Aldwych, Burgers, Etc Restaurant Guide

“Still got it”, say fans of this retro US stalwart in theatreland – a ’70s import from NYC, whose sibling still trades near Times Square – where “the ambience rather than the American brasserie food is the main thing, and that remains the case”. It had to move six years ago due to redevelopment: “they’ve done a decent job of recreating the atmosphere since the move from the beloved Exeter Street basement, although without the lovely long bar now… but it’s still a pleasure to visit”. Top Menu Tips – “ribs are as good as ever”; “the fried gnocchi for veggies”; and, of course, the famous off-menu burger.

Burgers served à la française in a brioche bun still win a good level of support for this 20-year-old fast-food group. Having shrunk to just two branches – Balham and the Camden flagship, the latter said to be a favourite of Amy Winehouse back in the day – they are now part of Jamie Barber’s Hush Mayfair operation, with former branches in Kingston, Holborn and Chelsea upgraded into brasseries.

“Decent steaks served quickly in a great atmosphere” win a small but dedicated fan club for this quirky family-run steakhouse that has flown somewhat under the radar off High Holborn for the past 20 years. The meat is sourced from nearby Smithfield market, and the walls are adorned with cattle-themed movie posters.

“Best steakhouse in London? Yes. Best in the world? Could be!” – Childhood mates Will Beckett & Huw Gott have successfully surfed the zeitgeist for twenty years, since they opened their first venue near Spitalfields in 2006. Now they have 13 as far afield as Chicago, and a still significant stake in a private equity-backed steak empire valued as high as £100m (a price bandied around when it seems they were looking for buyers in late 2024). The group is a particular favourite for a generation of thirtysomething or fortysomething Londoners for whom it’s been a treasured part of their culinary journey. Its City, West End and (floating!) Canary Wharf outlets are also a big and enduring hit for business wining and dining. “Prime cuts of matured beef” are “perfectly cooked” and “served in striking surroundings with a carefully curated wine list”. Amongst the huge volume of feedback the brand inspires, there are inevitably some dud reports, but more eyecatching is the consistency of praise it still achieves. There is a widespread feeling, though – has been for years – that even if “the quality is up to scratch”, “sheesh it’s expensive”, with prices verging on “silly” (“although the excellent cocktails help numb the pain when the bill comes!”). Top Tip – “Set lunch on a Monday when you can BYO wine for £5 represents excellent value”; dip your toe in the water with an “unbeatable breakfast” (“although you have to have a big appetite to handle the full version”).

Gordon Ramsay’s four-year-old fast-food chain – one of several diffusion brands from the TV chef – has half a dozen sites across the capital. Views on it have always been somewhat mixed and became even more polarised this year: between those who consider it “a great new discovery” and those who feel it’s “disappointing for an upmarket burger”.

Horror movies till 2am – or footie by day – occupy the 30 screens at this new, subterranean sports bar haunt from MEATliquor, which opened in February 2025 on the fringe of Covent Garden. Expect all the faves on the menu, including the Dead Hippie burger, plus an in-house coffee and donut bar called Hideout.

“Just simple and exceptional!” – Zan Kaufman’s fast-expanding chain still remains widely hailed for offering “the best burger in London”: a winning formula that’s bringing an eighth site in Soho in 2025 alongside recent additions in Seven Dials, London Bridge and – the biggest one yet (28 covers) – on Baker Street. All of the many reports we receive acclaim its “amazing burgers and amazing fries”. One caveat – “expect delays if you want to eat in the evening at the Bloomberg building outlet as they can be too busy fulfilling the constant Deliveroo orders for the starving investment bankers who are all still working until midnight!”