With over 75 million passengers passing through London Victoria annually, and the station’s main thoroughfare essentially one massive pasty passage, it’s no wonder hungry travellers are constantly bemoaning the lack of dining options within the station complex. Do they really need five Upper Crusts and several Caffè Nero stalls?
An exaggeration perhaps, but to eat well here, it’s best to step out and into the Westminster wilderness for a proper feed. Here are our favourite restaurants, eateries and food halls close by; our round-up of the best places to eat near London Victoria.
Gopal’s Corner
Ideal for arguably the best Malaysian food south of the river…
Food courts seem to be proliferating in London faster than the city can handle them, with several blockbuster openings occuring in recent years. Though revered restaurant group JKS’ Arcade Food Hall on Tottenham Court Road has received the vast majority of media attention we’re just as enamoured with London’s Victoria’s Market Hall which has several stellar eateries all under one roof, Market Hall represents one of the best places to eat near London Victoria.
The fact it’s only a two minute stroll from the station certainly does no harm, but in reality, the selection of food options is the main draw; Baoziin’s superb dim sum, Pasta Evangelists’ cult ‘carbonara of dreams’, and Fanny’s flame-grilled kebabs have all found a home here.
But it’s at Gopal’s Corner where the finest food is found. The sibling to beloved London restaurant Roti King, here the proposition is similar; Tamil street food featuring freshly slapped roti canai, served in bundles to accompany nourishing curries unafraid of a little oil and salt.
But equally as satisfying are simple but umami-heavy noodle stir-fries, and banana leaf platters laden with curries, crisp papadam, and chutneys positively undulating with the funk of shrimp paste and assertiveness of chilli. Just superb.
Address: Market Halls, 191 Victoria St, London SW1E 5NE
Website: markethalls.co.uk
Bleecker Burger Victoria
Ideal for the ultimate All-American burger experience…
Many of London’s culinary cognoscenti concur that Bleecker is the city’s best burger, and, though our opinion is more humble, we might just be with them.
An All-American burger which started life in London’s Spitalfields, Bleecker now has a second outpost just moments from London Victoria, as well as two more, in Bloomberg and Westfield; a testament to the brand’s growing presence in a city not exactly short on burger-based options.
It’s easy to see why Bleecker is going from strength to strength. The burger menu is a concise, no-frills affair, with just six options on the menu, five of which deploy 45 aged, grass fed beef from ‘the chef’s butcher’ Aubrey Allen, with the sixth – the ‘symplicity’ burger – a vegetarian offering using chef Neil Rankin’s much hyped fermented vegetable ‘meat’.
Basically, if you’re a carnivore, it’s cheeseburgers, single or double, with or without bacon. The paradox of choice is unlikely to fell you here.
The results are spectacular, tasting both ‘dirty’ (not a term we usually like to deploy) and possessing depth through those superior pattys. All in all, it’s a knockout, and the best burger you’ll find in this part of London, at the very least.
Address: 205 Victoria St, London SW1E 5NE
Website: bleecker.co.uk
Casa do Frango Victoria
Ideal for a taste of Portugal and possibly the best peri-peri chicken in London…
Though London Victoria’s Nova development is, by most folk’s estimations, the devil’s work, it does house a couple of enjoyable options for dinner. The best has got to be the Victoria iteration of popular peri-peri chicken join Casa do Frango.
The restaurant’s name, which translates to ‘chicken house’, prosaically encapsulates its culinary focus. Casa do Frango Victoria brings the spirit of Southern Portugal to London, serving traditional Algarvian cuisine with a special emphasis on their signature dish – Frango Piri-Piri.
This dish, chicken grilled over wood-charcoal and brushed with an age-old Piri-Piri blend, has a satisfyingly smoky finish and blistered skin, which is what you’re here for, surely?
A word for the supporting cast and sides, which are a fine match to the headlining chuck – the rice with crispy chicken skin, chorizo, and plantain, is especially good.
Address: 2 Sir Simon Milton Sq, London SW1E 5DJ
Website: casadofrango.co.uk
Read: Here’s what to eat in Lisbon
A. Wong
Ideal for innovative and thoughtful contemporary Chinese food..
Now with two shiny Michelin stars above the door, A.Wong has come a long way since its opening in 2013. This ‘upmarket Chinese eatery’ (their words) is actually refreshingly welcoming, inclusive and reasonably priced, considering the level of cooking going on here.
Dim sum takes centre stage at lunch with a dedicated menu of intricate and playful dumplings, all delivered with downright deliciousness at their heart. At dinner, the lights dim some, the mood gets a little more sultry and the dishes more complex, now available in three separate tasting menus. If you’re going all out, the ‘Taste of China’ is a glorious journey.
Address: 70 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1DE
Website: www.awong.co.uk
Kazan
Ideal for elevated Ottoman cuisine in an atmospheric setting…
Inhabiting a handsome double-fronted space on Wilton Road – in that curious stretch that’s not quite Victoria and not quite Pimlico – Kazan (‘large cauldron’ in Turkish) has been serving some of London’s finest Ottoman cuisine for more than two decades now. While the area has several Turkish options (including the excellent Cyprus Mangal, also on this list), this sophisticated establishment sets itself apart through its commitment to both tradition and refinement.
The restaurant strikes an elegant balance between old and new – ornate wooden screens and teardrop-shaped lights create intimate dining spaces, while the overall feel remains contemporary and polished. It’s the kind of place that works equally well for a relaxed lunch or a more formal dinner.
The menu really shines when embracing classic Ottoman dishes. Start with their mezze – the arnavut cigeri (Albanian-style calf’s liver, £15.95) is a standout, perfectly grilled and lifted with sharp-sweet pomegranate seeds and citrusy sumac. The house hummus is exceptionally good too – silken-smooth and rich with tahini. For the mildly adventurous, the sage-wrapped tempura prawns (£14.50) show the kitchen’s ability to innovate while respecting tradition.
Main courses center around the fire grill, with the Kazan Special (£25.50) offering an excellent introduction to their meat cookery – layers of marinated chicken and lamb with köfte, served on village bread with strained yogurt and spiced tomato sauce. The Hunkar Begendi (£24.00), a traditional Ottoman dish of stewed lamb on smoked aubergine mash, is pure comfort food elevated to new heights.
The drinks list deserves attention too – their cocktail menu plays with Turkish flavors in interesting ways. Try the Pomegranate Mojito (£11.50) or, for something more traditional, explore their selection of Turkish wines. The Yakut, a robust red from Central Anatolia, is particularly good value at £26 a bottle.
End your meal with their orange-tinged baklava – a dessert with royal connections, having once been served to Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit to Turkey. At £8.50, it’s a fittingly regal end to the meal.
For those seeking a more economical entry point, the pre-theatre menu (£22.95 for two courses) offers excellent value, while the Ottoman Feast (£40 per person) provides a comprehensive tour of the menu’s highlights. Just be aware that while prices are reasonable for the area, they’re a touch higher than your typical Turkish restaurant – but then again, Kazan isn’t your typical Turkish restaurant.
Doors here open daily from noon, offering a refined refuge until 10pm (9:30pm on Sundays). Early birds should note their excellent pre-theatre menu is available until 6:30pm – making it an ideal spot for a sophisticated meal before curtain call at the Victoria theatres just minutes away.
Address: 93-94 Wilton Road, Pimlico, London SW1V 1DW
Website: kazan-restaurant.com
Dragon Inn Club
Ideal for innovative Sichuan cuisine and theatrical hot pot experiences…
Hidden between Victoria and Pimlico, Dragon Inn Club offers an immersive dining experience that transports you from the unassuming streets of SW1 to the ancient Silk Road. While the area isn’t short on Asian dining options, this ambitious venue distinguishes itself through its commitment to faithful Sichuan preperations and theatrical presentation.
Split across multiple levels, the ground floor hosts a casual open kitchen perfect for quick dim sum fixes and street food-style small plates, while the lower ground harbors more intrigue. Here, you’ll find the atmospheric ‘Dragon Room’, the dedicated hot pot ‘Temple Room’, and – perhaps most intriguingly – eight intimate two-seater ‘Private Caves’ lining what they’ve dubbed the ‘Silk Passage’ (ooh, matron).
The hot pot is undoubtedly the star attraction here, with two distinct offerings that cater to different appetites and occasions. The Classic Hot Pot (£39.80 per person, minimum 2) provides an excellent introduction to this communal style of dining, featuring a choice of broths – including the signature Sichuan spicy, classic chicken and spring onions, or a gentler tomato base. The spread includes a generous selection of premium ingredients like fresh scallops, king prawns, beef and lamb slices, along with an array of mushrooms, vegetables, and noodles.
For those looking to elevate their hot pot experience, the Royal Hot Pot (£89 per person) is nothing short of spectacular. This luxurious spread showcases the finest ingredients: Alaskan king crab, Australian fresh abalone, tiger prawns, and Australian wagyu beef, accompanied by delicacies like sweetbreads and specialty cuts. Each comes with a carefully curated selection of house-made dipping sauces – the garlic and sesame oil, and Sichuan spicy sauce are particular standouts.
The à la carte menu is at its most compelling when embracing its Sichuan heritage. Start with the cold dishes – the signature corn-fed chicken in crimson chili oil delivers that distinctive málà (numbing-spicy) sensation that Sichuan cuisine is famous for. The chilled melon with passion fruit and pomegranate offers welcome respite between spicier dishes.
For mains, the soft shell crab with garlic and Sichuan bell chili (£14.80) shows real finesse, while the sizzling Sichuan-spiced fillet steak (£26) demonstrates the kitchen’s ability to balance heat with technique. The cocktail menu deserves special mention – try the Monk’s Revival, where Absolut vodka meets red fortune tea, or the Innkeeper’s Delight, an intriguing blend of Havana Club 7-year rum with lemongrass, sake and lychee.
While the décor might occasionally edge toward the theatrically kitsch – think dark wood, bamboo screens, and moody red lighting – it somehow works, creating an atmosphere that feels both escapist and genuine. The service can be overzealous at times, but it’s hard to fault their enthusiasm.
True hot pot enthusiasts can even customize their experience further with premium add-ons like Kagoshima Wagyu ribeye (£85) or fresh lobster, though the standard offerings are more than satisfying. For the adventurous, there’s also a selection of specialty hot pots including a fresh coconut corn-fed chicken variation and a sea bass with preserved vegetables option, both offering interesting departures from the traditional format.
Open seven days a week, Dragon Inn Club maintains impressively consistent hours, welcoming diners from noon until 10:30pm (9:30pm Sundays) – perfect for both leisurely weekend lunches and late-night Sichuan cravings after a show at Victoria.
Address: 16-18 Upper Tachbrook St, Pimlico, London SW1V 1SH
Website: dragoninnclub.co.uk
Lorne
Ideal for creative British plates and beautifully sourced ingredients in an intimate setting…
If you’re looking for a three course affair – the menu, in a revolutionary move, is laid out in sections of starters, mains, and desserts – of unpretentious yet utterly flawless French-ish grub, then Lorne will see you right.
It’s a reassuring space to spend time in; with a neighbourhood restaurant atmosphere, service on point – warm, gracious and knowledgeable – and the food generous and soulful. It’s not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for.
A piece of fallow deer was beautifully cooked, with edge to edge pinkness and a good crust coming in at just the right level of bitter, paired with pomme puree and boudin noir. Yep, this is unapologetically traditional in its pairings, but sometimes, that’s exactly what you need, right?
Address: 76 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1DE
Website: lornerestaurant.co.uk
Olivomare
Ideal for sumptuous Sardinian offerings from the sea…
The proposition at Olivomare, an elegant establishment sitting somewhere between London Victoria and Belgravia, is a simple one; Sardinian seafood dishes, cooked with care and precision. The restaurant more than lives up to that enticing billing, with a menu that is deceptively simple in its descriptions but premium in its delivery.
With an adjoining deli championing artisan producers from Sardinia, premium ingredients take centre stage here, with fish spanking, squeaky fresh, and both local and imported vegetables shown equal reverence.
The trofie with clams and grated bottarga is a must order, given piquancy via liberal additions of chilli, both fresh and dried, and some serious salinity with the addition of reduced clam stock and that fantastic cured grey mullet roe, playing the role of parmesan adeptly.
With whole fish coming off the charcoal grill, whether marinated or salt-crusted, and making up the bulk of the main courses, there’s plenty to luxuriate in here, making Olivomare the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch in Victoria.
Address: 10 Lower Belgrave St, London SW1W 0LJ
Website: olivorestaurants.com
The Pem
Ideal for lively fine dining and modern British fare…
Okay, we accept that you might have to hotfoot it 10 minutes north east into Westminster to get to The Pem, but with the eating options around London Victoria not exactly resplendent, you may well be glad that you did.
This luxurious and lively fine dining restaurant, located within the elegant Conrad London St. James Hotel, is the work of renowned, loveable chef Sally Abé, who previously held a Michelin star at the London gastropub, The Harwood Arms.
The Pem’s name pays homage to suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, affectionately known as Pem by her family. The restaurant’s ethos reflects this spirit of celebrating women, with Abé leading a predominantly female team. The interior exudes an art deco charm, adorned in striking pinks and deep reds, with plush seats and banquettes offering a comfortable dining experience. It’s the perfect place to settle into.
The Pem has been recognised in the National Restaurant Awards, placing 97th, and coming 81st in Square Meal’s Top 100 list for 2023, a testament to its – and Abés – culinary credentials. The menu, dictated by the seasons, showcases high-quality, sustainable British produce. Abé’s signature dishes, such as her take on a classic Black Forest gateau served with English cherry ripple ice cream, truly hit the spot.
Even better, perhaps, is the chef’s sterling meat cookery, a skill honed when working at the Harwood Arms, no doubt. See the glorious Cumbrian sirloin of beef with turnips and mustard, perfect wall-to-wall, blushing pink cuisson. Now game season is in full, swaggering swing, we can’t wait to visit again!
Please note that The Pem is currently ‘in summer recess’, with bookings resuming on October 12th.
Address: 22-28 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH
Website: thepemrestaurant.com
Cyprus Mangal
Ideal for truly exceptional Turkish Cypriot fare…
Sure, the vast, vast majority of both Turkish and Cypriot restaurants are found in London’s north, but down in depths of Pimlico, an outlier exists doing some truly exceptional Turkish Cypriot fare. That outlier is Cyprus Mangal, just a short stroll from London Victoria, and a damn fine place to spend an evening of eating.
It’s also an eminently reasonable restaurant to feast big; a generous portion of lamb beyti (minced lamb, charcoal grilled), a freshly baked basket of Turkish bread and chopped-to-order tabbouleh won’t set you back much more than £20, which in this part of town, is, quite simply, excellent value.
Open daily from midday ’till midnight, it’s also an inclusive late night spot in an area of London that often feels pretty inhospitable. Bravo, indeed.
Address: 45 Warwick Way, Lillington and Longmoore Gardens, London SW1V 1QS
Website: cyprusmangal.co.uk
La Poule Au Pot
Ideal for French food made with love…
Is it Belgravia? Is it Victoria? Let’s not get bogged down in the minutiae of geographic semantics here, La Poule Au Pot has been a Westminster institution for almost 60 years, and continues to deliver largely Lyonnaise ‘bouchon’ classics to this day.
Indeed, La Poule Au Pot wouldn’t look out of place on Paris’ Rue des Martyrs or in the middle of Lyon’s Presqu’Île. This charming, old school restaurant is all about Burgundy bistro fare; expect snails with garlic butter, frogs legs, grilled calves liver, terrine of foie gras with Sauternes jelly, rabbit with mustard sauce…you get the picture, and it’s a very pretty one to paint.
With nooks and crannies, trinkets and even, whisper it, tablecloths, this is a spot best enjoyed as the nights draw in and the evening temperature drops (that’s right about now, then), Because when the candles are flickering, the carafes of drinkable are red breathing on the table, and the food is at its most hearty and comforting, there’s fewer better places to spend an evening in London.
Address: 231 Ebury St, London SW1W 8UT
Website: pouleaupot.co.uk
Speaking of Belgravia, if you’re moving on there to continue your food tour of London, then check out our guide on where to eat in Belgravia. You may even recognise our previous entry in there!