The best no-booking restaurants in London: 16 spots that welcome walk-ins

Restaurants with no-bookings policies certainly divide opinion among Londoners: some hate the long queues and lack of guaranteed seating, while others embrace the spontaneity and absence of exclusivity. And while there’s a time and a place for booking an extra-special spot to look forward to for months (or in some hyper-in-demand place’s case, years), some of us just aren’t built to plan.

In recent years, there’s been an explosion of some of the best restaurants London has ever seen, and some incredible places to rack up your must-try list. Unfortunately, there are also equal numbers of eager diners to match, and it sometimes feels like trying to get a reservation at one of London’s fantastic spots is harder than accessing tickets to a Taylor Swift concert.

Luckily, London’s seeing a burgeoning walk-in culture for those of us who enjoy a last-minute plan. Perhaps there’s a reason to celebrate (even if that’s just getting through Monday), or it could just be that cooking your own tea tonight is too much to take. Whatever the reason, restaurants without reservations are the way to go.

So don’t despair if you’ve tried a clutch of trendy spots only to be told they’re full, there is a whole cohort of eateries in London which have set aside a handful of tables – or their whole restaurants – for walk-in diners only.

This means that whatever your reason for wanting a last-minute bite to eat, you should be covered. Fancy playing it by ear and grabbing a table at a no reservations restaurant? We've got you covered with these places that welcome walk-ins.

AGORA, Borough

What: The latest queue-only kid on the block, you can usually see and hear the clamouring queue for AGORA from the main road. Having reviewed it ourselves, it’s no surprise that it’s so popular - big flavours, good portions at unbelievable value for the quality, AGORA delivers bold Greek cooking in broad brushstrokes, with breads baked in-house, killer dips, skewers roasted on spits over charcoal and more.
Where: 2-4 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL
Read more: AGORA

Koya, Soho

What: A Soho stalwart, Koya still has a no bookings policy but it generally isn’t as hard to get into as some others on this list, especially if you can avoid peak times. It’s definitely worth a visit - Shuko Oda’s authentic soups and udon dishes taste just like they do in Japan, and there are some more quirky specials on offer as well.
Where: 50 Frith Street, W1D 4SQ
Read more: Koya Soho

Roti King, King’s Cross

What: Roti King now has a bookable site out at Battersea Power Station, but the original is still our favourite and thankfully, the quality of the cooking hasn’t changed. It’s good to see it still immensely busy on most evenings - grab yourself a roti with kari, or a filled roti murtabak and enjoy. Long queues are still common so get there early to avoid disappointment.
Where: 40 Doric Way, NW1 1LH
Read more: Roti King King’s Cross

Jose, Bermondsey

What: Still perhaps our favourite of Jose Pizarro’s Bermondsey mini-empire, Jose is the most down to earth experience of all his restaurants. This tapas bar is a bustling, no-bookings, get cosy with your fellow diners situation, and get stuck into Spanish meats, cheese and croquetas, with cocktails, wines and a great sherry selection to choose from too.
Where: 104 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UB
Read more: Jose

The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park

What: This beloved north London pub is an institution around Finsbury Park and Crouch Hill, not just because of the massive multi storey beer garden and all round good vibes, but also because it hides a surprisingly good Thai restaurant inside. It doesn’t take any bookings though and the pub is always busy, so you want to get here early if you want to grab a table and chow down on green curry, satay skewers and some pleasantly spicy stir fries.
Where: 19 Perth Road, N4 3HB
Read more: The Faltering Fullback

St. John Marylebone

What: St. John Marylebone is different in style from the Smithfields mothership, but it retains the essence of what makes St. John special. Marylebone has more of a Parisian vibe, offering menus throughout the day, all backed up by a typically excellent wine list. The whole upstairs is held for walk-ins only so it’s always worth showing up in case there’s a table.
Where: 98 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2JE
Read more: St. John Marylebone

Morito Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell

What: Morito is the teensy offshoot of nextdoor neighbour and Moro, the eternally popular spot for Moorish cuisine. From their dinky little site, Morito serve up massive flavours in small plates and tapas of the same North African and Spanish persuasion as its antecedent. Morito only accepts a limited number of bookings, keeping most tables free for walk-ins, and become a walk-in only restaurant in July and August. Their Hackney road outpost takes more bookings, but also keeps a number of counter seats available for walk-ins.
Where: 32 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE
Read more: Morito Exmouth Market

Kiln, Soho

What: Packing a punch with its Thai BBQ and sharing plates, this pint-sized spot is one of Soho’s most popular haunts. No longer taking bookings, Kiln now operates as a walk-in only restaurant, on a first-come, first-serve basis. While queues are likely to be long, they encourage you to wait with a drink and soak up the charm of Soho’s streets, and its all worth it when you finally get in and see those clay pot noodles plonked in front of you.
Where: 58 Brewer Street, W1F 9TL
Read more: Kiln

Smoking Goat, Shoreditch

What: Just like its little sister Kiln, the Thai hotspot Smoking Goat identifies as a ‘predominantly walk-in restaurant,’ while reserving a selection of booking spots for groups up to 8. Its feisty dishes will leave you with tingling lips and runny sinuses, and have garnered quite the cult following for packing a punch. Swinging by the Smoking Goat is never a bad idea for an off-the-cuff dinner.
Where: 64 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ
Read more: Smoking Goat

Dim Sum Duck, King's Cross

What: This is the true meaning of a local gem: Dim Sum Duck is a no-booking, no-frills dim sum spot in King’s Cross, delivering utterly delicious authentic Cantonese delights. Queuing is practically an obligatory part of the experience, but upon your first bite, you’ll see why: an extensive menu brings, no hyperbole, some of the best Chinese food in London, delivered at impressive speed. Queues for Dim Sum Duck have a habit of growing fast, so this is one we'd recommend you get to as early as possible to stand the best chance of getting a table. 
Where: 124 King's Cross Road, WC1X 9DS
Read more: Dim Sum Duck

40 Maltby Street, Bermondsey

What: An artisan food connoisseur’s dream, 40 Maltby Street operates out of an incognito spot in the warehouse of Gergovie Wines, and orients its British-leaning menu around an impressive global viticultural offering. There’s a strict no-reservation policy, and check the restaurant’s Instagram page for updates to the weekly changing menu - the whole operation is rather laid-back, rather rustic, and rather charming.
Where: 40 Maltby Street, SE1 3PA
Read more: 40 Maltby Street

Sol's, Bayswater

What: An achingly cool offering to West London’s wine bar scene, Sol’s brings pocket-sized magic to Bayswater. Sol’s no-bookings policy makes for a casual drop-in neighbourhood spot with an exceedingly European feel. Swing by in the day for their selection of Mediterranean-influenced salads and sandwiches, and stay into the evening for a glass from the fabulous wine list spanning across the continent.
Where: 25 Leinster Terrace, W2 3ET
Read more: Sol's

Dishoom, Various locations

What: If you haven't queued for Dishoom, are you really a Londoner? Standing in a line for Dishoom with a cup of chai is a right of passage for us all, and Dishoom is still worth the wait (thankfully the days of queueing multiple hours seem to be over). Paying homage to the Irani cafes of Bombay, Dishoom deals in sharing plates and bowls of deftly spiced curries and smoky grilled meats and seafood. While Dishoom takes bookings for any sized group during the day, after 6pm, they only accept bookings for groups of six or more. So it’s often a case of sipping on one of the choice of delicious spice-infused cocktails while you wait for your table, pager in hand.  
Where: Various locations
Read more: Dishoom Battersea; Dishoom Carnaby; Dishoom Covent Garden; Dishoom Shoreditch; Dishoom King's Cross; Dishoom Kensington; Dishoom Canary Wharf

Barrafina Dean Street, Soho

What: The first London restaurant to make no-bookings cool, Barrafina knows a thing or two about creating hype by way of a lengthy queue outside its restaurants. Barrafina's Dean Street outpost is still walk-in only, while its other outposts accept reservations. We’d suggest getting there before 6pm if you want to snag a table quickly and you’ll be well rewarded by way of a menu stuffed with traditional tapas dishes with a modern spin. Don't worry about the cold - there's plenty of leaning space inside the restaurant, and you can wait with a drink until a counter spot frees up.
Where: 26-27 Dean Street, W1D 3LL
Read more: Barrafina Dean Street

Padella, Borough

What: Homemade pasta combined with fresh sauces have helped seal Padella as a favourite in many a Londoner’s heart, and in our opinion, still London's leading pasta spot. If you simply must book, head over to Padella Shoreditch and reserve yourself a table, but for the authentic Padella experience you want to be hauling yourself to Borough Market. It's worth it for a taste of that sweet pici cacio e pepe - still the best pasta dish in London. Plus, you don't even have to actually queue anymore, you just stick your name in a virtual queue, go and sink a couple of pints then come back when your table is ready. 
Where: 6 Southwark Street, SE1 1TQ
Read more: Padella Borough

Le Relais De Venise L'Entrecote, Marylebone

What: With a strict no bookings policy, Le Relais De Venise L'Entrecote is an institution that spans several continents across the world. Born in Paris, this small chain of restaurants specialises in steak and chips. The cut of the day changes, but the price doesn’t, and you’ll also get a salad and French bread to start, plus the signature rich, herby steak sauce and unlimited chips into the bargain. No wonder the queue is always heaving - you'll have to get here pretty early to beat the crowd but either way, it's worth it.
Where: 120 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2QG
Read more: Le Relais De Venise L'Entrecote

Love a bit of al fresco dining? We've rounded up the best outdoor restaurants in London, from floral terraces to breezy rooftops. Or, if all you care about is great food, why not check out our list of the Top 100 London Restaurants this year.