London’s best locations for ladies who lunch
When it comes to lunch in London, there’s no shortage of stylish spots to enjoy a catch-up with friends over delicious food and drinks. Whether you’re seeking a laid-back gathering or a refined dining experience, London has something for every occasion.
Our editor’s top pick is Caravan Fitzrovia, where industrial-chic decor meets an eclectic menu that makes it one of the most exciting spots for a girl’s lunch in town and a go-to spot for comfort meals.
Here’s our roundup for the best places for lunch in London, offering a blend of stunning settings and mouth-watering menus that will make your next girls’ lunch one to remember.
Where to Find the Best Lunch in London
Caravan Fitzrovia
Ambience: Buzzy and effortless
A lively all-day dining destination housed in the former BBC Radio 1 headquarters, Caravan Fitzrovia offers a globally inspired menu in a sun-drenched, industrial-chic space. From ricotta pancakes with molasses to Korean-style buttermilk fried chicken, the menu is as adventurous as it is delicious.
Must-try: Jalapeño cornbread with a fried egg and chilli butter
Address: 152 Great Portland St, London W1W 6AJ
View their Menu
Riding House Café
Ambience: Retro, lively, and social
A Fitzrovia favourite, Riding House Café is a vibrant brasserie offering everything from wholesome breakfast plates to European-inspired mains. Its retro interiors and relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect spot for a chic yet casual lunch in London.
Must-try: Chorizo hash with poached eggs
Address: 43-51 Great Titchfield St, London W1W 7PQ
View their Menu
Nessa Soho
Ambience: Sophisticated yet relaxed
A modern British restaurant with a playful twist, Nessa Soho is a stylish eatery located on Brewer Street. Helmed by Executive Chef Tom Cenci, the menu is seasonally driven and pairs perfectly with its curated wine list and creative cocktails.
Must-try: Their signature British classics with a contemporary edge
Address: 86 Brewer St, London W1F 9UB
View their Menu
Dear Jackie, The Broadwick
Ambience: Opulent, intimate, and chic
For a touch of Italian glamour, Dear Jackie is the place to be. This subterranean dining space is a love letter to refined Italian cuisine, serving indulgent pasta dishes and expertly selected wines in a luxurious setting.
Must-try: Freshly made pasta paired with fine Italian wines
Address: Lower Ground, 20 Broadwick St, London W1F 9NE
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Hide Mayfair
Ambience: Elegant and refined
A three-level dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Green Park, Hide Mayfair is a haven of fine dining, offering a menu of elegant and beautifully balanced dishes. Owned by Hedonism Wines, this is the place to go for an exceptional meal paired with a world-class wine selection.
Must-try: Seasonal tasting menu with wine pairings
Address: 85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB
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Milk Beach Soho
Ambience: Bright, airy, and contemporary
For a taste of Australia in London, Milk Beach Soho is an all-day dining destination serving up everything from specialty coffee to beautifully plated modern dishes. With a menu that includes avocado toast with cashew pesto and miso cherry tomatoes on sourdough, it’s a must-visit for brunch lovers.
Must-try: Chilli scrambled eggs with stracciatella
Address: 14 Greek St, James Court, London W1D 4AL
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Petersham Nurseries
Ambience: Botanical, dreamy, and picturesque
The cafe at Petersham Nurseries is one of the dreamier venues for a girls’ lunch and is the perfect setting for an Instagram pic. The restaurant is housed in a vast glasshouse within the garden centre which means you dine in a pretty and peaceful enclave of botanicals and plants. Food is seasonal, and the menu is constantly evolving. For more foodie recommendations, check out our picks of the best new restaurants in London this month.
Must-try: Seasonal pasta and fresh garden salads
Address: 2 Floral Court, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9FB
View their menu
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Ambience: Floral and stylish
The Ivy Chelsea Garden jostles for space on King’s Road amongst artisan bakeries and yummy-mummy baby shops. It’s the perfect spot to hit up for a girl’s lunch or brunch after a stroll along one of London’s most stylish streets. The interior is beautiful: all sage green, interesting furniture, orange accents, botanical prints, and brass light fittings. And the outdoor’s blue awnings and painted park benches are just as pretty. The menu ranges from breakfast of the Marmite-and-mustard crumpets variety to a shepherd’s pie dinner.
Must-try: The signature shepherd’s pie
Address: 97 King’s Rd, London SW3 5EQ
View their Menu
Granger & Co.
Ambience: Sunny, relaxed, and welcoming
Australian chef Bill Granger brings his vibrant style and easy-going approach to London with Granger & Co. He has three restaurants here now, and each offers Aussie-style classics like BBQ shrimp burgers, sticky chili pork belly, and great salad bowls. End your girls’ lunch with a not-so-naughty gluten-free cake, available to take out, along with juices and coffee.
Must-try: BBQ shrimp burger with pickled chilli
Address: 105 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4RS
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Daylesford
Ambience: Minimal, and organic
Daylesford Organic Farmshop and Cafe is one of London’s finer examples of an upmarket food shop. Fruit and produce from their organic farm in Gloucestershire are at its heart, alongside daily fresh bread from the bakery and milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter from their creamery. With its seasonal organic dishes and serene all-white setting, the cafe is a hotspot for weekend brunching. Alternatively, for a girls’ lunch on the go, there are salads, sandwiches, and hot drinks to take away.
Must-try: Seasonal organic salads or their signature artisan cheese platter
Address: 76-82 Sloane Ave, Brompton Rd, London SW3 3DZ
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The Wolseley
Ambience: Timeless, elegant, and iconic
The Wolseley is a grand European-style cafe-restaurant that offers an eclectic variety of dishes from its impressive Grade II listed home in St James’. Explore a menu that ranges from seafood platters to salads, as well as classics such as steak tartare. Firm favourites veal Holstein and chicken soup with dumplings are always on the menu, as are the changing plats du jour.
Must-try: Veal Holstein or steak tartare
Address: 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
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Nopi
Ambience: Contemporary, and flavourful
With its white tiles, gold-trimmed bar, and glossy marble floors, Nopi makes for an elegant girls’ lunch just north of Piccadilly. This Middle Eastern/Asian all-day brasserie from Ottolenghi serves a broad menu that is creative and of great depth of flavour. Go it alone or choose from the selection of sharing dishes. The cocktail menu also makes use of eclectic ingredients and is well worth a try.
Must-try: Courgette and manouri fritters or the spiced lamb rump
Address: 21-22 Warwick St, London W1F 9LD
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Sketch
Ambience: Playful, artistic, and ultra-feminine
For the girliest of girls’ lunches, the only answer is the pink room at Sketch. It’s housed within a quirky 18th-century townhouse tea room that transforms into a cocktail lounge every evening. The menu is vast and globally inspired. It takes bold flavour forays into Japanese, Italian, Spanish and British cuisines.
Must-try: Afternoon tea or the black cod with miso
Address: 9 Conduit St, London W1S 2XG
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Percy and Founders
Ambience: Spacious, modern, and welcoming
Percy & Founders is an all-day affair in a vast, airy space that can accommodate an impressive two hundred covers. The menu takes a modern British-European slant with classics such as pies, steaks, burgers, and salads. It’s relaxed dining at its best. End your week here for a delicious Sunday girls’ lunch of rolled pork belly, crackling, and all the trimmings.
Must-try: Sunday roast with rolled pork belly
Address: 1 Pearson Square, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3BF, UK
View their Menu
We also recommend checking out the best places for a girls’ brunch
How Absolutely Picks the Best for You
At Absolutely Magazines, we pride ourselves on curating only the finest recommendations for our refined readers. Our editors leverage their extensive expertise in lifestyle journalism to ensure that every selection meets the highest standards of quality and relevance. From scouring local insider tips to understanding trends and feedback, we leave no stone unturned in identifying the most exceptional venues for you. Guided by an appreciation for your taste, we prioritise venues and events that epitomise luxury, style, and premium experiences. You can trust us to bring you the Absolute best, every time.
