At Ciao Bella in Bloomsbury, a waiter announces 'Tiramisu, medium rare!' with a wink, embodying the timeless charm that draws young diners to London's oldest restaurants. Since 1983, this trattoria has served overflowing Italian dishes under its blue awning, hosting countless birthdays and first dates. But in London's dining scene, Ciao Bella is relatively young. Some eateries, like Wiltons (established 1742), predate the American Constitution. These ancient establishments are now experiencing a resurgence, particularly among Gen Z patrons.
Daquise: A Polish Haven Since 1947
On Thurloe Street in South Kensington, Daquise has served traditional Polish cuisine since 1947, once frequented by exiled president Edward Raczynski and KGB spy Yevgeny Ivanov. Today, its white-clothed tables attract a TikTok-literate crowd. Simona Mezzina, who moved from St Andrews to London in her early 20s, discovered Daquise through a Polish friend and hosted her 26th birthday there. 'The beauty of it is how unchanged it's remained throughout the years,' she says. 'You know that going there, you will always find the same vibes and quality of food and service.'
The Appeal of Authenticity
Fliss Horrocks, who runs Instagram page @Ode_To_Dated_Restaurants, criticizes London's 'sea of identikit small-plate restaurants with mood lighting.' She argues that for Gen Z, who 'grew up in Covid and were starved of any real experience,' historic food spots 'are magical in a way.' These diners seek authenticity—a quality abundant in older venues like Sweetings, open since 1830 and still only serving lunch with handwritten bills that include a section for cigars, despite smoking being banned tableside for nearly two decades. Simpsons in the Strand, a few years older, retains its original Edwardian fixtures after a recent multi-million pound revamp.
Oslo Court: A Community Hub
Oslo Court, in an art deco apartment block in St John's Wood, has been a hub for north-west London's Jewish community since the late 1960s. Lily Millar, whose family has dined there for six decades, notes, 'All of the tables know each other. When you're in there, you'll turn around and there'll be a bat mitzvah party for someone you know.' Despite the dated salmon-coloured napkins and shiny blue carpet, Millar returns for the memories: 'It was my grandparents' favourite restaurant, unironically.'
Preserving History Amid Closures
The revival comes at a critical time. Hospitality sites in the UK closed at a rate of three per day in the first quarter of 2026. Notting Hill's Da Maria shuttered in January after 46 years, and St Moritz in Soho closed in June. Gen Z patronage helps keep these historic spots alive. As the article concludes, 'What's not to love about an edible time capsule? If it was good enough for granny, why not for us too?'
