A city that eats in layers. Pubs that pour history by the pint, neighborhood bistros that feel like second homes, and kitchens quietly rewriting the rules from behind unmarked doors. London’s food scene is a conversation between cultures, techniques, traditions, and a relentless curiosity for what’s next. Casual, confident, deeply international — and very hard to pin down.

These are the 16 places that capture the city at its most generous, restless, and delicious.

Just like the spices and flavors in these authentic Thai dishes, the team’s passion packs a punch. Here you’ll find authentic Thai cooking with influences from Laos, Myanmar, and Yunnan. Spice done right.

KILN

A snug East London wine bar and bottle shop built around natural wines and good company. A communal table, rotating chefs, and ever-changing small plates keep things relaxed and social. Come for a glass, stay longer than planned.

107 WINE SHOP & BAR

Intimate, unfussy dining inspired by Basque fire and French finesse. Prime produce, confident cooking, and a relaxed bistro atmosphere. Small, warm, and seriously well executed.

BAR VALETTE

What started out as a (cork-popping, gut-busting, genre-disrupting ode to gastronomic pleasure) magazine in 2013, turned into 3 beloved restaurants spread across London. Merging food, wine and creative arts, you’re bound to be well set here.

NOBLE ROT

A neighborhood classic: think restored old garage, simple cooking and low-intervention wines. With daily-changing wine and food menus, communal tables, and a buzzing atmosphere, it’s hard not to love it.

PRIMEUR

Spread across London, each restaurant it a love letter to Bombay, serving comfort dishes inspired by all corners of the city: from its culture, people and rich history, this is the kind of food meant to feel like a warm, familiar hug.

DISHOOM

Seasonal and simple Italian cooking beloved by its community. Hand-rolled pasta and a relaxed, open-kitchen energy define this Islington staple. Reliable, welcoming, and quietly excellent.

TRULLO

Contemporary Portuguese cooking, celebrating both coast and countryside. Familiar flavours meet refined technique, grounded in excellent British produce and a standout Portuguese wine list. Warm, thoughtful, and quietly distinctive.

LUSO

From neighbourhood gem to city legend, this tiny East Dulwich spot has perfected rotisserie chicken. The beauty of Norbert’s comes from simplicity: short menu, walk-ins only, and a neighbourhood buzz that’s impossible to fake.

NORBERT'S

The original home of nose-to-tail cooking and still one of London’s most influential restaurants. Bold, deeply British dishes rooted in seasonality, served without fuss or pretense. Order bravely, finish with madeleines, and understand why Anthony Bourdain loved it.

ST. JOHN

A beautifully restored Victorian pub: traditional at heart but sharp around the edges, with a serious dining room upstairs and one of the city’s best Sunday roasts. An East End landmark.

MARKSMAN PUBLIC HOUSE

Think seasonal menus, with sustainably sourced meat and fish, alongside organic fresh produce. A Soho bistro where modern American cooking meets premium British and European produce, featuring a wine list on par with the dishes’ ingredients.

RITA'S DINING

A cult favourite hidden inside a converted school bike shed. Breakfast and lunch only, serving nourishing, modern European food in a serene garden setting. Find the unmarked door and discreet buzzer to get into one of London’s best-kept secrets.

ROCHELLE CANTEEN

An enduring London icon where seasonal Italian cooking shines beside the Thames. Rustic, ingredient-led dishes, an unrivaled Italian wine list, and a terrace that’s a perfect summer’s dream. Glamorous yet relaxed, and still unmatched.

THE RIVER CARFÉ

A wine-lover’s clubhouse set beneath East London railway arches. Modern, French-leaning dishes designed for sharing, paired with a deep cellar of low-intervention bottles. Communal, thoughtful, and all about drinking well together.

PLANQUE

Modern Mexican cooking rooted in tradition, fused with British ingredients. Corn, mole, and ceviche are reimagined and accompanied by a niche wine list. Finish your tasting menu in the downstairs Mezcaleira. Bold, thoughtful, and unlike anywhere else in London.

KOL
ISTO.
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT NEW ARRIVALS, SPECIAL OFFERS,
RAMBLINGS ON LIFE AND RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER