Dining
The 6 Best Lunch in London
Set-lunch bargains and long, lazy midday feasts: where London does its best eating before dark.
In short: our top picks are Noble Rot, Trullo and Camille. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Lunch is where London’s best restaurants let their guard down, and often their prices. The smart move is the set menu, three courses at the likes of Noble Rot or Trullo for a fraction of the dinner bill, or a long Italian lunch that bleeds into the afternoon. This is a mix of the value deals and the places simply made for a midday table. Book the set-lunch spots ahead; the queues know what they are doing.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Noble Rot | Bloomsbury | £££ |
| Trullo | Islington | £££ |
| Camille | Borough Market | £££ |
| Flesh and Buns | Covent Garden | ££ |
| Emilia's Crafted Pasta | St Katharine Docks | ££ |
| The Wolseley | Piccadilly | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Noble Rot
Why we pick itA three-course set lunch around £28 at the Lamb's Conduit Street wine bar, one of London's best-value proper lunches.
wine bar and restaurant
-
Trullo
Why we pick itA set lunch of hand-rolled pasta and charcoal-grilled meats that punches far above its price in Islington.
Italian
-
Camille
Why we pick itThe Borough Market bistro crowned a top London opening, buzzy and built for a long French lunch.
French bistro
-
Flesh and Buns
Why we pick itPillowy bao with DIY fillings and a lively room, made for a group lunch near Covent Garden.
izakaya
-
Emilia's Crafted Pasta
Why we pick itFresh, hand-crafted pasta in a sunny dockside setting, a reliable casual lunch by the Tower.
Italian
-
The Wolseley
Why we pick itA grand European brasserie where a midday plate under the marble feels like an occasion.
grand cafe
Before you book
The best-value set lunches, at Noble Rot, Trullo and Camille, need booking a week or so out, especially for Friday. Walk-ins work better at the casual pasta and bao spots outside the 1pm rush. Many kitchens run set lunch only on weekdays, so check before a weekend visit.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Noble Rot is our editor's choice: A three-course set lunch around £28 at the Lamb's Conduit Street wine bar, one of London's best-value proper lunches. Noble Rot, Trullo and Camille lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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