For some people, life’s small pleasures are all about food and drink. And a quick search of the culinary delights available for London foodies will return thousands of results. But even when trying to refine our search further, it can still leave us with a bewildering number of options.

To make it easier, we’ve come up with a selection of fantastic choices for everyone to enjoy. From fine coffee merchants to the most sophisticated Asian platters, we’ve got it covered. And the good news is that all of these places are easy to commute to and cover a range of budgets to suit everybody.

Guide for London Foodies

London foodies have never had it so good! It doesn't matter what specific tastes we have, this famous capital has something to keep everybody extremely happy. It isn't just the abundance of cafes and restaurants that are worth a mention; although this city does present every option imaginable from street vendors to Michelin-star venues.

The London foodie scene continues with tours and tasting experiences, cookery courses, farmers markets, nutrition lessons, opportunities to grow your own food as well as breweries and cheesemongers as well. It really is the complete package perfect for anyone with a devotion to all things culinary.

London is steeped in traditional history and that goes for its gastronomic offering too. Events such as afternoon tea date back to the 1800s when The Langham took on the ceremony adopted by Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting and made it a regular spectacle. Good ‘ol pie and mash shops began to spring up around the docks in the East End around the same time. And a young man named Joseph Malin introduced London to fish and chips during the same era.

The capital developed its culinary prowess over the following century; surviving and evolving during wars and economic turmoil. Nothing can hold it back and the food lovers in London are now living the dream as a result.

Mayfair's Restaurants Perfect for Foodies

Mayfair is just one are that offers opulent dining experiences like no other and with such a variety of food on offer, we guarantee you'll find something to enjoy.

Native at Browns

Location: 39 Brook Street, London, W1K 4JE
Price: £20+
Website: https://www.nativerestaurant.co.uk/

Browns is a fashion institution in the heart of Mayfair. Moving from the original location on South Molton Street in 2021 gave the brand an opportunity to partner with another industry pioneer. And they welcomed Native’s eco-conscious dining ethos with open arms. Many wondered about the match originally. But it soon proved to be the perfect fit and now has an army of fans that simply can’t get enough of this fantastic eatery with a zero waste policy.

Their Mayfair restaurant serves as the perfect oasis in the heart of a shopper's paradise. There’s a lush courtyard setting and a small interior dining area as well. When the great British weather permits, it’s always fantastic to take advantage of a little al fresco dining in the capital. The menu changes with the seasons and new additions make their way into the spotlight as the incredible chef, Ivan Tisdall-Downes, has moments of inspiration. Ingredients are sourced from growers that share Native’s sustainability values and will please vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

Mercato Metropolitano

Location: St. Mark's Church, North Audley St, Mayfair, London
Website: https://mercatometropolitano.com/mmarketplace/mercato-mayfair/

London foodies will find themselves in their element at the Mercato Metropolitano. The sustainable community market has 2 levels of food halls with a roof terrace and even a wine cellar. St Mark’s Church was built in the 1820s but like many churches in the UK, dwindling congregation sizes left the building without purpose. In 2019, the market was developed here and it has remained its home ever since.

Mercato Mayfair is a proud cultural hub of sustainable food with fresh ingredients that are sustainably sourced. It’s open to the public and dogs are also welcome. Food and drinks stalls prepare fresh offerings on-site and include a gin bar, authentic gelato stand, pizza, groceries, Asian fusion and much more.

NAC

Location: 41 North Audley St, Mayfair, London
Price: £25+
Website: https://www.naclondon.co.uk/

One of our favourite foodie places in London is NAC on North Audley Street. Serving up brunch, lunch and dinner, the home of globally inspired comfort food has a fantastic range of options that are sure to send our taste buds into a frenzy.

The beautifully decorated French bistro enjoys banquette seating surrounded by simple whitewashed brick walls. There’s a buzz and energy constantly flowing throughout the day and night with scores of eager diners making their way in from all over the city. On warmer days, it’s also possible to take advantage of the small terrace out on North Audley Street.

Apricity

Location: 68 Duke Street, Mayfair, London W1K 6JU
Price: £20+
Website: https://www.apricityrestaurant.com/

Multi-award-winning chef/owner, Chantelle Nicholson, created the Apricity vision and has followed through with her ethos with the most fabulous attention to detail. She’s committed to moving towards a circular economy that reduces waste and introduces more sustainable ways of creating her dishes.

Ingredients are locally sourced from growers and farmers that share all of the important principles that set Chantelle off on this journey of discovery in the first place. As a result, the menu changes regularly to accommodate the availability of veggies, fruits, meat, fish and dairy products.

There are both ‘a la carte’ and taster menu options that accommodate meat and plant-based diets. And there’s a wine pairing option to add that special touch to a wonderful culinary experience.

Kai

Location: 65 South Audley Street, London
Price: £40+
Website: https://www.kaimayfair.co.uk/

The award-winning Kai restaurant has held its Michelin star since 2009 and has become a favoured setting for London foodies over the last few years. The restaurant boasts ‘A strong respect for heritage and craft, an insatiable appetite for innovation with purpose, and a clear & distinct personality in every dish’.

And they live up to this ethos through each and every dish that they produce. The cuisine is Nanyang Chinese which includes many dishes that are completely unique in their flavours and presentation. Kai enjoys an unrivalled place on the podium for the best Chinese restaurant, certainly in Mayfair—if not the entire capital.

The restaurant is in extremely high demand so booking is always advisable. For those who are able to visit for the lunchtime seating, there is a full ‘a la carte’ menu available with exclusive lunchtime prices.

H.R. Higgins Coffee Merchants

Location: 79 Duke Street London
Price: £5+
Website: https://www.hrhiggins.co.uk/

All London foodies with a keen love of tradition paired with an admiration for fine tea and coffee should certainly pay a visit to H.R. Higgins. Arguably one of the finest tea and coffee merchants in the entire capital, this Mayfair location has been an institution since 1986—although the company has been around since 1942. They offer a bespoke service for each and every customer. This allows everyone to find the perfect match for them using the unique selector tool which pairs coffee lovers with their next favourite blend.

The family-run business roasts its own coffee out in Waltham Abbey in the beautiful Epping Forest before bringing it to the eager customers in Mayfair. The business is now managed by David Higgins, the grandson of the original owner as the knowledge and expertise continue to make their way down through the generations.

London is an ideal destination for foodies with Mayfair being a hub of different cultures and cuisines for you to get stuck into. From the very best in fine dining to little eateries that offer the most authentic experiences you can have, Mayfair should be where you head next to test your palate.

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