Bloomsbury is one of those London neighbourhoods that rewards the visitor who takes their time.
World-class museums. Beautiful garden squares. Two hundred years of literary history. And, on Leigh Street, one of the best fish restaurants in central London.
If you only choose one place to eat near the British Museum, make it North Sea.
Here is how to build a perfect day around it.
Morning — the British Museum
The British Museum is ten minutes’ walk from North Sea Fish Restaurant and it is completely free.
The Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, the Egyptian mummies — the breadth of what is here is genuinely staggering. Even a half-day visit only scratches the surface.
Come in the morning. Allow yourself two or three hours. Then walk to Leigh Street for lunch. You will be hungry, and you will have earned it.
Midday — lunch at North Sea
This is where we come in.
Fresh cod or haddock, fried in crispy ground nut oil batter or grilled to order. Unlimited chips. Homemade tartare sauce. A warm room on a quiet Bloomsbury street.
Eat near the British Museum and you will find plenty of options. But if you want fresh fish, properly cooked, in a restaurant that has been feeding London visitors since 1977 — you want North Sea.
We are open for lunch from Tuesday to Sunday, and we welcome walk-ins when we have space. For busy weekends and larger groups, booking ahead is wise — tables fill quickly.
“Best fish and chips ever! Amazingly fresh fish and refillable chips. The tartare sauce — obviously homemade — was some of the best I’ve ever had.” — MichelleB, TripAdvisor TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award Winner 2025 — Top 10% of restaurants worldwide.
Afternoon — the garden squares
Bloomsbury’s garden squares are one of London’s best-kept secrets.
Russell Square — five minutes from North Sea — has a central fountain and generous space to sit. Bloomsbury Square, Bedford Square and the quieter streets around the museum are all worth exploring on foot.
On a good day, an afternoon stroll through these squares is as pleasant as London gets.
Evening — return for dinner
If you are staying in central London, coming back for dinner is a very reasonable option.
The evening menu includes everything from our classic fish and chips to grilled whole Dover Sole, Cornish hand-dived Scallops, and our spectacular Fisherman’s Catch sharing dish.
The neighbourhood feels different at night — quieter, warmer, properly London. North Sea, lit up on Leigh Street, is one of the pleasures of it.
