You’re having a fantastic day commemorating the Lord Mayor’s Show, but all that celebration has made you hungry and thirsty! So, where to go? The City is jam-packed with the crème de la crème of London, but it can be difficult to know where is best. Where can you find a speedy lunch? Which restaurant will serve you a top-notch dinner? Can you get a decent drink? Luckily, we’re here to help – read on to discover our hitlist of the best places in the City to grab a bite, and a cheeky tipple, if you wish!
Koya at Bloomberg Arcade
Conveniently located right next to Mansion House, where the procession begins and ends, you’ll find big City of London dining destination, Bloomberg Arcade. Among the coffee shops and restaurants inside is the delightful Koya, which offers up all your favourite Japanese dishes. The menu is abundant in freshly made noodles and delicious dashi – we recommend the Kaiso Atsu-Atsu – hot, fragrant broth with udon noodles and flavour-packed mixed seaweeds. Yum! As well as Koya’s signature homemade noodles and dashi, at the City venue (Koya has three establishments in total) you can get your hands on their IZAKAYA-IzaKoya special small plates, designed to be enjoyed with sake and draught beers – ideal for toasting to the LMS. Kanpai! Koya is a fabulous venue to visit if you don’t want to spend too much time away from the procession, with efficient chefs who are great at getting your food out quickly. Although, if you do want to linger (and we think you might), the setting – complete with gorgeous stripped back wooden interiors – is a wonderful place to sit down and socialise with your friends. Bloomberg Arcade EC4N 8AR koya.co.uk
José Pizarro’s City
For a relaxed foodie affair, José Pizarro’s City offers flavourful dishes and an enthusiastic atmosphere. The Spanish restaurant is one of three in the capital and is found nestled in Broadgate Circle next to Liverpool Street station, making it a practical location for those of you travelling into London for the LMS via the busy station. The popular tapas bar serves incredible options including grilled squid with creamy potatoes and pine nuts, slowed cooked chorizo in red wine with quince and carved-to-order jamón ibérico. What’s more, the bar also offers an extensive list of brilliant Spanish wines and beers, which are perfect for sipping on the terrace overlooking the City’s passersby below. 36 Broadgate Circle EC2M 1QS josepizarro.com
Bob Bob Ricard City
What better place to continue the celebratory vibes that at the iconic Bob Bob Ricard City? With beautiful art deco interiors and private booths, the adult-only venue merges Russian and French cuisine, which is unique and delicious. Order the Truffle and Champagne Humble Pie for 100 percent satisfaction, and complete your meal with a spectacularly flaming crème brulee – you won’t regret it! Don’t forget to raise a glass to the new Lord Mayor after hitting the ‘Press for Champagne’ button, which sits beside every table. Push for flowing champagne and even more flowing conversation. Fantastique! Level 3, 122 Leadenhall Street EC3V 4AB bobbobricard.com
City Social
An exhilarating day deserves to be rounded off in an exhilarating place – head to City Social for just that. Jason Atherton’s dark and moody restaurant with an art deco twist, set on the 24th floor of Tower 42, has secured itself the highly coveted Michelin star yet again this year, and we can understand why. The views here are famous (hence why it was used in Killing Eve Season 2) but the food is just as special. When booking, try you darndest to get a seat in one of the booths looking out over the City of London’s cityscape. It makes the entire experience that much more breath-taking and is the perfect way to appreciate all the City has offered you today. 25 Old Broad Street EC2N 1HQ
Stem & Glory Barts Square
Recently voted the ‘Best Vegan Restaurant in London’, Stem & Glory has built quite the reputation over the years. With a passion for flavour and beautiful plating, every dish made by carbon-neutral Stem & Glory is like a work of art. You’ll be struck by the colour and arrangement of each food component in your meal, as well as the taste – with unique flavour combinations and innovative ingredients. Make sure to try the Korean ‘fish’ tacos – blue corn shells filled with crispy king oyster mushroom ‘fish’, pickled carrots and red cabbage, red fox carlin bean, lime and ginger, kohlrabi, sriracha and wasabi mayo. It’s a flavour explosion in your mouth that will have you craving more. Stem & Glory’s desserts are also otherworldly – the avocado, chocolate and hazelnut torte has the power to change all vegan-doubters’ minds. Trust us! Enjoy all this and more in a sophisticated and intimate restaurant space that will have you returning again and again. 60 Bartholomew Close EC1A 7BF stemandglory.uk
Haz
The family-run restaurant is built on the experience and passion of its founders. With four sites in the City, the trio pride themselves on serving authentic Turkish food using fresh, local ingredients, while channelling their ancestors’ techniques and recipes. As is true of families in Turkey, the restaurant encourages you to order a selection of options for the table. Choose from a wide selection of grilled meats, meze and salads to share with loved ones, or simply to enjoy alone. Complement your meal with a glass of traditional Turkish wine or a unique cocktail with contrasting flavours. Haz St Paul’s EC2V 6HD hazrestaurant.co.uk
The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town
A secret bar through a fridge? What will they think of next! Yet this underground bolt hole is, indeed, accessed only by walking through a fridge in the City branch of funky café, The Breakfast Club. What might seem like ‘just’ a place to grab some tasty food, opens up to so much more behind a secret door – as long as you guess the password correctly… If you do, awaiting you is a bare-bricked darkened room with plenty of atmosphere, luscious cocktails, yummy bar snacks, and, as the neon sign proclaims, night-long thrills. We recommend trying the delightful Mayor’s Tea Party cocktail – it’s made with Earl Grey infused Tanqueray Gin, Rin Quin Peach Vermouth, homemade lavender syrup, lemon and grapefruit bitter. Trust us – it’s unlike any other cocktail you’ve had. 12-16 Artillery Street E1 7LS thebreakfastclubcafes.com 
Merchant House
This old school gin and rum bar makes finding the perfect drink a whole lot easier. They can make almost infinite interpretations of classic cocktails with their 350-something different kinds of Mother’s Ruin and Demon Water. Simply choose from some of their tasting notes, chat with the bartender about what you’re into, order some fresh oysters, and let them do the rest. They even have the smallest bar in London tucked away in another room which can be hired for small groups – this one’s for those who want a highly personalised drinking session in the City. 13 Well Court EC4M 9DN merchanthouse.bar
Yauatcha
It’s no secret that we’re a little obsessed with Yauatcha in Broadgate Circle. It is one of our very favourite restaurants in the City of London. Much of this comes down to not only the quality of flavours but also the incredibly creative presentation of each small and large dish. Nothing is an afterthought here. The perfect introduction to Yauatcha would have to come in the form of their traditional yum cha (dim sum) experience. Either head there for lunch or dinner during the week or for their brunch alternative on weekends. If you haven’t been here yet, make sure you do this month. 1 Broadgate Circle EC2M 2QS yauatcha.com
Caravaggio
The long-standing traditional restaurant, named after the revered artist and opened in 1996 by the great Pavarotti, Caravaggio’s is a favourite amongst the City dwellers. Located in a former banking hall, the restaurant’s art deco interior is simple, yet refined and complements the menu perfectly. With strong influence from Tuscany and Sicily, the menu incorporates traditional and modern methods using seasonal produce. The perfect place for a romantic dinner for two or a celebratory lunch with colleagues, Caravaggio’s is a must-try high-end Italian restaurant in the heart of the City. 107-112 Leadenhall Street EC3A 4DP caravaggiorestaurant.co.uk 
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