Modern European
127 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2AQ
One of London's legendary restaurants and one that's often raved about by foodies as among the very best in town. Fronted by Brett Graham, it's recently had a complete revamp, returning with a glammed-up redesign and perhaps something of a more high-end feel than before. That change was certainly for the better as it earned the restaurant its third Michelin star.
4 St James's Market, St. James's, London SW1Y 4QU
Chef patron Ramael Scully is of Chinese, Indian, Balinese and Irish descent and these influences inspire his cooking. The restaurant is a particular lure for vegetarians who are attracted by dishes like the bbq tender-stem broccoli with salted egg yolk, onion chinkiang vinegar and wasabi pea furikake.
71 Nile Street, London N1 7RD
This restaurant in Old Street comes from chef Joe Laker, previously at Fulham's Fenn. Here in East London, he's opened an all-counter dining restaurant which has just one dinner sitting a night, serving 16 guests. It's all ultra seasonal as well as making the most of bottling and preservation techniques to use some ingredients out of season. Downstairs, the cocktail bar Low Country is also well worth a visit.
1 Dover Yard at 1 Hotel Mayfair, London W1J 8DJ
Dovetale is the main restaurant at 1 Hotel Mayfair and comes from top chef Tom Sellers (the man behind Restaurant Story). In a very upscale hotel environment (blessed with a beautiful hidden terrace), the food here features plenty of special creations from Sellers and has a secret weapon in the form of its Knickerbocker Glory trolley.
16-18 Beak St, London W1F 9RD
Tomos Parry is the man behind the uber-successful Brat and this is his just as successful Soho restaurant. Here Parry takes his influences from both Spain and Wales, with a big eye on local sourcing and both cheese and bread made in-house. Expect top sharing plates like lobster caldereta, grilled meats and some excellent small plates too.
86 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UB
This Soho restaurant comes from the people behind Mortimer House in Fitzrovia who brought in chef Tom Cenci to run the kitchen. Billed as a neighbourhood bistro, you'll find European bistro food with a few very specific British influences peppered throughout the menu. So there's a black pudding brioche as well as a jam rolly poly on the menu here. Make sure to try the cocktails and there's a really good non-alcoholic range too.
59 Chatsworth Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0LH
Leo's comes from the people behind Juliet's Quality Food in Tooting and this Clapton restaurant sees them teaming up with ex-Bright chef Giuseppe Belvedere. An all-day bar and restaurant, expect a regularly changing menu that draws on Giuseppe’s Sardinian heritage, using the best possible produce from the British Isles and the continent.
Brook Street, London W1K 4HR
The main Claridge's restaurant has returned with a completely new look and a more classic menu. The restaurant has reinvented itself as a "classically inspired but contemporary British restaurant" that is shying away from celebrity chefs and concentrating on delivering a menu of elevated British and European classics. There's a small bar in here too, so if you just fancy trying some snacks, that's well worth a look.
National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
The National Theatre brought in a powerhouse team to be in charge of its main restaurant - the people behind Hackney's hugely popular pub, The Marksman. On the South Bank the restaurant makes good use of the Brutalist architecture while serving up a brasserie-style menu that features many of the hits from their pub, including a truly great pie.
1 Dover St, London W1S 4LD
Sheesh became a huge hit in Essex, attracting all manner of celebs from D-listers to A-listers like Russell Crowe. This sees them in much more prime territory - almost directly opposite The Ritz. Expect something of a party affair, a touch of Essex in London and a menu that does indeed feature "Sheesh" kebabs, but wagyu steaks and lobster rolls too. Don't expect it to be subtle.
97 St. John’s Road Battersea Rise, London SW11 1QY
Ploussard comes from the same team behind Other Side Fried but this is a very different affair. It's a neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant in Battersea with a seasonal small plates menu and a focus on natural wines. Tables are also kept back for walk-ins at the bar if you fancy popping in for wine and snacks.
5 Trebeck St, Shepherd Market, London W1J 7LT
This is the third restaurant from the Noble Rot team (again teaming up with The Sportsman's Stephen Harris). A bigger space than their Soho restaurant, this boasts two bars which are very handy for popping for snacks and a glass or two of wine. The restaurant sees them bring a menu of "indulgence" and this also boasts one of their most extensive wine lists.
The Rubens at The Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
Billed as serving English dishes with a twist, this hotel restaurant celebrates the art of tableside dining with all manner of treats. Smoked salmon is carved beside you and both mains and desserts include flambe options for a bit of theatrics.
Westminster Kingsway College, 76 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PD
Play your part in supporting the chefs of the future at this smart brasserie that offers high-standard, contemporary, seasonal food at great-value prices, thanks to the role it plays as a teaching kitchen. You’ll be served by students (both chefs and front of house staff) from the college.
3-4 Eccleston Yards, London SW1W 9AZ
Particularly popular for its seasonal sharing plates, Wild by Tart in Belgravia’s Eccleston Yards development offers somewhere you can dine with large groups on feasting tables or watch the open kitchen prepare dishes from the wood-fired oven at the counter.
1F Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PN
Run by the team that was once Hot 4 U, Papi sees chef Matthew Scott team up with Charlie Carr from Wingnut Wines. While also having a big focus on sustainability and zero-waste, it's key to point out that 'fun' is a big part of the vibe of the restaurant. Expect a regularly changing menu, great wines and a small bar downstairs too.
256 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2EN
The Parakeet is a pub run by the people behind Camden's Blues Kitchen, having taken over what was The Oxford pub. It remains part pub, part restaurant with the latter run by chef Ben Allen. The menu changes regularly and there's an emphasis on cooking over fire.
55 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX
The great fact to bandy about Wiltons is that it’s older than the United States of America (the restaurant first opened 280 years ago). Looking good for its age, this is a place to perch up at the counter for oysters or find a booth at the back for luxe but traditional treats like Lobster Thermidor or an epic mixed grill.
22 Charlotte Street, London W1T 2NB
Jun Tanaka's Fitzrovia venture is a French/Mediterranean neighbourhood-style restaurant which uses fine dining cheffing techniques but with a more casual feel. The Pain Perdu with ice cream is an absolute must.
Royal London House, 10th Floor Montcalm, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX
On the edge of Finsbury Square, this has a view overlooking the square - albeit mainly from the terrace and bar at the front of the hotel - with some excellent views from the private terraces one floor down, which are highly covetable. In winter, there are bookable igloos too while the menu is a modern European affair.
160 Picadilly, London W1J 9EB
Situated in a former car showroom, this Viennese style cafe is now a bona fide celebrity magnet where financiers rub shoulders with stars of the stage and screen. Breakfast is probably the hottest ticket here but they also do a very nice afternoon tea too.
Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4A
The self-proclaimed ‘highest 24-hour restaurant in London’, Duck & Waffle has views of the city’s landmarks from its floor-to-ceiling windows on the 40th floor of Heron Tower. The curved banquettes are both cosy and retro, and the menu is imaginative, including the signature Duck & Waffle dish.
8 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5NG
Described by top chef Pierre Koffmann as “a restaurant of low-key excellence, serving some of the best food in the city” Wild Honey St James has seen chef Anthony Demetre turn this hotel restaurant into a genuine gastronomic destination. There’s a particularly good value set lunch option but if you can stay for longer, do order the slow-cooked crisp chicken with hand-cut macaroni and black truffles.
Goods Way, Kings Cross, London N1C 4UR
Gas Station has taken over a prominent corner of King's Cross right next to the canal, offering an alfresco drinking and dining space complete with heaters and a moreish seafood menu of oysters and lobster rolls.
135 Fortess Rd, London NW5 2HR
As the name suggests, the restaurant is a meeting of east and west, in a relaxed neighbourhood restaurant near Tufnell Park. But more specifically, the menu focuses on bringing together the owner's two favourite cuisines: Indian and Italian. Think masala margarita pizza, butter chicken arancini and saag paneer truffle tagliatelle.
Unit 93 - 94, Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8AH
Following on from the success of the Cheese Truck, The Cheese Bar specialises in all cheese serving possibilities, from chunky grilled cheese sandwiches, to melting fondues and sharing cheeseboards, plus there's a cheesemonger. So popular is the brand, it's now one of five outposts across the city, including The Cheese Barge in Paddington and Pick & Cheese in Seven Dials Market.
Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
With the arrival of chef Shay Cooper, this most glamorous of hotel dining rooms now has a chef worthy of the space. Since his arrival Shay has refined the grill's menu. Expect an ultra seasonal offering focusing on the best suppliers around the British Isles with a few signature dishes like the Coronation crab salad.
58 Penton St, London N1 9PZ
Hicce Hart sees the team behind the original Hicce (in nearby King's Cross), chef Pip Lacey and Gordy McIntyre, opening a pub in Islington. Expect a similar approach to the food as Hicce, leaning a little more to the comfort food end of the spectrum and showcasing their own take on pub food classics.
43 Borough Market, London SE1 9AH
Turnips greengrocer has been a Borough Market institution for over 30 years. In 2020 they decided to open an evening supper club by chef Tomas Lidakevicius in the space. It became so popular that it's now a permanent affair. Expect hyper seasonal food - a lot will come from the grocer themselves - in a tasting menu or small plates experience.
1C, Rosewood Building, Cremer St, London E2 8GX
With a resume including both high-end Mayfair spot Hide and East London favourite Pophams, chef Alex Reynolds was always going to be one to watch. Here in Hoxton, he and his partner wine enthusiast Maria Viviani (also ex-Pophams) are serving up seasonal dishes with interesting wines from small wineries. Don’t forget to say hi to their four-legged wine shop ‘manager’ Kimchi.
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