The 30 Best Upscale casual dining in London

“I was here for the first time for an early afternoon dinner. This is one of the pizzas I had in London.It’s real Italian and very tasty. The straciatella and spicy salami pizza is just the best. Burrata must be good but I will try that next time. The cocktails are also great. One of the few places which has campari spritz on their menu. The value is also good. If you’re coming for dinner at prime time you should book but otherwise you’re OK. I will be coming back.”

“I came here with a friend ( whose a regular) never been here , they made me feel so welcome and at home. I would definitely go back. Landlady so friendly”

“great place to dine with friends. lovely atmosphere. the staff are friendly and knowledgeable with their recommendations. you can literally go there and ask the staff what they would recommend and not even have to look at the menu. Nadim was very helpful and made sure we were taken care of, and even helped us with the birthday surprise. we also had to suddenly leave quickly toward the end of the dinner and they were efficient in helping us settle quickly. to each their own on whether it is expensive or not; we spent roughly £1400 for 4 people”

“Great Chinese restaurant would recommend”

“What a quietly dazzling place this is. There’s something wonderfully conspiratorial about stepping through that modest entrance, as though you’re being let in on a secret. The evening began with a generosity that’s actually become rare in fine dining - an extra splash of sauce here, a little more wine there - no questions, no charge, and not in excess, but with the sort of intuitive hospitality that says, “We’re glad you’re here.” It wasn’t about selling a product, or ticking boxes of ‘luxury’ and ‘innovation’; it was about making an experience breathe. The fish-focused menu was, quite simply, divine. Each plate felt considered but never contrived. The chef’s attention to detail was everywhere, not only in the precise cooking but in the courtesy and conversation that accompanied it. He seemed genuinely invested in the pleasure of his guests, which lent the whole evening a warmth too often missing from Michelin-minded establishments. In short, Behind is a restaurant that remembers why restaurants exist at all: to nourish, to delight, and, if only for a few hours, to make the world feel exquisitely well-arranged.”

“Darcy's: A Perfect Baby Shower Experience! Darcy's provided an absolutely perfect baby shower experience. Nicki and her team were incredibly accommodating from start to finish, ensuring every detail was handled with care. The decorations were beautiful, creating a stunning setting, and the food was amazing, receiving rave reviews from all my guests. The service was impeccable, attentive, and friendly, making the day run smoothly. Darcy's delivered a 5-star experience in food, service, and ambiance, making the baby shower unforgettable. I had the most perfect day - THANK YOU Darcy's!”

“Da Felice makes the best pizza I’ve ever had! Their sourdough base is perfect—light, crispy, and full of flavor. It’s made so well that it doesn’t feel heavy after eating. The nduja pizza and Burrata pizza both are my favourite - full of real Italian taste . The burrata is so fresh and creamy, and it melts perfectly on the pizza. Every bite is delicious and full of flavor. One thing I love about Da Felice is the little play area for kids downstairs. It’s such a great idea! Parents can fully enjoy their delicious food and cocktails while the kids have fun. It makes the whole experience even better for families. The restaurant is cozy, and the staff are kind and friendly. The service is quick, and they make you feel home !”

“We came here for an informal meal to mark my youngest daughter’s birthday who also happens to have some allergies. We were very compassionately taken care of and the service was completely impeccable. Great tasting swiftly served meals with good portion sizes. I would recommend anyone to experience Antika with its cozy ambience and service. Everything from the Lamb chops to the lamb shanks were wonderful. Also the food was HALAL! The whole family enjoyed the experience, thank you once again to the staff.”

“I’ve recently discovered Cremma as my new coffee stop and I can’t recommend it enough! Everytime I walk in, I’m greeted with warm smiles and friendly hellos from the staff. They truly go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and valued. A special shoutout to Ella, who is absolutely the best – her kindness makes my visit even more enjoyable. I was even offered a complimentary cake on one of my visits which was simply divine! Each cake tastes little piece of heaven, it’s impossible to choose just one favorite. The coffee here is absolutely fantastic and the food on offer looks just as amazing too! Whether you're stopping in for a quick coffee, cake or a leisurely meal, Cremma is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some excellent food and drink. I Highly recommend!”

“Was fortunate enough to get a last minute dinner reservation at the counter, which was a great experience! The restaurant is a short walk from Old Street station. Nest offers seasonal menus and my visit was during Beef Season. Unfurling the wax-sealed menu revealed two set menu options, the short menu or longer signature menu, which I went with. A wine pairing is available however I chose my own drinks. Over the next two hours I was treated to eleven courses of incredible cooking. Despite being Beef Season the menu was interspersed with some seafood and vegetable items as well, although they had found creative ways to incorporate beef in many of the courses. I enjoyed all the dishes but some of my favourites were the tempura oyster with bone marrow mayonnaise, the sirloin carpaccio and Highland beef. Sitting at the kitchen counter added to the experience, you could tell the chefs were passionate from the way they worked together and the way they explained each dish and how they had made it. To drink I had a Nest Negroni and a glass of Slovakian red wine, both of which were excellent and served promptly. The drinks list is extensive and will suit most tastes. Nest is in an area with lots of competition and certainly holds its own. It was a great meal and I would love to return to try another season!”

“The beef and pork burger were delicious.. and the Korean loaded fries fantastic. Best burger by far in woolwich. I had a bleeckers burger yesterday "apparently best in london" and in-between was just as good. They are that good. The only thing I ask, and not a critiscim, can I order medium cooked burgers. Just a personal preference. Keep up the good work really great food. Thank you.”

“We had lunch today with my husband and my son. Food was outstanding and the service was excellent ! It was my husband’s birthday and they did make it special to him and I’m very grateful for them. Thank you very much”

“Lovely cosy restaurant with laid back, friendly atmosphere. Staff are brilliant. Specials are amazing. Booked a pre-Christmas dinner with a few friends from choir and they were very accommodating. Highly recommended.”

“I've eaten here a few times now with a group of friends and we have always had a fabulous time. The duck is the best I've ever eaten and my rare steak was perfect. The cocktails take a moment but are worth waiting for. There are usually six of us who eat together and a couple of them can be quite fussy but we regularly come back to Alcedo as we have never had a complaint from our group. The staff are friendly, welcoming and professional.”

“Had an afternoon breakfast here. The food was excellent, and the service was very friendly.”

“The food was amazing, waiter’s suggestions was perfect. Korean cauliflower recomended.”

“We love coming here! Fantastic food, fair prices and the decor is lovely in their new place. The waiters were kind and attentive too. I like to come back every few months for their deluxe salmon set which melts like butter.”

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Megan’s is a lovely place with a great vibe from the moment you walk in. The team is incredibly friendly and makes you feel comfortable straight away. The setting works perfectly for families, friends, couples, and even pets, which makes it really special. We came in for brunch and thoroughly enjoyed the food — fresh, tasty, and well presented. A special mention to Kaveri, whose cheerful and attentive service made our visit feel happy and relaxed. The little goodbye surprise at the end was a nice touch and definitely made us want to return.”

“I visited this restaurant during the second lockdown for takeaway service. I felt very welcome and found the restaurant clean. The staff were very attentive and there is always a wide range to choose from. I will particularly recommend their grilled fish range!! Their salads are lovingly prepared and looks, smells and tastes healthy. There range of smoothies are also great! Especially the detox range. It's a nice eclectic mixture of the Middle East, North Africa and Modern healthy cuisine. The cherry on top was a free falafel I was asked to taste and I swear, I have never tasted such a delightful falafel! I will never go back to the supermarket bought ones for sure! Highly recommended.”

“Delicious food from the starters to the mains and desserts. Great place for a catch up with friends nice ambience. Would highly recommend the giant prawns.”

“The menu, all written in French (proof of quality!), is well balanced with choices for every mouth. The service has the perfect pace thabks to the great staff (also good as recommending wine!). The food itself is nicely cooked and presented, slight down point on the sides that would benefit from more attention (I went for the vegatables medley). Prices are adequate, especially when compared to London. A must go if you are after a good fine cuisine restaurant in the area!”

“The RISING Sun never disappoints! As always a fantastic experience at The Rising Sun, SUPER FOOD and EXCELLENT SERVICE.. Thank You Beth and David for looking after us.”

“Really enjoyed our edamame, taro karrage, Tori paitan ramen and the chicken katsu curry - the meal took us back to Japan, authentic and delicious. Tenmaru is our new favourite Japanese restaurant! The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable.”

“Great Sunday roast The pork belly is delicious with crispy skin. Huge Yorkshire pudding. The coffee is also worth mentioning as they use ozone’s beans”

“The food was incredible every bite was amazing will definitely be going back , staff were so lovely especially the manager Giovanni Thank you for a lovely evening .”

“Absolutely delicious! Excellent food & very reasonably priced. We will definitely be back! ❤️”

“The Gazette is a lovely french restaurant that me and my friends came to visit for drinks. The service is incredible the bartender Sunny made the most incredible cocktails he was very welcoming which was such a nice experience. The staff Veo and Katie had lovely chat and were very attentive the atmosphere is great. I recommend for family’s and drinks with a partner.”

“A solid restaurant with consistent quality. The grilled chicken was juicy, and the mashed potatoes were smooth and buttery. Service was quick and friendly.”

“Accessible fine dining that won't empty your wallet. It's not as polished as some Michelin-starred London venues, but the food genuinely delivers. We ordered the Venison Ragu, Burrata, Confit Duck Leg, and finished with Choux Au Craquelin - everything was excellent and worth ordering. We booked the early dinner offer for two or three courses, which is remarkable value. However, the limited time slot makes it feel rushed. Staff don't pressure you, but knowing everyone arrived for the same time-limited offer and will leave simultaneously creates an unspoken urgency. Despite the time constraints, it's a fantastic option for quality food in a proper dining setting.”

“Best Guinness in Harrow! Such a great vibe - best and friendliest landlady ever and always a great craic! Lisa will always make you feel welcome! Great for sports too! Very reasonable prices!”