There are some phenomenal restaurants in London, Ontario that are well-worth the visit. Below, I’m sharing my favourite spots to get breakfast, lunch, and dinner in London, ON!

One of the main reasons that I was excited to visit London is that there are a remarkable amount of fantastic restaurants in London, Ontario.

I’m also not someone who eats like a bird in the morning, and then waits for an eventual feast when the sun goes down. Nope, no way.

I wake up hungry and excited to eat pretty much from the moment I open my eyes. Sure, the fact that I’m 6 foot 2, and 200 pounds may have something to do with that, but I also think it’s due to the fact that I genuinely love food, and I firmly believe that chefs are legitimate artists.

All that to say, I came to London not just to figure out the best spot to get dinner in London, Ontario, but also to do my homework on the best spots to get breakfast and lunch as well. For all those folks, like me, who feel like each meal is a potential opportunity to crank up the happiness meter just a touch, while also respecting what went on behind the scenes to make it all happen, this article is for you.

As I insinuated in my article on the best breweries in London, Ontario, I do firmly believe that this is a city in Ontario that punches well above its weight. Thus, you really can find spots to get breakfast, lunch and dinner that I do believe will rival many other known foodie cities in Ontario such as Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston.

Please note that this post contains some affiliate links. Simply put, this means that we may receive a small commission for our heartfelt and honest recommendations here at travelingmitch, at no additional cost to you.

Where to Stay in London, Ontario

If you’re looking to extend your time in London so you can try a variety of these restaurants, then you should definitely plan to stay in a central location. There are several great hotels to stay at in town.

My top recommendation is Hotel Metro, which is right in the heart of downtown London. You’ll be within walking distance to so many of these restaurants if you stay here. Other great cenrally located options are the London Armouries hotel by Delta, and the Woodfield Hotel.

If you’re looking for a memorable stay outside of the hustle and bustle of London, then staying at the Clocktower Inn in nearby Strathroy, Ontario is a charming option.

The Best Restaurants in London, Ontario

Of course, it goes without saying that I haven’t tried every restaurant in London, Ontario, but, below, I’ll run through my favourite spots for each meal that I’ve found thus far.

As always, you can feel free to comment below if you read through the article, and feel like there are any places to eat in London, Ontario that I may have missed, and you can be assured that I’ll add it to my bucket-list for my next visit.

Also, I know the title says “worth visiting,” but if you’re unable to visit physically at this moment, almost all the restaurants listed do take out for your convenience.

Where to Get the Best Breakfast in London, Ontario

At home, breakfast is a meal for me that’s all about sustenance, but when I’m travelling or spending time in a new city, breakfast is something I’m approaching with excitement and intention. Here are a few breakfast spots in London, Ontario to keep in mind.

Plant Matter Cafe

The Tofu Scramble Bagel at Plant Matter Café.

Plant Matter Cafe, located on Richmond in Downtown London, is a plant based coffeehouse that does all things a little differently, breakfast included. I had the chance to visit Plant Matter Cafe early one morning, and chat with Chef Elyse Keegan about her approach. Interestingly enough, she went to school for cooking, with a speciality in butchering. Talk about a 180. Now, she a vegan and, when we spoke, she noted that she thinks of her activism for that cause as simply being through putting incredible plant based food on the table.

And that she did.

I’d recommend the Tofu Scramble Bagel, one of the most popular dishes at Plant Matter. It includes scrambled tofu, melted Chao cheese, tempeh strips, tomato, and roasted garlic aioli on a bagel. It’s both filling and flavourful, effectively smashing many of the conventional misguided stereotypes around vegan cuisine.

I’m including this option for my readers who don’t eat meat and for those that do because I feel like this spot can be considered one of the best breakfast spots in London, Ontario by almost any standard, Plus, they’re doing things a little differently, and I’m always up for celebrating ingenuity.

They do more than just breakfast, for the record, but it’s certainly not a bad place to start the day.

Black Walnut Bakery Café

The Black Walnut Bakery Cafe is one of the best restaurants in London, Ontario

They’ve got two locations, one in Wortley Village, and one on Richmond Row. Whichever location you choose, you’re supporting a local, independent business that makes every baked good they sell on site, and roasts every coffee bean by hand.

I do need to add here that, at the time of writing, the Wortley location, sadly, had a fire, but they’ve publicly said that they’re in the rebuilding process.

When I visited, I tried one of their muffins, which they bake fresh every morning. That day, they were baking a raspberry muffin, and it was scrumptious. Whatever the daily muffin is, you’d be wise to get it.

I also like a touch of savoury with my breakfast, so I had a ham and cheese croissant to accompany my muffic. It was still warm when I got it around 7:30am, so it didn’t even need to be heated up.

The smell of fresh bread, baked goods, and brewing coffee was almost enough by itself for me to add Black Walnut Bakery Café to the list of “where to get the best breakfast in London, Ontario,” but, not surprisingly, the tastes were every bit as good as the smell.

They also had a daily quiche, homemade Jamaican patties, and spinach pie that I nearly bough for lunch!

Where Else Should You Think About Getting Breakfast in London, Ontario?

Billy’s Downtown Deli: A staple on Dundas that’s been family operated, and serving up breakfast favourites for over 30 years. Hard to imagine how you’d leave here unsatisfied!
The Early Bird: Is it wrong that I want include this spot simply because they have large portion sizes and I have a huge appetite? No? Alright, great. If you had a big night, and want to sleep in a bit, they’ve got you covered with some all day breakfast in London, Ontario!
Campus Hi Fi: Retro music, retro breakfast, and they make a mean pancake, my friends.
The Bag Lady Variety: Funky little spot that’s got plenty of vintage items, but a breakfast that’s as fresh as they come. If you want something sweet, get “The Mojo” - It’ll change your life.
Locomotive Espresso: If you’re looking for a fine cup of java to start your day, Locomotive Espresso has two locations to serve that need (408 Pall Mall Street, and the location I went to in Wortley at 350 Ridout Street South). I also felt this was a good place to just sit down and feel the vibe of a neighbourhood. They do serve food as well, but it’s how good of an espresso or americano they can make that I think sets them apart.

Where to Get the Best Lunch in London, Ontario

I’m not going to lie, when I’m travelling, I have a propensity to eat a big breakfast, then explore for the day, and only manage to fit in a snack before dinner. Lunch, more often than not, ends up being a rushed sandwich, gyro, or kebap.

That’s not a very effective way to suss out where to get the best lunch in London, Ontario, so I changed my strategy here, and actually had a few lengthy sit down meals during the lunch hour.

Here are a few spots that hit the spot.

Dolcetto

It wouldn’t do justice to London if every restaurant recommendation was in the downtown core, and Dolcetto, located at Colonel Talbot and Southdale, is a prime example of that.

To start, I had the Misticanzo Organico salad, which was nice and fresh, especially with the fig and honey vinaigrette. For my main, I tried the Pollo Marsala, which was a lightly breaded chicken breast with sliced mushrooms in a marsala sauce, and a side of potatoes and fresh vegetables. It was exceptional.

My server, a warm, friendly, and knowledgeable fellow by the name of Damian, also let me know that he felt that they had some of the best sangria in the city. I can absolutely confirm that their sangria is some of the best I’ve had in the province.

They’ve got ample seating in and outdoors, which means you’re fine to visit in any season. It’s Italian food with a modern twist, and it was all remarkably fresh, which is why it’s worth considering if you’re thinking about where to get lunch in London, Ontario.

Taverna 13thirtyone

Just steps away from Canterbury Park, Taverna is one of those new restaurants in London, Ontario that people should keep their eye on if they haven’t heard of it until now. It was actually founded by the same team that was behind the well known Abruzzi Ristorante on King Street.

Taverna 13thirtyone is a restaurant where you know everything is made from scratch. The menu playfully dapples between a whole host of cuisines, which they manage to put their own little touch on. I had the Maple Glazed Bosc Pear salad to start. It had smoked prosciutto, crumbled goat cheese, heritage greens, almonds and a cider and mustard vinaigrette. It was as good as it sounds.

For the main, I tried out the Tacos Al Pastor. It was 3 tacos with achiote and pineapple marinated braised pork shoulder, grilled pineapple, scallions, and the real game-changer with this dish, feta cheese. On the side, I tried their fries with malt vinegar aioli. Do not miss a chance to try the fries with the aioli, seriously.

Katana Kafe & Grill

If you’re yearning for an excuse to go to the airport because it’s just been too long, then make a little trip to Katana Kafe at London International Airport. The restaurant actually overlooks the main runway, so it’s certainly one of the most unique restaurants in London, Ontario.

The restaurant, not surprisingly, is aviation themed, and I can’t help but feel that lovers of air travel would appreciate the little touches. It’d be a good spot to bring the kids as well, as there’s no shortage to see and experience during the meal.

I had a lovely conversation while I was here with Heather Coghill, the Manager, and she was also quick to let me know that, while they do focus on the fun and quirkiness, they also make great food. To test the theory, I went with the soup of the day, which was a Seafood Chowder soup, and, it turns out Heather was right.

On the side, I tried out the Herb Grilled Chicken, which featured freshly grilled chicken breast, havarti cheese, tomato, arugula and jalapeno mayo on a vienna roll and a side of fries.

It’s good fun at Katana, and a spot I’d bring my partner Bri back to the next time we’re in London.

Ironwood Kitchen & Bar

I went here on my most recent visit to the city, sat on their back patio, and I thought they did a nice job, overall.

I’m told their brunch is particularly good, but I went for the Ironwood Caesar Salad with charred rapini, grilled bok choy, sumac Caesar dressing, garlic crumbs, Parmigiano, capers, toasted pine nuts, and grilled lemon, along with the Fried Chicken and Corn which features brined Good Nature Eco Farm chicken, grilled elote salsa, fermented honey hot sauce, and mustard seed caviar.

Both were nicely done, and this is a spot that I’d return to to try other options the next time I’m in town. Their focus is locally sourced food, but with an ambitious, international sort of flare.

They’re relatively new to the London food scene, but have been getting rave reviews thus far.

Where Else Should You Think About Getting Lunch in London, Ontario?

The Green Window: Located on Queens Avenue, this spot is for the health enthusiasts. They’ve got a delightful array of salads and bowls for folks of all preferences.
The Church Key Bistro-Pub: If you can, I’d actually try to organize it so that you can go for their Sunday brunch, which is typically served from 11am-2:30pm. It’s an upscale gastropub with plenty of enticing dishes to choose from. If you’re into savoury flavours like yours truly, consider the cheese and onion tart!
The WORKS Craft Burgers & Beer: Sure, you could wait to have a burger until dinner time, but why not indulge at 11:30am, and effectively tell the world that you’re going to live life on your terms that day?
Roll Roll: Open noon most weekdays (except for Monday), this is the London, Ontario restaurant that people try, then wonder why that hadn’t tried it sooner. As the name of the restaurant suggests, it’s all about sushi.

The Best Places to Eat in London, Ontario for Dinner

I fully recognize this could be an article unto itself, but I’ll do my best to mention a few spots that caught my eye. As I mentioned up above, feel free to comment below or reach out to me on Twitter or Instagram, if you think I’m missing one of the best restaurants in London, Ontario, and then I can add it to my “when I’m back in London” list!

Hunter & Co.

When it comes to London, Ontario restaurants, they’re relatively new in town, but they’re certainly making a name for themselves. Hunter & Co. is all about serving flavourful and satisfying small plates. It’s basically a classic tapas restaurant with a North American flare.

If you’re interested in cocktails, this is your spot. I personally took a liking to the “Anvil,” which has bourbon, cointreau, and sweet vermouth.

Though it’s not necessarily my thing, I’d be failing as a travel writer if I didn’t mention their Roast Bone Marrow. I’m not exaggerating when I say that people come from far and wide across Ontario for their bone marrow.

I personally kicked things off with their Mexican Street Corn Croquettes, which featured cotija, cilantro, ancho chili and lime. If I’m not careful here, I’m going to start writing in all caps, because I want to yell from the rooftops that these bad boys were delicious.

To go with the corn croquettes, I also ordered some Korean Fried Chicken (KFC). Many longtime readers will know I used to live in Korea, and Korean is one of my favourite cuisines. I thought this dish paid a great respect to some of the street food I used to indulge on in the streets of Seoul. It was basically fried chicken pieces, with some spicy hoisin, sesame, scallion, and pickled cucumber. I was a big fan.

I have no qualms calling Hunter & Co. one of the best restaurants in London, Ontario. From the decor, to the service, to the presentation and the staff, this place checked all the boxes for me. This was probably my favourite restaurant that I visited in this most recent London, Ontario restaurant scouting trip.

Abruzzi

Abruzzi is centrally located (right across Covent Garden Market), and they serve a delicious array of Italian favourites, all in an upscale eatery.

I’m tempted to write this in all caps, but their Grilled Beef Tenderloin is absolutely off-the-charts. It sits on top of a bed of homemade crispy potato gnocchi that I could eat by the pound, perfectly cooked mushrooms, and the right mixture of arugula, red onion, and green beans, all in a red wine jus. Just sitting here writing this - my mouth is watering.

You can let preference drive you here in terms of starters, but the Grilled Grapes & Burrata is what I’d recommend. Their Oysters are also well known around town, though, and you can expect fresh veg if you look towards the Sungold Organics Baby Gem Salad.

In short, you aren’t going to go wrong here, and as much as I’d be keen to try another main the next time I visit, I don’t know how I can pass up the beef tenderloin. Pro tip - if your’e there for lunch, and you had your heart set on the beef tenderloin main, don’t fret - the Spezzatino features roughly the same ingredients, just in a more lunch appropriate size.

Dimi’s Greek House

Once they lit my cheese on fire, they pretty much stole my heart.

My server, Holly, was quick to convince me that I needed to get the Saganaki (Greek Kefalograviera Cheese flambéed with Ouzo), and boy was she right. The flavours were excellent, but so was the showmanship, so a big kudos to Holly first and foremost!

I ate enough for a small family at Dimi’s Greek House, all in the name of research. The things I do for you guys, I’ll tell ya.

Joking aside, I left stuffed, but with precisely zero regrets. Beyond the Saganaki, I also tried the Chicken Souvlaki Dinner, which was served with the classic sides such as greek potatoes. It also comes with lemon rice, and I can’t recall tasting a better lemon rice in recent memory.

They wouldn’t let me leave without trying the Lamb Chops, and my gosh am I ever happy that they insisted I try them. The array of spices they used to rub the lamb chops, combined with how they cooked the lamb chops, created a masterpiece of flavour, and it was probably the most tender lamb I’ve had since I moved back home from Istanbul in 2017.

I had a little Greek red wine to wash it all down, and I was one happy man. I basically waddled out of Dimi’s, but it was a happy waddle - almost baby penguin-esque.

When it comes to dinner in this city, this is hands down one of the best restaurants in London, Ontario. It’s right on Richmond, and it won’t disappoint.

The Idlewyld Inn & Spa

The Idlewyld has been a local landmark since 1878, and truly demonstrates the elegance of bygone era. I stayed here, and will be dedicating an entire article to this property, as well as its sister properties in southwest Ontario, but for the purpose of this particular article, let’s focus on the dining experience, shall we?

It’s a 70 seat dining room with a locally inspired menu that is simply first class, and a remarkable selection of wines to go along with an impressive beer selection, and exceptional cocktail list. If I’m celebrating something, this is where I’m coming.

I was lucky enough to be joined for dinner by my old friend Adam, and his wife Sarah, who are practically like family to me, and enjoying this meal with them was an experience I won’t soon forget.

We adored the Sesame Seed Crusted Goats Cheese, Watermelon & Mixed Berry Salad, which was made in my humble opinion by the generous sprinkling of candied walnuts. The Seared Digby Scallops are a must try if you enjoy seafood, particularly because of the creative offerings that come with it - namely, roasted heirloom beet carpaccio, champagne emulsion, blood orange mousse, and trout caviar.

Next time we visit, I have my eye on the Camembert, Dried Apple & Fig Phyllo Triangles, which I saw another table order, taste, and they all seemed to shut their eyes with sheer bliss moments after.

For the main course, it was the Beef Tenderloin that I chose, and I’m awfully happy I did. Picture Stilton red skin potatoes, spring pea purée, glazed carrots, roasted baby stripe beets, and a glace de veau, topped with the tenderloin.

There’s no other way to say it - this place is absolutely top-tier.

Adam and Sarah appreciating the dining room and cocktails with me!

Where Else Should You Think About Getting Dinner in London, Ontario?

David’s Bistro: European cuisine on Canadian soil with either fixed price or à la carte available. This is probably more in the lens of fine dining in London, Ontario for those keen for something a little bit higher end. They’ve got a well constructed, sophisticated menu.
The Springs Restaurant: A little outside the downtown core on Springbank Drive, The Springs is all about sourcing seasonally and locally, and it shows in their cuisine. They’ve also got a sizeable patio as well, if that’s something you’re prioritizing.
IVANOPOBLANO: I don’t know whether it’s the strawberry lemonade with tequila and triple sec or not, but everybody seems to leave this spot raving about it. If it’s not clear, it’s Mexican cuisine, and it’s a unique dining experience in London, Ontario.

That’s a Wrap on the Top Places to Eat in London, Ontario

As with the London, Ontario breweries article, the goal is here is hopefully cast some light on some deserving Ontario small businesses. If I’m not mistaken, all the restaurants I’ve listed here are ready and willing to have food ready for pick up, so if you’d rather spend Friday night in, but still want their cuisine, I’d encourage you to check out their respective websites or give them a call.

Restaurants help to form the identity, and some would say the backbone, of a city. London, Ontario is no different in that regard, and their restaurants showcase the city’s versatility and variety. It’s an ever changing ecosystem, that’s for sure, but these are some of the staple London, Ontario restaurants that are very much worth noting within the aforementioned ecosystem.

So, treat yourself where you can, and support a business or two in the process. Talk about a win-win.

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I want to humbly thank Tourism London for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own.

Incredible Restaurants in London, Ontario Worth Visiting