City, Fish & Seafood Restaurant Guide

“Sitting cheek by jowl at a counter that dates from the 19th century… bliss!” – this “City legend amongst fish restaurants” is “such a haven of bygone days, which gives it its special ambience and devoted following”. Founded in the 1830s, and on its current site since the 1920s, it’s “still serving sensational oysters (washed down with a pewter tankard of Black Velvet) after all these years” alongside “very traditional fish cooked simply and well” (e.g. “divine whitebait”). “It’s a bit pricey and you can’t book but otherwise excellent.”

“Is there a better business venue?” query fans of this plush steakhouse, which sits within a panelled corner of the vast former HQ of Midland Bank, next to the Bank of England. It’s the prime dining option within the hotel accessible to those not blessed with membership of Soho House, featuring top-quality British and imported steak.

“Does what it says on the tin”, with “no delay making choices”. This “simple, good and easy” surf-and-turf chain has grown to nine sites in the capital in 11 years – most with “sufficient space to eat and talk” (rare enough in fast-food joints). The formula is working around the world, too, with openings from New York to the Genting Highlands in Malaysia. “Love the way they give you plastic sheets to cover yourself from flying bits of lobster!”

This “evergreen, upmarket fish restaurant in bustling Borough Market” has been a fixture of the area surrounding this foodie hub for more than two decades, noted for its glass frontage and “top-quality fresh fish”. It gets “busy”, though, and can be “a bit chaotic and unpolished”.

“The best oysters and crustacea in a bustling market-facing venue” is how many restaurant-goers think of this “buzzy and packed” small group, whose SE1 branch at Borough Market is better known than its Battersea Power Station sibling. “Order from the blackboard for the freshest catch.” “You come for the seafood, not the sparkling repartee” and service “can get a bit frazzled”. (We have continued to list the South Kensington outlet, but as we go to press it is ‘temporarily closed’ due to staff shortages).

“Reliably good fish and seafood” make this straightforward operation “an attractive option at the edge of Borough Market”. It’s a flexible spot, which makes for an easy transition between indoor and al fresco eating.

“Fabulous views”, “delicious seafood”… “it ticks every box” according to fans of this 14th-floor rooftop: part of a Southwark hotel, which sets a glam tone. Ratings have softened a little since it opened a couple of years ago, however, with mounting concern that the height of the prices is starting to match that of the venue!

“It feels like a place to see and be seen, which can account for the expense, but fun and with good river views…” – not a bad overview of this “buzzy” dining room, designed by Tom Dixon, near Blackfriars Bridge. (A harsher view is that it’s “a typically over-priced hotel joint, trying to be smarter than it really is”.) Top Tip – “super weekend brunch, lots of choice, and the bar is good too”.

“An institution” after more than 50 years, this “superior” Greek-Cypriot veteran “tucked away” in Clerkenwell, uses “Billingate’s finest” to serve “really fresh fish at good prices”. It’s “always worth a visit, even when it gets too noisy for comfort”.

“Stunning views of Tower Bridge and brilliant seafood” are twin highlights at this popular destination (sibling to a similar veteran, in Ongar), which is “right on the river” in Wapping. “It’s a bit out of the way, but well worth going off the beaten track for”. “As for the décor, who doesn’t love a restaurant with white tablecloths and smartly presented staff?”

“Lovely fresh fish”, “cooked simply” and “at prices which should shame its neighbours”, is the attractive offer from this trio of straightforward seafood brasseries in some of the pricier parts of town – Covent Garden, Marylebone and Swallow Street, just of Piccadilly. Top Tip – “there’s a fishmonger’s attached”, so you can take some “high-quality fish” home with you.

In its heyday, this elegant room overlooking the Thames was one of London’s key options for any kind of major occasion. But its relaunch and rebranding (from Kaspar’s Seafood Bar & Grill, RIP) to this – its original identity, but now under Gordon Ramsay Holdings – in late 2021 inspired surprisingly limited survey feedback this year (and indeed few press reviews). It is sometimes recommended for the top fish and seafood that is its focus, but all-in-all reactions are muted and uneventful for what should be a top destination.