One of the questions we are asked almost more than any other at the moment is ‘what interesting restaurants are actually open on a Monday?’ Monday is one of the most underrated days to explore London’s culinary scene; you can grab seats at the hottest places, avoid the crowds and enjoy a completely different vibe to busier parts of the week. But with many restaurants closed it’s often hard to work out where is open, that’s good. If you’ve been working over the weekend, fancy taking advantage of hard-to-get restaurant availability or simply want to start the week strong, here’s our pick of where to go.
Part of our partnership with the Mayor of London’s Let’s Do London campaign, our restaurant guides, tips on family-friendly eating spots, special deals and more can all be found here.
Where the food is the focus
Some of London’s best-rated restaurants are open on a Monday – if you’ve had trouble getting in on a busier night, this might be your chance.
Shoreditch – 4 Redchurch St, London E1 6JL
Chef Tomas Parry’s Shoreditch restaurant combines great food cooked over an open fire with a strong wine list from the Noble Rot team. Go big with a whole turbot or Galician steak or work your way through the superlative small plates.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about Brat
Soho – 53 Lexington St, Carnaby, London W1F 9AS
The OG Bao is a good one to hit up on Monday for a Taiwanese steamed bun or three, not least because, along with their Shoreditch noodle outpost, it’s actually open. They’re particularly welcoming of solo diners so take the time to enjoy your meal here and end with a fried Horlicks bao for dessert.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about BAO Soho
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St, London EC1V 9LT
Having entered the ranks of London’s two Michelin-starred restaurants, a Monday might be your only opportunity to secure a reservation at the Clove Club. Isaac McHale and his team serve up an intensely seasonal menu here which might feature slow-cooked Lincolnshire chicken with the first of the new season’s wild garlic and hay cream.
Open: Dinner only
More about The Clove Club
St. James – 1 St James’s Market, London SW1Y 4AH
Tucked away on St James’s Market, a table at this two Michelin-starred restaurant is highly sought after. If you want to secure a table you might find Mondays are your best option. Once here, you’ll enjoy a tasting menu with inventive dishes like Sorghum Crêpe, Cuttlefish & Trompette Fondue.
Open: Dinner only
More about Ikoyi
Soho – 58 Brewer St, London W1F 9TL
Sit up at the counter at this Soho spot for some of the best Thai food to be had in London. Using open fire cooking, Kiln takes inspiration from the countries bordering Thailand so expect Burmese, Yunnanese and Laos spicing and flavours here too.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about Kiln
City, Soho, Hackney
Renowned for its homemade noodles, this udon bar now has three branches across the city all of which are excellent places to perch and polish off a bowl of udon using dashi made freshly on site. It’s also got quite the reputation for its breakfast bowls which are a great way to start the day.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about Koya
Covent Garden – 21 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB
With their original Shoreditch restaurant closed on Mondays, the only place you can be sure of getting some tea leaf salad or mohinga in London on a Monday is Lahpet’s Covent Garden branch. Try new dishes or opt for their popular signatures like the coconut noodles with chicken.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about Lahpet West End
Victoria – 76 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1DE
With the friendly vibes of a neighbourhood restaurant that just so happens to be in the middle of Victoria, Lorne attracts a wide fanbase who love the regularly-changing menu of British and European dishes, along with the eclectic wine list.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about Lorne
Shoreditch – 49-51 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PT
Fully settled down in its permanent Shoreditch home after a few years of site hopping, this British/Italian restaurant focuses on whole-animal butchery along with hand-rolled pasta. They even make their own cured meats and salamis in-house.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about Manteca
Rochelle Canteen
Shoreditch – 16 Playground Gardens, London E2 7FA
Once you’ve actually found this hidden-away restaurant (hint, look for the buzzer by the door in the wall) you’ve found lunch nirvana on a Monday. Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson’s ‘canteen’ is more of a gastronomy Mecca for foodies looking for superb seasonal produce cooked sympathetically.
Open: Lunch only
More about Rochelle Canteen
Smithfield – 26 St John St, Barbican, London EC1M 4AY
Fergus Henderson’s world-renowned restaurant is a perfect place to hit up on a Monday whether you’re popping in for a coffee and Eccles cake in the morning or going the whole nose-to-tail hog with a dish of Crispy Pig Cheek served up with dandelion and roast shallots for dinner.
Open: All-day
More about St John
For a special occasion
Whether it’s for a birthday or another special occasion, these restaurants should fit the bill.
Mayfair – 11-15 Swallow St, London W1B 4DG
Chef Richard Corrigan’s piscine palace just off Piccadilly is renowned for its oyster platters and superb seafood. If you’re looking for a pint of Guinness (or glass of Champagne) and half a dozen native oysters, there’s no better place to go.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill
Knightsbridge – Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL
For sweet-toothed patisserie lovers, the perfect place to treat yourself on a Monday is this shiny new bakery and cafe from Parisian chef Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge. Pop in for a not-so-simple pain au chocolat or book for the full dessert tasting menu experience.
Open: Morning through to early supper
More about Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley
Covent Garden – 55 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BB
This popular all-day spot on the Aldwych has just unveiled its new look Delaunay Counter serving up an Alpine menu of traditional treats like fondue and tarte flambées. It’s an easy place to pop in and graze if you’re out running errands or to stay longer and catch up with friends.
Open: All-day
More about The Delaunay
Mayfair – 30 Bruton Pl, London W1J 6NL
While you can always opt for a scotch egg and perfectly poured pint in the pub here, the real fun at this Mayfair spot comes with a full-blown lunch or dinner in the restaurant, where you can peruse the steaks before they head to the grill or opt for one of their superb traditional pies.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about The Guinea Grill
Mayfair – 42 Albemarle St, London W1S 4JH
Even celebrities need somewhere to go on a Monday and if you’re an A-lister out on the town at the beginning of the week this Indian restaurant in Mayfair is the perfect celeb spot. Here, you can order the signature dish of kid goat methi keema and a pink gin while dodging the paparazzi.
Open: Lunch and diner
More about Gymkhana
Hammersmith – Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA
This self-styled canteen down by the Thames under the auspices of Ruth Rogers sends out exquisite platefuls of amazing Italian food – at prices to match. A Monday meal here would be a strong start to any week.
Open: Lunch and dinner
More about The River Cafe
Looking for a big night
Just because it’s a Monday, you may still be up for a proper night out and any of the following will fit that bill nicely.
Soho – 34 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TS
There are two Balans on Old Compton Street, and while the one at No 60 is bigger and buzzier, it’s the original site on the corner of Old Compton and Frith Street that you want on a Monday, when it’s open until the early hours of the next morning. Join the Soho regulars and hospitality workers who pile in here to enjoy the all-day brunch option.
Open: All-day
More about Balans
Soho – 11, 13 Frith St, London W1D 4RB
This vibey Soho restaurant serves up a fun mix of strong cocktails alongside its Nikkei cuisine – a mixture of Peruvian and Japanese influences. Enjoy sushi alongside ceviche before working your way through the robata grill options.
Open: Lunch & dinner
More about Chotto Matte
Soho – 61 Rupert St, London W1D 7PW
Enjoy the favours of Sri Lanka at this minimalist London restaurant, inspired by owner Dom Fernando’s family roots in Colombo. There’s a particularly interesting wine list along with cocktails like jackfruit bellinis and the whey-brined Leicestershire paneer is unmissable.
Open: Dinner only
More about Paradise
Soho/Bloomsbury
Whether you’re visiting the Soho or Bloomsbury location, Mondays at Noble Rot are always going to be a good idea. Peruse one of the best wine lists in London while enjoying the slip soles or perfectly wobbly panna cotta.
Open: Both open lunch and dinner
More about Noble Rot
Finsbury Park – 52 St Thomas’s Road, London N4 2QW
Securing a table at this white-hot popular North London pub is always hard, but Monday might just be the best option. Hit up their Instagram account to find out what’s on the regularly changing menu, but the cheeseburger is always a win.
Open: Dinner only
More about The Plimsoll
King’s Cross – Gasholder 10, unit A, London N1C 4BY
Co-owned by Idris Elba, this King’s Cross wine bar has been a hit from day one. Better book ahead, as it’s super popular with locals wanting to pop in for a glass of the bar’s own-label Champagne and amazing charcuterie platters.
Open: Afternoon and dinner only
More about Porte Noire
Looking for something wallet-friendly
For great food and great value all at once, you can’t beat these restaurants.
Borough – 6 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TQ
Factor in virtual queueing time to this perennially popular Borough Market pasta spot. You can hardly blame everyone for wanting to eat here when the prices for top-quality Italian food are this good.
Open: Lunch & dinner
More about Padella
Chinatown – 15-16 Gerrard Street, London W1D 6JE
A Chinatown standout, as the name suggests the dumplings are the things to come for, we suggest their xiao long bao and crispy belly pork. Service is brisk, the prices keen and the food is always excellent.
Open: Lunch & dinner
More about Dumplings Legend
Oxford Street/Victoria
Market Halls have two central London food hall locations, by Victoria Station and just off Oxford Street. Both are fun, buzzy places where you can try dishes from a range of interesting vendors and they have outside space too if you’re craving alfresco time. The dosas and dhal from Gopals and rainbow dumplings by Baozilnn are both must-haves.
Open: Lunch & dinner
More about Market Halls
Euston – 40 Doric Way, London NW1 1LH
One of London’s great cheap eats, this classic Euston spot serves up the best Malaysian food bar none at great prices. The roti canai are to die for and, coincidentally, a great reviver if you had a full-on Sunday.
Open: Lunch & dinner
More about Roti King
Covent Garden – 35 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LD
Run by the KERB market team, this indoor food hall has a rotating offering of food and drink vendors, perfect for an indecisive group Current highlights include BBQ treats by From The Ashes, Filipino food from Bong Bong’s and the freshest doughnuts by Longboys.
Open: Lunch & dinner
More about Seven Dials Market
Tried and trusted
These are small restaurant groups where you always know you’ll get a good meal whatever branch you head to.
Kensington, Covent Garden, Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Carnaby
This Indian street-food spot is a massive hit most of the time, so try Mondays for the best day to grab a table. All the London restaurants are open for their legendary bacon naan, small plates and house black daal.
Open: Lunch & Dinner
More about Dishoom
Covent Garden, Tottenham Crt Road, Marylebone, Spitalfields, King’s Cross, Soho, Shoreditch, London Bridge, Borough
All the Flat Irons are open on a Monday, so if you’re after a steak restaurant but are minding your budget, then head here. As well as the titular flat iron steaks, you’ll find more cuts, their special burger and more. Many have a site-specific special, so watch out for those too.
Open: All Lunch & Dinner
More about Flat Iron
Air Street, Borough, Guildhall, Knightsbridge, Spitalfields, Canary Wharf, Seven Dials
If you’re looking for a Monday steak dinner that’s a little more of a treat, then a trip to Hawksmoor is definitely something to consider. Start with an excellent cocktail in their bars before going all-in on steak (but note that their seafood options are on-point as well).
Open: All open for dinner, Seven Dials open for lunch too
More about Hawksmoor
Various locations across London
If you’re looking for proper ramen on a Monday, then Tonkotsu is the place for you. All the London locations are open all day and they also serve some of the best chicken kara-age in town (not to mention amazing dumplings.
Open: All Lunch & Dinner
More about Tonkotsu
Spring into London
Supported by the Mayor of London’s Let’s Do London campaign, our restaurant guides, tips on family-friendly eating spots and special deals, means there is no excuse not to ‘Spring into London’ and enjoy central London’s world-class restaurants and bars.
Read the guide
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