London’s train stations are the arteries to the city, with close to two million people rolling onto the platforms from across the UK and Europe on a daily basis. On arrival, and faced with overpriced baguettes or fast food joints, many look for a good nearby restaurant to kickstart their stay or get an evening on the tiles started.
Fortunately, London has a relentless tide of restaurants and diners to cater for all tastes and budgets from the high-class to cutting-edge and traditional. All within walking distance of the main stations and without having to hop on the Tube or wait for a taxi.
Arriving at London Waterloo
Visitors from the coast and southwest of England are probably already spoiled for fish restaurants. In and around the many high-rise flats and offices circling Waterloo, there are plenty of great places to try something different.
If you head out of the station to the River Thames and turn right, not far away is the National Theatre with Forza Wine tucked away on the roof of the brutalist edifice. Offering great views over the river, the menu is Italian-inspired, with plenty of small meaty, rustic, plates with hearty vegetables.
Also in the NT building is Lasdun, a more formal diner with a fancier menu ranging from crumbed Duroc pork chop, sage and capers to chicken and girolle pie. Ideal if you’re attending a play, music or cinema at the theatre.
Eating Out at Kings Cross/St. Pancras/Euston
Arriving right in the heart of the city from these stations, there is practically endless choice for any palette. With a huge range of restaurants in King’s Cross, if you want to rip into a steak then Flat Iron Kings Cross is just outside the station. Flat Iron makes beef the star of their menu with hearty sides, suitable wines and Wagyu steak of the day if you’re feeling flush.
If you want a more refined taste, The Lighterman is a pub/restaurant with a range of menus including the top-tier The Lighterman x Lillet Menu with shallot and Cabernet Sauvignon mignonette oysters, seabass tartare or grilled tiger prawns with samphire and capers, plus shoestring fries on offer.
To spice up your day, La Chingada by Euston is a fine Mexican restaurant with a delicious range of tacos, quesadilla, tortilla and nacho dishes. With larger plates like Pozole Por and Enchiladas Verdes for those committed to a main meal, there is plenty to love in this modern, thriving restaurant.
Arriving at Paddington
Aside from the famous bear, Paddington really is a mess of a station that most people want to get out of as soon as possible. To escape the London crush, Bondi Green will transport you to Australia with an open flame robata, and wood-fired pizza oven.
With brunch, lunch and dining menus, there is something for any time, with plenty of small plate dishes to provide variety beyond the usual range of pizzas, fresh fish (tandoori salmon) or meats (flaming tomahawk), all cooked with the brand’s signature style.
Another fine local restaurant is Turmeric Kitchen, packing in exotic flavors and twists on Indian cuisine including Tawa Seabass, Lamb Sukha with whole spices and Railway Mutton Curry, a goat meat dish inspired by legendary Indian railway journeys.
Eating Out Around London Victoria
Falling out of London Victoria’s many stations, it is hard not to miss Market Halls over the road. A celebration of street food, it is spread over three floors with a roof bar to watch London go by. From the broad menu, you can pick from tacos, poke bowls, thai, black bear burgers, Malay street food in banana leaves, and other delectable including proper Italian Gelato.
If you want some popper London grub, just off Victoria Street is The Laughing Halibut with fantastic fish and chips, and a great mixed-platter for sharing. Or, if you have vegan requirements, Mildreds offers breakfast, brunch, all-day dining, and pre-show menus from the highly tempting Full English with
scrambled organic tofu, sausage, roast tomato and mushroom, saute spinach, maple baked beans, home fries and sourdough toast to lime leaf corn ribs.
Wherever you end up around London’s main terminuses, there’s always plenty of places to dine out at, and enjoy the hustle and bustle from the safety of a tasty meal.