Top Dining Picks in London for Summer 2024

Where to eat in London now, ft. Sale e Pepe Mare and more

Justin DeSouza

July brings a new set of challenges for dinner plans. The city is buzzing with outdoor drinking, last‑minute trips to Ibiza or Lisbon, weddings, and the ever‑present British urge to be near water. Finding a venue that pairs excellent food with a refreshing drink has never felt more urgent.

This edition offers an expert‑curated list of the city’s finest options: timeless Italian elegance, a Japanese brunch that balances culinary precision with karaoke‑ready fun, Arcade’s impressive new Covent Garden hub, and a cocktail‑centric street‑food market that promises a memorable day out.

1. Salt and Pepper Sea

Before discovering Sale e Pepe Mare, I mistakenly checked into the wrong address and ended up at The Langham’s Sale e Pepe Mare. The experience was polished, confident, and theatrical—enough to guarantee a return.

Salt and Pepper Sea, the seafood‑focused offshoot, matches its predecessor’s quality while delivering a more dramatic visual presentation on Portland Place. The menu balances indulgence with restraint: otoro toast, halibut taglio, and riso alla pescatoria—a baked Arborio “paella” with squid, clams, prawns, Datterino tomatoes, and bottarga. The setting feels like a glamorous aunt’s private lounge—perfect for a seductive or unforgettable night. And the martinis are not to be missed.

2. Brunch at MITSU

Brunch fatigue is real, but MITSU reinvents the format with a Japanese‑market vibe. Their Saturday brunch includes snacks, sushi, sashimi, unlimited robata, and desserts—far more enticing than a stack of pancakes.

The “Big Fish Energy” option adds a monthly tuna carving experience, free‑flowing champagne, private‑room theatrics, and karaoke. Located in Shoreditch, the atmosphere leans into night‑out energy, but the food remains the star: smoky robata, precise sushi, and service that sings (literally, if you’re lucky enough to spot a vocalist in a booth).

3. Oranj World Cup Burger Series

Watching the World Cup in London often means sticky floors, blaring commentary, and standing for hours. Oranj offers a smarter alternative: massive screens, natural wines, and a rotating World Cup burger series where chefs reinterpret national cuisines between buns.

Past creations have ranged from Mexican smash‑burger tacos to a Dutch broodje kaassoufflé and an Iranian koobideh burger. The concept works because Oranj blends culinary credibility with playful self‑awareness, making each bite a conversation about both football analytics and wine pairings.

4. Arcade Covent Garden

“Food hall” doesn’t fully capture Arcade’s ambition. The new Covent Garden venue, occupying the former TGI Fridays space on Bedford Street, operates as a hybrid dining room, incubator, and collective of distinct concepts.

The lineup includes Manna (burgers and fried chicken), Solis (chicken and steak), Hero (North Indian fast food), Gracey’s (pizza), plus Plaza Khao Gaeng and Zylia (Greek‑Cypriot taverna). Arcade anticipates the modern group’s indecision: diners can sample widely, share plates, and enjoy a cohesive, high‑quality experience without resorting to the same old chain.

5. Cocktails in the City

After a sold‑out 2025 edition, Cocktails in the City returns to Bedford Square Gardens, offering pop‑up versions of London’s top bars, street food, live music, workshops, and the convenience of sampling multiple elite cocktails in one location.

Don’t miss Archive & Myth—a personal favorite for many evenings—alongside their renowned caviar “bump.” The Mandrake’s team, led by Eljesa Saciri, and Zacal, known for their innovative Zacalita drinks created with Dram’s Chris Tanner, also shine. Tickets for the upcoming event are on sale now.

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