The Best Restaurants in London

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.

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!

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!

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.

Temple of gastronomy and place of pilgrimage, try the caracu.

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

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.

Unapologetically loud food and even louder music! I love going to Black on any day of the week! You always be greeted by the same energy – big! It is loud both in flavours and music, Lee and the team produce technical dishes delivered with flare. The lamb Offal flatbread is life-changing and the cod's roe, egg and squid ink flatbread is a goey Smokey disco delight!Everything is delicious including those cocktails that come with mini umbrellas!

Going back in timeEating at the Ritz in London takes you back in time and I don’t mean in it in the bad sense of the word. In fact the complete opposite. The architecture goes back to 1903 and is in Louis XVI style which is impressive not only when you enter but also throughout the meal. So much to see! Live music performances. The menu is classic but with lots of modern touches. FOH is dramatic but shines very bright here with Giacomo as the star. Perfectly executed preparations at the table with fun exchanges in between were the cherry on top of the visit to the Ritz.

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.

What chef Andrew Wong has done in his modern Chinese 2 Michelin star restaurant in Pimlico is unique. It's almost impossible to get a table, and I’ve had many wonderful meals here. Such a beautiful place.

Finally found my way to this place! Dan Keeling & Mark Andrew first created a no nonsense magazine that is going strong for 10 years already. In 2015 they opened Noble Rot Lamb’s Conduit. For me as a sommelier the perfect place. I could spend here hours. A cosy place, an extensive wine list, a broad amount of gems by the glass that change frequently, big smiles on the staff and fun conversations allround in the bar. Can’t wait to go back!

Northern Spanish food, cooked over fire, by chef Nieves Barragan.Sabor, run by chef Nieves Barragan, is a female-led business that is about traditional Northern Spanish food, but also with a nod to the South of Spain. All food is cooked over fire. Tapas counter on the main floor. Located off Regent Street.

Inventive, zero-waste cookingPlant-forward food in a cool industrial space. Everything is made from something else at closed loop Silo, from the cuisine utilising offcuts and byproduts, to the upccycled furniture and fittings. Chef Douglas McMaster is doing more than anyone else probably to demonstrate the possibilities of zero waste.

Peak modern BritishIn a quiet and secluded converted school yard, Margot Henderson, the other half of St. John's Fergus, serves up hit after comforting hit (don't, whatever you do, skip dessert) - British classics, European influences - utilising fantastic ingredients and demonstrating an unbridled love for feeding people the good stuff. Book yourself a long lunch, cancel all plans and settle in.

Simple, casual and joyously delicious all day diningSimple seasonal dishes inspired by chef Max Rocha's time at St John and The River Cafe. Great pastas and puds. Tip: I spent a lot of time ogling the onglet on the next table and they seemed very happy with it, so order that. Smiley food.

Like a rural farm-to-table smack bang in the centre of LondonOllie Dabbous' cavernous space on Piccadilly is split across three levels: a bar in the basement, a casual-ish restaurant on the ground and something fancier upstairs. The location, space, the fact they do breakfast, etc. actually do the restaurant a bit of a disservice, it screams Mayfair mediocrity, but the ingredients, cooking and service are all impeccable. There are lots of things going on in the dishes (I can only speak to my experience eating at the ground floor restaurant) but it all works and the abundance of fresh produce they use gives the whole thing the feel of a rural farm-to-table restaurant on one of the busiest streets in the city. One of the best meals I've had in London in recent times.

Personal, smart cooking by Sebastian Myers, brilliant wine list. Worth the trip to Haggerston!Such a great and personal restaurant in an unassuming location on a side street in Haggerston. The cooking by Sebastian Myers is fresh, seasonal, sometimes with surprising combinations and flavours but always delicious. Strong wine concept by founder Jonathan Alphandery - you could come here just for the wines. Separate tables and long communal bar table. Love this place!

When London meets Paris. That little French sparkle in the UK.The house of Mr. Bibendum aka Claude Bosi. Iconic is the building, legendary is Claude’s cuisine. “Simple” ingredients though with that French modern sparkle, are the signature of Claude & his team. As a captain on a sailing ship, Claude navigates his cuisine in serene waters. Special positive remark for Diego Masciaga, head of the Front of House. As legendary as the chef himself. Topspot in London. Ps visited during W50B London with The Family.

Amazing wine list / great cookingIncredible selection of wines by the glass / coravin plus really rather perfect cooking by chef Alex Jackson. They do a well priced menu du jour and I highly recommend trying the chicken with vin jaune and morels. Puddings too. All of them!

A neighbourhood restaurant with flairPerilla flys a little under the radar, but this buzzy neighbourhood restaurant has a real idiosyncratic style across it's a la carte and set menus that I love. Fantastic saucemaking and inventive dishes like cauliflower mushroom carbonara keep me coming back, plus it's very reasonably priced for the standard of cooking. Great bread too, I could sit there and eat it non-stop with their homemade brown butter. Perilla's like the quirky, quiet kid at school who ends up changing the world, or at least, is very, very good at cooking.

A classic is a classicExemplary produce, cooked with love and care, excellent service, THE most delicious Italian food in London - there's a reason the River Cafe has been at the top for decades. It really is that good and the terrace on a warm day, over a long lunch, is a very special place to be.

Southern Thai dishes and many specials on the black board. Possibly the best Thai in Europe.Singburi is possibly the best Thai restaurant in Europe. Very legit flavours. Prepare to queue though! Southern Thai dishes and many specials on the black board. Located in Leytonstone in the North east of London.

A London Classic. The menu changes from time to time, it's my 3rd time coming back here, and they deliver all. the. time. Visited Ledbury for lunch during weekends & dinner on weekdays, and even though the dinner menu is more extensive, I can’t resist a long cozy (home like ambience) lunch on a breezy summer day as well...

Brazilian inspired fine dining by Brazilian chef Rafael Cagali. Da Terra in east London is run by chef Rafael Cagali who originally is from Brazil. He draws inspiration from Brazil and the flavours of the Amazon but adds some British personality to his fine dining meals. I highly recommend their tasting menu and the cocktails are really good as well. The short rib dish is amazing, and the menu changes with the season. In the summer they have this trout cannelloni with courgette and chervil sauce, which is very good. They also have a pineapple dish with fermented Tepache pineapple drink. And the brioche mushroom served with the chicken is also a signature dish.

My favourite restaurant in LondonEverytime i visit London, Trivet is top of my list! It just keeps getting better! An exceptional restaurant, with wonderful staff, a stunning wine list and utterly delicious food!!I was having such a good time i forgot to take any photos of the food!!

Top tapas that occupies a special place in the London dining scene. Always fresh and always innovative and always a delight sitting at the counter. Artichokes grilled, cochinilla, tempura oysters and great wine all sitting at the counter and getting to meet new friends.

Jolene is great, all day dining place, from pastries and coffee in the morning to a super nice and casual dinner menu.

Fantastic simple food and lovely atmosphereSt. John or St. John Bread and Wine is a must-visit when in London.I had a long slow Sunday lunch here and everything was just perfect. The service was so professional, welcoming and friendly. The food was so simple plated and extremely tasty. Loved the grilled mackerel with chicory and green sauce. Could have sat there for many hours and just watch and follow them work and enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant.

Vibrant and deliciousA gem in London with hand-rolled pasta, nose-to-tail cooking and in-house salumeria. Delicious and hearty food served in a vibrant atmosphere. My favorite on the menu was pasta with duck ragu and truffle.