Also browse
Persian · Mayfair · Soho · Borough Market
Berenjak
A restaurant that always delivers with consistently excellent food. Persian cuisine that truly earns the hype, especially the hummus. Beautiful dining room with excellent Persian classics like silky black chickpea hummus and chicken Olivieh, plus creative new dishes like tahdig with ox cheek curry and double lamb chops with charred Iranian spices. Bigger and more comfortable than its sibling restaurants, making equally delicious Persian food. The feasting is exceptional with koobideh that will live in your head forever. This Persian restaurant has significantly elevated its glamorous ambiance and dining experience.
Welsh · Peckham
Bara
Bara champions gutsy Welsh cooking in Peckham through obsessively sourced ingredients and unfussy execution—expect lobster rolls that sell out by noon and ingenious riffs like Caerphilly cheesesteaks and smoked tofu XO on laverbread that prove Welsh cuisine deserves far more than niche reverence. The thick-set pancakes and leek bubble-and-squeak focaccia reveal the kind of generational recipe knowledge that only comes from genuine family roots, delivered with the kind of hospitality that keeps queues forming through service.
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.
Italian · Chelsea · Mayfair · Marylebone
Sale e Pepe
A decades-old Roman institution that perfected the art of elegant Italian dining now showcases its seafood mastery from within The Langham, trading nostalgic charm for polished luxury. Expect pristine carpaccios, charred octopus, and towering plateaux of langoustines and oysters—the kind of refined coastal cooking that justifies white tablecloths and serious prices.
Basque · Kingly Court · Soho
Alta
Rob Roy Cameron channels a decade of Spanish mastery into primal open-fire cooking that marries Basque tradition with British larder—expect sardine empanadas that sparked social media frenzy alongside squid sagotelli, smoked cheddar doughnuts, and venison kissed with juniper smoke. The kitchen's reverence for both flame and ingredient quality elevates what could be rustic into something genuinely thrilling, from cured meat boards to a Basque cheesecake that justifies the pilgrimage alone.
Italian · Shoreditch · Covent Garden
Burro
Conor Gadd's confident hand with Italian cooking shines through daily-changing antipasti and standout pastas like fettuccini with duck ragù, while the kitchen's knack for humble ingredients—think braised beef shin with polenta—reveals real depth. The dining room splits the difference between Irish country kitchen and 1950s Italian bistro, creating a warm, unpretentious setting that matches the food's generosity.
Mexican · Fitzrovia
Cometa
Cometa reinvents Mexican seafood through unexpected combinations—think lobster flautas with silky bean purée or crab chilpachole rice crowned with smoked eel cream—that feel both inventive and grounded. The kitchen's sophisticated approach to coastal Mexican flavors, anchored by pristine ingredients and bold technique, delivers dishes that genuinely surprise without sacrificing soul.
Georgian · Mayfair
DakaDaka
Charred British meats and vegetables meet Georgian spice at this fire-powered kitchen, backed by a sommelier's expertly chosen Georgian wine list that charts centuries of winemaking tradition. The rowdy, high-energy dining room channels a Tbilisi dive bar—all live flames, loud traditional music, and the kind of atmosphere that demands you stay late and eat more.
Sri Lankan with Indian twist · Soho · Shoreditch · Marylebone · King's Cross
Hoppers
Hoppers delivers Sri Lankan cooking that sings through fragrant curries paired with their namesake fermented rice pancakes, each with a molten yolk perfect for soaking up bold sauces and rich bone marrow gravies. The stripped-back dining room in Shoreditch becomes secondary to what matters: expertly executed comfort food that tastes like it's been perfected over generations.
Transnational · Soho · North London
Impala
Chef Meedu Saad channels his heritage and training through charcoal-cooked dishes that blend North African boldness with European refinement, creating something entirely his own. The counter seating and inventive menu—from Egyptian spiced meats to Welsh lamb—make it equally suited for casual drop-ins and memorable celebrations.
Italian · Soho
Osteria Vibrato
Charlie Mellor's precise hand elevates regional Italian cooking—think Ligurian salt cod and Abruzzo seafood stews—into something worth marking your calendar for. The pumpkin cappelletti and chicken liver paté showcase a kitchen that knows exactly what it's doing, backed by an equally thoughtful wine and cocktail program.
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.
Thai · Shoreditch
Smoking Goat
Fiery fish sauce chicken wings and inventive wok work define this buzzy Thai spot, where bold Southeast Asian flavours are executed with real precision. The energy peaks on weekends, but the pork with Chinese olives and razor-sharp seafood dishes justify any night's visit.
South Indian / Curry · Soho
Tamila
Tamila brings explosive South Indian flavors to Poland Street, where fiery curries and freshly made rotis command attention alongside inventive cocktails like the Gunpowder Margarita. The kitchen moves beyond the expected with tandoor-fired dishes and Tamil barbecue that prove there's far more to the region's cuisine than what you'll find elsewhere.
Mediterranean · Pimlico
Wildflowers
Wildflowers excels at unhurried Mediterranean cooking in an intimate setting that practically begs for lingering over a meal with someone special. The garlic-stuffed mussels alone justify the trip, but it's the romantic atmosphere that transforms a good dish into an unforgettable evening.
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.
Abruzzo / Italian · London Fields
Auguste
Auguste channels the rustic spirit of Abruzzo through charred skewers and handmade pasta that punches above its casual standing-counter format, with the crème fraîche-topped capoletti in lamb broth standing out as a standby. Swing by on Wednesdays when cut-price martinis and camparinos make this already sharp neighbourhood spot an even smarter move.
Classic Brasserie / French · Fitzrovia
Brasserie Angelica
Brasserie Angelica nails classic French dining with impeccable execution—think buttery steaks crowned in bone marrow jus and a theatrical sandwich trolley—while its cinnamon doughnuts provide the perfect finale. The adjoining Gambit Bar extends the evening with late-night cocktails and DJ sets, making this an elegant spot that refuses to take itself too seriously.
French Bistro · Queens Park · Queen's Park
Don't Tell Dad
By day it's a neighbourhood bakery; by night it transforms into an intimate French bistro where small and large plates reflect genuine craft rather than pretense. The oxtail crumpet alone justifies a visit, but the real appeal is this deliberately unpretentious space that somehow manages to feel both effortless and considered.
Modern European · Notting Hill
Dove
Creative small plates showcase unexpected combinations—cuttlefish with lemongrass on toast and tuna ragu pasta—while the pastry program rivals the savory offerings with standout apple cider doughnuts and silky chocolate mousse. Dive in for the neighbourhood charm and the occasional special burger collaboration that reminds you why this place feels essential.
Bakery · Soho · Fitzrovia
Fred
Fred's pastries—from chocolate pain suisse to potato cruffin—are engineered for precision, hitting that rare sweet spot between indulgence and restraint that justifies their premium. The viral tiramisu latte pairs perfectly with a quick, refined lunch that doesn't sacrifice craft for convenience.
Steakhouse · Tamworth · Marble Arch · Marylebone
Hell's Kitchen
A high-octane carnivore's paradise where Gordon Ramsay's theatrical approach to fine dining meets an unflinching commitment to exceptional beef, anchored by the showstopping beef wellington. The open kitchen transforms your meal into dinner theater, with precision-driven technique on full display in every seared steak and carefully constructed plate.
Seafood · St. James's
Jul's
Jul strips Mediterranean dining down to its oceanic essentials, channeling the sleek menace of a Bond villain's lair through moody design and an impressive pedigree across Ibiza and Athens. Expect seafood treated with theatrical precision—the kind of place where every plate arrives looking like it could seduce or betray you.
Japanese · Soho
Kumori
Kumori's debut in Soho announces itself with textural audacity—crispy hand rolls that shatter between your teeth before melting into umami-rich fillings. A hot newcomer that respects sushi tradition while refusing to play it safe.
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.
French / New York Bistro · Shoreditch
One Club Row
Intimate cocktail den where 42 guests gather in a converted townhouse to chase the perfect martini, served with theatrical flair from towering vessels. Live piano accompanies the kind of effortless elegance and convivial chaos that defines a proper Mayfair night out.
Around the World / Sharing · Liverpool St · City
Poolhouse
Poolhouse delivers a boozy, nostalgic escape with Three Sheets cocktails and billiards that keeps the party rolling well past midnight. The retro-glam setup and perpetual happy-hour energy make it an essential late-night destination for those chasing that "what time is it?" kind of night.
Chinese · Chinatown
San Hao
San Hao elevates hand-pulled noodles by marrying them with seasonal British ingredients, creating dishes that feel both rooted in tradition and distinctly contemporary. The chilli crab noodles studded with golden roe, coupled with their crispy pork buns and sticky plum spare ribs, arrive in a refreshingly spacious dining room where you can actually secure a seat.
British Bistro · Old Street · Shoreditch
Tavern
A fresh British bistro concept has claimed the Shoreditch space where Nest once stood, arriving with enough momentum to make the neighbourhood's dining scene sit up and take notice. The kitchen signals serious intent, delivering the kind of cooking that justifies the early hype and warrants an immediate reservation.
Caribbean · Dalston
The Good Front Room
A Dalston destination where Five Star Kitchen champion Dom Taylor transforms Caribbean cuisine into something inventive and refined, moving far beyond tradition with dishes like rum-glazed pork belly and reimagined saltfish cakes. Bold flavours—think scotch bonnet hollandaise and playful spice work—prove that modern Caribbean cooking thrives on creative technique without losing its soul.
Pub · Marylebone
The Hart
The Hart occupies a beautifully appointed upper floor where hand-painted ceilings and a fireplace create an intimate backdrop for serious dining. It's the latest proof that London's most exciting pub group knows how to elevate casual hospitality into something genuinely refined.
Pub · The City
The Horsemen & Fitzgerald's
Horsemen & Fitzgerald's brings an offbeat horse-themed twist to classic Irish-American cooking, making it feel like a genuinely distinctive neighborhood spot rather than another predictable pub. The marriage of whimsical concept and straightforward, satisfying food creates the kind of place that surprises—worth seeking out before it becomes the obvious choice.
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.
Get more recommendations every week
Join the waitlist →