The Best Restaurants in Clerkenwell for People Who Actually Live Here
Walk down St John Street on a Tuesday evening, and you will catch the scent of wood smoke drifting from at least three kitchens within two hundred metres. It is not a coincidence. This part of EC1 has quietly built one of the most concentrated collections of serious eating places anywhere in the capital, a fact that even Londoners who think they know it well are surprised by.
For anyone weighing up a move to this corner of central London, that matters more than you might expect. The quality and variety of places to eat on your doorstep is one of those daily-life details that shape whether a neighbourhood truly works for you.
Can you grab something excellent on a Wednesday night without booking in advance? In advance, is there a suitable local place you would take your parents? What about a quick lunch that does not cost £25?
Clerkenwell answers all of those questions comfortably. At LDG, our Fitzrovia office is a short journey east, and our team has spent decades getting to know this area block by block.
Here is our honest pick of the dining spots that genuinely define life in EC1.
The Standout Places to Eat Across EC1
St John, 26 St John Street, EC1M 4AY
Fergus Henderson’s nose-to-tail landmark has held a Michelin star for well over a decade, yet it has never lost its stripped-back, canteen-like feel. The bone marrow and parsley salad remains the dish everyone orders at least once. Perhaps more useful if you live nearby: the walk-in bar and bakery serve Welsh rarebit on sourdough at lunch, no reservation needed. Around four minutes on foot from Farringdon station.
Bouchon Racine, 64 Clerkenwell Road, EC1M 5PX
Henry Harris runs this Lyonnaise bistro above The Three Compasses pub, and the menu changes daily, scribbled on a blackboard. Duck confit and rabbit in mustard sauce are regulars. The downstairs pub serves food from the same kitchen, which is worth knowing on nights when the upstairs room is full. Book ahead for Friday or Saturday; midweek is easier.
Luca, 88 St John Street, EC1M 4EH
The team behind Shoreditch’s Clove Club created this Britalian dining room, and it earned a Michelin star not long after opening. Expect dishes like agnolotti cacio e pepe with British truffle and Hereford beef tartare. The fire-lit courtyard is one of EC1’s most romantic spots. A tip from regulars: the Parmesan fries at the bar are worth a visit on their own.
Sessions Arts Club, 22 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0NA
Housed in the beautifully restored Old Sessions House, this Grade II-listed former courthouse has perhaps the most striking dining room in the area. Florence Knight’s seasonal cooking keeps things restrained: brown shrimp croquettes, whole roasted fish, and a ginger cake that people talk about unprompted. Gas-powered lighting at night gives the space an almost theatrical glow, about a six-minute stroll from Farringdon.
Morito, 32 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE
The tiny sibling of Moro next door, Morito, packs North African and Spanish flavours into a space barely wider than a corridor. Sit at the counter overlooking the kitchen for the best experience. Padrón peppers, pan con tomate, and a rotating list of creative small plates keep locals coming back weekly. Expect to wait at peak times; they do not take reservations for small groups.
The Quality Chop House, 88-94 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3EA
A Progressive Working Class Caterer since 1869, this Farringdon Road institution has been reborn under Will Lander and Daniel Morgenthau. The original Victorian bench seating divides opinion, but the confit potatoes are legendary. Next door, Quality Wines operates as a relaxed wine bar with daily-changing small plates. Five minutes from Angel station, or a brisk walk south from Exmouth Market.
The Eagle, 159 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3AL
Often credited as London’s first gastropub, The Eagle has been serving Mediterranean-influenced dishes in a deliberately no-frills setting for over three decades. Head chef Ed Mottershaw has run the kitchen for more than twenty years. The steak sandwich is a local institution. Cash and card accepted; no reservations; first come, first served.
Breddos Tacos, 82 Goswell Road, EC1V 7DB
Nud Dudhia and Chris Whitney started out selling tacos from a Hackney car park. Their permanent site near Barbican station offers creative, globally inspired tacos at communal tables. The honey-glazed smoked aubergine with chocolate-nut mole stands out. Good for a casual weeknight meal, and the mezcal list deserves attention.
Restaurant St Barts, Cloth Fair, EC1A 7JQ
This Michelin-starred newcomer from the team behind Nest occupies a serene space overlooking St Bartholomew the Great. The tasting menu uses seasonal British ingredients, and the evening begins with snacks in the bar before moving to the dining room. It feels special without being stiff. Booking well in advance is essential.
Sushi Tetsu, 12 Jerusalem Passage, EC1V 4JP
Perhaps Clerkenwell’s most elusive table. This seven-seat counter, tucked away in an alley, serves omakase sushi that rivals anything you would find in Tokyo. Chef Toru Takahashi works with painstaking care; expect three to four hours and upwards of £200 per head. No website, no walk-ins; email info@sushitetsu.co.uk for booking details. Leave your phone in your pocket while you are there.
A Quick Comparison of the Area's Top Tables
| Destination | Line/Service | Approx. Journey Time |
| Liverpool Street (City) | Elizabeth line | 4 minutes |
| Canary Wharf | Elizabeth line | 15 minutes |
| Tottenham Court Road (West End) | Elizabeth line | 5 minutes |
| King’s Cross St Pancras | Thameslink/walk | 8 min. by train, 15 min. on foot |
| London Bridge | Thameslink | 6 minutes |
| Heathrow Airport | Elizabeth line (direct) | Approx. 45 minutes |
What This Means If You Are Moving to Clerkenwell
Getting Around: Transport and Commute Times
Farringdon station sits at the neighbourhood’s southern edge, making it one of the best-connected spots in central London. You have access to:
- Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines on the Underground
- The Elizabeth line runs east to Canary Wharf (around 15 minutes) and west to Paddington and Heathrow
- Thameslink services north to St Albans, Luton, and Bedford, and south to Brighton via London Bridge
- Night Tube services are not available at Farringdon itself, but nearby stations King’s Cross St Pancras (Northern and Victoria lines) and Old Street (Northern line) offer late-night options
Barbican Station is also within walking distance, roughly eight minutes north-east from Clerkenwell Green. Angel station on the Northern line sits about 12 minutes to the north, useful for quick access to the West End and Bank.
Peak-time journey durations from Farringdon
- City of London (Bank): approximately 5 minutes
- Canary Wharf: roughly 15 minutes via the Elizabeth line
- King’s Cross St Pancras: about 4 minutes
- West End (Tottenham Court Road): around 7 minutes via the Elizabeth line
- Liverpool Street: approximately 6 minutes
From Clerkenwell, reaching LDG’s office at 39 Foley Street in Fitzrovia takes about 20 minutes on foot through Bloomsbury, or a quick ride on the 55 bus along Clerkenwell Road.
Parking and Driving
This part of Islington falls within the Congestion Charge zone and the ULEZ. Resident parking permits are available through Islington Council, though spaces are in short supply, particularly around Exmouth Market and the Clerkenwell Green conservation area. The closest NCP car park is on Smithfield, off Charterhouse Street. The A1 (Goswell Road) provides a direct route north; southbound, Farringdon Road leads to the City and across Blackfriars Bridge.
Schools Nearby
- Hugh Myddelton Primary School (Myddelton Street, EC1R 1YJ), a community primary rated Good by Ofsted, within easy walking distance of most Clerkenwell addresses
- Prior Weston Primary School (Whitecross Street, EC1Y 8JA); another community primary near the Barbican, popular with local families
- City of London Academy Islington (Prebend Street, N1 8PQ), a secondary school and sixth form for ages 11 to 19, rated Good
Catchment areas in this part of Islington are tight. Families moving to the area should carefully review current admissions data.
Green Spaces and Amenities
- Spa Fields Park on Rosebery Avenue offers a playground, tennis courts, and open grass
- Wilmington Square and Lloyd Square are smaller, quieter garden squares that feel almost hidden
- St Luke’s Garden near the Barbican is a calm retreat during lunch hours
For daily needs, Exmouth Market provides independent food shops, a pharmacy, and regular market stalls running Monday to Friday. There is a Sainsbury’s Local on Goswell Road and a Co-op on Farringdon Road. The nearest supermarket is the Waitrose in Brunswick Centre, Bloomsbury, about 15 minutes on foot.
Healthcare-wise, the Clerkenwell Medical Practice on Amwell Street is one of several GP surgeries nearby. St Bartholomew’s Hospital (Barts) is within a 10-minute walk of A&E and specialist services. Islington has several NHS dental practices within reach, though waiting lists can be long.
The Character of the Streets
Clerkenwell Green itself retains a quiet, almost village-like quality during the day; the Marx Memorial Library and the Crown Tavern anchor the square. Move south towards Smithfield and the energy shifts, becoming more City-oriented. Exmouth Market is the social spine, lined with independent shops and cafes, and the hum of outdoor dining in the warmer months.
Noise is generally manageable, though addresses near Farringdon Road or Goswell Road will experience traffic. Properties near Fabric nightclub on Charterhouse Street may experience late-night foot traffic on weekends. The demographic mix is largely young professionals and established couples, with a smaller but growing number of families. Retirees living in the area tend to occupy long-held period properties.
Safety perception is good. Street lighting is decent throughout, and the area benefits from a steady flow of pedestrians into the evening.
Property Market Snapshot for Clerkenwell
The housing stock here is a genuine mix. Georgian terraces on Myddelton Square and Wilmington Square command premium prices; a five-bedroom listed townhouse can exceed £2 million. Purpose-built flats and warehouse conversions make up the majority of available properties, with average flat prices sitting around £800,000. Smaller one-bedroom apartments in ex-local authority blocks start from roughly £490,000, making them one of the more accessible entry points.
Council tax bands across EC1R and EC1M typically range from Band D to Band G, depending on the property. Service charges on converted warehouse buildings can be significant, sometimes reaching several thousand pounds annually, so it is worth investigating these before committing.
Clerkenwell is considered an established premium area rather than an emerging one. However, the ongoing transformation of the Smithfield Market site into a new cultural destination (as part of the Museum of London relocation) could further influence values in the coming years. Energy efficiency varies widely; older period buildings often sit in lower EPC bands, while newer developments tend to perform better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kate Middleton's favourite restaurant in London?
The Princess of Wales has been spotted at several London eateries over the years. Bluebird on the King’s Road in Chelsea is frequently cited as a personal favourite; she was photographed there with her sister Pippa and her mother Carole on multiple occasions before and after marrying Prince William. The Goring Hotel near Buckingham Palace, where she stayed the night before her wedding, also holds a special connection. Riccardo’s, a Tuscan-style Italian in Chelsea, is another reported regular.
Is Clerkenwell a nice part of London?
Clerkenwell consistently ranks among central London’s most desirable neighbourhoods for professionals and food lovers alike. Its blend of Georgian architecture, independent dining, and excellent transport links from Farringdon station creates a rare combination of character and convenience. The area is safe, walkable, and has a genuine community feel, particularly around Exmouth Market. Downsides include high property costs and limited green space in the heart of outer London boroughs. For those who value proximity to the City and cultural richness, it is difficult to beat.
Where do the Beckhams eat in London?
The Beckham family has been linked to several high-profile London establishments. Gymkhana, the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Mayfair, is a reported favourite of the whole family, alongside Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa. Victoria has previously named Davies and Brook at Claridge’s and the Mediterranean-influenced La Petite Maison. More recently, The Cow in Westbourne Park has emerged as a casual local choice. David has also been associated with Dorian, a Notting Hill steakhouse that earned a Michelin star.
What is Dua Lipa's favourite restaurant in London?
In her Service95 newsletter, Dua Lipa named Westerns Laundry in Holloway as her top London pick, praising the seasonal seafood and natural wine list. The singer also recommended Gymkhana in Mayfair, Berenjak (a Persian spot in Soho and Borough), Rovi by Yotam Ottolenghi in Fitzrovia, and Guy Ritchie’s gastropub Lore of the Land. She has also been spotted at Chiltern Firehouse. Her choices lean towards independent, chef-driven places rather than flashy celebrity haunts.
Ready to Make Clerkenwell Home?
Living among EC1’s remarkable food scene is not just about having good options nearby. It is about the daily convenience of walking to a Michelin-starred local or picking up supper from a market stall on your way home. That kind of ease defines quality of life.
If you are considering a move to Clerkenwell, our team at 39 Foley Street, Fitzrovia, knows this neighbourhood street by street. Drop in or get in touch; we would be happy to help you find the right place.