London
London Top 10 Restaurants – Global Culinary Report
Based on restaurant recommendations from over 600 top chefs, restaurateurs and food writers, we bring you the Top 10 restaurants in London in 2023.
London is one of the world’s great taste-making cities. In this melting pot and bastion of tradition, you can find both traditional eateries and innovative young chefs experimenting with new techniques. Add to this the hundreds of different ethnic cuisines represented in restaurants ranging from street food stalls to starred white tablecloth fine dining restaurants, and the choices to eat in London seem limitless. Our Top 10-list includes many of the trailblazers that made London a great food destination - from well established modern classics like St John and Clove Club to the new generation of casual fine dining restaurants, like Brat, KOL and Ikoyi. London has it all with its vast culinary offerings, with something for every mood, taste and wallet.
Mountain Beak Street
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16-18 Beak St
16-18 Beak St, London W1F 9RD, UK
Mountain Beak Street is a laid-back yet stylish restaurant known for its unique concept of sharing plates. The food, mostly cooked over fire, is noted for its exceptional taste and quality. The restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere, complemented by an impressive wine list and a knowledgeable sommelier.
Recommended by
Charmingly casual and effortlessly cool offshoot from the chef behind Brat. Great concept of sharing plates. Delicious food, cooked really well, mostly over fire. Expect the same buzzy atmosphere as Brat: same brilliant cooking, complemented by great wine list and sommelier.
St. JOHN Restaurant
26 St John St, Barbican
26 St John St, Barbican, London EC1M 4AY, UK
St. JOHN Restaurant, a Michelin-starred establishment, is known for its iconic nose-to-tail dining approach and simple yet perfect dishes. The menu, crafted by legendary chef Fergus Henderson, focuses on using every part of the animal and offering clear-cut, direct flavors that reflect traditional British cuisine. With a philosophy of simplicity and rigor, St. JOHN also offers an all-French wine list, sourced from its own winery in La Livinière, France.
BRAT Restaurant
4 Redchurch St
4 Redchurch St, London E1 6JL, UK
BRAT specializes in high-end casual open fire cooking, offering Basque-style dishes such as turbot and beef rib. Customers particularly appreciate the grilled turbot and the Basque cheesecake, as well as the warm atmosphere and attentive staff. The restaurant, led by Chef Tomos Parry, is known for its wood-fired and flame-grilled cooking style, with all dishes cooked over live fire and charcoal.
Recommended by
An open woodfire restaurant that takes you to the Basque Country for a moment and really lives up to it’s reputation. The grilled turbot is out of this world but in fact all other courses are also tasty as hell! All in a no nonsense environment paired with a broad selection of top producers, sophisticated cocktails and attentive staff!
KOL Restaurant
9 Seymour St
9 Seymour St, London W1H 7BA, UK
KOL, helmed by Chef Santiago Lastra, offers a fusion of Mexican cuisine and British ingredients. The restaurant is known for its fine dining experience, featuring a menu that balances traditional Mexican dishes with creative twists, all made with high-quality ingredients. From the Mezcal bar downstairs offering a variety of sophisticated cocktails to the open kitchen with a charcoal grill, KOL is always a fun and engaging dining experience.
Recommended by
First time experiencing Mexican flavours in a fine dining setting and hopefully not the last one. Everything was top notch from beginning to end. From starting with an amazing Mezcal margarita to the exquisite menu (the mole!), in depth wine & mezcal pairing and the knowledgeable staff. Make sure to also visit the Mezcaleria with a broad selection of sophisticated cocktails for aperito or an after dinner drink!
Ikoyi Restaurant
180 Strand, Temple
180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA, UK
Ikoyi offers a unique blend of West African spices and British produce, crafted by the innovative Chef Jeremy Chan. The restaurant boasts a vast collection of spices sourced with utmost care, focusing on sub-Saharan West Africa. With a tasting menu that changes according to the seasonality of British produce, Ikoyi offers an intriguing culinary experience that pushes the boundaries of flavor, featuring signature dishes like the Smoked Jollof Rice and the Caviar with Razor Clam.
Recommended by
Pushing the boundaries of what deliciousness isWith the exponentially growing amount of shared pictures of signature dishes combined with spying and stealing (known as inspiration), most of the fine dining today is becoming alarmingly similar in terms of ingredients, combinations, dishes and plating. In this sense, Chef Jeremy Chan's and Iré Hassan-Odukale's Ikoyi feels refreshingly different. This two Michelin star holder (since 2022) is said to be a fusion of "West Africa meets British Isles" cuisine, but it could also be aptly described as "genuinely original" or even "bold but delicious" fine dining. Most of the spices come from Nigeria / West Africa, practically all of the ingredients are sourced locally, and the techniques employed are global, making it pleasantly challenging to pinpoint what Ikoyi is all about. As Chan himself puts it, the goal is to "push the boundaries of what deliciousness is" and "help guests discover flavors they're not familiar with." Few examples? A chicken sausage marinated with vin jaune infused with African peppercorns and served with a mushroom emulsion on soft toast that has been caramelized in chicken fat known as a drunken chicken toast. Or on the other end of the spectrum, their rough looking but superbly comforting signature dish Smoked jollof rice. Ikoyi moved at the end of 2022. The new space designed by David Thulstrup (known for his work on new Noma, etc.) is on par with the cuisine. The space has an understated and cave-meets-sci-fi feel, combining southern warmth and nordic coolness. Very expensive but truly unique as well. To wrap things up, for those who don't know (like myself), what is Ikoyi, it is the most affluent neighborhood in Lagos, set to become the most populous city in the world.
The Clove Club
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St, London EC1V 9LT, UK
The Clove Club
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St, London EC1V 9LT, UK
The Clove Club, located in Shoreditch, offers a contemporary British seasonal menu curated by chef Isaac McHale. The restaurant is known for its innovative and cleverly designed dishes that highlight exceptional produce, cooked with precision, and presented with elegance. With a focus on modern British cuisine, The Clove Club has earned a spot on the World's 50 Best list and boasts two Michelin stars.
Recommended by
Innovative and clever seasonal tasting menu restaurant Innovative cuisine by Isaac McHale, local produce cooked with great care and prescison, presented artfully and deliciousGreat wine and ambient tea pairing with sharp service in a lovely dining room
Kiln
58 Brewer St
58 Brewer St, London W1F 9TL, UK
Kiln is a Thai-inspired restaurant serving dishes cooked over an open fire. With a compact yet cozy setting, this counter dining eatery offers a first-hand view of the chefs at work, enhancing your dining experience. From their spicy claypot noodles to their sour curry mussels, the menu is packed with flavorful options, complemented by a selection of natural wines and Thai-flavored cocktails.
Recommended by
Tasty Thai food in the heart of Soho! Make sure to be on time and ask for a table at the kitchen counter and enjoy the ride.
Core by Clare Smyth
92 Kensington Park Rd
92 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2PN, UK
Core by Clare Smyth is a fine dining restaurant in Notting Hill, renowned for its sophisticated food and setting. The establishment is led by Chef Clare Smyth, who focuses on showcasing the best of British produce in her dishes, such as a simple Charlotte potato topped with roe. Customers commend the restaurant for its amazing hospitality, comfortable dining room, and the team's dedication to providing great service.
Recommended by
A great restaurant with amazing hospitality.Core by Clare Smyth is a great restaurant with amazing hospitality, a nice team and great service. A perfect fine dining place to visit in Notting Hill once you’re in London.
Studio Frantzén London
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge Fifth Floor, Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge Fifth Floor, Harrods, London SW1X 7XL, UK
Studio Frantzén London
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge Fifth Floor, Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge Fifth Floor, Harrods, London SW1X 7XL, UK
Studio Frantzén, the first UK restaurant by renowned Swedish chef Bjorn Frantzen, brings Nordic cuisine with a touch of Asian flavor to the heart of Harrods. The menu is primarily Nordic, subtly infused with Asian elements, and a hint of British influences. Studio Frantzén is all about providing a comfortable dining experience with a luxurious touch.
Recommended by
Luxe comfort food.World-renowned Swedish chef Bjorn Frantzen opened his first UK restaurant, Studio Frantzén in November, located at the very top floor of Harrods. The menu is Nordic with strong Asian and a very slight hint of British influences. This is luxe comfort food at its finest!
Lyle's
Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High St
Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6GY, UK
Lyle's, led by chef James Lowe, is known for its precise cooking with seasonal British produce. The restaurant constantly updates its menu, sometimes daily, to reflect the best of what's currently in season. With an industrial yet cozy ambiance, Lyle's offers a comfortable dining experience featuring sophisticated combinations of local produce cooked to perfection.
Recommended by
Incredible seasonal British cuisine in Shoreditch, by chef James Lowe.An incredible nod to British cuisine. The great thing about Lyle's is that they change their menu four times a year, sometimes daily, depending on what's in season, and they are always using the best of what's around at the time.
Mountain Beak Street
16-18 Beak St
16-18 Beak St, London W1F 9RD, UK
Mountain Beak Street is a laid-back yet stylish restaurant known for its unique concept of sharing plates. The food, mostly cooked over fire, is noted for its exceptional taste and quality. The restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere, complemented by an impressive wine list and a knowledgeable sommelier.
Recommended by
Charmingly casual and effortlessly cool offshoot from the chef behind Brat. Great concept of sharing plates. Delicious food, cooked really well, mostly over fire. Expect the same buzzy atmosphere as Brat: same brilliant cooking, complemented by great wine list and sommelier.
St. JOHN Restaurant
26 St John St, Barbican
26 St John St, Barbican, London EC1M 4AY, UK
St. JOHN Restaurant, a Michelin-starred establishment, is known for its iconic nose-to-tail dining approach and simple yet perfect dishes. The menu, crafted by legendary chef Fergus Henderson, focuses on using every part of the animal and offering clear-cut, direct flavors that reflect traditional British cuisine. With a philosophy of simplicity and rigor, St. JOHN also offers an all-French wine list, sourced from its own winery in La Livinière, France.
BRAT Restaurant
4 Redchurch St
4 Redchurch St, London E1 6JL, UK
BRAT specializes in high-end casual open fire cooking, offering Basque-style dishes such as turbot and beef rib. Customers particularly appreciate the grilled turbot and the Basque cheesecake, as well as the warm atmosphere and attentive staff. The restaurant, led by Chef Tomos Parry, is known for its wood-fired and flame-grilled cooking style, with all dishes cooked over live fire and charcoal.
Recommended by
An open woodfire restaurant that takes you to the Basque Country for a moment and really lives up to it’s reputation. The grilled turbot is out of this world but in fact all other courses are also tasty as hell! All in a no nonsense environment paired with a broad selection of top producers, sophisticated cocktails and attentive staff!
KOL Restaurant
9 Seymour St
9 Seymour St, London W1H 7BA, UK
KOL, helmed by Chef Santiago Lastra, offers a fusion of Mexican cuisine and British ingredients. The restaurant is known for its fine dining experience, featuring a menu that balances traditional Mexican dishes with creative twists, all made with high-quality ingredients. From the Mezcal bar downstairs offering a variety of sophisticated cocktails to the open kitchen with a charcoal grill, KOL is always a fun and engaging dining experience.
Recommended by
First time experiencing Mexican flavours in a fine dining setting and hopefully not the last one. Everything was top notch from beginning to end. From starting with an amazing Mezcal margarita to the exquisite menu (the mole!), in depth wine & mezcal pairing and the knowledgeable staff. Make sure to also visit the Mezcaleria with a broad selection of sophisticated cocktails for aperito or an after dinner drink!
Ikoyi Restaurant
180 Strand, Temple
180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA, UK
Ikoyi offers a unique blend of West African spices and British produce, crafted by the innovative Chef Jeremy Chan. The restaurant boasts a vast collection of spices sourced with utmost care, focusing on sub-Saharan West Africa. With a tasting menu that changes according to the seasonality of British produce, Ikoyi offers an intriguing culinary experience that pushes the boundaries of flavor, featuring signature dishes like the Smoked Jollof Rice and the Caviar with Razor Clam.
Recommended by
Pushing the boundaries of what deliciousness isWith the exponentially growing amount of shared pictures of signature dishes combined with spying and stealing (known as inspiration), most of the fine dining today is becoming alarmingly similar in terms of ingredients, combinations, dishes and plating. In this sense, Chef Jeremy Chan's and Iré Hassan-Odukale's Ikoyi feels refreshingly different. This two Michelin star holder (since 2022) is said to be a fusion of "West Africa meets British Isles" cuisine, but it could also be aptly described as "genuinely original" or even "bold but delicious" fine dining. Most of the spices come from Nigeria / West Africa, practically all of the ingredients are sourced locally, and the techniques employed are global, making it pleasantly challenging to pinpoint what Ikoyi is all about. As Chan himself puts it, the goal is to "push the boundaries of what deliciousness is" and "help guests discover flavors they're not familiar with." Few examples? A chicken sausage marinated with vin jaune infused with African peppercorns and served with a mushroom emulsion on soft toast that has been caramelized in chicken fat known as a drunken chicken toast. Or on the other end of the spectrum, their rough looking but superbly comforting signature dish Smoked jollof rice. Ikoyi moved at the end of 2022. The new space designed by David Thulstrup (known for his work on new Noma, etc.) is on par with the cuisine. The space has an understated and cave-meets-sci-fi feel, combining southern warmth and nordic coolness. Very expensive but truly unique as well. To wrap things up, for those who don't know (like myself), what is Ikoyi, it is the most affluent neighborhood in Lagos, set to become the most populous city in the world.
The Clove Club
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St, London EC1V 9LT, UK
The Clove Club, located in Shoreditch, offers a contemporary British seasonal menu curated by chef Isaac McHale. The restaurant is known for its innovative and cleverly designed dishes that highlight exceptional produce, cooked with precision, and presented with elegance. With a focus on modern British cuisine, The Clove Club has earned a spot on the World's 50 Best list and boasts two Michelin stars.
Recommended by
Innovative and clever seasonal tasting menu restaurant Innovative cuisine by Isaac McHale, local produce cooked with great care and prescison, presented artfully and deliciousGreat wine and ambient tea pairing with sharp service in a lovely dining room
The Clove Club
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St, London EC1V 9LT, UK
Kiln
58 Brewer St
58 Brewer St, London W1F 9TL, UK
Kiln is a Thai-inspired restaurant serving dishes cooked over an open fire. With a compact yet cozy setting, this counter dining eatery offers a first-hand view of the chefs at work, enhancing your dining experience. From their spicy claypot noodles to their sour curry mussels, the menu is packed with flavorful options, complemented by a selection of natural wines and Thai-flavored cocktails.
Recommended by
Tasty Thai food in the heart of Soho! Make sure to be on time and ask for a table at the kitchen counter and enjoy the ride.
Core by Clare Smyth
92 Kensington Park Rd
92 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2PN, UK
Core by Clare Smyth is a fine dining restaurant in Notting Hill, renowned for its sophisticated food and setting. The establishment is led by Chef Clare Smyth, who focuses on showcasing the best of British produce in her dishes, such as a simple Charlotte potato topped with roe. Customers commend the restaurant for its amazing hospitality, comfortable dining room, and the team's dedication to providing great service.
Recommended by
A great restaurant with amazing hospitality.Core by Clare Smyth is a great restaurant with amazing hospitality, a nice team and great service. A perfect fine dining place to visit in Notting Hill once you’re in London.
Studio Frantzén London
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge Fifth Floor, Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge Fifth Floor, Harrods, London SW1X 7XL, UK
Studio Frantzén, the first UK restaurant by renowned Swedish chef Bjorn Frantzen, brings Nordic cuisine with a touch of Asian flavor to the heart of Harrods. The menu is primarily Nordic, subtly infused with Asian elements, and a hint of British influences. Studio Frantzén is all about providing a comfortable dining experience with a luxurious touch.
Recommended by
Luxe comfort food.World-renowned Swedish chef Bjorn Frantzen opened his first UK restaurant, Studio Frantzén in November, located at the very top floor of Harrods. The menu is Nordic with strong Asian and a very slight hint of British influences. This is luxe comfort food at its finest!
Studio Frantzén London
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge Fifth Floor, Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge Fifth Floor, Harrods, London SW1X 7XL, UK
Lyle's
Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High St
Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6GY, UK
Lyle's, led by chef James Lowe, is known for its precise cooking with seasonal British produce. The restaurant constantly updates its menu, sometimes daily, to reflect the best of what's currently in season. With an industrial yet cozy ambiance, Lyle's offers a comfortable dining experience featuring sophisticated combinations of local produce cooked to perfection.
Recommended by
Incredible seasonal British cuisine in Shoreditch, by chef James Lowe.An incredible nod to British cuisine. The great thing about Lyle's is that they change their menu four times a year, sometimes daily, depending on what's in season, and they are always using the best of what's around at the time.
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