London Business City Guide: London restaurants
Gastronomic delights abound on every corner in London. Thousands of restaurants serve up everything from traditional English to any ethnic cuisine you can imagine. Upmarket establishments can be found all over the city, particularly in Knightsbridge and parts of the West End. Just south of Soho is the Chinatown district. The City and surrounding areas cater mainly to business people; many places are very busy around lunchtime (noon–2pm) but deserted at the weekend.

The West End is famed for its restaurants, bars, pubs and nightlife. Dinner is generally served from 5.30pm onwards. Londoners tend to eat around 7–8pm. Expect restaurants to be very busy around this time, especially in the West End, which gets crowded with theatregoers.

If there is a particular restaurant you wish to dine in, it is wise to book in advance. Tipping is the custom if service has been good, 10% on average. Do check your bill, however, as some restaurants will include a service charge, especially for groups.

London restaurant reviews

1 Lombard Street
1 Lombard St
The City
020-7929 6611
Michelin-starred restaurant suitable for formal business lunches and dinners. The contemporary menu includes excellent seafood. There is also a less formal bar and brasserie on site.

Carluccio's
12 West Smithfield
The City
020-7329 5904
Modern Italian restaurant favoured by business people for lunchtime meetings. Excellent service and top-quality classic dishes including pastas, salads and some outstanding desserts. Branches throughout the city.

Yokosu Sushi
40 Whitefriars St
The City
020-7583 9656
One of the best sushi restaurants in the city, well known for its friendly staff. Offers delicious sushi and salmon in pleasant, unassuming surroundings. Excellent value for money.

Boisdale
15 Eccleston St
Knightsbridge
020-7730 6692
Serving all things Scottish, with a cosy Celtic decor and welcoming demeanour to match. Relaxed atmosphere with live jazz music in the evening and 150 different malt whiskies to choose from.

Bibendum
Michelin House, 81 Fulham Rd
Knightsbridge
020-7581 5817
Comfortable and roomy surroundings, exquisitely designed. Seasonal menus boast a range of delicious and varied continental dishes. Never disappoints. A favourite for business outings.

Cinnamon Club
Old Westminster Library, 30 Great Smith St
Victoria
020-7222 2555
Stylish Indian restaurant with a twist. Unique curries and daily specials are all extremely tasty. An all-round classy dining experience. Perfect for a business meal (private function room available).

Wilton's
55 Jermyn St
Mayfair
020-7629 9955
Considered one of London's finest, specialising in game and fish. Classic dining in an elegant setting with great atmosphere. Private rooms available for business functions.

Brian Turner
Millennium Hotel Mayfair, 44 Grosvenor Square
Mayfair
020-7596 3444
Offering truly excellent modern British cuisine. With contemporary decor and very reasonable prices, this is a very popular choice for business diners.

Mango Tree
46 Grosvenor Place
Mayfair
020-7823 1888
Serves some of the best Thai food in town, including green papaya salad and curries. Authentic decor and a relaxing bar for after-dinner drinks. The perfect place to unwind.

Ecapital
8 Gerrard St
West End
020-7434 3838
One of London’s latest offerings in the heart of busy Chinatown. Excellent eastern Chinese cuisine in pleasant surroundings. A good place to relax after work and before catching a musical.

Simpson's-in-the-Strand
100 The Strand
West End
020-7836 9112
Classic dining since 1848. The current upmarket incarnation was fully renovated in 1999. A favourite business haunt with traditional British cuisine, including its famous roast rump of beef.

Porters
17 Henrietta St
Covent Garden
020-7836 6466
Convivial restaurant in Covent Garden with traditional and reasonably priced steaks and roasts. Seating for more than 200 means they can cater for groups and business functions of all sizes.