No more Leicester Square dinners

No more Angus Steak Houses eh?

Jay Raynor provides entertaining reviews

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/jayrayner

and Time Out is a good source

https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/by-area

Worse - Garfunkel's! Then there was the little "Italian" place that made me long for lousy American chain pizza and a Thai place that couldn't seem to figure itself out.

Thank you for the resources - why do I always forget TimeOut?

London Chinatown is only a couple of blocks away. From Leicester Square walk north two blocks to London Chinatown.

Try dumplings at the Jen Cafe on the triangular corner of Newport Place and Newport Court or one of the many restaurants on Gerrard Street and the surrounding area. Chinese cuisine is more than friend rice.

My vote for a good relatively inexpensive meal in London would be Cafe in the Crypt, adjacent to Trafalgar Square. Been going there since 2010 and have never been disappointed. You also cannot beat the location ! have fun
https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/visit/cafe-in-the-crypt/

It's a couple of blocks from Leichester Square, but we had a nice pre theatre pub dinner at the Chandros. The dining room upstairs is a little quieter than the pub on the main floor. Typical pub food, but tasty and not overpriced (for London).

Although I’ve not been to either near Leicester Square I have had great meals at Dishoom and Bill’s. Both chains. Honestly my meal at Dishoom at Granary Park was outstanding. Would hope that would carry over to their other restaurants.

Google and see their proximity to your accomodation.

I agree with Orv on the Café in the Crypt. Leave room for apple crumble with custard!

I’ve had very good meals at The Palomar (book in advance or wait for seat at bar) and Opera Tavern near Covent Garden (book or seat at bar).

Why not just pop into a pub. I’ve never had bad pub food.

Just walk in the opposite direction of Trafalgar Square and turn down one of the side streets. The further up you go on the left will be Chinatown and then, past Shaftsbury Avenue, you'll end up at trendy, party-central Soho - about a million places to try. If you go up onto the side streets on the right there are some great Indian places and more upscale restaurants. Walk for about 5 minutes and you can be at Brown's Covent Garden...one of my favorite places to eat in London. Nice but unpretentious. Good, solid food. Highly recommend.

Emma’s description of St Martin’s Crypt is accurate - amazing building, but caters for tourists and the one time I tried to get in at lunchtime, it was too noisy for me as I don’t like shouting over the table. I too don’t know anyone that has eaten there.

If you want a few minutes west of Leicester Square, to the bottom of Regent Street can be found the excellent Hawksmoor on Air Sreet (set menu or a la carte) and the more expensive Gaucho on Swallow Street for good steak. For traditional British, Rowley’s on Jermyn Street and for a more budget friendly meal, Nando’s on Glasshouse Street for chicken.

For tapas I like Brindisa . It’s not cheap though.

https://www.brindisakitchens.com/restaurant/tapas-brindisa-soho/

For Italian I go to Princi.

http://www.princi.com/locations/

Both are in nearby soho.

Walk to Piccadilly Circus. Many choices.

Thank you All for your thoughtful responses - no more wandering in a defeated, hungry state!

My favourite Chinese restaurant in that area is Y Ming on Greek Street. On the opposite side of Shaftesbury Avenue from the main "Chinatown" and opposite the back of the Palace Theatre.

Adding my name for all who recommended Dishoom. 2 thumbs up!

Punjab Indian on Neal St, less than a 10-minute walk.

You All are great - thank you!

Typically I have most of my evenings planned out but, as I said, inevitably there is one evening I will have moved enough stuff around on the day of and will end up without a dinner plan. I will definitely be adding Dishoom to the plan for November (without waiting to be lost for a dinner idea) and am excited to scout out some of your other suggestions.

I'm staying in Mayfair (Piccadilly and Berkeley Street) so instead of wandering down to Leicester Square for an evening walkabout, it will be a simple thing to redirect to Soho, Covent Garden or Jermyn Street. I do always plan a visit to Chinatown but now plan on Y Ming this time instead of the main area - thank you Phillip!

I've also been looking at TimeOut because I'm on a quest for Welsh Rarebit so I thank you again for the reminder to use that resource, Ramlin' On.

If you like Indian food Punjab near Covent Garden is very, very good.

If you seek a pub in the Mayfair area I highly recommend the Kings Head

Claudia - I appreciate that! You know it was your recommendation that led me to The Two Chairmen - loved that place.

Emma, thank you! I have walked by The Wolseley and Gymkhana so many times I feel a little embarrassed to not have been to either. I sometimes feel a bit intimidated, can't explain why.

As a side note, I was walking along Shaftesbury Ave this past January and there was a realtor's sign that said to call Emma with enquiries. I had a moment, after reading so much of your knowledgeable advice, of thinking it must be you - that would explain your incredible depth of knowledge of the city. :)

So pleased to know you enjoyed the Two Chairman Pub.

I see you mention Jermyn Street. Uncertain if you like clothes shopping but some incredible men’s store on Jermyn. Great shop for shaving items as well. Also adjacent to the Caffe Nero is a quiet small park perfect for a respite.

Have fun.