Best Food and Restaurants in London UK – Quick Answer for Singapore Travellers
If you are flying from Singapore and want the Best Food and Restaurants in London UK, focus on three key areas: historic British institutions (for classic roasts and puddings), modern Michelin-level spots (for tasting menus and wine pairings), and lively neighbourhood gems (for affordable, authentic global cuisines). London’s food scene is vast, but with careful planning and verified recommendations, you can eat safely, well and within budget while also exploring key London attractions and things to do London on the same route.
This guide is a focused cluster within Homejourney’s broader London series, supporting our main pillar on Complete Guide to Things to Do in London UK | Homejourney Travel & Property Insi... . As with our Singapore property content, Homejourney prioritises safety, transparency and verified information so you can plan both your UK travel and long-term investment decisions with confidence.
Why Singapore Travellers Love London’s Food Scene
After years of flying the Changi–London route for work and family visits, one thing stands out: London is now one of the most exciting food capitals in the world. You can go from a £6 Chinatown noodle bowl near Leicester Square to a three-hour tasting menu in Shoreditch, all on the same day.[1][2] For Singaporeans used to hawker centres and mall dining, London offers similar variety, just at higher price points.
The best time to visit for food is spring to early autumn (roughly April to October), when markets like Borough Market and Maltby Street are in full swing and days are longer.[1][6] From Singapore, most direct flights land at Heathrow; the Heathrow Express into Paddington is the fastest but priciest, while the Elizabeth Line and Piccadilly Line are cheaper and still convenient for central areas.
Currency-wise, you’ll be paying in GBP (£). As a rule of thumb from Singapore: a mid-range London main course at £18–25 is similar to S$30–45 depending on exchange rate. Many Homejourney users track budgets in both GBP and SGD when planning trips and investment decisions; this habit carries over naturally when comparing London lifestyle costs with Singapore property outlays on Projects Directory and Property Search .
Must-Try London Food Experiences for First-Time Visitors
If it’s your first time in London UK, there are a few essential food experiences that pair well with major London attractions and are highly practical for a Singapore-style, efficiency-focused itinerary.
1. Borough Market – The Safest Bet for Variety in One Stop
Located near London Bridge, Borough Market is still one of the best single stops for quality street food and produce, despite being touristy.[1][3] You can try British cheese, fresh oysters, raclette, Indian curries, Middle Eastern wraps and excellent coffee in one compact area. There are clear crowd flows, good lighting and many stalls with visible food hygiene ratings posted, which safety-conscious Singaporeans appreciate.
Insider tip from frequent Singapore visitors: go when it opens (usually 10am on weekdays, earlier on Saturdays) to avoid peak tour groups; you’ll also get fresher bakes and shorter waits. Many Singapore-based bankers on London work trips grab breakfast or early lunch here before heading to the City, as it’s a short walk across London Bridge.
2. Classic British Dining Rooms – Rules, The Wolseley, The Ritz
If you want old-world London, aim for at least one classic British restaurant. Rules, often noted as London’s oldest restaurant near Covent Garden, serves traditional British dishes like pies and game in a period interior.[3] Afternoon Tea at The Ritz is another bucket-list experience, pairing well with a day of shopping around Piccadilly and Green Park.[3]
For Singapore travellers used to hotel afternoon tea at Marina Bay Sands or The Fullerton, The Ritz’s dress code and booking requirements will feel familiar. You should reserve weeks in advance and budget around £70–£80 per person for tea, versus S$90–$120 for premium afternoon tea in Singapore’s luxury hotels.
3. Fish & Chips and Gastropubs
For a simple, very British meal, reliable fish and chips spots mentioned by travellers include North Sea Fish Restaurant near Russell Square and Poppies in Spitalfields and Soho.[3] Portions tend to be substantial, so sharing one main plus sides is common and helps manage both cost and food waste.
For gastropubs, The Eagle in Farringdon is often cited as the original London gastropub, known for a blackboard menu and robust pork and fish dishes.[2] This makes a good dinner after exploring St Paul’s Cathedral or the City.
Where Locals Actually Eat: Neighbourhood Gems
Beyond the big names promoted to tourists, London’s daily food culture lives in its neighbourhoods. If you’ve ever compared Orchard Road with Tiong Bahru’s cafes or Bedok hawker centres, you’ll understand why these lesser-known spots matter.
Modern European and British Spots
Locals frequently recommend relaxed, high-quality modern European restaurants such as Trullo in Islington for Italian, known for pappardelle with beef shin ragu and well-executed fish dishes.[1][2] In Dalston, Sune serves modern European small plates and a strong wine list, praised in 2024 as one of the best meals of the year by seasoned diners.[1]
For special occasions, places like Lyle’s in Shoreditch offer unfussy but highly precise tasting menus, often appearing on lists of top London restaurants.[1][6] These spots are ideal if you’re used to Singapore’s fine dining around Marina Bay or Dempsey and want a London equivalent with strong produce focus.
Asian Comfort Food for Singaporeans
If you start craving rice, spice and soup the way many Singaporeans do by Day 3, London has dependable Asian options. Roti King near Euston and in Battersea serves Malaysian roti canai, curries and noodles with a reputation for very bold flavours and queues at peak hours.[1] It’s a comforting reminder of home when you want something closer to a kopitiam than a formal restaurant.
In Chinatown, noodle bars such as Lanzhou Lamian near Leicester Square are favoured for hand-pulled noodles and late-night hours, sometimes open until 4am.[2] This is practical if you land on an evening flight and your body clock is still on Singapore time, or if you’ve been out late in Soho.
Soho and Central Hotspots
Soho remains one of the densest food neighbourhoods in London. Bistros like Andrew Edmunds feature frequently in local favourites lists for their simple but satisfying dishes and intimate dining rooms.[2][7] Newer hotspots such as Mountain in Soho, known for long, relaxed meals and standout Basque-style dishes, attract serious food-focused visitors.[2]
If you prefer something buzzy but not too formal, restaurants like Gold in Notting Hill or Berenjak (Persian grills and dips in Soho and Borough) are popular with locals and visitors alike.[1] These work well if you’re spending a half-day exploring Portobello Road or central shopping streets and want quality food within walking distance.
Safety, Hygiene and Booking Tips – A Homejourney Priority
Homejourney’s core values around safety and verified information carry through to how we recommend food and restaurants in London UK. Compared with Singapore’s NEA grading system, London relies on the Food Standards Agency’s hygiene rating, usually displayed as a score from 0 to 5 near the entrance. Whenever possible, choose venues with a 4 or 5 rating, especially for raw or undercooked dishes.
Practical, risk-aware tips for Singapore travellers:
- Book popular spots (e.g. The Ritz, Rules, Lyle’s, Mountain) 2–4 weeks ahead, especially for dinner and weekends.
- Use contactless payment (Apple Pay, cards) to avoid carrying too much cash; card acceptance is almost universal in central London.[3]
- Check closing times carefully – some kitchens stop serving food earlier than Singapore norms, particularly on Sundays.
- For late-night eating, central areas like Soho and Chinatown are safer and busier than isolated streets; stick to well-lit routes and main roads.
If you’re travelling as a family with older parents – a common Singapore travel pattern – aim for restaurants with easy step-free access and avoid very late bookings in winter when pavements can be wet and crowded.
Budgeting: What a Typical Meal Costs Compared to Singapore
For many Homejourney users, food costs in London double as a reference point when evaluating London vs Singapore living expenses and, by extension, property affordability. As of late 2025, realistic per-person food budgets (excluding alcohol) in central London are:
