The best no-booking restaurants in London: 21 spots that welcome walk-ins

Restaurants with no-bookings policies certainly divide opinion among Londoners: some hate the long queues and lack of guaranteed seating, while others embrace the spontaneity and absence of exclusivity. And while there’s a time and a place for booking an extra-special spot to look forward to for months (or in some hyper-in-demand place’s case, years), some of us just aren’t built to plan.

In recent years, there’s been an explosion of some of the best restaurants London has ever seen, and some incredible places to rack up your must-try list. Unfortunately, there are also equal numbers of eager diners to match, and it sometimes feels like trying to get a reservation at one of London’s fantastic spots is harder than accessing tickets to a Taylor Swift concert.

Luckily, London’s seeing a burgeoning walk-in culture for those of us who enjoy a last-minute table. Perhaps there’s a reason to celebrate (even if that’s just getting through Monday), or it could just be that cooking your own tea tonight is too much to take. Whatever the reason, restaurants without reservations are the way to go.

So don’t despair if you’ve tried a clutch of trendy spots only to be told they’re full, there is a whole cohort of eateries in London which have set aside a handful of tables – or their whole restaurants – for walk-in diners only.

This means that whatever your reason for wanting a last-minute bite to eat, you should be covered. Fancy playing it by ear and grabbing a table at a no reservations restaurant? We've got you covered with these places that welcome walk-ins.

Dishoom, Various locations

What: If you haven't queued for Dishoom, are you really a Londoner? Standing in a line for Dishoom with a cup of chai is a rite of passage for us all, and Dishoom is still worth the wait (thankfully, the days of queueing multiple hours seem to be over). Paying homage to the Irani cafes of Bombay, Dishoom deals in sharing plates, bowls of deftly spiced curries, smoky grilled meats and seafood. While Dishoom takes bookings for any-sized group during the day, after 6pm, they only accept bookings for groups of six or more. So it’s often a case of sipping on one of the choices of delicious spice-infused cocktails while you wait for your table, pager in hand.  
Where: Various locations
Read more: Dishoom Shoreditch; Dishoom King's Cross; Dishoom Battersea; Dishoom Carnaby; Dishoom Covent Garden; Dishoom Kensington; Dishoom Canary Wharf

Kruk, Peckham

What: Kruk does take bookings. But it’s also known as a great go-to if you’re out in Peckham on a busy night with nowhere on the books. The team seats everyone they can, and if you’re asked to wait, don’t worry, they’ll direct you to a sunny little courtyard terrace and sort you out with a cocktail or two while you wait for a perch to enjoy fiery Thai cooking. It’s a Bib Gourmand restaurant too, so the price-to-quality ratio is pretty darn impressive.
Where: 213 Blenheim Grove, SE15 4QL
Read more: Kruk

Casa, Various Locations

What: Again, another restaurant where you can book - and, with three spacious restaurants across London, chances are you’d be able to bag a table just a couple of minutes before you walk through the doors. For lunchtime walk-ins, Casa Victoria is a gorgeous, light-filled option, while the others bring their own charm, be it the classy feel of Casa Mayfair or the industrial leaning style seen at Casa London Bridge. Wherever you end up, order big on Piri Piri Margaritas, get the half piri piri chicken to share, along with an order of Casa rice - trust us.
Where: 2 Sir Simon Milton Square, SW1E 5DJ; 31-33 Heddon Street, W1B 4BN; 32 Southwark Street, SE1 1TU
Read more: Casa Victoria; Casa Mayfair; Casa London Bridge

Tierra Peru, Islington

What: Sitting on the Essex Road, Tierra Peru is a criminally unknown spot for proper Peruvian cooking. Led by two brothers from the central region of Huanuco, comforting cooking, traditional and nutritious is the name of the game. One of the most abundant, biodiverse regions globally, you can expect a traditional dishes like Andean quinoa risotto, arroz chaufa, and lomo saltado among Peruvian bento boxes and sharing platters.
Where: 164 Essex Road, N1 8LY
Read more: Tierra Peru

Brindisa Tapas, Various Locations

What: If there’s a London restaurant favoured most by the spontaneous, it’s Brindisa Tapas. The Original Borough Market and Brindisa spots led the charge, but now you’ll find plenty of others across the capital, serving up quality jamon and full tapas feasts. It’s lively, known for lively counter dining, the counter is where you want to be, though most now offer up al fresco spots too (which increase your chances of a walk-in table).
Where: Various Locations
Read more: Brindisa Tapas Battersea; Brindisa Tapas Richmond; Brindisa Tapas South Kensington; Brindisa Tapas Soho; Brindisa Tapas London Bridge

The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park

What: This beloved north London pub is an institution around Finsbury Park and Crouch Hill, not just because of the massive multi-storey beer garden and all-around good vibes, but also because it hides a surprisingly good Thai restaurant inside. It doesn’t take any bookings though, and the pub is always busy, so you want to get here early if you want to grab a table and chow down on green curry, satay skewers and some pleasantly spicy stir fries.
Where: 19 Perth Road, N4 3HB
Read more: The Faltering Fullback

AGORA, Borough

What: The latest queue-only kid on the block, you can usually see and hear the clamouring queue for AGORA from the main road. Having reviewed it ourselves, it’s no surprise that it’s so popular - big flavours, good portions at unbelievable value for the quality, AGORA delivers bold Greek cooking in broad brushstrokes, with breads baked in-house, killer dips, skewers roasted on spits over charcoal and more. David Carter’s fiery Greek cooking landed the number one spot in SquareMeal’s 2025 Top 100 London Restaurant Awards for a reason - check it out. 
Where: 2-4 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL
Read more: AGORA

Canteen, Notting Hill

What: A seat at Canteen’s counter is like gold dust. But if you’re lucky enough to perch up here, looking into the hot heat of the pizza ovens, you might just be in for one of the best impromptu dinners out there. Homemade pasta is always a winning choice. On our visit, it was a fennel sausage number available as a small or large portion, and daily changing pizzas too tick all the boxes. Essentially, just ask your server what they like, and they’ll guide you through it all. And, after a little time waiting for a table, you might just be hungry enough to devour the entire menu.
Where: 310 Portobello Road, W10 5TA
Read more: Canteen

Guacamoles, Peckham

What: The cat is out of the bag with this one, but even so, you can pretty much guarantee a seat in the old Rye Lane Market’s cantina. Surrounded by colourful vendors, fairy lights, and small independent shops, Guacamoles turns out some of London’s top tacos. Now with an outpost at All My Friends, Manny’s cooking is edging its way into the mainstream - we, as the original fans, still consider the Peckham original to be one of London’s best hidden gems. Order up on birria or carnita tacos, or plump for a selection to mix and match.
Where: Rye Lane Indoor Market, 48 Rye Lane, SE15 5BY
Read more: Guacamoles

Koya, Soho

What: A Soho stalwart, Koya still has a no bookings policy but it generally isn’t as hard to get into as some others on this list, especially if you can avoid peak times. It’s definitely worth a visit - Shuko Oda’s authentic soups and udon dishes taste just like they do in Japan, and there are some more quirky specials on offer as well. Order up on specials from the blackboard, or go for the classics.
Where: 50 Frith Street, W1D 4SQ
Read more: Koya Soho

Roti King, King’s Cross

What: Roti King now has a bookable site out at Battersea Power Station, but the original is still our favourite, and thankfully, the quality of the cooking hasn’t changed. It’s good to see it still immensely busy on most evenings - grab yourself a roti with kari, or a filled roti murtabak and enjoy. Long queues are still common so get there early to avoid disappointment.
Where: 40 Doric Way, NW1 1LH
Read more: Roti King King’s Cross

Jose, Bermondsey

What: Still perhaps our favourite of Jose Pizarro’s Bermondsey mini-empire, Jose is the most down to earth experience of all his restaurants. This tapas bar is a bustling, no-bookings, get cosy with your fellow diners situation, and get stuck into Spanish meats, cheese and croquetas, with cocktails, wines and a great sherry selection to choose from too.
Where: 104 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UB
Read more: Jose

St. John Marylebone

What: St. John Marylebone is different in style from the Smithfields mothership, but it retains the essence of what makes St. John special. Marylebone has more of a Parisian vibe, offering menus throughout the day, all backed up by a typically excellent wine list. The whole upstairs is held for walk-ins only, so it’s always worth showing up in case there’s a table.
Where: 98 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2JE
Read more: St. John Marylebone

Kiln, Soho

What: Packing a punch with its Thai BBQ and sharing plates, this pint-sized spot is one of Soho’s most popular haunts. No longer taking bookings, Kiln now operates as a walk-in only restaurant, on a first-come, first-served basis. While queues are likely to be long, they encourage you to wait with a drink and soak up the charm of Soho’s streets, and it's all worth it when you finally get in and see those clay pot noodles plonked in front of you.
Where: 58 Brewer Street, W1F 9TL
Read more: Kiln

Smoking Goat, Shoreditch

What: Just like its little sister Kiln, the Thai hotspot Smoking Goat identifies as a ‘predominantly walk-in restaurant,’ while reserving a selection of booking spots for groups up to 8. Its feisty dishes will leave you with tingling lips and runny sinuses, and have garnered quite the cult following for packing a punch. Swinging by the Smoking Goat is never a bad idea for an off-the-cuff dinner.
Where: 64 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ
Read more: Smoking Goat

Dim Sum Duck, King's Cross

What: This is the true meaning of a local gem: Dim Sum Duck is a no-booking, no-frills dim sum spot in King’s Cross, delivering utterly delicious authentic Cantonese delights. Queuing is practically an obligatory part of the experience, but upon your first bite, you’ll see why: an extensive menu brings, no hyperbole, some of the best Chinese food in London, delivered at impressive speed. Queues for Dim Sum Duck have a habit of growing fast, so this is one we'd recommend you get to as early as possible to stand the best chance of getting a table. 
Where: 124 King's Cross Road, WC1X 9DS
Read more: Dim Sum Duck

40 Maltby Street, Bermondsey

What: An artisan food connoisseur’s dream, 40 Maltby Street operates out of an incognito spot in the warehouse of Gergovie Wines, and orients its British-leaning menu around an impressive global viticultural offering. There’s a strict no-reservation policy, and check the restaurant’s Instagram page for updates to the weekly changing menu - the whole operation is laid-back, rustic, and rather charming.
Where: 40 Maltby Street, SE1 3PA
Read more: 40 Maltby Street

Sol's, Bayswater

What: An achingly cool offering to West London’s wine bar scene, Sol’s brings pocket-sized magic to Bayswater. Sol’s no-bookings policy makes for a casual drop-in neighbourhood spot with an exceedingly European feel. Swing by in the day for their selection of Mediterranean-influenced small places, and stay into the evening for a glass from the fabulous wine list spanning across the continent.
Where: 25 Leinster Terrace, W2 3ET
Read more: Sol's

Padella, Borough

What: Homemade pasta combined with fresh sauces has helped seal Padella as a favourite in many a Londoner’s heart, and in our opinion, still London's leading pasta spot. If you simply must book, head over to Padella Shoreditch and reserve yourself a table, but for the authentic Padella experience, you want to be hauling yourself to Borough Market. It's worth it for a taste of that sweet pici cacio e pepe - still the best pasta dish in London. Plus, you don't even have to actually queue anymore; you just stick your name in a virtual queue, go and sink a couple of pints, then come back when your table is ready. 
Where: 6 Southwark Street, SE1 1TQ
Read more: Padella Borough

Barrafina Dean Street, Soho

What: The first London restaurant to make no-bookings cool, Barrafina knows a thing or two about creating hype by way of a lengthy queue outside its restaurants. Barrafina's Dean Street outpost is still walk-in only, while its other outposts accept reservations. We’d suggest getting there before 6pm if you want to snag a table quickly, and you’ll be well rewarded by way of a menu stuffed with traditional tapas dishes with a modern spin. Don't worry about the cold - there's plenty of leaning space inside the restaurant, and you can wait with a drink until a counter spot frees up.
Where: 26-27 Dean Street, W1D 3LL
Read more: Barrafina Dean Street

Le Relais De Venise L'Entrecote, Marylebone

What: With a strict no bookings policy, Le Relais De Venise L'Entrecote is an institution that spans several continents across the world. Born in Paris, this small chain of restaurants specialises in steak and chips. The cut of the day changes, but the price doesn’t, and you’ll also get a salad and French bread to start, plus the signature rich, herby steak sauce and unlimited chips into the bargain. No wonder the queue is always heaving - you'll have to get here pretty early to beat the crowd, but either way, it's worth it.
Where: 120 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2QG
Read more: Le Relais De Venise L'Entrecote

Love a bit of al fresco dining? We've rounded up the best outdoor restaurants in London, from floral terraces to breezy rooftops. Or, if all you care about is great food, why not check out our list of the Top 100 London Restaurants this year.