Best places to eat in London

[Dnk]

Without having to hand over your wallet 

One needs to be a good Chinese as my guest is from Shanghai

Doing all the usual searches but interested in anyones recommendations 

[rider]

There are loads of restaurants in China Town, I've never had a bad meal there even in places that look like transport cafes.

Be careful what you wish to emulate. I've had meals in Shanghai hotels that cost £100's. So you wont compete on exclusivity or ambiance, a China Town transport café might just tick the tasty and different box. Chinese colleagues I've known tend to particularly like American food, burgers more than steaks so you might win by going to an upmarket burger place.

[Dnk]

15 minutes ago, rider said:

There are loads of restaurants in China Town, I've never had a bad meal there even in places that look like transport cafes.

Be careful what you wish to emulate. I've had meals in Shanghai hotels that cost £100's. So you wont compete on exclusivity or ambiance, a China Town transport café might just tick the tasty and different box. Chinese colleagues I've known tend to particularly like American food, burgers more than steaks so you might win by going to an upmarket burger place.

Yes for sure, Chinatown is a good option 

[AC93]

China Tang at Dorchester, 10/10 food!

[Dnk]

18 hours ago, AC93 said:

China Tang at Dorchester, 10/10 food!

Not sure my wallet could live with the bill but I imagine its first class, I see a hotpot dish on the menu I know she would like but £220 for two is a tad over my budget really. Sweet n sour chicken in there looks doable though at £24 

Edited October 6, 2022 by Dnk (see edit history)

[Tyson]

Is there a particular area that you are going to be in? I'd go on trip advisor to look for places around where you are visiting/staying in London as it's a big old place! As a rule of thumb, the place where all the local Chinese people go is usually the one you want. They don't look the best, but the food will be authentic and tasty! It's the principle I operate on whenever I go on holiday, and it hasn't failed me yet  But that would involve winging it and a bit of wandering.

[Dnk]

13 hours ago, Tyson said:

Is there a particular area that you are going to be in? I'd go on trip advisor to look for places around where you are visiting/staying in London as it's a big old place! As a rule of thumb, the place where all the local Chinese people go is usually the one you want. They don't look the best, but the food will be authentic and tasty! It's the principle I operate on whenever I go on holiday, and it hasn't failed me yet  But that would involve winging it and a bit of wandering.

Doing all the usual searches and just wanted some on the ground info, area doesn't matter to be honest 

 

[wattwatt]

I guess it all depends on what style of dinner you want to give and the relationship with the guest?

If want an experience and the theatre of something very different then Dans Le Noir is a must but it is only really for the foodie/experience type person as you select 1 of 4 menu colours having no idea what is being served and you eat in pure darkness so it heightens different senses, you’re essentially blind for the meal. It’s not silly expensive and something different.

If you wanted to come slightly out of london and head to Chigwell then Sheesh (Posh Turkish) is outstanding and host 100’s of celebrity’s and although is a little more then above but one of my favourites.

American style food and on the cheaper side then 100% I would say one of the 3 Hard Rock Cafes, the main and first one being the one in Park Lane and would be the one I would choose but they can all be a little hit and miss.

If want more Asian style then I would suggest Novikov in Mayfair, its again slightly more pricy but it has two sides one Asian and other is Italian, had two great meals in there and would happily go back, both times I went for the Asian as its amazing.

Like everyone said above if want cheaper and more traditional then I would say a visit to China Town would be the best bet.

 

[Dnk]

28 minutes ago, wattwatt said:

I guess it all depends on what style of dinner you want to give and the relationship with the guest?

If want an experience and the theatre of something very different then Dans Le Noir is a must but it is only really for the foodie/experience type person as you select 1 of 4 menu colours having no idea what is being served and you eat in pure darkness so it heightens different senses, you’re essentially blind for the meal. It’s not silly expensive and something different.

If you wanted to come slightly out of london and head to Chigwell then Sheesh (Posh Turkish) is outstanding and host 100’s of celebrity’s and although is a little more then above but one of my favourites.

American style food and on the cheaper side then 100% I would say one of the 3 Hard Rock Cafes, the main and first one being the one in Park Lane and would be the one I would choose but they can all be a little hit and miss.

If want more Asian style then I would suggest Novikov in Mayfair, its again slightly more pricy but it has two sides one Asian and other is Italian, had two great meals in there and would happily go back, both times I went for the Asian as its amazing.

Like everyone said above if want cheaper and more traditional then I would say a visit to China Town would be the best bet.

 

Thanks that's really helpful but not sure about the eating in the dark experience  like the look of Novikov though and not crazy expensive for where it is. 

Think we'll be keeping around the central area so the Turkish place is probably a non starter, cracking building 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Dnk (see edit history)

[wattwatt]

4 minutes ago, Dnk said:

Thanks that's really helpful but not sure about the eating in the dark experience  like the look of Novikov though and not crazy expensive for where it is. 

Think we'll be keeping around the central area so the Turkish place is probably a non starter 

Yeah the Sheesh was a wild card, they are currently building one in london but not sure when it opens compared to when your guest is over, I did have a quick look online but couldn’t find any dates.

Novikov is amazing and I’d be surprised if you where disappointed if you went for a meal there, plus its location is great with plenty of things to do after with bars ect, and as you say for its location its not crazy expensive.

Eating in the Dark is such an amazing experience, but its certainly out there on things to do and most people I chat to about it are like I’m crazy! Me & Mrs have been 3 times now, when they change the menu and enjoyed it every time. The atmosphere was lacking on the last visit tho maybe since COVID, which did spoil the experience as when it ‘felt’ packed it was more engaging, hearing everyone else trying to work out what they eating and where things are on the table is funny as hell