The 17 Best Restaurants in London (2024 edition)
Written by Giulia Daniele May 2023, updated January 2024
It's no secret that London is one of the world's most diverse cities. But have you tried its food? That's what truly sets it apart from the rest. From Michelin-starred venues and famous chefs to design-led restaurants and artistic diners, the capital's gastronomic scene is second to none.
Read on to learn more about London's top 17 restaurants, where culinary wonders and great art come together to create a world of their own.
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Best Restaurants London
1. Sketch Gallery, Mayfair
Sketch Gallery, often ranked among London's most artistic restaurants, is a feast for the eyes. Its fascinating past includes being the former site of the headquarters of Christian Dior's London-based licensee, the fashion house of Hardy Amies, in the 1960s.
The restaurant now houses five different eateries, where diners can enjoy sophisticated French-inspired cuisine amid a stunning art collection. David Shrigley's prints and ceramics, along with vibrant pink furniture and a lush landscaped floor by Alexandra Kehayoglou, create an unforgettable ambiance.
Price range: $$$$
Address: 9 Conduit St.
2. Evelyn's Table, Soho
Tucked behind Piccadilly Circus, underneath The Blue Posts pub, Evelyn's Table was awarded its first Michelin star in 2022 - and it's no surprise why. This intimate venue has been making a name for itself in the British gastronomic scene thanks to its ever-changing menu and sleek interiors.
With two sittings per evening, all ingredients are sourced from the British Isles and re-invented with an Asian twist. Take the narrow staircase down and get ready for a unique dining experience.
Price range: $$$
Address: 28 Rupert St.
3. Sessions Arts Club, Farringdon
This restaurant's name perfectly reflects its concept: fine dining in an art gallery space. Located on the 18th floor of a Grade II-listed landmark in Clerkenwell, this elegant Palladian-style ex-courthouse is run by Chef Florence Knight and combines stunning design with a stellar menu.
The impeccably presented dishes feature simple yet flavorful ingredients inspired by British, French, and Italian cuisine. Guests can dine in the main dining room or on the rooftop terrace, which offers sweeping views of the capital. Either choice is sure to impress!
Price range: $$$
Address: 24 Clerkenwell Grn.
4. Bacchanalia, Mayfair
Filled to the brim with impressive art, Bacchanalia is a must-visit. This Greek-Mediterranean restaurant was designed by Martin Brudnizki and is an ode to life and its simple pleasures. It's a feast for all the senses, where delicious food and beautiful frescos meet to shape a truly unique space.
The four imposing sculptures by Damien Hirst dominate the scene and accompany visitors on a journey through ancient Greece. Tuck into the rich menu with seasonal dishes to die for.
Price range: $$$
Address: 1-3 Mount St.
5. Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, Mayfair
Six-time Michelin-starred Chef Hélène Darroze and her beautifully designed venue at the Connaught are not to be missed. The restaurant was awarded three Michelin stars as a homage to Chef Hélène's unique French cooking techniques and the bold, seasonal flavours she pairs.
The signature dish? The chicken from her native Les Landes in South West France. The pastel tones and elegant furniture give this venue a unique charm.
Price range: $$$$
Address: Carlos Pl.
Looking for art in London? Read our article on the best art and photography museums in London
6. Ave Mario, Covent Garden
Think decadent red banquettes, psychedelic duomo-striped walls, and neon-lit ceilings. This is what Ave Mario is about. If you're a fan of Italian cuisine (and you're not alone!), this restaurant is your go-to.
Part of the Big Mamma Group, the venue promises delicious pasta-based dishes and an endless selection of cocktails. Yes, endless. In fact, the bar is framed with 3,500 bottles, meaning the choice is all yours.
Price range: $$
Address: 15 Henrietta St.
7. Hide, Mayfair
Hide won its first Michelin star just months after opening, and it's easy to see why. The restaurant opened in 2018 and is run by Ollie Dabbous in partnership with Hedonism Wines.
The three floors are designed with the idea of 'dwelling' in mind, connected by a swirling wooden staircase that steals the scene. The GROUND serves British-inspired dishes, the BELOW is a wine cellars and cocktail bar, while the ABOVE focuses on a nine-course tasting menu.
Price range: $$$
Address: 85 Piccadilly
8. Brasserie of Light, Selfridges
Everything in this restaurant is worthy of note, but let's start with the impressive 24ft crystal-encrusted Pegasus sculpture by Damien Hirst. This scene-stealer dangling over the dining room is Hirst's largest-scale artwork. But the venue itself is a work of art.
It was designed by Martin Brudnizki's brainchild and celebrates Art Deco at its finest. The ultra-chic design and mirrors create space and light, paired with the sleek dark blue velvet furniture.
Price range: $$
Address: 400 Oxford St.
9. Sexy Fish, Mayfair
As the name suggests, this Japanese-inspired restaurant is sexy, and aquatic elements are the protagonist. Never has a better combo existed! This original venue was launched in 2017 and designed by Martin Brudnizki.
It is home to artworks by Frank Gehry, Michael Roberts, and the ever-present Damien Hirst. The aquatic-themed décor reigns supreme, with a bronze relief panel featuring a mermaid and a shark, complemented by onyx flooring and raspberry-leather seating.
Price range: $$$$
Address: Berkeley Square House
10. Core by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill
Clare Smyth is an institution in London's gastronomic scene. She was named the World's Best Female Chef, and her restaurant was awarded three Michelin stars in 2020. The venue is serene and clean, with white walls and colourful knick-knacks.
The elegant and intimate atmosphere reflects the simplicity yet sophistication of the menu, which focuses on natural and sustainable food. All ingredients are sourced from British farmers and food producers and twisted in Clare Smyth's unique style.
Price range: $$$$
Address: 92 Kensington Park Rd.
11. Berners Tavern, Fitzrovia
With its huge dangling chandelier, high ceilings and an endless collection of portraits, Berners Tavern never fails to impress. Jason Atherton's upmarket British restaurant promises an excellent menu, including starters, sides, fish and meat-based dishes and plates to share.
If you fancy a cocktail, you're in luck. There is also a wide choice of champagnes and wines to pick from. Whatever your tastes, Berners Tavern at the EDITION London is simply a guarantee.
Price range: $$$$
Address: 10 Berners St.
12. Bob Bob Cité, The City
Make yourself at home in the booth, find the button and 'Press for Champagne'. This is what Bob Bob Cité does best – offer its guests a unique culinary journey. This brasserie serves British and French classics, from Caviar and Duck Confit to Beef Wellington and the iconic Tatin tart.
Everything in the design screams luxury and opulence. The dining room is filled with booths in a long train-carriage formation leading to a rouge salon that can be booked for private events.
Price range: $$$$
Address: Level 3, 122 Leadenhall St.
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13. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Hyde Park
Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck has made the top three of the World's Best 50 Restaurants for seven years, meaning there is not much he can't get. With Dinner, he wanted to set the scene for British classics to shine on their own. They are proper-sized, hearty and full of flavours, reimagined in a 21st-century way.
The menu starts with the signature meat-fruit – chicken liver pâté in a speckled orange gel. The venue is simple and modern, just like its dishes.
Price range: $$$$
Address: 66 Knightsbridge
14. Boyds Grill & Wine Bar at The Grand
Its marble-clad Victorian interior and unique artwork make Boyds Grill & Wine Bar among London's best design-led restaurants. The painting is courtesy of Donnagh McKenna and is called 'Haidhausen'.
This modern British brasserie at the Grand hotel serves tasty food and even better wines and offers a chic yet laid-back atmosphere. Try the marinated beef bavette or the battered Scottish cod and end your meal with one of the mouth-watering desserts.
Price range: $$$
Address: 8 Northumberland Ave
15. The Vault Bar & Lounge at the Ned, The City
Founded in 2017, the Ned is an architectural wonder in its own right. It's home to seven restaurants and three bars serving food from around the world. The Vaults Bar & Lounge is in the Parlour on the building's lower ground floor. This intimate jazz and cabaret venue boasts a vast selection of cocktails and live music performances year-round.
The design is modern and sleek, with red, yellow and blue velvet armchairs and dangling lamps. But it's the main entrance that makes the difference. You'll feel like stepping into a giant steel safe, welcomed by the experienced and friendly staff.
Price range: $$$
Address: 27 Poultry, London
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16. Claude Bosi at Bibendum, South Kensington
Love French cuisine? Bibendum is hard to beat. Chef Claude Bosi brought his passion for his food all the way to London, and this venue conceptualises it to perfection. The restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars and features a menu that is unapologetically French.
Try classics like the foie gras wrapped in mini waffle cones and tripe and cuttlefish gratin while sipping one of the cocktails. The décor is simple and elegant, with beautiful stained-glass windows and artwork framing the main dining room.
Price range: $$$$
Address: Michelin House, 81 Fulham Rd.
17. Mount St Restaurant, Mayfair
The Mount St Restaurant, located in Mayfair, offers a unique experience that blends art and cuisine. The restaurant showcases a stunning collection of masterpieces by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Matisse, Lucian Freud, and Picasso, valued at £50 million. The exquisite art is complemented by a stellar menu, expertly crafted by a select few.
Chef Jamie Shears brings a fresh perspective to traditional British classics, creating innovative and exciting dishes that are sure to delight. Among the restaurant's most popular dishes is the Beef Wellington, which has become a firm favorite among guests. Overall, the Mount St Restaurant is a must-visit destination for art and food lovers alike.
Price range: $$$
Address: First Floor, 41-43 Mount St.
Looking for architecture and design in London? Read our article on the best architecture and design in London
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