What to order at Quo Vadis

Must order
The smoked eel sandwich on rye, and whatever pudding is on the chalkboard at the door.
Signature dishes
Smoked eel sandwich, Steamed mutton pudding
Editor tip
Lunch menu is a fraction of dinner prices and just as well-staffed; book a Soho-show theatre lunch a week ahead.
CuisineModern British
Price£££
Neighborhoodsoho
HoursMon-Sat 12:00-14:30 and 17:30-22:30, Sun closed
Last verified

Signature dishes: Smoked eel sandwich, Steamed mutton pudding

Must order: The smoked eel sandwich on rye, and whatever pudding is on the chalkboard at the door.

Tip: Lunch menu is a fraction of dinner prices and just as well-staffed; book a Soho-show theatre lunch a week ahead.

Location

Address: 26-29 Dean Street, London W1D 3LL

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Gymkhana ★ 4.7

Indian£££mayfairMon-Sat 12:00-14:30 and 17:30-22:30, Sun closed

Karam Sethi's Albemarle Street Indian dining room in Mayfair London, opened 2013 and Michelin two-starred since 2024, modelled on a colonial-club room.

Signature: Kid goat methi keema, Tandoori guinea fowl

Order: Kid goat methi keema with sesame naan, plus whatever wild-game tandoori cut is being grilled that night.

Tip: The basement bar serves the same kitchen as a la carte without the tasting menu lock-in. Book a fortnight out.

Trishna ★ 4.4

Indian£££maryleboneMon-Sat 12:00-14:30 and 18:00-22:30, Sun 12:00-15:00 and 17:30-21:45

Karam Sethi's Blandford Street Indian coastal restaurant in Marylebone London, opened 2008 and Michelin-starred, focused on Konkan and Mangalorean fish.

Signature: Brown crab Goan curry, Hariyali bream

Order: Brown crab Goan curry, hariyali bream and a glass of riesling from the all-aromatic list.

Tip: The tasting menu is the best route in, but a la carte stays open at lunch and books a week ahead.

The River Cafe ★ 4.6

Italian££££hammersmithMon-Sat 12:30-14:15 and 18:30-21:00, Sun 12:30-14:15

Ruth Rogers's Italian dining room on the Thames in Hammersmith London, opened 1987 by Rose Gray and Rogers, still the city's defining seasonal Italian.

Signature: Tagliatelle with white truffle, Chocolate nemesis

Order: Whatever pasta dish is on the daily-changing menu, and the chocolate nemesis for two.

Tip: Sit on the riverside terrace in summer. The lunch sitting from 12:30 is markedly cheaper than dinner with the same kitchen.

Padella ★ 4.2

Italian££borough

Tim Siadatan and Jordan Frieda's hand-rolled pasta counter at Borough Market in London, opened 2016, runs a daily-changing list of fresh-pasta plates.

Signature: Pici cacio e pepe, Pappardelle with eight-hour beef shin ragu

Order: Pici cacio e pepe and the pappardelle with eight-hour beef shin ragu.

Tip: Join the virtual queue at 12:00 sharp via their app for the first lunch slots; otherwise expect a 60-minute wait on Saturday.

Barrafina Adelaide Street ★ 4.4

Spanish Tapas£££covent-gardenMon-Sat 12:00-15:00 and 17:00-23:00, Sun 13:00-15:30 and 17:30-22:00

The Hart brothers' walk-up tapas counter on Adelaide Street in Covent Garden London, opened 2014 and Michelin-starred, runs a daily-changing list of Spanish.

Signature: Tortilla de patatas, Pluma Iberica

Order: Tortilla de patatas and a daily specials seafood plate from the blackboard.

Tip: No bookings. Aim for 11:45 to be first in at the lunch open; sit at the counter to watch the plancha.

Sabor ★ 4.6

Spanish£££mayfairMon 17:30-22:30, Tue-Sat 12:00-14:30 and 17:30-22:30, Sun closed

Nieves Barragan Mohacho's Mayfair Spanish dining room off Regent Street in London, opened 2017 and Michelin-starred, runs a tapas counter downstairs.

Signature: Suckling pig, Pulpo a la gallega

Order: Pulpo a la gallega at the counter and the suckling pig upstairs at El Asador.

Tip: Counter seats downstairs take walk-ins. Upstairs has a six-week booking lead time but a fixed-price suckling pig set menu.

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