The 22 Best Restaurants in London

This exquisite spot in the heart of King’s Cross is a classy bar and restaurant that serves both passengers, hotel guests and cool Londoners. A reimagining of the original, 19th century St. Pancras ticket hall, the venue replaces the previous Booking Office bar and restaurant, with the revised name a nod towards the year the original room was built. There is a tasty selection of light starters and bar snacks that go well with an innovative signature cocktails list, and then the bigger plates are up there with some of the best in the city. For sheer ambiance, this is hard to beat.

Once a staple of a night out in central London, Bodean’s has somewhat dropped off the radar in recent years. New restaurants seem to pop up in Soho on a weekly basis and its hard to get back that initial excitement after so many years. Thankfully this old favourite is back and its down to the handiwork of chef, butcher, and meat expert Richard H. Turner. The new menu embraces Bodean’s original philosophy of ‘Barbecue, Bourbon & Beer’ and the art of ‘low & slow’ to transform cuts such as Brisket, Jacob’s Ladder, and Pork Shoulder. On the menu are refined comfort dishes such as a classic American Shrimp Cocktail, Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, alongside a decadent Mac n Cheese, and his take on the ‘Bodean’s BBQ Platter’ featuring pork ribs, beef ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked sausage, vinegar slaw, pickles, and ‘Texas Toast’, making it the ultimate feast.

Bat & Ball Covent Garden is London’s newest social playground, set across 12,000 sq ft in the heart of Seven Dials. Designed for fun-seekers, the venue offers an exciting mix of competitive games, live entertainment, and great food. Guests can enjoy eight different games, including ping pong, interactive dartboards, and beer pong, alongside new additions exclusive to this location—shuffleboard and a neon-lit nine-hole crazy golf course. For those looking to showcase their vocal talents, private karaoke rooms boast a catalogue of over 11,000 songs, while live DJ nights keep the energy high into the early hours. Sports fans can catch all the major fixtures on state-of-the-art HD screens, making every seat feel like the best in the house. The menu features indulgent dishes perfect for sharing, from hand-stretched sourdough pizzas and loaded burgers to Korean chicken wings and plant-based favourites. Guests can pair their meals with draught beers, Prosecco, and expertly crafted cocktails. With two floors of entertainment and private party options for up to 450 guests, Bat & Ball Covent Garden is the ultimate destination for birthdays, team-building events, and nights out. Whether competing, singing, or celebrating, there’s something for everyone.

Nobu Portman Square is a destination dining experience in the heart of Marylebone. The menu – an attraction in itself – is defined by the inspired flavours and innovative dishes mastered by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Drawing inspiration from Japanese and South American flavours, it features signature dishes including Black Cod Miso, Rock Shrimp Tempura, and Yellowtail Sashimi alongside offerings unique to Nobu Portman Square, including locally-inspired dishes and exclusive sakes. One of the more exclusive seats at Nobu Portman Square is at the sushi counter, offering eight coveted seats. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s a sought-after spot for watching our chefs assemble nigiri, maki rolls, and sashimi. The restaurant lies within the iconic Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, located on a prominent corner of Marylebone’s Portman Square.

With cracking views of London and a cosy atmosphere, Mercer Roof Terrace is a rare find in the city. You have bigger, more bombastic rooftops where food is often an afterthought, but there’s no doubt about the cuisine on offer here. Combining the best of British, yes you will be able to order fish & chips with all the trimmings, as well as more exotic options, this is perfect for a daytime bite or evening meal. Certainly one worth booking in advance as it gets busy!

July is an elegant, Alsatian-inspired restaurant and wine bar in Fitzrovia, launched in April 2024. Named after founders Julian and Solynka, July embodies their vision of bringing people together over shared meals. The restaurant offers a warm, inviting atmosphere for lunch and dinner, serving wholesome, produce-led dishes alongside low-intervention European wines, creating one of Charlotte Street’s most sought-after dining spots. The kitchen is headed up by ex-40 Maltby Street Sous Chef Holly Hayes and the menu emphasises seasonal ingredients and sustainability. July partners with trusted suppliers like Shrub, Linley Farm, and Penlan Heritage Breeds to source high-quality fruits, vegetables, and meats. Dishes range from deep-fried quail with tangy aioli to hearty mains like clams with bacon and peas, and a sharing dish of sausage with lentils and peppers. On Saturdays, the restaurant offers a comforting coq au Riesling for its weekend roast special. July’s wine list, crafted with sommelier Honey Spencer, focuses on low-intervention European wines, with a special emphasis on Alsace. The selection features bottles from cool climate regions, including Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, reflecting the founders’ personal connections to these places.

Sumosan Twiga is the result of a visionary partnership between the award-winning Japanese restaurant Sumosan and the international hospitality brand Twiga. Spread across three floors with a luxury restaurant, bar, and newly reopened club, Sumosan Twiga offers dual, but separate Italian and Japanese menus for the best of both worlds. On the Japanese side, there is an extensive maki menu including the Isobe roll – which features King Crab, avocado and white sesame seeds and mains include grilled angus tenderloin with sweet chilli soy and Alaskan marinated miso black cod. On the Italian menu, guests can enjoy rich black truffle ravioli or sea bass guazzetto.

Lolo, the latest venture by renowned Spanish Chef José Pizarro, has opened on Bermondsey Street next to his first London restaurant, José Tapas. Named as a playful nod to José’s middle name, Lolo embodies the warmth and joy of home-cooked meals, offering a carefully curated all-day menu filled with personal favourites and new creations. The menu is split into two parts: ‘all-day gathering’ and ‘lunch and dinner.’ The ‘all-day gathering’ menu, starting at 8am, features inventive egg dishes like Devilled Eggs with fun toppings, and the Tortilla Vigas, a playful twist on the traditional Spanish omelette. Sandwiches, including the fan-favourite Bikini, and a selection of sweets are also available. From noon, the ‘lunch and dinner’ menu offers a variety of small and large plates, crudo, and tinned fish, along with traditional Basque pintxos like Gildas. The drinks menu includes a curated selection of wines and cocktails, perfect for pairing with any meal. Whether for a leisurely breakfast, casual lunch, or evening bites, Lolo delivers a taste of José Pizarro’s culinary passion.

The Savoy Grill first opened in 1899, launching alongside the hotel it shares its name with. The Savoy was opened when theatre impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte — the man who brought together Gilbert and Sullivan — decided to launch a hotel with restaurants to complement the existing Savoy Theatre. The Grill, which has sat in its present home since 1904, has long been a celebrity favourite, feeding everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill, Errol Flynn to Elizabeth Taylor. The menu today stays true to that which was served nearly 125 years ago, with an offering that has long taken equally from the best of British and French cooking, with an influence from classic New York grills.

London’s Chinatown has something of a mixed reputation. Its not as large as others and certainly has a few spots that purely cater to tourists, but there are decent options if you want authentic Asian cuisine. The Perception at W London is in the best hotel in the area and is best known for a large disco ball that you will have almost certainly seen on social media. What’s not as well known is the restaurant here which is a charming, modern space with fantastic dishes that pay homage to the location. It’s not claiming to be a Chinese menu, but it is still very good regardless.

This eagerly anticipated 85 cover brasserie is Jason Atherton’s homage to the diverse heritage of the British Isles, blending traditional flavours with global influences. Sael will exclusively feature ingredients sourced from the British Isles, showcasing a menu that is accessible and hyper-seasonal, with interiors that exude the energy and swagger of the Cool Britannia era. Sael will feature a dynamic menu where guests can choose their base ingredient—whether vegetable or protein – cooked on the wood-fire grill—and then customise their meal with a variety of sides. The menu highlights include Orkney scallops, Cumbrian lamb, Carlingford oysters and Highland wagyu. Each dish focuses on ingredients exclusively sourced from the British Isles, inviting both Londoners and visitors to savour the finest British flavours and charcuterie from Chef Brett Graham’s farm.

Following a successful residency in Knightsbridge, Holy Carrot has now found its new home on the corner of Portobello Road, bringing its sleek yet sustainable offering to Notting Hill. The new flagship restaurant and cocktail bar, creatively combines plant forward-dining with fire and fermentation to create low-waste menus that both nourish and impress. Brainchild of Irina Linovich (former Vogue Ukraine fashion producer), Holy Carrot has gained a loyal following within the plant-based community and beyond. The menus are free from preservatives, refined sugars, additives and are led by the very best of seasonal, local produce. This innovative approach proved sustainable and wellness focused food could be both flavoursome and fashionable.

In the heart of Knightsbridge, Zuma London has been a culinary landmark in the capital for over 20 years. Blending traditional Japanese dining with modern elegance, Zuma is renowned for its izakaya dining concept that includes exceptional sushi, sashimi, and robata grill. Pair your meal with one of over 40 exclusive sake options curated especially by a Sake Sommelier.

Restaurant 1890 opened in February 2022, with a menu inspired by dishes created at the Savoy by the titan of the French cooking, Georges Auguste Escoffier. A tasting menu-only format, the glamorous and intimate restaurant serves just 24 guests. The executive head chef is James Sharp. The restaurant was recently awarded their fourth rosette by the AA – there are only nine other restaurants in London with this accolade.

We’re almost reluctant to recommend this establishment, as it’s already hard enough to get a table here. With a very small sushi counter the only seating, and no way to book apart from ringing the required phone number on a specific day and at a specific time, it’s frankly a nightmare to book. But you realise it’s worth hitting redial 50 times as soon as the first piece of sushi is placed in front of you. For somewhere so exclusive, it’s not fancy – in fact, it’s best to roll up in the type of clothes you wear to work every day. But it is unequivocally the best sushi in London. You choose your relatively affordable set menu, and then sit back and stuff your face as piece after piece of flawless sushi with warm rice and sashimi is placed in front of you. Definitely order the seared fatty tuna nigiri and the salmon sashimi.

Chef Nico Simone has come up with the perfect concept. A rotating tasting menu at bargain London prices all around delicious themes. Six by Nico have two branches in the city, and a recent launch has introduced an immersive element to the cuisine. This is a popular night out for those in-the-know and one that you can enjoy across the country too. We love the Canary Wharf branch as the surrounding area has a number of activations throughout the year.

Nestled in the corner of the vibrant streets of Soho is Firebird – a female-owned, open-fire Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar, which opened to rave reviews in June 2022. Revolutionising and elevating the culinary scene in Soho, co-founders Anna Dolgushina and Madina Kazhimova have masterfully curated an atmosphere where sophistication is met with welcoming warmth and creativity, making for an unforgettable dining experience. At Firebird, the menu revolves around open-fire cooking, with each dish created using minimal ingredients and unexpected flavour combinations. Highlights from the menu include tuna tartare with ponzu and cured egg yolk, as well as the squid, skewer with homemade tzatziki and green peas, which lightly touches the coals. Mains like scallops with truffle mashed potatoes and chicken breast with bacon jam highlight the restaurant’s bold approach to comfort and innovation. The considered and extensive wine list is harmonious to the food offering and champions small, natural, and biodynamic producers from across Europe who work their vineyards organically, with respect to nature and soil. There is also a concise cocktail list, for those looking for something headier.

This grand, European-style café and restaurant feels like the definition of a London institution, but it actually opened only in 2003. Located in the heart of Piccadilly, the imposing building is home to a chic, traditional room of dark wooden tables and waiters dresses in black and white. The menu is extensive and provides succour to everyone from whiskered old businessmen to teenybopper Instagram influencers, running the gamut from kedgeree and smoked kippers to green juice and icing sugar-dusted Danish pastries. Open all day, it’s great for any meal – although if you’re there for dinner, Culture Trip strongly recommends the steak tartare and the millefeuille. (Tip: they do pudding to take away if you’re too full to squeeze in one more mouthful.)

Tiny, packed and kept always warm by the enormous grill in the open kitchen, The Barbary is a gem in the heart of Covent Garden. The owners come from a nightclub background, and as soon as you step inside the small space, you can tell that you’ll have a great time here. You’ll probably have to wait for a table, so order an expertly mixed drink from the short menu and begin planning your order. The descriptions can be slightly short and esoteric, so ask the fantastically knowledgeable staff for a hand if you need one. The food takes inspiration from the former Barbary Coast (Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia), so it’s a wide mix. The vegetables are stellar, with fattoush being a standout – but hearts have been stolen bythe Jerusalem bagel, a U-shape of chewy white bread boiled, baked and encrusted with oily, delicious sesame seeds. It comes with zaatar, a spice mix, for dipping.

Goodbye Horses is a wine bar that’s recently opened its doors on Halliford Street. Nestled in between De Beauvoir and Islington, Goodbye Horses is part of George De Vos and Alex Young’s inaugural project including speciality coffee bar Day Trip and artisanal ice cream shop The Dreamery. The kitchen is led by ex-Papi and Planque Head Chef Jack Coggins who is bringing seasonality and sustainability to a fun menu of weekly changing sharing plates. Meanwhile, Wine Director Nathalie Nelles has carefully curated a wine list emphasising French, Italian, and Catalonian natural wines, featuring over 20 wines by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle, thanks to a 1600 sq ft cellar that will open to guests later in the year. Wine Director Nathalie Nelles has curated a list highlighting French, Italian, and Catalonian natural wines, with over 20 options by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle. The bar also boasts a 1600 sq ft cellar, set to open to guests later this year. Designed in collaboration with Swiss architect Leopold Banchini, the space emphasises local craftsmanship and natural materials. The dining experience is further elevated by a backdrop of vinyl from a 2,500-strong collection, played on a high-end sound system featuring vintage Tannoy Lancasters, ensuring a perfect balance between music and conversation.

It’s over the top and ridiculously decadent, but this is a list of the best restaurants in London, not the most restrained, and Park Chinois is a place that everyone should experience at least once. Stepping inside this luxuriously outfitted spot is like stepping into your childhood dream of what a fancy restaurant looks like. There’s velvet. There are mirrors. There are drapes. There’s lighting that makes everyone look broodingly beautiful, and there’s gold aplenty. It’s not above laughing at itself, so it’s not ridiculous, even though the level of tackiness is high. No request is too small for the impeccably polite waiters. The sea urchin and the udon carbonara are the pinnacle of what’s on offer, but the famous crispy duck is definitely worth ordering – it’s as incredible as you hope. Live music is played most nights and the bar is hopping, so you can make a night of it.

From the outside, The Sichuan looks like every neighbourhood Chinese restaurant you’ve ever seen. The decor is limited to a few red wall hangings and a mirror, and the menu is laminated. But order anything from that menu and you’ll soon be gushing as lyrically about the food as your pores will be gushing sweat from the amount of chilli and Sichuan peppercorns you’ve ingested. The menu descriptions are spare, so just put your faith in the kitchen, because there’s not a bad dish to be had. If you’re in a group, the enormous fish served draped in a fiery blanket of chillis is a unmissable option, and the lotus root is an underrated side dish. It’s not pretty and it’s not refined, but it is endlessly tasty and relatively inexpensive. Truly some of the best Chinese food in London, and comes with bragging rights when no one you know has ever heard of it.

At 17 Neal’s Yard in the heart of Seven Dials sits Story Cellar, two Michelin star Chef Tom Sellers’ second London restaurant. A continuation of the Restaurant Story brand, Story Cellar is a more casual affair, inspired by the rotisserie-style restaurants of Paris, combined with Sellers’ signature flair and a distinct London identity. With a focus on counter dining, Story Cellar serves a bistro-de-luxe menu of classic dishes, championing premium rotisserie chicken alongside a list of exceptional, rare wines.