In March 2026, I went on a trip to London with my brother, he came from NY. and I from Cyprus, for a four-day trip. Initially, we had planned to go with my two sisters from Israel, as we do every year, but unfortunately, this time they couldn’t join due to the war with Iran. We had already booked flights and paid for the apartment, and on top of that, I was 28 weeks pregnant and knew I wouldn’t be able to postpone the trip for a few more weeks. After being really bummed that my sisters couldn’t come, we decided to go just the two of us and make the most of the opportunity for some quality brother-sister time that we had never had before.
Luckily, my brother really loves good food and special places. He comes to London every year for work and is always on the lookout for new great places to eat. So on this trip, he took charge of the culinary side and booked us into several really good restaurants in advance. We also tried a few places on the go and visited some restaurants during a food tour we did.
Recommended British Restaurants in London
Rochelle Canteen
Rochelle Canteen is a seasonal and authentic British restaurant in London. Honestly, at first I thought about skipping it. When I looked at the menu, I saw some dishes that didn’t suit me while pregnant and others I just didn’t connect with, like snails or beef tongue. But my brother insisted that it was one of the best restaurants in London and that we had to give it a chance, and I’m glad I listened, because in the end it was one of the best meals of our trip.
The restaurant is in a rather unique and slightly hidden location, inside a courtyard of a building in Shoreditch. You arrive at a large gate, ring the intercom, and only then can you enter. It’s very important to book in advance, as finding a spot without a reservation is unlikely.
We arrived on a rather chilly evening, so we didn’t use the outdoor seating much, but on warm days, the garden could be a part of the experience. The main dining area is like an enclosed greenhouse with lots of natural light, and in the summer it opens up, giving the place a very pleasant and light vibe.
The atmosphere is calm, and the service is very nice. The menu is relatively small and changes constantly with the season and ingredients, which I personally love because it feels fresh and not “recycled.”
What we ordered:
A fish egg spread that was tasty, really excellent spinach soup, a simple but very successful greens dish, fish with black rice with flavors slightly different from usual, and for dessert a tart and a pear chocolate dessert – I really loved the tart.
For some background, the restaurant was opened by chefs coming from the world of classic British cuisine but with a very modern and simple approach, focusing on good ingredients and clean cooking. It’s not a place for “Instagram dishes,” but for real food, where you can feel that thought and care were put into it.
In the end, it’s a modern British food experience, not too heavy, sometimes a little adventurous, but very tasty and precise. If you’re open to trying slightly different things and don’t want something touristy or predictable, it’s definitely a place worth knowing.
St John Bread and Wine
St John Bread and Wine is a classic British food restaurant with a modern twist. My brother had eaten there before and loved it, so he wanted us to go back. It’s located in Shoreditch as well, and reservations are essential. The atmosphere is more local and a bit noisier.
The concept is all about nose-to-tail eating, meaning using every part of the animal without waste. It might sound a little “tough,” but in practice, it’s very precise food – seemingly simple but executed at a high level.
I was a bit worried I wouldn’t find something to eat because of the pregnancy, but in the end, we found several dishes that suited me and were really tasty. It’s worth noting that the pictures don’t do justice to the food – but that’s okay; British food isn’t the most photogenic anyway 🙂
What surprised me most was that the dessert menu is almost as long as the savory menu. At a table next to us, people came just for coffee and dessert, which makes sense because the desserts there are really good. So even if you’re not having a full meal, it’s a great spot for a sweet stop.
Another thing worth knowing is that they’re strong in the wine department. They have an interesting selection, and you can ask for a pairing recommendation with your dishes. My brother had two glasses and really enjoyed them, and I skipped because of pregnancy, but it’s definitely on the list for next time.
All in all, this is one of the more well-known and respected British restaurants in London, and rightfully so. If you want to try real British food, it’s definitely a place worth visiting.
Sussex British Bistro
Sussex British Bistro is an elegant British bistro serving local dishes, located in Soho, and opened at the end of 2019. The restaurant is based on a farm-to-fork principle, with all products coming directly from the family farm in West Sussex, including vegetables, meat, and boutique wine served exclusively at the restaurant.
The menu changes daily according to seasonal ingredients from the farm and includes classic British dishes with a modern twist, pastries, meat and fish dishes, and unique wines. The design combines rustic warmth with urban elegance, making it suitable for lunch or dinner.
We visited the restaurant as part of a food tour with Sherpa Food Tours. We tried hummus, a really tasty mushroom pastry, and fresh salmon (which I couldn’t taste due to pregnancy). We arrived in the early afternoon when the restaurant was half empty, but reservations are recommended.
Asian Cuisine in London
Utea Spitalfields The Banh Mi Cart
I really love Vietnamese food, and honestly, since I’ve been to Vietnam, I hadn’t had a successful Banh Mi. But this time we saw good reviews for Utea Spitalfields The Banh Mi Cart & Boba Cafe and decided to check it out. We stumbled upon it by chance and checked the reviews, all of which were positive.
We waited about 20 minutes because there was a table of 8 and another of 2 ahead of us. The place is small, with about 12 people being the maximum seating capacity. While waiting, we ordered Boba cafe, which was excellent – I had brown sugar and my brother had taro, and we were both happy.
For the Banh Mi, I ordered the curry tofu, and my brother had pork. I really loved the curry tofu, and the wait was totally worth it. My brother also said his was very tasty. If I lived in London, I’d come here every week. It’s light, tasty, and offers authentic Vietnamese flavors.
By the way, there are quite a few Asian restaurants in the area with amazing aromas, so it’s also a great opportunity to discover more interesting places. Definitely worth visiting and trying a few restaurants in the area.
Thai Restaurant – Plaza Khao Gaeng
This isn’t a place worth traveling especially for, but if you’re in the area and want something authentic and light, Plaza Khao Gaeng is a great option. We went there after visiting the British Museum.
Since we had booked an early dinner before seeing the musical Mulan Rouge, we decided to order only starters, salads, and a light coconut dessert. The restaurant is located on the second floor of a food hall and has a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
It’s important to note that even spice level 2 out of 5 is actually quite spicy, so keep that in mind. I’ve been to Thailand several times, and the flavors definitely felt authentic.
Indian Restaurant – Mowgli
Another restaurant we visited as part of our food tour was Mowgli Street Food Charlotte Street, an Indian spot serving authentic street food in the heart of London. I’ve eaten at many good Indian restaurants across Europe, but I especially recommend this one because the dishes reminded me of the street food we had in South India, which I hadn’t tasted since then.
On the tour, we tried three dishes: dal (a classic lentil dish), a fish dish that was really tasty, and a special rice dish that transported me back to a street food stall in India. The experience was authentic, with bold and fresh flavors that felt like a little journey to India in the heart of London.
The design of the place is charming and fun, with twinkling lights, trees inside, and even swings hanging from ropes, creating a young, relaxed, and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is located on Charlotte Street in the Fitzrovia area, close to central train stations, so it’s worth stopping by after a city walk or activity in the area.
Best Pizza in London
Story Deli doesn’t look like a classic pizzeria. It’s a small, intimate space, more like a studio or artistic space, with few tables, soft lighting, and a calm atmosphere. There’s something a bit “secret” about it – if you don’t know exactly where you’re going, you might think you’re lost.
Before going, it’s important to know that it’s best to call ahead. The place isn’t always open, and seating isn’t guaranteed, which is part of the charm but something to keep in mind.
I went there with my brother, who comes to London frequently for work and always returns specifically for the pizza. He had already prepared me with something like, “It’s worth coming to London just for this pizza,” and I can say he wasn’t exaggerating.
But it’s not just the pizza – it’s a whole experience. The couple running the place is lovely, and it’s really worth chatting with them. The chef prepares everything himself, uses organic ingredients, and puts effort into every pizza with creative combinations. The dough is thin and crispy, but the toppings and their balance really stand out.
There’s a menu of recommended pizzas, but you can also create your own. There are also really good desserts, so leave room for them. The pizzas cost around £30. We ordered two pizzas to share and two desserts.
Recommended Breakfast
If you’re looking for a good breakfast spot in London, it’s worth checking out Ozone Coffee in Shoreditch. This is one of the most fun neighborhoods in the city, with a young vibe, graffiti, galleries, and boutique shops, and it happened to be where we stayed during the trip.
We discovered Ozone at the very beginning of the trip and kept coming back until it became our go-to spot (and that says a lot, especially since we visited many other cafes).
The place works well for a quick coffee and pastry, but in my opinion, it’s especially great for breakfast and brunch. I had toast with portobello mushrooms, chili, and cream, which was really good, and my brother had brioche with egg and bacon, which he also loved.
We didn’t skip desserts either: we tried brioche with jam and cream, chocolate babka with orange marmalade, which was delicious, and carrot cake, which was also excellent.
The place is almost always full, so if you want to sit, it’s best to book ahead. On the other hand, takeaway is always an option. The design is modern and pleasant, the service is excellent, and it has a great atmosphere to start the day.
In conclusion, London has so many options for great food – from modern and authentic British cuisine to creative pizzas and Asian dishes from all over the world. What I really enjoyed seeing is that every place offers a different experience – there are small, hidden spots that feel authentic, fun cafes for breakfast, and restaurants with menus that change according to season and fresh ingredients. So if you’re planning a trip to London, get ready to eat a lot and treat yourself.
I hope my post was helpful. If it was, I’d love for you to leave a comment, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask them in the comments or write to me on the blog’s social media: Facebook and Instagram.
