Best Modern British restaurants in London
13 modern british restaurants recommended by London's top food sources
Modern British · Marylebone · Farringdon · Smithfield · Spitalfields
St. JOHN
A pioneering temple of nose-to-tail cooking that's shaped how London chefs think about ingredients, anchored by unmissable deep-fried rarebit and bone marrow that justify the legendary status. The cooking is uncompromisingly British and unapologetically rich—gargantuan pies and homemade doughnuts included—delivered with the kind of charisma that makes celebrity dining actually worthwhile.
Modern British · Soho · Strand/Covent Garden · Strand
Simpson's
Jeremy King's grand temple to British fine dining resurrects the ceremonial theatre of mid-century service, with silver-domed trolleys delivering enormous hunks of beef carved tableside. Steak and kidney pie, Yorkshire puddings, and roasted meats arrive in a setting that feels less like dining and more like inheriting a piece of London's culinary aristocracy.
Modern British · Golborne Road · Notting Hill · West London (W10)
Acre
Thomas Straker orchestrates an electrifying kitchen that swings between umami-rich fundamentals—think shattering smash burgers and luxurious prawn toast—and genuine culinary confidence. George Lewis's bar program matches that energy with inventive cocktails that refresh classics rather than reinvent them, creating a place where every element feels assured and purposeful.
Modern British · Bethnal Green · Leyton
Burnt
Charred meats and pastries share the spotlight at this railway arch barbecue, where smoke-kissed plates arrive alongside standout bakes that justify the hype. Weekend brunches deliver the kind of comfort that feels both nostalgic and daringly contemporary.
Modern British
Cinder
Cinder masters the art of fire-kissed cooking, delivering bold flavours and flawless technique across standout dishes like their renowned cedar plank salmon and expertly seared burgers. An exceptional-value lunch at £16 makes this one of London's smartest bets for restaurant-quality charring and balanced, confident cooking.
Modern British · Fitzrovia · Notting Hill
Core
Chef Ignacio Mattos crafts pristine, imaginative plates that justify splurging on an unforgettable evening—the kind of cooking that earns repeat visits from the city's most discerning diners. Late-night reservations reveal a playful, inventive side where technical precision meets uninhibited creativity, making every dish feel like a delightful surprise.
Modern British · Notting Hill
Dorian
Dorian delivers Michelin-caliber cooking with an open kitchen showcasing pristine ingredients and a refined dining room that justifies every penny spent. The legendary steak alone—a dish that's earned serious celebrity devotion—makes this one of the finest splurges in town.
Modern British · Lamb's Conduit · Bloomsbury
Noble Rot
Noble Rot's casual elegance and exceptional value—particularly the three-course lunch at £28—make it an easy choice for lingering over wine and bread that justifies a dedicated trip alone. The thoughtfully curated wine programme pairs seamlessly with confident cooking that never overcomplicates, delivering the kind of meal where you'll want to stay for hours.
Modern British · Soho
Quo Vadis
A venerable London landmark that shaped generations of chefs through its unwavering focus on ingredient quality and classical technique, now refreshed with rotating centenary dishes that honour its heritage. The kitchen balances British foundations with Italian and French refinement, while the puddings alone justify a visit.
Modern British · Hackney
Teal
Sally Abbey elevates British classics through meticulous technique and playful reinvention—picture raw scotch eggs with Oxford sauce and bone marrow paired with snails, culminating in marmalade ice cream sandwiches. This intimate bistro has already become the city's hottest reservation, drawing crowds eager to experience her distinctive take on familiar comfort food.
Modern British · Hackney · Islington
The Marksman
Sharp, unpretentious modern British cooking draws crowds to this Hackney favourite, where chef Billy Stock's pedigree translates into confident, well-executed dishes rather than showboating. The vibrant neighbourhood setting and no-nonsense approach make it feel like the kind of place that prioritises what's on the plate over how the room looks.
Modern British · Clerkenwell · Notting Hill
The Pelican
The Pelican executes the elevated pub concept with genuine flair, delivering refined cooking that never loses sight of honest, convivial dining. Award recognition reflects what regulars already know: this is a rare spot where ambition on the plate matches the warmth of the room.
Modern British · City/Monument · Mayfair
The Wolseley
A glamorous all-day brasserie that executes classic British comfort food with surprising refinement, from silky pies to cream slices that rival nostalgic childhood memories. The polished, elegant setting near Monument makes it an ideal spot for everything from breakfast to late dinner, where traditional dishes arrive with a modern flourish.
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