• Fri. Aug 29th, 2025

Think London’s West End is just for tourists? Think again.

ByLondon Connected

Jun 12, 2025

OpenTable research shows that while 27% of Londoners feel the district has too many tourist-heavy spots, 39% say the real secret is the West End’s underrated food quality.* And a huge 83% would explore more West End restaurants if discovering and booking them online were simpler.* 

OpenTable’s new West End Neighbourhood Dining Guide does exactly that, offering real-time availability and powerful filters so diners can uncover everything from viral new openings to hidden local gem restaurants across SohoMayfair and Covent Garden in a few taps.  

Sasha Shaker, UK and Ireland’s Senior Director at OpenTable said:“Our research highlights why OpenTable is needed to bridge the restaurant discovery and booking gap for so many. The fact that the majority of Londoners are likely to explore new West End spots if they had an easy way to discover and book them makes it clear – today’s diner expects a seamless journey from screen to seat. While critic reviews and Michelin stars still carry weight, success today also hinges on online visibility and accessibility.” 

While Italian (50%) and Modern British (45%) are the top cuisines that Londoners think of when dining out in the West End*, OpenTable’s West End guide offers a world of flavour, from cocktails and small plates at Three Sheets – Soho and artful sushi at Cubé Mayfair to Michelin-starred British cuisine at Frog by Adam Handling.

London’s West End has never been easier, or tastier, to explore.

 

*Consumer Research Methodology: An online survey was conducted by Walr among 2,037 UK consumers living in South East England (1010 responses) and London (1027 responses) who have dined out in London in the last 12 months. Fieldwork took place between Wednesday 26th March – Friday 28th March 2025. Data has been collected adhering to MRS (Market Research Society) and ESOMAR guidelines to ensure ethical and accurate data collection.