Dining
The 7 Best Set Menus in London
Where to eat well in London without the a la carte bill, from Michelin-starred lunch deals to neighbourhood classics.
In short: our top picks are Brasserie Zedel, The Ivy West Street and Gymkhana. 7 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
A set menu is the cheapest way into a kitchen that would otherwise cost double at dinner. Most of these are lunch-only or served before 6.30pm, and the good ones get booked out days ahead. We checked current prices rather than relying on old menus, since these change often.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Brasserie Zedel | Piccadilly | ££ |
| The Ivy West Street | Covent Garden | £££ |
| Gymkhana | Mayfair | ££££ |
| Trishna | Marylebone | £££ |
| Barrafina | Soho | ££ |
| Hoppers | Soho | ££ |
| Kricket | Soho | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
Brasserie Zedel
Why we pick itThe prix fixe menu is £16.95 for two courses or £19.95 for three, served all day in a grand basement dining room that would suit a much higher bill.
Worth knowingThe cooking is competent rather than the point, and service moves fast enough to rush a leisurely evening. You are buying the room and the price.
French brasserie
-
The Ivy West Street
Why we pick itThe set menu runs from around £28.95 for two courses at lunch, giving access to the shepherd's pie and other signature dishes without the full carte prices.
British brasserie
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Gymkhana
Why we pick itWeekday set lunch at two courses for £25 or three for £30 is one of the few ways to eat at a two-Michelin-star kitchen for under £35, though it is worth confirming current pricing when booking as it has crept up.
Worth knowingTwo stars invite comparisons the kitchen does not always survive, and the gap between the best plates and the merely good ones can feel wide.
Michelin-starred Indian
-
Trishna
Why we pick itA three-course set lunch around £50 covers the Michelin-starred coastal seafood cooking that made Trishna's name, with a tasting version for those who want more courses.
Coastal Indian
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Barrafina
Why we pick itNo fixed set menu at the counter itself, but the Arroz Fridays offer at £35 a head brings rice dishes, salad, tapas and a drink together, and it is the closest thing to a bargain here.
Worth knowingNo bookings at Dean Street, a Friday wait that runs past forty minutes with nowhere comfortable to stand, and counter seating only.
Spanish tapas
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Hoppers
Why we pick itThe Hoppers Experience set menu at £35 a head runs through dhal, mallung, sambol and a choice of signature mains such as bone marrow varuval, more food than most people can finish.
Sri Lankan and South Indian
-
Kricket
Why we pick itThe weekday lunch thali at £20 gives a choice of chicken mappas or a grilled squash makhani with several small katori dishes alongside, one of the better-value lunches in Soho.
Modern Indian
Before you book
Set menus are usually lunch or early-evening only, with limited dish choices and no substitutions. Book ahead, especially for Thursday to Saturday, and check the exact hours before you go as they shift seasonally.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Brasserie Zedel is our editor's choice: The prix fixe menu is £16.95 for two courses or £19.95 for three, served all day in a grand basement dining room that would suit a much higher bill. Brasserie Zedel, The Ivy West Street and Gymkhana lead the guide, with 7 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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