The SheerLuxe Shortlist Of London's Best Restaurants & Bars
BEST RESTAURANT IN LONDON
The River Café
The training ground for many of the UK’s best chefs, Ruth Rogers’s The River Café has been a London favourite for decades and is still the place to get a coveted table at. In its modern home on the edge of the Thames, the team serves some of the best pasta in the city and is next level in terms of atmosphere and buzz.
Visit RiverCafe.com
Brat
What a year for Tomos Parry. Mountain in Soho might be 2023’s hottest opening and his stylish original spot Brat is still east London’s coolest restaurant.
Visit BratRestaurant.co.uk
Hide
Slick and centrally located, Ollie Dabbous’s Hide is a special-occasion space that turns out everything from truffle-fuelled breakfasts to expertly chosen wines.
Visit Hide.co.uk
BEST NEWCOMER
Carlotta
No restaurant group has made a bigger impact on the London dining scene over the last few years than Paris’s Big Mamma Group. It’s latest lavish Italian, Carlotta, is inspired by a Sicilian wedding – think Insta-worthy décor and dishes to match.
Visit BigMammaGroup.com
Parakeet
The Parakeet took over a Victorian north London pub earlier this year, with ex-Brat chef Ben Allen at the helm. Don’t miss the warm croissant pudding served with brown butter custard.
Visit TheParakeetPub.com
Mount St Restaurant
From the team behind The Fife Arms and Hauser & Wirth, this elegant Mayfair venue has a pub, an impressive art-filled dining room and a collection of private rooms.
Visit MountStRestaurant.com
BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT
Chiltern Firehouse
SL readers have made it clear: Marylebone hotspot Chiltern Firehouse is still the place to see and be seen. It’s also loved by A-listers for everything from breakfast to late-late night cocktails in stylish surroundings.
Visit ChilternFirehouse.com
The Twenty Two
This hotel, restaurant and members club has transformed an Edwardian manor on Grosvenor Square into a richly decorated west London hideaway. The dining room is a striking blue space that serves everything from stylishly plated breakfasts to Sunday roasts.
Visit The22.London
Alain Ducasse At The Dorchester
Alain Ducasse’s signature venue at The Dorchester is rightfully one of London’s five three-Michelin-starred restaurants. If modern interpretations of classic French cooking are your thing, you’ll love this.
BEST FINE-DINING RESTAURANT
Core By Clare Smyth
One of the capital’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurants, it was no surprise to see the inimitable Clare Smyth’s striking Notting Hill restaurant top the votes in this category.
Visit CoreByClareSmyth.com
Sketch
After the recent refresh of its much-loved pink David Shrigley-filled dining room, the Gallery restaurant at Sketch remains one of the capital’s most striking and most fun spaces.
Visit Sketch.London
Da Terra
Head chef Rafael Cagali’s Italian-Brazilian heritage has a starring role at this relaxed two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bethnal Green, where a retro soundtrack helps set a relaxed atmosphere.
Visit DaTerra.co.uk
BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD RESTAURANT
Elliot's
Elliot’s sites in Hackney and foodie mecca Borough Market are special places where relaxed atmospheres, laid-back cooking, great wine choices & smooth service impress.
Visit Elliots.London
Wild By Tart
Another spot that won hundreds of votes, Wild By Tart in Belgravia is a striking space housed in a former power station. From the duo behind top caterers Tart London, expect prettily presented seasonal dishes.
Visit WildByTart.com
Prawn On The Lawn
Islington’s original Prawn on the Lawn is just as special as its Cornish seaside sister. Amid the next-level seafood, don’t miss its signature crushed spiced potatoes.
Visit PrawnOnTheLawn.com
BEST PARTY RESTAURANT
The Palomar
Like its sister restaurant The Barbary, Soho’s The Palomar is a lively middle eastern spot that cranks out music – and incredible dishes – in style. The counter is the place for smaller groups or take a fun banquette at the back.
Visit ThePalomar.co.uk
Gold
Why’s it so hard to get a booking at Notting Hill’s Gold? As well as great food, the contemporary boho interiors are a winner – the indoor/outdoor garden room is our pick for an atmospheric dinner.
Visit GoldNottingHill.com
Maison François
From cracking bloody marys with brunch upstairs to late-night cocktails down in basement bar Frank’s, Maison François is ready-made for fun gatherings that make food the focus.
Visit MaisonFrancois.London
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Bancone
Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to great Italian restaurants, but Bancone in Covent Garden, Borough and Soho – famed for its silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter and confit egg yolk – was the most popular choice for SheerLuxe readers.
Visit Bancone.co.uk
Daphne's
Daphne’s oozes old-school glamour and is still one of the loveliest places to book a table at in South Kensington. There’s almost nothing better than a bowl of pasta and glass of wine in its pretty conservatory.
Visit Daphnes-Restaurant.co.uk
Manteca
One of the less traditional choices on this list, Shoreditch’s Manteca combines two of Italy’s greatest exports: pasta and cured meats. If it’s on the menu, make sure to order the brown crab cacio e pepe.
Visit MantecaRestaurant.co.uk
BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT
Kiln
Michelin-starred Kiln is an excellent Thai spot in soho where flavours pack a punch. Anyone who’s ordered the kitchen’s uncompromisingly spicy clay-pot glass noodles with Tamworth pork and crab will know why this one topped the list.
Visit KilnSoho.com
Bao
Taiwanese steamed bun experts Bao make the best in the capital. There’s often a queue, but it’s worth waiting for its signature buns stuffed with the likes of tender pork belly with peanut powder and pickled lettuce.
Visit BaoLondon.com
Koya
Soho’s Koya has a blackboard full of innovative specials that push the boundaries of Japanese cuisine, but it’s still most loved for its handmade udon and dashi. Perhaps that’s because it’s still the only restaurant in London to make its own udon.
Visit Koya.co.uk
BEST SOUTH ASIAN RESTAURANT
Dishoom
Despite the extremely strong competition, it came as little surprise that the excellent Dishoom topped this category. There’s a reason people still queue to get in at many of its sites and it’s not just the unbeatable murgh malai.
Visit Dishoom.com
Kricket
At cool Kricket, dishes are designed for sharing: menu highlights include the likes of samphire pakoras with tamarind and chilli garlic; as well as Keralan fried chicken with curry leaf mayo and pickled mooli.
Visit Kricket.co.uk
Gymkhana
Book a table at beautifully designed, Michelin-starred Gymkhana and you can expect everything from a next-level G&T list to a tasting menu filled with stylish signatures from muntjac biryani to paneer tikka with fig, cashew nut and corn chaat.
Visit GymkhanaLondon.com
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Tacos El Pastor
From the same group as Barrafina and Quo Vadis, this stylish taqueria serves up unmissable, authentic tacos, tostadas and tequila at its buzzy restaurants in Borough and Soho.
Visit TacosElPastor.co.uk
Decimo
On the tenth floor of the Standard hotel, Decimo offers dramatic views across the London skyline and a menu that merges the Spanish cuisine of head chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’s family with his love of Mexico.
Visit Decimo.London
Kol
Michelin-starred Kol offers a really special take on Mexican food and is one of those rare places where the bar snacks are every bit as considered as the main menu. The gorgeous interiors and a killer cocktail list only add to the appeal.
Visit KolRestaurant.com
BEST FOR A SUNDAY ROAST
Fallow
Fallow is all about sustainably sourced, sharing-style dishes. Its memorable Sunday roasts are no exception – they can start with fallow deer tartare and will ideally end with its unmissable caramelised whey tart.
Visit FallowRestaurant.com
Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor needs no introduction, but we were pleased to see the steak-centric group is still beloved by SL readers. From great cocktails to impressive sharing cuts, its roasts are what Sunday lunches should be.
Visit TheHawksmoor.com
Camberwell Arms
This cool, south London gastropub is a local hotspot, but many around the capital are prepared to travel across town for one of its epic sharing-style Sunday roasts and a hangover-busting cocktail.
Visit TheCamberwellArms.co.uk
BEST VEG-CENTRIC SPOT
Bubala
Bubala’s Spitalfields & Soho spots are always packed. The team’s hero dishes of hummus with burnt butter; fried aubergine with zhoug and date syrup; and confit potato latkes with garlicky toum never fail to impress veggies and non-veggies alike.
Visit Bubala.co.uk
Granger & Co
Bill Granger helped make Australian food a big deal in London and his enduring Granger & Co restaurants are testimony to that. From brunch to supper, vegetables shine throughout his menus –the sweetcorn fritters are a classic.
Visit GrangerAndCo.com
Jikoni
Ravinder Bhogal’s much-loved Marylebone restaurant now serves an entirely vegetarian menu at lunchtime. Highlights include soy-marinated beetroots with whipped tofu, pickled ginger carrot canederli and omani lime broth.
Visit JikoniLondon.com
BEST CHEAP EAT
Flat Iron
If you’re after somewhere affordable, Flat Iron is your best bet. While the menu is small, you’ll be guaranteed good-quality cuts of meat and great sides – think dripping-cooked chips, creamed spinach and crispy bone marrow garlic mash.
Visit FlatIronSteak.co.uk
Lina Stores
Famed Soho pasta joint Lina Stores now has multiple London sites, all stocked with the very best Italian pantry essentials. Diners can enjoy the theatre of the open kitchen while they wait for dishes such as black truffle tagliolini and pappardelle with beef shin ragu and horseradish gremolata.
Visit LinaStores.co.uk
Miznon
Founded in Tel Aviv by celebrity chef Eyal Shani and renowned for its modern take on Israeli food, Miznon boasts hit dishes including its world-famous hummus, whole roasted cauliflower; ‘juicy lamb kebab pita’, with grilled tomato, onions, tahini and pickles; and the ‘minute steak pita’, served with salsa and tomatoes.
Visit Miznon.co.uk
BEST BAKERY
Jolene
Its tote bags can be spotted all over the capital and now it’s official: Jolene is London's best bakery. From its five spots, the Stoke Newington OG is still our pick for filled buns and exceptional focaccia.
Visit Jolenen16.com
The Dusty Knuckle
Tucked behind Dalston Junction station in a sunny courtyard, The Dusty Knuckle serves some of the best food in the area & at great value. It majors in pastries and bread, though you can also order epic filled focaccia sourdough sandwiches.
Visit TheDustyKnucle.com
Cedric Grolet At The Berkeley
Last year, one of the world’s most decorated pastry chefs opened the doors to his first patisserie outside of France. For a high-end treat, pull up a spot at Cédric Grolet’s beautiful counter at The Berkeley to enjoy his take on a classic afternoon tea.
Visit The-Berkeley.co.uk
BEST DISH IN LONDON
Steak Frites at Le Relais De Venise L'entrecote
It turns out we’re not the only ones who crave a slice of Paris every now and again. The steak frites at Le Relais de Venise l'Entrecôte was the overwhelming winner in this category. Perhaps it’s that famous double serving of fries that tipped the balance?
Visit RelaiseDeVenise.com
Bacon Naan Roll at Dishoom
While people will queue forever for its curries & that house black dahl, Dishoom’s breakfast signature – the bacon naan roll – has become such a hit, the team now sell meal kits online for fans to devour at home.
Visit Dishoom.com
Pici Cacio E Pepe at Padella
Another London institution where diners are always prepared to wait for a table, Padella’s pici cacio e pepe is more than worth your time and it’s a bargain at £12.
Visit Padella.co
BEST HOTEL BAR
The Connaught Bar
It came as no surprise that the World’s Best Bar topped this list. Celebrating its 15th birthday this year, The Connaught Bar is a place like no other in the capital – especially if you opt for one of the team’s famous martinis.
Visit The-Connaught.co.uk
The American Bar at The Savoy
The longest surviving cocktail bar in London, The American Bar is a wonderfully classic space with a regularly changing menu that celebrates its past while keeping things modern.
Visit TheSavoyLondon.com
The Coral Room at The Bloomsbury
Painted in striking floor-to-ceiling glossy coral, the Bloomsbury hotel’s signature cocktail bar is a good option for afternoon tea or a martini before heading out for dinner.
Visit TheCoralRoom.co.uk
BEST INDEPENDENT BAR
Noble Rot
There are now three Noble Rots. Each one – Bloomsbury, Soho and Mayfair – has everything you want from a bar and restaurant: fantastic seasonal menu; friendly, on-the-mark service; buzzy atmosphere; and lots of interesting wines by the glass.
Visit NobleRot.co.uk
Sager + Wilde
At Sager + Wilde’s romantic wine bar in Hackney, the drinks list (by the glass and the bottle) changes every day depending on what the team are into, while superlative cheese boards and toasties help to line the stomach.
Visit SagerAndWilde.com
Bar Termini
This bijou spot in Soho is inspired by an Italian train station bar. For the ultimate aperitivo, we love the masala martini: Beefeater gin, marsala dolce, dry vermouth and almond bitters.
Visit Bar-Termini-Soho.com
BEST RESTAURANT OUTSIDE LONDON
Le Manoir Aux Quat’saisons, Oxfordshire
Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons has held two Michelin stars for 38 years and is a must-visit destination for foodies looking to celebrate a special occasion. Expect seven striking courses and a choice of 32 lovely bedrooms for those looking to make a night of it.
Visit Belmond.com
Hand & Flowers, Berkshire
Tom Kerridge’s flagship is the only pub in the UK to hold two Michelin stars. Pub classics are elevated to new heights with bold flavours and beautiful presentation, and everything is made with produce from independent suppliers.
Visit TheHandAndFlowers.co.uk
L'Enclume, Lake District
In the pretty Lake District village of Cartmel, Simon Rogan’s three-Michelin-starred L’Enclume is the ultimate restaurant-with-rooms experience. Expect farm tours, an unforgettable culinary odyssey and the best service in the land.
Visit LEnclume.co.uk
BEST CHEF
Clare Smyth at Core By Clare Smyth
Clare Smyth is the first and only woman to run a restaurant with three Michelin stars in the UK. Having grown up on a farm in Northern Ireland, she perfected her talent working for some of the world’s most celebrated names, including Alain Ducasse and Gordon Ramsay, before opening Core in Notting Hill in 2017 – and smashing it ever since.
Visit CoreByClareSmyth.com
Florence Knight at Sessions Arts Club
Since summer 2021, Sessions Art Club has been one of London’s buzziest restaurants. That’s partly to do with its beautiful surroundings – its housed in a former courthouse – but mostly down to head chef Florence Knight’s striking food presentation and bold Italian-tinged cooking.
Visit SessionsArtsClub.com
Skye Gyngell at Spring
Originally from Australia, Skye Gyngell has worked in food and restaurants for over 40 years. Today, both Spring in Somerset House and Heckfield Place, where she’s culinary director, are among the best places to eat in the UK.
Visit SpringRestaurant.co.uk
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