390,000 people work in the City of London.
And 125,000 tonnes of fresh produce are traded through Billingsgate and Smithfield Markets a year.
…which works out as a pretty decent ratio of 3.12 tonnes per person.
Two facts that led us to strongly suspect that someone, somewhere, that isn’t Pret, is offering high-quality nosh to the people of the Square Mile. And upon closer inspection, it seems there’s quite a few such places.
So here they are, the finest restaurants in the City of London…
Psst… there are so many great restaurants in Farringdon, we’ve made a separate Farringdon guide
THE HOME OF NOSE-TO-TAIL DINING: ST. JOHN, SMITHFIELD
Not just one of the best restaurants in the City of London, but one of the most incredible restaurants in London, full stop(.) This former townhouse/smokehouse/greenhouse now plays host to a restaurant that champions the use of offal and unusual cuts of animals – and has received a Michelin star for its troubles.
Details: 26 St. John Street, Smithfield, The City, EC1M 4AY | Make a reservation at St John
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TOTAL BLOW-OUT: BOB BOB RICARD CITY
Finally locked down that deal at the business factory? Time to celebrate, City-style. Welcome to one of London’s most fantastically flamboyant restaurants, with polished wood, vintage-styled chandeliers, mirrors and shimmering metal as far as the eye can see. Sibling to the original Bob Bob Ricard in Soho, BBRC follows up with that signature booth seating, those Press for Champagne buttons, a Franco-Russian menu and a cellar full of Armagnac from 1888…
PERK: Nudge Members are currently enjoying 40% off the menu at BBRC (except additional caviar) until the end of August. Find out more here.
Details: 122 Leadenhall Street, The City, EC3V 4QT | Make a reservation at Bob Bob Ricard City
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A SWANKY INDIAN, FIT FOR ENTERTAINING: BRIGADIERS
There’s no stopping the Sethi Siblings. With countless Michelin-starred restaurants already under their belt (Trishna, Gymkhana, Hoppers etc.) they’re now trying their hand at Indian BBQ, served-up in a swanky, City-slicker playground with cocktails on tap and a private pool room boasting its own whisky vending machine.
Details: 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, Bank, The City, EC4N 8AR | Make a reservation at Brigadiers
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15-COURSE SECRET TASTING MENUS: RESTAURANT ST. BARTS
Restaurant St. Barts comes to you from the highly talented team behind Nest, and it takes you on a literal journey around the restaurant (which overlooks the tranquil cloisters of an ancient church) and a slightly more figurative journey across your own palate.
It all starts in their cozy bar where the waiter will give you a small brown envelope containing the menu, leaving it to you as to whether you decide to look or not. Then, you’ll get the first few courses served up to you while you sip cocktails and wine, before they move you into their beautiful Nordic style dining room for at least half a dozen main courses, followed by a couple of desserts, and a lot more wine…
Details: 63 Bartholomew Close, EC1A 7BG | Make a reservation at Restaurant St Barts
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A GRADE II-LISTED FARRINGDON INSTITUTION: THE QUALITY CHOP HOUSE
The Quality Chop House first opened as a working-man’s caff back in 1896 and has remained a restaurant of some sort ever since, meaning it’s been feeding the good folk of Farringdon for over 150 years. The latest incarnation opened in 2012, keeping all of the original features – dark wooden pews and a charming black and white chequered floor – but modernising the menu just enough to serve expertly-cooked, seasonally-led takes on traditional British food, alongside a small but well-considered list of New and Old World Wines.
NOTE: Next door you’ll find Quality Wines, a wine bar and restaurant serving small plates with a more European slant, at close-set tables lit by candlelight.
Details: 88-94 Farringdon Road, Farringdon, The City, EC1R 3EA | Make a reservation at Quality Chop House
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THE ULTIMATE STEAKHOUSE: HAWKSMOOR GUILDHALL
The Hawksmoor restaurants seem to be locked in a continual arms race with each other to sport the most impressive interiors (and their latest, Hawksmoor Wood Wharf, might just have pipped it with its position on the water in Canary Wharf). But Hawksmoor Guildhall is everything you could want from a restaurant in the City: convivial, relaxed, but sporting a noble sheen thanks to oxblood leather chairs, parquet flooring and polished wooden wall panelling. And if the setting didn’t already seal the deal you’re making, their trademark dictionary-thick, Ginger Pig-butchered steaks and classic cocktails will.
Details: 10-12 Basinghall Street, EC2V 5BQ | Make a reservation at Hawksmoor Guildhall
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A CHOPHOUSE LIKE NO OTHER: BLACKLOCK CITY
Blacklock City is housed inside an old electricity substation that’s been built on the site of a medieval meat market – and the subterranean venue feels just as steeped in history as you’d hope. It’s almost as beautiful as the menu, which has been freshly updated for the summer with new additions like crayfish cocktails, and meat-free mushroom & baby leek kebabs to go with their classic lineup of chops & steaks grilled with a Victorian-style blacklock iron.
Details: 13 Philpot Lane, Bank, EC3M 1DE | Make a reservation at Blacklock City
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18 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG: MORO
Inspired by a three month journey through Spain, Morocco and the Sahara, husband and wife team Samuel and Samantha Clark decided to open Moro, a relaxed neighbourhood restaurant showcasing all of the exciting Moorish flavours they discovered along the way. It didn’t take long for the queues to start. And they’re still there, 27 years, and two younger sisters later. Which says it all really.
Details: 34-36 Exmouth Market, Farringdon, EC1R 4QE | Make a reservation at Moro
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MEXICAN-JAPANESE FUSION ON A ROOFTOP: LOS MOCHIS LONDON CITY
Los Mochis London City is the bigger sibling to the original Los Mochis in Notting Hill (which also happens to have one of London’s best hidden restaurants inside it). The charms of their City restaurant, however, are plain for all to see: 14,000sqft of dazzling interiors (including two bars and several private dining rooms); 9th floor views over City landmarks like St. Paul’s; truly inventive fusion cooking that melds Mexican and Japanese influences to create dishes like truffled guacamole on crispy rice… aaand a 3,000sq ft roof terrace with killer views, a party soundtrack and a roving Champagne trolley.
Details: 100 Liverpool Street, EC2M 2AT | Make a reservation at Los Mochis London City
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400+ WINES, ZERO PRETENTIOUSNESS: HUMBLE GRAPE FLEET STREET
Scientifically proven to be more delicious than humble pie, Humble Grape is a restaurant-slash-wine-bar that serves light Modern European cuisine designed around their meagre 400-strong cellar. Oh, and the whole complex is set within the atmospheric 300 year-old vaults of St. Bride’s Church, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Not that they like to brag about it.
Details: 1 St Bride’s Passage, The City, EC4Y 8EJ | Make a reservation at Humble Grape
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FRESH PASTA & SPRITZES: LINA STORES CITY
Lina Stores plugs an important gap: amongst the sandwich shops and uber-luxe, client-schmoozing restaurants in the City, here’s somewhere to take a date to, catch up with friends, and let your hair down a bit. It’s the third outpost of the fresh pasta specialist, where you’ll also find Italian dishes to share and a beautiful chrome-topped cocktail bar…
Details: 19 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR | Make a reservation at Lina Stores
Venturing further afield? Check out the best restaurants in Shoreditch