Customer Reviews

The Rough Guide to London Restaurants, 2nd Edition (London Restaurants (Rough Guides))

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This guide includes 350 entries with the stated criteria for inclusion being that the restaurant is both recommended as a place to dine and that "it must be possible to eat a meal for 35 pounds a head or less." (We do note no definition as to what precisely represents a meal is given.) As such it includes eateries that range from the inexpensive to the moderately pricey.

Each entry is given one page that includes a price range, e.g. 8-40 pounds, with the lower figure representing the least one can "get away with" (per person), and the higher being the cost "if you don't hold back". Again these definitions are loose, but the price ranges in our experience prove reasonable.

Each eatery is discussed in plain English, no obscure symbols here, as to type of cuisine and ambiance, with numerous sample menu items being given (prices included). The reader is left with a relatively accurate idea of what to expect.

The guide orders restaurants by location, rather than alphabetically or by cuisine, a feature that we prefer but some may find inconvenient. Indices listing all entries by both cuisine and in alphabetical order are included in the back.

We do note that several very renowned places are conspicuously absent here. Whether those eateries are ignored for culinary reasons or otherwise is not discussed.

Do not expect a relative rating of each restaurant, there is none given. We consider this somewhat of a weakness; it would be helpful to know if a place is just recommended or if is considered outstanding. A short list of favorites by cuisine is given, but comparison ends there.

Physically the book is reasonably small and will easily fit into most handbags. Weighing only about ten ounces it is readily toted about.

As a compendium of the author's 350 favorite dining spots, the book is a prodigious effort. We have replaced our 1999 edition with this updated version. As frequenters of London we find this guide well worth having; it is one of the few that will accompany us on our next trip.

I bought this book as a gift for a friend who lives in London. Since he wanted to try some new restaurants we paged through Time Out magazine and consulted this book. We found an absolute hidden treasure of a restaurant. Description and price were accurate. Location breakdown is convenient and information seems to be correct. Note---it does not have every restaraunt but highlights a few in each neighborhood.

What a cool book! The restaurants are listed by neighborhood and spotted on a map. So if you're wandering London and find yourself in, say, Soho, you can instantly find the author's dozen favorite restaurants within walking distance, each with a short review and specific dish recommendations. There's also an index by food type, and a color front section listing the author's favorites across the city in a handful of categories. It's not comprehensive, and that's *good*, because you're not overwhelmed with choices. And the author's choices skew toward the moderate and inexpensive (although that's a relative term in London), so it's perfect for the average, casual tourist.

This book is a must-have if you want to enjoy the hidden food-treats scattered all over London and beyond. Charles Campion's curry house choices are especially good. And don't get tempted into buying a used version. There appears to be significant turnover in the restaurants in London. So you are better off buying a new one.

This guide is terrific! It is well organized, by location with detailed maps included, and includes only recommended selections. Every restaurant we tried was accurately reviewed and all had exceptional cuisine. In a city known for bad food we ate Indian, Portugese, Chinese, Polish, seafood & at the oldest restaurant in town, and enjoyed every meal. The single best restaurant guide I have used for any location!