Music: London has
five professional symphony orchestras; the London Symphony Orchestra, the
London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia
and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. There are also several chamber orchestras,
some of which specialise in period instrument performances, including the
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
The principal orchestral music venues are the Royal Festival Hall, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which are both in the South Bank Centre; the Barbican Centre; and the Royal Albert Hall, which hosts the Proms each summer. Chamber music venues include the Purcell Room at the South Bank Centre; the Wigmore Hall and St. John's, Smith Square.
The Royal Opera House at Covent Garden is home to the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet companies. The other main opera company is the English National Opera. In the summer opera is performed in a temporary pavilion by Opera Holland Park, and there are occasional performances by visiting opera companies and small freelance professional opera companies.
The major venues for contemporary dance productions include the Sadler's Wells Theatre and the Barbican Centre.
Festivals:The Lord Mayor's Parade, the daily Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, the Promenade concerts and Notting Hill Carnival are just a few of the great number of spectacular events that complement this most famous capital city. London's West End 'Theatreland' is, along with Broadway, the world's most famous theatre district and the home of wonderful musicals and events.
London National Public Holidays
1st January - New Year's
Day
Good Friday / Easter Monday - late March or early April
First and last Monday in May
Last Monday in August
25th December - Christmas Day
26th December - Boxing Day
(If Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the next weekday becomes a public holiday).
London Events in January - London
The London Parade Festival
- January 1st, one of the biggest events in London's calendar. With almost
10,000 participants from around the world, it draws a street audience of close
to one million people
London International Boat Show - early January, the biggest boat show in Europe
- Earl's Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road
Charles J. Commemoration - last Sunday in January, commemorating the anniversary
of King Charles' execution, cavaliers march through Central London dressed
in 17th-century attire
London International Mime Festival - end of January, artists from all over
the world come to London to take part in this festival
London Events in February - London
Great Spitalfields Pancake
Day Race - mid-February, on the day before Lent
The Olympia Fine Art and Antiques Fair - mid-February, held in Olympia, featuring
over 200 exhibitors selling antique furniture and fine art works
Chinese New Year - mid-February, famous Lion Dancers, paper dragons and firecracker
processions in SoHo
Valentine's Day - February 14th, commercialised, romantic celebrations throughout
the city
London Events in March - London
Classic Motor Show - mid-March,
one of the largest exhibitions of vintage, Edwardian and rare vehicles in
the world - Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, north London
St. Patrick's Day - March 17th, many pubs and other venues have concerts and
celebrations, particularly in north London
Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race - late March, Cambridge and Oxford universities
race their boats along a 4.25 mile stretch of the River Thames, between Putney
Bridge and Mortlake
London Events in April - London
Ideal Home Exhibition - new
ideas for the home and the garden, technological gadgets that you can see
being demonstrated and purpose-built houses
Kite Festival - early April, kite flying and displays on the vast Blackheath
Common
London Marathon - mid-April, around 30,000 people run the 26-mile course from
Greenwich Park and Blackheath to the Buckingham Palace Mall, cheered on by
thousands of spectators
London Garden Show - late April, Alexandra Palace in Wood Green hosts hundreds
of vendors and gardening artists for this annual spring event
London Events in May - London
Covent Garden Festival -
throughout May, including a wide range of operatic musical concerts
The May Fayre and Puppet Festival - one day in May, at St. Paul's Church in
Covent Garden, a great day not just for the children but for all the family
The London Dollhouse Festival - mid-May, this festival started in 1985 and
is a stopping place for some miniature houses which will make their way to
the Museum of Miniatures in Los Angeles
Outdoor Shakespeare Performances - late May to Summer, bring a blanket and
enjoy Shakespeare plays in the open air
Chelsea Flower Show - late May, largest flower show in the world, beautiful
gardens and displays of plants and flowers
Coin Street Festival - last bank holiday of May continuing until September,
celebrating cultures from all around the world including music and street
performances. Most events are at the weekend on the south bank around Gabriel
Wharf and the OXO Tower
London Events in June - London
Epsom Derby Stakes - early
June, this derby is the biggest event in the British horse racing calendar
Trooping the Colour - official birthday of the queen, who inspects her regiments
while seated in a horse-drawn carriage, as they parade their colours before
her - Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall
Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition - early June to mid-August. Founded in 1768,
this institution has been sponsored for some two centuries
Summer Exhibitions of living painters - June to August. Browse and make purchases
of reasonably priced art - Burlington House, Piccadilly Circus
The Olympia Fine Art and Antiques Fair - mid-June, held in Olympia, this fair
features over 200 exhibitors selling antique furniture and fine art works
Grosvenor House Antiques Fair - mid-June, prestigious antiques show
Kenwood Lakeside Concerts - mid-June to early September - this tradition of
outdoor concerts has been preserved for fifty years, fireworks and laser shows
- North side of Hampstead Heath
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship - late June to early July, started in 1877
at Wimbledon this tournament consistently draws large crowds - Wimbledon,
South-west London
Royal Ascot - mid-June, takes place over four days and is the most popular
flat race meeting in Britain, with a total of GBP 2.5 million to be won, many
famous people attend, including The Royal Family
London Events in July - London
City of London Festival -
mid-July, arts festival around the city
Royal Tournament - late July, displays of athletic and military skills performed
by the British armed forces - Earl's Court Exhibition Centre
The Proms - mid-July to mid-September, the traditional Promenade Concerts
were launched in 1895 to attract classical music lovers from around the world
Swan Upping on the Thames - takes place over a week in July, this a traditional
ritual with boats and oarsmen all dressed up in colorful clothing making it
a spectacular sight to see
Ealing Summer Festival - includes all types of entertainment for both children
and adults - most events are free and are held in Walpole Park or other parks
in the area, including shows, sporting events and theatrical performances
British 10k Run - end July, open to all entrants, this 10 km / 6.3 mile run
across London has a celebrity start and entertainment all along the route
London Events in August - London
Ealing Jazz Festival - first
week in August, this is the largest free jazz festival in the UK, with concerts
taking place at lunchtimes and during the evening throughout Walpole Park
African-Caribbean Street Fair - late August, live reggae, soul music and Caribbean
food attract over half a million people - one of the largest festivals in
Europe
The Notting Hill Carnival - on August bank holiday, this is the largest street
party in Europe and the carnival covers a large area off Portobello Road over
the Sunday and Monday
Great British Beer Festival - with live music, pub games and a wide range
of different merchandise to buy - not just for people who like beer - with
over 700 real ales, ciders and imported beers to choose from
London Events in September - London
London Open House - where
public access is given free of charge to buildings of architectural and community
interest across the capital, including The Royal Courts of Justice, The Guards
Museum, Royal Opera House, Royal Court Theatre and many more
Covent Garden Festival of Street Theatre - over two weeks in September, this
street theatre in Covent Garden features many plays, all of which are unique
and of a high quality
Chelsea Antiques Fair - mid-September, something for everyone no matter what
they are looking for or what their budget is, many large antiques shops have
a stall at the fair that runs for over a week
Thames Festival - celebrating the river that has made London so prosperous
and popular - the festival takes place between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars
Bridge and includes a fanfare, river displays, face painting, craft and food
stalls
London Events in October - London
Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest
Festival - early October, from all over London, pearly Kings and Queens get
together to celebrate the Harvest Festival and parade through London to St.
Martin-in-the-Fields church where they have a service of celebration
Opening of Parliament - first Monday in October, the monarch opens parliament
in the House of Lords after riding from Buckingham Palace to Westminster in
a royal coach
Trafalgar Square Festival - early October, this festival is devoted to poetry,
chamber music and the visual arts
Punch & Judy Festival - first Sunday of October, Punch and Judy take over
the Piazza - a great day out for children and grownups alike, with cries of
'That's the way to do it!'
London Events in November - London
Fireworks Night - early November,
bonfires are lit around the city to commemorate the attempt to blow up the
Houses of Parliament, by the infamous Guy Fawkes
Lord Mayor's Procession and Show - mid-November, inauguration of the new Lord
Mayor of the City of London - Guildhall to the Royal Courts of Justice
Remembrance Sunday Ceremony - first Sunday after the 11th of November, ceremony
to commemorate those people who gave their lives for the country in both the
First and Second World War - the Queen, the Prime Minister and other Heads
of State lay wreaths and observe a minute's silence at 11:00
The Olympia Fine Art and Antiques Fair - late November, held in Olympia, featuring
over 200 exhibitors selling antique furniture and fine arts
London's Annual Film Festival - mid-November to early December, including
a selection of some of the best films from around the world
London Events in December - London
Christmas Lights - late November
/ early December, the Christmas illuminations are switched on by a famous
celebrity at Regent Street
Window Displays - it is worth a trip into the shopping areas just to see the
amazing window displays of the major shops at Christmas time
Christmas Tree - every year the Norwegian people give the British nation a
fir tree to thank them for their help during the war and the tree is placed
in Trafalgar Square and decorated with lights. Occasionally carol concerts
are held under the tree during lunchtimes
Boxing Day Sales - December 26th, the day after Christmas day - the sales
are not to be missed and last for about a month. The best deals are to be
found on the first few days
New Year's Eve Celebrations - every year the celebrations get bigger and better,
with many different celebrations going on around the capital, featuring street
theatre and fireworks - alternatively there are always crowds in Trafalgar
Square
Theatre: There are over three dozen major theatres, most concentrated in the West End (see the articles West End Theatre and List of London venues). West End theatres are commercial ventures and show musicals, comedy and serious drama. The subsidised or non-commerical theatre includes the National Theatre, which is based at the South Bank; the Royal Shakespeare Company which is based in Stratford, but presents seasons in London; The Globe, a modern reconstruction of the home of Shakespeare's troupe; The Royal Court Theatre which specialises in new drama; the Old Vic; and the Young Vic. London also boasts a vibrant fringe theatre culture including places such as the Battersea Arts Centre, The UCL Bloomsbury, The Place, and Tricycle Theatre.
Art: The British National collection of Western Art to 1900 is held at The National Gallery. Other major collections of pre-1900 art are The Wallace Collection; the Courtauld Gallery at the Courtauld Institute of Art; and Dulwich Picture Gallery. The national collection of post-1900 art is at Tate Modern and the national collection of British Art is at Tate Britain. The National Portrait Gallery has a major collection of portraits of all periods.
National Gallery-
Trafalgar Square, London:
Western European paintings dated between 1260 and 1900 are displayed in the
four wings ofthe National Gallery. Many famous works can be viewed, including
paintings by Monet, Renoir, Gaugin, Turner and Picasso. Lesser-known paintings
appear in Lower Gallery A.
Tate Britain - Millbank, London:
The Tate Britain houses the national collection of British art from the early
16th century to early 1900s. It was originally founded in 1753 with money
from Sir Henry Tate, the man who invented the sugar cube. In addition to housing
its permanent collection of British art and its outstanding Turner collection,
the gallery also showcases contemporary British artists and continues to sponsor
the Turner prize, the country's most prestigious modern art prize. The Tate
Britain has a reputation for hosting some of London's best art exhibitions,
for which there is usually an admission charge.
Tate Modern - Bankside Power Station, London:
The gallery shows international modern art from 1900 to present day - Picasso,
Matisse, Dali, and Warhol, plus contemporary works by Gilbert and George.
The stunning Turbine Hall runs the length of building, creating a massive
exhibition space, designed by Swiss architects Hertzog and de Meuron. There
are special exhibitions and also a cafe with superb views over the River Thames.
When this brick building was originally built the town planners insisted that
the central chimney should not outreach the top of St. Paul's Cathedral. This
actually ended up preventing the sulphurous smoke from escaping into the upper
atmosphere and instead it drifted across the River Thames and ironically attacked
the cathedral's exterior. Closed in 1980, it was re-opened as the Tate Modern
in summer 2000, after a refurbishment cost of £130 million.
Art gallery open: daily
Art gallery admission: free
Nearest tube station: Southwark
National Portrait Gallery - 2 St. Martins Place, London:
The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 to collect a pictorial library
of famous British men and women and it quickly became the most comprehensive
collection of its kind. Famous portraits include musicians, politicians, athletes
and members of the royal family.
Photographer's Gallery - 5 Great Newport Street, London:
This is one of the UK's top venues for contemporary photography. Year-round
exhibitions and educational events ensure that a broad range of photographic
work is on show, with the emphasis on developments in the art. A bookshop
and print sales area is available.
Art gallery open: daily
Art gallery admission: charge
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
Museums: London
Museums include the British Museum (antiquities from all over the world),
the Victoria and Albert Museum (applied arts), the Natural History Museum,
the Science Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum,
and the Museum of London. There are over 260 museums in London.
Barbican
British Museum
Courtauld Institute
Design Museum
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Estorick Collection
Geffrye Museum
Imperial War Museum
The Museum of Childhood
Museum of London
National Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
Natural History Museum
Old Operating Theatre Museum
Saatchi Gallery
Science Museum
Royal Academy of Arts
The Serpentine Gallery
The Sir John Soane Museum
Tate Britain
Tate Modern
Victoria & Albert Museum also know as the V&A
Wallace
Collection
Night-Life:
Restaurants
London is full of wonderful and exciting places to eat out, with a wide choice of every kind of food imaginable. The many stylish locations and enormous variety of excellent, mouth-watering menus provide nothing short of culinary perfection. Whether you are looking for a romantic meal for two or trendy, lively dining, the only problem is deciding where to go as there are so many restaurants to choose from! Here are some of our top choices.
(Average prices are per person and exclude wine and service).
The Admiralty - Somerset House, London,
WC2R 1LA
Tel: +44 (0)20 77845 4646
This romantic restaurant offers a world of timeless elegance together with
the delights of wonderfully prepared food. The wine list is extensive and
dinner in this exclusive corner of London would impress anyone.
Cuisine: French
Average price: GBP 50.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Embankment
Aura - 48-49 St James' Street, London,
SW1
Tel: +44 (0)20 77499 6655
A fashionable place to be seen for both celebrities and the trendy, a 03:00
licence enables the stylish basement to transform from top restaurant to super-cool
club. With a menu full of exceptional meals, after dinner the tables are pushed
back and the DJ's start playing.
Cuisine: modern European
Average price: GBP 50.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Green Park
Brian Turners of Mayfair - Millennium
Mayfair Hotel, 44 Grosvenor Square, London, W1K 2HP
Tel: +44 (0)20 77596 3444
Brian Turner is a famous television chef, best known for his regular appearances
on BBC TV's 'Ready Steady Cook'. The menu is full of Brian's signature dishes,
including many traditional favourites with a unique twist. The food is exciting
and the wonderful desserts are particularly tempting.
Cuisine: modern British
Average price: GBP 40.00 to GBP 60.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Bond Street
Chintamani - 122 Jermyn Street, London,
SW1 4UJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 77839 2020
Traditional Turkish flavours are enhanced in this enchanting and beautiful
West End restaurant. Tented ceilings and Ottoman furnishings provide the perfect
interior for the mouth-watering food.
Cuisine: modern Turkish
Average price: GBP 40.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus
Fifteen - Westland Place, London, N1
7LP
Tel: +44 (0)20 77251 1515
Jamie Oliver's restaurant lives up to his reputation and his catch phrase
'Pukka Tukka'. This television chef is most famous for his BBC TV's 'The Naked
Chef'. The meals are created by 15 young individuals who have been highly
trained to produce this world-class food. No reservations are required for
the ground floor bar where you can feast on antipasti and enjoy quality cocktails.
Cuisine: Mediterranean / modern British
Average price: GBP 40.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Old Street
Field and Forest - Shorts Gardens,
London, WC2H 9AU
Tel: +44 (0)20 77240 5777
Popular with celebrities, this glamorous location offers the latest in fusion
cooking. Mediterranean recipes are given an English twist and the result is
reasonably priced, tasty, first-class food. Conveniently near to the West
End.
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Average price: GBP 25.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Covent Garden
The Gate - Queen Caroline Street, London,
W6 9QL
Tel: +44 (0)20 78748 6932
This vegetarian and vegan restaurant is full of tempting dishes from a regularly
updated menu. The food is superb, the staff are very friendly and the prices
affordable, making this an excellent choice even if you are not vegetarian.
Cuisine: vegetarian
Average price: GBP 35.00 set menu, per person
Nearest tube station: Hammersmith
Le Gavroche - 43 Upper Brook Street,
London, W1K 7QR
Tel: +44 (0)20 77408 0881
This London institution serves some of the finest food outside of France.
Chef Michel Roux cleverly mixes classic French cuisine with his more contemporary
style and the result is superb food of outstanding quality. The dress code
is strict and the atmosphere exclusive.
Cuisine: Haute cuisine
Average price: GBP 50.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Marble Arch
Hakkasan - Hanway Place, London, W1P
9DH
Tel: +44 (0)20 77907 1888
The modern and distinct cooking was soon rewarded with a Michelin Star - a
first for a Chinese restaurant in London. This impressive award is well deserved
and the dishes live up to their reputation as some of the finest outside Asia.
The interior is equally stunning, resembling a moonlit lakeside.
Cuisine: Chinese
Average price: GBP 50.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road
Italian Graffiti - Wardour Street,
London, W1V 3TA
Tel: +44 (0)20 77439 4668
This busy Italian trattoria is full of the atmosphere and excitement of Italy
and is reasonably priced. The restaurant is romantic and lively, serving good,
simple Italian cooking. It is situated near the West End theatres and so is
a good venue for the start of a theatrical evening.
Cuisine: Italian
Average price: GBP 20.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
Lindsay House - Romilly Street, London,
W1V 5TG
Tel: +44 (0)20 77439 0450
This Soho restaurant's Head Chef, Richard Corrigan, has a reputation for being
both eccentric and incredibly talented. He blends traditional English food
with exotic ingredients to create an unusual and surprisingly successful blend
of flavours.
Cuisine: modern British
Average price: GBP 70.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
Locanda Locatelli - 8 Seymour Street,
London, W1H 7JZ
Tel: +44 (0)20 77935 9088
The Italian restaurant of gifted Giorgio Locatelli provides a modern and innovative
taste sensation. Rated highly by food critics, the quality of the rustic cooking
stands out and a meal in this glamorous restaurant will leave you feeling
full and very satisfied.
Cuisine: modern Italian
Average price: GBP 50.00 to GBP 60.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Marble Arch
Gordon Ramsey at Claridges - 53 Brook
Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 5DS
Tel: +44 (0)20 77499 0099
Gordon Ramsey is one of the UK's most famous and talented chefs, regularly
appearing on television. Renowned for his fine food and also being temperamental,
he is London's only 3-Michelin-starred chef. A grand art-deco dining room
provides a perfect place to enjoy your meal.
Cuisine: Haute cuisine
Average price: GBP 50.00 for 3 courses, GBP 60.00 for 6 courses - per person
Nearest tube station: Bond Street
Red Fort - 77 Dean Street, London London,
W1V 5HA
Tel: +44 (0)20 77437 2115
With a strong emphasis on authentic Indian food, chef Mohammed Rais creates
perfectly spiced dishes with a distinctive flavour. The stylish surroundings
enhance the experience of the best north Indian cooking in London.
Cuisine: Moghul Court
Average price: GBP 35.00 to GBP 45.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road
J Sheekey's - St Martin's Court, London,
WC2N 4AL
Tel: +44 (0)20 77240 2565
With its tasteful and stylish interior, Sheekey's will impress you as soon
as you walk through the door. Fish is a speciality, but the extensive menu
also includes mainly delightful vegetarian and vegan dishes. With no sittings,
you can relax and enjoy your last cup of coffee for as long as you like, without
feeling rushed.
Cuisine: fish and seafood
Average price: GBP 30.00 to GBP 50.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
Sketch Gallery - 9 Conduit Street,
London, W1S 2XG
Tel: +44 (0)870 777 4488
With its cutting-edge cuisine, the Sketch Gallery is possibly the ultimate
modern dining experience. Comprising two restaurants and bars, the contemporary
design is exquisite and the food is simply delicious.
Cuisine: Modern European
Average price: GBP 45.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus
Tamarind - Queen Street, London, W1X
7TJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 77629 3561
Truly the ultimate Indian experience, adventurous menus are crammed with a
wide range of traditional and innovative speciality dishes. With a vegetarian
menu also available and reasonable prices, this must be one of the ultimate
Indian restaurants. Head chef, Alfred Prasad, is truly a master of his craft
Cuisine: Indian
Average price: GBP 30.00 to GBP 50.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Green Park
La Trompette - Devonshire Road, London,
W4 2EU
Tel: +44 (0)208 747 1836
This is probably the best French restaurant in the city within this price
bracket and features regional delights from all over France. You will be treated
like royalty by the Gallic staff, who pride themselves in their attention
to detail.
Cuisine: French
Average price: GBP 60.00 per person
Nearest tube station: Turnham Green
Tsunami - Voltaire Street, London,
SW4 6DQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 77978 1610
This restaurant serves some of the best Japanese food in the city and is reasonably
priced. Traditional Japanese food and more complex dishes are prepared to
the highest standards, providing an interesting meal. Oysters are a speciality
and are served in a selection of different sauces.
Average price: set menu GBP 35.00
Nearest tube station: Clapham North
Top Ten restaurants in Covenant
Garden:
L'Estaminet
14 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, WC2
(020) 7379 1432
This French restaurant appears to be very popular with French expats, which
means that authenticity must be high up on their list of priorities. Not only
that, but the staff are apparently very polite and helpful, and the menu is
terribly good value.
Neal Street Restaurant
26 Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2
(020) 7836 8368
Antonio Carluccio's Covent Garden venture is still going strong. With an emphasis
on truly authentic Italian fare (with funghi a speciality) it might not be
to everyone's taste, but if you appreciate a fine risotto and a decent Barbaresco
then it's just about perfect.
J Sheekey
28-32 St Martins Court, Covent Garden, WC2
(020) 7240 2565
Popular with luvvies who've tired of the Ivy (in other words, been there once)
J Sheekey is in the middle of theatreland, and offers some original and tasty
seafood treats.
The Ivy
1 West Street, Covent Garden, WC2
(020) 7836 4751
Usually packed full of celebs and thesps, The Ivy is one of London's most
notorious hangouts for paparazzi targets. In fact, there's usually a small
posse of them waiting outside. The menu is mainly made up of smartened up
comfort food, and it's usually competently put together.
Food For Thought
31 Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2
(020) 7836 0329
Located in delightful surroundings (an 18th century listed building), Food
For Thought is another one of the, seemingly numerous, vegetarian or largely
veggie cafes and restaurants in this area. As with the others - it does a
fine job of making veg more interesting than you'd normally think.
Simurgh
17 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, WC2
(020) 7240 7811
Simurgh is a restaurant serving tasty Iranian food with a contemporary twist.
Exotic and original, this is a great place to book if you're feeling adventurous.
Mon Plaisir
21 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, WC2
(020) 7836 7243
One of London's oldest French restaurants and, as such, uncompromisingly continental.
The atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect from a pavement bistro and the
cuisine is definitely good.
Bertorelli's
44a Floral Street, Covent Garden,WC2
(020) 7836 3969
Bertorelli's is a chain of high end (ish) Italian restaurants that blend modern
and traditional Italian cooking. The experience can be somewhat sterile, but
this branch always seems to be busy, so they're doing something right.
Rules
35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2
(020) 7836 5314
Rules is the oldest restaurant in London, and serves up some very fine food.
The focus of the menu is seasonal game, and this could be anything from venison
and duck to rarer delights like ptarmigan or woodcock.
Thanks For Franks
18 Gate Street, Covent Garden, WC2
(020) 7405 0539
Thanks For Franks is an old fashioned café, and the honest menu features
everything from fry-ups to pies, cakes and sandwiches. Cheap and very cheerful.
Top Ten Restuarants in Bloomsbury:
Trattoria Verdi
110 Southampton Street, Bloomsbury, WC1
(020) 7405 8001
Trattoria Verdi is a popular neighbourhood restaurant serving good value and
apparently very authentic Italian food. It's bright and airy, with a large
ceiling window, and would make a great venue for a pre or post British Museum
meal.
Abeno
47 Museum Street, Bloomsbury, WC1
(020) 7405 3211
Abeno specialises in a particular style of Japanese cooking known as okonomiyaki.
This involves having various meat, vegetable, egg or noodle cooked in batter
on a hotplate in front of you.
Townhouse Brasserie
24 Coptic Street, Bloomsbury, WC1
(020) 7636 2731
The Townhouse Brasserie is a popular French restaurant that manages to knock
out a decent array of tasty delights that don't cost the earth. Well situated
for a pre or post British Museum wander.
Thai Garden Café
32 Museum Street, Bloomsbury, WC1
(020) 7637 4309
If you love Thai food and don't want to break the bank then head along to
this excellent little restaurant. It's bright and airy inside thanks to ceiling
windows, and they offer great value set lunches.
Konaki Greek Restaurant
5 Coptic Street, Bloomsbury, WC1
(020) 7580 9730
Konaki is a well-respected and friendly Greek restaurant in the heart of Bloomsbury.
It's clearly very authentic too, as the restaurant has won a number of awards
from the Hellenic Association over the years.
Coffee Gallery
23 Museum Street, Bloomsbury, WC1
(020) 7436 0455
The Coffee Gallery is a tidy and attractive Italian café with a fine
range of pastries, snacks and more filling lunch options available. They are
also very adept at the coffee making process.
The Chambeli of Russell Square
146 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, WC1
(020) 7837 3925
A popular Indian restaurant in these parts, the Chambeli serves up a variety
of traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights, including some wonderful
tandoori dishes. Definitely worth a look.
Glass
Marlborough Hotel, 7-13 Bloomsbury Street, Bloomsbury, WC1
(020) 7636 5601
Set within the Marlborough Hotel, Glass is an attractive Modern Euro restaurant
that is by no means only populated by hotel guests. As its name suggests,
it's bright, airy and a worthy of attention.
Wagamama
4a Streatham Street, Bloomsbury, WC1
(020) 7323 9223
This chain of noodle and dumpling bars is still going well, and the low prices
mean this branch is a favourite with local students. Don't let that put you
off though…