Authentic Neapolitan pizza near Covent Garden

Vasiniko is a much-loved spot devoted to authentic, original Neapolitan pizza, with two central London locations — on Burleigh Street near Covent Garden and on Adelaide Street near Trafalgar Square. The name means “basil” in the Neapolitan dialect, a nod to the restaurant’s commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients. The Covent Garden room is bright and airy with a holiday feel — greenery hanging from the ceiling, Amalfi-inspired lemon tiles behind the bar and cosy booths for groups — set to lively music.

What to order

Pizza is the star, made in the true Neapolitan style. Go classic with the margherita and its rich, basil-infused tomato sauce, or indulgent with the creamy truffle tartufina. Beyond pizza, the menu offers spaghetti and provola, with desserts like tiramisu, rum baba and cheesecake to finish. With an average rating around 4.9, it’s considered excellent value for central London.

Who it’s for

This is a great choice for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner with friends or a group get-together where everyone wants proper pizza without the tourist mark-up. The bright, holiday-feel setting makes it especially fun for sharing.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Vasiniko serve? Authentic Neapolitan pizza, plus pasta like spaghetti and provola.

What should I order? The classic margherita or the truffle tartufina, finished with tiramisu or rum baba.

What does the name mean? “Vasiniko” means basil in the Neapolitan dialect — a nod to fresh ingredients.

What makes the interior special? A bright, holiday feel with hanging greenery, Amalfi-inspired lemon tiles and cosy booths.

Where is it located? Two central sites — Burleigh Street near Covent Garden and Adelaide Street near Trafalgar Square.

Opening hours

Modern Chinese under a cherry blossom canopy

Tattu London is a contemporary Chinese restaurant that has become as famous for its looks as its food. The interior is a masterpiece of modern elegance, crowned by a statement cherry blossom chandelier and signature cherry blossom trees, with a spectacular inner courtyard set beneath a soaring skylight — an intimate space that feels like dining under the London sky. Intricate detailing and a moody, glamorous atmosphere make it a favourite for special occasions.

What to order

The menu reinvents Chinese classics with flair, spanning small plates, dim sum, meat, seafood, vegetables, rice and noodles. Signature dishes include the sweet miso Chilean sea bass, caramel soy beef fillet and saffron black cod, alongside Peking duck with pancakes, black pepper beef and wagyu. Pair it all with one of Tattu’s theatrical signature cocktails.

Who it’s for

This is a place for date nights, celebrations and stylish dinners where the setting is part of the occasion. Diners consistently praise the impeccable service, attention to detail and vibrant atmosphere, making it a reliable choice for a memorable night out.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Tattu serve? Modern, contemporary Chinese — dim sum, Peking duck, sea bass, beef and more.

What should I order? The sweet miso Chilean sea bass, caramel soy beef fillet, saffron black cod and Peking duck.

What makes the interior special? A cherry blossom chandelier and trees, plus an inner courtyard beneath a dramatic skylight.

Is it good for a special occasion? Yes — its glamorous setting and service make it a favourite for celebrations and date nights.

What about drinks? Tattu is known for its theatrical signature cocktails.

Opening hours

Theatrical pan-Asian dining with St Paul’s views

The Ivy Asia St Paul’s is one of the City’s most glamorous dining rooms — an all-day pan-Asian restaurant set moments from St Paul’s Cathedral, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the dome in all its glory. The interior is pure theatre: a fluorescent pink onyx floor, gilded details and intricate wood carvings, plush velvet seating, an antique gold mirrored bar and panelled artwork depicting Japanese landscapes, with an upstairs floor lit by green semi-precious stone. It’s a striking contrast between old London grandeur and bold, modern Asian glamour.

What to order

The pan-Asian menu draws on the head chef’s travels across Tokyo, Cambodia and Vietnam. Signature dishes include the prawn har gau dumplings, the volcano roll sushi and the sublime miso black cod — 48-hour miso-marinated Alaskan sablefish, slow-roasted to perfection. For dessert, the Golden Dragon is a showstopper, with passion fruit doughnuts, warm chocolate sauce, sesame crème brûlée and mochi. Sushi, tempura, noodles and elevated sticky pork round out the à la carte, alongside afternoon tea.

Who it’s for

This is a destination for stylish celebrations, special occasions and lively, late-night dining, often with a DJ adding to the vibe. If you prefer a quieter meal, aim for lunch or an early midweek evening; for atmosphere and drama, the later it gets, the better.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does The Ivy Asia serve? Pan-Asian — sushi, dim sum, tempura, noodles and signature dishes like miso black cod.

What should I order? The miso black cod, prawn har gau dumplings, volcano roll sushi and the Golden Dragon dessert.

What makes the interior special? A fluorescent pink onyx floor, gilded carvings, a gold mirrored bar and floor-to-ceiling views of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Is it good for a special occasion? Yes — its glamorous setting and lively atmosphere suit celebrations and stylish nights out.

Where is it located? In the City of London, moments from St Paul’s Cathedral.

Opening hours

All-day British favourites in Covent Garden

Bill’s Covent Garden is the West End sibling of the popular all-day restaurant brand, ideally placed for a meal before or after exploring one of London’s busiest quarters. Like its Soho counterpart, it serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner in a space that blends modern touches with a homely feel — soft lighting, warm wood tones and a lively, sociable atmosphere that suits the location.

What to order

The all-day menu is broad and crowd-pleasing: Bill’s signature fish pie, chargrilled rump steak with fries and garlic butter, a range of burgers and loaded mac and cheese, plus globally inspired options like Thai green curry and shawarma. Brunch is a strong suit — from pancake stacks to a full English and a shakshuka-style bowl — with gluten-free choices throughout.

Who it’s for

A reliable choice for brunch with friends, a family lunch during a day out, or a relaxed dinner near the theatres and shops of Covent Garden. Generous portions and fair prices make it easy for groups.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Bill’s serve? All-day British and modern European — breakfast through dinner.

What should I order? Bill’s fish pie, a chargrilled rump steak or a loaded mac and cheese, plus brunch favourites.

Is it good for brunch? Yes — brunch is a highlight, with gluten-free options.

Where is it located? In Covent Garden, in London’s West End.

Is it good for families and groups? Yes — the broad menu and generous portions suit both.

Opening hours

Algarve-style piri-piri chicken in a skylit warehouse

Casa do Frango brings the sunny flavours of southern Portugal to London, built around its critically acclaimed piri-piri chicken. With locations including London Bridge, Shoreditch and Mayfair, it channels the Algarve through buzzy, energetic rooms. The London Bridge original is especially striking: two floors of a vast Victorian warehouse, a 5-metre skylit space with distressed whitewashed brick, grand arched windows, overhanging greenery, slow-whirring ceiling fans and hand-painted motifs that nod to Lisbon’s iconic trams.

What to order

The star is the Algarvian chicken, cooked over a wood fire with perfectly caramelised skin and a deep flavour from Casa’s secret piri-piri blend. Build a feast around it with the signature Casa Rice — Portuguese Carolino rice with chorizo, crispy chicken skin and plantain — plus piri-piri garlic prawns, Iberico pork croquettes and crispy bacalhau fritters. It’s southern Portuguese comfort food at its most generous.

Who it’s for

This is a great spot for a lively lunch or dinner with friends, a group get-together or anyone craving proper piri-piri chicken in a warm, sociable setting. The buzzy atmosphere makes it especially good for sharing.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Casa do Frango serve? Authentic southern Portuguese, centred on Algarve-style piri-piri chicken.

What should I order? The Algarvian piri-piri chicken, the signature Casa Rice and the piri-piri garlic prawns.

What makes the chicken special? It’s cooked over a wood fire with caramelised skin and Casa’s secret piri-piri blend.

What makes the interior special? The London Bridge site is a skylit Victorian warehouse with whitewashed brick, greenery and Lisbon-tram motifs.

Where is it located? Across several London sites, including London Bridge, Shoreditch and Mayfair.

Opening hours

Sustainable British dining in St James’s

Fallow, tucked into St James’s Market, is one of London’s most talked-about modern British restaurants — and one of its most thoughtful. Founded by chefs Jack Croft and Will Murray (both formerly of Dinner by Heston Blumenthal) with restaurateur James Robson, it puts sustainability and zero-waste cooking at the heart of everything, transforming often-overlooked ingredients into standout dishes through nose-to-tail thinking. The glass-walled dining room, with its bar and open kitchen, is boisterous and welcoming, blending natural materials with sleek, modern design.

What to order

The menu is modern British with bold, well-balanced flavours and a focus on conscious use of British produce. Signature dishes include the Orkney scallop tartare, the much-photographed cod’s head with sriracha butter, and a mushroom parfait made from mushrooms grown on-site. Don’t miss the corn ribs with kombu seasoning, the cauliflower cheese croquetas with black garlic mayo, or the ex-dairy cow steak — a perfect example of the kitchen’s low-waste philosophy.

Who it’s for

This is a place for food lovers, a special dinner or a meal with friends who care about where their food comes from. Recognised with GQ and Marie Claire Sustainable Restaurant of the Year awards and praised in the Michelin Guide, it suits anyone after creative cooking with a conscience. Booking ahead is recommended.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Fallow serve? Modern British with bold flavours and a strong focus on sustainability and zero waste.

What should I order? The cod’s head with sriracha butter, Orkney scallop tartare, mushroom parfait and corn ribs.

Who founded Fallow? Chefs Jack Croft and Will Murray (ex-Dinner by Heston Blumenthal) with restaurateur James Robson.

Why is it notable for sustainability? It uses nose-to-tail cooking and waste minimisation, winning Sustainable Restaurant of the Year accolades.

Where is it located? In St James’s Market, central London.

Opening hours

All-day British dining in the heart of Soho

Bill’s Soho, on Brewer Street, is a lively all-day restaurant in the heart of London’s West End, serving everything from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner. The interior mixes modern touches with a homely feel — soft lighting, warm wood tones and textured fabrics — while upbeat music and a buzzy crowd give it a trendy, sociable energy. There’s even a semi-private dining room with sliding doors for groups who want their own space.

What to order

The all-day menu is reassuringly varied. Mains run from Bill’s signature fish pie and chargrilled rump steak with fries and garlic butter to a line-up of burgers and loaded mac and cheese (buffalo chicken, brisket and horseradish, or mushroom and truffle), plus options like Thai green curry and shawarma. Brunch is a particular highlight — pancake stacks, a full English and a shakshuka-style breakfast bowl — with gluten-free choices available throughout.

Who it’s for

This is a dependable, crowd-pleasing spot for brunch with friends, a casual lunch while shopping or an easy dinner in the West End. With generous portions, fair prices and a menu that suits most diets, it works well for groups and families alike.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Bill’s serve? All-day British and modern European — breakfast, brunch, burgers, steaks, curries and more.

What should I order? Bill’s fish pie, a chargrilled rump steak, a loaded mac and cheese, or the brunch favourites like pancakes and the full English.

Is it good for brunch? Yes — brunch is a highlight, with gluten-free options available.

Is there space for groups? Yes — there’s a semi-private dining room with sliding doors.

Where is it located? On Brewer Street, in the heart of Soho.

Opening hours

Big Mamma’s boldest, most theatrical trattoria

Ave Mario is the Big Mamma group’s most flamboyant London trattoria, set across three floors in the heart of Covent Garden and inspired by a Florentine palazzo — with a playful 80s twist downstairs. The space is pure theatre: six-metre-high ceilings, a bar decked out with some 3,500 bottles, irresistibly retro styling and eccentric, tongue-in-cheek touches throughout, including cocktails that arrive in outlandish vessels with equally outlandish names. It’s loud, colourful and unmistakably fun.

What to order

The kitchen, led by head chef Gianluigi, serves authentic Italian dishes built on seasonal ingredients from small independent producers. Expect crispy-soft Neapolitan pizzas, generous fresh pasta and indulgent antipasti, with the signature Gran Carbonara mixed in a 4kg pecorino wheel and a 35-day aged beef sirloin grilled with salsa verde among the highlights. Save space for the bold dolci to finish.

Who it’s for

This is a place for a lively night out, a birthday or a group celebration where the room and the cocktails are half the fun. With epic portions and fair prices for the spectacle, it suits anyone after great Italian food and a memorable, theatrical setting in central London. Booking ahead is recommended.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Ave Mario serve? Authentic Italian — Neapolitan pizzas, fresh pasta, antipasti and bold desserts, with seasonal ingredients from small producers.

What should I order first? The Gran Carbonara from a 4kg pecorino wheel and the 35-day aged beef sirloin with salsa verde.

What makes the interior special? Six-metre ceilings, a bar with around 3,500 bottles and eccentric, retro 80s-inspired design across three floors.

Is it part of Big Mamma? Yes — it’s the group’s boldest London trattoria.

Where is it located? In the heart of Covent Garden, central London.

Opening hours

A loving tribute to Bombay’s Irani cafés

Dishoom is one of London’s most beloved Indian restaurants, paying homage to the old Irani cafés and the food of all Bombay. With several locations across the city — including Covent Garden, King’s Cross, Shoreditch, Carnaby, Kensington and Canary Wharf — each branch tells its own story through the décor. The original Covent Garden site has artfully distressed interiors, vintage mirrors and sepia photographs that transport you straight to old Bombay, while King’s Cross sits inside a restored Victorian warehouse with high ceilings, exposed brick and railway-station-inspired details. The atmosphere is lively yet intimate, perfect from an early breakfast to a late-night feast.

What to order

The most famous dish is the Bacon Naan Roll, a breakfast favourite that wraps crispy bacon, zesty chilli-tomato jam and cream cheese in a soft, warm naan. Just as iconic is the House Black Daal, slow-cooked over 24 hours until deeply creamy. Round things out with Chicken Ruby curry, spicy lamb chops, lamb samosas and fried okra, and finish with Mango Kulfi or the Sweet Uttapam Stack — all washed down with the signature House Chai.

Who it’s for

Dishoom suits almost any occasion — breakfast with friends, a relaxed dinner or a late-night meal — and is especially good for groups who want to share. Just be prepared to wait: the no-bookings policy at peak times means queues are part of the experience at the busiest branches.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Dishoom serve? Bombay-style Indian food inspired by the city’s old Irani cafés.

What should I order? The Bacon Naan Roll, the 24-hour House Black Daal and Chicken Ruby, with a cup of House Chai.

How many locations are there in London? Several, including Covent Garden, King’s Cross, Shoreditch, Carnaby, Kensington and Canary Wharf.

Is there usually a wait? Yes — at busy times the popular branches can have long queues.

What makes the interiors special? Each branch recreates old Bombay, from distressed café charm in Covent Garden to a Victorian warehouse in King’s Cross.

Opening hours

Big Mamma’s most spectacular Italian in Fitzrovia

Circolo Popolare, part of the cult Big Mamma group, is one of London’s most photographed Italian restaurants — a riot of cascading ceiling flowers, white-washed stone and walls lined with some 20,000 bottles of vintage spirits and wines. Tucked away on Rathbone Square in Fitzrovia, it leans towards a Sicilian, Mediterranean spirit, with hanging greenery and romantic candlelight that somehow still feel rustic despite the blockbuster looks. The atmosphere is vibrant, the service is warm and the whole room feels like stepping into a joyful, oversized Italian trattoria.

What to order

The showstopper is the Gran Carbonara, mixed and served straight from a 4kg wheel of pecorino. Beyond it, expect soft Neapolitan pizzas made with San Marzano DOP tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, creamy burrata sourced directly from Puglia, and moreish fritters and garlic bread to share. Leave room for dessert: the chocolate-covered profiterole and the famous, zingy XXL lemon pie are the stuff of Instagram legend. Every ingredient is carefully selected, and the flavours back up the dramatic setting.

Who it’s for

This is a place for a fun night out with friends, a celebration or a date where the room is part of the show. With generous portions and fair prices for the spectacle, it suits anyone who wants great Italian food in one of the most striking dining rooms in central London. Booking ahead is strongly recommended.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Circolo Popolare serve? Generous Italian dishes with a Sicilian, Mediterranean accent — Neapolitan pizzas, pasta, burrata and big desserts.

What should I order first? The Gran Carbonara served from a 4kg pecorino wheel, plus a Neapolitan pizza and the XXL lemon pie.

What makes the interior special? Cascading ceiling flowers, white-washed stone and around 20,000 bottles lining the walls.

Is it part of Big Mamma? Yes — it’s one of the Big Mamma group’s most spectacular London restaurants.

Where is it located? On Rathbone Square in Fitzrovia, central London.

Opening hours