Where To Dine Small in London This Summer

Perfect for lively dinners and convivial celebrations, expect Modern European sharing plates, superb wines and a packed room full of in-the-know Londoners at this quintessential Soho restaurant.

Head to this hip Islington establishment for one of the best value tasting menus in London, with fine dining dishes accented with Caribbean touches from chef James Cochrane.

Excellent for cosy catchups over mezze and natural wine, this trendy Exmouth Market gem is also outstanding for vegetarians and vegans.

Visit this beloved East London restaurant for one of the best brunches in London, and candlelit dinners over classic bistro fare in an achingly chic converted industrial space.

Silky hummus, chargrilled oyster mushrooms, and imaginative mezze – the Tel Aviv-inspired fare at Bubala makes it one of the best restaurants in Shoreditch. Can’t decide? Plump for the set menu. The menu also happens to be entirely vegetarian and great for vegans, too.

One of London’s very best burgers, using dry aged beef from British suppliers, plus imaginative sides, cocktails, and craft beers. Excellent for lunch on the go or for pre-gaming before a night out.

Gaia Enria’s tiny pastificio and trattoria in Shoreditch has made it one of the city’s gems for years. Expect a daily-changing menu of handmade pastas, antipasti, and delicious tiramisu for dessert.

Set in a stunning townhouse in Covent Garden, don’t miss the elevated British comfort cuisine at this modern classic – perfect for a date or special celebration.

There’s a real buzz at this Mexican cantina in Soho, with tacos, mezcal, and margaritas galore. Afterwards, make your way to the Pink Chihuahua, the restaurant’s bar in the basement, to continue the party.

Woodfired dishes, sourdough pizzas and natural wines are this Borough favourite’s raison d’etre. The bar is excellent for a quick stop or glass of wine and snack, and a few outdoor tables make it perfect for watching Borough Market on a sunny day.

An open kitchen and innovative cooking focused on sustainable and low waste have made Fallow consistently one of London’s most acclaimed restaurants. Don’t miss the ex-dairy steaks and Chelsea tart for dessert.

Chic brunches, breezy lunches and biodynamic wines are the order of play at this vegetable-forward restaurant in Notting Hill.

Proudly independent and reassuringly local, this Stroud Green bar and restaurant serves lively brunches and coffee by day, morphing into a cosy neighbourhood bistro at night with small plates, sourdough pizzas and live music nights.

This popular neighbourhood café and all-day dining spot in Primrose Hill has built a loyal following on the strength of brunches and easy-to-love bistro fare. There’s a selection of fine wines by the glass (via Coravin), plus a rotating list of Welsh and English bottles, too.

Homeslice’s M.O. is simple and effective; huge, delicious thin-crust pizzas with toppings like spiced lamb and sumac, or classics like parmesan and salami, paired with a short but sweet drinks list that includes prosecco on tap for a fiver.

Head to this Shoreditch institution for generous, perfectly baked thin-crust pizzas with premium ingredients (like Italian salumi, or cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy in Borough), a laid-back crowd, and a succinct drinks list with prosecco on tap.

This unique Chinese restaurant is known for two things: Having no menu, and being driven by its founder’s uncompromising vision of fine dining. A tasting menu of tiny, exquisite bites is part of the pleasure here, as is the unfailingly kind service from owner Michael Peng and one of the most remarkable wine lists in town.

Fresh Greek cuisine, home-cooked dishes and delicious Greek wines are the draws at this popular Spitalfields restaurant. Don’t miss the spit-roasted pork, mezedes, and galaktoboureko, a fluffy custard cream filo pastry soaked in syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon.

This Bethnal Green neighbourhood gem is a local go-to for a big night, and it’s worth going in on a sushi platter to share (with a mix of classic nigiri and contemporary rolls), or an omakase set for two, with paired cocktails to share.

A fixture with the Bermondsey Street crowd, this neighbourhood Thai restaurant – run by a trio of siblings – is beloved for its menu of nourishing Thai salads, soups, curries, and desserts, taken in a pretty, modern room. Don’t miss the mango sticky rice when it’s on.

At this Mayfair institution, the beef rib is world famous, the potatoes have their own fan club, and the Bad Kitty — a concoction of gin, sloe gin, cava, and elderflower — is the drink of choice. Spiritually, it’s part private club, part gourmet paradise, and perfect for low-key trysts and celebrations.

This cosy Muswell Hill establishment is perfect for a coffee and pancake fix in the morning, morphing into a stylish restaurant as the day progresses. Exposed brick walls and industrial accents lend a stylish touch, while a seasonal, Mediterranean-inspired menu and wine list deliver.

This cool wine bar and restaurant by the Thames is a love letter from owner Jay Patel to the cuisine of Italy. Excellent antipasti precede pristine plates of hand-shaped pasta, with chef Matt Beardmore turning out plates like orecchiette with braised rabbit and chard, or taglioni with anchovy butter and crunchy pangrattato. A cannolo for dessert is non-negotiable.

A little slice of East End cool in Crouch End, this outstanding neighbourhood bar has serious folk behind it, whose CVs include World’s 50 Best bars like Scout and Three Sheets. The intimate room has tremendous character, while cocktails are exceptionally crafted; substantial bar food comes from an ex-Brawn chef.

At this popular Blackheath restaurant, there’s a bar upfront for Italian wines, aperitifs and post-dinner lingering, while reliably superb pasta (lasagne, always), grilled meat, seafood, and pizza is the kind of thing that’s impossible not to love.

One of South London’s most wildly popular restaurants, this Taiwanese gua bao specialist offers Taiwanese steamed buns with a variety of fillings, small plates, and creative cocktails in a buzzing dining room of locals.

At this Clapton favourite, you’ll sit elbow-to-elbow on communal benches to feast on hand-crimped Chinese dumplings and small plates. Head down to Matilda’s, the restaurant’s subterranean cocktail bar, afterwards for a nightcap.

As a restaurant, One Ashbourne seduces with confidence and verve—a svelte interior is the perfect setting for an evening of relaxed, occasion-worthy kosher cooking. Dishes like truffled arancini and soy-glazed halibut impress, while homely riffs on classic dishes are a nice touch.

This Notting Hill favourite is known for sparklingly fresh seafood prepared simply, using outstanding fish and shellfish from Scottish suppliers and dayboats on the south coast. Additionally, expect superb low-intervention wines, a Black Book of fine bottles, and one of West London’s very best private dining experiences.

One of Soho’s most unique interiors and dazzling Sri Lankan cooking are the draws at this acclaimed restaurant. Dishes like mutton rolls, sizzling lamb chops, or a curry of dayboat fish are faithful to their origins, while cocktails tinged with tropical fruit add to the escapism.

This friendly wine bar and bistro has fast become a local favourite on Queen’s Road, with a relaxed dining room and bar, Spanish-influenced small plates, and an unpretentious approach to wine attracting funseekers from across SE15 and beyond.

This pocket size bistro and wine bar in Stoke Newington offers Mediterranean plates like duck ragù pappardelle, cuttlefish risotto nero, or hearty beef featherblade with celeriac and sprout tops, while an all-natural wine list features top bottles from the likes of Piemonte, Auvergne and Jura.

One of London’s best restaurants for southern-style barbecue, this Shoreditch institution has an intimate dining room and bar (plus spacious outdoor area) with a legendary Texas-style brisket, ribs, and outstanding cocktails.

The focus at Spicebox is vegan Indian cooking, using classic techniques and ingredients to give dishes like a delicious mushroom keema or jackfruit jalfrezi an E17 twist. While plenty of familiar Indian veg dishes are present (pani puri and chana masala, for example), the kitchen’s riffs on Anglo-Indian staples and a notable brunch help the restaurant stand out.

With a dreamy terrace and beer garden, this spacious pub has quickly become a Stoke Newington fixture. Cooking is excellent — tender pork with chickpeas, cuttlefish rice and aioli, and a spiced rabbit pie for two feature on a menu that delivers summer on a plate.

A friendly neighbourhood atmosphere and a modern, bright dining room form a welcoming backdrop at this Battersea favourite. Known for sourcing seasonal and creating dishes with an eye towards balance, chef Chris Gay crafts luxurious brunches, hearty roasts, and comfort food that locals return for.

This hidden gem within the Whitechapel Gallery offers some of the best value modern British menus around, enjoyed in a handsome, wood-panelled dining room. The restaurant’s set menu offers outstanding value.

This sleek, well-appointed restaurant in Soho offers some of the best contemporary Turkish cooking anywhere in London right now. Pair the kitchen’s dreamy sharing plates and wood-fired dishes with a raki cocktail or two; the crisp courgette flower tempura and razor clams shouldn’t be missed.