Best restaurants in Westminster

Light-filled Lorne is a calming oasis of pastel colours, house plants and a regularly-changing menus dedicated to seasonal, local produce. Ex-River Café sommelier Katie Exton’s globe-trotting wine list is worth a look too. For relaxed yet refined dining, Lorne is the ideal neighbourhood spot.

The Garden Café, found in Lambeth’s Garden Museum, boasts a bright and airy dining space thanks to natural light pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Here, you’ll find utterly brilliant, and daily-changing, menus made using ultra-fresh ingredients. Plus, it’s all highly affordable.

Whilst hotel restaurants can often get a bad rep, The Curry Room at The Rubens at The Palace brings glamour in spades, with its rich red colour scheme will put you in the mood for the kinds of bold, fragrant curries that fill the menu.

Taking up residence in the striking Surveyors House, Searcys Bar and Brasserie brings its staunchly British menus and beloved sparkling wines to the heart of Westminster. If you’re looking for a celebratory spot with extensive drinks lists and respected catering, it has to be Searcys.

Exquisite dim sum and inspiring tasting menus are a must at this unpretentious Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in Westminster. Andrew Wong’s eponymous restaurant is arguably some of the best Chinese food in the capital, boasting impressive quality and quantity. Our advice: save some room for dessert.

Michelin starred Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt has opened his first restaurant outside of his home country at the Great Scotland Yard hotel. Focusing on Scandinavian cooking techniques and the best seasonal British ingredients, Ekstedt harnesses the power of a fire pit, wood fired oven and wood stove to create its dishes.

Just a short walk away from both the Apollo and Victoria Palace theatres, TOZI offers a menu that gives local residents and visitors alike a taste of authentic Italy. Inspired by the casual Venetian dining tradition, head chef Maurilio has carefully crafted Cicchetti dishes using the finest seasonal ingredients, all served alongside an all-Italian wine list.

Housed in the former Westminster Fire Station, Yaatra retains nods to its former days, with its striking brick facade that has been decked out with vibrant and contemporary furnishings. Delve into the flavours of India with its extravagant tasting menus, or keep it classic with something off the a la carte.

Championing women in the industry, The Pem was founded by ex-Harwood Arms chef and SquareMeal Female Chef of the Year 2022, Sally Abé, who originally launched with an all-female kitchen team. It’s also one of the most beautiful dining rooms in London, with its blush colour palette of pinks and reds.

Another of The OWO’s finest, Paper Moon started off life in Milan back in the ‘70s, offering a more upmarket way of enjoying authentic, Italian flavours. Sit amongst the restaurants' very own olive trees, gazing out across Horse Guards Parade whilst enjoying homemade pastas and extravagant cocktails.

If you’re looking for something a tad more relaxed, then head to Blue Boar Pub, a local boozer from renowned chef Sally Abe. Elevated pub grub and a particularly stellar Sunday roast hit the menus here, whether you pop in for a pint and some bar snacks or go the whole hog.

Sitting beneath the iconic Taj Hotel, Quilon is a Michelin-starred South Indian restaurant offering a serene and tranquil space to enjoy some fine dining. A comfortable refuelling point for residents, local office workers and well-heeled visitors, here you’ll find the kind of dishes that are best when shared.

Slap bang in the heart of Westminster, Caxton Grill is all about seasonal and local flavours. Housed in the charming St Ermin’s hotel, expect fruit, veg, herbs and honey from its rooftop kitchen garden and beehives, with a handful of dishes smoked on the Josper grill.

Tom Kerridge’s first London restaurant, which resides within the Corinthia hotel, just screams luxury, solidifying itself as one of our favourite spots in London. Expect sublime food that showcases the chef’s talent for invigorating flavour combinations.

Inspired by Shanghai in the 1930s, this East-Asian restaurant puts a luxurious and immersive twist on your dining experience. Enjoy an array of traditional dishes including soups, noodles and dumplings, and make sure you don’t skimp on the cocktails, each more extravagant than the last.

Located on the top floor of The OWO, Kioku by Endo comes from third-gen sushi master Endo Kazutoshi, serving up a plethora of Japanese dishes with intricate precision and high-quality ingredients that are second to none. Enjoy expertly recommended sake pairings and take in spectacular city views.

Embodying the decor and atmosphere of Italy’s beloved trattorias, Osteria Dell’Angolo brings reliable and authentic Italian flavours without breaking the bank. Delve into antipasti, pasta, risotto, carne and pesce for an indulgent feast - all washed down with a selection of Italian wines.

High ceilings, an imposing central bar and cosy booths make this all-day restaurant and bar a sleek spot in which to enjoy trendy Modern European food. Tucked away in the Grosvenor Hotel, expect menus that generally involve fermented, pickled and soaked ingredients - hence the name.

For those looking for all the glitz and glamour of one of London’s finest hotels, you'll feel right at home at The Northall at Corinthia. Menus here come from Michelin-starred chef Andre Garret who showcases seasonality with dishes that are worth a visit in their own right.

Vivek Singh’s effortlessly sophisticated restaurant is one of our favourite spots, leading the trend of fine-dining Indian restaurants. Housed in the former Westminster Library, there’s something rather spectacular happening in these four walls. Drop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner time and prepare to be wowed.