8 Bib Gourmand spots with no frills or dress code in London, UK

Nestled in London's quiet Canonbury neighborhood, a former motor garage sporting a vintage sign has undergone a delicious transformation into the restaurant Primeur. This hidden gem snagged a Bib Gourmand award for its unique vibe – inside, you'll find an open kitchen and communal tables decked out with fresh flowers. The dishes, sans the usual Michelin fuss, pack a flavorful punch and are perfect for sharing.

Their menu, scribbled on a chalkboard, rotates daily, guaranteeing you won't have the same meal twice. From tasty starters to ever-changing mains like mussels, smoked cod's roe, pork cheek with green chili, or rabbit leg with peas, each dish is crafted to let the ingredients shine. Plus, their stellar wine list will win you over, making Primeur a spot you'll want to revisit, even if it means braving the trek from central London.

Average bill – £30

St. John Bread and Wine, once a regular on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, and now part of London's exclusive club of Bib Gourmand awardees – is a canteen-style eatery offering a blend of everyday comfort with a touch of elegance.

Inside, it's bright and tranquil, with the tantalizing scent of their famous roasted bone marrow on toast and crispy pig's cheek works its magic even on the most frazzled office workers sneaking in for a lunch break. Their menu also boasts traditional British favorites with a twist, like Scottish cock-a-leekie soup and buttermilk pudding. And don't miss out on dessert – whether it's apple and rhubarb crumble or freshly baked petite madeleines made just for you, there's sweetness in every bite. With a wine list as expansive as their flavors and corkage available for wine aficionados starting at £25.00 per bottle, St. John Bread and Wine promises a dining experience that's both refined and down-to-earth.

Average bill – £40

Taking cues from Sri Lanka’s rustic village toddy shops, the restaurant Hoppers Soho brings a taste of Asian street food to the heart of London, earning itself a coveted Bib Gourmand from Michelin inspectors. Despite its cozy confines, the interior boasts warmth with abundant wood accents, intricate carvings, a mirrored bar counter, and eclectic wall decor.

At the forefront of their menu are the hoppers – bowl-shaped pancakes crafted from fermented rice and coconut, designed for sopping up your curries, chutneys & sambals. Masala dosas, rice dishes and roasts are perfect for sharing, while their short eats (like jackfruit cutlets) and kothu (spicy curry masala) are simply mouthwatering, wafting with sweet eastern aromas. And to top off your vibrant evening at this unique spot, dive into the tropical drinks list featuring Genever and Arrack at its core.

Average bill – £40

BAO Soho has bagged the Michelin Bib Gourmand for eight years straight, and the line snaking outside has practically become a London landmark since day one. Though tiny and unassuming inside, it's a magnet for tourists and locals alike, all craving those rice flour steamed buns stuffed with a delicious array of fillings, plus the tempting Xiao Chi (finger-licking small plates) featuring an assortment of Asian treats.

Once you finally make it inside, you're handed a two-page menu – one list filled with vivid descriptions and mouthwatering images of each dish, and the other for you to mark off your order. The real challenge is knowing when to call it quits. For your first go, stick with classics like confit pork bao and beef soup with braised daikon, which are absolute stars, and pair them with hand-dived scallops from Cornwall, or a pig blood cake topped with soy-cured egg yolk, a sinful indulgence that's sure to leave you wanting more.

Average bill – £12

The Barbary restaurant draws its inspiration from the vibrant Mediterranean coastline of North Africa, where sailors and pirates once roamed, gathering recipes and spices along the way. Now, in London's Covent Garden, you can taste these ancient flavors with a modern twist.

Their menu is full of lively sharing plates, from smoky baba ganoush to creamy octopus labneh, all meant to be savored with a side of bread, whether it's bagel, naan, or barbari. Don't skip black salmon dukkah, cooked to caramelized perfection in burnt aubergine skin syrup, and served on a bed of Egyptian nuts and spices. And for a refreshing drink, try crisp Lebanese rosé from their imaginative drinks selection.

Average bill – £35

The hotspot for top-notch tapas across London, the no-frills gem José on Bermondsey Street, has waved goodbye to the idea of booking ahead. So, for those brave enough to queue up, snagging a spot inside usually means standing room only by the bar, with just a few tiny tables for the speedy ones.

But don't fret, the wall adorned with a sprawling list of daily specials promises ample compensation for any inconvenience. Get ready for a parade of small plates featuring succulent razor clams with chorizo, squid jazzed up with jalapeño-spiked pico de gallo, boquerones en vinagre, and jamón Iberico, served alongside egg tortilla and zesty croquetas. And if you're a wine enthusiast, their selection will whisk you away on a whirlwind tour of Spain's regions, bidding farewell to the foggy Albion and welcoming you to the sunny Mediterranean.

Average bill – £20-30

Take a wander through the hip and artsy streets of Shoreditch, where you'll find Smokestak – the barbecue joint with serious style and a vibe as appealing as the smoky aroma wafting down the block. Despite its unassuming sign, once you step inside, you're greeted by an industrial-chic setting of metal and rough wood that screams "meat lover's paradise."

Their massive plates of ribs and pastrami are meant to be shared, but if you're feeling extra carnivorous, don't miss signature beef brisket, slow-smoked for 12 to 15 hours over kiln-dried English oak, or, for something a bit adventurous, try crispy ox cheek with anchovy mayo. As for the sides, they're equally noteworthy – whether it's salted baked beetroot with a dollop of goat cheese or pickled red cabbage with mint slaw, they'll make your taste buds dance. And to wrap it all up, deep-fried rhubarb tart will be the sweet cherry on top of this meaty masterpiece.

Average bill – £25

In the hip Shoreditch neighborhood, you'll stumble upon culinary treasures galore, and one of the brightest gems is Popolo – a charming independent eatery serving up shared plates and pouring some seriously good wines with minimal intervention. Chef John Lawson's menu takes you on a gustatory journey through Italy and beyond, earning Popolo a spot on London's coveted list of Bib Gourmand winners, courtesy of the discerning Michelin inspectors.

With its rustic brick walls and industrial chic vibes, Popolo sets the stage for a relaxed dining experience that perfectly matches the area's artsy ambiance. While the upstairs offers a more traditional dining setup, the real fun happens downstairs at the bar, where you can catch the chefs whipping up culinary delights right before your eyes. From delectable broccoli with egg yolk & pecorino to pasta dishes like agnolotti stuffed with pork cheek and porcini butter, or sheep ricotta gnudi with kale, every bite is a flavor-packed adventure.

Average bill – £30

Well, even if you've never fancied yourself a foodie, this guide might just turn you into one. And if you're still on the fence, get ready for the next batch of Bib Gourmand-winning London eateries that you won't be able to resist.