Sweetings Restaurant | London - Find. Eat. Drink.

Sweetings, London, British, Seafood, Traditional British, The City, Chef Recommended, Chef Fergus Henderson, Where to eat in London, Old School, Lunch, Lunch Ritual, Traditional English Lunch, London City

“Lunch at Sweetings for the observation of crazy lunch rituals.”

- Chef Fergus Henderson of St. John Restaurant

Eat | Sweetings Restaurant

“Lunch at Sweetings for the observation of crazy lunch rituals.”

- Chef Fergus Henderson of St. John Restaurant

Sweetings Counter Seating

Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.

Not much has changed about Sweetings since they opened their doors in 1889. They dropped the meat dishes from the menu and discontinued the turtle soup, but this London seafood house is still doing things the way they always have - traditionally.

It’s a place filled with regulars, who are served by career waiters, eating potted shrimp and fried whitebait cooked and seasoned exactly the same as when it was first put on the menu over a century ago.

Sweetings in an institution, outlasting two world wars. They only do lunch, they only serve seafood and they’re only open on weekdays. They don’t serve coffee and they don’t take reservations. The front room is a bit chaotic, filled with businessmen from “The City” (financial district) grabbing a quick bite and a pint. It’s counter space only. The back room is better if you like to linger over your lunch and have a white tablecloth experience.