The London Restaurants That Make You Feel Like You’re Abroad

At this point in the summer, savings out the window, the only justification we can grant for a “holiday” is if it’s within the M25. With my annual leave days dwindling, I was inspired to conjure up a list of restaurants that feel like you are abroad while still being only a tube ride away. What constitutes “abroad”? Simple: anywhere but here. Here’s a hopeful list of London restaurants to fill the void of holidays past.

Luca

Luca combines Italian warmth with understated British design. Soft leather banquettes, warm lighting and polished timber create an elegant dining room, while the secluded courtyard is one of Clerkenwell’s quieter corners during the warmer months.

The restaurant takes inspiration from regional Italian cooking while using exceptional British ingredients, earning a Michelin star along the way. Handmade pasta remains the highlight, alongside carefully prepared meat and seafood dishes, with an Italian-led wine list that encourages lingering over another glass before heading back outside.

Where: 88 St John St, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 4EH
Website: www.luca.restaurant

Canal

Canal captures the feeling of a waterside neighbourhood restaurant you’d find in Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the dining room with light, while natural materials, simple furnishings and views across the canal give the whole space an easy rhythm that changes with the day.

The menu follows the same restrained approach, centred on seasonal produce and uncomplicated cooking that lets ingredients speak for themselves. Low-intervention wines and classic cocktails complete the picture. It feels local in the best possible way, despite sitting in one of London’s fastest-changing neighbourhoods.

Where:
Website: www.canalrestaurant.com

Cycene

Cycene is deliberately restrained. The dining room strips away distraction, relying on natural materials, thoughtful lighting and carefully spaced tables to create an atmosphere that’s calm and deeply considered.

That same attention carries through to the tasting menu, where British ingredients are explored through precise cooking and quiet confidence rather than unnecessary theatrics. Every element feels measured, from the service to the drinks pairing, creating the sense of stepping into a restaurant where the outside world simply pauses for a few hours.

Where:cycene, 9 Chance St, London E2 7JB
Website: www.bluemountain.school

Simpsons In The Strand

Few dining rooms in London rival the sense of occasion at Simpsons in the Strand. Ornate ceilings, dark wood panelling, crisp white tablecloths and attentive service preserve the atmosphere of a grand Edwardian restaurant where little appears to have changed.

Established in the nineteenth century, Simpsons became famous for traditional British dining and its celebrated roast trolleys, welcoming everyone from Winston Churchill to Charles Dickens. Today, classic dishes remain at the heart of the menu, served alongside an extensive wine cellar. It’s less about nostalgia than continuity, offering a rare glimpse into a style of dining that has largely disappeared elsewhere.

It’s less about nostalgia than continuity, offering a rare glimpse into a style of dining that has largely disappeared elsewhere.

Where: 100 Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
Website: www.simpsonsinthestrand.co.uk

Lemonia

Lemonia has been bringing a slice of Greece to Primrose Hill since the late 1970s. Whitewashed walls, climbing vines, blue shutters and family photographs create the feeling of a long-established taverna rather than a London institution.

Still family-run, the restaurant specialises in traditional Greek cooking, from grilled fish and slow-cooked lamb to generous mezze and classic desserts. A bottle of Assyrtiko or crisp retsina completes the experience. It has remained largely unchanged over the years, which is exactly why people keep returning.

Where: 89 Regent’s Park Road, London NW1 8UY
Website: www.lemonia.co.uk

The Culpeper

The Culpeper starts as a classic East London pub, but it’s the rooftop that earns its place here. Hidden above Commercial Street, the garden is planted with birch and hazel trees, wildflowers, herbs and edible plants, with wooden tables tucked amongst the greenery and views across the City peeking through the branches. It feels less like a London rooftop and more like a woodland terrace somewhere in Scandinavia or the Alps, where lunch stretches into the afternoon and the pace naturally slows. Much of what’s growing around you ends up on your plate or in your glass, with herbs picked for cocktails and produce harvested for the kitchen.

Named after the 17th-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, the building reflects that same connection to nature. Seasonal dishes are cooked over the rooftop grill, paired with natural wines and cocktails that make the most of whatever is growing overhead.

Where: 40 Commercial Street, E1 6LP
Website: www.theculpeper.com

Dinings SW3

Walk into Dinings SW3 and Chelsea quickly melts away past its cobblestone alley. Set inside a converted townhouse, the restaurant has the confidence of a contemporary Japanese home, with warm timber, soft lighting and an open sushi counter that draws attention without dominating the room. Every detail feels very peaceful both inside and on the growing patio hugged by the restaurant, creating a calm backdrop that stands in stark contrast to the bustle outside.

Chef Masaki Sugisaki built Dinings around Japanese izakaya culture, but with a distinctly London approach that blends British produce with Japanese technique. The menu moves between pristine sashimi, beautifully cut nigiri and dishes designed for sharing, while the drinks list spans sake, Japanese whisky and elegant cocktails. It’s understated and calm rather than theatrical, which only adds to the feeling that you’ve stepped somewhere far removed from central London.

Where: Lennox Gardens Mews, London SW3 2JH
Website: www.diningssw3.co.uk

Rochelle Canteen

Hidden inside the old Arnold Circus school, Rochelle Canteen feels like one of East London’s best-kept secrets (maybe not, everyone knows it). The dining room is bright and stripped back, but it’s the courtyard that steals the show: surrounded by brick walls and greenery, it has the relaxed feel of a countryside lunch rather than somewhere a few minutes from Shoreditch High Street.

Founded by Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold, Rochelle Canteen has long championed seasonal British cooking. The menu changes constantly, following what’s available, with simple plates that let exceptional ingredients do the work. Add a glass of wine and an afternoon in the garden, and it’s easy to lose track of both time and postcode.

It has the relaxed feel of a countryside lunch rather than somewhere a few minutes from Shoreditch High Street.

Where: 16 Playground Gardens, London E2 7FA
Website: www.rochellecanteen.com

Brutto

Brutto has been sitting on its little Clerkenwell corner for decades. The walls are covered with photographs and memorabilia, the tables are dressed in classic red-and-white gingham cloths, and the soundtrack of conversation fills every corner of the room. It’s charming in its wear. 

Russell Norman opened Brutto as a tribute to Florence’s trattorias, and the menu follows suit. Expect hearty Tuscan cooking, generous bowls of pasta, bistecca, crostini and a reliably good Negroni. It’s loud, welcoming and unapologetically old school, exactly the sort of place you’d hope to stumble across while wandering through a side street in Italy. 

Where: 35-37 Greenhill Rents, London EC1M 6BN
Website: www.msha.ke

Bingham Riverhouse

Overlooking a quiet stretch of the Thames, Bingham Riverhouse has more in common with a boutique hotel in southern France than a London restaurant. Housed inside a Georgian townhouse, the interiors combine antique fireplaces, colourful artwork and elegant sitting rooms that flow out onto a riverside terrace.

Originally built as a private residence, the building has retained much of its historic character while becoming one of Richmond’s most distinctive dining destinations. Seasonal British cooking sits at the heart of the menu, paired with an equally thoughtful wine list and cocktails best enjoyed waterside.

Where: 61-63 Petersham Rd, Richmond, TW10 6UT
Website: www.binghamriverhouse.com

Acme Fire Cult

Housed inside a former industrial warehouse at 40FT Brewery, Acme Fire Cult feels worlds away from central London. Concrete floors, exposed steel, communal tables and open-fire cooking give it the atmosphere of an outdoor barbecue while the barbecue actually does rage on outside. The ethos of cooking with fire comes through in the interiors, as the smell of smoke and sounds of crackles fill the dining room and garden with a sort of transportative appeal.

Founded by chefs Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins, the restaurant puts vegetables at the centre of its fire-led cooking, with meat playing a supporting role. Smoke runs through much of the menu, from slow-roasted squash to grilled brassicas, while natural wines and house cocktails fit the laid-back setting. It has the feel of Melbourne’s warehouse dining scene more than a traditional London restaurant.

Where: Abbot St, London E8 3DP
Website: www.acmefirecult.com

Forno

Forno brings the atmosphere of an Italian bakery and neighbourhood restaurant together under one roof. Warm terracotta tones, shelves stacked with bread and an open kitchen create the sort of everyday setting that’s woven into daily life across Italy rather than designed purely for London’s demanding Instagram community.

Bread naturally takes centre stage, whether served alongside seasonal dishes or transformed into sandwiches and pizzas, but there’s equal care given to fresh pasta, pastries and a concise wine list.

Where: 47 Church Lane, London E11 1HE
Website: www.forno.london

Tatar Bunar

Tatar Bunar offers a different perspective on Eastern European dining, with interiors that feel contemporary while drawing on Ukrainian craftsmanship and design. Natural materials, handmade ceramics and carefully chosen artwork create a calm, intimate space that tells its story without needing to explain it.

Named after a town in southern Ukraine, the restaurant celebrates regional cooking through dishes that balance tradition with modern presentation. Homemade dumplings, seasonal vegetables and carefully sourced ingredients sit alongside Ukrainian wines and cocktails, creating an experience that’s as much about culture as it is about the food itself.

Homemade dumplings, seasonal vegetables and carefully sourced ingredients sit alongside Ukrainian wines and cocktails

Where: 152 Curtain road, London, EC2A3AT
Website: www.tatarbunar.co.uk

The Garden Museum Cafe

Tucked inside the Garden Museum, this café feels remarkably detached from the rest of London. Set beneath a glass roof in a peaceful cloister, it’s surrounded by planting and historic architecture that encourage you to slow down before you’ve ordered.

The menu changes with the seasons, taking inspiration from British produce while reflecting the gardens around it. Salads, tarts, cakes and simple mains are accompanied by good coffee and wine, making it somewhere that lends itself to long lunches rather than rushed meals (as it should be). The setting does much of the work, creating the feeling of discovering a hidden courtyard while travelling through Europe.

Where: Lambeth Palace Road London, SE1 7LB
Website: www.gardenmuseum.org.uk

Poons at Somerset House

Inside Somerset House, Poons feels like a modern interpretation of a classic Hong Kong dining room. Rich timber, clean lines and subtle design references create a space that nods to its heritage without becoming overtly nostalgic.

The restaurant continues the legacy of the Poons family, who have been introducing Londoners to regional Chinese cooking for decades. Expect handmade dumplings, wontons, signature soy sauces and dishes rooted in Cantonese traditions, alongside cocktails inspired by Chinese ingredients. The location inside one of London’s grandest buildings only adds to the feeling of stepping somewhere completely different.

Where: New Wing, Somerset House, Lancaster Place, London WC2R 1LA
Website: www.poonslondon.com

…At Sloane

At Sloane feels like checking into a boutique hotel in Paris rather than walking into a restaurant in Belgravia. Deep burgundy walls, polished dark timber, brass accents, velvet banquettes and low, golden lighting create an intimate dining room that becomes even more transportive after dark. Every detail nods to classic French design without feeling overly polished or theatrical.

The restaurant takes its cues from French hospitality, pairing elegant interiors with a menu rooted in refined French cooking. Expect beautifully executed classics, a strong Champagne offering and a wine list that leans heavily towards France. Settle in with an apéritif before dinner and it’s easy to forget you’re only a short walk from Sloane Square.

Where: 1 Sloane Gardens, London, United Kingdom SW1W 8EA
Website: www.atsloane.com

Mount St Restaurant

Despite sitting in the heart of Mayfair, Mount St Restaurant feels closer to a grand villa on the Mediterranean coast. Sunlight pours through stained-glass windows onto terracotta tones, warm oak panelling, woven leather chairs and walls lined with colourful artworks. The room is full of rich, earthy colours that soften its scale, while the leafy terrace only strengthens the illusion.

Housed above one of London’s most remarkable collections of contemporary art, the restaurant balances British cooking with a distinctly European sense of occasion. The menu celebrates seasonal produce, the wine list rewards another bottle, and the atmosphere encourages exactly that.

Where: First Floor 41-43 Mount Street, London W1K 2RX England
Website: www.mountstrestaurant.com

Bourne & Hollingsworth

Bourne & Hollingsworth has long felt like London’s answer to a hidden conservatory café. Filled with plants, patterned tiles, skylights and vintage furniture, it’s bright, relaxed and noticeably removed from the streets outside.

Brunch remains a draw, but the all-day menu runs from generous breakfasts through to cocktails and comfort food later in the day. Whether you’re stopping for coffee or settling in for lunch, the space does much of the heavy lifting, making it feel closer to a leafy European courtyard than central Clerkenwell.

Where: 42 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0HU
Website: www.bandhbuildings.com

Spring

Housed inside Somerset House, Spring lives up to its name. High ceilings, pale walls, abundant natural light and understated floral arrangements give the dining room a softness that’s increasingly rare in London, and their affinity for colourful plating is even more encapsulating.

Skye Gyngell’s cooking follows the same philosophy, built around seasonal produce, elegant simplicity and thoughtful sourcing. The menu shifts regularly, while the wine list focuses on producers with similar values. It’s refined without ever feeling stiff, and one of the few restaurants where the room is as restorative as the food.

Where: Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Place, London, WC2R 1LA
Website: www.springrestaurant.co.uk

The River Cafe

Few restaurants transport you to Italy quite like The River Café. Sitting quietly beside the Thames, the dining room is flooded with natural light, softened by whitewashed walls, pale timber, crisp linen and its unmistakable neon pink wood-fired oven. Open onto the riverside terrace on a sunny afternoon and it feels remarkably close to a long lunch somewhere along the Italian coast.

Opened in 1987 by Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray, The River Café helped change Britain’s understanding of regional Italian cooking. The menu remains rooted in exceptional ingredients, from handmade pasta to simply grilled fish and vegetables, backed by one of London’s finest Italian wine lists. Nearly four decades on, it still captures the effortless elegance of eating in Italy.

Open onto the riverside terrace on a sunny afternoon and it feels remarkably close to a long lunch somewhere along the Italian coast.

Where: Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA
Website: www.rivercafe.co.uk

Ambassadors Clubhouse

Ambassadors Clubhouse swaps London’s grey skies for the colour and energy of northern India. Warm terracotta walls, deep green upholstery, brass details and richly patterned textiles draw inspiration from the grand summer residences and private clubs of Punjab, while every room feels layered with texture. Downstairs, the lighting dims, music turns up and the atmosphere shifts from dinner into late-night celebration.

Created by JKS Restaurants, the restaurant takes its cues from the food of undivided Punjab, balancing smoky grills, rich curries, clay pot dishes and generous biryanis designed for sharing. Cocktails are equally expressive, taking inspiration from India’s lively party culture. It’s immersive without ever feeling like a theme, making it one of London’s most transportive dining rooms.

Where: Ambassadors Clubhouse, 25 Heddon Street W1B 4BH
Website: www.ambassadorsclubhouse.com

Forza Wine at the National Theatre

Forza Wine has the laid-back ease of an aperitivo bar somewhere on the Italian coast. Concrete, timber and soft greenery soften the National Theatre’s Brutalist architecture, while the wraparound terrace, lined with olive trees and overlooking the Thames, becomes one of London’s best spots for golden hour. With a spritz in hand, it’s surprisingly easy to forget you’re in the middle of the South Bank.

The menu follows Forza’s signature “Italian-ish” approach: seasonal sharing plates, generous vegetable dishes, burrata, fritti and its famous Custardo, all paired with a tightly curated list of natural wines and easy-drinking cocktails. It’s the sort of place where one glass becomes two, lunch drifts into the evening and suddenly you’ve spent half the day pretending you’re somewhere much sunnier.

Where: National Theatre, London SE1 9PX
Website: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk