Classic British Fare, Fish & Chips plus a Shandy
Despite stereotypes the British do know how to cook, unless you go to Greggs or Tesco for your meal (sorry greggs and tesco lovers) you will be impressed. Regardless of if you are on a budget or looking to spend big bucks there are plenty of good places to eat in London.
My absolute favorite and probably the most expensive on the list is 'Les Trois Garcons' in Shoreditch. (http://www.loungelover.co.uk/) This place is worth eating in just for the ambiance alone! Last time I ate there my boyfriend sat with a stuffed, bejeweled giraffe above his head! The food is obviously french and never disappoints. It is an a la carte menu (£39.50/ £45.50) which changes regularly so if you are a picky eater it is worth checking the on line menu before you go. It will be said that it is a little bit obnoxious to reach this restaurant as it is not really with in walking distance of a tube stop - I am guessing that most of the patrons can afford taxis- but you can still reach it via public transport and it really really is worth it.
Another expensive yet amazing restaurant is the Chop House (http://www.chophouse-restaurant.co.uk/). This restaurant immediately puts any rumors about bad British cuisine to rest. Once I believe both rook and squirrel were on the seasonal menu (I was not that daring). In the summer you can also sit outside and have fantastic views of the tower bridge. As an insiders tip, the bar has an amazing menu for much less (they often have two courses for £12 deals) and while you are unlikely to find squirrel on the bar menu it will save you a lot of money. As a result of this though it is pretty much impossible to just walk in and get a table on the bar side (but usually easy to do on the restaurant side) so be sure to book in advance!
The last expensive restaurant that I would recommend (or at least would back when I was there) is the Blue Elephant. I hear it is going down hill so I suggest going only if you really enjoy the novelty. It is a Thai restaurant in Fullham that reminds me a bit of the rainforest cafe. There is foliage everywhere as well as a few streams and coy ponds. The food was amazing all times but the last time that I went (hence my caution). The ambiance is really fun and while you can get great Thai food for much less in London (like Kai Thai in Butler's Wharf) it is still worth the trip if you can afford it! (http://www.blueelephant.com/)
For a fancy meal in London without as hefty of a price tag I recommend the restaurant on top of the National Portrait Gallery. It is not cheap but it is not overpriced either. Please note that it is not open every day so check before you go! The view is absolutely amazing as you can see most of London's famous landmarks from the top. The food is also very good and worth the price. If you have seen the movie 'The Closer' this restaurant is in part of the film. This place is by far one of my favorite places to take people visiting the city because the food is good and the view is fantastic! See: http://www.npg.org.uk/about/gallery-spaces/portrait-restaurant.php
While not an amazing restaurant but excellent for a good view of London I would recommend the Pizza Express across from the Globe Theatre. Pizza express has really good value pizza (and you can get it for really cheap by googling for vouchers on line) and while a massive chain, the pizza is good. You can be pretentious and pretend it is beneath you but everyone loves Pizza Express. This one location is particularly good as you can see St Pauls, the Thames, the globe, and more as you dine on your delicious and cheap pizza. If you are in the area definitely give it a go.
Another great British establishment is Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on fleet street (http://www.pubs.com/main_site/pub_details.php?pub_id=154). It is a Sam Smith's pub (micro brewery based up north) and has woodchips on the floor and a fire burning in the winter. Apparently a pub has been in that location since 1538 and claims loads of famous patrons. The food is not half bad either. Whether you are stopping in for a quick pint or a meal be warned it is really really popular. On a weekday half the city drinks there and it can be impossible just to find a place to stand. Weekends can be crowded as well but are often a better bet. Also there have been many times that it has randomly been closed for no explicable reason so it is worth checking in advance if you really want to go.
London is also famous for the amazing ethnic options available (there is even an all you can eat Ethiopian buffet) but there are two places that have really stood out to me. First for North African I really love both Souk Medina's in Covent Garden. The food is tasty and reasonably priced and the atmosphere is pretty fun as well. If you are going out with a large crowd you really ought to take a look at their group menus. I did a birthday party here once and it was such a steal. For £30 there were unlimited appetizers and mains (really unlimited, they filled it as many times as you wanted). You also get a bottle of wine (or I think four bottles of beer) EACH under this deal as well as dessert and a belly dancer. I really cannot recommend this place enough. http://www.soukrestaurant.co.uk/index.asp
The most infamous place to get ethnic food however is Brick Lane. Here the streets are lined with Indian restaurants with men ready to bargain with you to entice you into their establishment. You can pretty much get first free drink, free poppadoms, and 10% -15% off your bill regardless of where you go. While I do not have one particular restaurant on the Lane that I recommend I would suggest the test that I use, if the restaurant is totally dead it is probably for a reason... find the ones that have a few tables full (although if you are going early even the good ones tend to be empty then). http://www.visitbricklane.org/
Another tip when going out to eat in London is to use top table. (http://www.toptable.com/) They have reviews and you can often book on line and get special deals.
Even if you just pop into a pub for some fish and chips in London you are likely to have a good meal so fear not and embrace London for all of the delicious food, mushy peas and all!
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