The Best Restaurants in London

Nestled between Hyde Park and Mayfair, the critically acclaimed French contemporary restaurant opened in 2007. From a seven-course tasting menu including local ingredients like pigeon from Brittany to an a la carte menu featuring line-caught trout or Dorset crab, the fine dining atmosphere can be enjoyed for different culinary experiences. The French-inspired cuisine is enjoyed in a contemporary atmosphere with the highlight and focal point of a fiber-optic backdrop. One of the world’s most successful chefs, Alain Ducasse is the namesake and owner with over 21 Michelin stars earned and proud owner of 3 Michelin star restaurants.

Bar Douro brings Portuguese food and wine to the Finsbury neighborhood. Since its opening in 2020, the bright atmosphere covered in ​​blue and white azulejo tiles has brought classic Portuguese dishes like salt cod hash and Portuguese smoked sausage to hungry Londoners. Owner Maxwell Graham’s family has been making wine in the Douro Valley for over 200 years. This casual restaurant focuses on celebrating Portuguese food and culture and helping people discover Portuguese wine and food.

This Ethiopian vegan restaurant got its start in Camden Market in 2006 and finally found its home on Sayer St. The casual restaurant with concrete, steel, and brightly colored designs from its cuisine’s home country makes this the best spot for dining outdoors or a gathering with friends. Share curry dishes like Misir Wot or string beans and carrots with friends. The owner and namesake, Beza does a lot for the Elephant and Castle community in which the restaurant is located.

This rustic bistro is located off Tooting High Street in the Broadway Market, and is home to tasty cocktails like the Myrtille bellini and Nutella espresso martini. Relax with South-of-France-style comfort food like Ox cheek ragout and Tagliatelle pasta or the truffled croque monsieur sandwich. A Sunday tradition in London is not to be missed out on here; the Sunday roast comes with three different meat options and one vegetarian option. It also offers a brunch menu every day but Monday with a twist on classics like poached eggs with bone marrow or creamy courgette and spinach gratin.

This restaurant and store come to life in the converted warehouse on Columbia Road. The quaint restaurant serves snacks and mains like Fried Sardines and Aioli and Burrata, roasted peppers, capers and marjoram. The menu is Mediterranean influenced and easy to share among a group of friends. Ask the servers to help accompany the dishes with the interesting wines offered. The restaurant received the Bib Gourmand award in 2021. It is a small place, so try to make a reservation if possible, and they don’t make bookings for groups larger than six people.

A local favorite since it opened its doors back in 1994, the traditional Italian cuisine with modern twists is loved by many. Sit outside and enjoy the views of Lower Sloane Street while enjoying popular dishes like Fettuccine alla rustica and a variety of antipasti plates for snacking and sharing. Enjoy the down-to-earth Italian dishes with one of the many Italian wines on their extensive menu. Founders Paolo Caraffini and Frank di Rienzo have over 80 years of Italian restaurant experience making this a true cultural hotspot.

This light and bright highly awarded fine dining establishment is located on Kensington Park road and opened its doors in 2017. Among the many awards this restaurant received, the notable three stars in the 2021 Michelin Guide proves high praise. The cuisine pays homage to the passion for British food such as classic dishes like “Lamb carrot” and “Beef and oyster”. The owner and chef, Clarye Smith is the first female chef to run a three Michelin star restaurant in all of the UK.

Walking into this flagship is like walking into a fairy tale. With flowers, chandeliers and white flowing throughout, this is the place for high tea or Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. For breakfast, indulge in an English breakfast or Royal Shakshuka or come for high tea and an array of baked delights and finger sandwiches. For dinner, try the spice rubbed lamb shank or Scottish salmon fillet. Helmed by owner and chef Om Waleed who founded this place in 2001, is also an interior designer.

This highly awarded and acclaimed brick and mortar restaurant opened this location in 2017. Farang has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand as well as their name on the National Restaurant Awards top 100 list. Share red curry with beef cheeks or traditional Thai dishes like crispy pork belly. Farang also makes their own curry pastes, sauces and a recipe book can be purchased at the store or online. Sebby Holmes is the owner and chef who fell in love with Thai food after touring Asia in 2008.

Not far from the London Bridge lies an old hops warehouse that is now the home to Hawksmoor Borough. The steakhouse opened its doors in 2014 and prides itself on having the best steaks in London by only sourcing from small local farms and fishermen. The restaurant has received many awards, including the most sustainable restaurants in the UK and 10 years on the Best Companies in the UK list. Dining for lunch, the small tasting menu, and Sunday roast at Hawksmoor Borough, patrons know the Old Spot belly rib, prime rib and assortment of fish are all locally sourced.

In the heart of Hackney, since 2018, lies this vibrant vegan cafe with goals of sustainability and charitable goals. Lounge in areas that mirror young adult living rooms or outside on the brightly colored picnic tables and enjoy breakfast items like a chickpea omelette, buffalo cauliflower bites, or Tempeh caesar salad. Choose from a variety of smoothies, juices and mushroom teas as well as a full range of cocktails like the old vegan or Tickle my pickle. Love Shack also has live performances like comedians and bands.

This five-story townhouse on King’s Road holds more than the restaurant and tea room. It is also home to the world’s largest collection of teas and the main flagship store for the UK. The restaurant is brightly lit with white furniture mixed with blue and white tiles as well as paintings in the same color and delicacy with a large warming fireplace in the middle of the dining area. Enjoy dishes created with tea fusions like avocado with matcha green tea roasted chicken with rose tudor tea. Come for high tea or tea-infused pastries and desserts.

Walking into Myrtle restaurant, there is an air of sophistication but down-to-earth-ness throughout the dining room. A touch of Ireland is noticeable in the restaurant as well as the contemporary dishes being served. Owner and head chef Anna Haugh, who opened Myrtle in 2019, comes up with Irish-influenced dishes like lamb with dingle pie and courgette stuffed with Irish goat’s cheese. The tasting menu also comes with a wine pairing for an additional cost.

Walking into Okan on the South Bank is like being transported to another part of the world. This Japanese restaurant opened its doors in 2018 and is a replica of what people would walk into in the small back streets of Osaka. This small Osaka brick and mortar restaurant features traditional Japanese dishes spilling over with umami flavors like miso udon noodles and Japanese pancakes. Accompany the dishes with imported Japanese beers and sake.

Gordon Ramsay is one of the world’s most famous chefs, and back in 1998, he opened this restaurant as his first solo establishment. Since the beginning, the ambiance of the restaurant was focused on impeccable service in an intimate low lit fine dining experience. The restaurant has received countless awards including three Michelin stars. Choose from an a la carte or tasting menu to experience the well thought out ingredients on every carefully crafted plate.

Opening its doors in 2013, the bright and modern look of Restaurant Story has been well received and awarded with three Michelin stars. With an open kitchen showing the creation of dishes step by step, chef Tom Sellers tells the story of British food in every ingredient on the plate. After making a reservation or arriving at the restaurant, no menus are offered. Each person will experience a tasting menu made with only seasonal ingredients. There are two tastings offered, one of eight courses and the other of 10 courses.

St John Bread and Wine opened its doors in 2003. Bright and upbeat, this restaurant used to be a bakery, and has now evolved to include this lively wine shop and restaurant. It also received the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2021. The menu changes almost daily as it is heavily reliant on fresh ingredients, but a theme to recognize in the menu is pork, baked goods, and seasonal produce. Spiced Game and Trotter Pie, Bread and Wine Salad, and Welsh Rarebit are popular dishes. Pair these dishes with wine from the extensive wine menu.

This small neighborhood restaurant with white linen tables and leatherback booths feels casual yet intimate with wooden artwork from Thailand adorning the walls. Get traditional Thai curry dishes like Penang, Massuman, or jungle red curry with your desired meat, seafood or vegetable option. As any Thai person would say, make sure to get the famous Som Tam salad to accompany the entrees. The vibrant Thai food coming out of Thai Tho’s kitchen can also be ordered for catering purposes.

On a hot summer day or the dead of winter, since 2021, the Garden inside the Corinthia Hotel leaves the bustle of the city behind. Enjoy the sun during a summer lunch or cozy up with blankets next to the heaters and fireplace for a cool evening dinner. Comfortable red cushioned chairs and garlands draped everywhere make it a perfect spot for the extensive wine list and cigar collection available. Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine with a twist like Roasted Sea Bass, Lobster Linguine, or Oven roasted lamb chop.

The exposed brick and well-thought-out lighting give this two story neighborhood bar and restaurant an intimate and comfortable atmosphere. The downstairs is lively and a place for drinks and walk-ins without reservations, while the upstairs provides an intimate setting. This restaurant opened in 2016 and is owned by Chef Jun Tanaka, a Japanese-British chef best known for his appearances on popular cooking shows in the UK. The Mediterranean-French inspired menu has offerings like Flamed mackerel, Lamb and truffle, and marinated veal chop.

This stylish two-story neighborhood restaurant opened its doors in 2006, and has been awarded a Michelin star and many other awards. Owner Adam Byatt and the restaurant have had loyal locals since the beginning, because Adam takes pride in making sure to listen to the locals in order to give them what they want. For lunch or dinner, favorites include lobster, baked fish and Bouillabaisse big enough to share with friends or family.

A wine and food pairing haven, this chic and rustic tapas bar and restaurant focuses more on local ingredients than a particular type of cuisine.Since its opening in 2014, the menu offers small plates, sharing dishes and snacks including the popular T-Bone for two, scallops, and roasted octopus. Along with ingredients the kitchen at Twist has a passion for pushing their creativity with modern cooking techniques. Make sure to check out their Sunday Jazz dinner.

An industrial and stylish restaurant with courtyard, communal tables and counter seating, the ambiance and seafood centric menu are meant to be enjoyed with a group. The menu changes daily and is only found on a large chalkboard in the dining area. Awarded a Bib Gourmand in 2021, and has received many more since it opened in 2017. Chefs David Gingell and Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim opened Westerns Laundry after much success with Primeur, their first restaurant in North London.