Diners' Choice: Contemporary British restaurants in London

OpenTable

Updated 05 February 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary British cuisine in London? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Little Mercies

4.9

4.9 (28)

£25 and under

Contemporary British

Crouch End

About the restaurant

Little Mercies is a multi award wining local neighbourhood restaurant and bar, serving delicious cocktails and playful seasonal small plates.

Winner most sustainable bar in the UK 2 years in a row

Moro Margarita - Distilled House Preserved Blood Orange, Volcán Blanco Tequila, Blood Orange Salt
"Snickers" Old Fashioned - Peanut Butter, Cacao Nib, Salted Chocolate, Evan Williams Bourbon

Top review

Toby

Dined on 7 Feb 2025

Fabulous classy little place with great vibes. Best non alcoholic cocktails I’ve ever had since I was driving that night. Very impressed.

The Lanesborough Grill

4.8

4.8 (904)

£41 and over

Contemporary British

Knightsbridge

About the restaurant

The Lanesborough Grill is home to Executive Chef Shay Cooper’s modern and innovative British cookery, with a focus on seasonal produce from around the country. Signature dishes include Coronation Crab Salad, Dover Sole and Beef Wellington presented table side to share.

A richly decorated dining room, naturally illuminated during the day by a domed glass roof while seductively aglow under softly lit chandeliers in the evening, this grand Regency restaurant offers a truly memorable fine dining experience. On Thursdays, enjoy live entertainment from a jazz trio, whilst on Sundays one of the best Sunday Roast Lunches in London can be found here. An exhibition of modern art by British based artists adorning the walls adds to the ambience.

The Lanesborough Grill is located with the five star Lanesborough hotel located at Hyde Park Corner where Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Mayfair meet.

Top review

Sandra

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food, service and ambience. This is a beautiful place for a celebratory meal. Didn't quite catch the option of tap water to my cost, however!

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Experience

Sunday Lunch

Roe

4.8

4.8 (57)

£41 and over

Contemporary British

Canary Wharf

About the restaurant

Roe is a modern and spacious restaurant in the heart of Wood Wharf from the trio behind the critically-acclaimed sister restaurant Fallow St James’s and FOWL.

The extensive a la carte menu is divided into nibbles and flatbreads, skewers and grilled options, with larger plates and sides also available. As well as championing modest, British ingredients, Roe’s dishes showcase underused and underappreciated produce. Rare breed meats and carefully sourced fish from the British Isles are central to the menu, as well as regenerative crops like Wildfarmed native grain.

Top review

Caroline

Dined on 5 Feb 2025

The food is so good. The Hispi cabbage is delicious, as is the blooming onion. I will be back again for dinner next time as I want the cuttlefish toasts again! They are something else. As is the onion!

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Stem and Stem - Restaurant and Florist

4.8

4.8 (54)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

St Paul's

About the restaurant

Michelin-trained chef Edward Boarland along with business partner Dee Reid have launched a new concept restaurant, wine bar and florist at 12 Bow Lane in London, called Stem and Stem.

The concept of Stem + Stem champions British produce, both in the kitchen and the
florist, where possible sourcing as many local ingredients and products from South
East Farmers who advocate sustainability so they can bring the best product to the
table for their guests.

Guests should expect a dynamic menu at Stem + Stem, which changes more than
seasonally. Ed often seeks inspiration from everyday life transporting this straight to
the kitchen with new menu additions every few weeks.

Top review

Luis

Dined 3 days ago

Lovely ambiance and service. Last minute flowers, great food. Would recommend.

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Experience

Mothers Day Lunch & Flowers

Smoke & Salt

4.7

4.7 (75)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Tooting

About the restaurant

We love the simplicity of seasonal and local ingredients. Modern dining and ancient techniques such as smoking, curing and preserving are at the heart of our restaurant. These aspects motivate us as well as bringing in other global flavours, ingredients, and cuisines. In this way, we try to reflect the diversity and multiculturality of South London and the UK through our food. We are a Catey and Time Out Love London award-winning restaurant with mentions in the Good Food Guide and the esteemed Michelin Guide.

We are pleased to offer one of the cheapest tasting menu experiences in London too - so don't hesitate to book us for your next special occasion.

Guests will be offered our five OR seven course sharing menus only with options available for dietary requirements only.

If no tables are available do give us a call on 07421327556, we may have something extra available!

Top review

George

Dined 1 day ago

Went for the family Valentine's Sunday lunch. Absolutely superb. Best food in Tooting hands down. Thank you

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Experience

Wednesday Burger Night

Experience

Mothering Sunday at Smoke & Salt

Gallery

4.7

4.7 (8179)

£41 and over

Contemporary British

Covent Garden

About the restaurant

Introducing Gallery (formerly known as Thames Foyer), a vibrant space at the heart of the hotel for drinking and dining, where guests can enjoy a perfect blend of our theatrical flair and relaxed charm.

The beautiful new space will seamlessly integrate contemporary style whilst remaining true to our much loved heritage. Innovative menus, carefully crafted by our talented culinary team, will entice you in showcasing traditional recipes with a modern twist.

The Savoy’s legendary afternoon tea will return, in addition to breakfast, coffee, lunch, cocktail hour and dinner.

Our delectable lunch offering will be available between 12:30 and 17:30 on a walk in basis.

*Please note that any reservations made are subject to the timely completion of the renovation and we may need to contact you to offer alternative dates should we experience a delay with the work.

Dress code: smart casual.

Top review

Ben

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful afternoon tea in the lovely Gallery restaurant. Pianist playing soft music added to a beautiful ambience. Impeccable service. Can’t wait to return. A special mention to Marcel our waiter. I believe he was still training but he was a wonderful servant.

The Buttery

4.7

4.7 (462)

£25 and under

Contemporary British

Belgravia

About the restaurant

With gorgeous rustic interiors and a stunning country garden, The Buttery has become a local institution in the heart of Belgravia perfect for breakfast, brunch, or just a slice of cake and a cup of tea. Featured in CN Traveller as one of London's top brunch spots, The Buttery is unique, fun and intimate. Our menus combine creative seasonal dishes with traditional favourites, using the very best of British ingredients.

Our food is unpretentious, fresh and beautifully served with super-friendly service. Our drinks hit the spot too, with the finest London-roasted coffee from The Gentlemen Baristas, classic cocktails and a carefully curated wine list featuring produce from some of the pre-eminent British vineyards.

The summer months in particular is when The Buttery comes into its own with our stunning walled garden perfect for laid back al fresco dining. We look forward to welcoming you soon with attentive service and a big smile.

No dogs allowed inside!

Top review

Carla Marina

Dined 6 days ago

The food is good, the place is cozy and the service is always outstanding, would highly recommend.

Half Cup Bartholomew Close

4.6

4.6 (28)

£25 and under

Contemporary British

London Bridge

About the restaurant

Close to the beautiful St. Paul's Cathedral, our mission is for all to experience brunch the way we love: homemade, tasty and pretty! From the decadent Oreo French Toast, to the Fried Chicken & Waffle to the classic with a twist Hash Benedict we've got it all for the best casual brunch experience.

Top review

David

Dined 1 day ago

The food was incredible, we had crab scrambled eggs and the Bombay potato pancakes and they were delicious, staff were chatty and lovely and the whole experience was perfect!

The Hawke Pub

4.4

4.4 (14)

£25 and under

Contemporary British

Hackney

About the restaurant

The Hawke is a cosy neighbourhood pub in Lauriston Village, known for its incredible small and medium plate dishes, as well as its delicious Sunday Roast options. With a focus on quality, the pub offers a welcoming atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.

The kitchen is open from Wednesday to Sunday, giving locals and visitors a range of opportunities to enjoy their food offerings throughout the week, especially on Sundays when the roast is likely to be a popular choice.

It sounds like a great spot to unwind with some good food in a laid-back setting!

Top review

Samantha

Dined on 9 Feb 2025

Great pub, Sunday Roast is banging, best in East London. Get on down!

Ivy Cafe - Marylebone

4.3

4.3 (5853)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Marylebone

About the restaurant

All-day cafe-style dining from The Ivy with a casual air & Modern European menu of familiar dishes.