This year’s ten most memorable meals in London throughout 2025 include celebratory lunches and solo meals. My highlights range from an outstanding Balkan meal at Peckham Bazaar to the spectacular views at Hutong at The Shard, where I celebrated my birthday and an elegant lunch at Silva for my partner’s birthday. I enjoyed generous invitations to new openings, including Emilia’s Crafted Pasta in Victoria, Rikshaw in Norwood, and The Newman Arms in Fitzrovia. I also savoured some lovely solo lunches while exploring neighbourhoods like Queen’s Park. These ten memorable meals showcase the London restaurants that genuinely stood out in 2025.
My Top Ten Memorable Meals in London 2025
These meals are not listed in priority order. Each one earned its place for a different reason.
My favourite meal of the year has to go to Peckham Bazaar, where I experienced a guided taste tour of the Balkans in one sitting. We moved from chickpea croquettes to beautifully dressed beetroot with whipped mizithra, before sharing grilled tiger prawns with Greek orzo, pumpkin and Parmesan manti with chanterelles, and a standout stuffed globe courgette with pine nuts, raisins and lemon hollandaise. Every dish felt thoughtfully executed and full of flavour, the kind of meal that stays with you and makes you want to come back.
2. Hutong at The Shard in London Bridge: I visited Hutong for my birthday lunch and finally experienced the meal I had once booked but cancelled during the Covid years. My partner and I enjoyed the vegan set menu, which was refined and vibrant, featuring lotus root in orange sauce, mushroom crystal dumplings, and wok-fried noodles. With a front-row view of the skyline, it felt like the perfect place to celebrate.
3. Silva in Mayfair: I booked Silva for my partner’s birthday, and it became one of our favourite meals of the year. The restaurant was calm and beautifully styled, which suited the occasion. We enjoyed stracciatella with flat peaches, Cornish crab ravioli, wild garlic risotto, and steamed halibut. It was a lunch that felt special from start to finish.
4. Pedro’s Wine Bar in Bermondsey: We visited Pedro’s with two friends from our dog walking circle; we call ourselves the supper club four. It was a relaxed evening that turned into something memorable. We shared honey melon salad, tempura green beans, and wild mushrooms with corn breadcrumbs, while the others enjoyed croquettes and slow-cooked pork. A friendly, generous local spot.
5. Emilia’s Crafted Pasta in Victoria. My partner and I attended the soft opening of Emilia’s in Victoria, which was a lovely opportunity to try the menu in a new setting. We shared tomato bruschetta, pasta with tomato sauce and burrata, and a truffled cacio e pepe. The pistachio cheesecake was a creamy finish. It was a very enjoyable lunch.
6. The Tamil Prince in Islington. My partner and I took a friend for lunch at this South Indian-inspired restaurant located inside a former pub. It was busy and lively. We loved the okra fries, onion bhajis and masala dosa. I ordered Channa bhatura and our friend chose lamb curry. It was tasty, satisfying and also dog-friendly, which made it even better.
7. Rikshaw in Norwood. I was invited to review Rikshaw, so I asked a friend who lives nearby to join me. The team looked after us exceptionally well, and the dishes kept arriving. We tried pazham pori, cauliflower chilli fry, Avial, aubergine bhaji, creamy lentils, and a coconut-scented Thoran. It is a small, cosy restaurant serving excellent Kerala-inspired cuisine.
8. The Newman Arms in Fitzrovia. Another invitation led me to The Newman Arms for a pie dinner with a friend. I ordered the wild mushroom pithivier with truffle and tarragon sauce, which was full of flavour. My friend chose the chicken and ham hock pie. The upstairs dining room is warm and atmospheric, creating a perfect sense of comfort.
9. Carmel in Queen’s Park. I visited Carmel alone while exploring the neighbourhood and enjoyed one of the best lunches of the year. The flatbreads are baked in a tabun oven, and the za’atar burrata with matbucha, chilli honey, and basil was fantastic. Soft, smoky, and lightly spiced. I want to return with my partner; he’d love it.
10. Brunswick House in Vauxhall. I finally visited Brunswick House when I was nearby for work and decided to treat myself to the set menu. I dined in the courtyard garden, which felt peaceful. The Grezzina courgette was delicate and vibrant, followed by orecchiette with broccoli rabe and pecorino, ending with a warm cookie. The antique-filled interiors added to the charm.
Reflections On London’s Memorable Meals In 2025
These meals embody everything I love about dining in London. They range from special celebrations to relaxed neighbourhood afternoons, from thoughtful invitations to quiet solo lunches. Each offers something unique, whether it’s a surprising flavour, a lovely setting, or a moment of simple comfort. Together, they form a snapshot of a delicious year spent exploring the city one plate at a time, and I am already looking forward to discovering more places in 2026. Here’s a list of restaurants that Time Out has highlighted in 2025.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.