The Best Restaurants in Bloomsbury & Russell Square, London

The Bloomsbury Set were an eccentric bunch of artists, writers, and intellectuals who colonised this leafy corner of central London in the early 20th century. Nowadays, visitors can get their cultural fix at the nearby British Museum, Charles Dickens Museum, and Foundling Museum. Trawling the exhibits is bound to work up an appetite, so it’s just as well that there are some top restaurants in Bloomsbury.

If you have indeed been at the British Museum and don’t want to go too far, or perhaps don’t feel like moving too much at all, then your best bet is the Court Restaurant in the museum itself. The setting is breathtaking, with the building’s classical columns surrounding the courtyard space.Overhead is Sir Norman Foster’s diamond-paned glass ceiling, allowing in floods of light. On the menu is fine food presented in a traditional British style, including afternoon teas with jam and Devonshire clotted cream.

Looking for some Italian-style mainstays amongst Russell Square restaurants? Italian Kitchen is, according to Time Out, “London’s best-kept secret.” Supremely traditional, Italian kitchen does it the way mama used to, with gingham tablecloths and a warm, homely ambience. The menu features seasonal Italian specials like wild mushroom risotto with truffle oil and parmesan.