Where to Eat - west london

"I've got to have a life, haven't I? I mean work should just be a little side salad, shouldn't it sweetie." - Edina Monsoon

England got a bad reputation years ago for having terrible food, but that couldn't be further from the truth these days. London is filled with amazing restaurants of all cuisines. Too many to list, but here are some favorites sorted by neighborhoods we know best.

Small, cozy friendly restaurant frequented by those in the know and those that want to keep the cool places cool.  All types of traditional BRITISH cuisine as well as nightly specials created by Ffiona herself.  You'll often see Ffiona and her sister working the floor and it's very likely you will leave with all new best friends for life.  She's open for dinner and weekend brunches.  Come hungry and do not skip out on dessert.  Best Sticky Toffee Pudding you'll ever have.

FARM TO TABLE, small cozy menu where you'll feel like you are in a countryside pub.  Staff is lovely and food is always adventurous made with the freshest ingredients.  Great for small gatherings.  Head across the street to the Mall Tavern before or after and have an espresso martini.  If you go after, you may get the chance to hang out with the Shed staff as well.  

Tucked away in an alley off Kensington High Street, Maggie Jones is the dark and moody spot  dreams are made of.  Traditional BRITISH food where you can share and enjoy with groups of any size.  Make sure you order the house red wine which comes in a magnum that stays at your table. You are then charged based on how much you consume.  Don't be surprised if you run into a royal patron or staff member given the proximity to Kensington Palace.  

Right off Notting Hill Gate, Mazi serves traditional GREEK food with a twist. Extremely flavorful and creative dishes that you'll want to try to make again at home.  

London Michelin star institution known amongst chefs and foodies throughout England.  Many famous chefs have come through here and the River Cafe cookbook is a staple in any chef's kitchen.  It's not in the most happening area, but is worth a visit for their SEASONAL unique menu.

Amazing INDIAN Food.  Each location has its own special twist, but all are delicious.  Expect to wait a while to get a table, but it is all part of the experience and luckily they are open late.  Personal favorites are the Kensington and Shoreditch location. 

At the top of the Royal Garden Hotel overlooking Kensington Palace, Ming Jiang is likely the highest rated and most delicious CHINESE food restaurant in town.  The decor in the restaurant could use some work, but the food and the views are spectacular.  If you aren't able to get a reservation, the small bar also offers food and delicious cocktails.  

Very small, but intimate ITALIAN restaurant specializing in Neapolitan cuisine in the center of Notting Hill.  You'll walk right by it and not even notice it, but once you are inside, you'll feel like you are right in Naples.  Delicious wine as well. 

The name says it all here.  Eggs fixed every which way possible for a beautiful BREAKFAST OR BRUNCH until 3pm.    The restaurant is tiny though, so you will likely have to wait.   

Delicious VENETIAN food meant for sharing.  Always has a fun buzzy vibe and the type of place you'll end up staying for longer than you thought you would.  Highly recommend the cookbook as well for both recipes and a perfect tour guide for your next trip to Venice.  Personal favorite is the Soho location.   But Sloane Square won't disappoint. 

"Press for Champagne" button at all the booths.   What else do you need to know?  Upscale BRITISH AND FRENCH food.  Perfect place to go for a celebration or group dinner.  The Soho location is  the best one.  Make a reservation ahead of time.

Distinct and unique SPANISH TAPAS served at a long bar cooked right in front of you.  There are tables as well, but the fun is at the bar.  There are multiple locations, but the Dean Street one is the best.  Expect to wait for a table if you go at popular hours, but it will be worth it.

Incredible ISRAELI food in the middle of the action of Piccadilly Circus.  Make a reservation and make sure you sit at the bar.  The servers there are fun and if you're lucky, will burst into song.  Upbeat vibe and delicious food you can't find anywhere else.  This is the place to be adventurous.  You won't be disappointed!

The most colorful and unique restaurant you'll ever go to. Sketch has multiple rooms themed differently including a completely pink dining room with a 3 michelin star "NEW FRENCH" menu.  It's a great place for high tea or a cocktail or a full dining experience with various seasonal options on the menu.  Don't miss out on the bathrooms.  You'll get a round of applause every time.  

The name says it all.  A sexy, fun, buzzy Japanese restaurant filled with beautiful people and fancy expensive SUSHI dishes along with other Japanese delights.  

 A lovely SEAFOOD restaurant where the who's who go to be seen.  Sit at the terrace and surround yourself with high end shoppers and the local elite.  Menu features old classics like petrale sole in lemon butter and delicious oysters along with a wonderful wine list.  Perfect for a leisurely lunch after a stroll through Green Park.

Both a bar and a basement restaurant in the heart of Piccadilly, Zedel is a perfect spot for late night FRENCH dining after seeing a show in the West End.  You'll feel like you stepped right into a large Paris bistro.  The bar is great for a quick drink as well.

Relatively new in the area, Fallow is overall a gorgeous restaurant with a seasonal and unique BRITISH menu.  The Sunday roast is extra special and don't skip out on ordering the special potatoes.  They have an excellent wine list as well.

If you love wine, this is a must for you.  Claimed as the oldest wine bar in London opened since 1890, the inside of the place probably hasn't changed much at all since then.  Half of the basement restaurant still does not have electricity and is literally in a cellar lit up by candles.  They have a huge terrace that gets very busy especially if the sun is out.  The menu is a bit limited, but they have the best CHEESE PLATE options in the city and incredible wine list.  It's first come, first served, but worth every minute of that wait.  If you are claustrophobic, this is not the place for you...

This FRENCH bistro is for when you are craving steaks frites and only steak frites.  They aren't known for their service, but the food and atmosphere is exactly what you're looking for when craving a good steak doused in french fries and sauce.  The desserts are spot-on as well as the price.  Expect to wait in line, but it will be worth it!

Need pancakes at 2pm but don't want to be in a greasy diner?  This is your place.  Classy and filled with any type of craving you want, The Delaunay is a perfect place to hit up pre or post a show in the West End or after shopping around Covent Garden.  Menu features BRITISH & FRENCH classics.

The place to be for BREAKFAST if you want to see the elite and who's-who in media or London socialites.  Dripping in class with white table cloths and servers in black tie attire, you'll never have a more eventful 8am breakfast or more delicious croissant outside of Paris.  

Attached to the main Soho House on Dean Street, Dean Street Townhouse gives all the buzz and trend without the membership needed.  You go here for atmosphere and good cocktails.  The menu features traditional BRITISH classics that are perfectly delightful, but the vibe is why you go.  Sit at the bar if you can.  You'll overhear all sorts of good tea.

Michelin star rated INDIAN restaurant in Mayfair that will blow your mind.  This isn't your typical dal with tandoori chicken.  This is life changing Indian food that will leave you wondering why all Indian restaurants can't be this good.  

Pix is the perfect place to go when you need a little nosh in between shopping or after a long session of "accidental" day drinking.  TAPAS are set up on the counter and you pay depending on the color of the pick.  The sangria is delicious and for a moment, you'll feel like you are in the middle of Madrid.  Located in the heart of Soho, this is a perfect stop in between discovering other fun in the are.

Craving a good STEAK in a fun atmosphere?  Flat Iron is the answer.  They have one cut of steak, but it's cooked to perfection along with all the delicious sides you could ask for.  Buzzy atmosphere with great wines.  You can't go wrong.  Wait times can be long, but like everything else, is always worth it!  There are other locations, but this is the best one.

Every neighborhood/borough will have their best local "chip shop" serving FISH AND CHIPS usually as a takeaway or to eat on the go.  Poppies has continually been the most popular and for good reason.  There are multiple locations, but the original shop in Camden is a personal favorite and fun to go to.  Haddock is usually my go to, but that can be a controversial opinion.....

Tiny wine bar that also has a limited amount of table serving FRENCH food.  they don't take reservations and it's not the type of place you wait in line, so come early or be ready to stay squished against other people until a place opens up.  Recommend coming here on the earlier side for some good wine and cheese/charc place.  

Famed chef Yotam Ottolenghi has a few shops around London that are all worth visiting, but his Spitafield's location is a favorite.  You can either take away from their cute shop or sit in the restaurant for a full MIDDLE EASTERN/MEDITERRANEAN  meal.  

Up at the top of 110 Bishopsgate in the center of East London, Duck and Waffle serves their spin in traditional BRITISH food with arguably the best views of London.  Their signature dish of Duck on waffle (twist on chicken and waffles) is a must.  

Borough Market is a MUST when you visit London.  And when you are there, it's required to stop and enjoy a glass of WINE and some SNACKS while taking it all in.  Don't over do it on the food as you'll want to try other types of food in the market. But the snacks alone are unique and delicious ways to people watch and try to figure out how Bridget Jones actually lived here.

In need for some good BREAKFAST with a fun upbeat vibe?  This is your place.  There are multiple locations spread throughout London and all are equally as unique and fun.  Think casual cafe with music and delicious brunch-y food.  

Not all chain restaurants are created equal and not all dining experiences need to be 5 star experiences.  There are times when you just need a decent meal that doesn't need to be renowned or unique while you are on the go.  These are fabulous options that will always be consistent and never fail for a quick good meal.  Yes, they are chains, but that's ok.  We're not snobs here. We just like good quality food and these will always deliver. 

Great for traditional BRITISH  Cozy decor and atmosphere and you can find them in almost every borough.  Favorite is the Haloumi Burger.  

Why these haven't expanded to the US is beyond me.  The best CHICKEN (not fried!) and sides.  And you can control the amount of heat you can handle.  

The menu is small, but the BURGERS are delicious. The prices are right too! 

When you need your PIZZA fix, this will do the trick.  And don't skip out on the dough balls.  

You'll see that the UK is home to endless options for pre-made sandwich.  There is no lack of COFFEE SHOPS with huge varieties of sandwiches, but Pret A Manger is by far superior to them all.  The coffee and croissants are also worth a try.  The perfect alternative to Starbucks in the US.

If you need a fast food COFFEE SHOP, Gails is the way to go.  The coffee hits the spot and the pastres do not dissappoint.