London
This week's picks
5 April 2026
Most mentioned this week
TrendingRecommended by multiple independent sources — the ones rising to the top.
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.
Mexican · Peckham · Hackney Wick · Peckham Rye
Guacamoles
Hand-rolled tortillas wrapped around meticulously sourced pork—whether it's the caramelised El Pastor or fall-apart carnitas—prove that exceptional Mexican street food doesn't require a sit-down restaurant. The guacamole is genuinely fresh and the prices absurdly fair, making this a genuine local favourite that's spawned a cult following from Peckham to Hackney Wick.
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.
Italian · Islington · Highbury
Trullo
Fifteen years of unwavering excellence have made this the gold standard for grown-up Italian dining, anchored by a beef shin ragù that's become legendary in its own right. Chef Conor Gadd's refined approach to Italian cooking creates the kind of candlelit, deeply satisfying meals that justify the restaurant's enduring reputation.
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.
Just spotted
New this weekFreshly recommended by a trusted source in the last 7 days.
Malaysian · Euston · Soho
Roti King
Roti King nails the fundamentals with pillowy, hand-stretched roti canai and deeply fragrant curry dal that justify its cult status among London's Malaysian food devotees. For a tenner, you're getting the kind of technical precision and ingredient quality that would cost twice as much elsewhere, making this cramped basement spot near Euston an absolute steal.
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.
Mexican · Mayfair · Regent Street
Fonda
Fonda delivers regionally authentic Mexican cooking with such precision that each dish demands to be savored, backed by staff who genuinely understand their ingredients and know how to guide you through the menu. While execution is generally stellar, it's worth approaching with curiosity—the kitchen doesn't always hit the same mark across every offering.
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.
French · Soho
Duck Soup
The Camille team's French-focused venture delivers refined bistro cooking with serious technique and restraint. Inventive cocktails built around house-made pickled liqueurs elevate the drinking experience beyond the expected.
French · Borough Market · Shoreditch
Camille
Camille channels French fundamentals through the playful lens of the Duck Soup team, proving Borough Market can still surprise. Chef Elliot Hashtroudi's inventive hand shines in audacious dishes like a stuffed trotter glazed in bone, where liver and peppermint collide with the kind of confidence that elevates offal to art.
Bakery · South London
Toad Bakery
Toad Bakery has earned recognition as one of Britain's top 50 bakeries, crafting pastries with European precision—think flaky, intricately layered Danishes and inventive hybrids like the everything bagel cross that blur category lines. It's the kind of place where the mayor keeps a standing order, drawn back by custard-filled blueberry creations and an obsessive attention to flavor that matches the technical skill.
Burgers · Tottenham
Jupiter Burger
Jupiter Burger brings its celebrated patties north for a limited Easter run, delivering some of the city's most compelling handiwork between two buns. This brief Tottenham stint is your chance to taste what's made the Hackney original a neighbourhood fixture.
Thai · Soho
Kiln
Kiln delivers theatrical, fire-driven cooking that matches its bold flavors—especially a numbing jungle curry that justifies the hype. Smart pricing and inventive dishes (quirky names included) make this counter spot an exciting, accessible take on Thai cuisine.
Pub · Soho
The Devonshire
The Devonshire resurrects the charm of Victorian-era comfort food with surprising sophistication, proving that nostalgic British fare needn't be humble. Under Oisín Rogers' direction, it transforms schoolyard memories into something genuinely craveable—all wrapped in period aesthetics that feel lived-in rather than theatrical.
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.
Pakistani · Tooting · Whitechapel
Lahor Karahi
No-frills Pakistani cooking that delivers astonishing value, especially the famous kebab rolls stuffed with tender lamb and fresh naan for under three quid. Bold, authentic curries and street food that punches far above its price point make this a genuine local legend.
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 · 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.
Bakery/Deli · Bethnal Green
Dusty Knuckle
A brilliant bakery that transforms exceptional sourdough into craveable comfort food, most memorably a £11 cheese toastie layering British, Swiss, and Italian cheeses with kimchi for an unexpectedly gooey, complex bite. This is the kind of place where local food experts congregate—not for fussy technique, but for honest, elevated basics done brilliantly.
Matcha · Covent Garden · King's Cross
Frothee
Frothee has turned matcha into a destination, with its vibrant drinks and devoted following now extending beyond its original home to a fresh West End outpost. The cult appeal lies in taking the green tea category seriously—elevated execution and genuine quality have transformed what could be a fleeting trend into something with real staying power.
Not specified · Newington Green · Green Lanes
The Golden Tooth
The team behind beloved Hackney hotspot Papi has channeled their knack for vibrant, unpretentious dining into this Green Lanes newcomer, reclaiming a storied space with fresh purpose. Expect the same confident execution and infectious energy that made their original venture a neighborhood fixture.
Caribbean · Brixton
2210
Chef Nati Canook elevates Caribbean cooking with French precision, delivering dishes like jerk chicken and smoked lamb with baba ganoush that feel both rooted and inventive. A newly Michelin-recognised kitchen that reflects the chef's remarkable journey and uncompromising approach to flavor.
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.
On our radar
This monthSpotted by a single trusted source in the last 30 days.
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.
Greek · Marylebone
Taverna Ermou
Taverna Ermou delivers unpretentious Greek cooking across the full day, from crispy, sugar-dusted pastries at breakfast to seafood dishes like prawn saganaki that showcase ingredient quality and technique. The wine list reflects the same thoughtful curation that defines the broader Ergon group, pairing intelligently with food that honors traditional flavors without sacrificing modernity.
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.
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