1. Bento Café
Nearest Station: Camden Town
Address: 9 Parkway, London, NW1 7PG
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 12:00 to 22:30, and Friday & Saturday from 12:00 to 23:00
Phone Number: 020 7482 3990
Website: www.bentoramenlondon.com
For some of the best Japanese food in London, Bento Café in Camden Town is a fantastic option. Mains such as the Salmon Terriyaki and the Ebi Mentaiko run between £7.50 and £19. Side dishes are £3 to £7 each on average. The sushi and sashimi platters are fresh and are a good option to share, whereas the ‘all day bento boxes’ are fantastic value meals for one priced at £10.50 to £14.
A few doors down is sister restaurant Bento Ramen, which specialises in ramen noodles and dim sum.
2. Dishoom
Nearest Station: King’s Cross St. Pancras
Address: 5 Stable Street, Kings Cross, London, N1C 4AB
Opening Hours: Weekdays from 8:00 to 23:00, with a late closing at 0:00 on Thursday and Friday. On Saturdays, the location is open from 9:00 to 0:00, and on Sundays from 9:00 to 23:00.
Phone: 0207 420 9321
Website: www.dishoom.com
For authentic, delicious Indian fare, there is no better place than Dishoom. Unusually for London, this restaurant is actually open throughout the day, and even serves breakfast!
Cooked breakfasts and naan rolls are priced between £5 and £8.50. For lunch, small plates run at £2.50 to £5, grilled dishes are £6.50 to £12, curries are £8 to £9, salads and vegetarian dishes are all under £10. Select dishes are also available to take away from breakfast to 17:00.
As well as this King’s Cross location, Dishoom’s other restaurants are just off Carnaby Street, in Covent Garden, and in The City.
Reservations are accepted.
3. Chiltern Firehouse
Nearest Station: Baker Street
Address: 1 Chiltern St, Marylebone, London, W1U 7PA
Opening Hours: Breakfast – Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 10:30, weekends from 0:00 to 10:30. Brunch – Weekends only from 11:00 to 15:00. Lunch – Monday to Wednesday from 12:00 to 14:30, Thursday and Friday from 12:00 to 15:00. Dinner – Monday to Wednesday from 17:30 to 22:30, Thursday to Sunday from 18:00 to 22:30.
Phone: 0207 073 7676
Website: www.chilternfirehouse.com
This old firehouse has now been converted into a luxury hotel, complete with a fantastic restaurant to boot. Nuno Mendes, a Michelin-starred chef, heads up the operation. With a focus on what is in season, the menu changes regularly and has an American flair.
This place is a favourite of London-based, and international, celebs. The venue is beautiful, but beware that this premium experience does carry a cost. Portions are not the largest. Mains are £20 to £44 at both lunch and dinner. Reservations are accepted, and almost a necessity due to popularity.