<strong>London's oldest restaurants: </strong>Looking for a meal that will leave a lasting impression? CNN Travel explores London's finest culinary centenarians. The youngest on this list is turning 100 this year, whereas longest-standing London restaurant Wiltons (pictured here), opened in 1742.
London's oldest restaurants: Looking for a meal that will leave a lasting impression? CNN Travel explores London's finest culinary centenarians. The youngest on this list is turning 100 this year, whereas longest-standing London restaurant Wiltons (pictured here), opened in 1742.
courtesy Wiltons
<strong>Wiltons: </strong>Wiltons isn't just any oyster bar. By 1868, the shellfish-monger had already received its first Royal Warrant as Purveyor of Oysters to Queen Victoria in recognition of its services to the royal family.
Wiltons: Wiltons isn't just any oyster bar. By 1868, the shellfish-monger had already received its first Royal Warrant as Purveyor of Oysters to Queen Victoria in recognition of its services to the royal family.
courtesy Wiltons
<strong>The Ivy: </strong>Starting life in 1917 as an Italian café with modest paper napkins, The Ivy quickly morphed into one of the capital's best see-and-be-seen dining rooms -- frequented by celebrities and theater artists.
The Ivy: Starting life in 1917 as an Italian café with modest paper napkins, The Ivy quickly morphed into one of the capital's best see-and-be-seen dining rooms -- frequented by celebrities and theater artists.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
<strong>The Ivy: </strong>Must-try dishes include the legendary Shepherd's Pie and Executive Chef Gary Lee's new dessert "A Window to The Ivy," designed to look like the restaurant's stained glass windows.
The Ivy: Must-try dishes include the legendary Shepherd's Pie and Executive Chef Gary Lee's new dessert "A Window to The Ivy," designed to look like the restaurant's stained glass windows.
Sim Canetty-Clarke/The Ivy
<strong>Simpson's in the Strand:</strong> Originally a chess club and coffee house when opened in 1828, Simpson's in the Strand -- with its huge ceilings, chandeliers, banquettes and paintings -- has become a historic landmark in town.
Simpson's in the Strand: Originally a chess club and coffee house when opened in 1828, Simpson's in the Strand -- with its huge ceilings, chandeliers, banquettes and paintings -- has become a historic landmark in town.
Simpson´s in the Strand
<strong>Simpson's in the Strand: </strong>This regal dining room pioneered the use of carving trolleys -- a tradition that has stood the test of time.
Simpson's in the Strand: This regal dining room pioneered the use of carving trolleys -- a tradition that has stood the test of time.
Simpson´s in the Strand
<strong>Sweetings: </strong>Oysters were again the starting point for another London old-timer. Sweetings restaurant opened in 1803 as "John S. Sweetings, Fish and Oyster Merchant."
Sweetings: Oysters were again the starting point for another London old-timer. Sweetings restaurant opened in 1803 as "John S. Sweetings, Fish and Oyster Merchant."
Sweetings
<strong>Sweetings: </strong>British seafood is still the highlight of Sweetings' menu, including potted shrimps, smoked eel or chef's fish pie.
Sweetings: British seafood is still the highlight of Sweetings' menu, including potted shrimps, smoked eel or chef's fish pie.
Sweetings/Jemma Watts Photography
<strong>Rules:</strong> In business since 1798, Rules is a resolutely British operation with photos and paintings of Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher adorning the walls.
Rules: In business since 1798, Rules is a resolutely British operation with photos and paintings of Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher adorning the walls.
Rules
<strong>Rules: </strong>Rules serves produce sourced from the British Isles. The menu is especially good in game season when birds like partridge (pictures) and woodcock grace the plates.
Rules: Rules serves produce sourced from the British Isles. The menu is especially good in game season when birds like partridge (pictures) and woodcock grace the plates.
Rules
<strong>F Cooke: </strong> A family business now in its fourth generation, F Cooke still serves pie, mash and parsley sauce using an original recipe from 155 years ago.
F Cooke: A family business now in its fourth generation, F Cooke still serves pie, mash and parsley sauce using an original recipe from 155 years ago.
F Cooke