Best London Restaurant Bars
Wanna grab some delicious drinks and great food all in one spot? Consider this little guide our gift to you. Positively brimming with restaurants and bars that serve tasty tipples while delighting your taste buds at the same time, London's not in short demand of a brilliant hangout or two. We’ve narrowed down our favourite restaurant bars around the capital to these chosen few, meaning you never have to trudge around town to get a post-dinner cocktail again.
To discover more great places to eat out in London, check out our restaurant guide homepage.
Promising a mix of modern European and British cuisine, this trendy restaurant takes our pick for its unique decor and forward-thinking menus. Come here for a weekend bottomless brunch, lunch or dinner before head down to The Soda Room cocktail lounge, filled with quirky taxidermy, wacky artwork and tasty tipples.
The Courtesan is reminiscent of a Chinese opium den, with its vintage furniture and dark lighting, but this hideaway in Brixton is one of the coolest and most unique restaurant bars in the area. Stop by for lunch or dinner and enjoy their selection of dim sum in steamer baskets or small plates, tapas style. The food perfectly complements the unique cocktails and teas on offer as well.
A stunning restaurant, bar and private dining space housed inside a Grade-II listed Georgian townhouse, The Harcourt is causing quite a stir in the heart of Marylebone. Featuring stunning artworks and contemporary design, this beautiful spot serves up modern European menu washed down with intriguing cocktails and an extensive wine list.
Run by a multi-award winning chef, Restaurant Ours is the perfect restaurant bar destination in London. With both a relaxed approach to the interiors – boasting exposed brickwork and cute wooden furnishings in a spacious room, and a serious approach to great European food, you're guaranteed a great time.
Another of our favourite places to eat in London, Clerkenwell & Social dishes up hand-crafted pizzas washed down with their famous signature cocktails. Using the finest of suppliers and making all toppings, breads, pastas and oils by hand, enjoy a meal of Italian excess in a restaurant furnished with Clerkenwell's literary traditions in mind.
Looking for a new fun fact to dazzle your mates at parties? Mommi is the UK's one and only venue showcasing the wonderful photos and artworks from the celebrated creative, Ben Watts. You're welcome. Aside from the kooky decor, this popular Clapham retreat serves a delicious spread of sharing plates from the Robata Grill and cocktails to die for; including a particularly potent Pisco Sour.
This central London all-day bar, restaurant and multipurpose space has got everything you could possibly need, all under one roof. Not only are they the place to go to for all your midweek breakfast needs, 5 o'clock cocktail fixes and after-dinner puddings and cheeses but they're also available to hire out for any parties or events you're looking for.
With gleaming in-house brewery tanks to marvel at, this cool London restaurant bar is the place to go for laid-back booze and hearty plates. Take your pick from a wide menu of international dishes and try your hand at their playful drinks menu of international and craft beers such as chocolate lager and peanut butter stout.
Serving up an impressive roster of cocktails alongside hearty meals and lighter bites, Core is one of our favourite restaurant bars in London. Enjoy a salt beef sandwich at lunch, and dig into a rib-eye steak or a burger as the evening sets in - all washed down with one of their expertly crafted cocktails. Delightful.
Located within the crypt of a church, an evening at this tapas bar might sound a little sacrilegious, but god it's fun. Begin your night sipping on sangria and noshing on all the classic Spanish dishes, before watching as the restaurant bar transforms into a bustling party spot, with DJs playing a mix of Latin beats till the early hours.
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Inamo is the tech-savvy Londoners favourite hangout. Where else can you place your order via a sleek tablet, set your own digital tabletop or even track your dinner's progress via a chef cam? Head along to their Covent Garden base for a pioneering experience likely to feature delightful pan-Asian tapas dishes, then take it downstairs to the cocktail bar for Oriental-themed drinks and sleek, intimate vibes.
This cool Camden Market Cantina is choc-a-bloc full of character, serving up exposed brickwork walls, vibrant furnishings, and original retro features within the converted warehouse venue. Based over two levels, their downstairs bar features an impressive mix of wines, craft beers and inventive cocktails.
Delve deep into a sensuous world of Lebanese culture with a spot of dinner at Levant. Smartly placed next to the fashionable Marylebone High Street, Levant is a melting pot of deep colours, soft cushions and a candlelit ambience; making it a seductive place to enjoy some mezze. Enjoy a spread of authentic Lebanese cuisine, playful cocktails and nightly belly dancing entertainment.
Tucked away just off the Covent Garden plaza, Balthazar is a theatre-land favourite for those looking after a dinner and drinks set up pre or post show. A London restaurant bar, Balthazar is a classy place to indulge in fine French cuisine and drink from their extensive collection of wine and cocktails.
Plating up meats from trusted local farmers and fresh fish from sustainable sources, the quality produced by the Jones Family Project is plain for all to see. Get snug in one of their intimate pockets of space and enjoy something from the josper charcoal oven, with a few after-dinner gin cocktails awaiting at the NYC-styled long bar.
Devonshire Terrace is a stunning restaurant bar on Liverpool Street. With a beautiful interior made for smart dining or comfortable drinking and two great outdoor areas, is it the perfect relaxed setting to impress anyone. The kitchen serves up a delicious modern European menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This classy spot is perfect for impressing a client, date or just enjoying a nice meal out.
Don't be fooled by the name, The Beast of Brixton is actually an unassuming, secretive joint that's hidden away on Acre Lane. Track it down and you're in for a real treat; the restaurant welcomes a regularly rotating lineup of street food favourites into the kitchen, while there's homemade frozen Margaritas for cooling off on a hot day and local brews on hand if you're just in for a quick pint.
This swanky Italian restaurant goes to great lengths to prepare a dining experience sure to wow, with classic methods applied to their homemade pastas and baked breads. After your food be sure to stick around for a few crafted cocktails, conjured at the glass-fronted bar and served to guests in luxurious seating arrangements.
The toastie specialists at Morty & Bob's have teamed up with Night Tales to create this cracking Hackney spot. The venue serves as a laid back cafe by day, but completely transforms itself after dark, when the DJs, live music and master mixologists behind the bar dial things up a bit. Enjoy a few delicious toasties before washing them all down with a hand-crafted cocktail.
A lovely escape from the 100mph nature of the streets outside, Balls Brothers Austin Friars is an impressive showcase of style and service right in the heart of the city. Industrial furnishings and an open kitchen add to the atmosphere, and there's a fine choice of bold cocktails, wine and beer on offer if you're just looking to drop in for a drink or two.
Pegged as "an island of calm in the heart of the city", The Drift offers food and drink in a relaxed setting - perfect for those seeking some peace and quiet. The food menu comprises of platters, nibbles and some excellent main meal fare, making it a great spot for after-work dining or catching up with a few friends at the weekend.
Housed in an old Georgian town house which stretches over five impressive floors, Bird of Smithfield suits everything from casual get togethers to high-stakes meetings with clients. Head to their gorgeous first floor restaurant and ponder a cracking a la carte selection, with drinks afterwards and a trip to the rooftop terrace definitely in order if the weather permits.
The second Absurd Bird has opened in Soho, serving up the same delicious dishes and cocktails as it's popular Spitalfields sister site. The upstairs restaurant focuses on the homely cuisine of America's deep south - think burgers, waffles and wings - while the basement bar offers up a range of cocktails, beers and whiskey within the intimate hiding spot.
Cinnamon Kitchen is a doozy of a spot. Not only does it serve up an award-winning menu of Indian cuisine with a British touch, but it's also adjoined by decadent bar Anise, that offers up innovative spice-infused cocktails.
American fusion foods served in a 50s style diner space of bright colours, plush seating and wacky wall art characterise this Clapham Junction eatery-cum-party bar. Fill your boots on their nosh and then shimmy on over to the boozin' area where you'll fine over 50 lusting libations to wrap your lips around and a funfair of funky design.
Not only does the Leicester Square Kitchen offer up a stunning selection off Mexican and Peruvian small plates designed for sharing, but they also deliver delicious South American cocktails too. Feast on Pisco-glazes smoked paprika ribs and lime before turning up the heat with a chilli and lime margarita or Aztec negroni.
Sitting pretty in Soho lies the Wahaca and Azulito London restaurant bar bringing a power combo of Mexican tipples and tasters to your palate. Head down to this cool and funky market style kitchen of colourful street food, buzzing socialising and a lounge type atmosphere perfect for casual dining in central London.
Home of BBQ and blues, this spirited restaurant and bar continues to offer one of the best nights out in Shoreditch. Serving a medley of Texan BBQ, Cajun treats and colossal burgers, there's also plenty going on in the drinks department, with cocktails, beers and wines all for the taking. Finish off your evening with a trip to the dancefloor, where live blues bands play a rock 'n' roll setlist 'til late.
Boasting a menu of creative cocktails and NYC-inspired comfort food, a chilled playlist of old school hip hop tunes and stunning decor, this spot oozes cool. Whether you're just looking to hit up their happy hour or fancy tucking into some pork belly ribs and cheeseburger dumplings, the effortlessly edgy Dirty Bones has got you covered.
Based away from the hype and buzz of the city, The Folly offers diners a massive menu of fresh and hearty meals as well as a great drinks selections, all within a beautiful botanical-themed bar and restaurant. You can enjoy a full meal, share a platter with friends or just have a few of their many special cocktails.
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Regularly topping up Balham's rumblin' tums, The Exhibit serves carefully curated drinks and a hearty menu of fresh British produce. Bag yourself a table and get ready for a festival of eating; there's everything from roasted pheasant to grilled royal beam and Galloway beef burgers with all the trimmings. There's an eclectic entertainment programme for dessert, too.
Le Bar is a fabulous restaurant bar based in Farringdon that couples wonderful cocktails and wine with a delicious selection of frapas (French tapas). The restaurant was opened by the same masterminds at the Michelin-starred restaurant Club Gascon and will recreate recipes and flavours from South West France.
Fronting delicious foods and incredible dining and drinking atmospheres, Upper House is a stylish three-floor venue in Islington where partying comes 'til late and the decor spells contemporary cool. Take to the Parlour, the Aviary, the Sanctuary or Ballroom for some ambient drinking and seasonally-changing food menu.
Sitting pretty just away from the London Bridge droves, Village East brings a chic and contemporary take on a brasserie to Bermondsey Street. Styled on the slick establishments that you'd find in its Manhattan namesake, this is a laidback, listed warehouse venue great for sit-down meals and a few drinks at the weekend alike.
Former Hawksmoor chef Gordon Ker is behind Blacklock; the elusive chops restaurant quickly becoming one of the hottest properties in London. A secluded basement spot made for communal dining, Blacklock serves only the finest chops cooked over charcoal and vintage irons. Pick between racks of Cornwall beef, pork, lamb and veal, handily washed down by £5 classic cocktails.