5 sharing dishes to try in London right now

Nestled in a charming Knightsbridge backstreet, where cobblestones whisper tales of old London, Osteria Romana offers an escape to the eternal city. Here, the theatrical preparation of tonnarelli cacio e pepe becomes a tableside performance as fresh pasta dances in a hollowed wheel of aged pecorino, crowned with a snowfall of black truffle. The front tables offer ringside seats to this culinary spectacle, where the heady aroma of truffle and cheese transforms an ordinary evening into an escape to Rome.

Under the masterful touch of Sicilian virtuoso chef Remo Mazzucato at Piazza Italiana in Bank, Italy’s diverse regional flavours come alive on every plate. While the menu spans the boot of Italy, it’s the homemade truffle spaghetti that steals the spotlight – a dish that begs to be captured and shared. For a mere £9 extra, watch as your pasta pirouettes in a wheel of pecorino, each strand embracing the cheese’s salty embrace. The antipasto, a carefully curated charcuterie, cheeses, and pickled gems, is another sharing favourite.

When family visits for the holidays, take a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of Marylebone Village, soaking in the festive atmosphere. Make sure to pause at Boxcar Bar & Grill for a delightful lunch. Their Sunday roasts are crafted for either individual enjoyment or sharing, presented alongside lightly charred cabbage, tender roasted carrots, and creamy baby leek gratin. The dish is completed with beef-fat roast potatoes, all infused with a rich red wine jus. You can choose between the succulent, locally sourced Hereford beef sirloin or a free-range chicken, generously stuffed with aromatic sage and sweet apricot stuffing, ensuring a heartwarming meal perfect for the season.

Step back in time at Lutyens Grill at The Ned London in the upscale corner of Bank, where the ambiance of a classic steakhouse comes to life. Picture a sophisticated, club-like setting, complete with elegantly dressed waiters and traditional carving trolleys that evoke a sense of nostalgia. The menu is a celebration of the grill, and you won’t want to miss the highlight: unlimited cuts of prime rib and sirloin sourced from the finest British Isles. Each slice of the 45-day slow-roasted shorthorn prime rib is expertly carved right before your eyes, served alongside rich red wine jus, velvety mashed potatoes, and decadent creamed spinach.

Have mates visiting out of town but don’t know where to go? Check out the stalwart Sunday roast at one of Hawksmoor’s many locations spread out in Borough, Shoreditch, Bank, Knightsbridge, and Covent Garden. For only £68, indulge in the tantalising mixed grill at Hawksmoor. This generous platter features a selection of expertly prepared dry-aged rump steak, tender lamb chops, and a succulent sugar-pit bacon chop, all grilled to perfection. Savour the juicy Hawksmoor sausages, alongside rich roasted bone marrow that melts in your mouth. Accompanying this feast are crispy onion rings, earthy roasted mushrooms, and sweet roasted tomatoes to round off the flavours.

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Since the Victorian era, J Sheekey has been a glittering jewel in Covent Garden’s crown, its iconic red façade beckoning seafood lovers to its entrance. Behind those storied walls, the deluxe plateau de fruits de mer is an oceanic treasure chest – a spectacular £84-per-person voyage through the seas. Fresh oysters gleam like pearls alongside succulent dressed crab, while Atlantic prawns, mussels, and lobster create a maritime masterpiece that demands to be savoured with a crisp, chilled glass of your preferred wine.

Hidden within the historic Old Bengal Warehouse, where 18th-century merchants once traded their exotic wares, Fish Market is an understated gem in Liverpool Street. Here, fresh, daily catches are transformed into shareable experiences. Dig into the royale platter featuring plump prawns, briny-sweet oysters, delicate salmon tartare, pillowy scallops, and tender palourdes is a customer favourite and representative of Britain’s rich maritime heritage. All specials are prepared and cooked on-site.

Seabird at the Hoxton crowns Southwark with spectacular skyline views that compete for attention with its magnificent seafood offerings. The restaurant’s Portuguese and Spanish-influenced menu reaches its crescendo with the afternoon sea tower – a three-tiered tower of cousteau, calypso, and simone that will look impressive on your Instagram feed. Available throughout the day without reservation requirements, it’s an invitation to gather two or three friends who are seafood lovers to opt for a non-traditional afternoon tea experience.

You might be surprised to hear that Soho is also home to The Seafood Bar, a family-owned seafood restaurant that offers a refreshing take on coastal cuisine without the hefty price tag. Join them for a delightful happy hour from 3 pm to 5 pm, where you can indulge in freshly shucked oysters for just £1.50 each. Gather your colleagues for a post-work treat or plan a fun girls’ night out, and savour as many oysters as you can handle. Picture unwinding after a long week while clinking glasses of bubbly with your closest ones, sharing stories and laughter in a lively atmosphere.

Like stepping into a warm embrace, Blacklock transforms a former electricity substation into an unexpected haven of comfort. Behind its industrial stone walls in Shoreditch, Soho, Covent Garden, City, or Canary Wharf locations, you’ll step into what feels like your grandmum’s treasured parlour. The star of this nostalgic show is the white chocolate cheesecake, which arrives at your table not in prim, precise slices, but in glorious scoops from a communal dish. Each spoonful delivers the perfect marriage of buttery, crunchy biscuit base and cloud-like creamy filling, in portions generous enough to share (though we won’t judge if you don’t).

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The Parakeet, Kentish Town’s newest culinary star, serves up dessert in a whimsical manner. The star is its chocolate mousse served in a Victorian-style vessel: watch as your server approaches wielding clouds of decadent chocolate mousse on a bed of rustic bran and oat crumbs into your plate. It’s a dessert that demands to be shared with someone who appreciates both chocolate and theatricality in equal measure.

LAVO Marylebone has unleashed London’s most talked-about celebration cake, a towering achievement that’s already conquered social media feeds and taste buds from New York to Singapore. Under the guidance of chef Ralph Scamardella, this 20-layer masterpiece alternates between tender chocolate sponge, velvety peanut butter cream, and glossy dark chocolate ganache in a gravity-defying stack that serves four generously. Or, provides the ultimate midnight indulgence for romantic duo celebrations.

At The Parlour at Zetter, classic British desserts are reimagined in liquid form through the ingeniously crafted Gimlet flights. Whether you’re visiting the charming Clerkenwell location or the sophisticated Marylebone outpost, these cocktail trios aptly named The Bucket List, tell a story of beloved British puddings: the Eton mess Gimlet captures summer afternoons with its blend of berry-stained sweetness and creamy notes, the Banoffee version swirls with caramel warmth and banana richness, while the Apple Pie edition brings memories of grandmother’s kitchen floating in each sip. It’s a playful twist on after-dinner sharing drinks.

Uncover the vibrant flavours of Ethiopia at BEZA ETHIOPIAN VEGAN RESTAURANT in Elephant and Castle. Whether you’re diving into a hearty meal or lightly snacking, enhance your experience with the captivating cocktail jars filled with refreshing Aperol spritz, Pimm’s, and unique in-house creations made with red or white wine. Not in the mood for cocktails? Indulge in a pot of aromatic clay-brewed Ethiopian coffee or sip on unlimited sorrel tea to end a hearty meal.

Humble Grape unfolds like a living anthology of wine stories across its Fleet Street, Liverpool Street, Battersea, Crouch End and Islington locations. Gather your fellow wine enthusiasts for seasonal flights that dance across your palate; from the crisp effervescence of English sparkling wines that rival their French cousins, to the bold, high-altitude treasures of Argentina. There are a number of curated tasting experiences you can join, or you can simply go for an after-work or pre-dinner drink. Whether you’re a curious novice or a seasoned connoisseur, it’s always wine o’clock here.

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