The best restaurants in St James's

Part of an international chain that attracts a matching clientele, restaurateur Costas Spiliadis’s London outpost shows off a ‘market’ of Mediterranean fish. From the raw bar, you might choose oysters or tuna sashimi, while the list of classics features octopus, calamari and cuttlefish. The dining room is splendid too.

Formerly residing on the King’s Road, Chutney Mary is now one of St James’s sumptuously decorated jewels. From the opulently lit dining room to the jewel-like Pukka Bar, renowned for its signature saffron Martinis, it remains the ultimate gold standard for celebratory feasts steeped in deep, forensic spice.

All aboard the caviar trolley! That oscietra and beluga-loaded vehicle is just one luxury on offer here; other treats include potato, jamón and a fried duck egg for breakfast, a trio of Alba truffle dishes and a boozy ice-cream float for afters. There's never a bad time to visit 45 Jermyn St.

This tasteful Italian has been smoothing out its diners’ careworn creases for more than 60 years. Start with cocktails in the bar before moving on to the likes of lobster linguine or veal with truffle mash and porcini mushrooms. A great choice for oenophiles, as the extensive wine list covers every inch of Italy.

There’s no shortage of fine dining French restaurants in St James’, but if it were a competition, Wild Honey sure gives them all a run for their money. For undeniably sublime, fault-free cooking, Anthony Demetre’s Michelin-starred restaurant is a strong bet. We'd recommend going a la carte, or visiting early for the excellent pre-theatre menu.

Found inside a staggering, Grade I-listed Georgian masterpiece, this grand brasserie feels suitably majestic without being stuffy. Searcys brings its long-standing hospitality credentials to the table, pairing reliable British classics with a truly stellar Champagne selection. It’s a spectacular setting for sharp client lunches or elegant pre-theatre bubbles.

The Imperial Treasure brand might not yet be well-known in the UK but it’s a huge deal in Asia, where the Shanghai flagship holds two Michelin stars and the Hong Kong and Singapore branches have one each. For Chinese fine dining, you can’t do much better. For high quality dim sum and Peking duck, Imperial Treasure is unmatched.

Scully is ex-Nopi head chef Ramael Scully’s first solo venture where he draws on influences from his own layered heritage as well as global cuisine. Grab a seat at the marble-topped chef’s counter if you can, to watch Scully and his team slice ingredients with expert precision. This is also worth a visit for the supremely inventive vegetarian menus.

Determinedly old school and one of the few restaurants where that outmoded jacket-and-tie policy still seems wholly appropriate, this impeccably groomed restaurant looks right at home among the streets of St James’s. Look out for the lunchtime carvery trolley, and make sure you visit in the winter months for some of London's best game cookery. 

Channelling the dark, sultry spirit of late-night Paris, this St James’s hotspot is swathed in red velvet and lit by glimmering chandeliers. Go for the decadent, 21st-century French brasserie classics - like oysters and caviar - but stay as the tables turn into an exclusive lounge vibe fueled by high-energy house beats and champagne cocktails.

Hidden inside one of the neighbourhood's most historic hotels, this refined partnership marks the celebrated chef’s first London residency. Expect precise fine dining that marries West Country flair with The Stafford's heritage, all backed by one of the capital's most jaw-dropping wine cellars. It's old-school luxury executed with supreme technical sharpness.

Gouqi might just serve the glossiest peking duck in London, and it’s one of the many things that draws in diners to this high end Chinese eatery. Opened by Chee Hwee Tong who has seven Michelin stars under his belt, it’s no wonder his latest venture is an absolute knockout too.

Angela Hartnett’s dressed-down Café counterpart to her swanky Michelin-starred Murano is a real crowdpleaser. The long dining room feels tailor-made for rendezvous, while the kitchen’s attachment to carefully chosen produce yields clean-tasting delights such as octopus with chickpeas, fennel and orange. Still great value for the quality of the cooking. 

Named for the old English for ‘season’, Sael represents a new direction for Michelin-starred Jason Atherton whose seasonal flavours and budget-friendly menus have found home in the former Aquavit restaurant site. Expect indulgent, comfort foods, as well as returning favourites from Atherton’s repertoire. Don't miss the signature Marmite custard tart.

Jeremy King's revival of Le Caprice - in the very same site, no less - manages to retain all the magic that made the original so special. It's the same, but different - there's a new spread of David Bailey photographs on the walls for example, but you can expect the same monochromatic luxurious Art Deco style, peerless service, and many iconic Caprice dishes too, such as the salmon fishcakes, and crispy duck with watercress salad.

This wildly popular restaurant was founded by Dinner by Heston alumni Will Murray and Jack Croft, joining forces to create a generous, indulgent, relaxed and innovative space. There's a general focus on sustainability and using waste ingredients, but the results are spectacular and utterly delicious - just look at the signature cod’s head with sriracha butter as an example.

Nobody goes to the unimaginably opulent Ritz Restaurant on the off-chance – this is proper special-occasion dining. The pay-off is, of course, two Michelin-starred food served in a truly exquisite dining room marked by sparkling chandeliers, towering marble columns and soaring floor-to-ceiling windows. Unique and extraordinary, The Ritz is a must-visit.

Planted right on the edge of Trafalgar Square, this day-to-night hideaway shakes off the tourist chaos with its lush, botanical aesthetics. It’s an easy-going sanctuary built around an impressive global wine list and locally sourced small plates, soundtracked by live jazz on Fridays and late-night DJ sets on Saturdays.

Airy and beautiful Claro is a great choice for vegans and vegetarians, with loads of excellent, creative plant-forward cooking on the menu. We love the towering ceilings of this old space, given a new lease of life by Israeli chef Ran Shmueli. Start off by tearing into a beautiful, puffy frena bread, then share as many dishes as you can. Save room for some good desserts too. 

Classic dishes made with the best seasonal produce, and seeking to emulate the grand brasseries of Paris, are the stock-in-trade of this St James’s hotspot. Maison Francois is rightly lauded as one of the best restaurants in the capital these days - there’s great pedigree in both the kitchen and front of house team, too. 

Taking over the former bar space inside the palatial Sofitel, Anthony Demetre’s sleek Wild Honey spin-off leans heavily into laid-back French bistronomy. It offers a more casual, flexible alternative to the main Michelin-starred room, serving up sharp seasonal plates like crisp pig’s head and steak frites in a handsome, leather-boothed setting.

Bringing a high-octane 'big feasting energy' to Haymarket, Farzi delivers a thrilling avant-garde spin on modern Indian dining. Expect theatrical presentation and time-honored cooking techniques, like slow-steaming dum methods and charcoal cookery. It’s a buzzy, golden-hued sanctuary ideal for experimental botanical cocktails and dynamic pre-theatre dinners.

Whether you’re here for the all-conquering breakfast, afternoon tea or a late-night pick-me-up, the barnstorming Wolseley always delivers. This grand European café-restaurant offers all-day dining served with extra razzmatazz – just wait until you see the dining room. A fantastic all-rounder, perfect for private celebrations or high-stakes corporate lunches.

The undisputed monarch of afternoon tea. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II herself, this elegant, duck-egg-blue salon remains the absolute gold standard for the traditional British pastime. Dainty finger sandwiches, warm scones, and flawless pastries are served alongside an unmatched selection of loose-leaf brews curated by in-house tea sommeliers.