A city that never sleeps, London is not. Despite its world-class array of bars and restaurants, the capital’s energy tends to wane by 1 or 2am and, by 3, options have generally been exhausted. This stands in contrast to the city that that moniker belongs to – New York – where establishments routinely keep the lights on until 3 or 4am.
For those chasing a late-night bite in London, however, all is not lost – you just have to know where to look. It's a case of quality over quantity: a small but mighty group of restaurants rewards the nocturnal crowd with far more than a lukewarm kebab to be eaten on the Night Tube.
Because late-night dining isn’t just about convenience – it’s a ritual, an indulgence. ‘Dimmed lights, moody atmosphere, a martini and a plate of comfort food is an unbeatable combination,’ says restaurateur Martin Kuczmarski, who opened The Dover in 2023.
This is one of our ten recommendations for spots where you can savour a meal after dark – where the experience feels a little more decadent, a little more grown-up and a lot more memorable. Read on to discover the rest.
Dining at a more sensible hour? Book in at one of London's buzziest new restaurants.
London's best late-night restaurants
The Aubrey
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
The Aubrey is a darkly decadent space inspired by the Japanese ‘izakaya’, an informal bar serving drinks and small plates, not unlike a pub. Drawing on the hedonistic allure of Tokyo’s Ginza district and the Edo-era concept of ‘ukiyo’ – the ‘floating world’ of pleasure and indulgence – The Aubrey serves traditional fare such as Edomae-style sushi and sashimi and meats and seafood from the robata grill, to be enjoyed with a bottle of sake. The setting is intimate and immersive: over 250 pieces of Japonisme art line the wood-panelled, low-ceilinged space, creating a rich, theatrical atmosphere.
Open until 1am Sun-Thurs and 2am Fri and Sat. Food served all hours.
Sushisamba
Heron Tower, London EC2N 4AY
Sushisamba blends the flavors of Japan, Brazil and Peru on the 38th and 39th floors of Heron Tower. While the kitchen officially closes at 11.30pm, the bar, lounge and rooftop terrace keep the party going into the early hours, with food (a bold mix of tempura and sushi, churrasco and moqueca, and ceviche and anticuchos) available until late. The 24-foot-high space, imagined by architect CetraRuddy, features a lattice bamboo structure lit by nearly 300 suspended bulbs, a vast tree sculpture on the west terrace, and floor-to-ceiling views of the city. On the 40th floor, the Samba Room (opened April 2024) ups the ante with a gilded canopy entrance and a mirrored walkway leading to a sky bar.
Open until 11.30; Samba Room open until 1am Sun-Thurs and 3am Fri and Sat.
The Dover
33 Dover Street, W1S 4NF
A club without the sub is the vibe of this chic Mayfair Italian from former Soho House COO Martin Kuczmarski, tricked out with enough wood panelling and velvet curtains to make the clientele of post-theatre actors feel like they’re in a fabulous VIP suite backstage. A snack menu of lobster rolls and caviar-topped potato cakes is served between midnight and 1am.
Open until 1am Thurs-Sat. Food served all hours.
Duck and Waffle
110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
Duck and Waffle’s 40th-floor view faces downriver towards the Docklands rather than back to the bright lights of central London, though there are few complaints from diners who are here to watch the sun rise over the horizon in the east. The late-night menu includes the namesake dish of waffle topped with confit duck leg, a fried duck egg and maple syrup – the perfect late-night (or early-morning) munchy.
Open 24 hours. Late-night menu served 12am-5.30am.
Speedboat Bar
30 Rupert Street, W1D 6DL
A spicy spin on Chinatown, this Thai joint is inspired by the canal-side Chinese cafés of Bangkok. There are curries, stir-fries, drunken noodles and seafood salads, with whisky sours to cool the palate between mouthfuls of hot, sweet and sour. Just the thing to jolt yourself awake after midnight, as too the green-and-yellow interiors and ear-splitting decibels.
Open until 1am Fri-Sat. Food served until 12.30am.
Cecconi’s Pizza Bar
19-21 Old Compton Street, W1D 5JJ
This casual offshoot of Cecconi’s, the Soho House-owned Italian, offers a late-night alternative to the legendary Bar Italia nearby, with the added benefit of both eating and seating. The straightforward menu is exactly what you want in the early hours – thin and crispy pizzas, creamy desserts, small plates of arancini and calamari – and there are negronis and Aperol spritzes on tap.
Open until 2am Fri-Sat. Food served all hours.
Sexy Fish
Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, W1J 6BR
There’s nothing subtle about Sexy Fish, from the Damien Hirst mermaids bobbing along the wall to an unofficial dress code of ‘all that glitters’. The Vegas-meets-Dubai vibe feels most appropriate once the clock has struck midnight and the pan-Asian snack menu is rolled out to a soundtrack of DJ sets. Expect lobster tempura, wagyu gyoza, spicy tuna maki and salt-and-pepper squid.
Open until 1am Mon-Sat, 12am Sun. Food served until 12.30am.
Los Mochis London City
9th Floor, 100 Liverpool Street, EC2M 2AT
The absence of residents in the Square Mile means that this ninth-floor Mexican/Japanese mash-up needn’t worry about disturbing the neighbours, which makes it just the ticket for City boys and girls working late. Take a seat on the heated rooftop terrace with a sushi roll in one hand and a taco in the other and forget about being back in the office any time soon.
Open until 3am Thurs-Sat. Food served until 2.30am.
Chop Chop
The Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn Street, WC2H 7JH
Chinatown is a fertile hunting ground for hungry night owls – Dumplings Legend closes at 3am, Old Town 97 at 3.30am – though if it’s been a *really* big night, head to the Hippodrome Casino, where Chop Chop shuts at 4am. This sibling of the famous roast-meat specialist Four Seasons serves the same high-quality duck, pork and chicken, plus dim sum and noodles.
Open until 4am every day. Food served all hours.
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