55 restaurant chains in London (by cuisine and with map!)

 

Last updated: 01/10/2019

Check out this amazing list that includes 55 restaurant chains in London to suit all tastes and budgets! Many of them can be found in several other cities in England.

55 RESTAURANT CHAINS IN LONDON

London is a city of millions of possibilities for entertainment and fun. And gastronomy is not far behind, as there are many delicious restaurants for all budgets, tastes and occasions! We have separated 55 restaurant chains in London here and put them all on the interactive map below, sorted by color according to their cuisine (Italian, British / Bars, European, hamburgers, Latinas, asian, Quick Meals, and Cafes, Bakeries and Confectioneries). You'll have no excuse not to recharge after a full day of walking around the city.

Want tips from Brazilian food In London?

Check out: 32 Brazilian Restaurants in London

 

CUISINE: ITALIAN (PASTA AND PIZZA)

• 1. ASK ITALIAN: Founded in 1993, the restaurant has a menu with dishes prepared with delicious and simple ingredients that include pizzas, pasta, salads and various types of drinks. We've eaten at several Ask Italian locations inside and outside London.

• 2. BELLA ITALY: The Bella Italia chain seeks to bring a legitimate taste of Italy to the dishes, providing the customer with the possibility to taste delicacies prepared with ingredients from true Italian family producers from Lake Garda. We've eaten at several Bella Italia units inside and outside London.

• 3. CARLUCCIO'S: Founder Antonio Carluccio had, since the opening of the chain's first restaurant, offer great quality authentic Italian food at reasonable prices and in a lively atmosphere. The restaurant is very traditional in London and has a menu full of delicacies.

• 4. FRANCO MANCA: This is an excellent place for anyone looking for delicious pizza to taste. Since 2008, the restaurant has been offering slow-rising sourdough pizzas and seasonal ingredients from small vendors. The dough is made daily on site and the pizzas start at just £5.
• 5. FRANKIE & BENNY'S: This is an Italian-American restaurant much like some Italian restaurants found in the United States. While the food isn't one of our favorites, the prices are affordable.

• 6. GARFUNKELS: We decided to put Garfunkels on the list because their units are located in tourist locations and for that reason they attract a lot of visitors. The menu is quite varied, with options for starters, pizzas, pasta, hamburgers, and typical British dishes. In other words, there are options for all tastes. However, we found the food a bit bland and of inferior quality.

• 7. JAMIE'S ITALIAN: Delicious dishes at the Italian restaurant run by the famous British chef Jamie Oliver. We've eaten at several restaurant units inside and outside London. Fried polenta is delicious! Read more: Jamie's Italian: Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant in London

• 8. EXPRESS PIZZA: Menu filled with pizzas, plus pasta, salads and delicious starters. The menu also has low-calorie options and pizzas.  vegans, like the Vegan Giardineira! We've already lost count of the number of times we've eaten at the restaurant, in several units across the country. Read more: United Kingdom: PizzaExpress restaurant chain

• 9. PIZZA PILGRIMS: Pizza Pilgrims is committed to serving legitimate Neapolitan pizzas, with quality ingredients and soft and tasty crust. The margherita pizza is all special!

• 10. PREZZO: Prezzo uses authentic Italian recipes to bring a touch of Italy to the UK. From bubbly pizzas and delicious pasta to traditional bruschetta and classic Tiramisu, the customer will be taken directly on a gastronomic tour of the Amalfi Coast. We've eaten at several locations in and around London.

• 11. SPAGHETTI HOUSE: Created by friends Simone Lavarini and Lorenzo Fraquelli, Spaghetti House was founded in London in 1955, serving Italian food to generations of Londoners and visitors alike. Today, it is still a family business with the 2nd generation of the Lavarini family at the helm. The chain is not among our favorites for Italian food, but it offers a wide variety of dishes at very affordable prices.

• 12. STRADA: We have already eaten at two Strada units in London and the experience has always been pleasant. The restaurant serves authentic food with all the Italian charm and friendly service. The menu includes items from delicious starters to ready-made pasta, handmade pizzas and healthy salads.

• 13. VAPIANO: Vapiano was founded in 2002 in Hamburg, Germany. Two years later, the founders decided to put Vapiano on a world tour as a concept franchise. Today there are already 200 Vapianos in over 33 countries on 5 continents, with many more planned for the future. Pasta, pizza, antipasti and salads are ordered directly from the chefs at the restaurant's individual stations. The chefs prepare all the dishes in front of the customers.

• 14. ZIZZI: This is another restaurant that we have been to on several occasions and we love the quality of the dishes. Zizzi was born in 1999 and currently has over 140 restaurants across the UK and Ireland. The food is inspired by authentic Italian dishes and the signature pizzas are hand-stretched to create a larger, thinner and crunchier base, then loaded with delicious topping combinations. There are even vegan options on the menu, such as the delicious Vegan Classic Pizza.

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CUISINE: BRITISH / BARS

• 15. ALL BAR ONE: All Bar One is a place where you can chat with friends, relax or simply find a sophisticated space to enjoy an excellent selection of food and drinks. The menu features colorful and delicious dishes, light lunches, globally inspired dishes and small plates that are perfect for sharing. There are hand-selected cocktails and wines.
• 16. BILL'S: Founded in 2001, Bill's is a British restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and any time of day in between in a relaxed atmosphere. There are vegan and gluten-free options on the menu.
• 17. MILDREDS: The first Mildreds location opened in London in 1988. From the beginning, the aim was to serve good value, fresh and colorful international vegetarian food. Currently, Mildreds units serve delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes, prepared with high quality ingredients, in a relaxed atmosphere. The food is delicious and the experience excellent!

• 18. SLUG & LETTUCE: There are more than 70 bars across the country that love to serve great food, fabulous cocktails and delicious wines, bottled beers and craft beers in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. At night, the place turns into a lively space, perfect for meeting friends, dancing, organizing parties and listening to good music.
• 19. VINEYARD: Inspired by the wine bars of Spain and Italy, the venue serves simple but imaginative food, with wine playing a crucial role in pairing. Thus, Vinoteca combines wines of high quality and personality with a selection of dishes created from fresh and seasonal products.

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CUISINE: OTHER EUROPEAN

• 20. BELGO: With the main focus on belgian cuisine, Belgo was founded in 1992, and today is an iconic bar and restaurant brand specializing in mussels, fries, over 62 Belgian beers, as well as roast chicken, grills and beer cocktails.
• 21. COFFEE ROUGE: Founded in 1989, Café Rouge seeks to bring the best of French cooking to London, recreating a Parisian atmosphere with French food and wines. The place was mentioned in the book "The Diary of Bridget Jones", being a meeting point for Bridget and her friends. The menu includes classics like steak and chips, Poulet Breton, mussels, and Confit de Canard, as well as salads, baguettes and charcuterie boards.

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• 22. CÔTE BRASSERIE: Founded in 2007, Côte Brasserie shows a genuine passion for French kitchen. Here you can find a Parisian-style restaurant, as the place is dedicated to serving authentic French classics, made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. There is a variety of seasonal products that provide excellent value for money.
• 23. CREPEAFFAIRE: Crepeaffaire is a place where you can enjoy freshly prepared crepes, whatever your craving, any time of day. A fun and relaxed place where you can relax. There are delicious sweet and savory options, gluten-free and prepared with organic wheat. The menu also offers waffles and breakfast options. Read more: Crêpeaffaire: Chain of crepe restaurants in England

• 24. JAMON JAMON: The first restaurant opened in the 1950s, known as George and Nicky's. In 2001, the restaurant was changed to a spanish tapas bar. In Spain, jamóns (hams) are traditionally made on local family farms and it is this special flavor that the restaurant seeks to offer customers. We visited the unit Angel, Islington and we love the quality of the tapas, the atmosphere and the service.

• 25. NANDO'S: The Nando's chain was founded by the Portuguese in South Africa in 1987. It specializes in Portuguese style chicken dishes with peri-peri pepper marinades. Currently, there are more than a thousand units of the restaurant spread across 30 different countries, with 350 of them in the United Kingdom.

• 26. TAPAS TOAST: Monika Linton, founder and owner, has always been curious about Spain and the spanish cuisine. In 1988, she started the company Brindisa, selling her products to London chefs. It later opened its first store in London's famous and historic Borough Market. In 2009, it was time to expand into a Spanish tapas bar. To this day, she continues to travel constantly to Spain to bring to London new ingredients and recipes for restaurants.

ECONOMY IN LONDON: ACTIVITY CARDS

For those who want to do many things and visit many paid places in London, the suggestion is to purchase one of the cards that give you direct access to attractions and ride the tourist bus, saving a lot! O THE LONDON PASS is the most famous of them. The card can be purchased in versions of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 10 days. It entitles you to admission to over 60 of London's top attractions and 1 day tour on the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. In addition, the card offers more than 20 exclusive special offers at some of the city's shops and restaurants. See the full list of included attractions in this link. Price: from £69.

Read more: What to do in London – Complete itinerary of 5 days or more

 

CUISINE: HAMBURGER

• 27. BYRON: Byron is a burger joint founded in 2007 that serves delicious burgers made with fresh British beef and top quality ingredients. On the menu, there are several options of beers and wines to accompany. It has vegetarian and vegan options.

• 28. ED'S EASY DINER: This is an authentic American retro restaurant that captures the spirit of the “American Dream”! The 50s vibe is all around, starting with the decor. The menu is full of American cuisine options and varied drinks. All served in a relaxed atmosphere and with lots of music!
• 29. GOURMET BURGER KITCHEN (GBK): In 2001, three New Zealanders set up the first Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Battersea, South London. Today, with over 90 restaurants across the UK, the restaurant continues to serve a range of artisanal burgers, combining premium 100% beef with the freshest ingredients and handcrafted burger sauces. It has vegetarian and vegan options.

• 30. FIVE GUYS: Five Guys is an American fast food chain founded in 1986. However, the hamburger is so superior to conventional fast food! Nothing is frozen, the burgers are fresh and delicious and, when ordering, you choose what you want to include (caramelized or raw onions, pickles, tomato, lettuce, etc). The style is all simple, and the sandwich comes wrapped in aluminum foil. Don't forget to order delicious fries to go with it.

• 31. HONEST BURGERS: It's a British chain that makes the burgers in its own butcher shop and homemade rosemary fries are cut and cooked daily. Each restaurant serves local brewers, and many of the restaurants serve local burgers inspired by their neighborhoods, using ingredients from local produce. There are vegetarian options.
• 32. SHAKE SHACK: The Shake Shack story began in the United States, in 2001, in a hot dog cart in New York. Three years later, Shake Shack was born as a modern burger joint serving the most delicious burgers, hot dogs, shakes, beers, wines and more. In 2013, the chain arrived in London, serving classics made with simple, high-quality ingredients.

CUISINE: LATIN

• 33. CHILANGO: Founder Eric grew up in Chicago, one of the largest Hispanic communities in the US, and became a drug addict. Mexican food during his travels in the US and Mexico. After traveling to various places to learn more about the cuisine, in 2007, the first Chilango unit was opened in the neighborhood of Angel, Islington. Currently, there are restaurants all over London and there are plans to expand the chain.
• 34. LAS IGUANAS: Founded in 1991 in the city of Bristol, the restaurant seeks to bring a tasty mix of the traditional and the new, with quality ingredients, food and drinks with Latin American flavors. Las Iguanas use fresh ingredients, producing over 30 handcrafted salsas and sauces.

• 35. TORTILLA: Opened in 2007, the Tortilla chain offers Mexican food such as roast chicken, carnitas and salsa roja, mixed with a little Californian inspirationsuch as black beans, rice with cilantro and chopped fresh jalapeños. Everything that helps to make delicious, light and authentic burritos and tacos.
• 36. WAHACA: The inspiration for preparing Wahaca dishes came from mexican cuisine. The chain strives to combine the flavors of Mexico with local ingredients, offering dishes that provide healthy options.

CUISINE: ASIAN

• 37. ITSU: Itsu is an option japanese fast food with nutrient-dense, low-calorie, low-saturated fat options. It was founded in London in 1997 by the same founder of the famous Pret A Manger chain. The chain offers mostly hearty dishes with less than 500 calories, which include steamed vegetables, fresh fish, brown rice dishes and pasta. All are prepared to eat in or to take away.

• 38. MASALA: Masala is a restaurant Indian food, whose first unit opened in 2001. It is currently considered one of the best Indian restaurants in London. The place tries to incorporate ingredients to bring the true taste of India to the country.
• 39. PHO: Founders Stephen and Juliet Wall opened the first Pho in June 2005 after they traveled to Vietnam and fell in love with vietnamese cuisine. Pho is still a family run business serving good quality Vietnamese food, healthy vegetarian options, which are cooked daily with fresh ingredients.
• 40. WAGAMMA: Founded in 1992 and inspired by Japanese ramen bars, Wagamama seeks to bring the fresh and nutritious flavors of Asia to everyone. O Asian-inspired menu features various types of rice and noodle dishes, including fresh salads and shareable portions. There are desserts, fresh juices, hot drinks, wine, sake and Asian beers.

• 41. WASABI: The Wasabi story began in 2003, with the opening of the first store in London. Kim, a fresh food dealer in Camden, wanted to share his passion for authentic, artisanal Japanese sushi and bentos with Londoners. This one japanese fast food, with a modern style, presents a new lunchtime alternative of sushi, sashimi, Californian rolls and authentic Japanese dishes.
• 42. YO! SUSHI: although the Sushi be the heart of the menu, there is a variety of foods, from traditional classics to innovative dishes. Oh! Sushi was founded in 1997 in London and now there are around 100 restaurants in various cities around the world.

CUISINE: QUICK MEALS

• 43. EAT: For 20 years, EAT has offered hot drinks, sandwiches, salads and fast food options in a fast food scheme with several options prepared with quality ingredients.
• 44. GREGGS: Seventy years ago, John Gregg delivered fresh eggs and yeast to families in Newcastle. The first shop started in London making, baking and selling fresh bread and tasty snacks. In a fast food setting, Greggs also has several options of ready-to-eat sandwiches and golden sausage rolls. There are more than 1,700 stores across the UK.

• 45. LEON: Founded in 2004, Leon is a fast food chain to make it easy for everyone to eat well. There are several salad and burger options, including gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan options. There are currently over 45 stores, with plans to open many more around the world.
• 46. PRET TO MANGER: I have a serious love affair with Pret because he saved me from starvation on several occasions when I didn't have much time to eat, traveling around England. For over 30 years, Pret has operated a bit like a restaurant, as kitchens have been built in (or very close to) each store. There are plenty of ready-to-eat salads, sandwiches and some hot dishes, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The milk and coffee are 100% organic. In addition, anything that is not sold at the end of the day is collected and sent to charities. There are currently over 450 Prets worldwide, with stores in the UK, US, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. More than 300 thousand customers are served every day.

CUISINE: COFFEE, BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERIES

• 47. COFFEE NERO: The history of Caffè Nero begins 20 years ago with a vision to create traditional Italian cafes across Europe and offer high quality products. Currently, the company has more than 800 stores across the continent.
• 48. COFFEE COAST: Founded in 1971, Costa Coffee is a British multinational coffee company that is the second largest coffee chain in the world and the largest in the UK, with over 2,000 units.
• 49. EUPHORIUM BAKERY: This is a great bakery and confectionery option in London. As there was a unit close to where we lived, we used to buy cakes to celebrate our birthdays right there. The products are fresh and quite tasty.

• 50. JOE & THE JUICE: Founded in 2002 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the company is a juice and coffee chain with units located in several cities around the world. The restaurants predominantly serve coffees, juices and sandwiches.
• 51. LE PAIN QUOTIEN: It is an international chain of bakery-restaurants founded in Brussels in 1990 by Alain Coumont. The chain offers a wide variety of breads and drinks for breakfast, as well as a food menu for lunch and dinner.
• 52. PATISSERIE VALERIE: Patisserie Valerie is a chain of cafes operating in the UK. She specializes in handmade cakes, and her menu includes continental breakfast, lunch, and tea and coffee. The first unit opened in 1926 in central London.

• 53. PAUL: Paul is a French bakery/cafe chain founded in 1889. The chain specializes in serving breads, pancakes, sandwiches, macarons, soups, cakes, pastries, coffee, wine and beer. The company owns and belongs to the same group as Ladurée, famous for its delicious macarons.
• 54. THE BREAKFAST CLUB: Opened in 2005 by two entrepreneurs who were teenagers in the 1980s and were inspired by the film of the same name (“Clube dos Cinco”, in Brazil). The place is very famous for its breakfasts and weekend brunches, with huge queues at the doors. We visited the Angel, Islington facility on Saturday early in the morning to secure our table.

• 55. THE HUMMINGBIRD BAKERY: Hummingbird is an American-style bakery founded in 2004 to bring the authentic taste of American bakery to London. She is famous for her delicious cupcakes and other baked goodies and desserts. The company opened its doors on Portobello Road in Notting Hill and currently has seven branches in London and stores even in the Middle East.

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