Close to 10 million people live in the Urban Area of London. If you are one of them, you must know the top restaurants in this huge city. Let us show you the places where you have excellent service and amazingly delicious food. Still, get ready to take out your wallet, because they are not exactly the cheapest restaurants in London. The saying “you get what you pay for” is actually true in this case.

Barrafina

Located in Soho, this Spanish style restaurant has a no-reservation policy, meaning that you should prepare to queue. This might be a buzz killer for many of you, but if you have the patience to get to the front of the line, you will totally forget about the wait. The service is excellent though, you will be served with nibbles and drinks while you wait at the L-shaped bar.

Few people leave Barrafina with a disappointment look on their face. The menu is filled with Mallorcan and Catalan tapas dishes such as coca mallorquina and crisp-skinned grilled chicken thighs with romesco sauce. It all sounds fancy, but wait until you taste it and you will willingly queue for another night at Barrafina.

The Barbary

This Israeli restaurant is located in Covent Garden and serves plenty of traditional dishes. If you are looking for a place to start all sorts of new foods, The Barbary is the right choice. The team is led by Eyal Jagermann who was born in Tel Aviv and has previously worked at another top restaurant in London: Palomar.

The best octopus dishes in town are cooked by this man and his underlings. Another example of a delicious dish that you have probably never tasted is skin-on thigh meat marinated in yoghurt, baharrat (a spice mix found in Syria and Egypt) and Sumac. This restaurant is the worst choice for people who don’t want to try new things. If you are the kind who keeps an open mind, you will have a lot of delightful new experiences at the Barbary.

Som Saa

If you thought you like Thai food, you will absolutely love it after a dinner at Som Saa, in Spitalfields. The price range is a bit higher but you will understand why the minute you take the first bite. The traditional Thai herbs will make you wonder why you haven’t tried these dishes sooner. If you are looking for an unforgettable dinner, you could order the Burmese-style pork curry with roasted peanuts or the deep-fried seabass with Isaan herbs. Another idea is the Isaan som tam with fish sauce and an extremely high level of chili that’s not for the fainthearted.

So, whether you are looking for a Spanish style night, a place to try Israeli dishes or a restaurant with your favorite Thai food, you are bound to have a lot of fun and excellent service if you pick any of the above restaurants. These restaurants are perfect for date nights and special occasions.