Hawksmoor Seven Dials
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About
Housed in a former fruit warehouse, Hawksmoor Seven Dials is widely considered to serve the best steaks in London. The subterranean space features dark wood, reclaimed parquet floors, and cast-iron columns, creating a masculine, clubby, and warm sensory atmosphere. Expert recommendations: Order one of the large 'Dictionary Cuts' (like the Chateaubriand or Porterhouse) to share, and don't skip the 'Triple Cooked Chips' or the 'Bone Marrow Gravy.' The 'Sticky Toffee Pudding' is often cited as the city's best. Pro tip: Their 'Monday Steak Club' allows you to bring your own wine for a very small corkage fee. Their cocktails are also world-class, so arrive early for a drink at the bar. Booking is essential for dinner but easier for a late lunch.
Highlights
- British grass-fed steaks
- Former brewery warehouse setting
- Award-winning cocktails
- Atmospheric low-lit dining
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
Seven Dials Market
Located in a former banana warehouse in Covent Garden, Seven Dials Market is a vibrant indoor food hall curated by KERB. The space is split into the 'Cucumber Alley' for snacks and the 'Banana Warehouse' for larger communal dining. The sensory experience is loud, colorful, and social, filled with the clinking of glasses and a variety of international aromas. Expert recommendations: 'Pick & Cheese' features a 25-meter conveyor belt of British cheeses, while 'Nanban' offers incredible fusion ramen. Pro tip: Finding a seat during the lunch rush or Saturday afternoon can be a challenge; try visiting for an early dinner around 5:00 PM. It’s a great spot for groups with differing tastes, as everyone can grab what they like and meet in the central seating area.
Dishoom
The much-loved homage to Bombay's Irani cafés that once defined the social life of India's most cosmopolitan city brings the black-and-white tiled floors, ceiling fans, enamel-painted walls, and the atmosphere of those elegant democratic gathering places to London with remarkable authenticity, serving dishes like the legendary black dal slow-cooked for 24 hours, the keema per eedu egg dish, and the house-cured bacon naan roll that has people queuing before the doors open every morning. The Covent Garden branch's beautifully dressed interior and the King's Cross location with its outdoor terrace represent the best settings, though all branches maintain the same quality of food and the same warming sense of hospitality that has made Dishoom the most consistently popular restaurant group in London. The breakfast service featuring chai tea and bacon naan is a particularly beloved London ritual.
Covent Garden Market
Once a world-famous fruit and vegetable market, Covent Garden is now a vibrant cultural and shopping hub. The elegant 19th-century piazza architecture houses the Apple Market, where you can find handmade crafts and antiques. The atmosphere is perpetually festive, thanks to the world-class street performers and opera singers who entertain crowds in the lower courtyard. Expert recommendations: Visit Petersham Nurseries for a beautiful floral-themed lunch or explore the surrounding 'Seven Dials' for independent boutiques. Pro tip: While the main market is open daily, the antiques market specifically takes place on Mondays. During the Christmas season, the market features some of the best decorations in London, including a giant reindeer and a massive tree, making it a prime spot for festive photography.
Rules Restaurant
Established in 1798, Rules is the oldest restaurant in London and a bastion of traditional British cuisine. The walls are covered in hundreds of historical drawings, oil paintings, and mounted game trophies, creating a rich, clubby atmosphere that feels like a time capsule. It has hosted literary greats from Charles Dickens to Graham Greene. Expert recommendations: This is the best place in the city for game; try the roast grouse or pheasant during the shooting season. Their 'Steak and Kidney Pudding' is also legendary. Pro tip: Don't miss the upstairs 'Winter Garden' bar for a classic cocktail in a quiet, plush setting. It is popular with both tourists and traditionalists, so book early and be prepared for a formal, old-world service style.
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