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Popular Restaurants
Over the
last decade or so, the choices available for people dining out in London
have improved immeasurably, both in terms of quality and the sheer
variety of cuisine on offer. The downside to this culinary revolution is
that eating at some London restaurants can be expensive, especially if
you fail to budget carefully for items such as wine. However, with a
little homework, you should be able to find
London restaurants to suit both your taste and pocket.
In order to simplify the decision making process, I have provided below a
brief summary of London's neighborhoods and the various options
available.
 West
End
A wide-range of expensive restaurants such as Mirabelle and Claridges,
but also home to a number of budget options which include pizzeria,
vegetarian restaurants (such as Country Life) and well-known fast food
restaurants.
East End
Often overlooked by tourists, the East End - particularly around Brick
Lane - is a paradise for fans of Indian cuisine. The quality is good, but you are not broke after your meal.
Soho
Another mix of expensive, trendy restaurants such as Andrew Edmunds and
Quo Vadis as well as cheaper options such as Pizza Express. Reasonably priced meals can also be
found in Soho's many bistro type eateries, pubs and cafés - although
overcrowding, particular in the summer, can be a problem. By and large,
the fast food giants have failed to establish themselves in this part of
town, presumably because the area is not regarded
as a family destination.
 Piccadilly
Circus/Leicester Square
A fair selection of mid-priced restaurants including Planet Hollywood
and the Rainforest Café, along with numerous fast food eateries and
pubs.
Covent Garden
Trendy eateries in and around the market which offer
moderately priced meals. The Covent Garden
piazza will provide you with the opportunity to sit outside and eat in more relaxed,
European style surroundings. In the streets leading off the market,
numerous cafés, bars and pubs serve everything from vegetarian take-outs
to traditional roasts.
Aldwych and the Strand/Embankment
The fast food giants have established themselves along the Strand which
also houses one of London's institutions - Simpson's. At Aldwych, more
upmarket restaurants such as Bank and Axis have attracted a following
for their good quality, modern cuisine.
South Bank
 Although
lacking the variety of restaurants over the Thames, there are a still a
fair number of decent options around. The most prominent and expensive
restaurant here is housed within the renovated OXO tower. However,
cheaper eats are available at the nearby Gabriel's Wharf, South Bank complex and a number of pubs and brasseries
nearby.
City of London
During the week, eating out in The City is not a problem as restaurants
here cater to the legions of well-salaried office workers. However, the
same can't be said at weekends when most establishments either close
early (at around 6pm) or simply don't bother opening at all!
While restaurants in the City can be quite expensive for people on a
tight budget, reasonably priced meals can be found in the area's containing many pubs
and bar-brasseries. There's also an abundance of upmarket sandwich bars,
many of which have large crowds at
midday. |
