Cuisine Guide

Mid Range — Best British in London

Discover handpicked British restaurants in London, with what to order first at each place.

Every place here is handpicked. Signal score shows how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.

19 restaurants

1
INIS

British / Irish · ££ · Hackney Wick

90Signal

Start with

Potato Scallops

These fried slices are served with 'dainty silver jugs of curry sauce' and are a menu staple that highlights the kitchen's 'fresh, hyper-seasonal and absolutely homemade' approach.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

2
Towpath

Seasonal British / European · ££ · Haggerston

89Signal

Start with

Fried Eggs with Caramelised Sage

Regarded as their 'most popular breakfast,' these eggs are served on toast with 'lashings of butter' and crispy sage, the scent of which defines the morning air at the cafe.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

3
The Blue Stoops

British Gastropub · ££ · Kensington

86Signal

Start with

Beef and Ale Pie

Described as 'fluent pub' fare, this oval dish of beef stew with a pastry lid is a menu essential—as Jay Rayner notes, 'the room would be naked without it.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

4
Big Night

British-Japanese Skewers / Izakaya · ££ · Hackney

85Signal

Start with

Chicken and Spring Onion Skewer

Universally praised as a 'jubilation' of charred, juicy thighs that 'practically burst in the mouth' and offer the savoury goodness one craves when 'teetering on tipsy.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

5
The Plimsoll

Modern British / Pub · ££ · Finsbury Park

84Signal

Start with

Dexter Cheeseburger

A 'legendary' and 'food-scene-famous' burger described as glossy, slightly sloppy, and 'gherkin-blessed' without being 'salad-spoiled.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

6
Fish Central

British Seafood · ££ · Clerkenwell

80Signal

Start with

Cod and Chips

Described as the 'best fish and chips in Zone 1 by some distance,' featuring a 'light, delicate batter' and 'superbly moist' fish.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

7
Red Lion Cafe

British Gastropub · ££ · Highgate

80Signal

Start with

Pastel de choclo

The editor's essential must-order pick, offering a comforting and uniquely delicious twist despite the traditional British setting.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

8
Lord Southampton

British Gastropub · ££ · Gospel Oak

78Signal

Start with

Spatchcock Poussin

Undeniably the highlight of the menu, it is described as one of the 'juiciest chickens' with 'golden skin charred' and a marinade of 'sweet harissa and confit garlic' that elevates the flavor.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

9
The Cheese Bar

Cheese-focused / British · ££ · Camden

74Signal

Start with

Marmite Malakoff

A 'corker' of a dish consisting of a fried cheese ball with a Marmite hit, served in a puddle of romesco sauce which critics call the 'perfect accompaniment' and a 'must order.'

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

10
Blacklock City

British Chophouse · ££ · City of London

73Signal

Start with

All In

Regarded as the 'main purpose of the place' and the 'best deal for sharing,' this signature stack of beef, pork, and lamb is served over charred flatbread that soaks up all the juices.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

11
Blacklock Canary Wharf

British Chophouse · ££ · Canary Wharf

73Signal

Start with

All In Platter

The quintessential order: a stack of lamb, beef, and pork chops piled onto juice-soaked flatbread.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

12
Le Swine

British / Breakfast · ££

72Signal

Start with

Bacon Butty

Billed as the 'best bacon butty in Britain,' it features thick-cut middle bacon, 'bacon butter,' and a signature mushroom ketchup in a toasted milk and onion bap. Adding a duck egg is highly recommended for the 'perfectly orange, runny yolks.'

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

13
Terry's Cafe

British Cafe · ££ · Southwark

70Signal

Start with

The Borough Special

A 'Borough staple' described as a 'homage to the perfection of a simple fry-up.' It features thick, smoky bacon and a 'peppery, herby' Cumberland sausage that is 'thick and meaty.'

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

14
Tufnell Park Tavern

British Gastropub & Pizza · ££ · Tufnell Park

66Signal

Start with

Pizza

Served seven days a week, the pizzas are the most consistent and popular option on the menu.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

15
Maria’s Market Cafe

British Cafe · ££ · Borough

65Signal

Start with

Sausage & Bubble Roll

The Infatuation's go-to; a soft floury roll featuring the cafe's legendary, crispy-edged bubble and squeak.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

16
Crown & Anchor

British Pub · ££ · Covent Garden

60Signal

Start with

Chicken Supreme

A generous piece of tender meat roasted in lemon and thyme, served as part of a 'feast for the eyes' that includes a Yorkshire pudding and fluffy roast potatoes.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

17
Bells Café

Modern British · ££ · Shoreditch

60Signal

Start with

Potatoes and onions on a lovage sauce with melted stinking bishop

Explicitly cited as one of the 'standout dishes of the evening,' featuring a flavorful lovage sauce and rich melted cheese.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

18
Tea House Theatre

British / Tea Room · ££ · Vauxhall

60Signal

Start with

Full English Breakfast

Promoted as 'the best full English breakfast in London' by the venue, reviewers confirm it uses 'quality ingredients' and offers a vegetarian version that keeps locals coming back.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

19
Pear Tree Cafe

Modern British · ££ · Battersea

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

BBQ Burger

Cited as a reliable go-to on the menu alongside their sourdough pizzas.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

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