The Night Tube in London takes you straight to the best late-night bites

After several delays and a rocky start in 2015, London’s Night Tube finally launched in August, bringing a sigh of relief to both locals and visitors.

The Night Tube, operating on Fridays and Saturdays, has quickly become a game-changer for night owls who love enjoying late-night meals and drinks.

‘Travel times have been dramatically reduced, making nights out even more enjoyable,’ says local resident Otto Gumaelius from East London’s Whitechapel.

‘The Night Tube is exactly what London needed; now we can party like New York,’ adds Kitchen Journeys blogger Madeleine Morrow.

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While the changes may affect restaurant operations in terms of staffing costs, recruitment, and capacity, the overall feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Antonio Polledri, owner of the family-run Bar Italia cafe in Soho, a beloved late-night spot even before the Night Tube, believes the service benefits both customers and staff.

‘Our staff, along with others working night shifts in hospitality, will certainly benefit from the Night Tube,’ he shares.

‘It’s been a long-awaited development for one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse cities,’ says Simon Prideaux, founder of VQ Restaurants, which operates two 24-hour diners and a third location open until 3 a.m. every day.

‘It's exciting to be part of London’s vibrant late-night scene, and we’re eager to welcome more night owls,’

If you find yourself hungry on a weekend well past midnight, especially along the Central and Victoria lines (the Jubilee line starts running on October 7, with more services to come), here are a few top spots to enjoy a late-night bite in London.

All of these options are just a short walk from a current Night Tube station.

Duck & Waffle

Closest Tube Station: Liverpool Street, Central line

Weekend Hours: Open 24 hours, with a limited menu available from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m.

London’s highest 24-hour eatery might just be the city’s most luxurious spot for late-night dining.

To reach this upscale restaurant and bar, guests embark on an exhilarating 40-floor ride up Heron Tower, rewarded with breathtaking city views from 230 meters above the Thames.

‘I believe the Night Tube service will shift the type of people visiting, rather than simply increasing foot traffic,’ says Dan Doherty, the chef behind the restaurant's signature dish made with crispy leg confit, fried duck egg, and mustard maple syrup.

‘Now people from different areas can easily visit without enduring long bus rides or expensive taxi fares.’

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Bar Italia

Nearest Tube Stations: Tottenham Court Road, Central line

Weekend Hours: 7 a.m. - 5 a.m.

Bar Italia, a beloved café since its opening in 1949, remains a vibrant hotspot in the lively and bustling heart of Soho.

Despite its casual, affordable vibe, Bar Italia continues to attract celebrities, musicians, and athletes, making it a timeless favorite.

‘People keep coming to Bar Italia because it still retains its authentic 1940s charm,’ says Antonio Polledri, the third-generation owner, who’s proudly preserving the legacy of his grandparents Lou and Caterina Polledri.

While light snacks, pizza, and paninis are on the menu, Bar Italia’s standout feature is its expertly brewed coffee from their Gaggia machine, made with the family’s secret blend—although many may not need a caffeine fix at 4:30 a.m. on a Saturday.

Balans Soho Society Café

Closest Tube Station: Tottenham Court Road, Central line

Weekend Hours: Open 24 hours

A staple of Soho dining, Balans Soho Society Café has been serving up drinks and hearty meals to lively crowds for decades.

Recently refurbished, Balans continues to serve classic favorites like the iconic Balans Burger and a hearty 12 oz sirloin steak, alongside its sister restaurant, Balans Soho Society Restaurant, which has a slightly earlier closing time.

Since the launch of the Night Tube, this lively 24-hour venue has seen a noticeable increase in late-night visitors after midnight.

‘Nobody wants to follow a schedule when you're out enjoying the night. We even have a sign at the entrance to our restaurant that says, ‘Abandon All Plans,’” shares Balans Café waitress CiCi Coleman.

“You simply can’t do that if you're constantly checking the time, can you?”

Polo Bar

Closest Tube Station: Liverpool Street, Central line

Weekend Hours: Open 24 hours

Perfectly positioned across from the busy Liverpool Street station, Polo Bar has been a late-night lifeline since 1953, offering a wide range of 24-hour breakfasts, sandwiches, and burgers to everyone from partygoers to early-rising City workers.

While most of the late-night dining scene has seen a surge in customers during the early hours, Polo Bar’s founder, Phil Inzani, has noticed that the Night Tube service has had the opposite effect on his business.

‘At Polo Bar, the peak hours used to be after midnight, once the bars closed. But with the Night Tube running later, heading home is now quicker and easier, making it less tempting for customers to grab that late-night drink!’ says Inzani.

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VQ Notting Hill

Closest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate, Central line

Weekend Hours: Friday 7 a.m. - 3 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m. - 3 a.m.

VQ (‘Vingt-Quatre’) Notting Hill is one of the latest additions to London’s late-night dining scene, offering a solution to the lack of post-midnight options in West London beyond Soho.

Fans of VQ’s Bloomsbury and Chelsea locations will feel right at home at the third branch, where the all-day breakfast menu (featuring classics like Full English and Eggs Benedict) and the ‘smart diner’ atmosphere remain unchanged.

However, unlike the other two 24-hour branches, VQ Notting Hill closes its doors at 3 a.m.

VQ Notting Hill, 24 Pembridge Road, Notting Hill; +44 20 3745 7224

Beigel Bake

Closest Tube Station: Liverpool Street, Central line

Weekend Hours: Open 24 hours

Beigel Bake is regarded as one of the capital’s best cheap eats, making it a go-to spot for after-hours partygoers spilling out of Shoreditch’s bustling bars and clubs.

‘No matter the hour, there’s always a queue, which only gets more interesting as the night wears on,’ says Kitchen Journeys blogger Madeleine Morrow about the no-frills bakery on Brick Lane.

‘In my opinion, the salt beef on rye or bagel is the best in London. The beef is freshly sliced, thick with just the right amount of fat, paired with a pickle and mustard that clears your sinuses. It’s one of the best value deals in the city,’ Morrow shares.

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VQ Bloomsbury

Closest Tube Station: Tottenham Court Road, Central line

Weekend Hours: Open 24 hours

VQ Bloomsbury, the first offshoot of the Chelsea location, is nestled beneath the St. Giles Hotel, right in the heart of the lively Tottenham Court Road area known for its nightlife.

This stylish yet laid-back diner serves up 24-hour breakfasts, burgers, hot dogs, pastas, and all the classic diner comfort foods.

VQ founder Simon Prideaux believes West End visitors will especially benefit from the central location of VQ Bloomsbury.

‘Our Bloomsbury location, being in the heart of London, should attract late-night diners looking to enjoy a leisurely meal without the rush to catch the last Tube,’ says Prideaux.

MEATliquor W1

Closest Tube Station: Bond Street, Central line

Weekend Hours: 12 p.m. - 2 a.m., with a reduced menu after 1 a.m.

MEATliquor made its mark on London’s burger scene in 2011, and the legendary queues for tables still persist well into the evening.

Located just steps away from the commercial buzz of Oxford Street, MEATliquor channels an East London vibe with its occult-themed, ‘bloody’ decor and heavy metal soundtrack, perfectly suited to its indulgent, meaty offerings.

‘This is not for the faint of heart, newcomers to chili, binge eaters, or vegetarians,’

Balans Soho Society

Closest Tube Station: Tottenham Court Road, Central line

Weekend Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 6 a.m.

For the past three decades, this Old Compton Street hotspot has been a go-to destination for night owls seeking a lively time, with drinks flowing until 3 a.m. and hearty meals served until 6 a.m.

Balans Soho Society and its sibling 24-hour cafe were recently revamped by designer Simon Costin, known for his bold fashion show sets for the likes of Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney.

In addition to the restaurant’s timeless favorites, new dishes like skillet-roasted chicken with farro, figs, pine nuts, and grilled halloumi on a bed of olive mashed potatoes have been added to the menu.

Bonus: The Balans group also offers Late Night Deliveries, allowing you to have everything from burgers to tacos to pancakes delivered right to your door between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. through Feast HQ.

Hubbard & Bell

Nearest Tube Station: Holborn, Central line

Weekend Hours: Friday 7 a.m. - 2 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Hubbard & Bell serves as the flagship restaurant for The Hoxton Hotel Holborn, a trendy hotspot from the exclusive Soho House group.

Inspired by a Brooklyn grill, the restaurant boasts a retro '70s vibe with its whitewashed brick, burnt yellow, and muted blue furniture, making it a popular spot for people-watching and those in search of the latest cool hangouts.

This open kitchen café, bar, and grill offers a diverse all-day menu, featuring seafood, meats, salads, and more, alongside a selection of brunch and breakfast options.

On Thursdays and Fridays, guest DJs take the stage to bring an energetic, party atmosphere to the venue.

Pizza East Shoreditch

Nearest Tube Station: Liverpool Station, Central line

Weekend Hours: Friday 12 p.m. - 2 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Despite its name, Pizza East Shoreditch is far from your average pizza place.

"Pizza East has the best vibe, especially after dark. It’s like a big slice of NYC cool right in the middle of Shoreditch," says Stacey Smith, founder of the London food blog Crummbs.

In addition to their signature wood-fired pizzas, Pizza East also serves a variety of antipasti and hearty baked dishes, ranging from beef lasagna to salt-baked salmon.

"Though there's often a wait, the service is quick. Order some charcuterie and a glass of red while you bide your time," Stacey suggests.

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