Bouchon Racine is fancy in that classic, vintage way. Not overly modern or trying to do the absolute most, they keep it calm, sleek, and natural.

Shocking, we know — but yes, they’re serving fine French food. In true French fashion, we had to start simply with something that never disappoints: bread and butter. Not just any bread though. We’re talking the freshest, fluffiest, yet crispy warm baguette served with salted butter. None of that uneven spreading disaster — the butter just melts perfectly into it (like butter should).

For mains, we went with the cod fillet, infused with rich, aromatic saffron and paired with mussels. Every bite was top quality. On the side, we ordered new potatoes and creamed spinach, which made the perfect companions. And of course, this all deserves to be washed down with a French wine. No need to overthink it — just ask the waiter for the best pairing and save yourself the guesswork.

Have to try: Créme caramel
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £140–£160 with drinks.

Morchella’s interior nails that elevated, bougie café vibe. Wooden floors and furniture give it a cosy yet spacious feel, balancing elegance with warmth. The focus here is Mediterranean cuisine, and the menu changes seasonally to ensure the freshest ingredients.

We started with the Italian melon and stracciatella — an absolute summer dream. The sweetness and freshness of the melon perfectly complemented the creamy stracciatella. The mains list is small, which is always a good sign; each dish is executed to perfection. We opted for the lobster and lemon verbena spaghetti. Slightly on the pricier side, but it’s lobster, and honestly, top-quality lobster at that.

To finish, we indulged in the cherry, almond, and ricotta cake — a truly spectacular way to end the meal.

Have to try: Lobster and lemon verbena spaghetti
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2:  £90–£110

The Quality Chop House perfectly blends rugged charm with refined touches. They’ve got checkered floors and mahogany interiors, exactly what you expect from a name like that. After a day craving hearty, classic English fare, this is definitely the place to be.

We started with a fresh, light starter to balance the indulgence ahead. The heirloom tomatoes, sprinkled with pecorino, chives, olives, and breadcrumbs, were the perfect choice. Then came the main event: the Hereford sirloin. It took 45 minutes to arrive, but the first bite erased any trace of hangriness. The peppercorn sauce was perfection, and the confit potatoes had that ideal combination of crisp exterior and pillowy interior.

To complement the meal, we went for a fruity cocktail — the Watermelon Collins. This had gin, lemon, and watermelon cordial — hitting the spot every time we took a sip.

Have to try: Sirloin steak and Watermelon Collins cocktail
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £80–£100

Cloth feels super homely and cosy, but don’t be fooled — the service is elite and top quality. It’s the perfect balance of home-away-from-home comfort with the bougieness you expect from a central London trip.

As a wine bar and restaurant, the menu is designed to perfectly complement the wines. We started with the buffalo mozzarella, served with fried artichokes and topped with sunflower seeds and mint — a perfect pairing with wine. For mains, we went for the Cornish monkfish with mussel fritters and parsley sauce. We’ve never had mussels in this form, but it was honestly a gamechanger. We paired it all with a bottle of their Guillaume Gonfrier, Bordeaux Blanc “Vin Blanc Pour Dessécher La Glotte.” The setting, the food, the wine — even if you’re not usually a wine person, this place makes you want to be.

Have to try: Buffalo mozzarella with fried artichokes
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £75–£95

Back at it again with the Italian Mediterranean vibe — clearly, Farringdon does it best. Trattoria Brutto’s interiors give you that classic Italian comfort feel with old picture frames and plaid tablecloths.

We started with the fried doughballs served with prosciutto and stracchino. They literally melt in your mouth, and you’ll want to order another round — but resist, because the mains are just as incredible. Choosing a pasta was tough since they all sounded so good, but we landed on the trofie pasta coated in a kale and hazelnut pesto sauce. It’s perfection when a place actually coats the pasta rather than just putting a stingy dollop on top that needs to be rationed. Next time, we’re determined to try the rabbit and lemon pappardelle — sounds adventurous!

Have to try: Fried doughballs
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £55–£70

Sessions Arts Club takes aestheticism and elegance to a whole other level. For those coming to Farringdon to soak up the history — think the Ancient Post Museum and all that jazz — this is definitely a dining spot not to miss. They have art on display and performances going on, so check those out!

The menu changes constantly, sometimes even daily. We started with the courgette flower, served with goat’s curd and honey. A light, refreshing veggie dish, elevated beautifully by the honey. Then we went for the langoustine risotto. Don’t worry, we had no idea what that meant either, but risotto is always a safe bet. Langoustine is essentially lobster, and it was succulent perfection, paired dreamily with the creamy risotto.

Finish things off with the cherry sorbet and almond dessert. This was light, unassuming, and the perfect counterbalance to the rich, decadent mains, satisfying any sweet tooth.

Have to try: Cherry sorbet
Perfect for: Dinner with friends
Approx price for 2: £80–£100

We’re finally switching things up cuisine-wise with Morito. It’s a casual spot serving Spanish-style tapas, perfect for lovers of small plates and a few drinks (it happens to the best of us).

In true tapas style, we couldn’t resist ordering practically the whole menu — sorry wallets! Everything sounded too good. Our highlights: the fried halloumi, perfectly chewy and not overly salty, served with a sweet and spicy rose harissa jam. The crispy aubergine with whipped feta and date molasses was another standout — that sweet-and-savory combo never fails. We also loved the salt cod croquetas, served with aioli to balance the saltiness. And finally, of course, the patatas bravas — a timeless winner.

The drinks here are just as fun. We went for the pomegranate cosmo, with vodka, white port, and fresh pomegranate juice — none of that supermarket carton nonsense.

Have to try: Patatas bravas with aioli and cocktails
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £50–£70

Luca is a vintage, timeless spot serving modern Italian cuisine. After plenty of wine, we were ready for a more fun cocktail vibe. We went for the Green Mango Gimlet — strong, yet the mango made it absolutely delectable. For the classier crowd who love savory cocktails (don’t ask us how you do it), the waiter recommended the Capri Martini with tomatoes, olives, and pasta. Sounds like heaven on a pizza, but apparently works just as well in a drink.

The menu has plenty of adventurous meat options, but we couldn’t resist the pasta. The gourmet pesto tortellini, with pistachio, pesto, Italian beans, and stracciatella. It was garlicky, nutty, and creamy — every dream combo.

We finished the meal with a soft, spongy tiramisu that hit all the right notes.

Have to try: Tortellini with pistachio pesto
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2:  £60–£80

Ibai is a sexy, sophisticated spot, and the food absolutely matches that vibe.

We began with the Pâté Basque with truffle honey & grilled bread. It was meaty and garlicky, but honestly, the bread stole the show. Let’s be real, no one’s ordering it without some carby goodness to soak it all up.

Then we went for the slow-cooked poussin, marinated for god knows how long because it was packed with flavour from Espelette pepper, lemon, and garlic. Paired with a side of beef-fat French fries, it was a match made in heaven.

All that garlic left our inner sweet demons screaming, so dessert was a no-brainer: a rich, decadent chocolate cake. It came with cherry jam and crème fraîche to lighten it up and it seriously did the job.

Have to try: Chocolate cake with black cherry jam
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £65–£80

We’re sure you can guess by the name, but The Eagle is a pub — a gastropub, specifically — loved by locals and tourists alike. People come here because they know they can count on homely, quality food.

Being in a pub first and foremost, we immediately ordered a pint of their Marston’s ale. They also have an extensive wine menu and a few classic cocktails. Food-wise, we went a bit all over the place, getting a mix of tapas and mains. The burrata mozzarella bruschetta was gorgeous, accompanied by roasted squash and rocket for a touch of freshness.

We’d heard they’re most famous for their steak sandwich, so we had to try it — and let’s just say, we get the hype.

So, it’s not your typical pub grub kind of joint, but we all have our favourites anyway, so why not try something new?

Have to try: Steak sandwich
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £50–£60