The top 10 restaurants for a London staycation

This traditional gastropub in Clapham Old Town is ideal if you’re looking for scrumptious pub meals, rustic interiors, and a wide selection of fine wines sourced from some of the best English vineyards. The owners have a farm-to-fork ethos and are passionate about doing their bit for climate change through their “pro-planet” boozer. Expect high quality produce, meat sourced from local farms, sustainable spirits, and a fully carbon-neutral menu which is also 50% plant-based (vegans rejoice!). The Pig’s Head menu changes daily – but you can guarantee whatever’s on the menu that day will be delicious!

You can’t get more British than dinner at Claridge’s Hotel! This historic Mayfair hotel is a royal favourite and is situated just a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace. In The Foyer and Reading Room, you’ll find striking sculptures, shimmering Art Deco mirrors, decadent table settings and impressive floral and foliage displays. Dine like a king with luxurious dishes such as foie gras terrine, black truffle agnolotti pasta and Claridge’s famous lobster risotto. Be sure to check out the spectacular dessert menu too for some rather naughty but nice treats. 

Fantastic happy hour deals? Check. Delicious Cuban food? Check. Vibrant atmosphere? Check! If you’re in the mood for a fun night out drinking cocktails and eating tasty Cuban street food, Cubana has you covered. Responsible for introducing the Mojito to the UK back in the 1990s, this famous Cuban cantina is passionate about cocktails and boasts an impressive drinks menu with plenty of fruity, fresh and zingy concoctions. Have a boogie to live music at night on the Havana-style outdoor terrace or enjoy some al fresco drinking and dining in the sunshine during the day time.

At 24 The Oval, you’re within walking distance of some of the capital’s finest sights, including the Tate Britain, The Imperial War Museum, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and The Oval cricket ground. Here, you can enjoy quality modern British fare without the crowds (or outrageous price inflations!) of central London. From comforting shepherd’s pie and Sunday roasts to tartares and terrines, the menu is eclectic enough for the whole family. There’s a gorgeous garden area too, lined with flowers and greenery, where you can sip on a refreshing rose wine or a zesty cocktail when the weather is warm.

For a quintessentially yet cool British foodie experience, we recommend taking afternoon tea at Bread Ahead. The Borough Market favourites, famous for their decadent donuts, actually hide a colourful tea room above their Pavilion Road bakery. You can expect soft sub-style rolls stuffed with fillings including smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise and chicken and avocado, while cakes range from classics like bakewell tarts and Battenberg, to the more creative lemon and yuzu roulade. Wash it all down with a cup of fragrant tea supplied by Fortnum & Mason — where else?

One of London’s biggest draws is its vibrant theatre scene, so it would be a shame not to squeeze in a show during a staycation here! At the Young Vic, you can sample one of the capital coolest independent-owned food spots too. This bar, restaurant and cafe nestled in the contemporary hub of the South Bank serves up tasty European-inspired small plates, including burrata, croquettes and ceviche, as well as larger mezze and charcuterie sharing boards. You could even just pop in for an easy bite if you’re exploring the area!

At Larry’s, you can reward yourself for an afternoon of high culture in the National Portrait Gallery by venturing into its vaults. This part of the building that was once used for coal storage has been transformed into a highly Instagrammable spot where exposed brick walls are lined with striking artworks and photographs. It doesn’t matter what time of day you visit, you’ll be able to grab a drink or a bite. Breakfast, brunch and lunch consists of classics like bacon rolls as well as healthy options, while later in the day, you can indulge in afternoon tea or graze on small plates. Live jazz and flavourful cocktails mean that you might end up staying long after the gallery doors have shut!

One of the most charming areas in London, Notting Hill is home to beautiful boutiques, quaint antique shops and vintage treasure troves. Among its colourful facades, you’ll find the bright lights and enthralling scent of The Fish House, where you can munch on flakey fish that’s been freshly battered and fried, and piles of moreish chips — or jockeys whips as they apparently call them around these parts… There are pies and burgers on the menu too, if you feel like deviating from tradition, and there’s a scattering of tables where you sit and soak up the chatter of locals and tourists alike.

There’s something thrilling about looking down on a city from above and trying to point out all the significant sights and places that you might have been. One of London’s most popular viewing venues is the Sky Garden at the top of the building known as the Walkie-Talkie. Up here, you can really soak up the scenery in the City Garden Bar while sipping on premium garden-themed cocktails, such as the Bush Lily Bloom and Down Under The Ferns. Watching the sun set over the city while enjoying live music really makes for special staycation memories…

One of the most well-known names within the British restaurant industry, Marco Pierre White, has a chophouse in the trendy four-star East London New Road Hotel. The edgy, industrial style space specialises in meat-based dishes, and offers up an array of signature steaks sourced from fine quality grass fed beef. The venue also offers a very reasonably priced set menu and a bottomless Sunday roast menu. If steak’s not your usual choice, then you’ll find plenty of alternatives too, from lamb and chicken kiev to fillet of trout and fish and chips.