specials change regularly, but you can expect dishes such as rump steak with beef dripping fries and a Café de Paris butter, roast hake with creamed potatoes and woodland mushrooms in a lemon butter sauce, and charcoal roasted butternut squash with oyster mushrooms and Neal’s Yard goat curd to feature.
📍 Piccadilly — Check availability
📍 Canary Wharf — Check availability
📍 Borough — Check availability
📍 Knightsbridge — Check availability
📍 Bank — Check availability
📍 Spitalfields — Check availability
📍 Covent Garden — Check availability
For one of the best lunch spots in London serving top-notch pastries – indulge your sweet tooth at Jolene in Stoke Newington or Hornsey
Jolene in Stoke Newington and Hornsey is first and foremost a neighbourhood bakery, specialising in freshly baked bread, cakes and pastries to eat in or take away. Ideal for lunch on the go, or as a tasty treat while you relax in the cosy and intimate rustic surroundings. And with a natural wine cellar on-site, you can be assured that if you fancy a glass of something with your lunch, the staff will be able to recommend the perfect pairing. More filling lunchtime meals are also available, created from seasonal, local produce – as the menu changes daily, it’s hard to make just one recommendation. The menus are posted on Instagram each day so visitors can see what’s coming up before dining – whatever the choices are, they will be prepared with love.
📍 Stoke Newington — Check availability
📍 Hornsey — Check availability
For one of the best lunch restaurants in London for seafood – taste the ocean at Scott’s in Mayfair and Richmond
Scott’s has two locations, in Mayfair and Richmond. Each venue offers some of the best lunches in London for seafood lovers, with a focus on the freshest catch alongside seasonal meat, game and vegetarian favourites. Take in the decadent surroundings and sophisticated, urbane atmosphere over a glass or two of champagne, and in the summer, take lunch on the verdant terrace. Private dining can also be booked for parties of eight to 40 guests, with a choice of three exquisite rooms. Like all good luxury seafood restaurants, oysters and caviar start the show. Add a seafood platter for the table or make your own selections from the shellfish menu or raw bar. The Mangalorean monkfish and tiger prawn curry is a real showstopper for the main event, or push the boat out with a whole lobster thermidor.
📍 Mayfair — Check availability
📍 Richmond — Check availability
For one of the best lunches in London for homemade pasta – fill up at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta in Marylebone, Tower Hill, Aldgate and Canary Wharf
Emilia’s Crafted Pasta has homes in Marylebone, Tower Hill, Aldgate and Canary Wharf. Each venue has a bustling yet intimate ambience, emanating warmth from both the open kitchens and the servers. A rustic vibe pervades, with Italian-esque terracotta and earth tones complemented by Murano glass and sculped neon light features. As the name suggests, pasta is the star of the show at Emilia’s – lovingly handcrafted fresh each day and served with homemade sauces and a variety of toppings and fillings. The puttanesca with sustainably sourced yellowfin tuna, tomato, olives and capers is a must-try for seafood lovers, while vegetarians will love the homemade creamy walnut sauce with chestnut mushrooms.
📍 Marylebone — Check availability
📍 Tower Hill — Check availability
📍 Aldgate — Check availability
📍 Canary Wharf — Check availability
For one of the best Sunday lunches in London – take the family to The Parakeet in Kentish Town
Famous for its Sunday roasts and serving a seasonally changing menu all week, The Parakeet is a family-friendly public house and dining room. Booking in advance is always a good idea at this popular venue – bookings for each month start on the first of the prior month. For larger parties of up to 30 guests, there is also a private dining room available, where you can get the VIP treatment. The Sunday roast is a weekly highlight, with meat, fish and vegetarian options served alongside spring greens, root vegetables, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings. Sample dishes from the a la carte menu include hoisin duck tartlets, squid noodles with shiitake and celeriac, Dartmoor venison with quince and green beans, and Tokyo turnip carpaccio with citrus and puntarelle.
For a budget-friendly lunch deal at one of the best Indian rest aurants in London – turn up the heat at Cinnamon Kitchen in Liverpool Street and Battersea
For group bookings that offer delicious food without breaking the bank, Cinnamon Kitchen in Liverpool Street and Battersea are among your top choices. The Liverpool Street venue can even be hired out in its entirety for parties of up to 200 – perfect for a wedding or milestone birthday party. Set in a former warehouse that was part of the East India Spice Company, the roots of Indian cookery spread far and wide. Both the dining room and al fresco terrace are colourfully bedecked in Indian prints and fabrics, creating a warm and inviting ambience. The set lunch menu available every day from noon until 5:45 pm is packed with Indian treats, and costs just £15 for two courses or £18 for three. Start with mussels in a coconut and ginger soup or Punjabi vegetable samosas, then add Hyderabadi-style biryani with lamb and Burhani raita.
📍 Liverpool — Check availability
📍 Battersea — Check availability
For one of the best sushi lunch menus in London – lunch oriental style at Flesh & Buns in Covent Garden and Oxford Circus
Flesh & Buns in Covent Garden and Oxford Circus offers a unique twist on brunch and lunch in the capital. Grab a bottomless brunch and add unlimited selected drinks to your set menu lunch order, with Asian-inspired small plates and sushi alongside prosecco, wine or beer. Or for a leisurely lunch, try the tasting menu, with sample dishes including salmon and avocado maki rolls, tenderstem broccoli in orange miso, a selection of ceviche and two fluffy buns. Finish with a moreish s’more dessert with almond chocolate, strawberry marshmallows and graham crackers, and add a signature cocktail. The Ichigo basil martini with vodka, strawberry and lime is particularly refreshing.
📍 Covent Garden — Check availability
📍 Oxford Circus — Check availability
For the best family-friendly restaurants for lunch in London – get together at Bill’s Restaurant & Bar in Covent Garden, Soho, Victoria, Wimbledon, Marylebone, Kingston upon Thames, Greenwich and Richmond
Bill’s Restaurant & Bar in Covent Garden, Soho, Victoria, Wimbledon, Marylebone, Kingston upon Thames, Greenwich and Richmond all have their own unique style, yet share the same ethos of creating delicious, filling dishes and a family-friendly vibe. Some venues even offer private or semi-private dining areas, so you can host a family event or business meeting without interruptions. The all-day menu at Bill’s is packed with treasures, whether you’re looking for a light bite or something to set you up for the day. The seafood sharer with smoked salmon pate, cod goujons and calamari with flatbreads, dips and garnishes makes a great starter for the table or a main for one. The Bill’s sticky duck salad is always a popular choice, with watermelon and little gem wraps, and the house truffle chicken two ways is a real must-try – chargrilled breast of chicken with truffle and red wine jus alongside crispy buttermilk fried chicken and truffle mayo.
📍 Covent Garden — Check availability
📍 Soho — Check availability
📍 Victoria — Check availability
📍 Wimbledon — Check availability
📍 Marylebone — Check availability
📍 Kingston upon Thames — Check availability
📍 Greenwich — Check availability
📍 Richmond — Check availability
The Big Smoke is a treasure trove when it comes to great places to eat out – from breakfast through brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks, there’s always somewhere to meet your needs. From fancy sandwiches to warming soups, tasting menus and more filling options, these are some of the best restaurants in London serving lunch.
Secure yourself a spot for the best lunch in London by booking with OpenTable.
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in London for other meals out, discover more with these great guides:
- The best brunch spots in London for great mornings and fun weekends
- The best Sunday roasts in London for a memorable meal out
- 10 of the best bakeries in London for delicious pastries and cakes
- 12 must-visit restaurants for the best breakfast in London
- 12 of the best dog-friendly restaurants in London
- The best tasting menus in London await at these stellar restaurants
- The 10 best Asian restaurants in London to book right now
- The best restaurants for groups in London to book for a memorable get-together
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