From Buckingham Palace to the star-studded West End, London is packed with exciting things to do and see. Whatever your plans are in England’s capital, at some point, you’ll need to take a break and sample some of the best restaurants in London. Luckily, it’s easy to find top-quality restaurants serving up memorable experiences across the city, from stellar tasting menus to must-try Sunday roasts and cool themed hotspots.
Visit a zero-waste restaurant in Hackney or enjoy a two-MICHELIN star experience near London Bridge. One of the best Indian restaurants in London has outposts in Covent Garden and Holborn, and you can book a table at one of the capital’s most celebrated restaurants in Notting Hill. One of London’s best steak restaurants has venues all throughout the city, including Piccadilly, Canary Wharf and Spitalfields. Meanwhile, a French neighbourhood bistro pairs perfectly with a trip to neighbouring Borough Market, and a unique restaurant in Shoreditch takes a new approach to sustainability. In Mayfair, treat yourself to a front-row seat at a MICHELIN star kitchen or savour a contemporary Japanese dining experience. Finally, a classic British pub serves up local eats and local brews.
London’s best restaurants fill up fast – so book your spot on OpenTable before you go.
Keep reading to discover the 10 best restaurants in London
For a unique zero-waste restaurant – don’t miss Silo London in Hackney
Step into the sustainable world of Silo London, a zero-waste restaurant committed to closed-loop cooking. While sustainable cooking practices are becoming more and more common, Silo takes it to the next level with house-milled flour, house-rolled oats and house-churned butter. An in-house fermentarium also helps Silo use every bit of the produce that comes through the restaurant, turning food scraps into delicious fermented garum sauce. Go for the tasting menu, which starts with the house bread and butter before moving on to dishes like wild seabass and sweet char siu. Other highlights include tender wild rabbit and delicate maitake mushrooms. For dessert, sip on elderflower amazake (sweet sake) and enjoy the creamy flavours of a siloaf ice cream sandwich. Silo’s interior follows the same philosophy as its food. The minimalistic dining space is made from up-cycled materials, with tables crafted from food packaging and crockery made from crushed wine bottles.
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For one of the best MICHELIN restaurants in London – visit Trivet in London Bridge
Awarded two MICHELIN stars in 2024, Trivet is a relaxed, informal restaurant serving up top-quality food. The kitchen takes a considered approach to each dish, letting individual ingredients and textures shine. Plus, with a cellar featuring over 350 wines chosen by master sommelier Isa Bal, finding the right pairing for your dish is easy. Share snacks like Coombeshead Farm sourdough with homemade kefir cultured salted butter or a platter of Scottish and European cheeses. For a light starter, try the stuffed morels with wild garlic or the creamy risotto with bouillabaisse. Hearty mains include a juicy roast lamb with smoked yoghurt and grilled Cornish turbot with a rich leek ragu. Dine indoors in the warmly-lit dining space with a view into the open kitchen and glass cellar, or, on sunny days, pull up a chair outside under the awning.
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For outstanding Indian tasting menus in spectacular settings – book at Colonel Saab in Covent Garden and Holborn
Whether you’re in Covent Garden near Trafalgar Square or close to Holborn Hall, Colonel Saab is an excellent option for any fan of Indian cuisine. With glittering chandeliers, original Indian art and old-style jazz playing in the background, Colonel Saab is a feast for all the senses. The tasting menu is the perfect way to sample the range of flavours on offer. A love letter to traditional homecooked Indian food, it features dishes like spicy-sweet raj kachori and beetroot and lotus falahari kofta curry. Wine, champagne and cocktail pairings are also available. Alternatively, try the traditional afternoon tea, exclusive to the Holborn outpost, which features mint chutney dhokla sandwiches alongside samosas, freshly baked raisin scones and assorted cakes.
📍 Covent Garden — Check availability
📍 Holborn Hall — Check availability
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For one of the best restaurants in West London – head to The Ledbury in Notting Hill
The Ledbury is one of London’s most celebrated restaurants, earning three MICHELIN stars in 2024 for its innovative, seasonal dishes. By nurturing close relationships with suppliers and rearing their own Jersey cows, deer and Iberian pigs, The Ledbury works only with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. The kitchen offers a set tasting menu for dinner, as well as six and eight-course tasting menus for lunch. An optional wine pairing includes a range of wines, such as Rhône Valley chardonnay and Californian Riesling. While the menu is always subject to change, expect fresh, innovative dishes like line-caught red mullet with earthy black périgord truffle, and gariguette (early-season) strawberries with 12-year aged balsamic and smooth fromage blanc. Located in leafy Notting Hill, this restaurant pairs perfectly with a trip to the pastel-coloured Portobello Market. The elegant white, black and gold dining space creates a chic, luxurious setting where you can enjoy a truly memorable meal.
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For a steakhouse with locations all over London – check out Hawksmoor in Piccadilly, Canary Wharf, Borough, Knightsbridge, Bank, Spitalfields and Covent Garden
With outposts in Piccadilly, Canary Wharf, Borough, Knightsbridge, Bank, Spitalfields and Covent Garden, Hawksmoor is one of the best steak restaurants in London. Using only the very finest British-bred beef, Hawksmoor creates delicious dishes like tender slow-cooked short rib au poivre and beefsteak pudding with chips cooked in beef dripping. This is one of the best restaurants in London if you’re looking to enjoy a classic Sunday roast. Dig into a rump dish that’s been slow-roasted, first over charcoal and then in the oven, to create a classic, smoky flavour. Hawksmoor rounds out its menus with seafood sourced from across the British coast, as well as side dishes with seasonal vegetables and classic desserts like sticky toffee pudding. While each location is a little different, you can expect a mood-lit dining space with an elegantly relaxed feel. Its Canary Wharf outpost sits right on the water, with large windows offering glimmering evening views, while Piccadilly Circus has unique Art Deco stylings.
📍 Piccadilly — Check availability
📍 Canary Wharf — Check availability
📍 Borough — Check availability
📍 Knightsbridge — Check availability
📍 Bank — Check availability
📍 Spitalfields — Check availability
📍 Covent Garden — Check availability
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For one of the best restaurants in London loved by locals – visit Camille in Borough Market
A cosy neighbourhood restaurant located opposite London’s famous Borough Market, Camille has a casual, bistro-like atmosphere. Grab a table or pull up a seat at the window counter to enjoy regional French dishes in the heart of London. Start off with a smooth rabbit terrine or tangy smoked eel devilled eggs. Next, try crab toast with a creamy bisque or a juicy jersey veal schnitzel. For dessert, enjoy a rich chocolate bun or a creamy burnt milk tart. Sourcing ingredients from British growers, Camille’s menu changes with the seasons and there are always new daily specials to try. Plus, there’s a unique selection of artisanal wines, with a particular focus on French vineyards.
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For one of the best restaurants in London with a unique approach to the menu – head to NEST in Shoreditch
NEST is a truly unique restaurant housed in a stunning Victorian building. To provide a sustainable, high-value experience, NEST creates its seasonal tasting menu with only one meat in the kitchen at a time. For example, if you visit during lamb season, you might try a lamb and herb fritter, juicy lamb shoulder and smoky barbecue lamb with smoked eel. Alongside the meat courses, you can also enjoy a fish course and multiple vegetable courses made with British produce. After an exciting day exploring Shoreditch’s vintage shops, take a break and visit the forest-green walls and chic wooden benches of NEST’s elegantly rustic interior. The NEST team is also responsible for the MICHELIN-starred restaurant St. Barts in Smithfield and NEST Farmhouse, which is located on a working farm in King’s Lynn.
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For a front-row seat to the kitchen – book at Pavyllon in Mayfair
Take a seat the counter and get a front-row view of the action inside a MICHELIN star kitchen at Pavyllon in Mayfair. With a creative and unpretentious menu, Pavyllon uses seasonal British produce to create unique dishes that reflect modern French cuisine Start off with a fluffy steamed comté cheese soufflé or soft blinis with whipped smoked salmon cream. The rich lobster tail civet with poached quail egg is one of Pavyllon’s signature dishes and a seasonal side like fresh white asparagus is the perfect complement to any dish. Additionally, if you were hoping to experience an afternoon tea while in London, Pavyllon offers the la vie en rose afternoon tea with fluffy scones and sweet tartlets. Located right on the edge of Mayfair, you can take a tour of Buckingham Palace in the morning, stop by Pavyllon’s lush modern dining space for lunch and explore neighbouring Hyde Park in the afternoon.
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For one of the best Japanese restaurants in London – book at KOYN Japanese in Mayfair
Head to Grosvenor Square in the heart of Mayfair and pull up a chair at KOYN Japanese, one of the best Japanese restaurants in London. KOYN celebrates each individual ingredient, bringing them together to create unforgettable umami flavours. Despite being rooted in Japanese traditions, KOYN isn’t afraid to create innovative signature dishes. The Midori Mayhem set menu features a gin and tea cocktail, cold soba noodles with sashimi and a trio of matcha desserts. If you’re ordering off the a la carte menu, don’t forget to pair your sushi and sashimi with some homemade senbei crackers. For something hot, try crispy wagyu gyoza or hojicha smoked lamb cutlets. Multiple seating areas in shades of red, black and grey let each diner enjoy their own space. Meanwhile, the warm lighting and unique artwork add to the soothing ambience that makes KOYN Japanese the perfect spot to relax after a busy day out exploring the city.
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For one of the best gastropubs in London – swing by The Marksman in Hackney
No visit to London is complete without at least one trip to the pub. The Marksman in Hackney is a classic public house serving up British cooking inspired by London’s culinary history. Dark wood panelling and oak wood counters invite you to pull up a stool at the bar or slip into a cosy booth. The menu is always changing but you can expect seasonal dishes like cured sea trout with pickled cucumber and juicy dressed Dorset crab. Choose from a number of meaty mains, such as tender grilled Hereford sirloin or grilled Middle White pork chop served with pear chutney. For dessert, try a smooth chocolate mousse or a creamy brown butter and honey tart. Pair your meal with local brews or a glass of wine from a small family producer. The cocktail list is as seasonal as the menu, featuring different herbs and fruits throughout the year.
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From classic British pubs to modern Japanese restaurants, London is a haven for foodies. Whether you’re after a hearty lunch, a refined dinner experience or a traditional afternoon tea, you’ll find it in the capital. With many excellent options near major attractions, it’s easy to fit an unforgettable meal into a busy itinerary. Whether you’re visiting the city for work or pleasure, treat yourself to something special at one (or more) of the best restaurants in London.
Plan ahead – book your table on OpenTable today.
London’s dining options are endless – check out these guides for more inspiration:
- The best tasting menus in London await at these 10 stellar restaurants
- The 10 best Asian restaurants in London to book right now
- The best Sunday roasts in London for a memorable lunch out
- 12 of the best dog-friendly restaurants in London
- 10 of the best steak restaurants in London to book right now
- The best child-friendly restaurants in London the whole family will love
- The 10 best Korean restaurants in London to try right now
- The best rooftop bars and restaurants in London for dazzling views and great times
- The best riverside restaurants in London to book ASAP
