Our favourite City restaurants have been struggling over the past few months. And even though they’re opening back up, it’s not going to be an easy road to recovery. The Square Mile’s few local residents aren’t enough to keep them all going, and workers aren’t likely to return to the office full-time this year.
So, when you are in the City, do what you can to help them out. Treat yourself to an extra special takeaway lunch. Drink up at some of the rooftop bars. Go back to your local café for your morning flat white. Small but regular contributions can make a massive impact on these guys.
Right now, it’s all about supporting the kinds of businesses you want to see survive in the City of London. Those that breathe life and culture into the area. Small independent restaurants and bars should be high on that list. That’s why we’ve collated this list of our favourite spots which have opened back up in some capacity.
BANK
The Ned
The Ned has played an integral part in the Square Mile’s growth as a destination for dining. And it will continue to do so as we ease our way out of lockdown. But hang in there as they open up slowly. Right now, the British restaurant and bar, Millie’s Lounge is open as well as Kaia – which is known for it’s Asian-Pacific grub. Some of their rooms upstairs are also taking guests while the member’s club gets into full swing – thanks to that glorious rooftop pool and restaurant. Keep an eye out for future Ned happenings as more and more parts of this City institution open up safely.
27 Poultry EC2R 8AJ
Brasserie Blanc
The always reliable French masters may not be back just yet but have announced that the doors will be flying open on 7 September. And they are already taking bookings. You can either perch in their small outdoor dining area or take to the large indoor dining room with vaulted ceilings. We can’t wait to order that moorish confit duck leg again. And the whole dressed Brixam crab. Bring on September already!
60 Threadneedle Street EC2R 8HP
Bloomberg Arcade
One of the City’s main food and drink precincts is getting back on its legs again. Four out of the nine restaurants and bars are now open, with the rest set to follow in the coming months. Brigadiers, the modern Indian restaurant, is serving up meals for click and collect and delivery from Deliveroo. The Nordic foodies, Ekte, is available for over the phone orders and delivery on Uber Eats and Deliveroo. Vinoteca has wine and beer available to takeaway, or get it delivered via their online shop. And lastly, the team at Ahi Poké are selling their Hawaiian fresh fish and raw vegetables bowls. Support these folks now and watch out for the rest of the Bloomberg Arcade to reawaken soon. Good things take time.
Bloomberg Arcade EC4N 8AR
LEADENHALL
Bob Bob Cité
This massive, glamorous and wonderfully over-the-top French restaurant is back this August. It’s the place to go if you haven’t lost any income during lockdown and have a whole heap of extra cash to splash. Go all out. Seriously. Go for the caviar, a magnum bottle of Champagne and an extravagant lobster thermidor. Dine like royalty, pressing that much-loved ‘presser pour champagne’ button over and over again – celebrating the easing of lockdown in style.
Level 3, 122 Leadenhall Street EC3V 4AB
Bibimbap ToGo
Korean takeaway food is hugely popular at the moment, and we are so glad that one of our favourite spots to grab it in the City, Bibimbap ToGo has reopened. And for those who don’t know, the term “bibim” means mixing various ingredients together, while the “bap” noun refers to rice. Bibimbap is basically a bowl of warm white rice topped with all kinds of delicious meats, vegetables and sauces. It’s tasty, healthy and super easy to eat on the go!
39 Leadenhall Market EC3V 1LR
London Livery Halls
Some of London’s very best historic livery halls are back in action this month, ready to host some super safe private and corporate events. You don’t have to settle for Zoom work drinks and meetings anymore. And you can finally start replanning that wedding or big party you had to put off because of lockdown.
The Apothecaries’ Hall, Barber-Surgeons’ Hall, Carpenters’ Hall, Saddlers’ Hall and Skinners’ Hall are all back in business – with large outdoor terraces, rooftop gardens, beautifully proportioned, light filled reception rooms and more than enough space to observe physical distancing.
These enormous spaces are perfect for hosting larger events nowadays. Forget tiny rooms without windows or any kind of décor. These locations have all the safety measures included while looking incredibly glamorous. And each of these lavish destinations in the Square Mile are catered for by the Party Ingredients team who are known for providing some of the most decadent dining experiences in the City.
Party Ingredients have even launched a new delivery service, offering a fully catered party for businesses and us everyday folk. Whether it’s for your office (to welcome back the team), or at home (to host a slightly larger event), PI Delivers is one of the best ways to make planning group gatherings easy and safe. With a super simple and flexible ordering service, all equipment included, delivery and collection (and no washing up), this is sure to appeal to those who would rather be in the hands of professionals than DIY a larger gathering.
Various City locations
ST PAUL’S
Bread Street Kitchen
Gordon Ramsey’s City restaurant and bar is now open. Dine-in options haven’t changed so you can expect all your favourite British dishes including the super sexy Beef Wellington. And you can even order takeaway now. Get into their pizzas, burgers and beer battered haddock and chips either delivered to your home or to take out and sit around St Paul’s. You can download their app or order via their website – see all your money go towards supporting a local London business rather than big apps.
10 Bread Street EC4M 9AJ
On the Bab
Every day, from midday until 9pm, you can now order all the best Korean street food dishes to take away from On the Bab. We are obsessed with their fried chicken but are equally into their bao buns stuffed with all the best meats and sauces. And don’t forget a massive side of kimchi for good measure. Unfortunately, the restaurant is too small to eat in, so support them by grabbing a cheeky takeaway lunch or dinner instead.
9 Ludgate Broadway EC4V 6DU
Madison
The Insta-famous rooftop restaurant & bar, full of socialites and City workers is back in action. They’re serving up all the usual cocktails and Manhattan-styled food while hosting socially distanced DJ and live music nights on the rooftop overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral. This view is stunning. And we will never get tired of it.
One New Change EC4M 9AF
SMITHFIELD
Smiths of Smithfield
Smithfield Market traders may be getting kicked out soon so that the Museum of London can set up their new digs inside the historical building, but Smiths of Smithfield isn’t going anywhere. The three-story space has been rejigged so that people can get their drink on at the Drink + Victory Bar and dine at both the Grill restaurant and third floor terrace. We are particularly big fans of their bottomless Sunday roast experiences – book ahead & hope for good weather on the terrace.
67-77 Charterhouse Street EC1M 6HJ
Winemaker’s Club
The City’s wine pros are back in business – pumping out bottles of wine to take away while also letting people drink in. They’ll be open from 11am-11pm during the week, although will stay closed on Saturdays until September. They have also decided to start doing tastings priced on a per head basis for groups of 2 people upwards. Not a bad spot for a date night post lockdown.
41a Farringdon Street EC4A 4AN
Enoteca Rabezzana
The Italian Wine Bar & Restaurant is back serving bucket loads of carbs to local residents and workers. Either go traditional with the main dishes or dabble in their signature Italian tapas style of eating. And, if you’re not comfortable with dining indoors yet, they’ve started offering takeaway meals like most other restaurants in the City. Everyone’s adapting, making it easier than ever to support the local hospitality industry.
62-63 Long Lane EC1A 9EJ
TEMPLE
El Vino
El Vino is a true City of London institution, having been around since 1879. It was initially a famous watering hole for journalists but has since grown beyond that, with other wine bars now spread around central London. The Fleet Street flagship is open again for people to drink or order wine to be delivered to your door. And now they have introduced a new way to order and pay from your mobile device. Or if you prefer to have their tapas and wine at home or in the office, they even offer a click & collect service.
47 Fleet Street EC4Y 1BJ
City of London Distillery
During the 18th century, the Square Mile was packed full of gin distilleries and gin shops, benefiting from the spices and citrus fruits coming into the port of London. Sadly, over time, a lot of these were lost. But in 2012, the City of London Gin Distillery opened its doors with the aim of bringing some of that history back. And they’ve returned after the lockdown, with their bar, shop, gin masterclasses and distillery tours open to the public. Gin lovers, reassemble!
22-24 Bride Lane EC4Y 8DT
Tempio
The old school Italian restaurant is finally back open. It’s where to go when you’re after great and simple Italian cooking within a casual setting. Even with the space being full of suits, it remains unstuffy which is honestly a remarkable thing to behold. So many places in the City work hard at being sleek and cool rather than homey. Head in when you need to escape the high-pressured existence of the Square Mile and gorge on all manners of pasta and pizza.
Suite 5-10 3-7, Temple Chambers, Temple Avenue EC4Y 0HP
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