Shopping, world-famous theatre and cocktail bars; the West End simply can't help itself in combining Covent Garden, Soho and Leicester Square to create one of the most bustling districts in the capital. But, you're looking hungry. From high-end to casual dining, it's not just shopping that this area does well, there's food, and plenty of it. Check out our picks for the best restaurants in the West End and make your trip to the heart of Theatreland worthwhile when it comes to brunch, lunch and dinner.
It doesn't matter whether you're going to a show or just settling in for lunch or dinner, there's plenty of drama at Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen. Inspired by the sweary chef's hit TV show, it serves up all of his classic dishes.
We're talking beef Wellington, lobster risotto and pan-seared scallops. The steaks are truly showstopping too, from the 500g chateaubriand to the 1.2kg wagyu tomahawk.
The Guinea delivers English pub charm with a silver service twist, delivering a menu packed with superior Scotch beef, award-winning pies and the finest beer and wine they can get their hands on. If you're looking for a cosy place to eat in the West End, this is your spot.
One of the best Italian restaurants in the West End, Obicà Mozzarella Bar is an authentic spot named after its signature dish. Expect to munch through small plates, pasta, pizza and secondi, all washed down by cocktails or wine.
The Empire Casino has a plethora of different things to get stuck into while exploring the West End, from thrilling casino games to luxury bars and live entertainment. However, if you really want a taste of luxury, head to the Asian-fusion restaurant for a stunning meal.
Get a taste of Rio de Janeiro in the West End as Cabana offers up Brazilian street food-style dishes. Think marinated skewers cooked on their custom-made grill, signature burgers, spicy wraps and Bahian coconut curries, all washed down with tropical cocktails.
Perched atop Page 8 Hotel, Kitty Hawk Rooftop Bar & Restaurant offers a breathtaking escape in London's vibrant West End. The space is bathed in golden light and adorned with burnt orange accents and boasts panoramic views that will leave you dazzled. On the menu, you'll find delicate plates of seafood (think Cornish lemon sole with wild sea greens, or North Sea halibut alongside chorizo), plus classics like fish and chips, and hearty triple-cooked chips to accompany.
Located in Kingly Court, Pizza Pilgrims Carnaby is a charming pizzeria exuding a groovy '60s vibe with a quirky Neapolitan twist. Not just your average Italian lunch joint, they serve a variety of authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas like 'nduja and Fiorentina, fried goodies such as oozy mozzarella-stuffed arancini, and a range of drinks to wash it all down.
When it comes to a romantic dinner in Central London, Balthazar is a prize winning affair. Start with oysters then indulge in the notable, international wine list as this gem comes at couples and customers alike with a high-end European menu of selectively sourced fare.
A Berwick Street mainstay, Ember Yard is a top-notch restaurant bar in the West End specialising in Spanish and Italian-inspired cuisine. Settle into its sleek interiors for delicious grill dishes such as the famous pork belly with Basque cider glaze, alongside a range of cocktails to match.
Located right in the centre of the West End, Boulevard Brasserie is a French restaurant worth visiting. Taking inspiration from 1960s Paris, this three-storey hub boasts a range of chic furnishings, alongside a mouthwatering menu. Think steak, afternoon tea and much more.
Whitcomb's is one of the best restaurants in the West End. Head to the French Mediterranean fine dining restaurant for elevated dishes of filet mignon, rigatoni au homard, filet de sole and so much more served in an elegant setting with a long list of handcrafted cocktails.
Looking for a top-notch spot among the hustle and bustle of Carnaby Street? Then be sure to head to The Ganton Arms. This much-loved haunt is the perfect location to enjoy some hearty pre-theatre pub fare or after-work cocktails.
8 at The Londoner is stunning Japanese restaurant located on top of the hotel in Leicester Square. Tuck into all manner of expertly prepared East Asian delights, including lobster gyoza tacos, sliced ribeye with wasabi butter and more.
The brainchild of renowned Executive Chef Ioannis Grammenos, Heliot Steak House proudly wears the crown of London's Best Steakhouse. Along with USDA Prime beef and a handpicked selection of the finest global cuts, its menu packs in succulent seafood, tender lamb and chicken, plus indulgent pasta and delicious vegetarian dishes.
The eating experience is just as exciting. Perched above the gaming floor of the Hippodrome Casino, you get a front row seat to the action down below.
Roti Chai is an acclaimed Indian restaurant in the heart of the West End. Offering an authentic, casual street kitchen serving tapas-style small plates downstairs and a high-end dining space, offering tandoor dishes and regional specialities on the upper level, it caters to all occasions.
Unlimited Asian tapas & sushi with free-flowing wine or beer £59.95 per person and 2 other offers
One of the coolest restaurants in the West End, Inamo serves Eastern dishes that range from sushi to Asian curries. That's not all though, as their interactive dining tables will have you order from trackpads, playing games between dishes and watching the chefs live from the kitchen.
Just because it's found in the heart of Tiger Tiger, doesn't mean these guys don't know what they're doing. One of the most affordable places to eat in the West End, Haymarket Kitchen is the perfect place to dine on international dishes before a big night out in the heart of the city.
When it comes to secret restaurants in the West End, this is the name that'll have you Google mappin' your heart out. Hidden in the heart of Chinatown, Opium is worth the find as you uncover a sexy and dimly lit restaurant of Eastern classics, dim sum and some of the best cocktails in town.
Located right on Bloomsbury Street (who'd have thought?), this pretty restaurant in the West End serves a menu of expertly-crafted Japanese and Mediterranean small plates, all of which can be complemented with a wide range of sake, fine wines and signature cocktails.
Byron Covent Garden and Tottenham Court Road are industrial-style joints decked out in brick walls, serving the perfect meal to enjoy before or after a night out at the theatre. They've got an array of burgers made using top-notch cuts that are aged to perfection. Their signature burger is the star of the show, featuring relish, red onion, pickles, and maple bacon, along with the Clucky, which is filled with buttermilk fried chicken, smashed avocado, and Sriracha hot honey.
Entertaining top names and boasting an eclectic roster of cocktails, it's not just the drinks and atmosphere that keep customers coming back to Quaglino's. This West End restaurant is primed for romantic nights out, with luxe interiors and European dishes with a Middle Eastern twist.
Hidden behind a discreet entrance on Charing Cross Road, Larry's is a sultry restaurant bar in an intimate basement space that has been around since 1896 - originally used as coal storage. The brick walls are lined with black and white photographs, above comfy leather booths where you can cosy up with a cocktail.
As part of the Daisy Green collection, you can expect Australian-inspired brunch dishes like the Bondi breakfast or an avocado and egg wrap, or swing by a little later for everything from yuzu gin salmon to harissa chicken. They also offer an affordable pre-theatre menu, costing £30 for three courses.
If you're searching for restaurants in Soho, then Bella Italia on Argyll Street is a top choice out of the Italian options. Head here to indulge in freshly made pasta, authentic pizzas and the venue's very own gelato van.
Jamavar is a two-story wonderland inspired by the Viceroy's house in New Delhi during the British Raj that marries India's rich heritage with the modern demands of 21st-century dining. Here, head chef Rohit Ghai, with his wealth of experience, has masterfully adapted traditional recipes to suit London's tastebuds, offering a mix of large and small plates, like the delectable lobster neeruli, coconut payasam, and Sindhi gosht.
Wander over to the West End for a delicious, Burmese feast thanks to the masterminds behind Lahpet. As one of the only London restaurants to specialise in Burmese cuisine, you'll find head chef Zaw whipping up fragrant plates on a daily basis, with a range of menus to choose from, including one for feasting and an express lunch. The space is bright and modern, with abstract tiles on the floor and dainty golden light fixtures hanging above. Pull up a chair and devour the likes of mutton curry, coconut noodles and cassava cake, served with jackfruit sorbet and crystallised pineapple.
Balans Soho Society is notorious around the West End for their tongue-in-cheek attitude and late night dining hours every day of the week. But it's all worth it, because their unstoppable menu of British classics and handcrafted cocktails are sure to impress.
Using fresh, sustainable ingredients and spices sourced straight from sub-Saharan West Africa, Ikoyi is a culinary experience you won't want to miss. This sleek Nigerian joint, run by duo chef Jeremy Chan and director Ire Hassan-Odukale, brings the heat with signature dishes like Jerusalem artichoke moin moin.
