Fitzrovia is both a neighbourhood destination in its own right, and a sought-after dining destination for both residents, Londoners, and visitors.
Home to some of London’s best chef-led independent restaurants, alongside bars, pubs and cafés, Fitzrovia is a historic neighbourhood in the heart of London’s West End characterised by its period townhouse architecture and has been home to world-famous writers, artists and political activities for centuries.
Take your gastronomical adventure around the world
Fitzrovia is overflowing with global cuisines and well-renowned chefs from across the world. You don’t have to go far down Charlotte Street to transport into a foreign land, each restaurant is unique in its culturally dependent flavourful offerings,
Charlotte Street has become a destination for foodies with a wide choice of independent, chef-led restaurants, bars and cafés to enjoy making Fitzrovia a sought-after destination in the heart of London.
Here is a glimpse of what dining Fitzrovia has to offer:
The Ninth by Jun Tanaka – The Ninth is a Michelin-starred contemporary neighbourhood restaurant focusing on simple, refined Mediterranean-style cooking using the finest seasonal ingredients to deliver vibrant and honest flavours. The array of French classics are designed for sharing, uplifted with Jun’s signature twist and a focus on the finest seasonal produce and vibrant honest flavours. A great way to enjoy The Ninth is with their tasting menu which can also be paired with wine. The Pain Perdu is a must-have and has been a signature dish for years.
Carousel – Set across three converted Georgian townhouses right in the middle of Charlotte Street, Carousel is an award-winning restaurant, neighbourhood wine bar and creative hub. Carousel hosts an incredible line-up of guest chef residencies, workshops, talks and masterclasses, events and a crowd-pleasing menu of seasonal snacks and small plates from their buzzing neighbourhood wine bar.
Norma – Sicilian-Moorish influenced restaurant from the team behind The Stafford London Hotel, led by Chef Giovann Attard. Norma embodies the celebrated old-school hospitality and charm, taking inspiration from the grand café culture found in Sicily. Set across three floors in a characterful townhouse on Charlotte Street, the first two floors are dedicated to the restaurant, with the top floor a private dining space.
Lima – Award-winning Peruvian cuisine bringing innovative flavours from Peru to London since 2012, LIMA offers a unique dining experience. Menus are naturally vibrant with flavour and colour, celebrating the best of Peru’s world-renowned Andean delicacies, fresh ceviches, healthy superfoods and nikkei flavours. Highlights include plates of fresh wild sea bass ceviche, slow cooked beef rib, Nikkei flavours such as wagyu beef alongside very well made pisco sours.
Bricco e Bacco – brings Sicilian charm and world-class steaks to Charlotte Street. Heralding from a family of ‘carnezzieri’ (butchers in Palermitan dialect), the team uses exquisite cuts of beef from across the globe. Celebrate in style with incredible steak, fine wine and old-school Italian hospitality.
MealTime Malatang – A well-established favourite in mainland China and now Fitzrovia’s newest addition, bringing fresh flavours from China’s Sichuan province to the heart of London. A unique and fun food concept that allows you to curate your own nutrient-rich bowl of food featuring all your favourites.
Lisboeta – Set within a three-storey townhouse on Charlotte Street, the restaurant is a love letter to Nuno Mendes’ home city, carefully designed to evoke the rhythm of life in Lisbon.
Dive headfirst into the drinks scene
Not only does Fitzrovia offer an admirable array of luxurious dining experiences, but its drink scene certainly provides some great competition.
From The Newman Arms which dates back to 1730 and is a gem of a pub in the heart of Fitzrovia, frequently visited by a number of famous characters over the years, including George Orwell and Dylan Thomas, to Rev JW Simpson a very special quirky basement bar which acts the perfect hideaway for expertly crafted cocktails in central London.
Other notable mentions are Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals, a cocktail bar for the adventurous, serving cocktails inspired by strange and exotic botanicals and plant life, and The Black Horse which presents a perfect combination of tradition and contemporary, featuring a classic London pub downstairs and a sleek, speakeasy-style cocktail bar upstairs.
Fitzrovia’s Heroic History
Fitzrovia as an area is entrenched in history. From celebrating its bohemian Literary history including the likes of George Orwell, Dylan Thomas and Virginia Woolf, the English Heritage Blue Plaques that line the street ensure that it is being honoured.
Of course, Fitzrovia’s hero destination is Charlotte Street which was named for the glorious Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III and Queen of Great Britain and Ireland in the 18th Century. It’s a well-documented fact that German-born Queen Charlotte brought international cuisine and the concept of sharing plates to Britain expanding our culinary horizons, and it’s a style that is thriving in Fitzrovia today. The likes of Carousel, Norma, Lisboeta and Barrica (to name but a few) focus their menu styles on sharing plates; whilst Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals and Reverend JW Simpson cocktail bars reflect Fitzrovia’s royal namesake’s interest in botanicals.
Exploring at your leisure
For those that haven’t happened upon Fitzrovia’s bustling community nestled just north of Oxford Street, the visit off the beaten track is well worth it. Home to independent specialist stores, such as the renowned Heal’s, alongside neighbourhood florists and framers such as Goode Flowers and New Frames.
It is also ideal for those seeking Instagrammable destinations in London – Fitzrovia Chapel in its own right, Charlotte Street and Charlotte Place neighbour green spaces such as Crabtree Fields, Rathbone Square and Fitzroy Place. Historical gems and alleyways are waiting to be discovered such as Percy Passage, Colville Place, Newman Passage leading to Newman Street.
An additional advantage is that nothing is too far from each other, with local theatres such as the Dominion Theatre, Shaftesbury Theatre and Soho Place Theatre as well as hotels such as Charlotte Street Hotel, The Mandrake, Rathbone Hotel and Hotel Melia White House to name a few all in close proximity. All are easily accessible with the plentiful travel connectivity with Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street on the doorstep; and Oxford Circus, Warren Street and Euston a mere stone’s throw from the heart of Fitzrovia.
To discover more, visit: hellofitzrovia.co.uk
View this post on Instagram
All imagery courtesy of Jamie Lau.