All-Time Best
Core by Clare Smyth
Core by Clare Smyth
Impeccable modern British cuisine with sustainability at heart. Clare Smyth's three-Michelin-star flagship is elegant, warm, and serves dishes like the famous 'Potato and Roe'.
Highlights
- 3 Michelin Stars
- Sustainable British produce
- Elegant dining room
The Ledbury
The Ledbury
Brett Graham's Notting Hill institution is renowned for its focus on game and seasonal British ingredients, delivered with flawless two-star technique.
Highlights
- 2 Michelin Stars
- Famous game dishes
- Exceptional service
Dishoom
Dishoom
Paying homage to the Irani cafes of Bombay, Dishoom is a London phenomenon. Come for the Bacon Naan Roll at breakfast or the House Black Daal at dinner.
Highlights
- House Black Daal
- Bacon Naan Roll
- Colonial Bombay aesthetic
Brat
Brat
Tomos Parry's wood-fired cooking takes inspiration from the Basque country. The open fire grill produces incredible depth of flavor, with the whole turbot being the signature dish.
Highlights
- Whole grilled turbot
- Wood-fired oven
- Buzzing atmosphere
The Clove Club
The Clove Club
Isaac McHale's acclaimed Shoreditch restaurant serves inventive modern British tasting menus in a converted town hall. The precision cooking and bold flavors have earned global recognition.
Highlights
- World's 50 Best Restaurants
- Inventive tasting menus
- Historic town hall setting
St. John
St. John
Fergus Henderson's legendary 'nose-to-tail' eating philosophy lives here. The whitewashed room is the perfect backdrop for honest, robust British cooking. The Roast Bone Marrow is essential.
Highlights
- Roast Bone Marrow
- Madeleines
- Michelin Star
Sketch
Sketch
An artist-conceived dining destination. Whether it's afternoon tea in the Gallery or three-star dining in the Lecture Room & Library, Sketch is a feast for the eyes and the palate.
Highlights
- Iconic interiors
- Egg toilets
- Multiple dining rooms
Gymkhana
Gymkhana
Inspired by the colonial gymkhana clubs of India, this Michelin-starred restaurant serves spectacular tandoori grills and chatpatta dishes in a clubby, wood-paneled room.
Highlights
- Michelin Star
- Muntjac Biryani
- Classic cocktails
Padella
Padella
Fresh, hand-rolled pasta served at incredibly accessible prices. The queue is famous, but the pici cacio e pepe and beef shin ragu are absolutely worth the wait.
Highlights
- Fresh pasta
- Cacio e Pepe
- Borough Market location
The Wolseley
The Wolseley
A grand cafe in the European tradition, housed in a 1920s car showroom. It's the definitive spot for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a schnitzel in a bustling, glamorous setting.
Highlights
- Grand architecture
- All-day dining
- Perfect breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions
Soho and Covent Garden are fantastic for variety and buzz. Shoreditch offers trendy, casual spots. Borough is unbeatable for market food, and Mayfair is the home of high-end fine dining.
Yes, for popular spots and fine dining, booking weeks or even months in advance is essential. However, many casual places like Padella or Dishoom operate on a walk-in basis (expect queues).
A discretionary service charge of 12.5% is usually added to the bill in restaurants. If it's added, you don't need to tip extra. If not, a 10-15% tip is customary.
Don't miss a traditional Sunday Roast with Yorkshire pudding, Fish and Chips, an Indian curry (London's 'second national dish'), and a classic Afternoon Tea.
London is generally relaxed. 'Smart casual' works almost everywhere. Jeans are fine in most high-end places if paired with a smart shirt or top, though some very formal venues may require a jacket for men.