Skip The Jet Lag: 32 Restaurants That’ll Make You Feel Like You’re On Holiday

MY&SANNÉ

Bringing the Med to London (minus the blue seas) is MY&SANNÉ. This little Mediterranean paradise is from the team behind the L’ETO cafes and draws on major influences from Greek, Italy and Asia. 

The menu boasts delicate dishes of pappardelle with pulled lamb shoulder, spinach and saffron pecorino; chipotle chicken burger with chipotle mayo and French fries; salmon steak; and aubergine and taleggio risotto with toasted almonds. The restaurant is truly Instagrammable; expect floral ceilings, panelled walls and vines creeping up every wall.

Treehouse Hotel London

Treehouse Hotel London has been hot on everyone’s lips since arriving at the beginning of the year, and rightly so, it’s fun, quirky and literally inspired by the humble treehouse.

Inside it’s adorn with whimsical interiors, foliage overhead and an exceptional modern Mexican restaurant that’ll whizz you off to the country powered by chilli and spice. Not to mention their hip rooftop bar too, just perfect for a cocktail overlooking London’s skyline.

Circolo Popolare

Circolo Popolare is a firm favourite among the foodie set, from restaurant reviewers raving about the authentic Italian fare to influencers getting the perfect ‘gram shot of their 20,000 spirit bottles lining the walls. Part of the Big Mamma Group, the Fitzrovia restaurant brings big energy through its dinner service and al fresco dining area that’s both cosy and quirky, bursting with the typical Big Mamma Group styled interiors. 

As soon as you step out onto the outdoor dining area you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped foot into a traditional Italian restaurant on the Amalfi Coast. Settle in for big bowls of creamy spaghetti, cured meats and a big helping of mozzarella loaded pizza.

Amazónico 

Amazónico arrived onto the scene in 2019, bringing with them bold, flavour packed dishes that’ll transport you on a sensory journey through Brazil, Colombia, Peru, as well as noting influences from Japan, China and India. Their signature Ensalada Amazonico, made with fresh mango, confit tomatoes, avocado and kalamansi citrus, is a must try. 

Inside the interiors are entirely rainforest inspired, with scattered peacocks, water features and hanging foliage overhead. As soon as you step foot inside the restaurant, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported thousands of miles from the grey, dreary London weather you’ve left outside.

Eataly 

The Italian experience is all about homemade food, fresh coffee and scoop on scoop of gelato. If you can’t get off to Italy, experience this Italian way of life right here in London at the city’s newest food market and restaurant concept, Eataly. 

The first of its kind to arrive in the UK, Eataly is home to over 5,000 quality Italian and local food products, an outdoor terrace, three restaurants and Italian street food inspired counters. Head here for an authentic slice of Italy.

COYA Mayfair

Book into COYA Mayfair for your very own Peruvian holiday experience in the heart of London. Their flagship Mayfair restaurant brings a sense of adventure explored through the designed interiors, bold flavours and exotic cocktails. Sample one of their signature pisco cocktails before tucking into small Peruvian plates.

AllBright Mayfair

Female members’ club, AllBright is home to two secluded rooftop terraces and provides the perfect place to while away the afternoon over cocktails with clients or friends.

This summer, they’ll be taking Londoners on an adventure to the Med, one cocktail at a time. They’ve partnered with Malfy Gin and Petra Palumbo homemade to bring the Mediterranean to the heart of Mayfair.

Spend your weekend sipping on refreshing cocktails complete with an Italian twist and pair them with AllBright’s resident head chef Carlos Pinerez’s dishes.

Enquire about membership at www.allbrightcollective.com

Alto by San Carlo

Forget your dream Tuscany holiday this year and settle in for an authentic slice of Italian paradise here in the heart of the city at Alto by San Carlo. 

Tucked atop of Selfridges rooftop, the restaurant will make you feel as though you’ve stepped foot inside a traditional Italian trattoria. Expect lemon vines overhead, sun soaring through the wooden beams and a beautiful Italian style feast. The menu itself is filled with light bites, including grilled artichokes with mint sauce; fritto misto; panzerotto pugliese; and carpaccio of Angus beef.

Kindred

Travel the world in 80 bites at The Cellar, the restaurant tucked inside West London’s members’ space Kindred. 

Head chef Romulo Silva has created a menu inspired by ‘London fusion’, showcasing a range of dishes that blend diverse flavours and ingredients from different communities across London. Travel the seas through the seasonal menu. Hero dishes include home-cured chalk stream trout with radish, kohlrabi and dill; grilled herb-fed chicken with fennel, olives and saffron aioli; and grilled Tamworth pork chop with sauce charcuterie. 

Tavolino 

Enjoy a slice of Italy with a little help from the capital’s favourite riverside restaurant, Tavolino. Meaning ‘small table’ in Italian, the restaurant is headed by Louis Karovilas, formerly head chef of Bancone and a Giorgia Locatelli alumnus, and champions the best of Italian cuisine, knocking up fresh bread, pasta and gnocchi daily. 

The restaurant also boasts an impressive 100 seater terrace, overlooking some of London’s finest landmarks, including Tower Bridge. Where else would you want to spend your long evenings?

Zuaya 

Forget your jungle adventure holiday to the Amazon, head on over to Zuaya for an unforgettable Latin American experience. 

The restaurant is abrim with tropical trees, hanging plants and the occasional hidden monkey, and the menu follows suit thanks to its exotic flavours and cocktails that pack in a punch. Settle in for an indoor adventure and try a selection of their seasonal dishes; their lamb tacos are a favourite in The Handbook office.

The Last Talisman

If you can’t quite afford the plane fare to Asia this year but that doesn’t mean you have to forfeit exploring London’s vibrant Asian scene. Head to The Last Talisman, the cocktail bar and Asian grill on Bermondsey Street. 

Test out their cocktail list – we love the Talisman Bellini, a fun twist your traditional brunch favourite and the Ruby Vesper, a mix of sloe gin, Talisman vodka, red vermouth and orange bitters. For those wanting dinner, there’s a delicious selection of charred skewers fresh from their in-house grill.

Heddon Yokocho 

Located on Heddon Street, this little gem is inspired by the ramen bars dotted around Tokyo in the 1970s and brings the sights and sounds of the retro bars to London. 

Famed for their signature ramen menu, head here for dishes such as kumamoto tonkotsu, a rich based pork broth with garlic oil and fried garlic; sapporo miso, a miso based chicken and pork broth with beansprouts, bbq pork belly, minced pork, corn, pak choi, egg, butter, nori and spring onion; or go veggie with the vegan napoli, a tomato based veggie broth with grilled tomatoes, grilled mushroom, basil and vegan cheese.

Frescobaldi 

Step inside Mayfair’s Frescobaldi and you’re immediately transported to the heart of Tuscany. Home to beautiful Italian paintings lining the walls and greenery clad along the ceiling, the restaurant features some of the best Italian dishes in the city. 

Menu highlights include asparagus, pea, goats cheese and basil risotto; breaded veal chop Milanese; grilled lamb cutlet with aubergine puree and red peppers; and ricotta and spinach ravioli with datterino tomato and basil sauce.

Bar Douro

Enjoy an authentic slice of Portuguese interiors and cuisine when you dine in at Bar Douro. Expect traditional blue and white tiling to be adorning the walls and the counter bar, all of which pairs perfectly with the Portuguese wines and tapas-style menu. Menu highlights include grilled octopus with blistered peppers and onions; grilled lamb rump with rainbow chard and migas; and their signature bifana, a traditional Portugeuse sandwich made with pork shoulder, white wine and fermented pepper sauce, served in a bola rustica with fennel and savora mustard mayonnaise. It’s traditionally served from roulotes and tascas across the country.

ME London

Known best for its electrifying Radio Rooftop with soaring views over London’s skyline from Tower Bridge to the Houses of Parliament, ME London is the perfect spot for a staycation in the city. 

The rooms are sleek and contemporary. Stop off at their in house steak restaurant, STK for the best steak in London before heading on up to the rooftop for a cocktail with a view.

Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites & Residences

A hotel that feels like it’s nuzzled inside its own little village, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites & Residences is home to a mix of culinary delights and rooms, all with hints towards the hotel’s Indian heritage. Level up your staycation and bed in for a night in the Cinema Suite, which plays homage to the rich history of Hollywood and Indian cinema and is a true delight for any film buffs out there. Book in for a Michelin-star experience at Quilon and sample fine Indian South West coastal cuisine.

Cinnamon Kitchen

Located alongside the riverside haven that is Battersea Power Station sits Cinnamon Kitchen, the all-day dining concept specialising in modern-Indian cuisine. Here be transported to India through the aromatic Indian spices found in every dish. These spices are then paired alongside seasonal British ingredients. 

Tuck inside dishes such as Lahori Chapli, a grilled lamb kebab, with onion, tomato and smoked paprika raita; Samosa Chaat; and Lucknowi Nawab Style Chicken Biryani. 

11 Cadogan Gardens

Book in for a cosy holiday experience at 11 Cadogan Gardens, the five-star boutique hotel located just off the iconic Sloane Square. Enjoy an al fresco dining experience at their on-site restaurant, Hans’ Bar & Grill and tuck into small plates and sharing plates with friends. Plates include ham hock and duck croquettes with apple puree and Waldolf salad; Brixham crab and mango with chilli, avocado, puffed wild rice and coriander; and crisp scampi prawns in a tempura batter with spring onion, garlic and red chilli.

Aqua Kyoto

Get off to Japan figuratively at Aqua Kyoto, the contemporary Japanese restaurant and rooftop terrace hidden high above Regent Street. Here you’ll find everything from fresh sushi to robata style dishes, tempura to melt-in-the-mouth wagyu steak. 

Head out onto the rooftop terrace and soak up the best of the city’s views with a refreshing cocktail in hand.

COMO Garden

While warm nights sat at your favourite Italian taverna might seem like a distant memory, it doesn’t have to be. Enter COMO Garden, Kensington High Street’s answer to a traditional Italian tapas restaurant. 

The sister restaurant of Zuaya London, COMO Garden is home to beautiful ferns, indoor greenery and is reminiscent of a traditional Italian restaurant you’d find in a rural village. The menu is just as delightful, featuring dishes such as Sicilian orange salads; sliced veal with creamy tuna and capers; and gnocchi with gorgonzola and caramelised walnut.

ROBATA

Have you ever tried robata cooking? Meaning ‘fireside’, it’s the Japanese tradition of grilled charcoal cooking and was first introduced to keep fishermans food warm while they were busy sourcing the catch of the day. Nowadays you can experience this ancient technique right here in London at Compton Street’s ROBATA. 

For those who have yet to try this style of cooking, make sure you try out ROBATA’s grilling dishes, from the charred broccoli steak with yakiniku and red chilli to their signature dish, the wood-flamed iberico pork pluma.

Skylight

Live out your rooftop dreams and you can pretend you’re anywhere but dreary London. 

Soak up what’s left of the warmer weather with a cocktail or two from Skylight or challenge your friends to a game of pétanque and imagine you’re in France. If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to check out their new venue in Peckham for sweeping views over London, brunch bites and endless cocktail options.