CHEFS’ GUIDE TO LONDON RESTAURANTS
Where the pros dine
London has some of the best restaurants around, thanks to the world-class chefs running the kitchens and creating culinary masterpieces across the city. But where are London’s best chefs dining when they’re not the ones cooking up a storm? OpenTable spoke to six top chefs to learn about their restaurants, their neighbourhoods, and where they like to eat in London. Watch the video series below.
Monica Galetti’s recommendations – Fitzrovia
Monica Galetti is one of the nation’s favourite chefs, enjoying an illustrious career in hospitality for over 20 years. She’s Chef Owner at Mere in central London’s bustling Fitzrovia neighbourhood.
Inspired by the Aegean islands, Meraki serves Greek dishes, including hot meze. The word ‘Meraki’ translates to fulfilling a vision with unwavering devotion and zeal.
Stop by this cosy, classic French bakery and indulge in a menu featuring treats galore, be it croissants, pain au chocolat, tarts, cookies or madeleines. You can even stick around for a bakery class.
Part of the Honey & Co Group founded by Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich, Honey & Spice is a charming neighbourhood store with Middle Eastern specialties that include daily food displays, such as tagines, bakes and dips.
Adam Handling’s eats – Covent Garden
Adam has a number of awards under his belt, including Scottish Chef of the Year and the British Culinary Federation’s Chef of the Year. He also owns five restaurants and bars, including Michelin-starred The Frog by Adam Handling.
Full of colour and vibrancy, Cinnamon Bazaar offers a happy and uplifting vibe and features dishes inspired by Indian heritage mixed with urban London.
Margot celebrates the glamour and charm of Italian design, offering elegant Italian dishes and 300-plus wines to sample.
You’ll find Cora Pearl in the heart of Theatreland offering British comfort food in the form of wing ribs, beef tartare, ham croquettes and more.
Sally Abé’s eats – Westminster & Victoria
Sally Abé has worked at The Ledbury, Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill and won a Michelin star for The Harwood Arms. She now helms one of London’s go-to fine dining spots, The Pem.
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If you’re after handmade pasta, Café Murano is the place. Expect excellent cooking with a regional focus and modern takes on timeless Italian dishes.
Vagabond is the spot for wine connoisseurs, offering 100 wines from around the world. Instead of a table service, use the self-service vending machines to get your red, white, rosé, orange wines and more.
Described by the Michelin Guide as ‘the type of restaurant everyone would love to have at the end of their street’, Lorne is a cosy yet stylish spot offering seasonal British plates.
Lawrence Gomez’s tips – St James’s
Executive Chef, Founder and Director of PAPA L’s KITCHEN, Lawrence Gomez made his name on the dining scene at top restaurants like The Ivy and Sexy Fish.
In Hindi, Pataka means firework, and you can expect an explosion of flavours in this contemporary Indian restaurant with dishes like slow-roasted butter chicken and naans from the naan bar.
Coffee is the hero at Flocafe Espresso Room, but there’s also a brunch menu serving up favourites like eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and poached eggs with prosciutto.
Inspired by the Café Royal Cocktail Book compiled in 1937, The Green Bar at Hotel Café Royal is a bustling cocktail bar serving botanicals and tonics along with classic cocktails, such as margaritas.
Sameer Taneja’s tips – Mayfair
Sameer Taneja changed his cooking style halfway through his career, opting to make Indian dishes. Ten years later, he won a Michelin star as Executive Chef of Benares, where he still cooks today.
Little Berkeley is neatly nestled between world-class galleries, peaceful green areas and luxury hotels of Mayfair. Pull up a seat, order an espresso and watch the world go by in London’s most exclusive neighbourhood.
Taste flavours of India at Chourangi, which is just a stone’s throw away from Marble Arch. The menu has been created and curated by Chef turned Restauranteur Anjan Chatterji and features contemporary takes on dishes eaten in Calcutta, from laal murgi kebab and bhapa hilsa, a popular fish dish.
123V is a 100% plant-based restaurant from chef Alexis Gauthier where you grab a vegan burger or order sushi and salads. Find it at Fenwick of Bond St.
Alexis Gauthier’s recommendations – Soho
Multi-award-winning chef Alexis Gauthier is known for his vegan dishes, which he serves up at Gauthier Soho, a vegan restaurant located in a charming and quirky Soho townhouse.
Take a trip to California without leaving Soho and book a table at SOLA, where Soho meets Los Angeles and offers a high-end tasting menu with cheesesteak and Kindai bluefin, Japan’s rarest tuna.
Yauatcha Soho sets the tone with its modern interpretation of old Chinese teahouses. Stop by for all-day dim-sum and a wide variety of vegan dishes.
Dating back to 1778, Berwick Street Market is one of the capital’s oldest markets and has a range of food stalls, including plant-based falafel every weekday between 12-3pm.