A historical tour to London is incomplete without a visit to the everyday places where some of the ancient emperors and prominent historical celebrities enjoyed the local delicacies at their leisure. The streets of London have been home to eateries which have witnessed the great history in the making. Today they stand tall, telling the stories of bygone days and offering British food, which was once enjoyed by historians and emperors.
Some of the restaurants in London are more than two centuries old, where you can enjoy food and experience what it would have been for prominent historical figures like Charles Dickens, Sherlock Homes and many more to spend an evening. Before hitting the roads of London in search of fine dining experience or a quick smack, Here are some of the historical healthy restaurants of London:
- Wiltons started as a street food is the year 1742. George William Wilton, the founder of the restaurant, sold oysters, shrimps and cockles on Haymarket. As the business grew, he opened a fishmonger’s shop with a sit-in oyster room. It took nearly 100 years to establish the seafood restaurant on Ryder Street. In the next 150 years, it changed location within the locality. Finally, in the year 1964 it moved to the current site Jermy Street serving simple, delicious, fresh seafood.
- Simpson’s Tavern opened in 1757 founded by Thomas Simpson serving fish to the people working in the fish market. Traditions and customs were followed during the meal time. Until 1916 the restaurant did not allow ladies to enter. Nowadays all are welcomed to enjoy the British pub-styled food.
- ‘Rules’ was established in 1798, serving traditional food of England at its best and at affordable prices. Classic game cookery, oysters, pies and puddings were some of the specialties served by the restaurants. Even today, it is the first restaurant to serve game when the new season begins on 12th August.
- Simpsons-in-the-Strand opened in 1828, as a coffee house and a smoking room. After twenty years in business, it was known for serving finest traditional English food and chess. Today, chess is no longer played here, but its legacy lives on. The waiters carry the dishes on a silver-domed trolleys and wheel them to guests’ tables so that they do not disturb the game.
- The Newman Arms Pie Room opened in 1863 as a pub with an upstairs space dedicated to pies. The decor of the place has not been upgraded, which gives a chance to enjoy the historic artifacts from its younger years.
- Kettner’s was founded by Auguste Kettner, former chef to Napoleon III of France, in the year 1867. It served French cuisine and was famous for serving exciting and exotic dishes. Time has not much changed the food of the restaurant, today its a mid price popular pre theatre spot.
These restaurants don’t just serve traditional British food, but also create a nostalgia of the bygone times. A tourist who wants to experience history in everyday life must include these restaurants in the list comprising the attractions of London.