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Casual Restaurants Near Leicester Square

Leicester Square is one of the busiest spots in London - and one of the most visited by people who haven't quite figured out where to eat yet. The good news: you don't have to wander far to find a genuinely great casual meal. Here's a guide to the best casual dining options near Leicester Square.
 

Eating Near Leicester Square - What to Expect

The area around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus is packed with restaurants, but the quality varies. The tourist-facing spots right on the square itself can be hit and miss — the further you get from the immediate centre, the better the value tends to be. That said, there are some genuinely excellent options within a very short walk.
 

Best Casual Restaurants Near Leicester Square

Happy London - Piccadilly Circus
The strongest casual dining option in the immediate area. Happy London is a short walk from Leicester Square tube station and sits right at the heart of the West End. The menu is one of the widest you'll find anywhere in central London - sushi, burgers, pasta, sharing plates, cocktails, kids options and more - making it ideal for groups, families and anyone who wants a proper meal rather than a quick bite. Award-winning, consistently reviewed as one of London's best casual dining restaurants, and accessible for any occasion.

Dishoom - Covent Garden
A short walk from Leicester Square, Dishoom's Covent Garden site is one of the most popular casual dining spots in London. The modern Indian menu is excellent across the board, and the atmosphere is reliably brilliant. Book ahead, it fills up fast.

Flat Iron - Various Locations
Simple, affordable, no-fuss steak restaurant. If the group has agreed on a casual, good-value night out, Flat Iron delivers every time. The nearby Covent Garden and Soho locations are the most convenient for Leicester Square visits.

Wahaca - Covent Garden
Mexican-inspired sharing plates at good prices. Relaxed, fun, works brilliantly for mixed groups. The Covent Garden location is an easy walk from Leicester Square.

Burger & Lobster - Various Locations
Exactly what it sounds like, and excellent at both. The simple menu makes ordering easy, the quality is consistently high, and it's a fun, casual setting for a group night out.
 

Tips for Eating Near Leicester Square

• If you're visiting a cinema or show, book a restaurant before you go - you'll be competing with a lot of other people for tables afterwards
• Walk one or two streets away from the square itself for better value and less of a tourist premium
• Both Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus tube stations are within easy walking distance of all the above

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best restaurant right near Leicester Square?
Happy London in Piccadilly Circus is one of the top-rated casual dining options in the immediate area - award-winning, broad menu, great for groups and families, and easy to reach from Leicester Square tube.

Is Leicester Square good for casual dining?
Yes, especially once you move slightly away from the square itself. The surrounding streets and the Piccadilly Circus area have a strong range of casual dining options at various price points.

Is Happy London walkable from Leicester Square?
Yes, it's a short, easy walk. Both Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus tube stations are close to Happy London.