The best restaurants open on Monday in London: 15 places to start the week well

We’ve all been there (tell us we’ve all been there), looking for somewhere brilliant to eat only to discover decent restaurants open on a Monday in London are actually fairly few and far between.

Sure, there are all the usual big names where you can grab a fuss-free bite, like good old Wagamama or Pizza Express, but what about when you need something a touch more special? Perhaps your birthday falls on a Monday or your friend just got that promotion – finally – at work and you want to celebrate in style. Whatever your reason for eating out on a Monday, you deserve more than a bowl of noodles in a chain restaurant.

Covid truly has a lot to answer for, and we’re counting Monday mealtimes in the capital among the casualties of the pandemic. During such an unsettled time, many hospitality businesses had to choose to focus on only the most lucrative slots and as a result Mondays were quickly eliminated from the timetable, along with the ceasing of lunchtime sittings at many high-end restaurants. Now, in a (nearly) post-covid world, many restaurants have decided to stay closed on a Sunday and a Monday to ensure staff are given a proper break in the week and to safeguard against quiet service times.

Luckily for us this isn’t the case across the board. Where the majority of the best restaurants in London keep their doors shut on a Monday, there is still a handful of high-end eats available if you know where to look. Because we’re kind, we’ve done the looking for you to uncover a list of the best restaurants open on a Monday in London. From trendy new openings through to stalwarts of the culinary scene, the below spots are ready to welcome you with open arms on the first day of the week. And let’s be honest, Mondays are when we need a cheery mealtime the most.

Bistro Freddie, Shoreditch

What: Candlelit and cosy in the winter and cool and breezy in the summer, Bistro Freddie nails the brief whatever the weather thanks to its mixture of mood lighting and wide open windows. It’s as much a place to gather with friends as date night appropriate, with the buzzy crowd and trendy team helping to keep the atmosphere lively and fun. As one of the foodie set’s favourite spots, even on a Monday this place can get booked up, so we’d recommend securing a reservation in advance. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with a modern British bistro menu plus a stellar French wine list. Signatures include the jambon beurre flatbread with paper thin ham, sliced cornichon, and salty melted butter, and the now-famous pie with its crisp, shiny top and ever-changing fillings that range from rabbit to confit chicken.
Cuisine: Modern British
Book now: Bistro Freddie

The Wolseley, St James’s

What: Glorious in its grandeur, The Wolseley is an iconic destination visited routinely by many a London connoisseur. One look at the cavernous marble-clad room and you’re instantly transported to the all-day European cafes of old. Come Monday the team’s full offering is available – from breakfast and lunch right through to afternoon tea, dinner and dessert. In the evening you can expect a menu packed with classics – think steak tartare, oysters, steak frites and the restaurant’s iconic kedgeree.
Cuisine: European
Book now: The Wolseley

Toklas, Temple

What: Serene Toklas sits suspended over Surrey Street, and on a nice evening you can sit on the foliage-laden terrace and watch the comings and goings of local workers and King's College students stumbling out of the student union. The menu is hyper-seasonal, bistro-esque, but cooked with a deft hand and without a worry for tweezers or edible flowers. There's always the option of sharing a whole fish between a group, with a bowl of some of the best chips in London - never a bad shout. Oh, and the desserts are top-tier, as is the accompanying bakery downstairs. 
Cuisine: British
Book now: Toklas

Trullo, Islington

What: Islington can feel like one of London's more transient restaurant landscapes but Trullo has survived the test of time - in fact, it might be as good as it has ever been. Dinner stretches from fantastic antipasti (which are closer to genuine small plates than snacky bits) and a compact menu of outstanding pasta dishes, as well as mains that are often cooked over coals. The Victoria line will speed you up to Highbury & Islington in a jiffy, and from there Trullo is just a few minutes walk, making this easy to get to as well. 
Cuisine: Italian
Book now: Trullo

Bob Bob Ricard, Soho

What: Wonderfully decedent, Bob Bob Ricard secured its fame with its novelty ‘push for Champagne’ buttons. Novelty only gets you so far though, and the restaurant has backed up its brand with a stellar menu of European fare. Think caviar to kick things off, starters of eastern European dumplings, and then pies and Wellingtons as well as steaks and seafood for mains. Instagrammable desserts and impeccable interiors all add to the appeal. Plus, on a Monday this place is still buzzing, so you’ll benefit from a good atmosphere to boot.
Cuisine: European
Book now: Bob Bob Ricard

Quo Vadis, Soho

What: If you're in search of delicious midweek dinner, Soho should be pretty high on your list of places to start, and no discussion of food in Soho is complete without mentioning the iconic Quo Vadis. If you've had a Monday to forget, join the tirelessly cheerful Jeremy Lee and his crew and tuck into smoked eel sandwiches, lovely pies with bronzed crusts and maximalist comfort puds like iles flottante, lemon tart with creme fraiche and a cracking cheese plate.
Cuisine: British
Book now: Quo Vadis

Manteca, Shoreditch

What: We take comfort in the fact that most restaurants open on a Monday in London are those that are so good they don’t even skip a beat come the start of the week. They have to be supremely confident in their pulling power, and one such spot is Chris Leach’s Manteca. After proving its popularity in a Soho temporary site, it’s now found its permanent home in Shoreditch where it feels completely at ease with its hipster surrounds. The nose to tail menu of Italian plates is undeniably delicious and there’s proper (not just tokenistic) attention paid to sustainability. Don’t skip the squishy, olive oil drizzled focaccia for starters as you mull things over, then take your pick from pasta plates, house-cured charcuterie or larger fire-cooked cuts of meat to share. Leach’s bold flavours are summarised in the unmissable pig skin ragu that is rich with fat and served with a giant deep fried skin puff to scoop with.
Cuisine: Italian
Book now: Manteca

Bao Noodle Shop, Shoreditch

What: There’s seemingly no stopping Erchen Chang, the owner of Bao, who has created a mini Taiwanese empire in the heart of London. While a few of the Bao portfolio are open on Mondays, or favourite is the latest edition to the gang: Bao Noodle Shop. This cosy corner restaurant found in the crossover of Redchurch Street and Shoreditch High Street is a short stroll from the overground or Liverpool Street and combines the best of the brand’s fluffy filled buns with steaming hot bowls of handmade noodle soups. Expect bold flavours, interesting ingredients, and stripped-back contemporary interiors.
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Book now: Bao Noodle Shop

Kiln, Soho

What: Wildly popular Kiln has made a name for itself through its fiery curries, live coal cookery and ‘hole in the wall’ style vibe that has kept it busy since it opened back in 2016. While you might find yourself having to queue towards the end of the week, sneaking in on a Monday when things are a little less hectic feels like a real win. The menu changes regularly and is guided by the seasonal produce procured by the team on any given day. Spicy soups, smoky skewers, rich curries and sides of refreshing rice noodles and herb salads typically complete the line-up. While the default setting here is hot, the team are usually happy to adjust spice levels where possible.
Cuisine: Thai
Book now: Kiln

Morito, Clerkenwell

What: Another restaurant that has stood the test of time is the perennially packed Morito - one of London’s best tapas bars. The Exmouth Market original (there’s also one in Hackney now) might be petite in stature but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in personality. The plates here are gutsy and packed with flavour, while the buzzy team is well-used to making diners feel like family in the laidback surrounds. Don’t miss some of London’s best patatas bravas, as well as the heavenly tortilla that oozes in the centre and sits proudly on the counter, ready to be sliced and served.
Cuisine: Spanish (tapas)
Book now: Morito

Berenjak, Soho

What: Part of the JKS stable (Gymkhana, Bao, Lyle’s and more), Berenjak seems to have a knack for creating plates that people go crazy for. The formula is a simple one, but the execution is flawless. Colourful, joyful plates of Persian flavours form the backbone of the offering – from smoky grilled kebabs and fragrant stews through to zippy sides and a wide selection of tradition mazeh plates. If you can’t make up your mind from the a la carte let us gently guide you in the direction of the feast selection. This leaves things up to the kitchen and will ensure you’re plied with piles of food for just £37.50 per person. For the quality of the cooking here we think the prices represent a relative bargain.
Cuisine: Persian
Book now: Berenjak

Brasserie Zedel, Piccadilly

What: If you’re yet to make the pilgrimage to Brasserie Zedel let us urge you to do so, we’re yet to meet a disappointed diner. The old-world interiors are all gilded columns and mirrored walls, while the precisely laid tables come complete with pink cloths and silver dinnerware. We know what you’re thinking, that has to come at a price, but this is where Brasserie Zedel really comes into its own. Despite the beautiful setting the French menu is incredibly fairly priced. The best deal of all is the prixe-fixe menu which delivers two courses for just £12.25 at any time of the day. It’s served rapidly, so don’t expect to linger over dinner, but in exchange for your rapid enjoyment you’ll be rewarded with a carrot rappe salad to start and the most delicious steak hache, peppercorn sauce and fries for mains. C’est bon.
Cuisine: French
Book now: Brasserie Zedel

Kricket, Soho

What: A Pop Brixton alumnus, Kricket soon outgrew its original shipping container format and has since gone on to open three bricks and mortar restaurants serving its signature Anglo-Indian food across London. The best seats in the house in the Soho site are at the counter which looks onto the kitchen. Watch as the chefs deftly throw breads against the scorching sides of the tandoor or pile your bowl high with the Keralan fried chicken and curry leaf mayo. Sharing is the name of the game here, so we suggest dining with people you’re willing to split plates with. Kricket gets busy, even on Mondays, so booking is always advisable, although the team keeps some tables for walk-ins and will kindly call you when your table is ready so you can slope off for a drink elsewhere while you wait.
Cuisine: Anglo-Indian
Book now: Kricket

Blacklock, Covent Garden

What: Bold, rich and meaty – the menu at Blacklock Covent Garden isn’t afraid to embrace nose to tail eating, offal and all. Here you’ll find pig’s head on toast covered in gravy with pickles on the side plus marrow spread and beef dripping chips. For carnivores, this is pure heaven. Once you’ve had your fill of small plates you can make your way onto mains of steak, chops and even a suet pastry pie (served with more gravy, of course). The interiors are dark and atmospheric, and the drinks are great too – the perfect place for a Monday date.
Cuisine: British
Book now: Blacklock

The Aubrey, Knightsbridge

What: Seemingly the dining format of the moment, The Aubrey has embraced the full izakaya experience in its Knightsbridge setting. The combination results in a luxuriously appointed pink dining room (sweeping marble bar and all) and a menu packed to the gunnels with Japanese favourites like sushi, sashimi and tempura as well as robata grill classics. In true Knightsbridge style sky-high prices match the high-end surrounds, but available Monday to Thursday only is the (relatively) good value lunch menu which allows you to enjoy a three-layered bento set for £38.
Cuisine: Japanese
Book now: The Aubrey

Morchella, Clerkenwell 

What:  When London offers up one of her rare, glorious sunny evenings, it’s rude to not make the most of it, even if it falls on a Monday. There’s nowhere better to spend it than on Morchella’s sun-soaked terrace, sipping on a glass from their extensive wine list and nibbling on a selection of mediterranean small plates. One spanakopita and a roast lamb with ratatouille later and you won’t know if you’re in Exmouth Market or by Aegean Sea. 
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Book now: Morchella

If you have little ones in tow, why not check out our guide the most family friendly restaurants in London (including some surprsingly fancy spots!)