Help me narrow down London restaurant options
November 9, 2015 8:24 AM Subscribe
My mom and I are going to London for a week. We're staying on the north side of Hyde Park, near Notting Hill Gate. I have been to London twice but the first time I was poor and the second time I was a vegetarian. I'd like some restaurant recommendations!
I realize this is a huge question, like "what should I do in New York City." But that's why I need you guys, because it's too overwhelming when I go to look at Yelp or similar. Can you share with me some of your favorites in London, especially in the Hyde Park/Notting Hill/Bayswater/Kensington areas?
My mom sadly does not like Indian food but we're open to anything else. A mix of pricey and mid-range and cheap is fine!
I realize this is a huge question, like "what should I do in New York City." But that's why I need you guys, because it's too overwhelming when I go to look at Yelp or similar. Can you share with me some of your favorites in London, especially in the Hyde Park/Notting Hill/Bayswater/Kensington areas?
My mom sadly does not like Indian food but we're open to anything else. A mix of pricey and mid-range and cheap is fine!
Best answer: Wardour Street is full of good restaurants, some really good. It's on the other side of Hyde park, though...
posted by Namlit at 8:44 AM on November 9, 2015
posted by Namlit at 8:44 AM on November 9, 2015
Best answer: so you were a vegetarian but aren't any longer? Hope I've read your question correctly.
You're going to get plenty of great recs, I'm sure. Mine are
The Admiral Codrington, Kensington (famous for their burgers!)
The Troubadour, West Brompton
Princess Victoria, Shepherds Bush
and The Four Seasons, Bayswater, for the best roast duck with rice. Yum!!!
posted by Ziggy500 at 8:46 AM on November 9, 2015
You're going to get plenty of great recs, I'm sure. Mine are
The Admiral Codrington, Kensington (famous for their burgers!)
The Troubadour, West Brompton
Princess Victoria, Shepherds Bush
and The Four Seasons, Bayswater, for the best roast duck with rice. Yum!!!
posted by Ziggy500 at 8:46 AM on November 9, 2015
Best answer: If you want a supremely Old School London dining experience, I recommend Rules. It is the oldest restaurant in London and very famous; the Prince of Wales used to entertain Lily Langtree in a private dining room upstairs.
Rules serves extremely good traditional British food including estate game -- grouse is currently in season. It's also an environment you won't find anywhere else. The menu is reasonable for what you get, including the very memorable experience, but there used to be a prix fixe pre-theatre dinner menu so you may want to email or tweet and ask if they still have that.
Trip Advisor concurs by the way -- 4.5 stars.
PS: You will need reservations, and attire is not formal.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:55 AM on November 9, 2015
Rules serves extremely good traditional British food including estate game -- grouse is currently in season. It's also an environment you won't find anywhere else. The menu is reasonable for what you get, including the very memorable experience, but there used to be a prix fixe pre-theatre dinner menu so you may want to email or tweet and ask if they still have that.
Trip Advisor concurs by the way -- 4.5 stars.
PS: You will need reservations, and attire is not formal.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:55 AM on November 9, 2015
Hawksmoor Knightsbridge for the no-longer vegetarian.
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 8:59 AM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 8:59 AM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Sorry, yes, I am not a vegetarian now!
posted by something something at 9:06 AM on November 9, 2015
posted by something something at 9:06 AM on November 9, 2015
Sorry, I misunderstood! Please have the comment removed, if you like. :)
posted by Kitteh at 9:13 AM on November 9, 2015
posted by Kitteh at 9:13 AM on November 9, 2015
Best answer: I've been in London thirteen years. The best meal I ever had was at L'Atelier Du Joel Rubechon. It's not quite in the area you specify, but it is in central London and will be a short Tube or taxi ride away.
Helen Darroze At The Connaught is amazing as well, and it's just east of Hyde Park.
Both of those are fairly pricey for a la carte dinners, but they both have fixed price lunch meals which are excellent values, given the quality.
In fact, I've found that fixed price lunch deals are a great way to get more mileage out of your dining-out money. You might want to take a look at this list of the best set lunch deals in London. Of the places on the list, I personally thought Dinner by Heston was a little over-rated, but Pollen Street Social is another favorite of mine, and Hix is excellent as well.
posted by yankeefog at 9:17 AM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Helen Darroze At The Connaught is amazing as well, and it's just east of Hyde Park.
Both of those are fairly pricey for a la carte dinners, but they both have fixed price lunch meals which are excellent values, given the quality.
In fact, I've found that fixed price lunch deals are a great way to get more mileage out of your dining-out money. You might want to take a look at this list of the best set lunch deals in London. Of the places on the list, I personally thought Dinner by Heston was a little over-rated, but Pollen Street Social is another favorite of mine, and Hix is excellent as well.
posted by yankeefog at 9:17 AM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Agree that a set lunch can be a great option for good value food. My favorite is Pied a Terre, which does 3 courses for £36, if you include coffee you'll get a whole selection of petit fours, and excellent service and tasty food. Not bad for a Michelin-starred restaurant.
posted by lettezilla at 11:27 AM on November 9, 2015
posted by lettezilla at 11:27 AM on November 9, 2015
Best answer: 2nd-ing Hawksmoor. Great beef, but *definitely* get the bone marrow gravy for dipping your fries.
One of the best meals i've had in London, and definitely the all-around best pork chop i've had *ever* *anywhere* was at Heston Blumenthal's "Dinner" at the Mandarin Oriental. Just went back last month to make sure the 1st time wasn't a fluke. nope. delicious......
posted by alchemist at 12:22 PM on November 9, 2015
One of the best meals i've had in London, and definitely the all-around best pork chop i've had *ever* *anywhere* was at Heston Blumenthal's "Dinner" at the Mandarin Oriental. Just went back last month to make sure the 1st time wasn't a fluke. nope. delicious......
posted by alchemist at 12:22 PM on November 9, 2015
Best answer: High tea. Expensive, but you spend all afternoon eating surrounded by luxury. We went to the one at the Dorchester, just off Hyde park.
posted by kjs4 at 3:50 PM on November 9, 2015
posted by kjs4 at 3:50 PM on November 9, 2015
Best answer: I was disappointed by Hawksmoor (Air St) but I had excellent steak at Flatiron in Soho recently.
posted by corvine at 1:00 AM on November 10, 2015
posted by corvine at 1:00 AM on November 10, 2015
Best answer: The Churchill Arms is a cool old pub (built in 1750) famous for its Thai food. When I was traveling to London regularly, I loved going there with friends.
posted by mumblelard at 3:21 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by mumblelard at 3:21 PM on November 29, 2015
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posted by Kitteh at 8:29 AM on November 9, 2015