The Best of »Falstaff Online International 2023« in London
One Michelin star Luca is the epitome of fine Italian dining, with a warm atmosphere and spectacular presentation of food without sacrificing flavour. The menu may be Italian, but the ingredients are organically British, such as Orkney scallops and Scottish halibut, while the wine list is better described as a book.
Not only plant-based, but with one of the best vegan menus in London, Pied a Terre is the city's longest-running Michelin-starred restaurant. Chef Asimakis Chaniotis delicately blends French and Greek cuisine in the a la carte and tasting menus. Choose from over 800 wines on the wine list or pair your meal with a hand-picked wine flight.
Tucked away in a former beer cellar beneath the rowdy Blue Posts pub in Soho, Evelyn's Table is pub food on a Michelin scale. Serving just two meals a day, the frequently changing menu combines British ingredients with Asian techniques. Sake and wine, including low ABV options, complete the experience.
Putting a vegan twist on traditionally meat-centric Caribbean food, Jam Delish in Islington is family owned and fully plant-based. Their classic dishes like saltfish, fried plantain and curried goat are mixed with traditional spices and sauces to create modern, tasty plates.
Fluffy foccacia, cacio e pepe and prawn ravioli are paired with a strong selection of Italian wines at this casual Islington eatery. The spring silk scarves of Bancone fame are the crowning glory of chef Louis Korovilas, and combined with careful presentation and friendly staff, it's the perfect neighbourhood Italian.
Russell Norman's reimagined Italian trattoria ticks all the boxes, serving pasta classics and Florentine favourites, plus a variation of steaks by weight. The house wines and negronis served on gingham tablecloths are the icing on the cake of a homely yet luxurious experience.
The Guinea Grill is famous for its grass-fed British beef, which it has served in a variety of ways since the 1960s. Steaks, mixed grills and pies are all on the menu, and the Sunday roast with thick gravy and Yorkshire pudding can't be topped.
Despite its 19th century origins, the menu at the Pig and Butcher is refreshingly modern, using local meats cooked and cured on site. A consistently lively atmosphere, fantastic steaks and Sunday roasts, and a wine list sourced from family-run vineyards make this a cosy local pub not to be missed.
Mostly taken up by greenery during the day, and elegantly lit at night, Coq d'Argent's rooftop not only has some of the best views of the city, but some of the best French cuisine too. The restaurant actually has four terraces, where you can enjoy all the classics either alfresco or under cover paired with plates selected by the Head Chef.
Inspired by India's former military mess clubs, Brigadiers serves light Indian street food, grilled and tandoori meats in the City of London. Reminiscent of an old-world party, with designated areas for pool and card games, beer and whisky are encouraged, as is lively chit-chat.
Alto by San Carlo, perched on the side of Selfridge's department store, is London's answer to a summer in Tuscany. White tablecloths and roof beams wrapped with lemon tree vines provide a city escape - whether you're enjoying an Italian coffee, evening aperols or an upscale dinner.
Despite Seabird being famous for boasting London's longest oyster menu, this rooftop bar and restaurant with skyline views is ideal for just a tipple. Cosy cushions and plants make it feel like a jungle oasis, and to match the vibe in summer, choose a fruity frozen cocktail or some sparkling wine.
Now in their permanent location in Oxford Circus, Tendril is a plant-first dining concept that stays away from fauz meats and puts vegetables front and centre in a variety of delicious dishes. They aim for zero waste eatery centres around root-to-shoot food like pak choy in massaman sauce, chipotle mushrooms and leek fritters.
Restored to its original 1863 glory, the prestigious Cadogan Arms on the King's Road is a local favourite. Pub classics and roasts make up the a la carte menu, while a ploughman's or prawn cocktail makes the perfect light lunch. A wide range of beers is available, as well as an excellent selection of wines from around the world.
The aptly named Gunpowder gives a hint of the fiery Indian dishes served daily to the ever-busy Spitalfields clientele. Small, shareable and feastable plates made from sustainable ingredients allow diners to try a little bit of everything. The signature cocktails are ideal for chilling out.
A deeply immersive dining experience based on the golden age of Bombay, Dishoom has an ever-present queue, a warm atmosphere and an outstanding cocktail list. The menu serves the classics and delivers them well - the 24-hour black daal is a sensation, as are the breakfast naan rolls.
An instantly recognisable, historic pub on South Audley Street, The Audley is one of London's finest traditional pubs, beautifully restored inside. Shelter from the rain with a local pint, a delicious roast made with British produce or a more refined snack of half a dozen oysters.
A simple, cosy, family-run restaurant serving Greek meze-style dishes, Naïfs uses plants, pulses and spices in its menu, combined with biodynamic wines and other botanical drinks. The traditional desserts and postcard teas provide a sweet finish.
There's often a queue for Bancone's famous silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter, and the extensive selection of delicately prepared fresh pasta dishes is also well worth the wait. Luckily, if there's a spare seat at the bar, you can enjoy warm foccacia and several variations on the classic negroni while you wait.
The Baring looks like a classic pub from the outside, but behind the doors you will find minimalist décor and food more akin to a sophisticated European restaurant. The menu offers a small selection of cocktails and wines, and the service is always friendly.