Culture & Lifestyle
21 of The Best Restaurants London Has to Offer
Looking for the perfect spot for a post-wedding dinner date? Feast your eyes on our selection of the best restaurants London has to offer right now!
10 Min Read
If there’s one thing that London does really, really well… it has to be food. Eating out in the capital is always a treat, partly because it can be whatever you want it to be! From the well-established fine dining restaurants London is famous for, to the new kids on the block, taking risks, fusing flavours and creating unforgettable dining experiences – London has something for everyone.
But if all these options start to feel a little overwhelming, don’t panic! We’re here to help. If you’re wondering where is hot to eat in London right now, we’ve got you covered. Read on and check out our list of the best restaurants London has to offer.
These are the kind of special occasions restaurants London does so well, and what occasion could be more special than marrying the love of your life? If you love the idea of celebrating with a fancy meal out in the capital, why not slip one or two of our exclusive food and drink experiences onto your Wedding Shop gift list? And don’t forget, if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant that we don’t cover just yet, you can always set up a custom fund for it.
So, without further ado, we are proud to present our list of the best restaurants in London!
London’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants
1. The Goring Dining Room, Belgravia
This Michelin star restaurant, set within the luxurious five-star London hotel The Goring, is just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace. It’s even reported to be the royal family’s restaurant of choice! Serving up the very best of traditional British food, using the finest ingredients sourced from across the British Isles, The Goring guarantees a decadent evening out along with excellent celeb spotting opportunities!
2. Marcus, Knightsbridge
Another Michelin-starred establishment, Marcus, by celebrity chef Marcus Wareing, offers a contemporary take on British and European classics. Set within the five-star Berkley Hotel, Marcus regularly tops lists of the best London restaurants and It’s not hard to see why. We recommend the tasting menu - you can choose from 5 or 7 courses – for the ultimate Marcus experience.
3. The Dysart Petersham, Richmond
When it comes to high-end restaurants, West London has a lot to offer. But the Dysart is one of our favourites. Family-owned and run, it’s located in leafy Petersham, just off Richmond Park, which gives it that rustic, country village feeling. Yet it’s just half an hour from Mayfair! It boasts a Michelin star and serves up modern British fare, made using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
Why not add a tasting menu for two at the Dysart Petersham to your gift list for a Michelin star experience?
4. Elystan Street, Chelsea
Consistently ranked amongst the best restaurants London has to offer, Michelin-starred Elystan Street in Chelsea offers pure, seasonal, ingredient-led dishes that are gimmick-free and guaranteed to please. The relaxed, contemporary dining room ensures a warm welcome and a thoroughly unpretentious atmosphere – perfect for a laid-back yet luxurious dinner date.
The Best Italian Restaurants in London
5. Manteca, Shoreditch
One of the top restaurants in east London, Manteca specialises in hand-rolled pasta and nose-to-tail butchery – making delicious use of the whole animal so that nothing goes to waste. The menu celebrates the best of Italian cooking, with a wine and cocktail list to match. And there’s even an in-house salumeria – a classic Italian deli, so you can take home a taste of Italy with you.
6. Trullo, Islington
A hidden treasure in the heart of Islington, North London locals all agree that Trullo is one of the best restaurants London has to offer. Set up as a classic Italian trattoria, it serves up a simple, seasonally focused, Italian-inspired menu that changes daily. Featuring fresh pasta, hand-rolled to order as well as meat and fish grilled to perfection over hot charcoals, this is one of those places you’ll go back to again and again.
Don’t miss: The chef’s signature pappardelle with 8-hour beef shin ragu.
Best Indian Restaurants London Has To Offer
7. The Cinnamon Club, Westminster
This is Indian food, but probably not as you know it! Step into the Cinnamon Club and enter the decadent world of Indian fine dining. Set in a historic grade 2 listed building – the former Westminster Library – The Cinnamon Club is led by BBC Saturday Kitchen regular, Chef Vivek Singh.
His innovative menu is grounded in Indian culinary traditions and infused with bold European influences. It’s truly one of the best restaurants in the West End AND they offer early and late dining options – ideal if you’re planning dinner and a show in London. Or, why not add a six course tasting menu at The Cinnamon Club to your wedding registry?
8. Benares, Mayfair
Consistently ranked as one of the best Indian restaurants in London, Benares boasts a Michelin star and offers a modern Indian menu, designed to change the way people experience Indian cuisine. Elegant interiors lend the experience a sense of glamour and the food does not disappoint! There’s also an award-winning cocktail bar attached – perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks.
Why not add a tasting menu for two at Benares to your wedding gift list?
9. Quilon, Victoria
For a taste of southwest India, there’s no better place to eat in London than Michelin-starred, Quilon. Celebrating the light, subtly spiced flavours the region is famous for, this place offers up a coastal-inspired menu with seafood at its heart. Dishes are designed for sharing and we can’t recommend the tasting menu enough to experience the full depth & breadth of this unique cuisine.
10. Brick Lane
So, we know what you’re going to say… Brick Lane is a street, not a restaurant. And you’re absolutely right. But we couldn’t not include it! If you’re thinking about the best restaurants in east London – especially the best INDIAN restaurants – then a lot of them are right here.
If you can’t choose just one (we get it – they’re all SO GOOD!) why not book your own private foodie tour and sample all the best curries, street food and traditional Indian sweets that Brick Lane has to offer?
Most Unique London Dining Experiences
11. Rules, Covent Garden
One of the most famous restaurants in London also happens to be the oldest! Rules in Covent Garden has been operating in the same Central London location since 1798 and lays claim to the title of the oldest restaurant in London. Serving up traditional British classics done to perfection, the food is hearty and wholesome and the décor is pure heritage. This iconic London institution has even been featured on the big screen - see if you can spot it on Downton Abbey and in James Bond’s Spectre!
12. Dans Le Noir?, Clerkenwell
Ever wondered what it would be like to dine completely in the dark? Well, at Dans Le Noir?, that’s the concept! When you arrive, you’ll choose whether you’d like to eat the meat, fish, vegetarian or ‘chef’s special’ menu.
You’ll then be led to your table in pitch darkness by one of the restaurant’s dedicated blind waiters. Featured in the Richard Curtis movie About Time, half the fun is trying to figure out what you’re eating and the best bit – nobody can see you lick your plate clean!
13. Caravel, Hoxton
A whimsical floating eatery set on a restored barge (called Poppy!) on Regent’s Canal. For our money, Caravel is one of the best restaurants London has for a truly romantic and memorable date night. Run by brothers Fin & Lorcan Spiteri – sons of two of London’s most renowned restauranteurs (Melanie Arnold, of Rochelle Canteen & Jon Spiteri, of Session Arts Club fame), they offer up a modern and super playful take on classic British & European cuisine. A night out not to be missed!
Best French Restaurants In London
14. Cigalon, Holborn
A celebration of contemporary French cuisine, located on London’s Chancery Lane. Cigalon showcases the very best of sunny Provencal cooking, boasting a highly seasonal menu which changes every month. Enjoy your meal in the light, airy dining room with a stunning vaulted glass ceiling, then slip next door to Baranis – the adjoining Riviera-inspired cocktail bar for a post-dinner drink and a game of pétanque!
If you like the sound of Cigalon, why not add the Four-Course Dinner Experience to your gift list?
15. Galvin La Chapelle, The City
legant French cuisine, sumptuous surroundings, impeccable service and a Michelin star to boot! Galvin La Chapelle is set in an impressive 19th-century school chapel, complete with large arched windows and high stone ceilings. Take in the ambience of this magical location, just moments away from Liverpool St station and tuck into a menu of traditional French favourites, elevated by unique modern flourishes.
16. Alain Ducasse At The Dorchester, Mayfair
If you’re looking to mark an extra special occasion (first wedding anniversary, anyone?) with a truly lavish meal out, Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester offers the ultimate dining experience for two. Awarded three Michelin stars (the highest possible score!), you can expect unrivalled haute couture dining, in an elegantly informal setting. It’s truly one of the best restaurants London can boast of!
Upgrade your date night by adding Alain Ducasse Dining Experience to your gift list for a one of a kind event!
London’s Best Middle Eastern & African Restaurants
17. Chishuru, Brixton
One of the best restaurants south London can boast is local Brixton fave, Chishuru - one of the rising stars of the London restaurant scene. In fact, Time Out voted it the best London restaurant in 2022! Black woman-owned and run, British-Nigerian chef Adejoké Bakare serves seriously firey West African flavours, done in a comforting home style of cooking. Served as a set menu only, you’ll have the pleasure of sampling some of the best contemporary West African food.
18. Honey And Co, Bloomsbury
Enter Honey and Co to enjoy a taste of the middle east along with the warmest welcome and friendliest team in the business! Owned and run by husband-and-wife team Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich, you can feel the love that goes into every dish here. Drop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner and don’t forget to save room for dessert – the feta and honey cheesecake is the stuff of legends!
19. Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, Soho
Centrally located in Carnaby’s Kingly Court, this is the first permanent London location of Syrian restauranteur Imad Alarnab. Imad was forced to flee his home following the bombing of his three successful restaurants in Damascus. He made his way across Europe, sharing his cooking skills with fellow refugees along the way, and eventually found his way to London. Drop in for classic Syrian favourites with a fresh modern twist – we think it’s one of the best lunch spots London has to offer!
Best Restaurants London Has For Afternoon Tea
20. Oblix At The Shard, Southwark
Don’t look down! Located on the 32nd floor of the shard, Oblix East offers award-winning cocktails and afternoon tea along with stunning panoramic views over the London skyline. Their glamorous, contemporary take on afternoon tea is inspired by London’s eclectic boroughs – featuring chai spices from Brick Lane and honeycomb from bees in Harrow.
Add the Bottomless Champagne Afternoon Tea at Oblix to your wedding gift list for an unforgettable experience!
21. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Knightsbridge
The Rosebery at the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park is home to one of London’s most fashionable afternoon tea experiences. Choose from a selection of the world’s finest teas, paired with specially created sandwiches, scones and hand-made pastries. Set in stylish Knightsbridge, it’s the perfect place to indulge in a bit of celeb spotting while you sip your speciality tea!
If you like the sound of afternoon tea, why not add an experience at Mandarin Oriental to your wedding gift list?
Big Night In
And last but certainly not least, if you love our list of the best restaurants London has to offer, why not create the luxury restaurant experience in the comfort of your own home! First, set the scene with an elegant dinner landscape - think designer glassware, cutlery, fine dishware and table accessories. Next, slip a cheeky COOK gift voucher onto your Wedding Shop wish list to have a delicious, ready-made meal shipped direct to your door. Then finish off with wine and chocolates for the ideal DIY dinner date!
So, whether you choose one from our list of the best restaurants London has to offer, you pick one of your own personal faves or you choose to create your own restaurant experience at home, we wish you the most magical post-wedding dinner date. After all that wedding planning, you and your love truly deserve the luxury meal out of your dreams!