London’s restaurant scene is renowned around the world, thanks to its mix of historic hotspots and daring new places serving up food from a variety of culinary backgrounds. Many of these restaurants have risen to the top to earn the industry’s highest accolades, including the coveted MICHELIN stars. The best MICHELIN star restaurants in London range from casual gastropubs in Fulham’s backstreets to French fine dining gems in elegant Fitzrovia. Whether you try a daily changing menu in Farringdon or a bespoke dining experience in Chelsea, award-winning chefs work with the seasons to bring the best local produce to your plate.
Get close to the action in the kitchen at a chef’s table in Notting Hill or head to Clapham for a relaxed restaurant where simplicity shines. Head to Mayfair for one of the best Indian MICHELIN star restaurants in London serving worldwide renowned plates, as well as a spectacular Chinese afternoon tea and Nanyang cuisine.
Explore the best MICHELIN star restaurants in London for an unforgettable culinary experience – and book yours on OpenTable today.
The best MICHELIN star restaurants in London – read on for culinary excellence
For one of the best MICHELIN star restaurants in London with a daily-changing menu – book at St. JOHN Smithfield in Farringdon
It’s not uncommon for MICHELIN-starred restaurants in London to update menus with the seasons, but St. JOHN Smithfield updates its menus every single day. This ensures diners unveil the freshest local produce thanks to a unique nose-to-tail approach. With dishes like ox heart, pig’s kidneys and roast bone marrow, every part of the animal is put to use. Housed in a former smokehouse, a fresh coat of white paint and the repurposed chimneys (now transformed into a bar and bakery) converted the historic building into a London food icon. Grab a seat in one of the former packing rooms and soak up the industrial-chic atmosphere. Founded in 1994, St. JOHN Smithfield was awarded its first MICHELIN star in 2009 and continues to find itself amidst the MICHELIN ranks to this day. For a more relaxed atmosphere, head to St. JOHN Bread and Wine, where the menu encourages diners to share plates of smoked cod’s roe and chicken liver toast. Or head to the new outpost in Marylebone, where bountiful baked goods and champagne are always flowing.
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For award-winning Sunday roast at one of the best gastropubs in London – head to Harwood Arms in Fulham
Brett Graham, known for his work at the iconic The Ledbury restaurant in Notting Hill, and Mike Robinson of Berkshire’s Pot Kiln Pub have teamed up to create a charming, MICHELIN-starred pub in Fulham’s backstreets. The menu at Harwood Arms brings authentic flavours onto your plate, with a focus on game and wild produce, with venison being a frequent star of the menu. The kitchen takes careful consideration when it comes to the sourcing and sustainability of each ingredient, with vegetables sourced straight from the restaurant’s rooftop garden up above. Settle into the rustic dining space and start things off with a savoury onion and goat’s cheese tart, tender short ribs with chanterelles and horseradish and a sharp blood orange trifle with champagne jelly, a firm favourite among regulars.
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For a starred evening at one of the best Italian MICHELIN restaurants in London – try Locanda Locatelli in Marylebone
Locanda Locatelli’s head chef Giorgio Locatelli comes from a family of restaurateurs, getting his start in his uncle’s MICHELIN-starred restaurant in Northern Italy. Alongside his own MICHELIN star, he’s earned a reputation as one of the best Italian chefs in the UK and beyond. While the food at Locanda Locatelli’s is unforgettable, the ambience makes it truly special. There’s a friendly, welcoming vibe here, where diners can relax and enjoy each other’s company alongside high-quality dishes. Start things off with some antipasto to share, such as smoky chargrilled quail with liver crostini and a tangy apple balsamic dressing. Pasta is – of course – a highlight, with homemade gnocchi and tagliatelle served with rich venison ragù or fragrant wild mushrooms. Unique vegan options like roasted pumpkin and black cabbage pesto ensure every diner can enjoy a meal here.
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For one of the best Indian MICHELIN star restaurants in London – visit Benares in Mayfair
Rooted in tradition, but with a bold, modern edge, Benares brings unique Indian cuisine to the heart of Mayfair. Executive chef Sameer Taneja curates a simple menu that uses local British ingredients and French cooking techniques to create unforgettable Indian dishes. Under his guidance, Benares earned a MICHELIN star in 2021 and retained it until today. Make your way through the elegant and eclectic dining space, complete with historic doors, a colourful bar and a flower-filled pond, before taking your seat and perusing the award-winning menu. Start with junglee khumb kebabs with portobello mushrooms, truffle and a sweet hint of white chocolate, and try the fragrant roast chooza chettinad with star anise and chilli pepper. Vegetarians can enjoy the chickpea-based kabuli channa thal served with buttermilk naan. Still can’t decide? Go for the must-try Benares’ tasting menu.
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For one of the world’s best restaurant with 3 MICHELIN stars – book a table at CORE by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill
Head west to Notting Hill and step into the sophisticated dining space at CORE by Clare Smyth. Beautiful flower arrangements and charming bookshelves add a comforting touch to the sleek white and gold furnishings. With a strong focus on British produce and craftsmanship, everything from the ingredients to the silverware is carefully selected. It’s this commitment to excellence across the board that has helped CORE by Clare Smyth earn its coveted three MICHELIN star rating. Enjoy home-grown delights such as scallops from the Isle of Harris or venison from Rhug estate. The menu changes with the seasons, but there are a few classics that have become the restaurant’s signature dishes, including tender braised lamb with sheep’s milk yoghurt, followed by a sweet pear and verbena sorbet. For an extra special experience, book a seat at the chef’s table, where diners get a front-row seat to the action in the kitchen. Watch the chefs put passion and precision to the test as they prepare each dish.
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For one of the best French MICHELIN star restaurants in London with vegetarian and vegan tasting menus – try Pied à Terre in Fitzrovia
Founded in 1991 by restaurateur and TV celebrity David Moore, Pied à Terre earned a MICHELIN star in its first year of operation, and it’s maintained its high standards ever since. Moore can still be found leading the front of house and welcoming diners with a friendly smile and his signature colourful outfits. This personal touch helps make a night out at Pied à Terre one to remember. The menu is rooted in French classics with some subtle Greek twists, inspired by head chef Asimakis Chaniotis’ Athenian roots. The lunch and dinner tasting menus are a great way to sample the different flavours on offer. Try eggs kaiyanna to start before moving onto a tender venison Rossini or truffle brie millefeuille. Vegan diners have plenty of plant-based options to choose from, including sweet beetroot meringue and pistachio and rich vegetable ragu. The atmosphere at Pied à Terre is elegant and welcoming. Art lines the walls, statement lighting hangs from the ceiling and friendly waitstaff and sommeliers are always on hand to guide you through your meal.
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For one of the best restaurants in London with a MICHELIN star – visit Trinity in Clapham
Trinity opened in 2006 with one simple goal: to serve top-notch food. With a MICHELIN star – plus three AA rosettes and frequent rankings among the top restaurants in the UK – it’s safe to say it’s achieved that goal. Inspired by the seasons and the great outdoors, Trinity’s changing menu always features top-quality ingredients, cooked creatively. Yellowfin tuna crudo with XO dressing is an easy choice to start with. Follow it up with a flavour-packed red prawn ravioli and bisque, or a hearty pot roast quail with fluffy chanterelle dumplings. Enjoy a tasting plate of cheese, bread and fruit before ordering a light-as-air Clapham honey soufflé for the grand finale. Trinity aims to be an approachable MICHELIN star restaurant, where diners can relax either indoors or in the al fresco dining area. Floral touches and lots of natural lighting create a simple, breezy dining space where the food takes centre stage.
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For one of the best Chinese MICHELIN star restaurants in London – book a table at Kai in Mayfair
The dishes at Kai are inspired by the cuisine of Nanyang, a region along the coast of the South China sea. The restaurant’s liberated Nanyang cooking approach has led to an innovative menu, rooted in tradition but with the freedom to get creative. Put simply, there are dishes on the menu at this MICHELIN-starred restaurant that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Highlights include Kai’s take on lobster, with poached noodles drizzled in lobster oil. Meanwhile, the caramelised roasted Chilean seabass with black vinegar syrup blends sweet and acidic flavours. Kai’s dishes are often inspired by childhood memories of home, and that’s why you’ll find desserts at the start of the menu. Let your inner child take charge and have your choice of dessert shape the rest of your meal. Try a creamy pandan crème brûlée served with Malaysian coffee ice cream or enjoy the unique flavours of a durian and vanilla soufflé.
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For high-end cuisine at a restaurant with 3 MICHELIN stars – book a table at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea
Holding three MICHELIN stars for over two decades, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is the flagship outpost of one of the UK’s most famous chefs. Enjoy high-quality French cuisine served in a chic, warm ambience. The dress code here is fairly relaxed, and the main goal is for each diner to feel at home. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay maintains a strong relationship with its suppliers, ensuring the finest, freshest ingredients are available each day. The chefs are on the phone with the fisherman early in the morning, or scheduling meetings with suppliers of seasonal ingredients throughout the week. With omnivore and vegetarian à la carte menus, try seasonal salads with fresh beetroot, blackberries and hazelnuts or lobster ravioli with fragrant black truffle. Opt for the menu prestige for a carefully curated set menu, or let the chef patron create a bespoke dining experience for you and your fellow diners with the Inspiration Table Experience.
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For an interactive dining experience – visit Frog by Adam Handling in Covent Garden
Frog by Adam Handling brings a unique MICHELIN-starred dining experience to Covent Garden. Not only can you see into the kitchen, but the chefs even come out to your table and interact with the diners. With both omnivore and vegetarian tasting menus on offer, it’s easy to enjoy these carefully created dishes rooted in the best British produce. Adam and his team work closely with farmers, growers and fishermen to source the best produce for the ever-changing menu at Frog. Often, the team heads out to forage themselves and the kitchen always aims to use every part of each ingredient in keeping with Adam’s zero-waste ethos. Expect dinner to start with a touch of West End theatre in the form of snacks, before moving on to Scottish waters, smoked chilli, citrus featuring the finest available Scottish seafood, Balmoral quail, green herbs, garlic or Wagyu beef, morel, black truffle. Creative desserts such as white chocolate, redcurrant, pine or caramel, salted milk, and hazelnut will bring the curtain down on an unforgettable experience.
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For a new 3 MICHELIN stars restaurant – don’t miss The Ledbury in Notting Hill
Held by Australian-born chef and owner Brett Graham, Notting Hill gem The Ledbury wins 3 MICHELIN stars – becoming one of the six London restaurants to hold the most prestigious culinary award. After a 2 years closure due to COVID restrictions, the restaurant reopened in 2022 with a focus on local and seasonal British ingredients rooted in French-inspired cooking techniques. Top-quality produce comes from Graham’s own farm in Shropshire producing Iberian ham and other meats. An in-house mushroom cabinet brings hyperlocal fare into stunning dishes presented in a tasting menu featuring veal sweetbread with hazelnut jus, sea bass and smoked eel and a chocolate dessert with quince, cardamom and Jerusalem artichokes. Wine matching list introduce labels from around the world, from Spain to Italy, California and South Africa.
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For one of the best 2 MICHELIN star restaurants in London – book a table at Trivet in London Bridge
Located between Bermondseay and Borough Market, Trivet is the brainchild of head chef Jonny Lake and master sommelier Isa Bal who have been working hand in hand to create a Modern European menu with a wine matching like no others. International flavours and produces are the stars of the show, and come plated in picture-perfect dishes such as grilled venison with Tokyo turnips and pepper sauce, sweetbread with smoked maitake mushroom and cumin, and a stellar saffron risotto with confit scallop and red beetroot. The wine list features 350 labels from rare regions of Georgia, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey and Armenia, all held in the restaurant’s own cellar. With an open kitchen, Scandi-style decor, and a large glass façade, the warm and welcoming vibe sets the tone for an award-winning meal in an informal atmosphere. On Monday nights, the in-house wine bar LaBombe offers a special tasting menu and a selection of outstanding wines by the glass.
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London has a bounty of award-winning restaurants, but these hotspots represent some of the best the city has to offer. Whether you’re looking for elevated fine dining or a relaxed atmosphere, French or Indian, seafood or vegetarian, the best MICHELIN star restaurants in London have your next night out covered.
