Restaurant recommendations- London

[Careeradviceplease1234]

Hi All,

It is my 30th birthday in December and I am planning a trip to London for a couple of days. On the evening of my birthday I would love to go for a really lovely meal somewhere with a lovely atmosphere and surroundings.

We aren't fussy in the type of food so open to all suggestions. Willing to go a little more pricey as well for a lovely experience.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Also would he happy to hear any recommendations for cool bars or places for drinks. Anything to make the night a little special.

Clos Maggiore is really nice for a couples meal, great surroundings.

Depends on what food you want and where you are staying. There's a lot of choice in London!

I'm completely indecisive regarding type of food 😬. I know that is so unhelpful.

We are staying in the Westminster area.

If you like Italian the Big Mamma ones are nice eg Circolo Popolare
Side Hustle at the NoMad in Covent Garden is lovely for drinks
J Sheekeys is hard to beat if you like seafood
or SushiSamba at the Heron Tower

some like Amazonico in Mayfair but I found it a bit cruise ship

Another vote for J Sheekey’s!

If you are in Westminster and want a fancy dinner then I'd head to one of the Michelin stars. Jason Atherton has a couple which are nice. Or Hakkasan. Or go to one of the hotel based ones. Personally I prefer lunchtime at these kinds of places as it's cheaper and also more fun IMHO.
If you don't want Michelin star then one place I thought was great was La Poule Au Pot. Prob walking distance for you and very authentic French food and busy atmosphere.

Cinnamon Club in Westminster is really nice if you like Indian food.

Gold in Notting Hill it's fabulous!

Thank-you for all the suggestions folks!

The ones jumping out at me so far upon having a look are Cinnamon Club and J Sheekeys if that helps with recommendations. Hakkasan looks good too.

Anyone any thoughts on Le Pont De La Tour?

Haven't been to Pont de la Tour for yonks, I mean decades! I didn't think much of it then tbh

Sushi Samba has amazing views and a cocktail bar.

Will it just be you and your partner or a larger group?

Sucre in Soho. Buzzy and hip

Cinnamon Club is lovely. I had a dinner for my 30th there too. Excellent cocktails too.

If you fancy a traditional vibe, then Rules in Covent garden does serious British food, has been going for decades. Very nice experience, classy but not stuffy.
At the other end of the scale Joe Allens, also in Covent Garden, is fun and great for serious cocktails and US style food. (But it's decidedly not just a burger joint, it does a good Caesar Salad and desserts. Try a cocktail, thry're not the oversweet, watered down rubbish passes for cocktails all too often.)

Sucre also looks right up my street!

It will be a group of 3 people. Siblings 😊.

For drinks I recommend Gordon's wine bar near Charing Cross. Proper old school, different from most other places I've been. (Food is good too but not special birthday type). What is your total max budget for food? Are you planning on lots of drinks?Little more pricey is relative!

Have a look at topjaw on Instagram for recommendations

Skylon in the Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank. Fantastic views, excellent food, lovely service and reasonable prices. We celebrate every single of our birthdays there

www.skylon-restaurant.co.uk/

If you really want to splash out and have a memorable night, you can’t beat The Ledbury https://www.theledbury.com/. For something more affordable, I always think The Wolseley has a lovely atmosphere and feels special https://www.thewolseley.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8pKxBhD_ARIsAPrG45nsLYDavw1q3XFg4E9XBd3kxE36BOOQOVkerjjyNx-14WfJTC2qYhwaAiEfEALw_wcB

I went to a nice Peruvian restaurant last time I was in London but I don't remember the name, central

Pont del La Tour used to be good about 15 /20 years ago, not sure now. Sheekeys is great. I absolutely love Hakkasan, very special indeed

Bob Bob Ricard, it's lots of fun so great for siblings and has one of the best priced wine lists in town. I visit both Soho and city reasonably regularly and had a great time in both.
Duck and waffle is also fun, less doing it for the 'gram than sushi samba but equally great views.
Love cafe murano, always good and well priced. Also love pollen street social, Bubala and the Palomar

Sollip or Trivet at London bridge.

I think Sollip is more impactful as the food is really different from stuff elsewhere. The staff are LOVELY too.

I also really like Turnips at Borough Market (the restaurant not the veg shop) but I think it's closing as the market trustees were unhappy.

Yautcha/ Hakkasan are also really different and fancy if you like asian food.
Yautcha city does an amazing value Saturday afternoon deal.

Also had knock out fish recently at Prawn on the Lawn. J Sheekeys is more iconic but this was amazing.

Oh, an no-one has mentioned The Ivy proper. It's serious 30th birthday territory!

Sarastro on Drury Lane is pretty cool.