london without question has no shortage of restaurants but a few have broken from the pack as true standouts over the ages there is a reason that these restaurants have stood the test of time in many cases for over 200 years and one of the world's most important cities. i'll review the five most important historic restaurants in London and why they're special.
Most Important Historic Restaurants in London
THE IVY 1917
number five the ivy located in london's covent garden just up from trafalgar square. the ivy is known as a pre-theater destination to the highbrow theater set one of the few restaurants. The queen has been photographed eating at there is no question that the ivy is a british institution known for their shepherd's pie and bangers and mash. The ivy also features an updated menu with more contemporary cuisine without question a difficult reservation the restaurant also features a beautiful art deco center bar that is a good place for last minute dinner plans. in addition to great drinks the bar also serves the restaurant's full menu in 2008. The most important historic restaurants in London ivy opened a private members club spanning. the three floors above the restaurant but in typical british fashion. the club is not public and membership is by invitation only. however the great food and ambiance that has made the ivy famous can still be enjoyed by all at the restaurant downstairs. the best seat in the house in my opinion is the bar where there is exceptional people watching and my go-to dish of course is the traditional british shepherd's pie. when you walk in make sure you check out the booths on the right which are traditionally where the royalties and the celebrities are seated by the maitre d.
SIMPSON'S IN THE STRAND 1928
number four most important historic restaurants in London simpsons in the strand opened in 1928 as a chess and cigar club simpsons in the strand is located in covent garden on the bank of the river thames. just walking distance from the savoy theater somerset house and the national gallery known for their sumptuous traditional roasts of beef card table side on beautiful trolleys and silver trays. simpsons is a bastion of british dining tradition the restaurant looks like it could be right out of the 1800s with its dark oak paneling and red banquettes. the tradition of carving meat in front of their guests began as a way to avoid disturbing chess players mid-game but has become a signature part of traditional british fine dining. simpsons was a favorite of sir arthur conan doyle the writer of sherlock holmes and in fact sherlock holmes and dr watson dined at simpsons at the end of the adventures of the dying. detective where after fasting for three days holmes tells watson something nutritious at simpsons would not be out of place. however today simpsons continues to serve a great roast of meat with all the traditional fixings gravy roasted potatoes and vegetables and yorkshire pudding. in addition to the modern fares one would expect from a restaurant owned by the savoy hotel. so the next time you're in london and looking for a traditional sunday roast look no further than simpsons in the strand.
SWEETINGS 1889
number three most important historic restaurants in London sweetings. founded in 1889 sweetings is located in a grade two listed building on queen victoria street in the city of london. which is london's traditional financial district probably the oldest fish and oyster restaurant in london . sweetings has been serving up signature dishes since 1889 described as a seafood lover's dream. they only sell native oysters. so you can only have them when they're in season september through april. however the restaurant features many other traditional british seafood dishes such as eel pot pie and lobster mash.
WILTONS 1742
number two most important historic restaurants in London wilton's. a trip to london is never complete without a stroll down german street but before setting off to discover. the wares of davidoff of london foster and sons turbo nasser flores and others. wilton's is located on german street just across from davidoff of london. wilton's began life as an oyster stall in 1742 before establishing itself in st james in the 1840s. few restaurants can claim a history as rich as wilton's known for its seafood. wilton's features immaculately sourced fresh oysters and some of the best oversoul in the city. however there is one delicacy so rare they aren't even listed on the menu fresh langosteins. wilton's receives their fresh language steams every tuesday morning and often they're sold out by the end of lunch to guarantee. reservations are absolutely required as far as i'm concerned there is no better place to prepare oneself for an afternoon stroll down german street and savile row than at one of the dining room tables at wilton's and if you're there on tuesday it should be done over some fresh langoustines.
RULES 1798
coming in at number one is london's most historic restaurant
rules established in 1798. rules is regarded as london's oldest restaurant tremendously unique and unquestionably british rules. as what fine dining in london looked like 200 years ago unquestionably understated and not fussy. the restaurant owns its own estate in the high pennies where all of its fresh game is sourced and on which it has built its solid and deserved reputation. the game is so fresh that the menu even disclaims the possibility of leftover buckshot in the meat. exceptionally fresh and tasty game that'll make even the best kobe beef and filet mignon taste bland a long-standing ritual for the gentleman of the upper class is the opening day of the shooting season which is tremendously important and which is referred to as the glorious 12th of august. the red grouse which is widely regarded as the king of all game birds launches the shooting season on estates ranging from the north of england to
scotland. these fast low-flying burrs are amongst the most difficult to shoot and are the prized possessions on shooting day past royalty such as king edward vii and kaiser wilhelm ii delighted in both. the sport and tasting of the delicious subtle flavors of the new season grouse but for those not lucky enough to be shooting themselves on opening day it has been the traditional rules to drive down fresh grouse from that day's estate shoots to be served in london. the rules bar can always be counted on for a great cocktail. There are plenty of modern bmichelin-starred restaurants in london. there is truly no shortage however one of the things i look forward to the most about visiting london is the opportunity to eat at these unique unmistakably british institutions. There is really nothing else in the world that is similar to any one of these restaurants. they are genuinely one of a kind and have stood the test of time for hundreds of years.