In need of a breather from the 100 miles per hour nature of the capital? Find the best restaurants for casual dining in London with our hand-picked guide! Featuring laidback eateries with a touch of urban NYC, easygoing restaurants playing sweet soul music and stripped back cafes with spectacular views of the Shard, recharge those batteries at our recommended picks for casual restaurants in London.
Looking for further inspiration? Check out our complete guide to the best restaurants in London!
Last updated on 20th September 2018
Proving that not all restaurants in West London are super pricey is Rosa's, a cute little Thai spot. With a laid-back and simple setting as well as an affordable menu, this spot serves up delicious South East Asian food, from Beef Mussaman Curry through to Pad Thai.
Once your nose leads you into Bababoom, you'll feel more than welcomed by the attentive staff. Sit down for a relaxed meal of charcoal grilled meats, Persian flatbreads, and punchy vegetables, all filled with delicious Middle Eastern flavours and sourced from quality British produce at one of their great restaurants in Battersea and Islington.
Struggling to find a decent casual dining spot in South London. Fear not, the team at Meat & Shake are here to help. The venue has made a name for itself by serving fine cuts of seasoned halal meat. Enjoy a belly-warming brisket, sink your chops into a seasoned steak or enjoy a cheese and sauce topped burger that's full of attitude.
Dining in London can sometimes feel like a bit of a fuss, so take away the strain of choosing somewhere to go and let The Cow be your guide instead. A hearty gastro inspired eatery in the heart of Westfield Stratford, head on down for cosy dining, charming plates and a laid-back enviroment.
The restaurant found in the heart of one of London's most notorious clubbing destinations is one of your more unlikely places to eat but ahead of the wave when it comes to casual dining in London. Haymarket Kitchen in Tiger Tiger boasts vibrant interiors and a relaxed aesthetic where you can enjoy a curated international menu with influence from Mexico to Europe.
Based on the simple philosophy of using fresh ingredients to make stunning dishes, Walkers of Whitehall has established a reputation for serving exquisite dinners and brunch in a casual environment. From a traditional full English breakfast to a cumin leg of lamb and bavette steak, served with chimichirra, their talented line-up of chefs have worked hard to create a menu of flavoursome, traditional gastro dishes that explode straight off the palete.
Nothing says a casual meal out in London quite like a leafy, suburban boozer. Enjoy just that as Duke on the Green in Parsons Green is a charming getaway from the bustle of the capital; primed with gastro dishes, cold pints and casual spaces aplenty.
A firm favourite for pubbing out west, Ealing Park Tavern is a cosy place to enjoy some beer, seasonal foods and a laid back atmosphere. A pretty casual place to dine in London, you can enjoy your dinner in its rustic countryside setting where stags heads and antlers adorn the walls. Settle down over a weekend or head here for some comforting after work drinks too.
This Venetian-style backstreet wine bar is the perfect spot to chill out with some young Italian wines and delicious Italian small plates designed for sharing thanks to its laidback atmosphere and love of all things Italian.
Laid back and relaxed in everything it does, the newly opened Humble Grape on Fleet Street will undoubtedly become a favourite spot for the City's many workers. Beautifully crafted with sleek furniture, exposed brick walls and simple decor, the team offer over 30 different varieties of wine for the venue's guests. If that wasn't enough, guests can accompany their drinks with a selection of delicious, casual dishes, created by the venue's head chef Anna Allan.
Boasting a lively atmosphere and a Modern American menu Smollenky's is an East London restaurant perfect for casual dining in London. With a dedicated bar downstairs as well as an expansive outdoor terrace where you can lap up views over Reuters Plaza, Smollensky's is a Canary Wharf favourite for all things food, drink and socialising.
Ain't nothing a more casual dining restaurant in London than a brew pub in Angel where gleaming copper stills can be marvelled at behind the bar. Chug on some of their in house brewed stuff or try out the craft beers matched to each of the plates on their hearty menu of British classics. Satisfying all pub folk and craft connoisseurs, you'll find heaven here.
Head down to Covent Garden for some deliciously fun pizzas and Fire and Stone. Around the corner from the renowned London theatres, they serve up a fun menu of delicious global pizzas, coming from cities like Mumbai and Casablanca, as well as loads of refreshing cocktails.
With its light, airy interiors and afternoon charm, there's nowhere more casual to enjoy a meal close to Victoria than Royal Quarter. Hunker down for a selection of international and epicurean dishes filled with poise and flavour.
Granted, Blues can create a raucous atmosphere as the evening wears on and those bourbon cocktails take over. It's a more laidback affair a little earlier in the day, though, as guests cosy up in booths and bond over platefuls of glorious Texan BBQ. One of our favourite chilled out restaurants in London and a popular choice if you're heading out in Shoreditch, finish off with a sing and a dance to those soothing blues tunes.
Masala Wala is a charming and friendly Pakistani restaurant that is great for everything from a catch-up through to a relaxed date night. Head to Brockley to find the spot that's run by a mother-daughter team, along with finding plenty of delicious dishes.
The Pizza Pilgrims team are opening yet another site in London, this time setting up shop in Canary Wharf. Known for creating authentic, Neapolitan pizzas that are topped with the most flavoursome ingredients, this new East London venue also offers 16-player foosball tables, plasma screen TVs and vintage video games.
Looking for a chilled out restaurant in London with something a little extra for afterwards? It's time you met The Exhibit, a hub for eating, drinking and socialising in Balham. Check out their Dinner and a movie nights, where you can get a large plate from the main menu and a ticket to their snug independent cinema for less than £20. A great choice for a casual date night in London.
Looking for a laid-back neighbourhood restaurant and bar in Exmouth Market? Coin Laundry has your name all over it; serving up proper comfort food, rejuvenated 70s cocktails and a big fat slice of nostalgia in a cosy and comfortable setting. Come for a couple of drinks or play some kerplunk in the basement; there's an 'anything goes' spirit that makes Coin Laundry an excellent option for a casual London meal.
Foundation is an underground playground for adults, where social eating out experiences feature boxed up burgers and hand-rolled pizzas. Make your way down for happy hour and get up to 50% off platters and while you're here you might as well grab a drink or two; cocktails are served in vintage storage jars, milk bottles and other quirky vessels.
Using fresh and bold flavours, Viet Hoa in East London has been delighting diners with their traditional Vietnamese flavours. Located on the Kingsland Road, the restaurant serves everything from spring rolls through to Pho.
Based in the heart of Britain's political world, The Loose Box was created with the busy working populace in mind. Open early in the morning to cater for Westminster's many early risers, the restaurant-cum-cafe serves a number of delicious dishes throughout the day. Using only the freshest ingredients available and working had to ensure they cast the smallest possible carbon footprint, each meal and sharing platter is stunningly refreshing and will leave guests smiling from ear to ear.
Hankering for a meal in Holborn? Sick of stuffy, stuck up restaurants? Then we think you deserve something fresh and new to try. Found in the heart of Holborn, Balls Brothers Shoe Lane is a classic dining space known for its affordable British plates, top notch drinks menu and laid-back charm. Tuck in, and enjoy.
Clerkenwell & Social are pretty casual about their bookings policies. So relaxed, in fact, that you can reserve an area or a table for drinks here with no minimum spend involved. A literary themed venue renowned for its homemade bitters and syrups, while away the hours with great cocktails and delight at an Italian-inspired menu where everything is made from scratch at this laid back London restaurant.
Based on Bond Street in the beating heart of London, Lazeez Tapas restaurant serves authentic Lebanese dishes to the city's hungry crowds. The restaurant uses locally coursed ingredients and meats, alongside a handful of ingredients imported from Lebanon, to create authentic plates that are perfect for sharing. From seasoned lamb to fresh seafood treats, this restaurant has to be up there with the best tapas spots in the city.
Well Street Pizza is an ideal place to chill out, thanks to their delicious cocktails and craft beer, coupled with their wood-fire cooked, Neapolitan pizzas. And if you fancy a late night drinking spot, their basement speakeasy is great for that.
Meat People is a laid back diner in North London that has been built with the people in mind. Head down to this charming, communal restaurant and tuck into a menu of delightful dishes - all made from the highest quality cuts of meat and freshest ingredients... and all locally sourced too! Whatever dish you opt for, why not accompany with a glass of vino from their impressive selection, or wash it down with a classic cocktail?
Located in Chiswick, Charlotte's Bistro is a casual and easy restaurant in East London. Food is sourced from local suppliers and follows the seasons, while cocktails are inventive and unusual - nettle tonic, anyone?
Whether you are settling in for a meal or quick bite while seeing London's sights, Aubaine is here for you. In the convenient location just outside Hyde Park, they serve up some amazing French and European food, making it the best spot for a relaxed bite whatever time of day.
Kicking things up a notch in South London's casual dining scene, Cartel in Battersea has won over many hearts with its fiery flavours. Inspired by the streetside food vendors found in the cities of Mexico, Cartel delivers hand-pressed tacos that have all been seasoned with fresh spices and ingredients. From pulled chicken cooked in Mezcal to slow-cooked beef brisket, each plate served at this fun restaurant in London definitely packs a punch.
While Drake and Morgan is a laid back venue perfect for a catch up with friends, they don't skimp on quality. Head there for some delicious grilled meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, or stop by one of their two bars for fabulous cocktails and tasty wines.
Relaxed and welcoming - yet seriously stylish - Ping Pong specialises in seasonal, bite-size dim sum, refreshing cocktails and theatrical Chinese teas. It's a stunning place for some food and drinks in the heart of Covent Garden, with three floors each as beautifully designed and vibrant as the last.
A popular destination for people looking to wind down after work, WE ARE BAR sits right next to Liverpool Street station and boasts an expansive outdoor terrace area, perfect for alfresco dinner and drinks. Head here to peruse their extensive wine collection and enjoy their British cuisine with an international twist for an informal dining experience in London.
An informal restaurant in London turn wine bar, Jamies Minories knows how to do casual dining with a bit of style. Tuck into their small plates, platters or dedicated lunch and evening menus for some British inspired plates with an international twist. Sipping one some glorious vino and tucking into delicious foods sounds pretty alright doesn't it.
How to get good food in London without any of the fuss? Head down to Gotta Trattoria, who serve up a daily changing menu of delicious Italian food that blends in flourishes of British into the mix. Their alfresco dining area is perfect for the summer months, and their drinks range from home-made vermouth to a signature bottled negroni.
It might have a slick City venue on Finsbury Square, but Burdock is a bundle of fun. The venue whips up a seasonal storm, with sharing plates including goodies such as lobster and pork belly, as well as a selection of gorge-worthy milkshakes. Head to the bar for a selection of craft beers and shuffleboard.
With its stripped back interiors and easy-going pasta menu, Pasta Remoli is a great casual restaurant in London. Head up to Finsbury Park to find their fresh homemade pasta, which can be topped however you like, or following the chef's recommendations.
For some informal dining in London that promises hearty British plates of classic food, Jamies St Mary at Hill. Tuck into sharing platters, small plates, burgers and big plates like their cracking pie of the day or ribeye steak. Boasting quite the collection of fine wines as well, Jamies is a casual restaurant with style.
Tank and Paddle is the City's newest spot for a quick lunch or stellar after-work pints as the venue brings you some seriously delicious pizza and beer. Located minutes from Monument, there's a huge range of delicious stone-baked pizza and craft beer comes from their Meantime brewery - ensuring it's wonderfully fresh.
Tucked away in Paddington Basin, not only are Lockhouse known for a supreme selection of craft beers, they're here to help all your casual dining needs with some of the very best in award-winning burgers and bites.
Hankering after a casual place to eat in London? A destination that not only boasts views of The Shard and riverside views of the Thames, but a top roster of gastro plates to boot? Then you've come to the right place. Chilled, charming and perfect for the hungry, tuck into top plates and wile the night away.
Set in a formerly disused car park, the Bermondsey Bar & Kitchen has casual dining in London down to a tee. Come and make yourself comfortable inside this truly unique oasis, foods are honest and beautifully created and they've paired up with a classy selection of drinks. Make for the snug garden area to chill out with great views of the Shard.
Showcasing the finest flavours that Mexico has to offer, Cantina Laredo infuses traditional recipes with contemporary twists. Based in Covent Garden, the team of chefs have curated a truly intriguing menu, where each dish has been produced by mixing authentic ingredients with modern-day cooking techniques. Working with a range of meats, spices and vegetables, the kitchen reproduces the same dishes that can be found in some of Mexico's regional cities. Full of flavour and with a few spirit-heavy cocktails to boot, you'll definitely leave with a grin etched on your face.
Echoing some rustic Spanish style and offering a menu of small plates and platters, you can nibble on tapas inspired plates at Jamie's Suffolk Lane. The epitome of casual dining in London, this wine bar turn spot for dinner is a favourite among city folk thanks to its underground spec of brickwork arches and character.
The Birds in Leytonstone has been given a make over, keeping its traditional boozer charm and adding a heap of kitsch interiors inspired by Alfred Hitchcock. As well as a delicious pub menu, great craft beer selection and quaint beer garden, the venue also hosts regular events from brunch through to bingo.
Being modelled around Indian dive bars, it's a given that Talli Joe is a casual, fun restaurant. Delivering on delicious dishes just a few moments from Convent Garden, they serve up wonderful plates of traditional and regional Indian food alongside Indian inspired cocktails, making an overall relaxed night out.
Humble Grape is an utterly charming, industrial-inspired, casual restaurant in Battersea. Head down into this split-level hangout and you'll be greeted by an interior that's simply oozing with character - expect rugged wooden tables and pews, and cork-laced walls. This chic cavern rustles up plenty of delectable charcuterie platters for you to chow down on as you sip on a premium glass of organic wine.
We need to talk about The Four Thieves' Gin Yard. A charming alfresco space with ample comfy seating and artworks lining the walls, the space is covered all winter so it's really cosy all year round. Head out here with a drink or two before dinner and enjoy those relaxing vibes, they grow the lavender used in their gin out here, so it smells great too. Head chef Richard Allen prepares a menu of seasonal and fresh British pub classics when it's time to eat.
Delivering delicious comfort food at all time of the day and accompanying each dish with an ice-cold drink, Smith of Smithfield is a vibrant, four storey restaurant in Central London. Decorated with distinctly rustic decor, the restaurant's talented team of chefs work with the best cuts of meat that Britain's farmers have to offer, butchering, seasoning and grilling each cut on site before serving it to the many guests that walk through the door. To help wash the copious amounts of comfort food down, the bar offers 60 different types of craft beer and an array of handcrafted cocktails.
Based in Wandsworth, Stillwater is a fun-loving cocktail bar and kitchen that serve some of the best flavours in South London. Chef Brett Milligan has worked tirelessly to produce an enticing menu of Cajun food, while cocktail masters Dan Priseman (previously of NOLA Bar in Shoreditch) and Simon Webster have produced a line-up of classic concoctions that can compete with any in London.
All day breakfasts, buttermilk pancakes, hotdogs, all kinds of different hamburgers; you can tuck into them all at The Diner in Soho. It's a classic laidback spot that harks back to the classic 1950s diner scene, with hungry Londoners dropping in to get a plateful of these indulgent American favourites. Away from the feast of classic Stateside grub, there's beers, boozy shakes and hard teas to try!
