The Cosiest Restaurants in London

There are few seats cosier than a booth – and you can find plenty of them in this elegantly decorated restaurant. You’ve likely heard of Bob Bob Ricard before, and probably within the same breath as ‘champagne button’, but the restaurant’s renowned bubbly ordering system is far from the only thing going for it. There’s the satisfying dishes, for a start, not to mention the romantic, exclusive feel. Adding to the cosiness is its relatively small size, squeezing all the trappings of a grand salon into a dining room of more intimate scale.

A venerable Soho institution, The French House pulls off the trick of occupying a unique place within the London dining scene while at the same time exuding an instantly comforting familiarity. Located above a legendary bar frequented by all manner of artistic types over the years, the restaurant is a simple, seven-table room with warmly coloured walls and the kind of wooden bistro seating that lets you know you’re free from pretension. The blackboard menu of classic French dishes is perfect cockle-warming fare.

Small doesn’t necessarily mean cosy, but it does at this tightly packed Indian restaurant in east London’s bustling Spitalfields. With space for only 10 tables, it has an appealing intimacy that’s matched by the charming and efficient service team. Once you’re settled in, a bounty of great value sharing plates awaits you. The cooking draws on recipes from all over India, so whether it’s Goan-inspired crab or Chettinad pulled duck, you’re in for a treat – and one that won’t break the bank either.

A self-proclaimed ‘West London Icon’, Julie’s offers a particularly plush kind of cosiness. The site of many a celebrity night out, it’s gone through several iterations over the years and the locals are clearly glad to have it back and thriving once more. While it may have a certain bistro de-luxe style opulence, there’s also something incredibly comforting and inviting about its warm colours and romantic booths. The sense of history, too, makes the place feel that bit more appealingly lived-in than a brand-new restaurant.

There’s something instantly likeable about Kitty Fisher’s. Coming from the same team as Cora Pearl, and similarly named after a famous courtesan, it has a reassuringly old-fashioned look to it and is run with chatty charm by the team. Such an endearing set-up – which includes the dark wooden tables and deep red hues that adorn so many restaurants in this list – is clearly a hit with the loyal local diners, who keep the place well patronised in a competitive part of town.

It’s such a treat to find a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant that has such a personal feeling as Muse. It’s not just the intimacy of the dining room, which is tucked into a characterful Georgian townhouse, but the way in which Chef-Owner Tom Aikens’ life has influenced his dishes. The concept of drawing on his ‘muses’ for inspiration fits perfectly with the large role the open kitchen plays in proceedings, with many diners sat up at the counter so the boundary between chef and diner is blurred, adding to the experience's unique feel.

The phrase ‘family style’ is exactly the kind you’d expect to be associated with the menu at a cosy restaurant. And so it is at Naïfs, Peckham’s neighbourhood bistro serving fully plant-based cuisine. A selection of four dishes plus bread are served to the whole table at once for sharing, adding to the warm, communal vibe of the place. It’s a family-run affair and the service team are all friendly and engaging, combining with the simple rustic décor and candlelit terrace to create a restaurant that is very cosy indeed.

Even from the outside, the Bloomsbury branch of Noble Rot looks cosy. Its burgundy-washed exterior has a deep warmth to it that only continues inside. Dark wood furniture combines with soft lighting and candles to create a truly intimate atmosphere that feels like the cosiest kind of French bistro. France does indeed have a huge influence on the menu, with the classically based cooking providing hearty, satisfying flavours through the likes of pork rillettes and tarte Tatin. Wine is a big feature too, with the restaurant sharing a name with the owners’ wine magazine.

A handwritten blackboard menu is often a great sign that you’re in a warm hug of a restaurant. It’s a feature which adds personality and makes you feel like you’re in a small, earnestly run place. At Primeur, this feeling is enhanced by its ingredient-led sharing plates, its simple bistro décor and its convivial atmosphere. What’s more, many guests sit around two large communal tables in the middle of the room, encouraging the kind of shared experience that makes dining out feel that little bit cosier.

It really would be remiss of us not to finish our lowdown of London’s cosiest dining spots with a pub. Meeting places for friends old and new, buildings filled with community and mirth in equal measure – pubs are the epitome of open-hearted British cosiness. Even the ones that don’t look that homely still have the right vibe. Luckily, The Baring is run with a genuine warmth and friendliness by its team, while the food is cooked by an experienced chef who knows how to provide ample flavour in every bite.