As one of the culinary capitals of the world, London boasts some of the finest modern contemporary restaurants you’ll have the pleasure of visiting, and around the cultural hub that is Trafalgar Square, there are no exceptions to the rule. Before or after taking in all the famous sites, you can enjoy an array of sumptuous cuisine from local modern British fare, tasting menus that celebrate the best in Chinese and Indian cuisine, classic Italian food as well as good old-fashioned steak houses. Throw in a few special cocktail bars or a classic British afternoon tea experience, and you’ll have tasted the best restaurants in Trafalgar Square and its popular surroundings.
And with Christmas coming up, this is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat after a day of shopping and visiting the iconic Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. So, whatever you’re in the mood for, check out the best restaurants in Trafalgar Square, London, and get your next great meal out sorted.
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Feeling peckish after a day of sightseeing? Here are the best restaurants in Trafalgar Square to book right now
For group bookings and contemporary Chinese cuisine – try Gouqi London in Charing Cross
Gouqi London is Charing Cross’ answer to traditional Chinese cuisine with a modern twist. Tuck into an array of different menus and offers, with the Gouqi tasting menu, the Deluxe tasting menu, and the signature 3-course sharing menu. There’s also a dedicated lunch menu, a theatre menu with a cocktail and a special New Year’s Eve experience for ending the year with a bag. The sharing menu is a great place to start if you’re in a group with delights such as the supreme royal dim sum platter and crispy aromatic duck salad, followed by tenderloin beef with black pepper sauce, claypot san pei chicken, and chargrilled silver cod. If you’re looking for afternoon tea, try out the Chinese Dragon afternoon tea featuring dim sum, octopus, prawn and spinach dumplings, sesame prawn toast, and drunken chicken rolls with mung bean noodles.
For a top-notch sharing menu for lunch or dinner – book at Tandoor Chop House in Covent Garden
Tandoor Chop House at Covent Garden is your go-to place in Trafalgar Square for tasty Indian cuisine, that merges a North Indian communal eatery with a classic British chop house. Prime cuts of meat combined with tandoor oven cooking and traditional Indian spices are a perfect partnership sure to satisfy your hunger. Choose from various menus such as the weekday lunch menu, the Sunday thali menu, the featsing 3-course sharing menu and of course the main menu. Highlights include great small plates such as seekh kebab roll and chickpea chaat with the succulent house tandoor chicken along with special dishes like the Amritsari crispy lamb chops and the Masala boti rubbed ribeye steak. And if you fancy the large feast sharing menu, you can select from two main tandoor dishes, plus sides, making sure you can try a bit of everything.
For one of the best restaurants near Trafalgar Square for great steaks and fine wines – visit Smith & Wollensky London in Covent Garden
Smith & Wollensky London, located on John Adam Street, near Trafalgar Square, is renowned for being one of the best steakhouses in the area. Known for its luxurious dining experience, this classic American-style steakhouse offers some of the finest USDA prime dry-aged steak, along with fine cuts of British and Irish beef. Highlights include the perfectly marbled 28-day dry-aged Irish swinging tomahawk steak, 450g Kansas cut bone-in sirloin and the premium Irish chateaubriand. Beyond the exceptional steak, Smith & Wollensky also boasts an impressive seafood menu, including cold-poached lobster, rock oysters and shellfish towers. On top of all that the restaurant’s wine list is award-winning, featuring a curated selection of international and local wines that pair beautifully with the dishes. With its elegant atmosphere, impeccable service, and commitment to serving top-quality meats and seafood, Smith & Wollensky stands out as a must-visit.
For romantic occasions and business meals – book at Ochre Restaurant in Charing Cross
Ochre Restaurant, nestled within the iconic National Gallery in Charing Cross, offers a refined dining experience that celebrates the finest British produce with a focus on origin, seasonality, and traceability. The restaurant’s interior blends modern elegance with a warm, inviting atmosphere, featuring light tones, soft lighting, and stylish decor—perfect for a romantic date. Diners can start their evening at the sophisticated cocktail bar, where expertly crafted cocktails set the tone for a special dining experience. The menu showcases some fantastic seasonal dishes, including Cornish crab and steak tartare to start, and Norfolk chicken schnitzel or pumpkin and ricotta sunflower ravioli for your main. Each dish highlights the quality and freshness of locally sourced ingredients, elevating the dining experience alongside the great service and atmosphere.
For one of the best restaurants in Trafalgar Square for a bottomless Sunday brunch – try Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden
Cinnamon Bazaar – Covent Garden lights up the local restaurant scene with its budget-friendly prices and its modern contemporary take on Indian cuisine, inspired by the bustling marketplaces along historic trade routes of old. the menu features a variety of Pan-Indian, street food-style dishes. Here you can tuck into menus from breakfast right through to dinner, combining traditional spices and flavours with modern cultural influences in a relaxing but vibrant atmosphere. Take your pick between the afternoon tea, pre and post-theatre menu, the set lunch menu (where kids under 8 eat for free), Bazaar bottomless Sunday brunch, and to celebrate the festive season, the Christmas day menu, and the New Year’s eve special menu. Make sure to try the Chaat Your Heart Out, for unlimited chaat and chai for two hours for two people. As for the dishes, Indo-Chinese chilli paneer and copra patties – Indore-style potato cakes -are both great starters. For mains, the Kolkata-style jackfruit curry and the tandoori Kentish lamb cannon are must-tries.
For one of the best restaurants in Trafalgar Square for special occasions – check out Ekstedt at The Yard in Westminster
Nestled in The Great Scotland Yard Hotel, Ekstedt at The Yard is the home of chef Niklas Ekstedt’s innovative take on ‘old Nordic’, a style of wood-fired cooking – which come to life from an open kitchen, perfect for diners who love to watch the action unfolds. A great spot for a special occasion and a unique dining experience, embark on a journey of the senses. The Journey to Scandinavia 5-course or 7-course set tasting menus boast Nordic-inspired fine dining dishes crafted using the finest British ingredients. This sensory experience includes smoked celeriac tart, beef tartar croustade and the ember-baked scallop. Depending on the course menu you’ve gone for, you might try birch-fired trout or the tasty pine-smoked wild duck breast. If that’s not enough, you can also visit for a Sunday roast or even a Chef’s table menu special, talking through each dish with the head chef.
For one of the best restaurants in Trafalgar Square for top-notch pizza – book at Fatto a Mano in Covent Garden
Fatto a Mano Covent Garden offers the traditional taste of Neapolitan pizza, in a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Known for its fresh, daily-made pizza dough, the restaurant buzzes with energy, making it the perfect spot for a casual meal with friends or family. After you’ve indulged in some tasty spicy beef ragu lasagna bites or a bruschetta burrata, you can sink your teeth into some of the finest Neapolitan pizzas. Try the Capricciosa with ham, salami, mushrooms, artichokes and black olives, the ‘nduja with spicy salami and roasted peppers or the Napoletana with Cetara anchovies, capers, and datterini tomatoes. If you don’t fancy a traditional tomato sauce base, there are plenty of ‘bianca’ or white pizzas to whet your appetite, such as the Salsiccia e friarielli with fennel sausage, broccoli, chilli, and smoked provola.
For date night – visit Paper Moon London in Charing Cross
Paper Moon London in Charing Cross is located in London’s iconic OWO building, offering a stylish and romance-fueled setting for an intimate meal to share with a special someone. Paper Moon’s menus reflect seasonal dishes from the streets of Milan. To get your meal off to a great start, check out some of the mouth-watering antipasti on offer like the pan-fried scallops with cauliflower cream or a beef tartare with burrata cream. Move on to pasta like spaghetti with large clams, ravioli with burrata cheese or seafood options like the pan-fried seabass or turbot.
For one of the best tasting menus in London – book at Colonel Saab Trafalgar Square in Covent Garden
Colonel Saab Trafalgar Square on William IV Street is a fabulous place to try out some traditional Indian cuisine specialising in small plates that are perfect for sharing. With an impressive tasting menu, you can try an array of dishes bursting with flavour and aromatic spices. Founded by Roop Partap Choudhary, Colonel Saab is a testimony of his parents’ journey across India, collecting traditional recipes for street food, home-style cooking and dishes that originated in royal kitchens. Head chef, Sohan Bhandari presents creations like tomato and lentil rasam with mini idli and puff pastry bites and spiced chickpeas and potatoes. You’ll also find paneer tikka, Madras spiced pulled chicken, and a choice of lamb, fish or kofta curry.
For one of the best cocktail bars near Trafalgar Square – don’t miss Blind Spot London in Covent Garden
Blind Spot London on St. Martin’s Lane, is a sophisticated speakeasy bar experimenting with tantalising flavours from all over the world. Quench your thirst and take your tastebuds on a trip from Cairo to Kyoto, through Mexico City, the streets of Mumbai, and more. Nestled within the classy St Martins Lane Hotel, this secretive bar comes straight out of an espionage thriller, with a golden handshake doorknob that allows you entry to this late-night speakeasy haunt. ‘Spin the globe’ as the menu encourages you to do and try a cocktail named after its home, such as the London, England with early-grey tea infused dry gin, or the Oaxaca, Mexico with tequila, grapefruit, chilli, citrus and coriander. To go with your drinks, check out the food menu with delightful bites like the tasty salmon gravlax from Malmo, Sweden, the heritage tomato bruschetta from Pisa, Italy and the chicken taco from Acapulco, Mexico.
For one of the best restaurants near Trafalgar Square for top-notch Thai cuisine – try Thai Square Trafalgar Square in Charing Cross
Thai Square Trafalgar Square is one of the best Thai restaurants you’ll find near Trafalgar Square. You’re welcomed by an open-planned restaurant with a split-level mezzanine via an elegant spiral staircase. Admire the ornate design and floral decorations that bring an air of nature and calm to your dining experience. Start off with some classic Thai favourites like Thai dumplings, with prawn and chicken filling, duck spring rolls, or the tangy salt and pepper squid. Moving onto the main dishes you have plenty to choose from. Try the laab sea bass, black cod with miso sauce, the Bangkok lamb or a classic green or red curry. The menu also includes plenty of vegetarian dishes, including papaya salad, vegetable green curry and pad thai tofu.
For a traditional British afternoon tea – visit Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London in Charing Cross
One of London’s best afternoon teas is served at Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London. Find yourself in the sophisticated and lavish surroundings of the Corinthia Hotel’s Crystal Moon lounge, the classy venue for a curated afternoon tea experience. This room is designed to highlight the key elements of a traditional tea ceremony, with an expert tea master who ensures your blend of tea is weighed and infused to perfection with custom blends to give you the ideal cup of tea. Diners can enjoy the interactive experience, immersing themselves and savouring delectable cakes and pastries that have been presented elegantly on high-class bone china. Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches such as smokehouse salmon and cream cheese or salted cucumber, chilli and coconut yogurt. Add on caviar and champagne for a truly luxurious experience.
For traditional British fare – check out Sael London in St. James
Sael London oozes style and sophistication in a homage to British culture and cuisine from each corner of the Isles. The newly opened restaurant, run by Jason Atherton, blends traditional flavours with global influences. You can enjoy breakfast right through to the evening, including a brunch menu inspired by traditional recipes. Check out the set lunch and prix fixe menus, ideal for pre-theatre dining or a business lunch, or enjoy a drink in the vibrant Apples & Pears bar upstairs, featuring live DJs for entertainment late into the night. Try the smoked potatoes with Lincolnshire poacher and seaweed cultured butter as a starter, along with Cornish mackerel with jalapeño, and BBQ pineapple. For your main, the Sael chicken pie for two is great to share with a loved one, while the cod casserole with smoked bacon and the Scottish halibut and cockle stew are hearty and full of flavour.
Trafalgar Square is one of the best spots in London to kick back and taste some of the best food and drink around. There are elegant afternoon teas, traditional Indian dishes, hearty Thai curries and much more. Whether you’re after a three-course meal, a round of drinks or just a quick pick-me-up, you can find what you’re after at the best restaurants in Trafalgar Square.
Complete your festive experience by checking out London’s best Christmas markets, selected by KAYAK.
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