Revealed: London's Top 10 Most Popular Cuisines

We recently revealed some of Londoners’ key dining habits, including which day of the week is the most popular for eating out, what hour of the day Londoners are mostly likely to reserve a table, and even the most booked areas for restaurants in the capital.

But, there’s still another question to answer on the dining habits of the city – what is London’s favourite cuisine?

We’ve used our internal booking data from TheFork’s booking platform and analysed millions of bookings in 2023 to discover the top ten most-booked cuisines across London restaurants – to discover what’s truly tantalising the most tastebuds.

Discover and join us in celebrating London’s culinary diversity, with our delicious countdown of London’s most popular cuisines in 2023:

10. Asian

Encompassing popular sub-categories such as Pan-Asian or Asian fusion, Asian cuisine comes in at number ten on the list of London’s most beloved cuisines over the last year.

Often blending traditional Asian flavours with other global influences, these restaurants are a hit with Londoners looking for tastes that transport them to another corner of the world. Studio Frantzén, situated on the top floor of world-famous department store Harrods in Kensington, mixes classic Asian flavours with Nordic influences to create a dining experience that has attracted the most fanatical food fans, alongside an official MICHELIN star. 

9. Greek

Restaurants like The Real Greek are passionate about the power of sharing food to create memories with families and friends at the table. Plenty of diners in London share this ethos, with Greek food being the ninth-most booked type of cuisine on TheFork in 2023.

Whether it’s dipping pita into some velvety houmous or indulging in a creamy moussaka, there’s something for everyone within Greek cuisine, making it an increasingly popular choice for diners in the capital.

8. Chinese

London’s Chinatown is a legendary, must-visit area for both tourists and locals alike, so it’s unsurprising that Chinese food is firmly in the top ten most-booked cuisine types in the city.

Ranging from traditional offerings in places like Lovely House Dim Sum Restaurant to contemporary twists in the MICHELIN-starred Hakkasan, there are plenty of Chinese delights for Londoners to discover on TheFork.

7. Japanese

Japanese cuisine also features in the top ten most booked restaurants in London in 2023, further revealing the worldly tastes of London diners. From sushi to ramen, Japanese dishes are hugely popular with local diners for casual lunches, fancy dinners, or anything in between.

With beloved chains such as Shoryu and top-rated sushi spots like Sushi-Mat establishing a strong presence in the capital, Japanese cuisine is destined to keep growing in popularity in the coming years.

6. European

Combining different flavours from across the continent, European restaurants are proving highly popular with London foodies, ranking as the sixth-most-booked cuisine in the city.

A particularly popular choice for fans of fine dining, restaurants like the MICHELIN-starred London Stock are making a splash with diners in the city, propelling European fare up the list of the most-booked cuisines.
 

5. Mediterranean

Sublime seafood, tender grilled meats, and luxurious flavours are just a few of the trademarks of Mediterranean food that make it so beloved by diners in London, and in 2023 it cracked the top five of most-booked cuisine types.

Establishments such as Whitcomb’s at The Londoner are leading the way in serving up tasty Mediterranean dishes in an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, leaving happy diners coming back for more.

4. French

In 2023, London diners were definitely feeling l’amour for French cuisine, which ranked at number four in the most booked restaurant types.

With plenty of MICHELIN-starred establishments available to book on TheFork — including the three-starred Hélène Darroze at The Connaught — French cuisine is a classic favourite for those wanting the ultimate romantic evening, or to celebrate a special occasion.

3. Indian

We’re now into the big hitters in the London restaurant space: the top three most-booked cuisine types in 2023.

Starting off our big three is Indian, a traditional staple of London’s food scene. From the iconic Brick Lane to Tooting’s ‘curry corridor’, there are plenty of gems around the city where you can find brilliant Indian cuisine – like the MICHELIN-acclaimed Benares in Mayfair. Featuring rich flavours and warming spices, it’s no wonder Indian food is such a hit with both locals and tourists alike.

2. British

Britain is known internationally for certain things in particular — our love of tea, the Royal Family, and our legendary musical contributions. British cuisine, on the other hand, doesn’t often appear at the top of the list.

However, according to London diners using TheFork in 2023, one of Britain’s greatest assets is its unique approach to food: it was the second most popular type of cuisine in the capital last year – and is perhaps the biggest surprise feature on the list so far.

Whether you’re in the mood for fancy fish and chips at Harrod’s or a three-course meal in one of London’s finest hotels, there is a British restaurant for almost every occasion, making it the second-most sought-after cuisine on TheFork.

1. Italian

These nine other cuisines may all be very popular in London, but one stood out when it came to the most bookings in 2023: Italian.

Pizza, pasta, gelato, cheese, cannoli, tiramisu — the list of Italian delicacies is endless. And with London’s huge array of Italian restaurants, which spans everything from beloved eateries like Carluccio’s to friendly local joints like STECCA, diners have no shortage of options to satisfy their cravings.

It’s the undisputed winner this year, but will Italian cuisine manage to cling to the top spot for the most London bookings on TheFork in 2024? We’ll see you next year!

No matter what type of cuisine your restaurant specialises in, you can attract the right customers — and keep them coming back — with TheFork’s restaurant management platform.