London’s wine and dining scene offers enough variety for a memorable long weekend, from classic breakfasts and relaxed pub lunches to Michelin-starred meals. Here’s a three-day itinerary built around good food and thoughtful wine lists.
Friday
Breakfast
Begin at The Wolseley on Piccadilly, one of London’s best-known breakfast spots. Alongside a full English, try traditional dishes such as devilled kidneys or kedgeree, with a Bloody Mary if you’re in the mood.
Lunch
After breakfast, head to Soho and Mountain, Tomos Parry’s Mallorcan-inspired restaurant. Take a seat at the counter and choose a few small plates or settle in for a larger meal. The baked rice and tripe are recommended, along with an opportunity to let the sommelier guide you towards an unusual Iberian wine. The restaurant’s sister venue is Brat.
Dinner
For Chinese food, A Wong in Pimlico offers refined, modern interpretations of dishes inspired by imperial banquets. Nearby Hunan takes a different approach, serving a changing procession of small plates and boasting an exceptional wine list.
For Indian cuisine, choose between Mayfair’s two-Michelin-starred Gymkhana, known for bold, rich flavours, and Marylebone’s Trishna, where seafood takes a more prominent role. Both restaurants have wine lists selected to complement their menus.
Saturday
Breakfast
For a late-morning snack, visit the bar at St JOHN near Smithfield. Try an Eccles cake with Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese and a glass of Madeira. If you stay for lunch, the restaurant’s bone marrow on toast is a classic.
Lunch
Walk or take a short cab ride to Islington’s Draper’s Arms. This traditional pub stands out for its carefully chosen, well-priced wine list, which includes both fine bottles and good-value options.
Dinner
For a relaxed evening, Quality Wines in Farringdon serves small plates and a wide selection of wines by the glass. If you’re after a more substantial meal, the neighbouring Quality Chop House has a broad list that includes mature wines.
To continue the evening over wine or cocktails, The Black Book in Soho offers a quieter alternative to a nightclub and stays open until 3am.
Sunday
Breakfast
Round off the weekend with a full English at a traditional café. In east London, try E Pellicci; centrally, visit Regency Café. In west London, there’s also a café called River Café near Putney Bridge station, distinct from the well-known Italian restaurant.
Lunch
On a sunny summer day, book a terrace table at The River Café for pasta and a chilled bottle of Pieropan Soave. In autumn or winter, head to The Harwood Arms, London’s only Michelin-starred pub, for a Sunday roast. Its concise wine list suits a leisurely meal, though a pint of ale may be just as tempting.