Places to see in United Kingdom London - Restaurants

everything from fresh lamb burgers to turkish delight!

This place is truly special. Hidden behind a little door on Joiner Street in London Bridge station, this sprawling underground space is a members' bar with a difference. Dark and Gothic in atmosphere, be sure to come by if you have a penchant for avant-garde theater, performance art, cabaret and circus. On any given night you might see aerialists twisting from the ceiling or run into arts installation. It's also the home of the Shunt collective and, as such, has been the setting for their unique theatrical spectacles Amalto Saltone and Tropicano. There is always something of interest to see—or maybe even participate in.

This minuscule gem of a pub has many eccentricities and an intriguing history depicted proudly on every available inch of wall. A long time Soho institution, the French House is so named because it was the meeting place of the French Resistance during World War II. Then, under the patronage of its charismatic landlord, Gaston, it became a haven for Britain's most celebrated Bohemians, including Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Dylan Thomas and Brendan Behan. It is seriously packed most nights and has only a few seats, but despite the high culture clientele it has an interesting rather than unattainable air to it. As a gesture against British laddism, There is also a no-music policy here and a very fine modern European restaurant upstairs (see French House Dining Room). It's location right in the guts of Soho makes it an ideal meeting place before embarking on an evening of music or clubbing.

The Purple Bar is a nice and cozy bar located at Sanderson. As the name suggests, the decor in the bar done up only in hues of purple, and in some places blue as well! The colors give the bar a peculiar air of intimacy and comfort, something you would definitely want if you were on a date! The blue shades that one sees everywhere, give the place a tranquil look and makes you feel a bit serene. The collection of martinis is extensive! Don't forget to try the Cuban Spiced Martini and the Hot Chilli Passion Martini.

Etrusca chain's ninth addition to London's restaurant list is the classy Italian eatery Perc%nto. Located in the city area, this place is open all day from 6:30a onwards. You can see a lot of corporates and executives frequenting this joint. Come in for breakfast at the downstairs bar or have a quick office-hour lunch at the upstairs restaurant. The place is also perfect for conferences and meetings, as it is equipped with the latest computer technologies and video-conferencing. With business lunches and client meetings galore, a meal here will surely give you pointers to enter the big bad corporate world.

Welcome to a little piece of Ireland - a haunt for literary artists and hardened drinkers. This Irish pub is only two rooms deep but so many and so much gets packed in here it often seems to be bursting at the seams. Despite the name, this pub is actually one of the more exclusive venues in London and chances are you will see a couple of famous faces. Readings take place on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, and quizzes on Wednesday evenings.

Few establishments are as impressive as Rockwell, at the Trafalgar Hotel;  it boasts of a trendy bar and a sophisticated restaurant, both happening hot spots. The bar was London's first Bourbon Bar, with over 100 bourbons featuring on the menu. It is also known for its fabulous cocktails, and was voted 'Best Bar 2002' by the Evening Standard and Time Out magazine. The recently-opened restaurant is also gaining in popularity - try the Oysters with Mango-Chilli Viniagrette, or the Meatballs with Duck Bolognese Sauce, and you will see why! Being the high-profile venue that it is, Rockwell has been the venue of various fashion shows and celebrity parties, so you will find yourself in the midst of the glam-crowd. And if you want to get romantic, the Roof Garden offers a breathtaking view of Trafalgar Square; it is a place for champagne, fine dining, and intimate conversations.

The Axis at One Aldwych unlike other noisy and pushy restaurants is off-beat for the fact that here's one place where you can sit down for a sumptuous meal without having to walk in with your gastronomical worries. This busy, modern and fun restaurant and bar at One Aldwych has a striking feel with its muted colors and impressive design elements. The cuisine is Modern British, albeit injected with Eastern and other influences. Desserts are to die for. See hotel website for sample menus, private party options, reservation info and more.

OK, Bodean's is a barbeque restaurant not Mexican like the other places in this guide. This is different type of spice, but provides flavors not found in other UK cuisine.

Bodean's has several locations around town, but the original one is in Poland Street in Soho. The upstairs area is best for lunch as you order at the counter. The downstairs restaurant has full table service.

Bodean's services Kansas City style BBQ (my hometown so my bias is for this style). The smokers were imported. The original manager was a KC transplant who made sure they recipes and quality was right (not sure if he is still there or not).

The upstairs menu includes a range of sandwiches and meat plates. They do have a salad or two for those watching their diets. On certain days of the week they have burnt ends -- yum! The homemade sauce is tasty and comes in a couple of varieties.

Bodean's also has a number of large TV screens and gets satellite feeds of American sports games. During (American) football season you will find games on during the weekends. If you want to see one of the later games and are eating upstairs -- no problem, they'll just ask you to move downstairs at about 11:00.

Bill Sewell situated his wonderful vegetarian restaurant in the heart of the City in a novel setting - a church crypt. The home made food is marvelous - incorporating everything from Thai green curry and pancake rolls to strawberry and white chocolate tart. The prices are pushed down because there is no waiter service. You must take a tray to the servery, and choose from the printed menu on the wall. The dining areas are atmospheric vaults, which can be privately hired. Sitting at the long banquet table means you'll be sharing with strangers. The Place Below is only open for breakfast and lunch, but takeaways are available - and well worth considering if you arrive too late to secure a seat.

This is the newest addition to the Firefly family, the third establishment in a tradition of comfortable and excellent food drinks and service. In this cozy atmosphere you can enjoy a delicious meal a nice drink and then dance the night away, all in the same place. Also a great place to enjoy some after-work drinks with friends and a good place to meet friendly locals. The place is open Wednesday through Friday from Midday until late in the night.

This was actually one of my favorite places. I enjoyed it so much because it was both a bakery and a tea room. The place smelled great; it was a mixture of tea leaves and bread that scented the building. There was just about every baked good imaginable here, but I opted in having a slice of banana bread with apple butter. It tasted delicious and I was very glad I made the decision to have this bread! If you're wondering if the tea is good - you shouldn't. It was also fantastic.

12 Temple Place Restaurant, located within the Swissôtel The Howard, is an interesting study in cross-cultural influences. Its executive chef, Simon Noel Duff, is from Australia and the kitchen, working under his able guidance, offers the best of modern French and Asian cuisine. This results in exotic delicacies like Rabbit and Lobster Roulade, wild pigeon and Foie Gras being offered to hotel guests and other patrons. The eatery also offers wines by the glass for a satisfying end to your meal. While you are here, check out the floor-to-ceiling windows that give this place a simple, yet special look. Alfresco dining is offered in the Garden Courtyard during summer.

There are two places in Covent Garden synonymous with 'pre or post' theater dining: Sarastro and Joe Allen. While Sarastro is over-the-top and popular with tourists, Joe Allen is a good choice for anyone in the neighborhood wanting good food served up with their entertainment. Dishes on the frequently-changing menu run the gamut from American (Black Bean Soup, Steak and Fries, Caesar Salad), to British (Calf's Liver on Wilted Spinach), and even Italian (Vegetable Lasagna with Escarole and Rocket Pesto). Good food, good wine list, and good beer. The buzzy atmosphere and prime location are what has given Joe Allen its reputation. If you visit late, you might even see actors winding down after a show.

One of the more attractive restaurants in the little India of Drummond Street, Chutneys is renowned for the excellent value of its lunchtime buffet - vegetarian, tasty and cheap. And with 130 seats over two floors you can pretty much guarantee a place - despite its popularity. In the evenings, dining resumes a more traditional format, but the food is still just as delicious and just as good value. Main courses are helpfully split into regions, with thalis (a selection of four small curries, chosen to suit your palette) from Gujarati and a choice from southern India's Madras region, including various dosas - crisp, giant pancakes made with rice and lentil flour, with a variety of fillings and accompanying chutneys. The pesticide-conscious will also be pleased to see that Chutneys also has a range of organic wines. Diners should note that it's buffet only on Sunday.