Guide to walk-in restaurants in London

Head to Kiln for Thai food that's bold and fun. Food is prepared in an open kitchen and there are seats around the kitchen counter that are kept open for walk-ins, giving you a fab view without even needing to book. Expect dishes to share like curries, laap sausage, and slow-grilled chicken.

Local Holloway spot Xi'an Impression is compact and tucked away just opposite Emirates Stadium. Walk-in tables are usually available at this unassuming eatery. The restaurant specialises in food from the Xi'an province of China – think hand-pulled noodles, shredded bread in broth, and Xi'an-style burgers served in a simple and cosy setting.

Bar Douro accepts reservations but walk-in spots are kept available too. This Portuguese restaurant is decorated with traditional blue and white tiles and dishes up small plates like smoked sausage and garlic smashed potatoes. The food and drinks options change frequently and the wine list here is an award-winner.

Breakfast fiends in North London head to Dobar. There's a real buzz around this neighbourhood spot, and you can get in with no reservation but you might need to queue at peak times. Once you're seated you'll be rewarded with a huge choice of breakfast dishes from fluffy signature pancakes to traditional fry-ups.

Located in Shoreditch, La Pesa is an intimate Italian restaurant and wine bar with a rustic look. You can book in advance but walk-ins are also welcome here. Menus are chalked up on blackboards and feature the likes of scallop carpaccio and pasta recipes, complemented by well-selected wine bottles. Guest chefs often make an appearance to switch things up a bit.

Leading vegan eatery Mildreds is airy and contemporary. The original site is in Soho but there are now a number of locations around the city. You're free to book a table but walk-ins are accommodated too. In a bright and friendly space you can sample globally-inspired plant-based dishes alongside signature cocktails.

Award-winning Turkish restaurant Selale is large enough that getting a walk-in table is rarely a problem. This expansive local restaurant has a sleek modern look and friendly and prompt service. Tuck into the complimentary bread and salad whilst you peruse the menu, featuring pide, falafel, kebabs, and seafood. Expect generous portions of authentic food.

Try Malaysian food at C&R Café Restaurant in Chinatown. This place doesn't accept reservations at all. There's a friendly atmosphere at this casual eatery, where you can try recipes like fragrant curries and rice or noodle dishes. When you eat here you get speedy service as well as authentic flavour-packed food.

The Dean Street branch of Barrafina is the only restaurant from the group to be walk-in only. This sleek restaurant is a popular choice for lunch or dinner, with seating at the counter whilst you watch the chefs at work. Luxury tapas are on the menu here, with a range of drinks too including sherry and wine.

You can't make a booking at Dim Sum Duck but diners are generally happy to wait their turn for a table at this King's Cross restaurant. Food at this intimate venue is prepared by a chef with decades of experience. Diners can expect generous dim sum, barbecue duck, and a wide variety of rice and noodle recipes.

40 Maltby Street offers takeaway lunches as well as sit-down meals for dinner. You can't book ahead for either. This restaurant and wine bar has menus that change regularly and are chalked up on blackboards. The food showcases British produce; there are generous sandwiches at lunchtime, plates like pollock wrapped in bacon for dinner, and numerous bottles of wine.

Budget-friendly steakhouse Flat Iron has a number of branches and is about providing everyone with quality steak. Advanced bookings are possible but tables are always kept aside for walk-in customers. The restaurants have distinctive style and are loaded with plants. It's a simple menu of premium steak with various sides and a free ice cream for dessert.

Try the distinctive flavours of Indo-Chinese cooking at Fatt Pundit. These trendy modern restaurants celebrate this vibrant meeting of cultures and serve fusion recipes like dumplings with spicy chutney, lollypop chicken, and hakka noodles. You can book ahead but walk-ins are also welcome.

Grab some ramen at Bone Daddies. These modern spots serve Japanese food with a Western twist and this approach is reflected in the decor too. Every location is walk-in only so it's a fab option for spontaneous meals. Expect contemporary dishes like a fried chicken bun, ramen bowls, and tater tots.

Serving Punjabi cuisine since 1972, Tayyabs is an icon in Whitechapel. Its mammoth size means that walk-in customers can easily be accommodated. This lively restaurant attracts a diverse crowd; it's budget-friendly, ideal for groups, and you can BYOB. The menu includes a variety of classic Indian dishes, with plenty of veggie options.

Bao is a much-loved destination for steaming Taiwanese buns and small plates, and has a number of locations around the city. Reservations aren't necessary but sometimes there's a queue. The restaurant has a crisp and modern look and you can sample dishes ranging from filled bao buns to pig blood cake.

Head to Lina Stores in Greek Street for delicious fresh pasta without booking ahead. Seats at the kitchen counter are available if you don't have a reservation. The venue is cosy and contemporary, serving their famous pasta as well as antipasti and Italian desserts like tiramisu.

It's undoubtedly low-key but Roti King is one of the city's hottest spots for Malaysian cuisine. The restaurants don't reservations so be prepared to queue at these humble venues. When you get a table, you can sample pillowy roti loaded with tempting fillings or try one served alongside your choice of kari.

Flour & Grape specialises in casual Italian dining; so casual in fact that reservations are not accepted. It's a relaxed restaurant with leather seating, exposed bricks, and a basement bar. The simple menu includes small dishes and classic pasta recipes like monkfish linguine and spaghetti carbonara. An Italian wine list is available to complement a meal here.

Head to Bubala for a Middle Eastern feast that's also completely veggie-friendly. Book in advance or feel free to walk-in if you want to eat here. You'll find a cosy and elegant interior and a menu of old favourites and innovative new dishes. Highlights on the menu include halloumi with black seed honey.

Some Granger & Co. restaurants don't take reservations at all whilst others accept them at certain times whilst still keeping plenty of space for drop-in customers. Expect a welcoming and contemporary space with warm hospitality. Food is served all day and the menu centres on globally-inspired favourites like burgers and curry.

Try Michelin-starred Spanish cooking at Sabor in Heddon Street. Tables at the bar and counter are always kept for walk-in customers. This vibrant restaurant includes three distinct areas set over two floors. At the counter you can try freshly-prepared tapas and a daily changing menu of fish dishes.

Some of the city's best-loved pizza is available at Zia Lucia and you can usually grab a table without booking ahead. The restaurants are contemporary and friendly. One of the big attractions here is that you get a choice of different pizza bases. Pick one and then decide on which tasty toppings to go for.

Head to Koya if you're in the mood for authentic Japanese noodles. The Soho branch doesn't take reservations at all whilst at the City branch you can get a walk-in table before 3pm. Udon is the speciality at these modern and simple eateries, with food served throughout the day, including Japanese breakfast dishes.

Discover the flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine at Hoppers. Some tables at these stylish and buzzy spots are always kept available for walk-in customers. You can sample the crispy rice pancakes that are a Sri Lankan staple and give the place its name, as well as other classic dishes like black pork curry.

Padella is an iconic spot for affordable pasta. These modern restaurants focus on hand-rolled pasta served with a range of tempting sauces and fillings. The Borough Market branch doesn't take bookings but dedicated diners are happy to queue. The Shoreditch locations keeps half of its tables free for walk-in customers.

Intimate restaurant The Ninth has rugged exposed brick walls and a cosy feel. Indoor and outdoor seats are available, with tables on the terrace being kept free for drop-ins. The refined French dishes here are designed for sharing and are prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients. The pasta is particularly popular.

Some spaces at farm-to-fork British restaurant The Shed are always kept available for walk-in customers. This venue evokes the English countryside and serves sustainable and seasonal dishes with zero waste. Explore the cooking here with the tasting menu or à la carte choices like a mushroom marmite eclair or oven-baked goat's cheese.

Walk past any branch of Dishoom and you'll likely see a long queue outside. Reservations are possible but walk-ins are welcome too. These popular spots have tasteful and smart decor along with a buzzy atmosphere. The cuisine is inspired by Indian street food like samosas, roti rolls, and the signature black daal.

Buzzing neighbourhood eatery 10 Greek Street has an understated exterior and a rustic, intimate feel inside. Modern European food is on the menu, with seasonal dishes that change every day. Wine is also a speciality here, including a little black book of rare gems by the glass. Some walk-in tables are kept aside but it's also possible to book.

Chelsea restaurant Rabbit specialises in farm-to-fork dining. Classic British dishes are served here, including game meat. Ingredients are seasonal, sustainable, and there's a zero-waste ethos. English wine is available to accompany a meal. The interior has a distinctive rustic look and walk-in tables are available.

Head to Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecôte for a simple yet satisfying French meal. This lively venue doesn't accept any reservations. There's a traditional feel here and a simple set menu of salad, steak-frites, French wines, and tempting desserts. Baguettes stuffed with steak-frites are also available for takeaways.

Riding House and Rail House Café are airy contemporary venues for all-day dining. These spaces have a stylish appearance and a light feel, plus plenty of space for walk-ins. Food is available here all day with breakfast options like pancakes and poached eggs plus contemporary lunches and dinners like skewers and grain bowls.

Visit Berenjak for vibrant and authentic Iranian dishes. These buzzy spots are in-demand but if you don't have a booking you can get a table at the counter. Here you can watch the chefs preparing traditional food with a creative flair. Menus are inspired by cosy family gatherings and includes lots of food for sharing. 

Breakfast and brunch fans love The Breakfast Club, which has a casual feel, a sunny look, and a varied menu of morning foods to enjoy at any time. Reservations are available early in the morning but otherwise it's a walk-in situation. On the menu you'll find eclectic sweet and savoury dishes from pancakes to fry-ups.

Known for hand-rolled pasta and whole-animal butchery, Manteca is a trendy spot for simple Italian-inspired cuisine. The venue has a contemporary rustic feel. Dishes include pheasant cotoletta and duck liver parfait, plus vegetarian options. Cocktails are served as well as English and Welsh wines. The bar and kitchen counters are reserved for walk-ins.

Kolamba serves Sri Lankan food in a relaxed setting with trailing plants, dim lights, and exposed brick walls. Walk-ins are welcome at this Soho restaurant, with seats at the counter and some tables kept available for spontaneous customers. The menu includes small and large dishes, plenty of veggie options, and numerous authentic curries.

Opened in 2023, Burnt is based in a railway arch in Leyton and has a real passion for barbecued meats. This casual place offers counter service and doesn't take any reservations. You're welcome to BYOB as well. Drop by to sample indulgent burgers or meaty sandwiches, as well as barbecued cuts of meat, veggie alternatives, and sides to complete the meal.

When you're craving dumplings but you haven't booked a table, Bun House is the solution. This place specialises in steamy Cantonese buns and doesn't take reservations. The buns are thick, fluffy, and come with a choice of savoury and sweet fillings. Other small plates are also available. It's a spacious place with an informal atmosphere. 

One of the most popular places to eat in Acton, No Drama. serves food all day in an on-trend and relaxed setting. This spot doesn't take reservations to feel free to just walk in. A simple menu of delicious burgers and sandwiches is available here, including options suitable for veggies. The smash burgers here are particularly in-demand.