London's Top 100 Restaurants 2024

James Lowe’s common sense approach to fine dining is modern British food at its finest. The menu oscillates between a daily-changing taster in the evening, and an a la carte for lunch, while Scandi-style interiors provide a serene setting in which to enjoy the masterful dishes at play here.

Two Michelin-starred Rafael Cagali’s Da Terra is a blissful representation of Brazilian and Italian working together in equal harmony. Every dish is precise, exquisitely crafted and surprising in the best possible way. A triumph!

All ones' cares simply slip away upon entering The Ritz’s pink, Regency-style dining room. Few in the capital manage to execute classic French cooking with the panache and high level of service as at this iconic Michelin-starred haunt.

There’s nothing humble about Humble Chicken, and thank goodness because we’d move mountains for more mussels stuffed with avocado, miso-cured foie gras and Japanese milk bread with truffle and chicken liver parfait.

There’s a new chef at London’s most exclusive chef’s counter, but the exceptional standards remain. James Goodyear’s dynamic cooking weaves myriad influences with amazing fluidity, delivering theatre in the kitchen and on the plate.

Indian restaurants in London are varied and bountiful, but Chet Sharma’s brainchild Bibi surpasses them all. Here, rules are thrown out the window with his witty and inventive spin on classic Indian dishes, and the interiors are just as exceptional as the food.

New exec chef Ayo Adeyemi has turned a good restaurant into a truly great one, pushing Akoko into London’s upper restaurant echelons with thrilling, dynamic cooking that stays true to his West African roots.

Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred Mayfair gem shows no signs of becoming outdated by other new ventures moving into the area. Instead, Pollen Street Social continues to astound with its attention to detail and adventurous ideas. Superb.

Alain Ducasse’s three Michelin-starred London legacy needs little introduction. Executive chef Jean-Philippe Blondet’s laser focus on seasonal produce provides the foundations for his forward-thinking approach to cooking. Choose the tasting menu for a once-in-a-lifetime meal you won’t forget.

The Ledbury’s enduring reign as one of London’s best restaurants has not been tainted by its temporary closure during the pandemic. Focusing on tasting menus only, Brett Graham and Tom Spenceley continue to deliver faultless cooking at this Notting Hill icon.

A gastropub to rival all gastropubs, this entry from two former Brat chefs brings British pub dining into the modern day. The sharing plate menu is written up on a blackboard on the wall, while a biodynamic wine list champions small, independent wineries. We love it.

15 courses of creativity, finesse and skill form the crux of Joe Laker’s chef’s table concept in Shoreditch. The venture hinges around an L-shaped green countertop, where up to 16 diners can watch (read: marvel at) a team of chefs skillfully prepare each dish like a well-rehearsed play.

The Grade-I listed Midland Grand is right up there among London’s most beautiful dining rooms, and the modern French cooking - courtesy of Patrick Powell - matches the billing.

Tomos Parry’s Basque-inspired cooking continues to earn the praises of anyone who eats here. Welsh produce cooked over flames is Parry’s way of celebrating the food of his childhood, but it’s the house specialty turbot that will forever give the restaurant its name.

Brave, insightful, sustainable cooking elevates Fallow to the upper echelons of London’s dining scene. Heston alumni Will and Jack prove that low-waste cooking is as cool as ever, with dishes such as smoked cod’s head in Sriracha butter gaining cult status for those in the know.

Cynthia Shanmugalingam’s London debut is a rip-roaring ode to Sri Lankan cuisine via palate-tickling curries, sambols and sauces. The rotis alone deserve a special mention - we could eat hundreds of them. Go now and don’t look back.

Alex Dilling’s first solo restaurant is the mark of a high-achiever, serving pitch-perfect plates that range from extremely good to absolutely remarkable. This is without a doubt flawless French fine dining - just be prepared to pay a price for it.

Victor Garvey’s west coast-inspired cooking weaves an eclectic mix of influences, with amazing results. The gorgeous new dining room really elevates this into a tier among London’s very best.

Perhaps the most unique, distinctive restaurant in London, no restaurant in the capital is harder to pigeon-hole than Ikoyi. Chef Jeremy Chan’s utterly meticulous approach and dedication to great British ingredients makes this a must-visit.

Great things were expected from Mountain when it opened in 2023, not least because it comes from chef Tomos Parry and the team behind Michelin-starred Brat. Mission accomplished! Staying true to what the team does best, diners can expect fantastic, wood-fired cooking inspired by the Basque country.

Lynus Lim and Nick Tannett have a gem on their hands with Evernight - a slick Japanese restaurant in glamorous Nine Elms that delivers genuinely innovative cooking. Order all of the skewers and the rice donabe for two.

Dark wood, scrawled blackboards and flickering candles feel like a comforting embrace amidst the heaving streets of Bloomsbury. Noble Rot specialises in simple, honest, beautiful French food, and the wine list is second to none.

The place to go when you want comfort and joy on a plate (and in a glass). Head chef Nick Bramham curates a weekly-changing blackboard of Mediterranean plates which you can pair alongside a selection of daily-changing wines, available by the glass or bottle.

Silo deserves to be considered among London’s best restaurants on the strength of the food alone. Consider the zero waste policy in effect here too and the results are nigh on miraculous.

Tom Sellers has done it again with this gorgeous restaurant in 1 Hotel Mayfair. Forward-thinking practices are embraced wherever it can, from zero waste cooking to sustainably constructed interiors, while the menu harks back to days gone by with updated takes on old-school British classics.

The Dysart’s mock Tudor exterior hides some thrilling cooking within, courtesy of Roux Scholar Kenneth Culhane. Menus are technical, precise, with an eye for tradition as well as modern twists.

Nieves Barragan Mohacho’s peerless Spanish restaurant remains one of London’s very best. Gather around the open kitchen and wood-fired ‘asador’ and feast on some special Galician cooking.

This buzzy bistro in central Notting Hill brings together talent from Ikoyi, Core, Noble Rot and The River Cafe, and the results speak for themselves. Expect high quality cooking and a wine list longer than your arm served within stylish interiors. Our advice? Grab a seat at the marble counter to see the chefs in action.

Barbecue joint Acme Fire Cult offers a rebellious take on cooking over hot coals, with a focus on vegetables and utilising low-waste techniques, such as pickling and fermenting. Here, insightful dishes are presented on bamboo plates, and best enjoyed alongside one of its fresh brews

Murano looks a little different thanks to a slick refurb, but inside you’ll find the same classy, elegant cooking. Murano’s dependability means it's often overlooked but it remains one of London’s best, thanks to notably outstanding front-of-house.

Rice is elevated to hero status at Shaulan Steenson’s sushi restaurant in Brixton, which he flavours perfectly to pair with fresh fish. Discover winning combinations such as BBQ eel, miso aubergine and lobster with egg yolk, miso and citrus in his famous temaki handrolls.

Main man Isaac McHale’s cooking is radical, unorthodox and daringly modern, his tasting menus featuring the likes of grilled habanero granita with plum sorbet, and warm potato mousse with caramel ice cream. It’s bold, and it works (with two Michelin stars to prove it).

Big spenders only need apply to this glamorous St James’s restaurant, where multi-Michelin-starred Tong Chee Hwee delivers deeply-glossed Peking Duck alongside pitch-perfect dim sum. The most exciting Chinese restaurant to open in London for years.

Perilla might bill itself as a neighbourhood restaurant, but this high-flying gem is well worth a trip across town if you ask us. The menu changes daily and with the seasons, and while all its dishes are worthy of applause, you can’t start a meal here without its famous sourdough with brown butter.

There are good Italian restaurants, there are great Italian restaurants and then there’s Luca, which is in a league of its own. Despite advertising itself as casual dining, the plates here offer a level of precision, creativity and beauty often only achieved in the upper echelons of fine dining.

One of London’s truly influential great restaurants is still as good as ever, feeding the masses with humble British cooking, comforting pies and warm madeleines straight from the oven. Long may it continue.

Chef and owner Andrew Wong’s flair for creativity, storytelling and fun is the reason his restaurant is still the only Chinese restaurant in London to retain two Michelin stars. Serving some of the best dim sum in the capital, a meal here will stay with you long after it's over.

The glitzy location may keep some away, but we’d recommend everyone to make time to visit Richard Corrigan’s eponymous Mayfair restaurant - the food is comforting, delicious and perfectly executed.

If you love classic French brasserie fare and you’re not afraid of a bit of butter, Maison Francois is for you. The iconic dessert trolley pushes it into legendary status, not to mention the slick, ever-jovial service.

2023 will be remembered as the year we lost an icon in Russell Norman, but we’re all the more fortunate to have Brutto - a restaurant of perfect imperfections. Simple, delicious Florentine cooking and £5 Negronis - Brutto knows us so well.

This diminutive Thai restaurant in London’s far east reaches has built a considerable following thanks to unabashed, authentic cooking. Bookings are thin on the ground but necessary.

One can’t talk about French food in the capital without mentioning Bibendum, where Lyonnais master chef Claude Bosi is at the very top of his game in this majestic, historic building.

London has really fallen for the omakase experience, and no-one does it quite like Endo Kazutoshi; the sushi master tells a story with his omakase feast, perched at the top of the Television Centre in White City.

Mexican cuisine is portrayed using British produce at this Michelin-starred restaurant, where chef Santiago Lastra aims to elevate average ingredients (KOL plays on the Spanish for ‘col’ meaning cabbage) to something incredible. It's unlike anything else in London right now.

If old school French luxury and service is your bag, Otto’s delivers in every way. Maître d' Otto Tepasse is a gregarious host, and where else are you going to enjoy duck à la presse whilst wearing a viking helmet?

London’s hot destination of the moment, it’s rare that a restaurant so hyped delivers on every level. Upstairs you’ll find modern gastropub cooking of the very highest order, if you can book a table.

Still one of the most impressive tasting menu experiences in London. Executive chef Johnnie Crowe’s masterpiece menu demonstrates a huge amount of skill, while still allowing the ingredients to breathe and sing. Bravo!

There’s a reason Kiln has accrued a legion of fans that continues to grow with each passing year. From its quirky, out-there Thai dishes to its laughably affordable prices, this is the sort of spot you can’t believe still exists in central London. A true favourite.

Padella is no secret, but we’ve spent an awful lot of time there and it has never failed to impress. For us, this is the best of London’s pasta joints, backed up by a fabulous Mr Lyan cocktail list.

If you’re looking for innovative fine dining with a touch of theatre, Adam Handling’s flagship Frog is the place to be. That inventive streak stretches to the vegetarian menu, which is one of London’s best.

Named after the cooking style of the southern provinces of Thailand, Kolae offers authentic Thai cuisine serving specialty skewers, coated in a coconut curry marinade and grilled over open flames on a charcoal grill. A rustic and urban style that’s taking Borough Market by storm.

Simon Rogan’s development kitchen presents a unique opportunity via its eight seater chef’s table where guests are used as (willing) guinea pigs to try some of the team’s most interesting, innovative dishes. The only problem? Getting a seat at the table.

Patrick Powell’s highrise modern European restaurant is brilliant, inventive and, perhaps because of its Stratford location, rather underrated. Go - it’s worth the trip.

James Knappett’s fine dining magnum opus is counter dining at its most intimate - Kitchen Table fits just 19 people for each service, with each of the many courses delivered personally by chefs.

This new restaurant at the National Theatre is a genuine destination restaurant for the South Bank. Dramatic, sophisticated interiors pay homage to the building’s brutalist roots, as does the honest British cookery.

Another of London’s beloved old-timers, Rochelle Canteen is still where you go when you just want great, seasonal, British food with no messing about. The courtyard is one of London’s most coveted summer dining spots.

A welcome new addition to Kingly Court, Donia slings out modern Filipino food with assured confidence. We loved everything here, from the ‘adobo’ mushroom croquettes to giant ube ice cream choux bun.

There’s a reason that everyone is talking about Crisp Pizza. Taking up permanent residency in The Chancellors pub in Hammersmith, it's been drawing the crowds with some uniquely named not to be missed pizzas.

Max Rocha’s famous parentage (John Rocha) might have helped the initial PR push, but Cafe Cecilia’s enduring popularity signifies the crowd-pleasing cookery done here. Rocha comes to the pass with experience in the kitchens of the River Cafe and Spring.

Jam Delish’s vegan riffs on Caribbean classics are so delicious they’ll leave you in denial. Not just London’s best vegan restaurants, we’d call Jam Delish an essential visit for anyone.

The Pem has a distinct feminine quality that we love, from head chef Sally Abe and her largely female led team, to the pink hued decor throughout. You’ll find an ever changing menu of seasonal produce that never scrimps on quality or flavour, and a selection of fine wines to match.

Uniquely located in the National Portrait Gallery, with exquisite views of central London and decor from the Gallery’s own collection, chef Richard Corrigan brings his Irish heritage to this kitchen with new interpretations of his classic dishes.

A jewel in the JKS Restaurants crown, Gymkhana has long been thought of as one of London’s very best Indian restaurants. The interiors are rather lovely too, with dark wood, marble tabletops and metal accents striking a chord against a jade green colour palette.

The new look Lanesborough Grill has made a splash with masterful British cooking, courtesy of executive chef Shay Cooper. With elegant and refined decor, it’s also in the running for one of London’s most majestic dining rooms.

Easily mistaken for a fishmonger from the outside, Prawn on the Lawn delivers heavenly fresh seafood and simple, generous cooking. The result is so much more than the sum of the parts - a hugely underrated London restaurant.

Far more than just another pasta restaurant, Manteca brings robust, richly-flavoured Italian plates to Shoreditch at this relaxed, nose-to-tail restaurant. Expect whole-animal butchery, hand-rolled pastas, wood-fired breads, and its own salami made in-house.

The first restaurant from Andy Beynon, staying true to its name with a real behind the scenes experience, with an intimate 18-seat kitchen with classic seafood dishes served by the chefs themselves. Having received a Michelin star within weeks of opening this is one to watch.

Nuno Mendes’ love letter to Lisbon finds its home on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia, where gorgeous sharing plates are served ‘tasca-style’. It's a convivial dining experience from start to finish, and you mustn’t leave without trying the egg yolk and pork fat custard with port wine caramel.

A long-standing cult favourite with Londoners, Quality Chop House has been serving up rustic, comforting British classics for over a hundred years. Inside it retains a Victorian charm, with black and white tiled floors and wooden booths on cast iron legs.

Abby Lee’s no-holds-barred Malaysian restaurant has become a staple for many, especially after a move to nice new Clapton digs. Menus are compact but perfectly-formed with Malaysian cooking, that packs a punch, backed up with a selection of natural wines.

Love a food and wine pairing? Look no further than Jonny Lake and Isa Bal - the ultimate pairing - who have a great thing going in Bermondsey with clever European cooking and worldly wines from unheralded grape-growing regions.

Standing where the Michelin-starred Glasshouse once stood, Hawthorn is a classic neighbourhood eatery in the heart of Kew Village. It has a friendly and relaxed feel, providing upmarket dining with the very best of British produce.

Part of London’s burgeoning gastropub scene, Mount Street’s intricately designed restaurant, combined with the brilliance and artistry in Jamie Shears’ cooking, make for a truly unique experience. Be sure to come and try the infamous lobster pie for two.

Anthony Demetre’s pitch-perfect classic cookery is all the reason you need to visit Wild Honey in smart St James’s. The use of genuine wild honey in the dessert section is a nice touch.

Diversity’s the name of the game at the eponymous Scully, a restaurant that draws on the eclectic heritage of its chef patron, an alumni of Ottolenghi. Exciting plates bounce from Ireland to Bali yet magically manage coherence.

Acting as a modern, neighbourhood joint for the locals of Chiswick, The Silver Birch continues to serve up a seasonal menu packed with elegant and innovative dishes courtesy of acclaimed chef Nathan Cornwell.

One of The City’s best, Angler provides not only beautiful fish cookery but also stunning views and a terrace that is hard to beat come warm weather. Flawless service and experienced sommeliers complete the experience.

Employing live-fire cooking, Ekstedt at The Yard’s USP is the smoky hum of smoke through everything it serves - including a stupendous tableside-torched baked Alaska. Go for Scandinavian food that goes way beyond meatballs and mash.

Now with six restaurants in the capital, BAO continues to serve its iconic Taiwanese delicacies with its newest opening in the iconic power station. A menu packed full of noodles and bao buns, diners will feel relaxed in the modern and neutral dining area.

Few gastropubs manage to capture the essence of a local boozer with the elegance of a sophisticated restaurant, but The Pelican’s only gone and done it. The cooking here is robust, intelligent and well-priced. Don’t miss the lobster pie.

Deli by day, restaurant and wine bar by night, Lulu’s boasts an intimate setting with an ever changing menu packed full of modern European dishes. Inside it has the cosy charm of a delicatessen with shelves stocked full of oils, pastas, condiments and more.

Elystan Street is yet another successful venture from renowned chef Phil Howard, and has become a Chelsea essential since its opening. This spot is all about classical cooking, friendly service, and a first class wine list to match.

Everything about the experience at Trinity is pitch-perfect, from generous service to exceptional cooking that bring classic French technique to British produce. Don’t miss the beloved salted caramel custard tart.

A solo venture from Jun Tanaka, The Ninth joins the plethora of excellent restaurants in Fitzrovia. Boasting a menu full of simple but refined Mediterranean cooking, the dishes are all designed to be shared - but there’s no pressure if you prefer your own plate!

The grand dame of Soho continues to thrill with a menu of proper cooking that you just wanted to dive into and roll around in. Go with oysters, chicken liver parfait, steak frites and a Paris Brest, then stumble out happy onto the streets of Soho.

Cadet is the part-wine shop, part-restaurant offering a daily changing menu of seasonal plates and charcuterie in an intimate, relaxed setting. Tuck into the likes of oysters, paté and cheese boards whilst working through equally delicious wines.

Marble pillars and Venetian-inspired details evoke the feel of a grand European cafe at this iconic dining destination, while a menu of European classics, from steak to schnitzel, offers timeless appeal.

Vivek Singh’s shaping of London’s culinary landscape has been instrumental in elevating Indian cuisine to whole new, elegant heights. Here, in the surroundings of an old library, he and his team serve flawlessly balanced plates.

Tendril offers a (mostly) vegan menu that puts vegetables in the spotlight, rather than fake meat and heavily processed alternatives. You can expect plenty of spices, vibrant colours and the odd cameo of cheese for those that haven’t fully committed to plant based.

After a brief hiatus following its initial opening in 2020, Chishuru made a highly anticipated comeback in 2023 to showcase West African cuisine at its latest site in Fitzrovia. Offering set menus only, you can experience the addictive combination of sweet, savoury and spice in these exciting dishes.

Papi burst onto the scene in 2023 as a creative spot that takes a zero waste approach to food, fermenting and reinventing leftovers to create dishes for the following day's menu. Wine is equally as important, with a strong focus on natural wines that have been carefully selected from the taste down to the production method.

With a focus on championing the best of Ethiopian cuisine, you can expect dishes to be packed with plenty of flavour, and a fair amount of spice. Whether it’s stewed meats, or vegetarian alternatives, this menu is all about authentic comfort food.

Opulent and theatrical in equal measure, the themed rooms of MiMi Mei Fair present a grown-up wonderland for those of us who love the whole dining experience. The kitchen’s clever handling of Chinese classics includes what we think might just be London’s best tableside-carved duck.

Serving up vibes as hot as its food, Plaza Khao Gaeng is the Southern Thailand inspired eatery that’s been spicing up London’s food scene since 2022. Chef Luke Farrell spent years in Thailand studying the country’s food before returning to Blighty with his favourite recipes.

Run by the pair behind adored North London pop-up Four Legs, The Plimsoll is a raucous Finsbury Park pub, serving up nostalgia-soaked bistro dishes to heaving crowds of hungry punters. If you manage to snag a table, you’re in for a treat.

Just a short walk from London Bridge station, this casual Italian restaurant prides itself on a homely feel and despite the central London location, offers more of a neighbourhood vibe rather than a tourist spot.

Crispin works with independent growers and small-scale producers to bring seasonal, Modern European plates in a relaxed setting. Think fresh, vibrant plates of salad, fish and seasonal puds - it’s ideal for lunch, dinner and anything in between.

The Water House Project developed from a popular supperclub to a thriving restaurant, where its tasting menus only and drink pairings are included in the veyr reasonable cost. Expect seasonal British produce and a subtle nod to Nordic cuisine.

Babur has long been a local favourite in Forest Hill, taking residence since 1985 and growing a loyal fan base ever since. Expect the best of Indian cuisine from all regions - not just your usual curry house favourites.