L’Escargot is one of the oldest restaurants in London – the definite list can be seen below!
- L’Escargot (Soho): 1896
Widely regarded as Soho’s finest culinary institution, L’Escargot has epitomized “proper” dining since 1896, famously being the first UK restaurant to serve snails. This historic French landmark offers a reassuringly grown-up experience within a grand Georgian townhouse once owned by the Duke of Portland, featuring crisp linen tablecloths and a quality art collection including works by Bacon and Matisse. Beyond its signature garlic-drenched snails, the kitchen excels at classic lobster thermidor and confit of duck. It remains a bohemian, and wonderfully friendly sanctuary of excellence for every discerning diner. Dog friendly.
48 Greek Street, W1, lescargot.co.uk
- Wiltons (St. James’s): 1742
Since 1742, Wiltons has served London’s elite first-rate seafood and nostalgic dishes. This historic institution pairs a formal dress code with a mischievous spirit, remaining a timeless sanctuary for those seeking world-class oysters and classic, refined British hospitality.
55 Jermyn Street, SW1, wiltons.co.uk
- Rules (Covent Garden): 1798
Established in 1798, London’s oldest restaurant delivers more than just history. Rules offers impeccably cooked British classics in grand, reverent surroundings, creating a comforting, addictive experience that keeps diners returning time and again.
35 Maiden Lane, WC2E, rules.co.uk
- Sweetings (City of London): 1889
A beloved City institution since 1889, Sweetings is a lunchtime-only seafood sanctuary. Known for its “time-warp” atmosphere, silver tankards, and remarkably fresh fish, it remains a pillar of traditional British dining.
39 Queen Victoria Street, EC4N
- Simpson’s-in-the-Strand (The Strand): 1828
Established in 1828 as a smoking room and chess club, Simpson’s evolved into a cornerstone of British gastronomy. Famous for its silver-domed carving trolleys, the restaurant has served generations of diners—including Arthur Conan-Doyle and Ernest Shackleton. It remains a temple to the traditional British roast.
100 Strand, WC2R, simpsonsinthestrand.co.uk
- Quality Chop House (Farringdon): 1869
Opened in 1869, this “Progressive British” restaurant still features its original Grade II-listed Victorian wooden pews. Originally a dining room for the working man, it has transformed into a high-end destination known for its dedication to meat and its legendary “confited” potatoes, all while keeping its historic City charm.
88-94 Farringdon Road, EC1R, thequalitychophouse.com
- Veeraswamy (Mayfair): 1926
Established in 1926, Veeraswamy is the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK. Founded by the great-grandson of an English General and an Indian Princess, it offers a lavish, palace-style interior overlooking Regent Street. It has held a Michelin star for years, proving that its 100-year-old recipes are still world-class.
99-101 Regent Street, W1B, veeraswamy.com
- Quo Vadis (Soho): 1926
This iconic Soho landmark has been a restaurant since 1926, though the building itself was famously the home of Karl Marx. It is known for its beautiful stained-glass windows and a menu that focuses on seasonal, uncomplicated British fare. It remains a central hub for the London arts and media crowd. Dog friendly.
26-29 Dean Street, W1D, quovadissoho.co.uk
- Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill (Mayfair): 1916
The “Grand Dame” of Swallow Street has been shucking and serving since 1916, famously founded by Bill Bentley using oysters from his family’s beds. Over the decades, it has hosted icons ranging from Oscar Wilde to Charlie Chaplin. Now under the stewardship of Chef Patron Richard Corrigan, the restaurant features a marble oyster bar downstairs and a more formal grill room above. The menu hosts premium British and Irish seafood, and it is celebrated for its first-class fish pie.
11-15 Swallow Street, W1B, bentleys.org
- Scott’s (Mayfair): 1851
Scott’s has evolved from its mid-19th-century origins as an oyster warehouse into a bastion of Mayfair glamour. Famed as the site where Ian Fleming reportedly discovered the “shaken, not stirred” martini, it remains a premier destination for celebrity spotting and high-end dining. The restaurant is celebrated for its shimmering crustacean bar and a sophisticated menu that highlights the very best of British fish and seasonal game.
20 Mount Street, W1K, scotts-mayfair.com