London's Bib Gourmand Restaurants 2026

• Location: 213 Blenheim Grove, Peckham, SE15 4QL
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: Thai 
• Why we recommend: we feel like every dish has a story, from the crunchy, tangy green papaya salad to the indulgent Hung Lay pork belly curry, and it's clear the team pours their personalities into the food

 Founded by friends Rob and Josh, the Bib Gourmand-awarded Kruk channels the energy and soul of South London hospitality while taking inspiration from Thailand's street-food culture. Its name nods to the Thai words for 'stir' and 'mortar,' reflecting the kitchen's focus on freshness and technique, while also hinting at London's gritty charm.

The menu showcases signature dishes that balance heat, texture, and umami, from green papaya som tam and prawn and banana blossom salad to gula grilled chicken thigh skewers and rich, fragrant curries like pork belly Hung Lay and duck Mussaman. House-made sauces, creative bar snacks, and the careful use of herbs, spices, and fresh produce elevate every plate.

• Location: 6 Park Street, London Bridge, SE1 9AB
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: Thai 
• Why we recommend: we think that Kolae is exceptional at bold, Southern Thai flavours delivered with precision and style. From the intimate counter dining to the carefully curated menu, each dish balances smokiness, spice, and freshness well 

Kolae comes from the team behind Som Saa, and is a Thai bar and grill tucked into a beautifully restored coach house in the heart of Borough Market. Spanning three floors, the restaurant blends an open kitchen and counter seating downstairs with a striking private dining room upstairs.

The restaurant celebrates the fiery, bold flavours of Thailand's Southern Provinces, with a focus on its namesake cooking style: ingredients coated in a coconut-based curry marinade and grilled over open flames. Dishes balance smoky depth with spice, using the finest British and Thai produce, from Swaledale meats and South Coast fish to seasonal vegetables. Highlights include coconut-smoked pork neck salad, grilled mussel skewers, soft-shell crab stir-fry, and young coconut sorbet with salted Thai tea caramel.

• Location: 7 Moxon Street, Marylebone, W1U 4EP
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: South African
• Why we recommend: from Peckham to Marylebone, the restaurants' location may have changed, but the exceptional food hasn't

Kudu is a family-run restaurant that brings the flavours and techniques of South Africa to Marylebone. Founded by Amy and Patrick in 2017, the restaurant celebrates open-fire braai cooking alongside modern European cuisine with a South African twist. With a focus on seasonal produce, the menus balance smoky and spicy notes across sharers, mains, and starters - from Kalahari-spiced biltong and grilled tiger prawns to Cape Malay monkfish and dry-aged T-bone steaks.

The intimate yet lively setting, paired with dishes like confit trout with dashi velouté, poussin with Kashmiri chilli crisp, and house-baked breads served with inventive butters, makes for a relaxed dining experience. Desserts such as rum-and-raisin soft serve, Durban pineapple, and the playful Kudu 'Kit Kat' (burnt marshmallow and kumquat) round off the meal superbly.

• Location: Unit 7, Montacute Yards, 185‑186 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6HU
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: Thai 
• Why we recommend: whether you're popping in for a punchy curry, gathering friends for a feast, or exploring inventive drinks, Singburi delivers both the nostalgic warmth of a family-run spot while keeping things upbeat and contemporary 

A Shoreditch favourite with roots in Leytonstone, Singburi has long been one of London's most cherished Thai restaurants. Founded in 1999 by Tony and Thelma Kularbwong, it gained a cult following for its fiery, authentic dishes and iconic blackboard specials. Now led by head chef Sirichai 'Siri' Kularbwong alongside chefs Nick Molyviatis and Alexander Gkikas, Singburi retains its signature bold flavours while presenting a more polished, industrial-chic space with an open kitchen and a refined drinks list. 

The menu continues to showcase daring, flavour-packed Thai classics, from wild ginger chicken thighs to smoked pork belly and daily-changing specials. Designed for sharing, each dish balances heat, sweetness, and depth, highlighting the team's skill and passion.

• Locations: 1 Phipp Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 4PS, and 6 Southwark Street, London Bridge, SE1 1TQ
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: Italian 
• Why we recommend: the generous portions, beautifully balanced flavours, and approachable pricing make it perfect for everything from casual dinners to celebratory meals

For lovers of fresh pasta in London, Padella from Jordan Frieda and Tim Siadatan is a must-visit, with outposts in both Shoreditch and London Bridge. Recognised by the Michelin Guide and holding its Bib Gourmand status, Padella combines exceptional cooking with approachable pricing, offering dishes that feel indulgent without breaking the bank. The Shoreditch restaurant welcomes bookings, while London Bridge keeps the walk-in-only charm that has made queues a part of the experience. 

The menu is a celebration of fresh, homemade pasta designed for sharing. Standout dishes include pappardelle with Dexter beef shin ragu, Westcombe ricotta ravioli in sage butter, and a pistachio, mint, and basil pesto fettuccine. Desserts like tiramisu provide a classic, sweet finale to a meal you'll want to have all over again the next day.

• Location: 181 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4TP
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: Vietnamese 
• Why we recommend: Lai Rai is a rare find where both the food and the atmosphere transport you somewhere unexpected. The prawn lollipops alone are worth the trip, but it's the combination of interiors, inventive cocktails, and bold Vietnamese flavours that keep us coming back

Tucked down an unassuming Peckham alley, Lai Rai feels like stepping into an alternate reality - a fever-dreamed Vietnamese haven where time seems delightfully askew. Inspired by the Japanese concept of Isekai, the restaurant's visually striking interiors fold mirrors, ruby-red LED lights, and glossy tiles into a space that's playful. 

The menu at Lai Rai celebrates Vietnamese street food elevated with clever twists. Highlights include addictive prawn lollipops, tender thịt kho tàu pork belly in caramel glaze, and bò lá lốt patties served with a rich Vietnamese coffee BBQ sauce. Each dish surprises with layers of flavour, from tangy pickled mustard greens to velvety coconut mussels, all designed for sharing. Accompanying cocktails, like the tart mango xoài dá or the floral gá nhảy, complement the social spirit of the restaurant.

• Location: 21 Halliford Street, De Beauvoir, N1 3HB
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: European small plates
• Why we recommend: casual yet refined, we think that Goodbye Horses is one of the top Bib Gourmand restaurants in London that delivers an approachable yet elevated dining experience, perfect for orange wine lovers 

Goodbye Horses is a Bib Gourmand-awarded gem that feels like a stylish dinner party at an artist's townhouse. Impeccably styled yet relaxed, the space charms with hand-painted curtains, vintage records, and a welcoming oak counter where you'll sip wine from horse-and-moon stamped glasses. 

The menu mirrors the warmth and intimacy of the space, with elegant, shareable dishes that strike a balance between comfort and creativity. Highlights include oxtail ragout with broken rice, light yet deeply savoury, and an indulgent cheese toastie lifted by a sharp leek pickle. 

• Location: 35-37 Greenhill Rents, Farringdon, EC1M 6BN
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: Italian 
• Why we recommend: this restaurant is a London Michelin Bib Gourmand classic that feels like stepping straight into a lively Florentine trattoria - definitely book it for your next date night

Brutto is a rustic trattoria that channels the soul of Florence with every detail. Founded by the late Russell Norman, the visionary behind Polpo, Brutto is a love letter to traditional Tuscan dining, complete with red-and-white gingham tablecloths, vintage wall art, and rotating ceiling fans that conjure the warmth of an Italian summer.

You'll find the menu to be a celebration of hearty, meat-forward Tuscan classics, with standouts like pork and fennel sausages, tagliatelle ragù, and the signature dough-ball 'cuddles' with soft cheese and prosciutto. Seasonal dishes and the boozy, light tiramisu round out the offerings, while drinks such as £5 negronis and house wine make it both accessible and indulgent.

• Location: 4 Bedale Street, London Bridge, SE1 9AL
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: Greek 
• Why we recommend: under Chef Jorge Paredes' guidance, we think that AGORA strikes a perfect balance of simplicity, bold flavours, and social dining, making it a must-visit London spot (just be prepared to queue)

When it comes to Bib Gourmand restaurants, London's got a healthy handful, and one of the most brilliant value-for-money spots is AGORA in Borough Market. Nestled beneath its sister restaurant OMA on Bedale Street, it brings the bustling energy of Athens' street food scene to the capital. This stripped-back souvla bar's minimalist, warm interiors evoke the charm of a Greek market stall, while the open kitchen creates a lively, communal atmosphere that draws you in.

At the heart of the menu is a two-metre charcoal rotisserie imported from Greece, slow-roasting pork, lamb, and chicken skewers to smoky perfection. Accompanying the meats are freshly baked flatbreads, house-made dips, and sides such as sage-dripping potatoes and braised beans. Standout dishes include slow-grilled chicken thigh skewers and wooden-oven flatbreads - especially those topped with wild garlic butter or melty metsovone - starting from just £9.50. 

• Location: 58 Brewer Street, Soho, W1F 9TL
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: Thai
• Why we recommend: the smoky, spicy skewers, expertly balanced curries, and counter-side dining make your dining experience feel lively and curated (top tip: pop your name down for a table, then have a drink around the corner at The Devonshire while you wait)

Craving Thai food? In the heart of Soho, Kiln is a lively, no-reservations restaurant that brings fiery, authentic dishes to London. Drawing influences from Laos, Myanmar, and Yunnan, the menu showcases the skill of its chefs through clay pots, woks, and open grills, creating dishes that are intensely spiced and perfectly balanced. You're encouraged to grab a seat at the ground-floor counter to watch the kitchen in action, adding a dynamic element to the experience.

Highlights include aged Cull Yaw and cumin skewers, grilled pork jowl with Ubon relish, jungle curry with smoked kippers, and slow-grilled John Dory, all complemented by sides such as sticky rice and brown jasmine rice.

• Location: 35 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0NX
• Price: ££
• Cuisine: Korean 
• Why we recommend: Calong is quietly exceptional, blending nostalgia, precision, and flavour, and we think that the fried chicken alone is worth a visit

Perched on Stoke Newington Church Street, Calong is a Bib Gourmand-awarded neighbourhood bistro that combines comforting food with precise technique. Chef-owner Joo Won draws on the flavours of his Korean heritage, reconnecting with childhood inspirations after a pivotal trip back to Korea. This personal narrative is subtly woven into a menu that marries European foundations with thoughtful Korean touches.

Signature offerings like Joo's fried chicken (crispy, juicy, and addictive) sit alongside seasonal creations such as Cornish pollock with mooli jorim. The warm, relaxed interiors will make you feel right at home, and make sure you save room for dessert.