Go to Bob Bob Ricard in Soho. Every table has a button. It says “Press for Champagne.” Press it. A waiter appears with a bottle. No questions. No judgment. It’s the most joyful button in London. The food is French-Russian. The beef stroganoff is legendary. The experience is pure silliness.
Or try Mildreds in Soho. It’s a vegetarian hotspot. But here’s the twist: the fried ‘chicken’ is made from mushrooms. It’s so good, meat-eaters queue for it. The owner calls it “accidental vegan.” Nobody cares. It’s powerful food.
The late-night saviour
After a show, don’t go to a kebab shop. Go to Bao in Fitzrovia. The queue looks scary. It moves fast. The star is the Classic Bao. A soft, steamed bun filled with braised pork, peanut powder, and fermented sauce. It’s tiny. It’s mighty. You’ll want three. They have a secret menu item: the Bao-tastic cocktail. It’s gin, sake, and pickled ginger. It’s weird. It’s wonderful.
LONDON Food Guide | 15 Great Places to Eat! i 2026
For a proper British bite at 2am, hit Polo Bar in Clerkenwell. It’s a greasy spoon from 1953. The jukebox plays Elvis. The fry-up is a masterpiece. The beans are sweet. The bacon is crispy. The price is still £8. It hasn’t changed in 70 years. That’s magic.
