London is a city like no other, a place where you can experience cultures from across the globe without ever having to leave the city walls. From strolling through bustling, colourful streets lined with cultural shops one minute to devouring delicious cuisine from countries you’ve never visited before, London truly is a world in one city. For those who love to travel and explore different cultures, this vibrant city offers the perfect opportunity to explore the globe without boarding a single plane.
To indulge in London’s delicious, multicultural food, read on for our top restaurant recommendations for the best international cuisine the city has to offer.
Flour & Grape – Italian
For a comforting and familiar-feeling dining experience, visit Flour & Grape, a vibrant Italian restaurant in London known for its laid back, authentic atmosphere and delicious and varied menu. Guests are advised to book a table before visiting this popular, centrally located dinner spot, especially for Friday and Saturday visits.
The kitchen prepares handmade pasta every day using fresh, organic, locally sourced ingredients and serve only the highest quality cuts of meat on the market. In particular, visitors sing the praises of Flour & Grape’s fresh tortelloni with roasted pork shoulder and sage butter and its linguine dish with tiger prawns and datterini tomatoes. The restaurant also prepares its own homemade gelato, with a huge variety of fascinating flavour options including its renowned tiramisu gelato.
Kioku – Japanese
For a taste of Japan, look no further than Kioku, a sophisticated Japanese restaurant in London, nestled away in the prestigious Whitehall area. This elegant eatery creates delectable, traditional Japanese dishes with a contemporary twist. The menu is a delightful journey through Japan’s diverse cuisine, featuring everything from delicate seafood to flavoursome ox cheek and lobster dishes.
Kioku offers a dining experience that’s as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food. The restaurant is beautifully designed and boasts stunning panoramic views across central London, including Whitehall, Covent Garden and Westminster. As per the restaurant’s name, translating to memory, the attentive staff are passionate about ensuring that your meal is more than just food: it’s an unforgettable experience, and a way to bring together loved ones over a shared appreciation for delicious food.
Combining a deep respect for his Japanese heritage with the Mediterranean influences collected throughout his time in Spain, Kioku’s sushi master, Endo, fuses the nostalgia of his treasured memories with world-class culinary skill. This, naturally, conjures magic in every bite and, in turn, creates lasting memories at Kioku.
Galvin La Chapelle – French
For a Michelin star dining experience in the heart of the city, visit the larch arched windows and high stone ceilings of Galvin La Chapelle, a charming French restaurant in London. The glamourous venue takes pride of place amongst the modern buildings of Spitalfields and London City and has an effortless buzz that transports you to a world of fantastic food, fine wine, and unmatched service.
The restaurant’s traditional yet modern menu is brilliantly varied, from exquisite tasting menus to Sunday Roasts and intriguingly rare wine. From dish to dish, only the best and most sustainable produce of the season is used, with an emphasis placed on achieving a perfect balance of textures and surprisingly bold flavours. The lobster bisque with Armagnac and charred leeks is a particular favourite on the current menu, along with the restaurant’s signature apple tart tatin with Calvados and crème fraîche de Normandie.
Akoko – West African
For a vibrant fine dining restaurant that combines tradition with culinary creativity, visit Akoko, an impressive West African restaurant in London. Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal in particular have inspired the varied menu, which takes the format of a set tasting menu, guiding guests through the fascinating textures and bold flavours of West Africa. Fan favourites include the Gambian stew with tatashe relish and the ox tongue suya with bone marrow.
The restaurant has a tranquil, relaxed atmosphere, with muted tones and an earthy opulence used to decorate the airy dining space which oozes the warmth and serenity of West Africa. Furthermore, the exposed kitchen enables guests to watch in fascination as the talented chefs prepare the overtly complex dishes, turning your visit into a truly unforgettable dining experience.
Tags: London Restaurants
